Winter Garden Decor

Happy Sunday.  I decided to do a winter garden theme in my front entry.  I have been adding the Nordic red to the rest of my decor but up front I wanted to keep it simple and neutral just a few touches of winter garden theme.

My Hope Angel sits on the white chippy chair as you come in the entry way.

I love the serenity she gives to my decor.

White winter wreath with some angel wings and winter roses.

My entry way.  Just winter ribbons, and winter floral added here and there.

Found this up on the roof top vintage christmas book to add on the bench.

Added some holiday ribbon to my winter wreath on the old chippy garden gate.  There is a little bit of the blue again in my watering can sprinkler head and the old garden faucet.

Just wanted to keep it pretty simple up front.

My love birds in this cage have their bottle brush Christmas tree for their home decor along with some glitter winter white roses.

So as we slide on into this Thanksgiving week I wish all of you a safe and happy  gathering with friends and family.

Why is it that this time of the season goes so quickly and then January through March just drag!!!!

Have a great week.
Kris
:)

Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 

November 22

Debra from Ms. Moozy's Open House

This week I am so happy to introduce you to Debra from Ms. Moozy's Open House.   Debra is a wonderful DIYer and creates some pretty fab things.  Debra has a fun and inspirational blog.  Please read and get to know Debra and then hop over to check out her sweet blog.

Hello there, I am Debra and I blog over at Ms. Moozy's Open House.  I have to say that when Kris from Junk Chic Cottage asked me to be part of their Saturday Spotlight, Real life behind the blogger series I was honored.......

Then I said ahhhhhhhh what to write about.....LOL

Me?...........

~insert fear here~

Aughhhhh.......LOL

Ok I guess I should start from the beginning of my blogging life huh. My very first blog post was on Tumblr and that was January 20, 2012. I started to blog because I wanted to document my experiences in moving through our journey as foster parents. Well what came after has just been something awesome, I would have never thought I would be blogging like I am today.

OK let me go back a bit here.....

Hubby and I got married in December of 2002, we both had been married before but neither of us had kids. We talked many times about adoption and it was a gift given to us from the Lord, we started to foster in 2011.

We moved through the system, fostering  with the intention of adopting. It took some time but  on Oct 2012 2 boys where placed with us and they were already freed for adoption so a year later on Oct 17, 2013 we adopted our 2 boys.

We currently have a foster daughter that we are moving forward in adopting as well but we just don't have any date on when yet. We are just going through all the legal stuff right now and she is still in Foster care with us.

We live in Upstate NY in a small home with 5 of us and 4 dogs.....LOL

I love vintage stuff, junkin and re-purposing old things.

You can read more about my decor on my house tour {HERE}

I also do some DIYs, crafts and create for my Etsy store. I just love being creative and I am always changing things around in my home. Driving my husband crazy, he just never knows what I will be asking him to help me with next. LOL

This was when I asked Hubby to help me create a Pallet coffee table. You can see that post {HERE}

Some facts about who Debra is:

I am a Christian

I hate spiders!!!

I love hanging around at home with my family

I love taking care of my kids

I love my best friend and husband, Kelly

I love animals

I am a Diet Coke addict

I suffer from Anxiety

I am learning to enjoy green drinks

I love burning incense

I love to blog

I am enjoying learning photography

I enjoy going junkin

love anything chippy, rusty and sweaty

love vintage

I love being creative

I love donkeys

also I love fainting goats :-)

Well I guess that is enough about me and my life........

Thanks again Kris for giving me this wonderful chance to share a little about ME, the person behind MsMoozys Open House.

Be Blessed,

Thanks Debra for letting us get to know you better.  Now that you met Debra please visit Susan's blog Must Love Junk to meet Meredith from Laundry Can Wait blog.

Have a great week end.

Kris

:)

No Pictures Just Honest Thoughts.

Today my post is just an honest opinion and some thoughts from me.  No pictures or decor crazy to show today just some thoughts.   

