Glimpses of Fall

I have to confess...

I've been making a few changes for Fall around my home...

even though it's still August.

Here's the deal...

 My daughter's last day in her D.C. office was Friday...

 she's home for a week sorting, throwing out, and choosing 

what will fit into her new little apartment...

 I have a 3 day road trip planned in the middle of all that...

and Mr. Chateau Chic is trying to fit in a couple of days
at the beach...

then we move Megan on Labor Day...

and by the time we get back home it's September!


 Not every change in decor has been intentional fall decorating...

but when I walk up the stairs and see the old wine box, gold frame,

and little green French stand, it just feels like 

I'm one step ahead of the game.

Love the reflection in the mirror...

Since I like to use dried hydrangeas in my fall decor,

I wanted to show you what I did with 

those hanging bunches.

I think I see some blue peeking through!!

I appreciate all your tips on drying hydrangeas...

there's always next year!

Okay...I did hang a bunch of bittersweet with a 

burlap bow over my kitchen sink...

because Fall is on its way and I'm going to be ready...

At least I'm not showing you pumpkins...yet!

I always appreciate you all stopping by,

Mary Alice

Linking to:

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

New House All Star Block Party

Look What I Found

I'm excited to show you a little vintage find I came across.

Oh my goodness...how cute is this... an "indoor
clothes line with pins" in its original packaging no less.
According to the package, the clothes line is
"For drying dainty lingerie, stockings, etc."

Take a look at the adorable little clothes pins.

I immediately knew what I was going to do with this... 

I had filed away in my memory this great idea I saw 

on Tracey's blog French Larkspur.

She had hung twine across an open frame and

clipped vintage French envelopes

across the opening.

Playing off of Tracey's idea...

 I stretched the "extra strong braided" clothes line across the 

wrought iron gate in front of my fireplace.

Since I'm doing a little French theme on my fall mantel,

I decided to clip some French prints on the line.

Problem...I only had two small prints that weren't framed.

So I called my friend Mable, the French print queen,

and she came to my rescue...

I think I'm going to have fun with this little vintage find...

well worth the $9 I spent for it!

Thanks so much for stopping by...

 I always appreciate your sweet comments!

Mary Alice

Linking to:

Southern Hospitality Thrifty Treasures

The Dedicated House Make It Pretty Monday

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up!

Drying Hydrangeas

It's that time of year when I realize that I want to

dry some of my hydrangeas so I can enjoy them

throughout the fall and winter months.

I've read about a couple of different ways to dry hydrangeas.

Last year I cut some, put them in a container without

water, and just let them dry. That worked

okay, but I wasn't totally thrilled with the result.

I thought I'd try hanging them upside down this year.

Several years ago we...as in Mr. Chateau Chic...hung a piece of   

vintage fretwork between the kitchen and family room.

Perfect place to hang hydrangeas to dry.

The pink and blue colors have gone out of my blooms,

and they're mostly green with a hint of pink on some 

of the tips.

 I noticed that Kim at Savvy Southern Style

just seems to be able to cut her hydrangeas,

stick them in a dough bowl or basket, and they

dry beautifully...keeping their blue color.

Fast forward a couple of days...

They seemed to have dried nicely...I guess.

I'm thinking that

 taking away the stained glass window for now

and hanging bunches all the way across the fretwork

might be a great look for fall.

Thanks for stopping by,

Mary Alice

Linking to:

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

Have a Daily Cup From Mrs. Olson Share Your Cup

Rooted in Thyme Simple and Sweet Fridays

2805 Potpourri Friday

Fishtail Cottage Garden Party

Finds for Fall Decorating

Over the weekend we went to NYC with our daughter, Megan,

as she was on the hunt for an apartment...her third trip.

While she and her roommate scoped out apartments to rent,

I scouted out places to antique...of course!

If the cost of renting is any indication of the price 

of antiques or vintage finds, I knew I'd be hard pressed 

to find any bargains.

I did come home with a couple of things that didn't break the bank...

You're probably getting tired of seeing and hearing about 

my latest breadboard craze, but I couldn't pass up this one.

