{Sweet Summertime} Mantel Decor

If you have been following along for a while you know that I like to change up my mantel decor for the holidays. My Fall Mantel this year was pretty simple with touches of gold, while my Halloween mantel can be quite spooky. My favorite holiday to decorate for is Christmas. This year I also kept my Christmas mantel simple and cozy.

After the New Year I usually get burned out of changing up the mantel and it stays pretty simple with a couple of vases, layered pictures and candles for the rest of the Spring and Summer. This year I had the urge to create a relaxing and "sweet" summer mantel. I was inspired by the song "Summertime" by Kenny Chesney.

I used my Silhouette cutting machine to cut out "Sweet Summertime" onto white vinyl. I brought some books down from my office. They are wrapped in old flight maps from my husband's uncle who is a pilot. I thought turning the books around to show the pages gave it more of a natural feel. The small air plants are from West Elm. (Who knew plants could be so easy to take care of!) The driftwood was found on the beach at my childhood lake home. The little lady is a gift from my mother-in law. She usually sits on my dresser (the bust, not my mother-in law..hehe). The fiddle fig stem is cut off from my indoor plant and the vase is Nate Berkus from Target (old). The little gumballs or sweetgums were sprayed gold at Christmas time and I felt the mantel needed one more element. Love these little cuties.

So that's it my friends! Just a little quick and easy summer mantel pulling items from around my home. Now its time to enjoy all the pleasures of Sweet Summertime!

Confession Time...what is on your mantel right now? Do you change your decor with the seasons or do you leave the same items up all year?

Our Christmas Mantel 2013

I have been a busy bee around here trying to get the last minute holiday decorating finished! I am usually done by now, but have been taking my sweet time enjoying little DIY projects here and there. I am trying to savor every minute and keep December from flying by.

Today I am happy to share my simple Christmas mantel with all of you. Each year I do something a little different to change it up a bit. Last year's mantel was a bit more traditional with magnolia leaves and bows. This year I have added some color and gold! I made the gold glittered letter for each of our stockings and added a little greenery and velvet ribbon to add some contrast against the plain stocking.

I am still in love with my Oh Holy Night sign designed by Kate's Letters. She did such an amazing job! It has become one of my favorite Christmas decorations.

The felted ball garland was a DIY from a couple of years ago. These little guys have made their rounds from room to room over the years. I bought the balls from Ornamentea in Raleigh. They have so many neat colors. I am tempted to make one of these in different colors for the nursery!

Can you tell I am going for a bit more simplicity this year? Something about de-cluttering and using just a few items that you love really creates a relaxed atmosphere!

You might have noticed that I brought my striped ottoman down from the master closet. It needed a little time to shine and I think it is a perfect spot to show it off! 

These adorable gold and white gift boxes are from HomeGoods. I couldn't resist!!

So now that it is cold enough to use the fireplace here in NC, I am happy to turn it on and enjoy looking at this years sweet and simple Christmas mantel.

How about all of you...do you have a mantel or sideboard that you decorate for the holidays? How did you decorate this year?...any creative ideas for all of us!?