Fireplace Mantle

Even though it is not exactly how I would like it to be and there are some adjustments I will make in the future, for now, this is my mantle!

This is one of the three mirrors I bought from Target, and the other two I have hanging vertically in my dining room. I liked it because I was initially going to try to get a venetian style mirror but that ended up being too expensive as well as a bit too gaudy. This was my simpler and cheaper alternative hehe.

I might swap it out for a larger one with an espresso wood frame... I also plan on getting a few more frames that are larger as well. Maybe a few more class candle holders that are even taller. Another trip to Hobby Lobby!!

All these sort of vintage feeling jeweled frames I bought at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. Even the little camouflaged clock I found there!

If I could somehow bring more light into the living room area without this lamp on the mantle I would also like to move this, but I would need to get a chandelier for this.

Do you like my little matchbox?

I have so many candles that I have all the rest of the matchboxes in a larger box on my bar, but this was perfect for the few I need to light my fireplace mantle candles.

I heart candles... and shiny things hehe.

I also printed out all my photos with low degrees of color saturation so that the color wasn't fighting with the actual frames. Since I do not have black and white in my living space, I didn't want to loose all color entirely though. They have more of the appearance of old faded photos but without as much sepia tone.

Now I just need to continue my collection of photos throughout my home! :)

Christmas '09... Part 2

I swear this is the last christmas 09 update. Promise!














This was my buffet bar area that I never use and never really plan on using for anything useful. I do like that I have it though... Useful for decorating as well as storage! I have all my pens and scissors and tape and batteries, as well as my important documents within easy access here.

Do you not love the wreath? Jen's Mom was so wonderful to make it for me last christmas.

And this little christmas tree is another christmas present from my mom a few years ago which I at first was quite disappointed about, but once the next year came around I decided I could make it work. I think the addition of the candles adds just the right interest! :)

Christmas '09

Yes, I am now updating my christmas blog... everyone shusht.


Keeping the season alive! So this was my little tiny christmas tree all decorated and happy for the holidays. I hunted for a bit trying to find one reasonably priced since christmas time is always tight with money, and ended up getting this one from Walmart after visiting 2 Targets and 2 Walmarts. The original tree I wanted was fuller and looked a bit darker in coloring, but considering it was out of stock for too long I ended up with this one instead.


Decorating the tree was super fun as well! I have more of the traditional dark burgundy and forest green ornaments, along with specks of gold sprinkled into the mix.


I didn't really buy any more ornaments this year either since I couldn't afford it, so next year maybe I can pick up a few special ones after the holidays. I did get a set of gold glittered musical instruments that I found with Mom shopping in Fredericksburg!


I heart my tree. :)


This fellow is one of my Santas that I am collecting...





He is about 2 feet tall and is pretty perfect. He is rockin the gold, burgundy, forest green!!

These guys are my other fellow santa clauses. I would like to continue collecting St. Nicks that I periodically spot about while shopping, but I am going to continue to be very particular. This past year I didn't find any great discount on an especially precious one, so on to next year...

I am going to try to get ones decorating very differently, but always avoiding the garish red and white so typical. I definitely think that santa would mar the others!

This was MY christmas at home, while the next few images are from my parents'.

I became quite familiar with this image while waiting for the bus to come pick me so I could finally go home and fall asleep in my own bed. After 3 trips on a bus to and from Austin, each time I came back home around 11:20 at night and huddles with my bags for warmth, happiness infused my limbs once this train arrives at the station.

This is just one of the pastel little paper houses on my mom's village. We saw a couple of much larger ones in a few of the shops around Wimberly, but she didn't add to her collection. I am contemplating making my very own though... they aren't too complicated to make!

This is the tree stump lamp that Mom got me for christmas a few years ago... that I was not to happy about. It looks great all lit up though in ehr house. I still say you should pretty much never give christmas themed gifts to someone... on christmas.

Unless it only constitutes a very small part of the gifts that year, like the rat pack christmas CD I got in my stocking this year! That was the best gift ever, even though it was a very last minute find on my mom's part.

While in Walmart right beforehand, we both split up and then found eachother again with newly acquired mysterious packages. So fun!

I can't wait till next year!!

Server Ware

I know I didn't get married or have a baby opr anything, but I still think I have the right to a great server ware collection and some good pots and pans! With that in mind, I found a set of salt n pepper shakers at Marshalls that I think are pretty cute and go with what I want. The porcelain isn't quite right, so I think I will still be keeping my eyes out for a set that is whiter, but for now they will do nicely.



I really think they are pretty cute!

While I was on my shopping expedition, I also decided to purchase a few more serving bowls and trays. I decided to show my collection as of now below. The large trays and baking dish are from walmart, the small bowls and spoon tray from target, and the others are odds and ends from Ross.

I also want to get some more bake ware, a soup tureen from Target, measuring spoons and cups all in white porcelain, as well as stainless steel serving utensils. Each one of those can cost more than $5.00 so I am saving those purchases for another time.

I like the gold tablecloth with the porcelain too!! My living room curtain panels are exactly the same and with the white crown molding everywhere it just pulls the look together.

I did get another tablecloth as well though! I really like how the design isn't so bold, but still adds visual interest. This of course, was another find at Ross for $5.00. It is so hard not spending money when you find such great deals....

Beverage Bar

So even though no one lives up here... and so entertaining pretty much never happens, I always want the option!


Therefore, I am slowly working on getting a sort of beverage bar set up for drinks and things. Obviously this is low on my priority list, but I have fun looking.


Right now, I am using the media stand for this since I have my stereo in my room now. I had only two red wine glasses for quite awhile, but this weekend I found sets of 6 (I didn't want 4 cause that is too lame lol) of champagne and white wine glasses from the same brand (circle ware) at Ross.


$10.00 for both! Ross always has glass ware but this was a deal I hadn't yet seen and couldn't pass up....

When I took them out of their casings they were so much heavier than I expected! I definitely think I made the right decision. 4 pairs is just too limiting, but I also don't want to waste a ton of money on excessive glasses as well...


Now I have to actually purchase some Vodka to try out a few cocktails! Maybe champagne will be first though... hmmmmm.