Wednesday, January 27, 2016

sweetness and love

I poked around in my tub of Valentine's Day decor the other day and ended up putting most of the decorations back. As with decorating this past Christmas, I'm really feeling that less is more lately.

I added just a few touches in the kitchen and my office.

A simple place setting on the table...oh, hello Clementine on the chair!



Added just one heart to the china cabinet. I'm liking the red, white and yellow...it's cheery. I didn't feel like removing everything and starting all over with all Valentine's Day stuff.


Like the china cabinet, the kitchen cart had enough stuff on it, so I simply added a heart bowl with a little birdie on it (found at Target years ago), and filled it with stuffed hearts (gifted from Carol of www.artandsand a few years ago...as are all the stuffed hearts in this post) on the middle shelf.


In the office, I stuck some more stuffed hearts in the little drawer of the vintage letter holder. This piece belonged to Brian when he was a boy. Can this be considered vintage already...are we that old?!


On the cookbook shelf in my office...I got the pretty plant pink polka dot plant on the top shelf (in the rose planter) for just 79 cents at Aldi today. I bought two: the other is in my kitchen. And I made a little banner with vintage Valentines and hanging ornaments to string across the middle shelf.


"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...but how much love we put in that action." (Mother Teresa)

Linking up to Share Your Cup #182 and Thoughts of Home on Thursday #1.



20 comments:

  1. "less is more lately", my sentiments too. My attention has turned even more towards the people, animals, and places I love in this life. Sometimes too much stuff is I the way of what really matters. However, I appreciate the expressions of love we show in our homes, and your special presentations of love from your family are precious.

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  2. I'm definitely in the "less is more" camp myself. I've cut way back on the amount of decorations I use at the holiday times and I like it better simple. I love your decorations, especially the little hearts here and there. It's perfect, a sweet little reminder of the special day coming up. :)

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  3. I'm with you...less is more. I put up one tiny banner in my kitchen and bought myself two bundles of grocery store tulips for $8. And my Valentine decorating is done! ;)

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  4. There are so many things I love in this post. The stuffed hearts, the recipe box, the vintage valentines, the touches of red everywhere. So simple but cheerful. And the quote is beautiful. Enjoy your day, Melanie!

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  5. I love all of your cute decorations, especially the plates and the stuffed fabric hearts. The only thing I do for Valentine's Day is fill the candy dishes with related candies! lol!

    I got caught up on your posts---I feel like I'm always trying to get caught up. The furniture rearrangement debacle made me smile and nod...how many times I've done that as well! Back in the day I could switch around my sofa, love seat and chairs because all I had to do was unplug the TV and move it. Now we have the huge cabinet and a larger TV with 1 million wires and cords. It has to stay put and there is no other alternative with the seating. I just gave up.

    You cabinet and drawer arranging has me motivated. I'm going to tackle that ASAP. And I loved your year review. Wow...next time I get this behind with you give me a holler!

    It's starting to get gloomy but that okay. Yesterday I had to drive to Orland Park (about 50 minutes away) and the sun was blinding. When I walked into the doctor''s office I couldn't find the front desk! Seriously!!!

    take care,

    Jane

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  6. Love your sweet touches. I'm not really one to decorate for Valentine's Day. I do love looking at what everyone else does though. xo Laura

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  7. Your less is more decorating is still way more than I do for Valentine's Day! I love all your cookbooks and would have such fun going through them!

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  8. I have decided that I will add things for decorating, but other than Christmas I don't want to have to take things away, so I guess I am simplifying too. I think that I overdid it last year and need a break. Your little touches here and there are very pretty indeed and just enough to remind of what is to come in terms of holidays! xx

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  9. Melanie it all looks great! I have a few hearts I keep meaning to get out but we will see if I do.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  10. I love your "less is more" decorating. Thanks for the shout out and I love that white bowl you used to display the hearts.

    And, thanks for Sharing Your Cup!

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  11. I like the little touches here and there. Even when my boys were little I did not decorate much for Valentine's Day...Clementine looks very comfortable there :)

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  12. I have done much decorating for Valentine's Day. Last year I did buy some clings for the front door. This year Mardi Gras is so early - Feb. 9 - there isn't much time for Valentine's decor for me. I may not have much Valentine's decor but I DO have a fair amount for Mardi Gras. :)

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  13. I don't take regular stuff down anymore either, Melanie. But I do need to add a little Valentine's cheer now. I love all your fabric hearts! Your home is always so tidy and pretty, just the right vignettes.

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  14. I love the stuffed hearts and your pretty bowls. The subtle touches you added are just perfect. Have a lovely weekend... :)

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  15. Melanie, sweet touches of Valentines in your home. Love the hearts from Carol! She is a sweetheart. Maybe I need a lesson from you. I have too much Valentines Day dƩcor. lol! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  16. Everything looks just perfect, Melanie! Very sweet. I really like your French bottle dryer with the cute cups!

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  17. So pretty, Melanie! It's amazing how little touches of red make a big difference. I don't do a lot for Valentine decorating...but it's fun to bring in a little red and a few fun hearts!

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  18. I love the red accents added to your kitchen, Melanie, and it seems your cat does, too! The little hearts from Carol are a nice touch throughout your home and a reminder of a blog friend. Have a good week!

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  19. I love all of your wonderful red accents!
    Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

    Thank you for joining TOHOT

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  20. Oh I absolutely adore your heart plates and sweet recipe box.

    Thank you so very much for linking up to Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Your presence helped to make it extra special.

    Happy Valentine's Day!

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