Vintage Charm: 6 Unique Hostess Gift Ideas for the Holidays
'Tis the season for gatherings, y’all! And a thoughtful hostess gift truly does matter when someone is using their time, energy and resources to host a gathering for friends and loved ones. So, let’s be as thoughtful as those sweet hosts and bring along a hostess gift that as unique as you are. Let’s make it VINTAGE! Vintage hostess gifts add charm and cheer in a fun way. And bonus! They all double as home decor that can be used year round!
What I’m Planting This Fall to Prep for an Abundant Spring & Summer Garden (🤞)
It’s important to get a head start on your spring and summer garden in the fall for two reasons. First, many plants need the dormant season of winter to get a good head start and fall planting is just right for this. Second, it just provides so much joy to plan ahead and work in the garden when it’s not so blazing hot! I also find great joy in anticipating the fruits of my labors!
The best things to plant in the fall are spring-blooming bulbs, shrubs and trees. Keep in mind that I am in South Alabama — zone 8b (or 9 if you consider the newer hardiness zones) so I can plant much later in the fall (and even winter!) than most because our soil never gets extremely cold. Here’s a list of what I am planting this fall to prep for an abundant spring and summer garden!
How to Style a Vintage-Inspired Thanksgiving Table
It’s no secret that I love to set a table! And there is no better occasion for a tablescape than Thanksgiving! With each table I set, I try to incorporate both new and old — vintage and modern — along with sentimental touches. You can add so much charm, warmth and personality to your table by adding these elements. So, this year, my Thanksgiving table is filled with vintage charm and a touch of family history. From thrifted finds to my Grandmother Jessie Anne’s ceramic turkeys, each piece tells a story and brings warmth to the holiday.
$1 Thrifted Art Makeover
This makeover was as easy as 1-2-3! These cute vintage prints were $1 each at the thrift, and the frame was cheaply made and in poor condition. I knew they could be made new again with new frames and mats. I found a pair of these gold frames on Amazon along with the forest green mats. I wanted to do a color for the mat to make them look a little more high-end. This green color works perfectly with the planters in the art! I love how they turned out. What do you think?
Creating Holiday Magic: Forcing Paperwhite Bulbs for Fresh, Fragrant Blooms
One of my favorite holiday traditions is forcing paperwhite bulbs to fill my home with their fresh, fragrant blooms just in time for Christmas! There’s something magical about watching them grow day by day, adding a touch of nature to the season. It is so easy to do, and the sensory nostalgia you’ll create will make you want to do this year after year. A new tradition!
Unpopular Opinion: "Fall Back" is Better than Daylight Savings Time
Ok. Let’s settle this once and for all — “fall back” is, hands down, the better half of the time change debate. Hear me out.
Though I do really love longer, sun-filled days, by this point in the year I' am ready to settle into my homebody nature. These shortened days are God-ordained, and this is the time of the year when the rhythm of life is meant to change a bit.
Spooky yet Sophisticated: a Halloween Tablescape
It’s All Hallow’s Eve! Here’s the spooky yet sophisticated tablescape I created for the occasion.
My Favorite Pumpkin Bread Recipe
I’ve made this pumpkin bread every year for about 15 years, and I adapt it a little each year. I think I’ve finally perfected it!
Setting a Table for One: Curating Contentment and Joy in Everyday Rituals
I live alone, and I honestly love it most days. I love creating my own little haven and making it special for my daily life. I think my readers know by now that I love vintage dishes and setting a beautiful table. And living alone doesn’t mean that I should skip out on that or save it only for guests. So, I’ve created for myself a cherished ritual — the ritual of setting my table just for me and my own enjoyment. I use my beautiful dishes, silverware and glassware that I inherited or collected, and it adds beauty and joy to my day. Doing little things like this also helps me create a sense of contentment with the life I have and get to lead.
Vintage China Obsession: Franciscan Apple
This new “Vintage China Obession” series will chronicle my love for vintage china and highlight some of my favorite patterns. Since it is peak apple season in the southern United States, I thought I would start with Franciscan Apple — a pattern I inherited form my Grannie Ella.
Thoughts For My 40th Birthday
In a lot of ways, I can’t believe that today is my 40th birthday. Most days, I feel so vibrant that it’s hard to reconcile that I’m stepping into my forties…I still feel young! But, I do joke sometimes that my body is older than I am, thanks to my “80 year old knees.” Actually, that’s not a joke. My body is older than I am.
Stepping into this new decade feels exciting, to be honest. Growing old is a privilege, and I know first-hand from my mother’s cancer battle and death that not everyone gets that privilege. I’m grateful to be another year older.
Spooky Season Front Porch
With October’s arrival, I love to add a few Halloween touches to my décor. I am not one to go all out on spooky season, but I want to be a bit festive for my trick-or-treaters. This means my front porch gets the most attention.