October 08, 2008

My $1.98 Pumpkin Vignette

You know I’m all about keeping it real, and keeping it frugal. Most of the time.

This is one of those times.

We recently bought a
fabulous antique china cabinet, and I mentioned how excited I was to have a new display perch. So here’s my first crack, just in time for Sanctuary Arts' “Pretty Your Pumpkin Party”:


It’s not perfect (at least yet!) but it cost me a "whopping" $1.98. The mini pumpkins were .79 a pound at the Sunset Farm Market (really a nursery) in the shore house’s neck of the woods. I loaded up a small bag, to the tune of 2.5 pounds, and so far, so good. The candles and candlesticks were a recent gift, and that branch (much lovelier in person) is from our Krauter’s Plum Tree. I dumped seashells out of the (Home Goods) apothecary jar (and the cute little covered dish I recently treated myself to at Pottery Barn. I think it’s one of the few things I’ve paid retail for in 2008!), arranged the pumpkins, and Bob's your uncle.

I also started to put together my outside décor. I dried out my cornstalks, and added a couple of pumpkins. The mum was a gift from our California house guest last week (thanks, Kevin!). I think I’ll beef the scene up a bit this weekend.

There was also a bit of an impulse buy made while I was at Sunset’s. I couldn’t resist. (In fact I may add another – especially since all Halloween decorations are already 50% off there.):

I've named her Charlotte.

My mom knows I have a thing for old mini chairs, and she spotted this one at a flea market recently. Only thing was, the vendor was selling all of the fall decorations with it. But...for $20! So mom scooped up the whole thing for me, and I’ll be able to recycle the chair (which is old, and in very good shape) for other fun displays, and in "solo exhibitions." The only thing better was hearing this vendor would be in my town for the Harvest Festival this weekend. Whoo hoo!

Lastly, I wanted to share a photo of a house I spotted in Wanamassa, NJ, on my way back from the Sunset “pumpkin patch.” A little background: When it was obvious that the writing was on the wall for the Yankees (of whom I am a fan), and that their last season in Yankee Stadium would draw to an untimely close, my brother (the Mets fan) was quick to rub it in my face. You see, his team was in first place at the time, and my team was all but eliminated. He had a point. My team dropped the ball. In a sense, I had it coming to me.

Sort of like he has this coming to him:


Yup; payback’s a you-know-what, my dear brother.

There. I feel much better now. ;-)

Coming tomorrow, part deux: I’m going to share an easy little pumpkin recipe from
Better Homes & Gardens I road tested. Two words: “Chocolate” and “yum.”

29 comments:

Free Art Printables said...

$1.98!!!!! That's awesome! Holy cow. That's the best deal I've ever seen! Your mums are absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for joining the party! Your decorations are inspiring! :)

Ms. Tee said...

It's all so pretty! I love that you named the spider Charlotte. Everything's so beautiful and so is your new cabinet! :)

/// said...

I loooooooove your $1.98 vignette! Eek! Such talent. :)

Tina said...

It's always so fun to visit and see what you have been up to. I am a nut for a good look on pennies and you did it! Very chic!
T

heidi said...

HAD to send the Met's pic to hubby, who is still depressed. LOVE it!

Kimberly said...

Your $1.98 vignette is so pretty! Happy Fall!

Anonymous said...

Love your china cabinet and what you've done to the top! $1.98 for pumpkins is a fabulous deal!! LOVE the shea stadium display! We moved to Georgia from NJ.

Manuela

Mr. Bad Example said...

s/b Met fans'. Yankee fans have no grasp of proper punctuation.

That's all I have.

sincerely,
your brother

j.cro said...

If you thought the squirrels were wreaking havoc on your corn, wait until they get a hold of your porch pumpkins... watch out for those rats with nicer coats (quote ala Carrie Bradshaw).

Or you could wind up with this

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Oh, my gosh, you are too funny. Now we know how far you'll go for a joke (or payback). Ha. -Julia

Freckles Chick said...

It's darling!! LOL at Charlotte--I love her and the fall decor.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving such sweet comments on my blog =)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

What a cute pumpkin vignette...I'm seeing all sorts of fall decor out there this week. Charlotte the spider, huh...well,I did love that book.

You brother sounds like a witty guy, just like you.

YES...we're planning to come up to NYC sometime in mid-to late Nov. My hubby is looking into it now, so no firm date yet. His youngest son lives in Manhattan & is a chef, so he will show us around the town. I can't wait! My hubby wants to hit Wall St. & I want to hit a Broadway show & we both want to eat some great food. If you're up for a meet-up, let me know, I'd love that! We'll be there about 3 nights, so it will be fast. It will probably be during the week too.

Shannon @ Silver Trappings said...

Very pretty. I looove that hutch.

Shannon

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Pretty fall decorating, and1.98 for the pumpkin vignette! Great!
Jackie

Jean Martha said...

Yankees?!?!?!? What! What! What!

Well, I do like the spider & pumpkins...

Decor To Adore said...

I think you get the deal of the day award!
I am on post #98 so you know what that means...!

Anonymous said...

Looks wonderful, Laura. The more I see your new cabinet, the more I like it.

Courtney said...

this is all really cute, Laura. and I love the cemetery at the end! my hubby is a huge Cubs fan, so you can imagine how he is mourning right now. he gets depressed if I mention the word "baseball" or "Cubs". Anyway, thank you for your kind words...thanks for reading...and I imagine I'll be lurking from time to time, since the blog habit is a tough one to break, I'm sure! :-) xoxo

Mindy said...

Love the cabinet. And thrifty decorating is my kind of decorating! Thanks for sharing. ~Mindy

Jules from "The Roost" said...

Your decorations look great! Can't wait to get the recipe:)

muralimanohar said...

Love Charlotte, love that chair, and is that Mets scene yours? Love that, too. :p

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Laura!

I was laughing so hard by the end of this post! Your RIP Mets display is the funniest thing I ever saw!

I love Charlotte and the little chair and your antique china cabinet is to die for! Wow! That's a pretty display on top.

I have to catch up on my fall decorations --we were in 85 degree weather in Key West -- autumn seemed far away then! Loved it there and hope to go back again someday.

Maureen said...

Oh, I have to send this link to my Met-fan brothers. Love it.

Love the decorations! The fact that those corn stalks are yours is the absolute best.

Thanks also for emailing the recipe.

M

Fifi Flowers said...

You are in the spirit! Love those mini pumpkins!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for linking..! Really a great discount and nice offers on Halloween stuffs.

The Texas Woman said...

Love your family dynamics, as well as your cabinet and decorating!

The Texas Woman

Liz Harrell said...

First of all... that 1.98 arrangement is fantastic! I love it, not just b/c it's cheap... but b/c it does NOT look cheap. Lovely.

please sir said...

Love all your fun decoration - really like the glass vase with pumpkins!

Kasey said...

found you thru a friends blog.
looks great!!
k-