It took me quite a while to figure out just what I wanted to put on the mantle, and below is the final result - at least for fall:
 |
| Clearly there needs to be SOMETHING above the fireplace, but I haven't found anything yet. |
 |
| The photo was take by Brian on a beach in San Diego the summer we met. |
 |
| I found these Fiestaware bulb candle holders at my favorite antique mall, which is conveniently just down the street now. I've noticed that I like to stack books and put stuff on said stack. |
 |
| My parents used to have this mirror in their apartment before I came along, and I've had it for...eight years? The tea light holder in front came from ZGallerie. It's a natural material, similar to quartz, but the name escapes me. |
 |
| Cotton on the stem, acorn vase (from Target) and squirrel nutcracker (from World Market). |
 |
We switched out the fireplace grate and really love how this one looks.
|
Brian has amassed quite a large collection of
challenge coins and we've been looking for a way to display them. After going back and forth about stepped displays or another shadow box or nothing at all, we've landed here:
I really like how it looks next to his service photo and
shadow box/
blasting machine. On the shelves below are more of his...tricks of the trade? Souvenirs? Artifacts?
One of my favorite things in the living room is a vintage Blenko ash tray, currently holding remote controls.
I believe November gets the short end of the stick by being glossed over when Halloween ends and Christmas decorations immediately pop up. I hope to get the tree up and house decorated this week.
