Ahem, here we go... "...clean lines...nothing more than clean lines...." Yeah, that's not right either.
Anyone recognize the tune of those two songs? ;-) Guess correctly and I will throw you an orange! Hey, it's better than a lemon!
Over the weekend, I decided to change my living room mantel up just a little. This is what it looked like before...
And no, the "JOY" was not left over from Christmas. It stayed out as a reminder to always have "JOY" in your life and I like the pop of red!
While traveling, I found a gorgeous picture frame. It matched the other 2 large, off-white picture frames I had, so I decided to do a little rearranging. I pulled these 2 frames off of the bookcase in the entry...
...and put them on the mantel. I then added the new frame I purchased. They even have matching cracks.
Oh, and I also added the new stick I bought.
The purchase of that stick was a lovely conversation between me and the hubster...that went something like this:
B: Be careful loading the suitcases so that you don't break the stick I bought.
E: You bought a stick?
B: Yes.
E: But the backyard is full of sticks, why didn't you wait until we got home and go grab one off the tree?
B: Because it's not the right kind of stick and this one is clean, smooth and shiny.
E: I didn't know sticks were shiny.
B: Well this one is, so please don't break my stick. If it doesn't work where I want to use it, I might be turning it into antler ears at Christmas.
E: There is no such thing as "antler ears" and I don't remember marrying a 4 year-old who collects sticks!
Remind me to tell you about the conversation that took place when I came home from the store the other day with another bundle of sticks. ;-)
Sooooo, I put the 3 frames on the mantel, along with my new stick.
I left the price tag on it for the first photo because I wasn't sure I liked it...you don't get to see that photo. When I buy something, I always leave the price tag on it just in case I have to return it if I decide I don't like it. So if you come to my house and see price tags hanging everywhere, you will know why. Don't be hatin', I've told y'all before that I'm a weirdo! ;-)
Now, I have to figure out how to cover up the outlet plates that the other photos were hiding!
She had me wear an earring for the first three years we were married. I took it off when I realized it was a price tag!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you make up these things??!! :-p
DeleteVery cute hubster!! I love your mantel with the frames and the new stick. It is a piece of art, not just a stick. It makes a statement! I am wondering why, oh why are there outlets on the wall above your mantel?!
ReplyDeleteHe is so silly…LOL Thank you so much! The outlets are there because people like to mount their flat screen TVs above the fireplace. So builders now put all of these plugs and cable outlets there for people who like to do that.
DeleteIn my complete package of weird vintage loving ways, I enjoy watching vintage TV shows too. On an old 1958 episode of Leave it to Beaver, parents Ward and June moved their mantle decorations to replace it with a gift from Beaver and huh? …what is a plug in doing there? TV’s were B&W floor cabinets back then! Then I remembered people used to put clocks on their mantels and clocks back then were plug in only – so these mantel plug ins go back long before flat screen tv’s – sigh! Check out this Trompe L’oeil (trick the eye) electrical cover solution – doesn’t work for your plain wall but is a good idea.
Deletehttp://www.apartmenttherapy.com/hiding-in-plain-sight-trompe-loeil-outlet-covers-190289
I have sticks too-yes plural – white, gold, natural and even a 4’ white stick xmas tree all store bought despite the literally >20,000 trees I have on my farm. You poor girl - that stick convo with hubster was just harsh! Stay strong and remember, “sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me”. The Stick was voted one of the all time best toys – and was even inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame (yes really!) so don’t take any stick grief from anyone! LOL
You know, I do the same thing. I watch the old TV shows also and I'm always looking for little signs like the plug on the wall with the mantel. And you are right about the mantel clocks and I suppose it was for plugging in lights for Christmas garland or something like that also. I love those plug and switch cover ups...those are pretty darn cool!! On some of them you can't even see the plug!
DeleteThat is hilarious! Sticks are a great purchase and they never go out of style...LOL And yes, I've stuck to my guns on the sticks....LOL Have a great day chick!
Ooh la la - I just found some Stick eye candy! ;) http://www.hometalk.com/6042758/twinkling-branches-room-divider
DeleteNow I really like that!!! Something like that may come in handy in the bonus room...we will need to divide it off. Cool! Thanks for sharing the link!
DeleteVery cute post Benita. Love it. Your new stick and frames look great.
ReplyDeleteKris
Thank you so much Kris! I like my stick also and think it would make great antler ears...LOL
DeleteI always keep the price tags on, too!! I think you could pick up just about any accessory in my house and find a price tag. I knew I loved you for a reason.
ReplyDeleteKindred spirits and twins...except we have different parents and were born in different regions of the US...and you have blonde hair and are younger than I am...but twins!! :-) I will buy something, put it where I want it and give it a "test run". If I don't like it in 3 days, back it goes.... okay, sometimes 5 or 6 days...or 10...LOL
DeleteBeautiful stick, Benita! And your Summer Mantle is lovely! Haha...can't wait to see those 'Antler Ears' (Hmmmm....will it be Christmas in July???), my hubby would love to hear this story!!ohmygoodness...BTW...your delicious looking Lime-Coconut Sugar scrub is featured this week at #OMHGWW! Have a great week!
ReplyDeletehugs, Christine =)
Awww, thank you Christine…for the sweet compliment on the stick and mantel and the feature! I appreciate it so much! The Antler Ears will probably have to wait until the holiday, when I’m sick of seeing the stick on the mantel…LOL. It was a bizarre conversation…I’m glad no one was around to hear us….but wait, I just shared it with everyone…LOL Hugs!!!
