Tried and True and Little Something New

Is there anyone else out there like me who tends to stick with a certain look anymore?  I don't know about you but sometimes I feel like I am just an old stick in the mud kind of gal.  I  especially feel this way after being overloaded with images from blog land, pinterest, facebook, etc. Geez! But....all in all I have to say I really don't care!  Fact is, I like being an old fuddy duddy.  Not really, but I do know what I like and what look I want to live with on a daily basis.  That is why when it works for me it tends to stick around awhile with just a few tweaks.

That's right friends, I'm showing the den again, mainly to share the mantle and  a few other things that have endured the test of a few seasons.

You know I love a nautical look and it tends to take center stage when the summer time rolls around.

I've used this set up a few times now but I'd like to think I've improved on it a bit.

For one thing my willow candle baskets are shown tiered here and are in perfect symmetry.  I don't know why I haven't thought of doing this before.

I had them sitting on a few other mismatch pieces to get the height until I recently found these pewter candlesticks at a thrift store just last week.

They were cheap, cheap, cheap and a matching pair to boot!  I didn't know at the time where I'd use them but just had to have them.  I am so glad I brought them home.

I got home and saw my shell plate which I already had out and bingo it hit me.  They replaced the other stands I was using and were a perfect fit!  Love when that happens!

I found this pretty pompass looking grass at Ole Time Pottery when we were at the beach.

A few beachy looking balls from Merino's home furnishings.

This is the reality of my coffee table.  Now matter how cutesy I make it.  I end up feeling like it's too cluttered.  So I back it all off and this is what works.  One decorative thing in the middle, magazines, and my laptop.  Yes, that's a kindle sitting there on top of the mags. Hey, it's still reading material okay?  

My most favorite repeat look has been this hurricane candle that I have sitting in this basket.  I did this a few years ago and have kept it ever since.  I see now the stores have hurricane vases with built in wicker stands...hmm?? Wonder where they got that idea?  LOL!

Funny story about the shells.  There are a few shells less here then there used to be.  My grandpup was up a few weeks back and was chomping away on something on the carpet and I looked down and he had a half chewed up a sandollar in his mouth.  Puppys!

Back on the other side of the room.  I've still kept the large lantern on our antique card table.   

It still has the sailboats and bottles but I added an electric candle and few more sailboats I forgot I had.

The other big tweak was to eliminate the bright throw pillows.  I loved them in the store but in my den they tended to just pop out waaayyyy too much for me.  I guess I am just a creature of habit after all.

Okay well, I believe that about wraps it up.  One more tour of the den again for you showing just a few tweaks.   One more update for me!   I am also posting this to replace the link picture of my den on my side bar because I like to keep my most updated looks on there.

Thanks so much for joining me if you did!  It's always a pleasure!

Have a great day everyone!

My First Nautical Christmas Tree

Hey Yall! Did you catch of glimpse of my newest tree on the last post?  I guess you could say this year I've decided to test the waters a bit with a new "to us" Christmas tree.

I've had a very small tree I've put on the screened porch for a few years now but this year I decided to put the slightly larger tree that I use upstairs on the porch.  I also decided it was high time I started a nautical theme.  I always see such cute nautical ornaments while on vacation and never get any because I've never thought they would look right on my trees.  

Well, all that has changed now that I've finally given myself permission to add a new tree to my collection.  And what better place to put a nautical tree then on my screen porch.

I decided to try this one out here to see how well it would tuck right in beside the hammock.  This is sort of a test to see if I want to get a larger tree.  I think it's passed the test with flying colors.  I love it!

Of course a nautical tree just had to be blue right?  This is the first time I've done a tree with mostly blues.  It's really been kind of fun!

I bought a few new things but used a few things I already had as well.  These blue branches I used for the topper and throughout the tree came from Michael's.   I got them at 60% off.  I bet I'll find more of these after Christmas too.

The mermaid ornaments I already had.  I will have to get more of those now for sure!  Do you recognize the white anchor.  It's the napkin rings I made 2 years ago.  LOL!   The ships wheel, fish, and other small wood nautical ornaments all came from the wooden crafts section at Michael's. They were all already painted too and all I had to do was hot glue the ribbons on to hang them with.  Woohoo!

These balls where from Michaels and I knew I had to get them because they looked like fish scales to me.  The little wooden boats I already had as well.

 I decided to tuck my Sailing Santa right underneath.  I think he will make a nice tree topper on a bigger tree, don't you?  Hmmm??? Oh well, maybe next year!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day friends!

Sailing in the Outback Regatta 2012

Yesterday was such a fun day!  In fact this whole past week has been so relaxing and fun as I have been on vacation.  We finally made the trip to Tybee Island as I have been hoping to do for some time.  We toured the island one day, toured Savannah one day and enjoyed the beach as much as possible.  We only spent 3 nights which was not nearly enough but wanted to get home so we could  attend a yearly regatta at home with friends.

After motoring over to the host clubhouse for this event and for racing registration details

 we set sail with friends aboard their boat.

Here are a few of our club members that we went sailing with.

The two men in the middle of the photo here are our captains.  They co-own this boat together with their wives.  It's always a fun time to go out with them too.

This is my husband sitting here keeping an eye out before the race begins.

Several other boats already out and getting ready for the race.

Speaking of being ready!  There were only 8 of us on the boat and here is a picture of all the coolers we had on board.  My husband and I also had an additional rolling one filled with food.  We  were all amazed at how of all the coolers we brought no two were alike.  Too funny!

Before a race begins all boats have to jockey around each other waiting for the signal to start.  

We jokingly called this boat the cheater boat because it had two sails.

Sometimes you cannot help but get very close to other boats while you are sailing around in such a small area waiting to get started.  You can be penalized or disqualified for crossing the line too soon.

Here's a few of our other club members waiting to start.

Finally the horn is blown and the countdown to start begins.

And we are on our way to a very promising afternoon of sailing.

The weather looked great and we sailed wonderfully for quite sometimes towards our mark which was quite far down the lake.  After an hours worth of beautiful sailing the winds died off and we were sitting around for quite some time.

Here we are sitting in very still waters.  Our friends who were in a different class came by and took this photo of us after they had already crossed the mark at the finish line.  That's me there in the middle of the boat beside my husband who is standing up in the white shirt with the sunglasses.

They were teasing us because they were able to finish before the winds died out and because here we were sitting so close to the finish but unable to move much at all without any wind.  

After sitting here for about another hour or so the race committee decided to call the race as happens in poor weather.  Just look how flat the water is.  Ughh!  As it turned out we actually got 2nd place in our class because we were so close and The Dragon Fly came home with a trophy to boot!  Hoo! Hoo!

After the sail we all went back home and showered and returned to the host club for dinner from Outback steak house and the rewards cermony and dancing.  It was quite a bit of fun as always but unfortunately I did not take any more photos during the evening.  

  

So that's part of how I spent my vacay.  

I may be back again to share a little of my trip with you soon as well.

Hope your having a great weekend too!

Thanks so much for stopping by be sure and let me know if you do!