Spring in a Box?

Hi Friends!  How are things in your neck of the woods?  We are super high on the pollen count right now.  Whew wee!!!  I hope you are not suffering from allergies like we are around here!  

I just love seeing decorative vignettes in a box, don't you?  Since I had a box that I fixed up for my Initial Outfitters business that I am no longer using, I decided I would create a vignette in it for my back porch.  I reasoned that I could make it inside and just plop it outdoors on the bakers rack later after the large pollen counts go down.  Good idea right?

I thought so too!  So here's how my box looked after I finished it.

I pulled out all sorts of things from all over the house to fill in every little cubby.

I was focused on using all those elements and textures that I just adore.

And since I heard there was a spring cloche party coming up in blogland I decided to add in one of my small cloches too.

This is a real birds nest with eggs that I found abandoned last year.  I have kept it in a baggie to preserve it.  Don't worry, the eggs have small pin holes and are empty.  I just adore that it is the perfect size for this cloche.

Now for the true confessions part!  Speaking of being the perfect size, and after having this BIG box sitting on my coffee table for several weeks now, I have decided I really don't want this great big box taking up so much space on my bakers rack.  Seriously!  I have another box out there already that is an old wine box and have decided I will spiff that one up more this year instead of using this one.  I know, I know, I'm so contrary!  Haha!

Soooo....I disassembled it and decided to use some of those elements elsewhere.

Like here!  I know it's kind of a kooky vignette, but I am lovin it!

I especially love the old sugar bowl sitting all topsy turvy and askew here next to my garden trough.  I set this vignette up thinking about a story I was told from of a sweet friend of mine. 

 She grew up in a very privileged family with four sisters and tells how her mother used to throw the dirty dishes in the bushes outside when company was coming.  No kidding!  She said, they always had a maid so if the maid wasn't working and company came a calling out went the dishes, half of which never made it back inside.  Can you imagine?  Too funny!  

I pulled the small wreath with a spring bow from my vignette box too.

Then I decided to create another spring cloche using the forget-me-nots that were sitting in my little matching creamer.  I also pulled one of the doilies from the box too.  Sweet!

Since I haven't gotten out any of my other Easter decor yet my newest bunny is stealing the show.  

Or maybe stealing something else, because I think he is quite the busy bunny here in my whimsical vignette.  He looks like he is all prepared to gather up a few pretty pieces of china in his basket to me!

LOL!

Thanks so much for dropping by and I hope you enjoyed it too!

I am very happy to be joining Ms.Marty today over at 

A Stroll Through Life

for a very special 

Egg-cellent Spring Cloche Party.

I hope each of you has a wonderful day!

Christmas Day Tablescapes

We had quite a busy Christmas this year hosting both my family on Christmas Eve and then my husbands family on Christmas Day.  It is a lot of work but, Oh, so wonderful getting together with family to celebrate!  

I only remembered to snap a few quick photos of the tables just seconds before the guests arrived on Christmas Day so there aren't many here to see but thought I'd share them with you anyway.

At the kitchen table I only needed to set the table for five this year.  My kitchen table has two large leaves that we insert during the holidays.  Usually we have to extend this table when my husbands family comes and even then still need a folding table in addition to the dining room table.  Not this year though, as a portion of the family did not make the trip up for the holidays.  So I only needed the kitchen table without sleeves and the dining room to accommodate everyone.  It was a wonderful afternoon but they were truly missed!

 I used my old Christmas china called Holiday Ribbon from Belks in the kitchen combined with my darker green glasses.  I think the green goblets are Libby.  The Christopher Radko cookie jar served as my centerpiece paired with candles and Santa salt and pepper shakers.

In the dining room I used the new plaid tablecloth that I purchased from last years after clearance sales at Walmart.

I kept the centerpieces simple in both of these rooms.  Since I had to move them in order to clean the linens after the first nights use and because I like to keep the table less cluttered when family is sitting around the table, I decided less is best.  

In my dining room I used the Butler's Pantry china combined with the Holiday Gatherings salad plates, both are from Lenox.  My lighter green goblets are from the Better Homes and Garden collection sold at Walmart.  My cloche filled with sparkly white, gold and silver balls served as our centerpiece.  Very simple and casual just the way we like it!  

