How to Use Pears for a Seasonal Transition to Fall

By mid-August, I'm always ready to start making small changes that lean toward fall. When I was younger I'd tackle it all in a day or a weekend, but now I have to do it in stages. One day it was summer; the next day it was totally fall. But actually I really prefer the small changes that come throughout the late summer, day by day. The changes of the light, the outdoor temps, nature's color in foliage, grasses and sky. It's all beautiful and I love to replicate it all indoors.

Vintage Button Bouquet and Button Art

Hi friends, welcome to the Lifestyle of Love bimonthly gathering where we share ideas and inspiration using various vintage elements in our décor. Cindy from County Road 407 is our hostess for this vintage loving group, and always comes up with such fun and challenging topics. If you're following the hop and coming over from CoCo's at A Crowned Goat, thanks so much for being here!

Cindy chooses a topic and we share how we use and incorporate that item into our vintage décor. This month the topic is buttons, and I have to be honest, even though I adore looking at them and through them, they aren't something I have much experience with.  

Vintage Birdcage Spring Vignette

This time of year, I'm drawn to creating vignettes with plants and all things vintage garden mixed in. Throw in some bird nests, moss, sticks and grapevine; all the better. Then arrange it in/on a vintage vessel.

Using birdcages for vignettes is similar to using a glass cloche, as both cover the grouping. A cloche offers a more clean, pristine look, whereas older birdcages usually give a bit of wear and age and yes the vibe of garden grunge.

Sacred Vintage Easter Inspiration

Hi Friends, today I'm sharing a compilation of a few of my past posts with sacred vintage items and religious themes. 

Valentines Under Glass

Hello Friends, 

I've always felt Valentine's Day lends itself to a cloche vignette. Gathering small items into one grouping works especially well for a vintage Valentine setting. Mixing ephemera, antique cards, jewelry with dried flowers, and other bits and baubles can become one beautiful cohesive look when it's under glass.

Last Minute Ideas for a New Year's Eve Tablescape

Hi Friends, I wanted to share a few images and ideas in case you are thinking of an impromptu New Year's Eve dinner or small celebration. I'm not a "tablescaper" like some of you, but I thought it would be fun to see a few vintage inspired tablescapes and gather some common themes that will work for a last minute plan.

Out-of-the-Box Vintage Christmas Tree and "The Mystery Box"

One of the first things I do as I start thinking about an upcoming season or holiday is to start with Pinterest and spend time reviewing past posts and photos. We all have pics from Pinterest that we consider our favorites; those that come to mind each season. For me they are in the "vintage" category and I revisit them each year for a fresh new look and take on décor themes and ideas that I can include in my own seasonal décor.

A Homespun Kitchen for Christmas

Hey Friends, Welcome to a fun gathering today, as I'm joining in with a great group of gals who are sharing their ideas and inspiration for a Homespun Christmas. Thankyou to Laura at Decor To Adore for putting this great group together. If you're coming from Lora's place at Create and Ponder, thanks so much and I'm glad you're here continuing the Hop!

Vintage Christmas Ornament Boxes

From the very first vintage ornament I saw many years, I fell in love. With the tarnished, chipped, and worn metallic finishes especially of Shiny Brite ornaments, they reflected my love for timeworn beauty.  I started out with every color I could find, then began to focus on the metal colors of silver, white, and gold. 

Giving Thanks in the Holiday Cupboard

Probably most of you are thinking like me; "Where has this year gone?" I don't know why this surprises me because my lifestyle isn't particularly hectic or do I have a crazy schedule. But the weeks go by and I'm  amazed when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around and come knocking on my door. I'm always thrilled to see them, but never really fully prepared.

Heading to the Holidays

Hello Friends, thought I'd just wish you a fun start to the Holidays. So I found a couple of old buddies, living in the moment, that had it all together for the start of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season. I'm doing my best to ease into both by celebrating Thanksgiving and looking forward to Christmas. Why can't we enjoy it all... real time.

We had a real deep freeze hit us this week with multiple night lows down to the teens, so I think I might be ready to start thinking about Christmas. I'm not ready for red and green, but I'm bringing some nature elements together that will tie November into December. 

I'm twisting my husband's arm for a drive in the country to enjoy the leaves. I remember one Halloween where my younger daughter and her friend Trick or Treated in the snow, but that's it. We usually don't have this cold weather until after November 1. 

Have Fun and Welcome to the Holidays!!!

Cottage ReView: Thanksgiving with Feathered Friends

Hello Friends, Here we go into the slide toward the holidays, so during the next few weeks I'll be sharing some inspiration for Thanksgiving and Christmas as I make the transition from Fall to Christmas.

Cottage Review: A Vintage Garden Book and the Wicker Settee

Hey Friends! Last week I shared a post from my first blogging house with a precious floral teapot and a small bouquet of hot pink (Barbie would love them) knockout roses. I mentioned then that growing roses wasn't something that I excelled at, but knockout roses were a good substitute and made me feel better about my not-so-green thumb. So when I ran across this section on roses in my vintage Better Homes and Gardens Garden Book I wanted to share it with you.

Vintage Birdcage Candleholder with Seashells

I get on a mini seashell obsession during the months of July and August. Seashells are "summer" to me, so I don't display them other times of the year. Since we live in the middle of the Midwest, (no where anything "coastal"), I have to take advantage of this time of year. So last week I shared a display in the Garden Room, and this week I have a fun Pinterest inspiration vignette in the Entry.

Vintage Market Cottage Finds

This week we made a quick trip to my favorite vintage market in town. Vintage Peddler, and did a run through to see what was new this month. Things change so fast here that merchandise is constantly coming in and going out. I can always find a few things I love. I don't need anything big, but sure enjoy the inspiration and nabbing a few cute smaller items. 

Cottage Review: Vintage Birds

Hi Friends, welcome to the Weekend Cottage Review, where I share a bit of what I'm up to this week, some ideas and inspiration, and a few bits of past posts that are seasonal...

May is Bird Month around here. I've really enjoyed watching and feeding the birds at this house since we moved here 4 years ago. This house has been unique in that we have a back porch that is so fun and perfect for hanging feeders and the ability to have stealth viewing...

Vintage Market Spring Displays

Hi Friends, I thought I'd share a quick post with some Spring-y inspiration from my latest trip to my favorite vintage market in town, The Vintage Peddler. I've taken you there before, so I'll also share a few pics from my last year's spring visit, too. These were with my phone (old) and no natural light, but you can see some of the amazing vintage displays. Love that old wheelbarrow...

St. Patrick's Day Seed Box Vignette

Hi Friends, so glad you came by for some extra special St. Patrick's Day inspiration! Today I'm joining a super fun group of gals sharing some amazing Tablescapes, Vignettes, Crafts, and Irish Heritage posts celebrating "All things St. Patrick's Day." 

Vintage Valentine Jewelry and Art

Monday at the All About Home Link Party I featured a post with a wonderful piece of Valentine Art. It was created in the style of antique and vintage art pieces created with vintage jewelry pieces and buttons. Traditionally these were created with a black or dark velvet or velveteen background.  Often times we see these for Christmas in the shape of a Christmas tree, but this was done in a heart design that I absolutely fell in love with.

Summer to Fall Garden Florals in Vintage Containers

Today I thought I'd share a few pics and posts with my garden grown Hydrangeas from this house. I've really enjoyed the large lush bush out front and start snipping those blooms in late June for display and drying. After a few weeks of enjoying the fresh cuttings, they can be dried into lovely delicate dried specimens that range from delicate pinks and greens to darker mauves and purples in the Fall.