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Monday, November 24, 2014

Christmas Mantle

The Nest is a buzz of Christmas activity! I want to show you my 2012 fireplace mantle decorations.

I wanted to do things differently this year than in years past. I picked up the glass domes (cloches?) from Goodwill during the year. They were the domes over cheap anniversary clocks. I paid about $3.00 for each. Inside I have place little bottle brush trees with Epsom salts for snow.

My favorite things on the mantle are the two artificial amaryllis I have centered in front of the blue transferware plates. I picked these up at Belk Dept Store last week for 50% off- $8.00 each!

The silver candlesticks I also bought during the year at Goodwill for $4.00 each. They were black when I bought them but I knew they were shiny underneath.

I completely changed the wreath from last year after seeing the beautiful ornament wreaths on so many blogs. The wreath I originally hung had gold fruit and a gold bow but you could hardly see it against the gold framed mirror. I took it down and stripped it and added the ornaments and the gold bow.

I hung the wreath over the mirror but it didn't look right so I removed the mirror. Then I realized I like the mirror alone without the wreath so I took the wreath down and re-hung the mirror.

My garland is artificial and I have twisted two together to make it thicker. I used the trimmings from the bottom of our Christmas tree and other greenery from the yard to tuck in here and there for added realism and scent. I have white miniature lights running through the garland and it is very beautiful lit up after dark.

Just wanted to show you some acorns I painted gold and silver and am displaying in silver candy dishes on my coffee table. Aren't they pretty?

Well, that is my mantle and I am pleased with it for now. I never leave things alone in the weeks before Christmas, do you?

I would love to hear what you think about my Christmas mantle.

Thank you for visiting the French Hens and have a beautiful day!

Be blessed,

Linda

We're partying with

Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme
Show and Tell Friday @ Romantic Home
Inspiration Friday @ At The Pickett Fence
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
What have you Redone @ Redoux Interiors
Shabbilicious Friday @ Shabby Art Boutique

Monday, October 27, 2014

Halloween Decorations II

Hello Again from The French Hen's Nest

This is a post from last year, but the decorations are so good that

I thought I'd post it again, since Halloween is just around the corner. Hope that you enjoy it, and maybe get an idea or two.

During one of my walks this weekend, I came across some fantastically decorated homes. Thought I would share them with you.

Blackbirds everywhere!

Boooooo

I love the colored pictures in the window

I applaud these people for all of the effort that went into these designs. I like all of them, but have to say love the black birds.

After seeing these, I actually went to Michaels to buy a few!

Can you imagine having to remove all of these because of the hurricane? (this was last year - 2012)

We are going through it right now (Sunday evening). Who has ever

heard of a hurricane in late October? In Washington DC?

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Till Next Time,

Jeannie

Sharing with some of these great parties...

Monday

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally

Give me The Goods Monday @ Rain on a Tin Roof

Inspiration Monday @ I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Make the Scene Mondays Alderberry Hill

Block Party, Hosted by:
Making the World Cuter, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff,
Rae Gun Ramblings Keeping it Simple Crafts
Masterpiece Mondays @ Boogie Board Cottage

More The Merrier DIY Home Sweet Home

Block Party Keeping It Simple

Tuesday

Brag About It Tuesday @ Be Betsy

Cottage Style Linky Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just A Housewife

Show Me What You Got Tuesdays @ Our Delightful Home

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

The Inspiration Board @ Carolyn's Homework

The Scoop Tuesdays Hosted by

Cedar Hill Ranch, Farmhouse Porch,
Confessions of a Plate Addict, White Lace Cottage

Totally Transformed Tuesday @ PJH Designs

Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home

Tuesday’s Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia

Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Wednesday

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage

Home Wednesdays @ Rose Chintz Cottage

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Thursday

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Think Tank Thursday @ Joyful Homemaking

Throwback Thursday @ Glitter Glue and Paint

Time Travel Thursday @ @ Brambleberry Cottage

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

Friday

Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Furniture Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Open House Friday @ Bermideen's Tea Time Blog

Shabbilicious Friday @ Shabby Art Boutique

Show and Tell Friday @ Romantic Home

Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme

Stylish Friday Finds @ A Stylish Interior

What have you Redone @ Redoux Interiors

Saturday

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

Party Junk @ Funky Junk Interiors

Bouquet of Talent Party @ Life On Lakeshore Drive

Sunday

Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things

Sunday Showoff @ Twig Studios

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Fall at La Bella Luce

Hello Again From The French Hen's Nest,

As you may know, I'm still staying with my daughter, which means that I don't get to decorate as I usually would for Fall. And I was thinking this morning, that I always find inspiration at La Bella Luce, because it's always decorated beautifully for each season. I knew that I would find Fall decorations, and other lovely items there, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. I'm going to share some of the photos I took today, hope that you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed being there.

Just a reminder, La Bella Luce is located in Historic Clifton, Va. Ginger was holding down the fort today. The chandeliers and antiques are imported from Italy and France. Also it is owned, and managed by military wives. I absolutely love their decorating style, and would encourage anyone visiting the DC area to take a little trip to La Bella Luce.