Redecorating the mantel, thrifty finds and true confessions from Mrs. Smith!!

Christmas decor is put away till next year which means putting the living room back together!

I went to Target the other day and scored 2 mirror chargers for $6 each (one square beveled and one round). Mr. Smith wanted to know what I planned to do with them. Typical man-at least-typical Mr. Smith-always needs to know what I am using something for. Typical woman-at least-typical Mrs. Smith-I don't know but I like it and I will figure it out when I get home! (Note to self-go shopping alone!) So I had 2 mirrors that I had for 2 days before I figured out what to do with them.

I went to the thrift store yesterday (it does get scary when the workers are greeting me like they see me all the time-well lately they have). I found this clock face-no clock parts-with the fleur de lis(love them) for $2! Did I know what I was going to do with it-NO! I picked up the silver bowl last week at another thrift store for $2-had no idea what I was going to use it for either. Until today.......the clouds parted and ..........well you get the idea that I finally figured out how to use all my new treasures...

I made a center piece on my coffee table with a candle I already had-the mirror fit perfectly in the center of the clock. I may add to it later but for a total of $10 not bad for a large center piece.
On to my mantel, okay I need to clear up a few things

1. I am not tall-5' 4 1/2" tall.
2. This fireplace and mantel are huge.
3. A ladder is required for me to decorate.
4. Ladders and I are not friends.
5. I am a klutz. I wasn't the cheerleader in the Smith household-Mr. Smith was. (That's a whole story itself).

So here is my newly decorated mantel that will stay like this for a few months(so I don't climb the ladder anytime soon).

Keeping the Parisian theme going.......

I found these molds at the thrift store and I paid $2 for 4. They were made in Germany(I know it's not from France). They remind me of mercury glass. So I thought they would add some glitter to the mantel with a tea light in them.

Enjoy and be careful on ladders! Oh no one ever said that decorating could be dangerous for your health so I should put out a warning.

WARNING: DECORATING COULD BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH-DISMEMBERMENT, SCRATCHED CORNEAS, BLEEDING, BRUISES, BROKEN BONES ETC.....

Side note....Sunday night I fell off a chair and hurt myself while taking stuff down from Christmas(I was not using a ladder-Mr. Smith got after me for that-he knows me too well). I am okay just have a BIG bruise.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from The Smith Hotel to your home!!!! May 2010 be filled with many blessings!

Christmas Eve at The Smith Hotel

More than just Eiffel Towers are happening at The Smith Hotel........ Even with the Shabby Parisian White Christmas theme I still had to keep the real meaning in the decor...... I found this white church at a thrift store this year for $5. It looks really pretty above our front door lit up(just doesn't photograph too well with the white lights).

Another white church, another thrift store find........

A white church candle.......

Found this at TJ Maxx this year and fell in love with it.......Had everything I was looking for... Nativity scene and silver glitter....

A small white Nativity scene.....

A Nativity scene that I picked up the summer Boy Wonder was going into the 4th grade and we went to 6 California missions.... This one was made in Peru......

As I was photographing my churches and Nativity scenes, I can across this little angel. Apparently she was tired and fell asleep on top of a snowflake.....That's what happens when you let the kiddos decorate......Shh, I left her sleeping.....

Merry Christmas!!!

More Christmas Pictures of The Smith Hotel

Took some pictures of Boy Wonder and Drama Queen's bathroom and thought I would share them with you....... Added a few festive touches like the striped rug , candy cane striped candle and snowman hand towels.

The kiddo's little tree that they got to put some of their favorite ornaments on. Or in other words, ornaments with color that didn't coordinate with our Shabby Parisian White Christmas theme.

My favorite painting from a very talented friend! Love that wagon! I wanted a Dick and Jane theme in the kiddo's bathroom. So by adding the wagon painting, photocopied pictures from a Dick and Jane book and bath towels that I made-I think it gives it a simple but fun look.

Some fun penguins and igloo on the windowsill.

A manger scene which I was later informed by Boy Wonder and Drama Queen that I had put the angel where Mary was supposed to be! I just think at the time the angel was checking on Baby Jesus while Mary took a nap! See Mary in the back with her eyes closed! Very believable!

Hope you are enjoying your Holidays so far! Merry Christmas! I think Mary had a good idea and Mrs. Smith might just be taking a nap today too!

Christmas Vacation at The Smith Hotel

Mrs. Smith went out with some girl friends to breakfast this morning. Thrift store shopping afterwards and got this for a dollar! Didn't really like the painted side but turned it over and.....

A whole new chalkboard!!!! Even kept the same string on.

Yep that's Mrs. Smith's office but...........

Boy Wonder is hogging the computer!!! I can't even get to my desk to clean it!!! Yah okay I really wasn't going to clean it but can't wait till he saves up enough money to get his own laptop. Plus I plan on using his new, faster one when he is in school!