Fall Mantel 2012 Edition

It’s that time again.  Time to decorate the mantel in its fall best.

This year I went with a sexy librarian/quirky owl theme.  Or old lady clutter.  Either way.  I like it.

I stole books (in fall colors) from our office.  Hooray for in home shopping.  The owl on the left is from TJMaxx (last season).  (I used it last year's fall mantel.)  The owl on the right is from Menard’s.  The clock was also stolen from the office.  It was originally purchased from an antique store. 

Is your house ready for fall?  Have you turned the heat on yet?  We were tempted this week-end but toughed it out.  Are you digging the sexy librarian/quirky owl theme?  I need to trademark that one.  A Décor and the Dog original.

Linking up to: Centsational Girl, The Inspired Room

Fall 2012 Tablescape

I have officially gone to the dark side of blogging.   I totally drank the blogger Kool-Aid.

I decorated my table for a fake dinner party.  And I had fun doing it.  Like a lot of fun.  Nate was equally as impressed when he came home to a beautifully decorated table but no supper to eat.  I only have so much time in my day dear husband.

For those of you that aren’t bloggers, bloggers have these things called “link parties”.  Usually these parties have a theme.  Today’s theme is “Fall Tablescapes".  I just realized explaining this is like explaining to your childhood friend that you are spending the night at a person’s house that you met off of the internet.  Blogging is strange.

I picked up most of the items from thrifts stores or clearance racks throughout the past couple of months.  I knew that fall and the holidays were big for table decorating in blogland and I thought I’d try it out.  Seriously a ton of fun.  I can’t wait to host more fake parties for Ike and I.  Or I could invite real friends over but that’d just be weird.  And I’d have to do dishes.

Overall, I’m digging the relaxed yet fancy vibe this little fall tablescape of mine has going on.

Sources: The greenery in the center was purchased at Michael’s for $1.99.  Lucky find.  The chargers were found at Goodwill for $0.50 a piece.   The “china” was also from Goodwill.  Marked $6.38 for a set of 12…and it was 50% off.  The “napkin rings” are acorn ornaments found at the Salvation Army for $1.00.  The pumpkins and napkins I purchased a few years ago from Joann’s.  As well as the fabric for the table runner. The glasses are the Libbey Country Fair Drinking Jars that we use on a daily basis. We built the table (read about it here).

Decorated for any fake dinner parties lately?  What’s your favorite fall recipe that I should eat at this lovely little fall table?

Linking up to: The Lettered Cottage, Ten June

Tile Search

Do you know how hard it is to find off-white subway tile in Iowa?  Well, let me tell you.  It’s pretty darn hard.  Or at least Nate and I were making it hard.

Our cabinets are not quite white and not quite ivory.  They are whitevory.



I think we have finally ended our multiple week search.  The Imperial Bone Gloss tile from The Tile Shop appears to be the winner.   Unfortunately the closest location is in Des Moines. We ordered a sample and it’s quite perfect. I keep petting it every time I enter the kitchen…to watch Nate cook. Now we just need to head west to make the purchase.  (Darn expensive shipping.)



We were really hoping the cheapo white tile from Menards would cut it but no such luck.



It’s just a shade off but that shade makes all of the difference.



I don’t think we’ll be able to tackle this project until the end of September or beginning of October…and it’s killing me.  At least the tile search is over!  Phew.