various living room bits

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.