Christmas Decor: The Balsam Wreath is Hung

To be honest, I have not decorated much for Christmas in the past.  We have often lived in tiny little apartments while going to school and spent the holidays with family.

This year I decided ot give decorating a try.  I recieved this wreath from Balsam Hill and I have to say I am mighty pleased. They have wreaths and garlands that look like the real deal.  I got the Sugarland Spruce, isn't it gorgeous? Right now Balsam Hill has a sale of up to 40% off and free shipping.  Don't miss out!

I got the vintage christmas cards from my husband's grandma.  They had been sitting in her basement for years and she knows how I love vintage anything.  Before anyone in my family throws something out they always come to me to see if I would like it.  I am a jukner.  What can I say? Find the deerhead hook {here at UO}.

Lust Worthy: Painted Antlers

Eeek!  How fantastic.  So creative yet simple, these painted antlers are. I am positively swooning over the colors and design on {these} delectable creations by Cassandra Smith. 

{1, 2, 3}  

Arcadian Home Decor Guest Post

Hi there! My name is Jenn and I’m a writer for Arcadian Home Decor, an e-commerce website that follows popular home decor trends from around the world. I'm a Martha Stewart protégé, a lover of anything vintage, a wall art aficionado, and an all-around interior design fan... and I also adore the posts on It's Simple Love. I'm regularly scouring the blog, and you can imagine my delight when I found out I'd be writing here today.

A residential and commercial furniture manufacturer based in North Carolina, the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams collection of incredible pieces is awe-inspiring. Their upholstery, casegoods, and home accessories like lighting are all clean, simple, and uber-stylish. Here are eight rooms with everything Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams for this weekly wishlist.

Blue and grey palette

Bromeliad via

Navy blue and soft grey create a serene and modern living room. The grid-configured wall art adds some balance to the space.

Black and white spaces

elle decor via

Signature Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams furniture in natural colour tones is tied together by the black and white accents found in the striking floor and wall decorations.

Plush purple

G3Living via

While it may seem out of place, this purple velvet sofa looks exquisite in this breezy space. The clean lines are stylish too, like the rug, tables, and mirrors.

Chic creamsicle

decorpad via

A monochromatic backdrop is the perfect setting for flecks of wood (in the coffee tabletop and exposed beams) along with a few jolts of colour in the throw cushions.

Boutique hotel elegant

Aol Shopping via

A more modest guest room still looks airy in calming eggshell and a splash of cranberry red. Although there are a few pieces of furniture it's designed in a way that it doesn't feel cluttered.

Music-inspired living room

City Living Magazine via

A sheet music wall hanging adds visual impact to a peaceful grey Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams' living room.

A nod to the past

Inspired Home & Design via

These designers never ignore the past, as one can see in this vintage kitchen, with a stunning old-fashioned stove and sleek subway tiles to tie in the now.

A stylish showcase

apartment therapy via

If a homeowner has Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams then it should be showed off - here various wall art and table decor are flaunted in an entryway.

Content provided by Arcadian Home Decor, a site that specializes in top quality home accessories at extremely affordable prices. If you want more clean, simple, and uber-stylish pieces, make sure to check out them out for all of their home decor products. Visit today!

How-To-esday: Doily Trinket Bowl

Oh my, I am just in love with these doily trinket bowls.  Find the full tutorial {HERE} found on SODA POP DESIGN.  Though it is not in english, I think you can get the gist of it.   Find more tutorials from Soda Pop Design {HERE}.

Also, thank you Miss Jess for including one of my dresses in your {post} and the kind words spoken of {my shop}.

How To-esday: Polaroid Magnet Frames

I just adore polaroids however the film is so darn expensive.  I have a few magnetic polaroid frames from urban outfitters I bought I while back (though currently sold out).  These adorable magnetic frames bring me much delight for I am quite the vintage enthusiast.  They change any photo into an instant polaroid for your fridge. 

Just by looking at the magnetic photo frames on my fridge I can tell they would be quite simple to make. Therefore, I bring you How To-esday: Polaroid Magnet Frames brought to you by {papernsnitch}.  Just click {here} for the tutorial.  If you are too lazy to make them, go {here} and buy them.  I promise I wont judge.

