Every year I freak out this time of year while reading social media. The rest of the country seems to be in full swing of purchasing school supplies, first day of school outfits and planning for the first day of school.
Us? We are just getting going with summer. We don’t go back to school until September 3! So, I will take the empty school supply shelves and mellow into our summer a little more. I am even being so bold as to updating my summer mantel.
Something I have wanted to do for YEARS during the summer – I finally got to do 2 weeks ago. The town where my husband grew up does a town wide yards sale, and in the 20 years we have been married (holy moly, 20 years this fall!), I have only made it home once for that weekend. Criminal.
But this year, we made it on the right weekend! While I didn’t come home with a ton of things, I did find some really special treasures.
And of course, bringing in some new treasures, sparked a mantel update. And this time, I feel like it is in tribute to my husband and his history, the farm he grew up on and the treasures found in his town.
Have I ever told you that my husband grew up on a dairy and maple sugaring farm in NH? Yup, his family still lives there. His dad, while partially retired, still runs the farm.
I found this gorgeous wood pin. The guy I bought it from (for $5!) said it was a Victorian exercise pin. He explained that if it wasn’t cracked it would have been worth a ton of money. I told him I loved it for the cracks!
The milk pail was on the side of the road for free. Don’t hate me. Obviously they lacked the vision to put in on their mantel. I guess I will give them the benefit of the doubt and suggest that they didn’t have a mantel.
The cow you ask?
I did not find that at a yard sale. Better than that – I found it online where you can get one too! Painted Fox Treasures asked me to review a product, and this sweet cow kept calling my name. They have an incredible inventory of vintage and reproduction items that would make any mantel squeal with delight.
You can find the cow here…
You can find your own lavender here…
A reproduction milk can, at your fingertips…
Wouldn’t this be fun on a mantel?
And do you want even better news? Painted Fox Treasures is offering a giveaway of $50 credit to their store! So you can spruce up your mantel for summer. If you already thinking about fall, just don’t tell me about it okay?
Thanks so much for reading, good luck and have a great day!
Your mantle looks lovely, and thanks for sharing this online shop – I never knew about it, great stuff!!
What great stuff! Glad to find this little online shop. Thanks for the giveaway!
Would love the metal 3 tier basket. Thanks for the giveaway.
Cool stuff, love you summer mantel! Summer should last until sept 3!
Laura, your mantel is perfect! I bet you’ll want to get back on the right weekend more often now. We start school here at the end of August but school supply sales are in full swing!
Was just thinking I need a summer mantel update – wish you were closer!!! xoxo
Love all your new treasures!!!
Thanks for the giveaway. Wish I had a mantle!
Laura, Your mantle looks great! I love the cow. I am definitely going to check out the Painted Fox! How lucky you are to have a few extra weeks before school starts. Enjoy it.
Love the outlook (and the mantel!) I’m with you–let’s enjoy the WHOLE summer 🙂
The cow dairy sign is the best! I also have a soft spot for Lucille the barn cat.
What a great selection–the Ffisherman’s Glass Bottle caught my eye, but that was just the beginning:) Love your mantel and all the inspiration!
Your mantel is lovely but it needs some green. It is summer after all! Maybe that is just a personal preference. I live in drought -stricken South Texas.
Love the combination of the window and the cow!
The willow wreath is just so classic. Time to get one of those! Nice shop.
So many cute things at the Painted Fox. Love that little decorative metal tray and the natural wreaths just beautiful!
Mantle looks fantastic! My girls are off until September 3 too so I’m with you! And I think I’ll have a fun at updating my mantle this week too! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Holy (awesome) cow! They have ahhhmazing things – what WOULDN’T I buy? But I am crushing on their decorative iron scale. Thanks for the giveaway and your mantel looks fantastic! xo
i love your mantel and the giveaway.
a unique website! Thanks for introducing me to them. I would love to purchase “Fritz, the door knocker” or “Winston, the cast iron buck”. Actually – I could choose anything! love their style!
Laura your mantle looks great love that window and the lavender. My favorite.
Cindy
Love everything about it….I want the cow!
I would love to buy some of the tiny cast iron birds. There are so many fun treasures. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Love it Laura! Those are some fabulous finds and we don’t go back to school until after Labor Day either praise the Lord! 🙂
I just love that cow sign – may have to go purchase that one! Your mantel looks lovely. We don’t start school until September 8, so I am with you – I don’t want to think about it yet!
Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to have a wreath.
Always love what you display on your mantel! It’s wonderful! I love the reclaimed wood dog on the Painted Fox website. He would be right at home here!
They have so many things I would love–but I do really love that cow too…or the green metal garden box…or…
So many special special treasures! I loved the ceramic rooster dish. It would look great on my kitchen counter.
I’d buy that cow for sure, love it!
I just love that milk can! I so want one of those for myself.
I think the wooden pin is an old juggling pin. Looks like some my son in law has. Thanks also for the tip about Painted Fox, what a fun site.
Laura,
I always look forward to seeing your mantles with every season. I saw the cutest little milking stool the other day and when I saw your mantle I thought how cute that would look on this mantle.
Heading up your way next week for the big Madison/Bouckville, NY antiques fair. Its held in the countryside of such a beautiful little town.
I love the cow! We had a cute little Jersey for a couple of years and loved her. Just like part of the family…
I’d love to buy some decor for my screened porch!
I love the Fritz, the Cast Iron Fox Door Knocker
What beautiful things they have.
Laura I feel the exact same way about social media & going back to school. The Northeast must be dead last with start dates and in fact we don’t start until Thursday Sept 4 (and on top of it it’s a half day!!! kill me now). I’m actually freaking out about those empty shelves at Target and Staples, hopefully they will replenish before we get there! Here’s to enjoying these last 4 slow weeks, sleepaway camp for my oldest next week and I’m so jealous.
Your mantel is gorgeous! I love the Metal Rooster Weather Vane from the Painted Fox.
Love this site! Love the cow!!!
Beautiful!
Great finds! Thanks for the giveaway!
I have a couple of those cream cans in the space above my kitchen cabinets…..yours was free? Lucky duck!
I just re-created my summer mantel also. My daughter goes back to college, so the supply shopping is different these days. Miss me some color crayons and pencil boxes! Thanks for the info on the new shop, always fun to explore new places.
I love your mantels of every season and this one is no exception…and cannot believe you found that great pail on the side of the road!…their loss, your gain…
Your mantel is gorgeous! I would buy the galvanized pedestals. I have wanted them forever!
The cow sign! My dad was a dairy farmer too!
The mason jar dish towel
I love love love your blog and looove the things at The Painted Fox, especially Ceramic Bird Salt and Pepper Shakers and Set of 3 Glass Orbs on metal bases. I will definitely be ordering from there, my style exactly !
I love the songbird dessert stands.
Thanks for the chance to win. I love the cow.
I would buy the Recycled Metal Ammunition Canister Vase! Love it 🙂
Could I just get one of everything? I really like the fox door knocker though!
I love the cow sign. What a great item to purchase for a mantle.
Love your mantle! It looks so great, and that cow sign is awesome!
So excited that I won!! Will you be emailing me?
I agree, I just can’t let go of summer until after Labor Day. The season is just too short as it is. Your summer mantel is beautiful. Enjoy!!
Wonderful Laura! I love that cow!!! Oh, and everything else on your mantel! You are very blessed to have your kiddos home until September!
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