Windows & Wreaths: A True Love Affair

If you follow me on instagram or have ever stepped foot into my home for at least 30 seconds, it will come as no surprise to you that I LOVE wreaths and windows. I don't know how it started and I don't really care. I just love them. You can pretty much find (at least) one set in every room of the house. Now I have told you before that my taste is not expensive and I am sticking to that. All but two of the windows that I have in my house have cost me $5 or less. The exceptions being my 30 pane ($30) and my arched window ($20). Still. Every normal sized, normal shaped window I have either came from a yard sale, a thrift store, OR my window lady. (Long story but if you ever want her info...send me a message!) She is this awesome person that keeps a whole bunch of scrap windows from building projects and then sells them for really, really cheap. Anyways...in my opinion (and experience), windows are an awesome way to make a huge statement in a room for a small price. 

The wreaths can be tricky because wreaths are PRICEY. However, if you keep an eye out for sales and/or always seem to have an abundance of Target gift cards (like me...that's all I ever really ask for for holidays...*ahem* Keep Calm and Target On) then you can make it worth your while. The wreaths that I have most of in my house are these Target boxwood wreaths. They are adorable and very affordable compared to any other boxwoods I have ever found. Seriously, google boxwood wreaths...the prices will blow your mind. Disclaimer: I would not recommend them for outside use. At least if you are like me and don't have any coverage over your front door. Mine ended up turning completely black after a couple months of sun exposure. Boo. That being said, I keep all of my boxwoods indoors and have a nice wooden door hanger out front (but that's for another post). 

I have basically adopted the policy that windows and wreaths can brighten up any space, big or small. The fact that they come in all shapes and sizes is always helpful and (because I'm me) being able to switch out wreaths for holidays and such makes my heart happy as well. Here are the many wreath/window combos in my house:

Mantle (You've definitely seen this one before):

Den Wall:

My Big Beauty:

Kitchen (Not a space I have really blogged yet because it is a major work in progress...but more on that soon):

Bedroom:

and, Half-Bath: 

Besides my 30 pane, this arched window is definitely a favorite. It is the only differently shaped window I have and I love what it adds to this small space. You might can see in the reflection of the mirror that I actually have a second, smaller window in here as well. That was also a yard sale find and the hubs and I actually attached burlap to the back and added the hooks to it as a little pre-wedding project. I love it and will keep it forever. The wreath pictured here is also from Target but, it is from several falls ago. It is a wood curl wreath and I adore it as much as the Boxwoods. The one hanging on the other window is a miniature version of it. They do not currently carry this exact wreath but they do have a very similar version of it here. Long story short, I love wreaths and windows and use them as accent pieces all throughout my house. You can't go wrong with this combo. Ya just can't.

As a side note/endorsement for the wreath/window campaign: Here is a before and after of the half-bath. Before we moved into the house and what it looks like now.

See what I mean? Happy Weekend!

Currently Loving: Rae Dunn Clay

I have not done a post like this yet but the "currently loving" segment is definitely one that I wanted to include on the blog. Disclaimer: I never love anything expensive but once I find something that is part of a "collection" I usually try to find as many as I can. A few months ago, I found some Rae Dunn mugs at TJ Maxx and fell in love. They are the simplest things but they make a huge statement. I have since collected lots more (especially the holiday themed ones...surprise surprise). Thank you TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Marshalls! Most of the time I go into any one of those stores I find another piece that I love. Best part? They're cheap and huge! These mugs are all about 4 inches tall and vary a lot physically because they are all hand-made and unique. The mugs run for $3.99 at those stores and the other item's (like the teapot, butter dish, etc) usually run from $6-$20. None of it is pricey (especially when you're like me and only find a couple pieces at a time) but all of it is cute!

These are the mugs that I have out at all times in our kitchen. People might think I am absolutely ridiculous for loving coffee mugs so much when I don't really drink coffee. My response to that is...yes. Yes I am. Although to be fair, the hubs and I use all our mugs for hot chocolate almost daily. Oh yes, we're aware we're children.

Each piece in her collection is either white or cream and features (typically) one word in black, simple lettering. Examples include: Gulp, Sip, Drink, Create, Dream, Yum (and even silly ones) like Selfie, and #Hashtag. I also have a problem with tea sets (you know this...you've seen my dining room). When I saw this in Home Goods I knew I had to have it...and of course, the butter dish. I mean come on how cute is that? Thank goodness for gift cards! I left the store feeling, "Home Goods Happy" that's for sure.

You also know good and well by now that I LOVE Holidays and having holiday themed anything is my favorite. SO, it should come as no surprise that I have sets of these awesome mugs for just about every holiday they make 'em for. Once again, thank you Home Goods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx. If you go early enough in the season, they always have the biggest selection/best stuff. Plus it's cheap! Here we have:

Valentine's Day:

Easter:

Halloween:

Thanksgiving:

and of course, Christmas:

Basically, (if it isn't painfully obvious) I love the stuff and I am not afraid to admit it. I don't really have a link to buy simply because...I buy these at the kind of stores that don't have a consistent inventory and buying these babies at full retail price is ridonkulous. So, keep your eyes peeled at Marshalls, Home Goods, and TJ Maxx and you will have your own collection going in no time! 

Just as a random side note...here is the link to purchase the mug rack featured in all my pictures. This one is the white version because they don't currently have the one like mine on the website but I know you can find it in pretty much any of their stores! 

 It is a steal from World Market. I <3 World Market big time. I actually even used a coupon on mine so I think it ended up being around $12. I love it and use it as a decorative as well as functional piece in my kitchen. That combo is always unbeatable. Thanks for reading. Happy almost Friday!