There is a lot of talk in Blogland about all the advertising on blogs and Big Blogger vs. Little Bloggers and the competitive nature this blog world has become.

Here is my thought on this.

I started my blog to share my decor ideas and to find like minded people that I could share with and get inspiration.  To my surprise I not only found people that get my decor crazy but I have been blessed with some beautiful friendships along the journey.

It has been so much fun finding so many talented people right at your finger tips to get beautiful inspiration and ideas.   Blog World for me has been a great place to form some wonderful friendships and get to know so many talented 
people.

A lot has been written about all the advertising on blogs.

I know blogging can feel like a full time job at times and a lot of the bloggers out there have to advertise to help with the cost of running their blogs.  Hey! you cannot pick up your favorite magazine or watch your favorite TV show without advertising that is a necessary part of the process. 

I do understand how some bloggers have the fees for their host sites and servers, shop costs  and all that goes with that, so I get that advertising is a way that helps to off set those costs.  

With that said I will be honest it is annoying to be trying to look at someone's beautiful inspiration and have a toothpaste or car ad pop up while you are trying to look and read about the post.  I get the annoyance that a lot complain about but I just try to be understanding to those that have to have this process to share their inspiration.  I think we need to be a kind and open audience.

Big Blogger vs. Little Blogger.

Lot's has been said about Big Blogger vs. Little Blogger! Ok that statement alone cracks me up.  I think in this big world of blogging there is room for everyone.  You should enjoy this process and if not then it is not a good place for you to be.  I do not look at my blogging friends as "BIG or Little" just as sweet and inspirational friends I have met and enjoy getting to know better.

I love sharing my decor crazy with all of you and I enjoy the Spotlight Feature to introduce you to  new bloggers and have the spotlight bloggers meet all of you.  It is fun way to get to know the person behind the blog on a more personal level. 

 It is amazing how we find that we share so much in common and can bond easily with someone we have never meet in "real" life.  

We put our best foot forward with our posts and sometimes it is good to know we are real peeps with real lives behind the pretty decor.

Life is a journey and always lessons to be learned.

So as we go into this season of holiday fun, decorating, love of family and friends we should all be reminded of how this place called "Blogland" can be a wonderful place to visit and enjoy each other's company.  It really should be about the fun, supporting each other and sharing of inspiration and the pure joy of friendship.  

I know it is not a perfect world and there can be issues and drama at times.  I just feel we need to keep this  "Blog World" in perspective and enjoy it like you would your favorite magazine. 

 Like in a magazine there will be pages you stop on and enjoy and other pages you will not and just turn the page.  It should be like this in blog land too.  Stop and take in the beauty of what you enjoy and leave sweet comments of appreciation.  The blogs you find that are not your cup of tea then just move on.  No need to be rude or mean.  Right?

 There should be no right or wrong just honest sharing and caring.

Think about how many friendships and sharing of beautiful creative minds would be lost without this world of blogging. 

I appreciate all of you that take time to read my posts and come on Saturday for Spotlight to meet a new blogger or get to know a blogger you might know already on a more personal level.  Susan and I work hard to find new and fun bloggers to participate in this process.  We are both so pleased that this has been a great series that has been enjoyed by so many.

  I try to visit all of you when I can and enjoy the truly wonderful inspiration I collect from all of you.  My motto is post when you want to share, do not worry about numbers or stats, visit your blog friends when you can and just enjoy the process for what it is.

I am always grateful for your kind comments left and taking the time to get to know me and my blog.

Friendship is important part of Life it nurtures our souls. 

Wow!!! that was a long post!!!!!  Hope you had a good beverage or some snacks as you strolled down this post today!!!!

Ok a little self advertising he he.  Please stop by on Saturday, Susan and I have two wonderful bloggers for you to meet in Spotlight.

Kris

:)

Fun Open House

Last Wednesday Night I went to a Fun Christmas Open House at Tattered Tiques and many other Shops joined in the fun that night too.

