It's fall at the Bender house ya'll!

Hello darlin'!

It's officially Fall here in the beautiful mountains of Virginia, My favorite time of year!

We've got the golden sunflower yellows, candy apple reds and cider oranges startin' to peak.
I just can't wait till it's in full swing.

The temperatures are crisp at night and sometime dippin' into the high 40's and between 63-75  degrees durin' the day.

Everywhere you look you see changing leaves, corn fields, pumpkins and mums. I can't wait to visit all the Fall festivities.

Over the weekend I decided to add some "Fall Southern Charm" to my front porch. (I am still workin' on the inside though)

I will post pictures of that once I am done.

I went to Wal-Mart and found corn stalk for $3.98 a bunch.
(I bought two bunches)

I also found "real" mini hay bales there for around the same price.
Considerin' you pay close to $10.00 bucks for a fake hay bale I thought to myself "there is no way I'm passin' up that deal. I bought two of them as well.

Thank God I was drivin' my Husband's truck that day.

I loaded them bad boys up and took em' home.

I had a plan :)

I put the corn stalk on both sides of my door.
The hay bales I layed in front of them on both sides and then I sat my beautiful "Hardy Mums" on top. Of course it wouldn't be fall without pumpkins, Had to add them as well.

So now that I have you curious about what it looks like...Here it is...

It kinda makes me feel like I am walkin' up on the front porch to someone's house on the cover of "Southern Living" magazine.

My beautiful "Hardy Mums"!

 I wrapped my smaller Mum in burlap since the pot was white.

Besides every room in my house has a touch of burlap in it. Can't leave out the porch.

I hope I have inspired ya'll to add some " Fall Southern Charm" to your porch.

Just let your imagination control your hands. You never know what the outcome will be.

-Jeanie

Fall Wreath

So here we are Monday morning, two days into fall and we get our first bit of actual fall-like weather!

I woke up this morning to a cool 56 degrees. It had been well into the 90's yesterday (or so it felt) so it came as a bit of a surprise.

With fall here and cooler weather, I hope to be inspired for some decorating. I know I'm a bit late but I just can't settle on what I want to do.

The other day I had written a post about "Fall Porch Inspiration" and was so inspired that I actually created a fall wreath that night!

I had purchased a vine wreath a few weeks ago at Michael's and would later return to purchase the fall flowers to make the wreath, but came across the leftover wedding garlands and knew immediately it would work perfectly.

I sure am glad I found it because I had missed it and didn't realize it!

And here is a closeup 

I just love the way it turned out and will be making more to sell in my etsy shop.

 - Rich

Fall Porch Inspiration

With start of Fall just around the corner (friday to be exact) I thought it would be appropriate to show off a few of my favorite fall porches!

I've never posted anything like this but I thought it would be a great way to get everyone in that Fall spirit and to break out those decorations we've had stored away since last year!

I just love the fiery reds, "texas sunflower yellow's", pumpkin oranges and evergreen decor of fall.

Living in Florida, we normally don't get so lucky with the season changes, especially fall.

I just love the the picture below because its simple and country. Mum alone really convey the feeling of fall. Notice the harvest corn wreath on the door - so simple.

I love the use of color in this photo (or the lack there of). Its so simple and sorta monochromatic in a way. Notice the simple leaf wreath. Thats totally a DIY project.

I just adore these pumpkin topiaries and the two swag style bunches flanking each side of the door.

This photo is so country! I love the wire "welcome" sign. The wreath in this photo is also amazing. I would love to make all leaf wreaths for the windows on the front of my home.

I love the use of the hay bales and corn stalks with the mums in the natural wood baskets as plant holders for the mums. The detail in this photo makes this one of my favorites.

I hope this post gets you as excited about fall as it did me. Im actually so inspired right now that I think i'm going to make a fall wreath tonight! 

I will post for you guys, my finished project!!

 - Rich

Vintage Wedding Inspiration

Oil lamps are everywhere, so it was no surprise to find these a few weeks ago at a local antique mall. 


I have always loved the idea of a simple southern wedding under sprawling grand daddy oaks with spanish moss swaying lazily in the breeze of the low country. 

I live for southern design and would love to decorate a wedding in that type of decor!

I located a few pictures on the web for inspirtaion. 

This tablescape is the epitome of southern charm! 

I adore the rustic wooden barn with the rusty ole star! 

I love the idea of tables set up on a lush green lawn for the reception either under an old oak tree or with rustic barns in the background or even inside the barn!

I love the idea of having mixed vintage seating. 

Simple oil lamps strategically placed upon the tabletop are such a strong southern statement. 

Even placing the lamps upon tree stumps make for a beautiful display around the reception area.

This is a great shot. I personally would have added some oil lamps, duh!

As you can see, I get pretty carried away when talking about wedding design. My sister and I always said that we missed our calling to be wedding planners. 

- Rich

Collecting Fine China

Fine china is beautiful, elegant, and expensive. The question I hear most often is "when are you supposed to use it"? 
Most people value their fine china so much that they don’t know when to use it or even if they should! 
I believe in using what you have, china is no exception. 
There are times and places to use it and the following suggestions are popular uses for fine china and can help you determine when to use it.

Here is come china that I received after my great aunt passed away back in 2000. I only received a few pieces but was so happy to have them as they reminded me so much of her. I have found some pieces in thrift stores and other pieces online to add to my collection. I'm still on the hunt for some pieces to finish off my collection.

Im quite sure it isn't worth much but to me they're priceless.  The type of china is "Garden Bouquet #4078". It's a very southern pattern to me but I love southern so it works!