I realized while setting these tablescapes this year how limited I was on holiday linens, specifically napkins.  Having to work first thing on Monday morning for our after Christmas sales at SteinMart has it's advantages!  I was able to snag a few bargains for myself to help resolve my limited amount of Christmas linens.  I'll be sharing a sneak peek of those with you soon.  But already, I am dreaming of next year's tablescapes!

I am joining BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday.  Please be sure and visit this link to check out many more beautiful settings. I bet there will be plenty to enjoy from the holidays!

Here's wishing you all many blessings for a Happy New Year!

Juggling work and Thanksgiving

Hi Friends!  Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  I am, well, sorta!  Since I am not hosting our Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year it's a bit easier.  Quite a bit actually! 

 Not hosting means I'll only be responsible for bringing a few dishes, which I have yet to officially decide upon what I plan to bring.  I'm not sweating it though because I have several that I know will be well appreciated.  One thing about my side of the family is that we always want the same old tried and true dishes on Thanksgiving day.  My mother has tried to introduce a few new things, but they rarely ever make the return list.  I guess we are all very traditional when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner in my family.  Now Christmas dinner, that's a different story!

Since I'm not hosting Turkey day I decided to create a Thanksgiving vignette on my dining table this year that can sit here untouched for a few weeks.

One of the advantages of working at Stein Mart in the gifts department is that I get to do lots of vignettes. 

 The large tables in the middle of each gift section is a conglomeration of several items from the shelves for display.  I've been enjoying creating vignettes on these and have to tweak them daily as products sell.  I have been learning to focus on bringing more height into vignettes.

I also get to do this on the shelves because we try to create attractive displays of products on the top shelves as well as arranging the products below.

  We receive shipments weekly so I am constantly resetting to allow for new merchandise.  I have to say so far, it's a fluffer's dream!  I really wish I could photograph my work for you but company policy will not allow it.  So you'll just have to see some of my things at home which are not nearly as interesting because I just don't have the stuff to work with here.  Oh well!  

The focus of this vignette is my newest piece.  I purchased this turkey dish several months ago from a local consignment/antique store.  It was quite a deal too!

Then I added my candlesticks and cloche for more height.  They also added quite a bit of weight or thickness if you will, to this vignette.

I then added a few floral's and pumpkins for just a touch of color and to fill in space around the bottom.  My goal was to keep this somewhat neutral looking with the whites. 

So what do you think?

Now on to my fireplace mantle, which leaves a bit more to be desired!

  Most of you may already know I do not like to add much to this mantle because of the location of it in my room.  When I decorate this mantle heavily is just overwhelms the room to me.  I have also been thinking that perhaps my sconces are not placed well on the wall.  I am considering lowering them and bringing them in closer to the mirror. This would allow for more space to put larger floral arrangements on the ends of the mantle, if I choose too.  So maybe that's what is throwing off the whole thing.  IDK!  Anyway, this is how I started out with my fall mantle.

I pulled out my Turkey platter that I inherited from my in laws to use as the centerpiece. Then I added the willow candle holders and the fall leaves.  I thought I was done, until....

..I unpacked my old crows.  I just adore these tacky little candle holders! 

 They really are very cutesy looking and just do not go with this setting at all to me.  I have to put them out though!  I just cannot find another spot I'd rather have them.  Heaven help me!

So here they rest for this year!

  I have so little to time fret for long over these things here at home now, which is a good thing. Working has had it's advantages for me for sure.  I really am getting much better with managing things during my time off now too.  Because I am on the go none stop at work, I am starting to be more "on the go" when I am off as well.

  For example, today I have to go in from 1:00pm to 9:30pm because I have to help with closing.  So this morning I am blogging and crafting.   Most of the time I work mornings and afternoons but it's always changing, that's retail.  My lunch hours are spent eating and shopping for crafts, groceries and now Christmas.  Days off are for family, cleaning and if time allows whatever else I want to do.  It's a juggling act for sure, but I have been so busy I am starting to drop some weight even though I am eating terribly.  My energy is returning too.  It's funny how when you don't have much time to do things you seem to be more inspired to do them.  Weird!

You will have to stop back by again soon to see something I am working on.   Here's a hint!  It's very easy to do and you've seen them a thousand times already I'm sure!  It's warm and cozy but the combination that I am using is probably new to some of you.  Can you guess what it is?  I think it's going to be one many of you will love!  I'll try to finish it up this week!

Anyway, that's what's up with me along with a few vignettes I thought I'd share with you!  I may add these to a few linky partys later on when I think of them.  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!