Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Tree Stumps

side tables via cococozy

Because I'm a sucker for bulk trash, I can't tell you how much it pains me to see neighborhood streets lined with tree stumps. I'm starting to think that a DR Chipper needs to be a mandatory household item. Trees are compostable, burnable, mulchable and decoratable. Okay, I know... some of those aren't even words, but they should be. If I was strong enough, I'd carry a carload of these babies home with me every time I saw a pile of 'em. They provide endless reusable ideas...

kids picnic table/seating via the savvy moms guide

tea party via little eco footprints

dessert stands via green wedding shoes

painted white via thrifty and chic

candy colored via rusta upp

natural garden path via cmybacon

Go Small:

wall art via apartment therapy

game pieces via 

my front yard

I'm not ashamed to admit that I've done my fair share of rummaging. We have stumps in our front yard to fill out the garden and smaller slices inside for table decor, candle holders and coasters. That's just good recycling. xo

Around the House: Bringing the Outdoors In

chair

See the amazing chair above? That right there is the closest I ever want to get to camping. Just looking at that breath-taking chair, I can feel the sun on my face, smell the pines and relax. All the bliss and none of the yucky stuff like port-a-potties, bugs, no showers, sleeping on the ground and the like. I've been camping... once! Not my cup of tea. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy all the beauty and fun that camping has to offer. It seems there are many who would agree with me...

embroidery chairs

rug

curtains

joel dewberry fabric

tent

sweetie pie bakery

bird camper

The fantastic irony of this little post is that while typing I was attacked by a huge fly. Okay, attacked is a strong word, but the noise their little wings make when swirling past my ears gives me the creeps. And yes, I realize I'm little neurotic. Oh, before I go I wanted to show you the amazing vintage pillowcase my husband picked up at a thrift store years ago. (The inspiration for today's post.) It reminds me of the pine trees on my Grandparent's old farm in North Carolina. Today the pillowcase is treasured by my oldest!  Happy Monday. May you enjoy all the outdoors has to offer - inside and out! xo

lovely isn't it?

Christmas Bells Are Ringing...

Let the Christmas music play, the bells ding dong, the hot cocoa simmer and the decorating commence! Christmas season is here and I am having so much fun decorating and shopping despite financial woes and constraints! This year is all about being thrifty and creating the most Christmas cheer with the least amount of doe. Being that I'm pretty much a cheap-skate year round, this hasn't been that much of a challenge but it sure has been fun!

The inspiration for our entry way came from Martha Stewart a couple of years ago. I took my boys on a walk and collected some branches for our entry way tree. I had saved some cards from the previous years, cut them up and turned them into ornaments. I love it with the pops of color from the Charlie Harper illustrations in the background.

Next up, The Dollar Tree. That's right...Dollar Tree. If you've never been there, you really must check it out. They have great stuff year round and when my boys do something super sweet or loving out of an overflow from their heart, they get a buck to buy any toy they want here. It's awesome. I found these little silver Christmas trees for $1.00 each. How awesome is that? Mix in a couple of branches and pine cones from outside with a few Christmas balls from the local thrift store and voila!

Nothing too special here - just our little Charlie Brown Christmas tree. But, here's what I love about it...almost everything on it is unbreakable! Most of the ornaments are felt or crocheted. It's perfect for my little one year old who can't seem to keep his hands off it! The other special thing about it are the Anthropologie ornaments that I've been collecting since Jude was born. Each one commemorates a special moment from that year.

For a little more sparkle, I love hanging Christmas ornaments from the chandelier above the dining room table. Some are from the local thrift store and others were on sale last year after the holidays for 75% off. Ka-ching! Love the bling bling when the lights are one and the candles are flickering!

I'll post more Christmas decorations from the house next week, as I've decided to do a little something in every room of the house this year! Whew, almost done!