French Provincial Provocation

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I am absolutely LOVING this French provincial dining table I found on Craig's List this morning. According to the listing, the apron and legs have been freshly painted, lightly distressed, and waxed, and the table top was freshly stained and sealed. It comes with one leaf, which adds 12" to the 62" overall table length.

Here are some more detail shots...

Apron

Foot

It's $350 and in Clarkston, which is about an hour from here.

If we bought it, then we would need new chairs as well as a bench to create a banquette-look along the lines of these:

Elle Decor

Better Homes & Gardens

Fieldstone Hill Design

The seller in Clarkston is also offering this gorgeous little French provincial desk, which would be perfect for Bela's room. Love all those little drawers on top!! Isn't it darling?

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I measured our space and used my most positive voice, "This is how big the new table is." But the love of my life just shook his head. No, we will not be buying these things, lovely as they are. It's fun to dream, and very instructive to know what we like. Now we can set about finding a dining table or desk with the same lines and refinish it ourselves for much less. 

{Although I think if you were going for this look in your house, and wanted both items, you might be able to negotiate a lower price with the seller... Maybe. They're so pretty I imagine they'll sell quickly!}

An Organizing Interview

Bela's apple picture

They say the apple doesn't far fall from the tree, and I feel that is true with my little "apples."  :)


Bela, in particular, shares my interest in organizing and decorating. She spends hours playing with her dollhouse (my own first "house") and has arranged it in the absolute cutest way, using a miniature baker's rack to hold the purses for her Polly Pockets, among other things. 

Beyond that, she does many other adorable things like creating place settings for dinner, remembering to send a card to her cousin for Halloween, and laying out her clothes for school. Take note that she knows how to spell the word "November" in the top picture; the kid knows her calendar.

Here is her checklist for last week's movie night (moovee tim). She is quite methodical, but also angel sweet. 

The other morning I asked her a few questions before heading out to first grade. Her answers are provided here so that we can learn from the wisdom of a little child.  :)

Mom: Why do you organize?
Bela: So I can find things.

Mom: What's your favorite thing to organize?
Bela: My dollhouse. I find lots of shoes for my Polly Pockets.

Mom: Did someone teach you how to lay out your clothes the night before? 
Bela: No.

Mom: How do you know when to do things?
Bela: {Shrugs}


I wish she had been home this morning to help me look for our plaster Thanksgiving turkey. It's lost somewhere in the basement, and I'd love to find it to decorate the dining table. She has a knack for knowing just where to find things. Truly, the apple of my eye!  

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Joss & Main has the cutest sale going on right now: loads of fun patterns on bags, pillows, and rugs. Check it out!
 

Six Ideas for Christmas Decorating or Giving

Because it will be here before we know it (Thanksgiving is already next week! How did that happen!?!?),  here are some fun items for Christmas decorating or giving.  :)

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This lovely little ornament is sold by Arhaus for $9. Buy just one or two, fill them with your own magical items (or let your kids!), and hang them from the fixture above your dining table or in another fun place in your home. Be creative!

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I love this burlap and poinsettia pillow from Pottery Barn. It says Christmas yet is still neutral enough to coordinate with any color scheme. I think it would be so fun to create a holiday pillow tradition. Buy just one new holiday pillow each year and see your collection grow!

To make it even easier to afford buying some pretty new holiday decorations, The Inspired Room and Reluctant Entertainer (two of my absolute favorite blogs with the nicest bloggers) are teaming up for a wonderful giveaway. You can win a KitchenAid stand mixer AND handmixer, a $100 Pottery Barn gift card, and an apron from the Hip Hostess. Visit either of their websites to enter (but be sure to leave a comment on both blogs to qualify). Good luck!!!

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For a coastal-themed home, these shell-shaped candles from Wisteria are the perfect accessory. There is something so cozy about having lit candles at this time of year. Put a few of them on a pretty plate and light 'em up!

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Deer are so "in" right now. Besides these cute cocktail napkins from Joss & Main, I've also seen pillow covers, place cards, you name it! Find your own way to incorporate this look into your holiday design scheme for a hip look.

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And because no holiday home is complete without a party, here's a great book for planning a cookie swap. 

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If making something is more your speed, try this yummy looking peppermint sugar scrub from The Idea Room. You can give it as a gift, or use it on yourself to zap the stress of the season. I cannot wait to try it at home (both the making and the bathing!!).

Whatever you choose to do to celebrate the holidays, though, my wish for all of you is that you will truly enjoy this time of year! :)

Tavern Inspired Holiday Decor

I had lunch today with a friend who also works downtown. Such a treat!!! She and I have been trying to schedule it forever, literally a year or more. I don't know why I allow myself to postpone the connections that are so enriching. Do you ever do that??

We ate at Tavern on the Square in downtown Lansing. I had been there once before a few years ago for Happy Hour drinks with another friend, but I had never eaten there. The food was great (I had the southwestern chicken & black bean soup), but I was most impressed by the decor. 

The restaurant has a large, sectioned-off outdoor eating area with a fireplace! The fireplace was lit today, which was lovely to pass by. We've had snow already and I had walked there from my office. 

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Inside, the restaurant has dark wood walls, a dark painted bar, and dark furniture. The lighting, however, makes the entire place feel warm and cozy. There are lanterns interspersed with simpler hanging fixtures over the bar. Totally a look I would replicate at home. Beyond the bar, across from where our table was located, is a large reproduction of Washington Crossing the Delaware on the wall. 

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I love the look of very dark walls as well as having a certain fondness for bars (above are a few of my favorites of both). Tavern on the Square made me wonder where I could copy that look in our own house. Furthermore, the entire restaurant was decorated for the holidays with greenery, twinkle lights, and ornaments hanging from the ceiling. It was so charming and it made me really excited about decorating for the holidays. 

We have some business to attend to before we can really start thinking about Christmas. Things like rearranging the entryway again, moving the bookcase finally, and seriously purging some toys. I feel so torn about this last task, but listening to the discussion between the Happiest Mom Meagan Francis and Happier at Home author Gretchen Rubin on the Kitchen Hour helped. It's just stuff. The kids will feel better if I deal with it.

To address that little issue of postponing the things that bring me joy, I bought myself a pass to my favorite yoga studio this week. There's such a sense of peace in knowing where I'll be for the rest of the year. And that that place is on my mat, in a perfect sanctuary, where I'll be able to gaze out the windows and see snowflakes and the tops of trees.

Is there something you can do for yourself right now that will help you to brave the hustle & bustle of the holiday season ahead?? Please share your ideas in the comments section. :)