A billion degrees

So what does everyone do when it is one billion degrees and the first day of Fall? Decorate their fireplace mantle? Why, you do it too? that is what I did today.

It is hot here. 92 to be exact. Now this might not be hot where you live, but by the coast it is pretty darn warm. It smells like seaweed and crabs. There is no breeze and we actually have a layer of smog, which will make for a nice sunset later but right now looks a little gross.

So after watering the outside plants, I looked around for a project that just requires time and no cash, since I don't got any of one and a whole bunch of the other. I have been looking for a job but it is slow going, so for the time being I am trying to keep busy and remain positive.

On to the fireplace. I love fireplaces and would happily have one in every room of my home. The one in the living room is really nice. I switched it over from wood to gas a few years ago since I had some issues with birds flying down the chimney and residing on the bottom of the fireplace. I had a chimney top put on, still down they came. Finally, I just switched it over and have been thrilled with it since.

This fireplace has a large mantel with POWER right in the middle of it. The best thing ever. I wish all fireplace mantels would come with power, it makes the holidays so much simpler.

Now I know the whole thing about "Less being More" and "Simple is better" and "decorating with 3's or 5's instead of 2's." I know all of these things and I don't follow one of them. Less is never more for me. I try and dream of a minimalist room but it happens to not be in my dna. I like stuff. I would like less stuff but still I like a lot of stuff.

Here is the before:

And here is the after:
Some things remained the same since I have no where else to put them that they will be safe. The red mannequin came from the Revlon counter in the San Francisco Nordstrom. A few years ago they sold off some store room stuff from the early years and I was lucky enough to get this and a Revlon mirror, which I use in my bathroom over the sink. The little lamp is made of celluloid and spins when it is turned on, there are four different bathing suit beauties. The giant stork is also celluloid and I like him.

Those are the stock items, they don't change. The little green cabinet houses part of the frog collection, it could move, I just happen to like it there. So today I added the bird house with a goat on the front porch, who knows why, I just walk to a different drummer. Also books, because they are my true love. I made the boo banner and the white pumpkin for Halloween. Instead of a garland hanging in front of the fireplace, I hung vintage sand shovels.

Under my cloche are three vintage weebles, Fred, Wilma, and Pebbles Flintstones. I may start to collect little weebles, since they wobble but they don't fall down. I haven't quite made up my mind yet, but the Flintstones are here to stay. Yabba Dabba Do!

I put up the pitcher and the plate of my vintage dog china. Since the move I haven't been able to locate the cup and I hope I packed it. I rounded out the rest of the mantle with a set of polar bears, another light, and a bunch of candles.

I like it. I know it is still crowded and not really balanced and yadda yadda yadda but it is my mantle so it stays. At least until I unpack another box and find yet another thing I JUST CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT.

P.S. - The heat has fried my brain! I didn't take a picture of the weebles, anyway here they are in all their little wobbly glory. Enjoy!