(p.s. It's my birthday!  Happy Birthday me!)

Fabulous Friday Finds: Free Easter Printable

Easter is right around the corner.  As besides the fact that these {free egg prints} are festive, they are just plain adorable!  They would be charming hung up in a kitchen year round.  Find more free vintage prints at {Vintage Printable}.

Wednesday Wish-Lists: Mustache Holder

You've come home from a long day at work.  You snuggle up into bed, put on your glasses, and read a little to relax.  Now it is time for shut eye.  You take the glasses off your nose and set them gently on... another nose.  Find more unusual and fun home decor at {Art Akimbo}. The nose eyeglass stand was found {here}.

Give Yourself a Hand

{via}

I just adore these vintage glove molds.  Using them as jewelry holders is quite charming in my eyes.  I just bought one from Saltsman Soups, a lovely vintage shop on etsy.  Again, I am in love with that industrial feel right now for home decor.  Am I crazy or do you find yourself mesmerized by them as well?  What's your take?

Find more vintage glove molds {here} or {here}

Don't forget to enter in the Memory Bean Designs Giveaway this week!

Valentines Day Giveaway!!! By Memory Beans Designs CLOSED

Giveaway #1:

Pink and Brown Wall Trio

Giveaway #2:

Customized Valentines Day Wall Word

Giveaway #3:

Pink Shimmer Seamstress Boutique Wall Hook

I just love Tammy's creative wall and home decor from her etsy Memory Beans Designs.  Her shop is filled with delightful handcrafted picture frames, wall hooks, planters, and more! In the spirit of Valentines Day Tammy is giving away three lovely items to three individual readers of It's Simple Love!  But first, let's learn more about Memory Bean Designs and the woman behind it all.

Who or what inspires you?

Anything and everything! I get small bits of inspiration from a movie, a song, a photo on a blog or magazine, a shop, a color, everywhere! It's crazy how much inspiration is within our reach! Honestly I do my best creating with a yummy flavored latte in hand, watching a chick flick I've seen a million times. (My How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days doesn't even play anymore! Hee hee)

What do you enjoy most about owning your shop?

I enjoy all aspects, excluding taxes and boring spreadsheets, etc. Creating, listing my items, communicating with customers, working together with them to get to just what they want, packaging the items so they arrive at their doorstep all cute. Above all else, I love their feedback! It's so nice when someone finds the perfect fit for their home decor, or just the right gift for someone. Makes me happy!!!

Describe your products in three words:

Cutesy, Colorful, Radiant

What is unique about your creations?

I think that almost anyone could make these items in my shop, What I hope makes it all unique is how I put colors together along with embellishments to portray a certain feel or look.

Where else can we find you?

Memory Beans Designs Etsy

Memory Beans Designs Facebook

Memory Beans Designs Blog

The Giveaway: CLOSED!!!

The three items that are up for grabs are pictred above. 

Giveaway Item 1: Pink and Brown Wall Trio. 

Giveaway Item 2: Pink Shimmer Seamstress Boutique Wall Hook

Giveaway Item 3: Customized Valentines Day Wall Word (choose your favorite valentines day word and she'll customize a handcrafted wall word just for you!)

How to Enter:

+1 Follow It's Simple Love

+1 Go to Memory Beans Designs and share your favorite item with us

+1 Follow Memory Beans Designs Blog

+ Share your favorite Valentines Day word, phrase, or saying

+1 Heart Memory Beans Design Etsy

+1 "Like" MBD Facebook

+1 Heart Ande Monster (my vintage shop)

Please write a seperate comment for each entry. Please leave your email address so I can contact you.  Open to U.S. and Canada residents.  Ends Sunday February 6, 2011.  Best of luck!

Locker Love

(1. 2. 3.)

Lockers are an easy chic way to provide more closet/storage space in your home.  These metal lockers give the home an industrial feel that I am obsessed with right now.  You can find them in all shapes, sizes, and colors at lockers.com.  I would love kids storage lockers in my future kids room.  I am really liking {this personal locker} in peacock or mandarin orange.  Beautiful. 

