Well hello friends and Happy November!
I know, I'm a few days late with that greeting, but it's only because I've been enjoying the crisp fall days of this new month to the fullest.
Now I know that Christmas has arrived in full force on much of the internet. My social feeds are full of trees.
However, if you've ever visited me during the holiday season, you know that I just don't do Christmas this early.
I know, I know. I'm a blogger and I'm supposed to be showing you inspirational decor, crafty upcycles and DIYs so you have time to prepare if you like my ideas.
And I will. Shortly.
But I'm just not there yet.
In the eight years that I've made my home here online, I've only put my tree up once before Thanksgiving...that was last year...and it was on the day before.
Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas just as much as the next guy, it's just that in my neck of the woods, fall has a late kick off, and it's just hitting its groove in November.
I like sinking into that a bit.
Of course, it doesn't mean I don't enjoy looking at everyone else's tinsel and bows, so I can gather my own ideas. Oh, I do!
Right now, though, I'm still stuck in just looking phase. Well, looking and maybe a little bit of gathering.
Hence my shares for today's Fun Friday Finds.
They're still mostly anchored in fall. Actually two are Halloween throwbacks...is that a little too fall? Maybe.
Oh, well...even those shares have options for those of you that have moved onto Christmas.
I promise.
Let's start in the kitchen shall we?
My plate rack is dressed from head to toe in pumpkins. Real and not.
The dishes are from Dollar Tree. Can you believe that? They were a dollar each.
I think you can still get them in the store. They're sold out online...however if you're ready for Christmas there are options available online.
Holly Berry Collection
Holiday Snowflake Collection
My Grateful and Gather versions have been decorating this room for a while and on Thanksgiving day, they'll be on the table with my mom's Lenox china that we found in the wall last year.
Below them there's another Dollar Tree treat...a small sign. Seriously, you never know what tiny treasure you'll find for a buck in that store.
Next to my sink, I have seasonal roses from the grocery store and a container of Hot Cinnamon Sunset tea in the perfect hue and flavor for fall.
On my kitchen table, I have a few more pumpkins and candles. Lots of electric candles. As a matter of fact I have new ones that I adore.
They're tapers with a timer, no remote to lose, they just go on and off by themselves. And they have a dancing flame.
I swear they look real.
I bet you never suspected they weren't real.
Other than that I've filled my days fall cleaning (I think it makes much more sense than spring cleaning!) and cooking up some warm meals.
What other fun finds do I have for you today?
Small business shopping!
Just because I'm not decorating yet, doesn't mean I'm not shopping. 😉
First up is a fabulous Etsy shop called Mixed Kreations By Me. It belongs to my friend Linda from Mixed Kreations blog. She makes the most darling painted wooden figures.
Look at those faces.
I bought this kitty to sit on my desk and Linda sent me the pumpkin magnet as a gift. So sweet.
As a matter of fact this morning when I went to grab the link to share, I saw a Santa and bought him.
So much for no Christmas, huh?
Next up is a fun craft I've found from my friend Jane and her Chalk Couture shop.
Have you heard about this? It's like stenciling but not.
They're mesh screens. I made small Halloween and Christmas tags from a sample kit Jane was generous enough to let me try.
Then you place it on the surface you're going to decorate, squeeze the colored paste out onto a palette and then using the small squeegee apply it.
It was foolproof and now I'm hooked.
Next up is my favorite Paint By Numbers shop, Winnie's Picks.
They now have kits for kids and I'm smitten.
They come in a two pack, linen canvas over cardboard, with everything necessary for little ones to create their own works of art.
You can bet I'll be sending them to the littles on my list.
I also wanted to share a company I found this week, Emerging Green.
They're a small family owned business that sells items made from sustainable or recycled materials. Very cool.
Personally, I love the self watering plant pots. Hello...not a gardener here, but these look like they could help me keep my constantly thirsty plants alive.
I also love their Wooden Bird Houses. We used to have a few that the kids made years ago, but they rotted out long ago. No houses left around here.
So these are on my wish list.
It's no secret that I love seeing the animals in my backyard.
If it encourages some of them to stick around a while, fabulous.
Of course, most of them are getting ready to hibernate right now.
Gathering their supplies for winter.
Harvesting every little thing fall has to offer.
Just like me.
What have you been doing in November?