It was so fun to see all the fun vignettes around the shop.  I did not take a lot of pictures with it being so crowded.

Lot's of yummy treats were out at each shop.  Yum love eating and shopping!

So many sweet old vintage pieces everywhere.

Cute glamper ornaments with trees.

I got this great set of logs tied off in cute ribbon and greens.  I added them to my vintage fireplace log holder and added some more greens and lights to this vignette.

Found some really cute finds to help with my decor this year and some sweet Christmas gifts.
Hope your week is going great.
We are cold and snowy so it is great weather for getting in the mood to decorate.
Happy New Week Ahead.
Kris
:)

Sneak Peak and A Cute Story and A Big Thank You

Hope your week end is a good one.  Very cold here in the Chicago Land Area.    Ughh! We got our first snow.  Coming way to fast for me.  I guess it does get you in the mood to decorate!

Here are a few more sneak peaks at the red I am adding to my whites and neutrals  for Christmas Decor.

My Angel is adorning the top of the Christmas Tree.

I added a little bling to her wings with these star ornaments  I got at Tattered Tiques Christmas Open House.

Love these angel wings I got from the Halloween store after Halloween for $5.
They make for a nice little addition to my chandelier.

I added some of my crystal chandelier ornaments to the bottom of my chandy.  I felt it needed a little bling to go with the angel wings above.

I am loving just adding a little red here and there for my Nordic look.  I am liking how the Christmas Decor is coming along. 

 I will be sharing the whole completed Christmas Decor over at Pamela's My Front Porch to Yours How I found My Style Christmas Decor on December 7th.  So for now just a few sneak peaks as I continue to tweak and change things up.
I know a lot of you are starting this week too.  Happy Decorating.

OK now for a sweet story and thank you to share with you on this Sunday.

I was telling my friend Vera a story about my Outside Fall Decor from last year.  In my garden bike I had some burlap and lace liners and then some pumpkins and fall decor in the baskets of the bike.

One Day I came home from running errands and I noticed that someone had taken out the burlap and lace lining I had in the baskets.  They left all the other stuff just took the lining.  

I thought why would someone just take the lining?? Too weird and I kind of let it go.  The leaves were still thick on the trees and falling.

Later on in the month when all the leaves were down from the trees I was coming home again and looked up in the tree to see my resident squirrel's nest up in the oak tree.  Yep! I think you know where my burlap and lace linings went!!!!!!! The squirrel thief took my linings and made a beautiful condo for himself up in the old oak tree.  I could not be mad as I thought wow that is the prettiest squirrel nest I have ever seen.  Just made me smile all winter long and it was a long long winter!!!!!

 Vera at Row Homes and Cobblestones saw this cute ornament and she said it reminded her of my cute squirrel story and she wanted to send it to me.

Is he not the sweetest!!!

So now when I am on my computer I will see this special little squirrel that Vera gifted me.  Thank you sweet friend for this wonderful sweet remembrance but most of all thank you for the sweet friendship you have gifted me in blog land.  Have a wonderful week everyone.

Kris :)

Sharing with these Parties:
It's Overflowing with Aimee
The Scoop

Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind The Blogger

​

Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog.

November 15

Kristy from Starfish Cottage

Good Saturday Morning everyone.  This week I am excited to introduce you to Kristy from Starfish Cottage.  I have just recently gotten to know Kristy and her beautiful blog.  I live vicariously through her wonderful costal life in Florida.  Sit back and enjoy getting to know this very special and creative blogger.  Thank you Kristy for being in the Spotlight.

Hi everyone!  It's Kristy from Starfish Cottage.  I am so thrilled to be featured this week on Junk Chic Cottage- thanks again, Kris!

I write a coastal lifestyle blog called "Starfish Cottage- Life in a Coastal Cottage".

I live with my husband, two daughters and our large yellow lab on the West Coast of Florida in a little house we like to call “Starfish Cottage”.  Several years ago, we decided to leave the rat-race of a large, land-locked city and move to Florida for a "sunnier" more laid-back lifestyle.

