These Moments…

I love these moments…

When you can see the world anew through the eyes of a child!

There will be so many new moments for our family to cherish this Holiday season.

His first Thanksgiving.
His first time sitting on Santa’s lap.
His first glimpse of our Christmas tree.
His first Christmas present.
His first time playing in the snow.

Holiday Chalkboard

I had fun decorating our new chalkboard for the holiday season!

House Haven Tour: Number Fifty-Three

Hi everyone! I'm Angela from Number Fifty-Three. Welcome to my home!

 

I'm passionate about decorating on a budget and transforming dated thrift store purchases into something spectacular. 

 

My home is my haven because it is filled, not only with the people I love most, but with items that are full of history and have special meaning to me.

 

 

 

We have a large open entry/living area with a huge, off center fireplace.  I've tried to curb the awkwardness of this layout by adding in this great settee, that I got in a trade with my Mom, and black hutch, filled with some of my favorite thrift store and tag sale finds.

 

Here's the view of the entry from our living room. That gold chair you see peeking in the corner was a $25 thrift store find.

It is possible to get the look you want and still be frugal! Our old couch got an update with a white (washable!) slipcover and a $5 ottoman from Savers was modernized with new fabric.

 

I made the wreath from bittersweet vines that I found in my neighborhood. I kept the rest of the mantel really simple by using white pumpkins and antique books.



 

This is my second revamp of my 1990s dining room hutch.  I think the black is so classic and highlights more of my thrifty finds.



 

 

I did an accent wall in my dining room by simply tearing pages from an old English Literature text book and randomly sticking them on the wall with double-sided tape. The sideboard, which I found on craigslist, holds some of my candlestick collection.

 

Here's another corner of my dining room.  The painting was under $10 at the thrift store and the chair is a family heirloom. I love the mix of colors in this area!

Lastly, here is a peek at my master bedroom, which I have slowly been updating.  You can see that I have a thing for collections!

 

A mix of silhouettes; some thrifted, some made by me and all unified by painting the frames, adorn one wall.

I recently painted this old wooden chest in a modified chevron pattern to give it a fun update and to add extra storage to the room.

 

 

Thank you so much for touring Number Fifty-Three and a great big thank you to Chas for letting me share my haven with all of you! 

 

 

Scenes From My Weekend

Sorting craft supplies….
Purging and organizing have been the theme around our home lately.

Craft show preparation…
My sister and I have decided to have a booth at a local craft show over Thanksgiving weekend.

A walk in the park…
We have been trying to take advantage of the days when it is mild and sunny out. Days like this will be few and far between soon enough. Cold weather and snow have already begun to make their appearance on a few days.

My Favorite Things Wish List

I love sharing some of my favorite things or in this case the top items on my WISH list. JoAnna over at {A Pretty Life In The Suburbs} is having a Favorite Things Linky Party and I thought it would be the perfect time to share my list.

{Cancer Zodiac Constellation Mug}

This little mug is right up my alley! Just a cute item of whimsy with a nod to one of my favorite things…astrology.

{I Am Her Journal}

This journal form {Live-Inspired} is so pretty. I have been admiring this for quite a while now!

{Bloom}

I have been wanting to read Kelle’s story about the birth of her daughter. The excerpt I read alone brought me to tears when I read it last spring. I don’t know if it was the emotional new mom in me or if it was Kelle’s story telling abilities that enabled me to connect so strongly to the story, but I just can’t wait to read her book. I also enjoy following along her lovely blog {Enjoying the Small Things}

{Wax Seal Script Necklace}

So simple, but pretty! I am in love!

{Artful Blogging Subscription}

I love, love, love this magazine!

{Skinnygirl Cocktails}

Yum!

{Whatever Craft Weekend}

I would love to attend a whole weekend dedicated to crafting and thrifting! {Meg’s} Whatever Craft Weekend is definitely on my wish list!

Simple Mantel

Sharpie Mug

House Haven Tour: rusty hinge

Hello!  My name is Maria from rusty hinge.  Thank-you, Chas, for inviting me to share on your lovely blog!  It is such a pleasure and honor to be here! 

Karl and I moved into our hundred-year-old farmhouse located in northern Michigan four years ago after renting in town for a while.  Growing up on a small dairy farm and being surrounded by nothing but fields and open spaces, I knew I had to get out of the town.  When we decided it was time to find a spot of our very own, we found this old farmhouse and knew it was the one for us!  It has many things that might merit complaint, but I call it character and charm!  We have only done minor cosmetic work on her such as painting and small updates, but we have big plans that will happen in time.  My farmhouse is my haven because it is a place to work, a place to rest, and a place to live!  Our home is our safe haven to face challenges, accept disappointments, consider decisions and rejoice over accomplishments.  It is a where we laugh, cry, vent, and love.  My fondest moments occur after a long, hard day's work around the house, when I can finally kick my weary feet up on our porch railing with Karl on a warm summer's evening.  The lawn freshly mowed, garden weeded, and all daily projects completed, there is nothing left to do but enjoy the sun setting over the rolling farm fields.  I love it here and I am truly blessed!

Thank-you for taking this little tour of our home!  I hope you feel welcome to come back again for a visit at rusty hinge!  Our door is always open! Thank-you again, Chas, for your invitation!  I had a wonderful time here!

Maria ~Rusty Hinge