I have been cleaning out my cabinets and basement the past few weeks. I've made at least three trips each to Goodwill and the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Of course I couldn't stop without taking a peek inside to see if there were any fabulous finds waiting for me. Considering I only came home with something once from each place, I wasn't feeling too guilty.

I have two of these glasses already and my favorite part is the little "crystal ball" on the stem. I had found them at a thrift store several years ago and hadn't seen anything similar since that time. They have the ring of crystal when tapped but I have no idea of their maker. If you know anything about them, please let me know!

I have some beautiful Waterford glasses, but am always nervous about using them for anything but the most special occasions. These pretties will work well for other days. I had a few plain glass stems and decided to donate them to the Goodwill on my next trip so that I could make room for these darling glasses with a bit of sparkle to them {gotta have a little sparkle}.


I was feeling rather lucky that I found 10 in perfect condition at the Goodwill.  I was thinking of just picking up six to make a set of eight, and then I decided to grab the other four to make an even set of twelve. My daughter loves the design of them as well, so if  I decide I have too many, I know she will take them. I have made the mistake before of leaving part of a set behind with the silver punch cups I found. I changed my mind, went back and of course, the remaining pieces were gone. Lesson learned: if you love it, buy it. Most likely, it won't be there if you change your mind later!


Many boxes out of the house for charity... only one small one back in. Not too bad!

I have a lot of vintage luggage. As long as I keep finding uses for it (mostly storage), I'll keep picking up pieces if the price is right.

This piece first caught my eye because of the neutral stripe. I have one other case with a similar pattern; it's perfect for fall. It can go anywhere... the color will blend easily in any of my rooms.



It's missing the handle, which is why it was only $5. That, and the dealer I bought it from always is ready to provide great prices. I thought I could replace the handle... or not. I'm perfectly fine with it the way it is if I don't get around to it. I was ready to buy it as is... And then...



I opened it up... and the inside, well.... it's amazing! Absolutely perfect blue silky satin. A diamond in the rough, don't you think?


Every original tag and ribbon are still attached. It is the most intense shade of blue. Pristine and elegant...it's over the top glamorous {on the inside}, don't you think?




Right now I am getting my hats, scarves and mittens out for the season. I don't have a space cleared for them in the mudroom quite yet. They'll be happy to be tucked away in this pretty package for a while. I often use my vintage luggage as a temporary home for things around the house and also for seasonal decor collected before it's time to be displayed. You can see an example of fall's suitcase full of  autumn leaves here.



 Remember to look for beauty where it counts... on the inside!

I have a lot of seasonal decorations. Bins and bins of vintage finds, family treasures and thrifted goodies. I am feeling a little overwhelmed by it all this year. I actually packed most of it back up and gave a few things to my daughters for their college apartments. I had purchased a few new things from JoAnn's and Michael's and returned them once I brought out my collection that was stored away. I have so many decorations already that would work well again this year.

Just as I was putting things away, I set a stack of faux autumn leaves, yet another vintage candle and a new rectangular tray I picked up at Target over by the bar sink and decided the leaves were too pretty to put away and they would be perfect set on the new tray by the sink. Very simple... yet pretty!





The other side of the sink needed a little something and so the candle slid right into place.


Nothing fancy, no great creative shakes.... just a few things I enjoy looking at brightening up the bar sink. Leaves on a pretty tray.... why not?




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I decorated my fireplace mantel for Halloween a little differently this year.... it's a little darker, minimally orange and just a {tiny}bit spooky!



The inspiration started with these birds I found at the craft store. They're a little smaller than what I have typically seen, but their big attraction to me was the glitter {love glitter}.



I decided to bring out my vintage window frame, leave up the silver vase and bare branches from my early autumn mantel, and add a few other touches with items I already owned.




The birds are the only new purchase for this Halloween mantel. All the other items were plucked from my holiday storage bins or stash of  trusty decor basics. I love mixing old and new to come up with a fresh look each year.

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I like to do a little something different with my fall decor each year. I kept some of the same floral elements as last year, but added a few new items. I began with a thrifted silver vase filled with fallen branches from the yard.


This collection of branches started out with a Halloween idea in mind. I was going to spray paint them. The more I looked at the plain branches contrasting with the bright silver vase I decided to keep them natural.


The vase was the first thing I put on the mantel. I confess I like the simple beauty of this piece all by itself. Not for this fall, but perhaps in January... when the house has been dressed to the hilt for several months and I am ready for a clean and simple slate.



Rather than stick with typical oranges, reds and yellows, I like the bright yellow-green of the apples. The color is the same as in the painting. Warm and bright at the same time.


I would love to live on this street. It is right out of a storybook setting.


A bouquet of mums with leaves and pumpkin sprays warm it up a bit. It was nice to get the mantel done. It's really the first thing you see when you walk into the room. Fall has come to the dining room!



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Vintage Halloween Decor... it can be cute, scary, or even... weird. I think this little retro witch is all of those.  A few weeks ago I happened to hit Goodwill on the opening day of their Halloween Shop. It wasn't planned.

 
If you remember, I picked up a few little trick or treat buckets, one of which was a lovely Empire Plastics kitty. I mentioned that a few larger items made their way into my cart as well....



and here they are. Although this witch was the one that caught my eye, the second figure was even better. It's an Empire Plastics figure. The clue was in the face... modern Jacks don't have the same wide-eyed skinny smile.


His second half is just a silly ghost with a goofy smile.



But together... the pair is  pretty cute. Not too spooky, not even weird... like the witch. It was a very good day at the Goodwill.


These light up figures are large, hard to store and don't appeal to everyone. I like them... I guess that's all that matters. I have a little neighbor girl who loves all the light up Jack-o-Lanterns in my windows each year. Won't she be surprised to see what I have added to the decor this year!


P.S... not everyone in the house is thrilled with the new decorations. Hopefully Marley's attitude will change before they go out October 1.