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI like your Friday finds. I am loving that we have fall finally here. I have to confess I am one of those that starts my decor early before Thanksgiving. My daughter hosts Thanksgiving so that gives me the chance to start early. I just love having the twinkle of the lights. Have a great weekend. xoxo Kris
Hi Kris! I love the twinkle lights, too. I think that's why I have so many candles around once it gets dark early, they're my substitute. It's also why I keep our lights up until March in the kitchen. Once they go up, it's so hard to take them down. I hope you have a fun weekend!! xo
DeleteAwww! You did a great job describing how the Chalk Couture works! Super simple! I’m working on Christmas designs now!
ReplyDeleteI can’t wait to see them, Jane! There are so many pretty patterns and you use them so well. Your green Christmas tree sign from last year is burned into my brain!! Gorgeous.
DeleteI ordered the candles....thank you!!!:-):-)
ReplyDeleteI am an after Thanksgiving Christmas person, so I have not even "thought" about it too much!! I'll keep watching you to see what I need to do.... ;^)
Blessings,J
Oh J, I hope you like them!! I adore them. I've had candle sconces on a wall in my living room, flanking the piano, since we moved here. There's no electricity on that wall, and I could never find the right electric candles. Now I have these tapers in the sconces and they look real. Plus they go on and off every night by themselves. Love that. I'm actually ordering another set right now!! Enjoy the weekend and blessings to you!
DeleteI am there with you. I do not start any Christmas decorating until after thanksgiving. I like to take one Holiday at a time.
ReplyDeleteI do, too, Elizabeth. Thanksgiving a lovely holiday and enjoy the build up! I hope you have a lovely fall weekend!
DeleteKim, I just ordered the tapers. I’m thoroughly enjoying fall. The leaves are turning and I’m not thinking of the Christmas season and stress just yet. Thanks for the taper tip!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I hope you like them as much as I do. I just ordered another set. I want a pair in every room of the house!! I bet the leaves are lovely in your neck of the woods. We just drove by the beach with the red and gold leaves glistening in the sunset.
DeleteI'm usually running behind on all my holiday projects. I think this is the first year I was able to get a few Halloween and Thanksgiving projects made. But Christmas does seem to start way to early for me as well. But now that I reopened my shop I am trying to get things in earlier.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the mention of my shop!
If you haven't tried the cinnamon tea you really should. That's the brand I buy but I drink mine on ice and it is sooo good. That is if you like cinnamon. 😊
I just adore your sweet shop, Linda, and all its treasures. It was my pleasure to share. I can't wait to see what you add to it for the holidays. And I'll try the tea, thanks!!
DeleteI love this chalk couture. I think I have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI may check it out for Christmas.
I only decorate for Christmas early because of my hone tour.
Pinned your adorable pumpkin chalk couture
They have some really cute patterns, Cindy and for someone who is not the neatest stenciler, like me, it was super simple! Plus, Jane is a wonderful teacher and a lovely lady!
DeleteI don't decorate for Christmas until we get to/through Thanksgiving, although, I have been busy with my Christmas crafts! Love your finds, Kim, especially those candles!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann!! Christmas crafting is the best, and you don't need a tree for that. Although I have to say I do love to do a little painting and creating by the light of the sparkle lights. Let's face it, Christmas crafting is fun all year long!! Enjoy the week!
DeleteYAY! Happy November, give thanks, harvest, and wallow in pumpkin spice...for at least three more weeks! Having worked in the industry and big retail too, where you are buying in January for Christmas, receiving it in June and putting it up by July 1. I always said, by December I was puking in red and green and glitter. Now, my home doesn't see one stitch of Christmas before Thanksgiving. I may work a bit on it in the basement, but NO...there will be no Christmas on my blog! HUGS, love your wood and actual homey and personal Seasonal decor! Sandi
ReplyDeleteSandi, I'm with you!! I worked retail for too many years to count. Thankfully, I was out it before the trees started going up in the stores in August, but it was still overload. Thank you for your sweet comment about my decor, I'm enjoying my pumpkins right now and I have to say, you've been on my mind lately. I just dug out my old dollhouse and have been thinking about refurbishing it!! I know where to come for inspiration!
DeleteKim, our house looks more like yours now because I'm going all in for Thanksgiving. I'm bringing out even more pumpkins and autumn stuff! I almost had a panic attack yesterday when I noticed our neighbors' HUGE lighted Christmas tree in their large foyer. This year, we won't decorate for Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving, so everyone will be WAAAAAYYYYY ahead of me. It seems like I'm always too late for blogging, but such is life!
ReplyDeleteI like your little fall vignettes. They are perfect. And you know what? One of my favorites is the tea tin. It's simple, and it's the perfect shade of orange.
I have heard of chalk couture. I have a couple of friends into it, and I do like many of the designs I've seen. They're cute!
