GOING AU NATUREL

No, I haven't become a nudist, I have been spending so much time in doors, that I found happiness,  bringing all of the pretty things that Mother Nature has bestowed on us inside. The Celosia, or cockscomb came up is such abundance this year that I brought some inside to dry out. 
Like the hydrangea, this is a plant that will dry beautifully, keep its color and last for years. 

Over the years, I have amassed quite a collection of sea shells. Except for the conch shell on the second shelf of this bookcase, the shells that you see here were found at yard sales. That particular conch shell was pulled from the mud of the Atlantic Ocean in Wild Wood by my then teenage daughter. It is a very special souvenir/trophy and brings back vivid memories of my kids playing in the surf. To round out the look that I was going for in this corner of the living room, I kept the simple gray, cream beige neutrals in check with a few hammered aluminum items which I thought picked up the shine in the abalone shells. I bought this bookcase years ago at the antique mall where I had a booth. As I spied this piece coming in the door, I purchased it on the spot. It was well before shabby was chic, but I fell in love with the aged patina. Someone had stripped it, maybe in preparation for some new paint, but in all the years that I have owned it, I could never repaint it.

        While most of you are starting to decorate your surroundings with the colors of Autumn, I am getting there a little more slowly this year. It will happen, just not this week.

          This post is being linked to How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday, and Smiling Sally for Blue Monday. Also, Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, and Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

♥, Susan 

            

 

Comments

[Pat]

I like your shell collection Susan! I am amazed that you bought almost every one at a yard sale. You always find such nice things in your neighborhood sales. They all look so pretty in that bookcase and next to your hammered aluminum.

The drying Celosia is such a pretty scarlet color!

[Sue @Rue Mouffetard]

Is that a big bucket of pussy willows?...I love pussy willow....bayberry...bittersweet...all things that haven't been seen in the South...Ever....that is another thing I miss about Jersey...can't say I have seen hydranga here either...

[Julie]

Happy Pink Saturday!! Beautiful flowers!!

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

That is such a pretty display Susan. I love the patina of your old bookcase. It goes perfectly with your shells!

[Jen_from_NJ]

Susan, I love that bookcase and see why you snatched it up so quickly. I hope that you are enjoying this lovely, cloudy day!

[Candi Harris]

What a loveley collection of sea shells. Your collection of goodies are all just lovely. Thank you for sharing.
hugz:)

[Grace P]

Happy Pink Au Natural Saturday. Grace

[Jenna Ericson]

I love it! I accidentally left my yellow lunch box full of sand and shells at home. :|

[Jacqueline]

Your cockscomb is just wonderful. I have never seen that growing. You have a great collection of shells too. So fun to bring the outdoors inside.

[Brenda Kula]

Slow is good. Certainly no reason to rush time! I am loving the more natural look more and more lately. And the idea of beauty "left over" like dried flowers.
Brenda

[Sherrie]

My eyes immediately jumped to the hammered aluminum piece. I love those. In fact I talk about aluminum pieces in my PS post. Thanks for sharing. The shells are beautiful.

[laura @ theshorehouse]

First of all, I'm totally impressed that's a Jersey Shore conch! :-) Anbd I loveeee the shell display. I'm always afraid of having a house at the shore and going overboard with the whole sea shell thing...but I'd fill my house with them if I could find a haul like yours at yard sales!! The AP farm market also had tons of cockscomb this year...it must be drought tolerant or something.

[Marydon]

G'day Susan ~ Often wondered what that as called ... cockscomb! Interesting. Lovely seashells.
Have a lovely week.
TTFN~ Marydon

[Bernieh]

Great shell collection. I love the idea of drying Celosia ... I've never tried that!

[Patricia]

I love the hydrangia in the silver bucket! AND the sea shell collection. Beautiful pictures!
Patricia :o)

[Carol]

Very pretty hydrangea and cockscomb! and your seashells are just lovely! Enjoyed your mosaic!

[Snap]

Wonderful *natural* post! Enjoyed everything about it ... the flowers, the shells, using natural ingredients to decorate with. Well done!

[Cathy]

Cockscombs are lovely. Pics are grand!

[A Garden of Threads]

Love the color of the cockscomb. Have a wonderful week.

[Karen - The Graphics Fairy]

Your shells are gorgeous!!! I love the flowers too. I'm waiting a bit longer to cut my Hydrangeas, they look so pretty on the bushes I can't bare to cut them yet, but they will be nice to have inside this Winter.

[mary]

What a lovelyl display of natural beauty! Thanks for sharing at MM. :)

[Shelia]

What a nice post! Love the cockscomb and I grew that when I lived in New Mexico! Nice memories! Your shells are so nice in the bookshelf.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

[Vee]

It's a lovely way to decorate. I'd just add a few subtle autumnal touches and stick with these wonderful natural items. Very nice!

[Susan]

Susan-I can't believe your daughter found that conch shell!! What a find! Your hyndranges are beautiful. I have never been able to preserve a blue one. I love its vase too!

[Sweet Bee]

All your flowers are so beautiful!

[Christine]

Beautiful shell collection and I like your dried flowers!...Christine

[Pondside]

I love to collect shells too - I use them in the garden and on the table in the summertime.

[Privet and Holly]

I just put
the seashells
away, last week...
Hate to see them
go...But I do
love autumn and
all of her coziness
and splendor in
the house! You've
got a wonderful
collection of shells : )
xx Suzanne

[Valerie]

Lovely selection of shells. Very tasteful.

[bj]

Very pretty.
It is the same with me...no fall decorations for another week or so. It's still in the 90's around here so my mind is FAR from fall decorating.

[Sally]

I'm slow in decorating for Autumn too, Susan. I really like my blues more.

Happy Blue Monday! Check out my book giveaway.

[Kim]

Natural beauty is always beautiful. Your collections are gorgeous!
Blue jars

[La]

Happy Blue Monday!

Make it a great week! La

[Sherry]

I am slow with Fall too. Love your Blue Monday. Come see me.

[Donnie]

I love the shells. We live in the mountains but both Hubby and I love the oceanside. Just couldn't afford it.....lol.....

[Eileen]

You have a wonderful shell collection. I just starting collecting shells. My last ones were from Chincoteague, VA.

[Joy]

Beautiful shells and flowers! Happy Blue Monday ;)

[Cherry Kay]

I enjoy seeing your shell collection. I adore shells, but they are not so readily available here on the prairie. I'll look more closely at garage and estate sales...thanks for the suggestion and for sharing your lovely treasures. Cherry Kay

[Pam]

Beautiful photos! Love cockscombs and hydrangeas also. For some reason, ours didn't have many blooms this summer. The shells are very pretty!

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