Oh Christmas tree

I was cleaning out the basement and I came across 2 styrofoam cones that I got at a yard sale this summer. I think it was a quarter for the both of them. Anyway, hooray! There are tons of cute ideas all over on other blogs and Pinterest about different ways to decorate these things up, but in the end I didn't follow any tutorials and just did my own thing.

 I wrapped the cone up in strips I tore off one of the old sheets in my fabric stash, then hot glued different kinds of lace in rings all the way up. So easy. the stand is just a little 2x2 scrap that was laying around. I think I might try to white wash or possibly use a vinegar stain to age the wood, but for now it's fine.

This lil' guy is smaller than the first. I had a scrap of some faux-patchwork fabric that was just enough to cover the whole tree (my backup plan was to use various Christmas or Christmas colored prints to fill in any gaps). Then I added some ric rac and some tassels (which are really just acting as a placeholder for pom pom trim) and called it good.

My decorating taste has been undergoing a metamorphosis of sorts lately. I've always been a fan of some kinds of old fashioned and vintage stuff, but right now I'm all sorts of into it. Maybe it's just Christmas. I was definitely bored of my lots of metallics and garland thing I usually do, so this year I went completely the opposite direction. I'm going for a fun vibe, I suppose. here's what I mean:

Possibly even borderline kitschy? That big Santa definitely is (it belonged to my husband's grandma and my guy just loved it when he was a kid, so we ended up with it).
I beg pardon for how unbalanced this is right now; I was just kind of throwing things up there. I do plan on moving the paper chain and then adding more garland across the top. Maybe a string of big bulb Christmas lights. If I get around to it, I'll probably change up the art that's there, too.

So, my motif this year is fun, colorful, vintage Christmas. Anybody else out there have a theme they stick to? This is my first year actually thinking it through enough to actually put a name to it.

More thrift store stuff

Technically, these are from a consignment shop, but it's all pretty much the same, right?
My mother-in-law called me last Saturday morning to tell me that a consignment shop in my hometown was having a 55% off sale, so away I went.

 

Tons of awesome children's books. I plan on using these in my daughter's new basement room (which might be getting ahead of myself, since it's only partially framed right now) as some functional decor. The companion library ones are really cool- they're one book on the front, then you turn them over and upside down and they're a different book!

 These were my favorite find. There were a ton more there, but I only picked ones that were in pretty much perfect shape. Because of these, I've totally been in a Christmas mood. I wanted to get the tree out and decorate, but my husband said no. So I put them all in a jar on the mantle so I could still look at them, and so Mike won't accuse me of pushing the season (because he does not notice jars of stuff on the mantle).

Another awesome scarf. I think that makes my final count 4 for this summer. It was kind of sad to bring it home and immediately put it away with the other summery stuff, but the hat rack is currently overtaken by fall/winter scarves (post coming soon).

I think I got about a dozen doilies for about 3 dollars? I have a pinspired project in mind for these that will be lovely.

I scored some other awesome deals, including some vintage floral ribbon that I just die for and a brooch that's going to be part of a necklace sometime in the future.

Happy Veteran's Day (yesterday)!