So funny, Ricki, we passed a few houses the day after Halloween and they all had trees in their foyers, as well. So pretty to look at, but I'm just not there yet either. I used to host 30+ in this tiny cottage for Thanksgiving and we all did a sit down, there was no room for trees!! I did the same for Christmas, but then it was a buffet...everyone ate "around the trees" hahaha!
DeleteI have battery operated candles, not tapers though. I love them!
ReplyDeleteI’m busy planning for our big family Thanksgiving this year! It’s going to be so awesome!
It sounds very exciting, Deanna!! Nothing better than a huge family holiday!!
DeleteDon't you just love the moving wick flameless candles on timers? I just got the tapers as well and love them. This time of year when darkness sets in and it's a tad too early to decorate for the holidays, I have these lovely candles all over my house. But this year I'm breaking my rule of not decorating until after Canadian Remembrance Day. This weekend I'm putting out the more "winter" holiday decor like lighted tabletop trees, snowflake decor, and cozy faux fur blankets and pillows. Love all the ideas you've shared here and I'm swooning over the tapered wood trees in the photo with the pitcher of red roses. Are they made from MCM furniture legs?
ReplyDeleteI wish I could take credit for the trees, Marie, but I bought them last year at Joann Crafts. They were on sale, and a little pricey even at that, but I had to have them. I love your DIY idea though. I bet you could make them...so talented!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and your finds. I am with you, I take in each season and holiday one at a time. It is tradition here to put our Christmas decorations up the weekend after Thanksgiving.
We have never been Black Friday Shoppers.. I guess we are Black Friday Decorators.
Thanks Carla! Our tree usually goes up the day after Thanksgiving, so I guess that makes us Black Friday Decorators, too!! I love that saying, hahaha!! I worked retail in high school and college and even after, while pursuing my masters, as a store manager and so you couldn't pay me to step into a shop on that day!!
DeleteI am in love with those wood trees! I have to say Christmas decorating has been on my mind for months now. It always lifts my spirits to see our home transform for the holidays, and I really needed it this year. Those candles sure do look real! I can think of so many ideas to use them! Hmm... I think I will need to pick some of those up! Thanks for sharing your fall decor. Some years I think I need to slow down with the Christmas, but who am I kidding? I usually have it all up before Halloween so this year, I am a bit behind. LOL I love all of your ideas Kim and you are the sweetest person!
ReplyDeleteYou are the sweetest, Cara! Thank you so much! I don't blame you for wanting to put Christmas up now. I adore Christmas, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. I used to rush fall, since summer was my favorite season, and I wanted to get back to it as soon as I could, but, now I just try to enjoy it...and take one day at a time...with a little Christmas music and crafting along the way!
DeleteKim, I am a big proponent of not wishing time away. It goes by much more quickly than we want on its own, but when it comes to Christmas, I just can't help it. All your lovely talents are always so much fun to see and give us all hope that maybe we can accomplish something. BTW, I really do love the wooden leaf garland so much and could sit and stare at your fireplace forever. Happy Weekend, my friend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Judy!! I really do love the leaf banner, too…I’m just not ready to take it down. I might have to make a similar one in a Christmas theme. I might even put it up before the tree. 😉 I hope you had a lovely weekend! xo
DeleteGreat finds, Kim. I saw those plates at Dollar Tree and was very tempted. I've got way too many plates right now, so I passed them by. They look great on your hutch. I did smile when I saw the pretty rose pattern plate next to them. I have three plates just like those that I found at a thrift store. I've had them for about a year and they are my favorites. I think our taste is similar. We've had some very brisk days here and it's inspired me to fire up the range. I can't tell you how many nights I've made mashed potatoes. LOL xx
ReplyDeleteI have too many dishes, too, Nancy! I have them tucked into all sorts of cupboards. I have no right to buy anymore, but I just can't stop myself, especially when they're only a dollar. The rose plates are Rose Chintz from Queens. I found them at Marshall's years ago for not much more...and I think our taste is very similar. I just adore mashed potatoes!! xoxo
DeleteHello Kim. I have discovered that when I decorate for Christmas to early I get tired of it really before Christmas even gets here. I like the anticipation of Christmas and the years I started to early it just seemed to wreck the mood for me. But like you, I love looking at others holiday decor. Now that I'm over 50 I find I want to do less and less as far as Christmas decor goes and I want to do more Christmas movie watching, baking and really enjoying the season more by taking it all in and not rushing through it. Oh and your craft ideas are always so cute and clever. I just scrolled through all your past Christmas posts (again) to remind myself to just be myself and not compare myself or my holidays to others. You really are an inspiration to me. Oh and I just get a chuckle every time I read about you wanting a tree and then setting it all up and deciding you would trip over it and it would be a dust collector.....and I'm doing your single strand of Christmas lights over the windows like you....thanks again for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Dena, I find that when I put them up too early, they lose their sparkle before the season really kicks in...especially since I like to keep them up for a bit after Christmas when the days are long and gray. I feel the same when it comes to all the movies, music and crafts, too. I'm already enjoying them all, and I don't need a tree for that yet. Thank you also for all your kind words, a comment from you always, always makes my day. ❤️
DeleteI am with you on the fall decor. I absolutely love mine & am always sad to take it down. It always comes down before I'm tired of it. But I do love Christmas too so it goes up right after Thanksgiving & stays up into January because, again I love it so much & hate to see it go. I squeeze every last drop out of both seasons.
