Can you believe it? It’s time for another Valentine’s mantel post. Seriously? I’m still writing 2012 on everything. Time slips away too quickly. Or perhaps I’m just a tad scattered lately. Most likely a little of both. This post is heavy with pictures so I’ll make it light with words. You know. In case you have other things to do today besides read my blog. Although I can’t imagine what… ;)
Remember my Christmas mantel? With my new bff – silver reindeer sporting the bling? I was sad to take him down. Really I was sad to take the whole mantel down. So I didn’t.
Instead of creating a “winter” mantel like I did last year,
I just combined the some of my Christmas/winter look with some Valentine friendly decor and came up with this.
My Valentine’s mantel for 2012.
I mean 2013.
I left up the winter candles and ornaments in the apothecary jars…
and then filled some of my random bottles (I love collecting random bottles) with Valentine candy.
Pink and red and aqua. Oh my.
My only new addition was this adorable little heart bottle from Michaels for just over a dollar.
It makes me smile. (I love collecting things that make me smile.)
The silver pine cones remind me that it’s winter since our weather doesn’t.
And of course our heart tissue banner. My girls so look forward to hanging this up every year.
If you’re new to my blog, you can see how we made it here.
Can I just interrupt this post to say something? Taking pictures of this mantel is SO difficult because of that impossible mirror!
To take the best picture at eye level head on, well, you can see my head. Drives me crazy! I have to be so tricky to hide myself in these mantel photos. You weren’t aware that so much thought and effort goes into these pictures, were you. You weren’t aware of my mad “how to hide yourself from the mirror” photo skills, were you. You probably think it took me ten minutes to take these photos in between homework and dinner with not much thought and a crazy two year old running in between my legs. Well. That part might be true. But still. MAD “how to hide yourself from the mirror” photo skills I tell you.
That is why you’ll often see a picture of my mantel from this side angle…
or from this one.
And once in a while – BAM – my skills slip (happens to the best of us) and I find yet another mantel picture like this on my camera. The moral of this story is #1 – if you have a blog and like to take pictures of your mantel, think twice before you include a mirror in your decorating. And #2 – if I ever promise to make a post light with words, don’t believe me. But you already knew that one, didn’t you.
(And that is why I love you all so much. You just let me ramble on and on and on…. )
:)
Back to the mantel! Here are some pictures from past Valentine mantels just because I’m having too much fun for this post to end.
This was last years mantel. It lasted for about 10 minutes until my girls noticed there wasn’t any candy involved.
So I changed it to this. Which is similar to my Valentine mantel from the year before…
This mantel was featured on BHG’s website – a post full of fun Valentine mantel ideas.
And now we can add this picture to the mix.
They are all pretty similar, but by just changing up a little something here and there, you get a new look for each year.
And with that sage advice, I can officially end this post.
You and I both know it has gone on long enough.
:)
xoxo, Erin
I love your mantel. I love the jars. The heart jar is adorable!!! You make me laugh!!! I guess that is why I love your blog so much.
Have a great weekend!
Cathy
:)
Erin, I just love reading your blog. You always bring a smile to my face!! Thanks for sharing everything with us :-). Have a wonderful day!
You do a mean VDay mantel – I love the clean look and festive feel. I had never thought of one until I saw yours.
I like this years very much, we have a “winter theme” decor thing going on at our house because it’s 3 degrees outside right now so I have little snowmen guys popping out there and there. I really like your BHG mantel, I might copy that one this year. I have a vintage 50’s valentine garland that I bought last year but I love the way your heart garland pops. I have seen red and pink heart garland at Target this year, I’m always too late with these things.
Have a great day.
Thanks Cathy and Meri and Lynnsey. You three made me smile this morning. :)
Love it! You dont miss a beat with keeping on top things! I havent even thought about valentines day until now! I wish so badly I could get my hands on some of those jars with the black lids but Im guessing they dont sell them anymore?
I love it, Erin! (And thanks for the reminder that I need to buy some Valentine M&Ms for the kids. Um, yeah.) I saw that BHG posted a link to your Valentine’s mantel on Pinterest the other day. I felt like a mother hen; I was so proud to know you : ) Hope you guys are doing well!
Erin. You are to cute. You know I read your blog everyday. Yep, still stalking ya. You always make me smile. Thanks for keeping this blog running. When things get a bit crazy around my house you are my go to blog. Mean it. An old high school buddy.
Amber Park.
Anonymous – thank you! You know – so many people have asked about those black jars! I wish I had a place to direct you to, but I bought them at a specialty store in my hometown that has since gone out of business. Sorry that’s not much help!
Lucy – you are too cute! Thank you. So happy to know you too. :)
Amber! So fun to hear from you! Thank you! Your comment made my day. Old high school buddies are priceless. :)
Erin – I love the mantel photos and how easy you make the transition decorating it for the various holidays. I like the time and effort saving tip of reusing components from the previous display. Brilliant!
I chuckled when I read the part about you having trouble getting a good straight on pic while keeping yourself out of the frame. I have a couple of suggestions (and maybe you’ve already tried these): shoot lower than eye level with a tripod or by kneeling. Or shoot higher with a tripod – crank it way up and position so that the candles or vases block the body of the camera.
LOVE it, can you come decorate my mantel please?!?! Hope you checked out our Valentine Week over at http://www.thechirpingmoms.com! Lots of posts and giveaways for our readers!!!
Julie
I love it!
Did BHG contact you about using your image? How did that happen?
We have Australia Day first but I already have some V day plans brewing.
When are you due to move?
Jamie – thanks for the suggestions! I’ll have to try them on my next mantel shoot. :)
Thank you Julie!
Thanks Laura! Yes – BHG contacted me and I had to give them permission and sign some papers for them to be able to use the image. My builder is telling us we will be in this summer (July/August) but I’m planning on October just because everyone tells me it takes longer than you think! Hopefully I’ll be pleasantly surprised. :)
Hi Erin! i love your mantel! I just realised its your Ellies birthday tomorrow! Its my eldests 3rd birthday tomorrow :0) I love love love your blog and am in the process of reading through all of your posts! i think you are amazing and i love readin what you re up to! I just hope i can talk my husband into baby 3 at some point, altho with a soon to be 3 year old and a 1 year old running around, i think i may have to wait a while with that idea!
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Hi Erin – I always love your decorating posts! I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I love your 2011 mantel the best!! Happy Birthday to Ellie! I hope you survived the birthday party!!
Thank you Kelly! So sweet of you to say. I hope you had a good day with your little one today! You’ll notice there is a four year space between Ad and Kole. It took me that long to get Kenny on board with #3! Good luck! :)
Thanks Susan! I’m happy to say we did survive the party! It was a fun day. :)
I love all your mantels! We don’t have a fireplace, but we have a small cutout between the kitchen and living room that I try to decorate for the seasons. I am going to steal many of your ideas! :)