Friday, September 20, 2013

Fall Mantel Decor

Fall is my absolute FAVORITE time of the year. What's not to love? Growing up in Mississippi, we barely had a fall. We had two seasons - HOT and a little less hot. Ha! It never cooled off - even at night. My husband and I didn't even own scarves and boots before we moved to Georgia. We never really needed a lot of heavy winter clothing either.

Well...now I am loving having Fall as an actual season. Trips to the Apple Orchards and making apple cider and apple sauce. Trips to the pumpkin farms and mazes and hay rides - Achoo! Excuse me! Alas, I am allergic to hay.

Back to the important things. The smell of cinnamon and apple cider and pretty much anything pumpkin. Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin custard, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced latte. Okay- I know, I  know - enough of the Forest Gump reference.

The mere tease of a cool day in September gets me excited.

This year, since I have started this blog, I decided to actually decorate for fall. I usually don't like to spend additional money on holiday decor for each holiday (although I really do love to decorate the whole house for Christmas). So, this year I decided to see what I could do with what I already had. We are on the Dave Ramsey track at our house (more on that a little later).

So, here's the scoop. I drug out my limited decor options today. I didn't just go to the entryway dresser {My Dresser Redo}, but I went "Shopping" around the house. I went into every room looking for items to use in my Fall Decor. This really works. You don't need to buy new items specific to a season if you are a little creative with what you already have. Also, think outside the box with colors. Come up with your own color scheme for the season.

The first part of our home that I decorated was the fireplace mantel. I love having a mantel. If we didn't have a fireplace, I would create a mantel I am sure.

On the mantel, there lives a crazy cute mirror I bought for $10 at a garage sale. It came from an antique makeup vanity, but someone had removed it and painted it a pretty turquoise color. The shape is great and the color is even better - I had to have it. It was at a neighbor's house and I spied that mirror all day until I couldn't stand it anymore and walked down to get it. You can see the mirror here on the mantel.


I decided for this fall decor that I would leave the mirror in place and add other items to it. 

Here is the list of items used:
  • Bag of Fall Potpourri from Micheal's last year (including 5 pine cones, acorns and other items)
  • Pumpkins (bought last year on Clearance at Micheal's)
  • A roll of Burlap Garland (reused from an old wreath) 
  • The letter C decoupaged with craft paper (from an old wreath)
  • Candle holder with yellow candle (have had for years)
  • Plastic (not glass since it was cheaper) Hurricane (bought at Micheal's with coupon a few years ago) 
  • Turquoise vase (from Home Goods clearance)
  • Flowers I have had through the years
  • 2 Willow Tree carvings that were gifts ("Together" and "Our Gift") {Willow Tree Source} You can also find these at Hallmark and Cracker Barrel. The Willow Tree entitled "Our Gift" has VERY SPECIAL MEANING to us (Thanks Mom!!) See our Adoption Blog {Here}
  • A pumpkin and ribbon I saved from a gift I received 

Fireplace View

Hurricane with Fall Potpourri and "Together"
 


Candle with Ribbon from Gift
Candle with "Our Gift"
Home Goods Vase with Florals
Up Close View


Hanging "C" with Pinecones (the Golden Rule of odd numbered objects - 5)
So, there you have it! My FREE (this year anyway : ) Fireplace Mantel Fall Decor. Stay tuned for more on Fall Decor when my 10 month old allows the free time. I love him!!!


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