I can see these in a mud-room, a kids room, a craft room.  In {this post}lockers are used in the kitchen for food storage.  I love the idea!  It is a non-traditional way of using a truly functional item in your own home.  Where would you put lockers in your home?  What colors would you choose?  Your thoughts?

Wednesday Wish-List:

When I saw these hooks from Anthropologie I about died.  I'll take them.  All of them.  I am a little obsessed with the color white right now.  It could be because it's clean, versatile, pure.  Maybe it reminds me of the winter snow.  Not sure.  However I do know these hooks are just plain fabulous.

Wednesday Wish-List: Fiberglass Armchair Rocker

I do believe I need one of these Rockers from CoMod.  Wait... yes in fact I do need one.  It's official.  

Be sure to enter to win a vintage purse form my shop {here}!

How To-esday: Yarn Ball Decor

Who doesn't love the whimsical yarn ball decorations?  If you answered "me" to this question, know I think you are crazy.  Or a man.  Meaning crazy all the same.  Anyways, I find these would be perfect for a wedding or an all-out-party of some sort.  You can find the tutorial {here} in the {Ruche} blog.   The yarn balls were used in their {holiday lookbook} as well {these} love mixed media streamers.  Now go and do.

{Yarn Ball Decor Tutorial}

{Ruche Blog}

{Shop Ruche}

Weekend Wonderment: White Birch Wood

Urban Forest is a unique etsy shop that makes all of their products from white birch wood.  They make lamps/ lights, candle holders, and coasters.  The all natural wood gives off an urban feel, hence the name.  The white wood is so versatile it would go beautifully with an array of color schemes. 

See more of Urban Forests creations {here}.

Vintage Post Card Downloads

Remember {this} post I did on framing vintage postcards?  I found some free downloadable vintage postcards on {Ruffled} and {Martha Stewart} so you can make your own, free of charge.  Just grab some card stock paper, some scissors, and a frame, and print these bad boys off.  Enjoy!

{Vintage Postcard Graphic from Martha}

{Vintage Postcard Brushes}

{Vintage Postcard Back}

How To-esday: News Years Party

How-To's:

{Party Hats}

{Party Blowers}

{Streamers}

{Cookie Gift Sleeve}

News Years Eve is coming up fast.  Here are some lovely DIY party supplies for a chic evening.  I hope you have a joyful time with your family and friends ringing in the new year.  Do you have any traditions?

Wednesday Wish-List:

Military green with a dainty cream bow, what could be more perfect for a dress?  The combination of a masculine color and the feminine bow is absolutely charming.  And those buttons on the sleeves?  Oh I am in love with {this dress}.  Find more unique handmade items at {The Future of Frances}.  

More on my wishlist:

{this} necklace

a {jersey turban}

a 60's {giraffe day dress}

vintage letterpress {wooden alphabet} for art projects

this {dapper print}

&

a {vintage camera} with one large flash

Fabulous Friday Find: FREE Rustic Tags

These rustic numbered tags were spotted on {Poppytalk}. They are easy to use: just click {download}, print them on heavy cardstock paper, cut them, and attach them to anything.  I am planning to use them for the vintage items I sell on my shop.  They have a true vintage feel to them.  Enjoy!

Fabulous Friday Find: How-To Holiday Wreathe

How gorgeous is this doily wreathe?  Wow.  I need to make this.  Check out the {how-to} from the one and only Martha Stewart.  This gorgeous wreathe is made from strung up lights through paper doilies.  Find more holiday wreathe how-to's on {this post} by The Chirpy Bird.  Have a lovely weekend my fabulous readers!

Also, if you can't afford a tree this year check out this simple and cheap substitute {here}.

Wednesday Wish-Lists: Worldly Possessions

Map Envelopes

Personalized Mini Pennant Banner

Framed Butterfly with Vintage Map

Isn't it amazing what people can do with old vintage maps?  I just bought a vintage atlas at a thrift store and I have been looking for some inspiration on how to use them.  These are some of my favorite "worldly possessions" found on Etsy.  

Be sure to enter the Bird in Flight Jewelry GIVEAWAY before this Monday!