DeleteSuch a cute mantle, such a clever tale! I love sticks, I have been known to spray paint them if I happen to find one on a morning walk.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Day Benita!
Jemma
Thank you so much! They do make décor a little rustic and whimsical and are easy filler! Have a great day yourself! :-)
DeleteHa Ha I love the conversation and would have a similar one with my hubby about things like sticks. Glad you got your stick home okay and your mantle looks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I try to teach him about the ways of women and our little non-sensical things, but sometimes, he is just unwilling to learn..LOL
DeleteLooks horrible. But don't worry. I will take that tacky thing off your hands next month!! :-p
ReplyDeleteIf Christie does not want it, send my way.....beautiful!!
DeleteActually, since I am definitely older than Christie or Denise, I should have seniority. Give it to Christie to drop off. It is not even out of her way. :-)
DeleteLOL..it looks like I should have purchased more sticks! :-)
DeleteGood God, the Hubster cracks me up and so do you LOL
ReplyDeleteThe mantel looks great! I love the Hello :)
xo,
rue
Thank you Rue. He kills me….he said if he had known there would be so much discussion by women over a stick, he would have been carrying them around years ago…LOL! I almost used the Lionel Ritchie video for his song “Hello”….but I just now got that flippin’ coconut song out of my head and didn’t want to start something else spinning around. Hugs!!
DeleteI picked up sticks recently and put them in a vase. It reminded me of Halloween... Maybe I should paint them? I love your stick and your story. Your mantel looks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I plan on using this at Halloween. I saw a cute deal on Pinterest where someone took sticks and hung little bats from them. Have a wonderful day!
DeleteOh my......lucky we don't live too close together...there would be a distinct problem!!
ReplyDeleteI bought a piece of driftwood at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago....
I got some of the same comments from my hubster.......
Several days later, my SDIL came along, fell in love with the piece and talked me out of it.......
I got a call from dear step son.......uh-oh......here we go again ;^)
Those smart alec guys are all lucky we all have a good sense of humor....
Blessings and have a great weekend!
J
PS: paint the outlets the same color as the wall....
Deleteand pretend you don't see them :^)
That is so true!!! I don’t know that I could have let go of the driftwood…that is some pretty special stuff and difficult to find sometimes. And yes, they better be glad we laugh about things….LOL! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and thank you so much for the idea on painting the plates the same color as the wall….easy peasy fix!!
DeleteI had to laugh at your convo about the stick. It's to cute, but maybe that's because I get that same look when I use them. Men just don't get it. But that's the fun part! Keeps them on their toes...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Mantle! Thanks so much for linking up, and I hope it brings/brought you some good traffic!
Thanks so much Christine! We usually have these conversations about most things I want to change or decorate in the house...LOL. Thank you for the sweet compliment and for hosting! Have a great evening!
DeleteI thinking leaving the price tags on items is smart. The mantle looks good with the frames and the sticks makes it pop. Not that I would buy a stick though as I am like your hubby and can get free ones out of the yard. So I admire you for purchasing them.
ReplyDeleteGlenda, thank you so much! I told my hubby about your comment and he said "see, now there's a smart woman"! So I won't tell you about the other sticks I bought...LOL. He laughed at me when I brought them home! :-)
DeleteBenita, you make me laugh! I can see me bringing home a stick as well. I always take the price tag off immediately. lol! Always think of Minnie Pearl. You may be to young to know what I am talking about. One of my best friend always leaves her price tags on as well. We al have our own little weird characters. That's what makes life so much fun! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Yes ma’am…I know who Minnie Pearl was…we used to see her on Hee Haw…LOL I agree that our little oddities make life a lot more interesting and fun. I leave them on because I’m always changing my mind about something…noncommittal...LOL. Maybe that’s why it took us forever to find a house! Thank you so much for hosting each week! Have a wonderful day! Hugs!!
DeleteBenita I love reading your blog it always make me smile and I love your mantle and the stick :) Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board.
ReplyDeleteAmber, I so glad you enjoy the blog and I appreciate your comments so much! Thank you and I appreciate you co-hosting and pinning! Have a great week!
DeleteHaha, glad the stick made it home safely, your convo is cute!!! And by the way, I think Mini Pearl couldnt decide if she want to keep her hat, as she never took off the price tag, it was with her to end of her career, lol so there you go. Oh, and I do the same thing!!!
ReplyDeleteYour hubby is cute, has a great personality, better keep him!
Hope you enjoy your new home!!
Karren
Thanks so much Karren. We are silly on here, but we are silly at home as well...LOL. LOL @ Minnie Pearl...that is true. That price tag became synonymous with her name...it's the first thing you think of when you hear Minnie Pearl...LOL. Now that we are moving, I won't be able to use my stick on the mantel, so I've got to find somewhere else for it to go! :-)
DeleteWell, I'm a little sorry that your hubster is so outnumbered here, but there is no way those frames would look as good without that stick. And I so totally get why it has to be a certain kind of stick. The husbands should start their own blogging group to make fun of all of the stuff we gals do ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL…I like that idea!! They can all lament over the crazy things their wives do for the love of decorating!! Thanks so much Julie!!
DeleteI like the mantle and you new stick! Hey-a good stick can be hard to find sometimes right?
ReplyDeleteThank you ma’am….and yes, don’t you know it!! Especially one without bugs!! ;-)
Delete