ReplyDeleteI love the fall plates from Dollar Tree. Are they from this year? I just don't go in there often enough.
I need to check out that tea. I like black teas. The only herbal tea I enjoy is Twinings lemon ginger....oh my it got me through 2020. It is such a comforting blend. I add honey & cream, & brew it with one black teabag like English breakfast or Darjeeling (decaf if it's late in the day)....it is my comfort drink.
I do my big deep clean in the fall as well. I declutter more (though I try to constantly keep up with that) & make room for bringing in my 36 houseplants AND have room for all the fun Christmas decorations. This year I added new lights above my kitchen cabinets. My crystal & glasswares look so stunning all sparkling in the light & freshly cleaned for the holidays.
I will admit I've bought & wrapped all of my Christmas gifts expect for my husband..the hard one to buy for. With a grandchild, I didn't want to be caught unprepared so I ordered very early this year.
The craft from Jane sounds like how my daughter-in-law decorates some of her customized cookies for her business. (Leah Lou's cookies on FB if you want to see, they are so cute). A client will ask for something special, my son makes the stencil in a computer program, they print it out & she has special tools to for adding the layers of frosting. She does freehand as well but this makes me think of one step she does.
Sorry I've written a letter! You've shared so many fun things today...I still want to try a paint by number & I want to do a birdhouse with my grandson, great ideas!
I love your letters, Jenny! Keep ‘em coming. The comments are the best part of blogging. ❤️ I used to drink tea all the time, I don’t know when my obsession with hot water started, but it’s been a hard one to shake. I haven’t however given up the pretty tea cups though. Water in a fancy cup and saucer is a treat. I’m drinking from a new cup right now, surrounded by electric candlelight and lots of pumpkins! I’m in awe of your houseplant collection. My goodness, I can’t keep even one alive!! I think I need some tips…and I just checked out the cookie page and liked it. What great designs. She’s very talented! I bet you have some delicious treats around your house!!
DeleteI love all of your fall decor and those candles look so real! I am like you and I like to take one holiday at a time. We don't decorate or put up the tree until December. I would get tired of looking at everything if I had it up right after Halloween! Since we are having work done in the house we did do a lot of decluttering and throwing away stuff. I cleaned out our closet and donated 2 bags of clothes and coats to our church. I was also able to sell 2 bags of books to a book store in the city and I made $37 doing that! I can't wait to see what crafts you will be sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've been very busy, Julie! We've been purging, too. I like cleaning out before the holidays, rather than after. I'm just starting to enjoy my fall decorations. I'm not ready to pack them away just yet, either. I can't wait to see how your painting turns out! I know it's going to be lovely.
DeleteLove the candles! I did think they were real last time I saw them. And, oh, those gorgeous yellow roses!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Dalila! What a pretty name- I think that every time you comment. And yes, those candles look so real. I was hesitant at first, since I thought the dancing flame would look very fake, but it's crazy, they don't. Technology...
DeleteWe finally have fall here in N. Georgia, also! Can't even think of Christmas until after Thanksgiving. One thing at a time, imo. Happy Monday, Kim!
ReplyDeleteOne thing at a time sounds wonderful, Kim. Happy Monday!!
DeleteGreat Friday Finds, Kim. I'm little behind in my blog reading, and just catching up. I realized after reading this that I am in BIG trouble - Hanukkah is really early this year (Thanksgiving weekend), and I haven't bought a thing! By now, I probably can't order online and receive it on time. Yikes! I've been too busy soaking up fall, too, and it really sneaked up on me!
ReplyDeleteI didn’t realize that Hanukkah was so early this year, Amy! With all this lovely, warm fall weather we’ve been having it’s been hard to think about the holidays. I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Sounds like you’ll be very busy preparing for a weekend full of turkey and candles! Good luck with your shopping!!
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