Sunday Lunch 
Many people gather for Sunday lunch. Growing up, my grandmother always held Sunday Lunch. 
After church it was a time to gather everyone around one table. 
She always prepared different meals that weren't ordinarily cooked, as they were for special occasions. So, this came to me as a no brainer for when to use your fine china. 
Using your china on Sunday is a good idea because it’s only once a week and on a day that is just a little more special than the others because the whole family is dining together.

Holidays
For holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter are also popular occasions to use your fine china. 
These holidays are usually celebrated with a big meal, lots of family, and everyone wants things to be just a little nicer than usual. 
So, there is no better way to make your table more elegant than with your favorite china. 

Special Occasions 
Any special occasion where we like for things to be a little more elegant is a great time to use your fine china. 
Anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, or any other special occasion that would be celebrated with a nice meal is a perfect opportunity for setting the table with your fine china. 

Collecting
You, like some people, may only like to collect and not want to use your fine china.

 If you find you are in this situation then possibly you should buy a china cabinet to store your china in. 

If you chose to display your fine china in a china cabinet, give your collection breathing room. Do not stack plates more than six high and place separators between each piece. 

Display teacups atop their saucers. 

Don't hang your teacups on hooks within a china cabinet since that display option places undue stress on the teacup's handle and forces you to screw a hook into your wooden china cabinet, damaging it. 

A full set of fine china should be displayed by itself in one china cabinet. 

Display other collectible objects elsewhere. 

Don't crowd fine china as it needs room to prevent damage and to show off its beauty.

Packing and Storage

If you have to move your china I recommend that you wrap each piece individually. DO NOT use newspaper to wrap the china, as the printing may bleed onto your china and leave streaks or dark stains. Individually wrap each piece of china in acid free tissue paper follow up by wrapping it again in a white cotton cloth or bubble wrap. Do not plan on storing the china in bubble wrap long term because bubble wrap traps heat and can damage the china.

- Rich

The Charleston Sweetgrass Basket

Sweetgrass basketmaking has been part of the Charleston heritage for more than 300 years. 

Brought to the area by slaves who came from West Africa, basketmaking is a traditional art form which has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, it is one of the oldest art forms of African origin in the United States. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, an old village and modern suburb on the north side of Charleston Harbor, is allegedly the only place where this particular type of basketry is still practiced. Here, the descendants of slaves from West Africa continue the tradition. 

During the days of slavery, rice cultivation, and the flourishing plantations of the Old South, these baskets were in great demand for agricultural purposes. They also brought extra income to slave owners, who often sold baskets to other plantation owners.

For the most part, they were used to collect and store vegetables, staples, etc. Men made these large baskets from marsh grasses called "bulrush". A common form which evolved during this era was the winnowing basket (rice basket) called the "fanner." Other agricultural baskets were for grain storage, cotton, fish and shellfish. 

Functional baskets for everyday living in the home were made by women. Some of these were made for bread, fruits, sewing, clothes, storage, etc. They were made from the softer, pliable grass commonly called sweetgrass (Muhlenbergia filipes), because of its fragrance, similar to the smell of fresh hay.

My grandmother owns a few that are VERY OLD. Probably around 100 years. I love to watch the people in the "slave market" (as they call it, even though there was never a slave sold here) make these beautiful pieces of art. A few weeks ago when we visited I purchased a trash bin sized basket. (at least thats what its purpose will be) 

Below is a picture I had taken on a different trip to Charleston back in 2008.

To me, sweetgrass baskets is a very southern decorative item, especially since my ancestors are from Charleston. 

I think that just about everyone in my family owns a sweetgrass basket and if your from the "Old South" you probably should too! 

Vintage Picture Frames

On a recent thrifting adventure I came across this buried in a pile of yucky, ugly frames.

I love the cracking/chipped paint.

I believe the size is 11x13.

Here, you can see the detail on the frame.

I decided immediately that I had to have this frame.

I really didn't know why other than I didn't want to leave the store without it.

When I got home I was looking at it and thought of a few things I could do with it.

I came up with 3 options,

1. Turn it into a vanity to place on the nightstand in the spare bedroom
2. Repaint and use it for its original purpose, or
3. Turn the frame into a chalkboard 

I have yet to do any of them. Im at a loss for inspiration!

I need your help! Any comments or ideas are greatly appreciated

What A Crock!

This past weekend I had the unfortunate opportunity to visit Plant City, (where I was born and raised) for a funeral service. My family also drove down from Virginia to attend the services. While we all had been there for other reasons, we could not stop ourselves from shopping at one of the towns finest home-decor, warehouse-style, retail shop you can imagine, Southern Hospitality! 

Southern Hospitality is a family owned and operated business that has been around for over 25 years! They are a wholesale/retail shop with over 75,000 sq. ft of merchandising space!

 I remember my mother, aunts and grandma taking me along to this place over 17 years ago to buy their crafting goods. The company started out at their home in a garage in the weirdest location down a back road. My grandmother was friends with the owners and my grandfather sold his woodworks to them.

Anyways...Since I no longer have immediate family members in the area I have no reason to visit so I take the opportunity to see everything while there.

I miss it because it was once my home and will always be home. You get me? 

Well, trolling throughout the 75,000 sq. ft of merchandise, my sister happened upon these "crocks". We both about peed our pants with excitement. We had to have them. We both have about the same decorating style, she like primitive style country and I love farmhouse-chic country, so we both had to have one. 

Now when I display this I will always have a reminder of where I came from, something to take me back, if you will. 

As you probably already know, Plant City isn't just the strawberry capitol of the world its also home the the Florida Strawberry Festival and where my family grew strawberries and peanut crops for many years!

I have some decorating ideas in mind for this baby and will be posting pictures throughout the seasons to show you just how I pay homage to my hometown.