Fall Decorations Made Easy!

Fall is a great time to decorate your home with simple, organic decorations. Pumpkins, squash, grains, fall fruit, beautiful fall leaves and berries can transform a space from dull to colorful and festive with little effort and money.
Take a look at the examples below and see how easy it is to create a stylish entry, tablescape and more.


Stack pumpkins and carve your house numbers in them to welcome visitors.


Surround a pillar candle with apples from the farm or other fall goodies like candy corn.


Fill simple containers with fall finds like squash and berries to create a centerpiece.


A simple grain stalk adds that harvest feel to any corner of the home.


Glue acorns together to create one-of-a-kind napkin rings.

Top 10 Reasons to shop at a local Farmer's Market!

My top 10 reasons for shopping at our local Farmer's Market and Farm Stand:

1. Fresh, fresh, fresh fruit and veggies!
2. Support local farmers.
3. Beautiful fresh cut flowers you can afford.
4. Organic options at lower prices.
5. Hand crafted foods like bread and cheese.
6. Most are outside, rain or shine and being outside is always a good thing!
7. You know where the food you are about to eat came from (that's huge)!
8. Amazing pies, jams and jelly (all homemade).
9. Fresh eggs.
10. You can bring your dog with you:)

 

Vintage Chic Goods on Etsy

My shop on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/vintagechicgoods has had an overhaul. All new photos have been added, prices reduced, sale going on and a bunch of new items added. Please stop by and visit! For updates on the shop, sale codes, new items and more please like my facebook page Vintage Chic Goods.
Every little bit helps me as a shop owner:) Here is a peek at some of the new items at the shop...

Wedding Details

As promised here are photos of the handmade touches I created for my sister Meghan's wedding!
I hope they give you some inspiration for your next big party:)

The sign at the entrance of the wedding!

Bridesmaid's flowers

My bridesmaid dress and cowgirl boots!

Gusts signed this chalkboard I made. Meghan can hang it in

her home for years to come and remember everyone

who shared in their special day.

The Clam Bake Menu

Wedding programs fans.

 

Directional Chalkboard to the various areas of the reception.

The wedding rings were carried up in sea shells.

Every guest got a mason jar and wrote their name on the attached tag.

They used it throughout the evening to refill on their favorite drink.

I took paper straws and attached flags with the wedding

date on one side and Meghan and William's names on the other.

A special message with a sparkler threaded through the card

let guests know to light them up for the couple's first dance.

I set up a candy bar for guests to fill a bag and take

it home as a thank you from the bride and groom.

I made and hung these chalkboard frames on the back of

 the bride and groom's chair at the reception.

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding Bells are in the Air!

Please be sure to check my blog this Monday for a special edition, "Handmade Wedding".
I will be featuring photos from my sister Meghan's wedding taking place this Saturday. I can't wait to share pictures and wedding/party ideas for your next event:)
Here's a sneak peek:

Unique Wall Decor

I love taking items that are out of the ordinary and using them in new ways (especially bringing outdoor things inside). I was looking through some pictures of a trip I took to Texas a couple of years ago and in one of the photos, (I am in an amazing antique store) I noticed all the cool stuff hanging on the walls. I know that some of the items were going to be used or re purposed for a range of things, but what about leaving them up on a wall? Or what about taking an everyday item(s) or a collection of items and displaying it on a wall to make a bold statement? Below is a list of what might seem like regular things, but then look at the pictures of how they have been used to make artistic wall decor.

Hats
Letters from old signs
Plates
Shutters and corbels from old porches










Need some more inspiration? My favorite book is, "Creative Walls" by Geraldine James.

Vintage Lighting with Industrial Style

Vintage, industrial style lighting has made a comeback! The beauty of these pieces is that you can mix them with all different types of decorating styles. Put in a modern space, they are a fantastic juxtaposition to sleek modern lines. Added to "Pottery Barn" style decor, they add character and to a industrial loft or farm house style they add a touch of authenticity.
The great news is, it is fairly easy to find old fixtures, replace any old or missing wiring with a lighting kit from your local hardware store and find reproduction bulbs online or at specialty lighting stores. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, like myself the cost for a beautiful light is fairly inexpensive. If you like the look of vintage lighting, but  want a new piece, there are beautiful reproductions from companies like Restoration Hardware.
I hope you enjoy looking at these beautiful fixtures as much as I do. If you are interested in this type of lighting and would like me to source a piece and wire it for you, let me know!


Vintage enamel light fixtures, ready to be
rewired and have a reproduction bulb added.


An old barn light, rewired with a reproduction
light bulb, simply beautiful.


This light fixture is from Restoration Hardware
and hangs above my kitchen table.


Vintage cage lights grouped together
make a statement!


A light I made from an old piece and sold
at my Etsy Shop. I love the patina on it!

British Inspired Finds

What is more vintage, shabby chic and fabulous than an English cottage? I've been inspired by the upcoming Olympics taking place in England and wanted to blog about British Cottage Style. My jump off point was a photograph of a little cottage with tons of charm (see below).



I imagined everything from what textiles would be found in the pillows and blankets in the house to what accessories might be sitting in the kitchen. With this in mind, I've created a list of vintage finds inspired by a cozy English cottage. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed discovering them.



Bedroom with light curtains, iron bed, vintage sconces,
and handmade quilts.

Vintage Chenille and grain sack pillows on all the beds.

Old tin tile as wall art.

Old ironstone plates in the dining room.

Cottage kitchen, bright and cheery with painted floors
and fresh cut flowers!

Tea and crumpets served in front of the fireplace.

Old watering can with flowers from the garden.

Cozy living room layered with different patterns.

Sangria in Mason Jars

The best sangria receipts are often the simplest. I was at a party last night with the best sangria! The secret? Fresh ingredients and an inexpensive red jug wine.

Slice up oranges, apple, peaches (add lime or lemon if you like)
Scoop in a fair amount of ice.
Add 5-10oz of sugar
Pour a jug of red wine over the fruit to mix the flavors and get it chilled.
Add some cinnamon like the Spanish do for authentic flavor.
Pour a bottle of 7 Up in
Stir and enjoy and be sure to leave a spoon near by so people can scoop the fruit into their glasses!

Add a vintage chic flare and serve in mason jars with or without lids and straws, instead of wine glasses!