Fall Decor on a Budget - Restyle, Rework, Reinvent

Look at me with some regular posts!  You know I love fall and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share how we've brought the season inside.  Today's post is brought to you by the letter "R".  Three "R's" to be exact.  Restyle, Rework, Reinvent.

Last year I went with a rustic glam look with gold and silver pumpkins and pine cones.  You can check that out here.

I followed the same color pallet this year, but reworked some of my vignettes to keep it fresh.  I'm a firm believer in using what you have and making it feel fresh.  Mister had some extensive work done to his car recently so new decor just wasn't in the budget.  Does that mean we sit around and let everyone else have all the fun?  No way!  Restyle, rework, reinvent!

My favorite way to start any new decorating project is to take everything I have to work with and put it all on one table.  Then, I "shop" from there.  It's pretty fun and I always come up with a new way to use things I already had.

Here's a look at our fall entry...

It really just makes me smile every time I pass by.  And isn't that what decorating is all about?

Our dining room is very visible when you enter our home so it also got a little pumpkiny glam.  I just love the way the tray corrals the big pumpkins.

Little collected all the pine cones.  He was very excited to help!

The mantle is full of color and texture.  I love the mix of bright foliage, rough nature textures, and pretty mercury glass.

The acorn art was a special project with Little.  I'll post more about that later...

So there you have it.  Not a dime spent, but a whole new look from last year.

Are you restyling this year or making a few stops around town for new decor?

XO,
  Sara

Easter Table 2013

If you popped in to check out my Easter mantle from yesterday, you know the name of the game this year is 'simple'.  After a big birthday party and a trip to Disney, I kept the table as low-key as possible.

I pulled out my swag of burlap again to be the runner.  I wonder if I'll ever tire of this thing?!

Then, I added a white pitcher from my collection, popped in some botanicals from Target, plunked my cute Target bunnies down and scattered my Kroger eggs about.

Hopefully it looks a lot better than it sounds!

What have you been putting up for Easter?  Has it warmed up where you are?

I just love this time of year.  Get your white shorts and sandals ready girls!

XO,
  Sara

Dino Party - The Table

The first thing I do when planning a party is come up with the theme and/or colors.  Then...the table!  I love to set the table first because it sets the tone for the rest of the party and usually takes me in a direction I hadn't anticipated going.

I thought it would be fun to seat the kiddos in the dining room for Little's 4th Birthday party.  They thought it was pretty cool to be at the big table while the mom's ate in the kitchen.

I started by using a roll of wrapping paper from the Target $1 spot for the runner.  I also used some of this paper for the juice box covers.

Next, I used two of Little's favorite toy dinos as a focal point, some flowers and a birthday balloon.  Because how can you not have a Happy Birthday balloon at a child's birthday party?!

Last spring I DIY some chalkboard chargers.  These were the perfect place to give our guests their very own dinosaur name.

I topped each charger with a yellow paper plate, a red dinner napkin, and some very cute blue and white rugby striped appetizer napkins.  The plastic dinos were another favor the kids could take home.  They came from the Target $1 spot.  Got to love that place!

The whole table probably cost me $15, with the cost of all the dinosaurs and the flowers.  Not bad for a very cute, very festive table!

The little ones sure seemed to like it...

Up next, the mantle.  Then I promise I won't bore you with my dinosaur birthday party anymore!

XO,
  Sara

Happy Birthday Bloggy!

Well, this little blog of mine will turn 1 on Wednesday...technically.  However, I didn't really put much into my blogging until about September, so...

I've always loved to write and have attempted many different ways to outlet this love.  This home blog stuck.  It was slow to get started, but now it is truly a part of my everyday.  I personally gain so much from reading blogs that I feel the need to pay it forward and contribute in some way.  If just one person gains inspiration from what I share, yay! :)

Since the end of a year is a time of looking back, I thought it would be fun to highlight some of my favorite (and your favorite too!) posts.

Last January I shared a cute DIY Valentine Wreath.



Then, in February, I showed you my V-day mantle and my DIY milk glass jars.




In the Spring I shared how to make a festive birthday wreath out of dollar store materials...



...and how we helped little man turn the big 3 with a Mickey party.




I made over a Goodwill lamp in April,




and shared Little's playroom over the summer.




Things really picked up in the fall when we welcomed fall,




  monogrammed a wall,





Set a Fall table,



Decked out the mantle,



painted some pumpkins (here and here),

        


made a mossy masterpiece,




showed you how to make and use my Home Binder (this was one of the most popular posts all year),




and baked some out of this world treats (here and here).


   


I shared my holiday home with you recently,



as well as some ideas for quick gifts (for any time of year!) here, here, and here.

   




We've also had some fun playing with different looks...


     



       




              

I sure like the sorority girl pose, don't I?  I have to say though, I think my Fashion Fun pics have gotten much better.  I'm learning!

This has been such a fun "year" of blogging for me.  In the past few months that I've really been giving Nest some love, I've met some great people, learned a lot about photography, and really learned a lot about who I am as a mom, wife, baker, decorator, person.  They say reflection is the best tool for personal growth...

To those of you who faithfully come read my random tidbits, I thank you.  Whether it's with sweet comments or silent cheerleading, your support has given me more than you know.  I started 2012 in kind of a rocky place, but I can confidently say that 2013 is my year!

Get ready, we're going to have a lot of fun!!  Happy New Year!

XO,

 Sara