Sharing the pillows I mentioned yesterday.  Like I said, they were created from seasonal placemats I had been picking up throughout December and were super easy to sew up.  I pinned two placemats right sides together and simply straight-stitched around the edges leaving a space to turn right side out.  Then stuffed with some older past-their-prime cushion innards and handstitched closed.  

You're either going to really like these or really…..not.  This is so very NOT white slipcovered Pottery Barn chic. This is more 90's traditional. The sort of thing you see in 'before' pictures on Pinterest.  I have gone back and forth and back and forth about the decor over the years. It was pieced together as good quality resale finds over the years.  The thing about thrifting is it is much easier (read: more economical) to pick up formal than fashionable.  As in, you can pick up a set of actual good china (which is incredibly durable) for less than you could pick up a new set of Pioneer Woman stoneware at Walmart. 

So I did. 

Then on other days I would pick up something that would go along with it like cut glass vases or tablecloths and maybe some drapes to match. So it went while raising babies and pinching pennies. It became a contest with myself to see how little I could spend and how rarely I would need to buy new. Today the house looks respectable and warm, if not cutting edge. I could probably change that.  I have thought about changing that.  Always, the money that it would cost seems better spent elsewhere.   That and the children don't want anything touched.  At all.  Ever.  

So, no 90's shaming 'k?  In the end it's such a blessing to have a home to care for and pretty things to fill it with – especially for next to nothing. So very many people don't and we have no idea how long we will be blessed.  It was all those thoughts that led me to unsubscribe from several design feeds today as I was ruthlessly whittling down my neglected and overflowing inbox.  It felt good.  Gone are the reminders of decorative roads not chosen.  I admire them.  They are lovely.  Still, they aren't our home.  

Those of you who like mixed-up thrift store finds, who think Laura Ashley was the bomb, or you know, who were just wanting to get on with the pillows, please disregard my free association rambling there.  Here's the pics. : ) 

I threw in the pumpkin because I am swapping these out seasonally.