Christmas Mantel Mania

I want to start out by saying, that well.. I'm not gonna lie. I had my mantel garland up a week or so before Thanksgiving. I just couldn't wait. Sue me.

Everything else on the mantel, that I waited for. I couldn't get it just right. The candle holders on each end throw it off. But I don't have any extra paint to cover the gaping holes that will be there if I were to take them out. And, the argument I'd have with my husband over it just wasn't worth it at the moment. 

:) 

Okay, glad I got that off my chest. Now I knew I was going to stick with muted golds and silvers from last year. I got the bulbs at the dollar store and I absolutely love them! They aren't a yellowy gold, but a pretty soft warm gold. Mmmm feels like Christmas. I threw in some pine cones, berries, and things of that nature..(Haha).

For the top of the mantel fantel I had a little help from the thriftstore and TJ Maxx..

And, my awesome photographer Jen who was awesome and took our family photo in the nick of time. Look, no glare! I skipped the glass and put the huge picture in my 16x20 clearance frame from Hobby Lobby and used the cardboard from the packaging for the back. Done and done. 

Since the whole thing is so monochromatic I wanted to use lots of textures. Case in point the books which are just too sweet with their library stickers still on them. The rough burlap and jute wrapped around my smooth spray painted vase, gold berries and a few scattered ornaments with different sheen's. Love.

I scored these two beaded trees for pennies at TJ Maxx and I couldn't be happier with them! They're the perfect color and add some great height. It also plays nicely with the little glittered Happy Holidays sign I threw up there doesn't it?

My mantel and I had a photoshoot. This girl can work the camera, look at her pose.

I'm cheesy mc. cheeserson today by the way. Can you tell? 

Oh and since we don't have a mantel obviously and it's hanging above our retro non-flatscreen tv and book shelf I added the vase and sticks for some height on the other side. I'd love to put another bookshelf there but the door barely opens as it is. Boo. Kinda cute, kinda funky, kinda like someone just sat a random vase on a milk crate and called it a day, wait..what? :)

So there's my nature meets glitter mantel. My woodsy glamor..glitzy camping.. gold and glitter and pine cones oh my! How about a sneak at the tree too?

Linking up to Layla's party, along with the rest of blog land! :)