When I first started blogging, I just couldn’t get enough of the ideas and inspiration I was seeing in this strange new world. It was thrilling!
There were things I never would have thought of doing and it made me want to try them all.
But, somewhere along the line, I think I lost my way a little bit.
I think I began suffering from “style schizophrenia“.
I doubted my instincts, questioned my judgement and found myself staring at blank expanses, like my fireplace mantels, and felt them mocking me….daring me to figure out how to decorate them.
I caught a glimpse of the dark side of mantel decor.
Filling it with all sorts of fall goodies…
The simplicity of a creamy white pumpkin resting on top helped me know I was headed in the right direction.
In the end, wiping the slate clean…
…and starting over…
…helped me remember why I love blogging so much.
It’s the opportunity to use the inspiration to inspire you to be…well…
YOU!
Thanks so much for joining me, and my Simple Fall Mantel, at the Fence today,
Sharing this here:
Love this! It’s perfect!
I love being inspired to be yourself and trust the giftings you having within you and let them shine!
You shine so very well!
Hugs!
And a happy Anniversary to you!
Deborah xo
Vanessa,
You are so right! Sometimes we just have to clear away the clutter and decorate from our heart!
Have a blessed and wonderful day!
karianne
I love your simple fall mantel. I totally agree with you that sometimes you can lose your decorating identity trying to be like all of the inspiration out there. Happy almost anniversary.
Less is more as they say. I love it. It leaves more to the imagination which is a good thing! Have a great day!
Vanessa,
I so agree with you…do what makes you happy. Now, I am more about less is best, so i LOVE your simple Fall mantel.
Blessings,
Linda
Your mantel is SIMPLY beautiful! ~ Maureen
Amen!!! I am learning to streamline and purge to be more me too. Feels sooooo good. Love your mantel, it is stunning. Hugs, Marty
love the simplicity of it…and good for you for going with your gut…I am not a blogger yet but I have the same overload and end up going up in a million different directions rather slowing down and being true to myself…
It’s all so pretty, and love the ghost pumpkins. There are hard to find around my neck of the woods:)
I love how this turned out! The simple mantel has my vote, just wondeful!
Vanessa,
You rock. Really.
I just love this post….its honest and important message given…..and the amazing and beautiful understated elegance of your “newly decorated” autumn mantel.
VERY well done, indeed.
That’s such a nice mantel. I am a summer girl but love fall colors and decor. Thanks for sharing.
Vanessa, this is a great post! I agree, that we have to stay true to what we love! There are so many styles out there; and it’s easy to go off track. Your mantel looks wonderful…and it makes you happy! That is what matters in the end!
Beautiful. I know what you mean about style schizophrenia. I think I have been having a lot of that too. I think I need to take a step back from gathering so much inspiration from other blogs and just do my own thing sometimes because when I don’t I have too many ideas swimming around in my head and not sure which direction to go. Though I love all the inspiration and ideas out there, it’s always best to go with your gut and do your own thing.
Gorgeous, Vanessa … simplistic and so very classy! I love that you incorporated your beautiful candlesticks from your wedding (especially with your anniversary coming up) … the white pumpkins look beautiful perched on top!
Lovely! The candlesticks are beautiful!
That is my theme this year simplicity and nature too! LOVE your fall mantle looks beautiful!
xx
Anne
I love decorating with nature and what you have. The simple things in life are the best!
Lovely, Vanessa. Simple and lovely. Kudos!
Vanessa, I had to smile when I saw your post because I did the same thing. In fact my post today is, “Keeping it Simple, My Fall Mantel.” Yep,this year I went with a simpler but very pretty look. Funny, but I wasnt sure whether anyone would like it…but it’s the mood I’m in lately,
Thanks for sharing.
Leslie from Gwen Moss blog
I think your simple and elegant mantel decor is lovely, Vanessa. Less really IS more. 🙂 Have a happy anniversary celebration on the 10th.
Gorgeous, elegant, stunning…I love it! XO ~Liz
I love how it turned out Vanessa! Gorgeous : )
It’s beautiful and just perfect, Vanessa. I struggle with keeping my focus too – so much awesomeness out there!
Beautiful! I finally finished and posted my mantel last week! I kept mine somewhat simple, too! …oh, and I really love those candlesticks! 🙂
Beautiful! Every detail just gorgeous.
I love the simplicity too. Your eye can rest on the important details then and absorb it.
Vanessa, I know that you will find this hard to believe, but I did the exact same thing. I first decorated my mantle with brambles, and grapevine and lots of sticks and twigs and leaves and my pheasants… and called it the Mantle Disaster of 2012! I just ignored it for a couple of weeks and finally just took it down to start over again.
And bless your sweet heart… there was your wonderful post right on my blogroll to inspire me…. and to show me how beautifully a mantle can be done… and get my creativity channeled in the right direction!
Your mantle is a breath of fresh fall air!!! LOVE IT!
Beautiful mantel!! Love the box full of goodies!
This is such a lovely mantel, Vanessa–I love those silver candlesticks with the white pumpkins on top–lovely! And I really like the gold pumpkin in the planter box. What you say is right–there is only one you, and so take the inspiration you find and use it in ways that work for you. Judy Garland said it’s always better to be a first-rate version of yourself, rather than a second rate version of someone else (who might be more famous, etc.) I always thought that was pretty wise and try to follow it myself.
Beautiful! Sometimes, simple is better! And in this case… Gorgeous!
Love that you followed your own instincts and it looks lovely!
Your mantel is so pretty Vanessa. I am into the more simple this year too. 🙂
How pretty! I love simple and I think your mantle is very elegant! The candlesticks are gorgeous with the white pumpkins! Happy early Anniversary! We celebrate ours on October 4th! 31 years!!! 🙂
Your mantel is very pretty. I love the candlesticks. The mirror above the mantel is beautiful
Cynthia
Your mantel is so very beautiful….love the terrific wooden box…I went the simple route this year too!….
It looks really nice, Vanessa. Love the pumpkins on the candle holders!
Gorgeous Vanessa! So simple and yet it has such character in your mantle, that it looks magazine worth, along with the pumpkins on top of the candle holders, too. Love it! Happy TTT.
FABBY
Maybe its having an anniversary in October (today, the 2nd, celebrating 30 years!) but I am totally relating to your post today! While I have always adored the rich traditional colours of fall and even this year, have decorated with them, I am suddenly looking at doing our Thanksgiving Table (Canadian – this wknd) in a much more neutral colour scheme and your mantel is very inspiring! Love the simplicity of it! Thanks for sharing!
DD
And YOU loving it is the most important thing. It has to make your heart smile. You need to love it, simple or overflowing.
Thanks for sharing “you” and your mantel 🙂
I have done two Fall mantels this year and getting ready to do the third. I have enjoyed it, but ready for a change. Just too much inspiration out there in blogland to influence me. Just need to do what you did … sweep it clean and be myself, not try to copy or follow someone else. Your mantel is very relaxing and enjoyable.
Blessings and Happy anniversary.
Audrey Z. https://audreyzumwalt.blogspot.com/
Timeless Treasures