It was tucked behind a bunch of rolling pins...I love

the smaller vintage boards that have a handle.

This little wire basket isn't vintage, but I thought 

it would be perfect for fall decorating.

How cute is this little chair the basket is setting on...

all of the old caning is still intact.

I can hardly resist a child's chair. 

Again...perfect for the upcoming fall season.

After shopping in the New York/ North Jersey area,

I realized how spoiled I am

with all of the wonderful antique shops  

and barn sales in my area.

I found this large metal basket at a local barn sale.

I just love the handle and the green color with some rustiness.

Can't you just visualize this filled with pumpkins?

The wheels are starting to turn as the fall season is fast approaching.

Have a great week,

Mary Alice

Linking to:

Southern Hospitality Thrifty Treasures

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

A Little Bit of Lavender

When I was outside doing a little watering

I noticed I had some fresh

lavender blooms.

I couldn't resist bringing a few cuttings inside.

Love these fresh tender blooms before the season ends.

I cut enough to fill a couple of bottles that I use for vases in the summer.

Lavender is so dainty...

and yet so hardy...thriving without needing much water.

I know you all had to notice that I changed my "entryway" wall again.

Let's just say...

the lavender made me do it!

I appreciate you all,

Mary Alice

Partying at:

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home Home Sweet Home

2805 Potpourri Friday

A Cozy Little House Tweak It Tuesday

And the WINNER Is...

Time to announce the WINNER of a $100 credit to my etsy shop...

By the way, I appreciate everyone who took

the time to enter as well as check out

my etsy shop. 

Your wonderful response was overwhelming...

so we'll have to do this again!

CONGRATULATIONS to:

Elizabeth from

 Just Following Jesus in My Real Life

Please send me your email address, Elizabeth,

so I can be in touch with you.

Again, many thanks to everyone who entered,

Mary Alice

Lingering Summer Decor

It's still summer here in Northern Virginia.

Schools have not yet started...it's still hot, with a little

reprieve here and there...the grass is very crunchy because

of so little rain...and watering is still a must to keep

the flowers alive.

Even though I can't wait for those cool, crisp days,

I tend to hang onto my summer decor

 until after Labor Day.

Soon enough it will be time to put it all away...

My watering cans will go back on a shelf

where they're not easily seen.

The nests that I love to keep out as long as possible

will be put back in a box labeled "spring and summer."

Summery wreaths will be traded out for ones full of fall color.

I guess this one could pass for fall.

Other summer decor will be put away in the 

appropriate box so I can bring it all out

again next year.

I'll be ready for Fall...just not quite yet.

Blessings,

Mary Alice

By the way, if you haven't yet entered my GIVEAWAY, please check it out.  

I'm offering a $100 gift certificate to use in my etsy shop. The winner will be  

announced Thursday, August 16.

Linking to:

A Stroll Thru Life Tabletop Tuesday

Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up!

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

New House All Star Block Party

Come Enter a Chance to Win

It's about time for a GIVEAWAY!!

I should have done one when I reached the milestone of 500 followers!

But...why not celebrate 600 wonderful followers?!

I started blogging in January.

My oldest son was home for Christmas...I mentioned I had been

thinking of starting a blog...would he help me set it up?

Before I knew it, he had me online...there was no turning back.

My biggest fear...would anyone even read my blog...

would they come back a second, third...time?

Well, let me just say...I have met so many wonderful and

affirming friends in the past several months. 

I do want to give a shout out to Cheryl of Fresh Vanilla for C.

She will always stand out as my very first encourager 

in the blogging community.

Okay... on to the GIVEAWAY

I am delighted to be giving a $100 gift certificate to my etsy shop.

The pictures in this post are a sampling of what you will find in the shop.

Three Opportunities To Enter...

1. Become a follower and leave a comment telling me so, 

or leave a comment that you are already a follower.

2. Visit my etsy shop and leave a comment about an item

 you might choose if you win.

3. Mention my giveaway in a blog post and come back to

leave a comment that you did so.

The winner will be announced Thursday, August 16.

It's that simple!

Mary Alice