I love "coastal style decorating" (in case you haven't already noticed)... and our home is filled with seashells, slipcovers and seagrass rugs; as well as antiques, vintage finds, lots of candles and natural accents. 

I also love updating our home seasonally, and our little cottage is constantly transforming with the seasons (much to my families dismay!)

Here are a few of my favorite seasonal photos of Starfish Cottage from over the years.  (BTW- some photos are from our previous home which was a rental before we settled into our current home!)

 Favorite Springtime Photos

 Favorite Summertime Photos 

 Favorite Fall Photos

Favorite Holiday Photos

If you are wondering how I transform our home each season, I have a little technique I like to call: 

To find out more click here: 80/20 Style Decorating

You can also click here to read my Starfish Motto about coastal decorating and life in general.

I also love to share recipes and over the years I have compiled a collection of recipes that are:

1. (mostly) healthy 2. (super-duper) easy 3. (ridiculously) delicious.  

I like to cook with fresh and simple ingredients, using local produce and ingredients whenever possible! Here are a few of my reader favorites from over the years...

Fresh from Florida

Super Soups

Weight Watcher Favorites

Slow Cooker/Crock Pot Classics

Starfish Cottage Sweets

  

Fabulous Fix and Freeze Meals

I really love "easy-peasy-done-in-a-day" DIY projects and crafts, like...

 DIY State Artwork

DIY Painted Stripe Table Runner

Six Fabulous Coastal Mason Jar Ideas

As a professional interior designer for over17 years, I also love to share decorating tips like:

 The Art of Accessorizing Your Home

 Decorating for the Five Senses

 How to Add a Little Beach House to Your House

 

3 Inexpensive Ways to Transform Any Room

My love of decorating and design most recently led to the opening of my shop, Starfish Cottage which has an online location here on Etsy: Starfish Cottage Etsy, and two locations in the Tampa Bay area, in addition to several markets.

When I am not working with my shops or writing my blog, I love exploring all the wonderful places in the great state of Florida...

and love to share all the beautiful sights with my readers!

Writing my blog has been such a joy for me, since life as a busy wife and mom leaves me less and less time to work with design clients, the blog is a wonderful creative outlet and I have met so many amazing people.

It was so nice to meet you all and I hope you will stop by and visit Starfish Cottage sometime!

Thank you Kristy for sharing yourself and your beautiful family and blog with all of us. Please hop over to Susan's blog Must Love Junk to get to know another wonderful blogger  Ginene from Fox and Finch Antiques.  Have a wonderful week end.

Kris

:)

Starting!!!!

Hi Everyone.

Yep! I am thinking about getting the Christmas Decor started.  I have my annual Girlfriend Charity Party the first Friday in December and I have a lot to prepare for this special night so the earlier I get my Christmas decor done the better.

My daughter hosts Thanksgiving so that gives me the freedom to start my decor early.

I wanted to give you a sneak peak at something I just got from a show my friend and I went to recently.

I am going to add some red to my whites for Christmas.  I am excited to work with the traditional reds added in this year.

Remember my $2.79 table clothes I found on clearance.  Well.......

Yep I sewed them into some Christmas Panels for the dining room.  I can sew a straight line with my sewing machine so two straight lines you you have yourself a nice checked Christmas Panel.

This is a cute pillow I got at Christmas at the Farm show I recently went too with a friend.  I loved that some of the proceeds went to help animal shelters.

Adding some traditional red to my whites this year.

So there is a sneak peak as I start to get my Christmas Decor Started!!!! Have you started to think about your Christmas Decor yet?
Enjoy the week.

Ughh!!!  We could see a little bit of this stuff this week too!

Oh say it isn't true!!!!Be sure to come back on Saturday Susan and I have two wonderful bloggers for you to get to know in Spotlight.

Parties:
It's Over Flowing with Aimee
The Scoop