Saturday, February 20, 2021

I’ve been on the hunt for a charming old table for quite some time. One that will work for those simple gatherings & causal moments. I haven’t been able to find exactly what I am looking for so I decided to make a table from a wooden pallet.

I know – it’s a little odd to be throwing this summer look at you in the dead of winter, but as I was going through some pictures, I realized I had never shared my pallet table. And… after looking at this picture – this golden field made me miss a little summer. So I thought I would give us all a reminder of the summer heat. Those golden tones do give off a pretty warm glow!

What did I use?

Any old pallet will do. (Choose a pallet, rectangular or square) This one was from the wood pile and was nicely weathered. This pallet did not have a double side. Most pallets are double sided, so I suggest you remove one side, but you don’t have too. This makes the table light enough for me to move around. I cleaned it up and using what I had on hand, I attached some 2 X 4s for legs with screws. Using my sander, I sanded up a couple of areas that might have a few splinters, and checked for nails or anything else that might be protruding.

I was raised with ranchers and carpenters, but I lack a lot carpentry skills. Growing up they advised me in two ways – “Measure twice, cut once & Here, let me do it.” So this is why my carpentry skills are so lacking.

Not exactly happy with the look on top, I took a trip to the hardware store and purchased some rough sawn fencing boards for a $1.99 each to attach to the top.

Just wanting to have a little fun with this table, I took it out to our pasture with a bucket of wild clippings and roses from the yard and some pretty dinner ware for some summer styling.

Our little golden pasture was getting pretty dry from the intense summer heat, so no candles were to be used.

You can see that my pallet table is a little perfectly imperfect.

Probably heavy on the rustic and refound, but I like it.

With a layered wood plank top it still holds a bit of charm. I love it’s shabby look & imperfect character. I’m looking forward to using my pallet table for hosting an outdoor gathering; maybe out in the middle of this little meadow under the stars.

Maybe just the little simplicity of a rustic pallet wood table, but the limit is up to you and what you can do with a pallet.

I hope you enjoyed my adventure in building and displaying my rustic and refound wooden pallet table, and yes summer is comin’.

A true wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin’.

XXOOs

Friday, February 19, 2021

You know cows graze? So do people.

Rather than sit down for one large meal, people will often graze & snack on finger foods all the time. So I created a fruit grazing board and baked banana bread (Quick bread) to accompany an amazing fruit dip. Trust me when I say: You are going to want this! The fruit dip.

This fruit dip will go with fruit and a quick bread very nicely. You can spread this dip like morning sunshine all through the day.

You can create a fruit grazing board for a brunch or snack any time of the day and this will make your day special.  The best part – everyone can choose what they would like to eat and can nibble on what ever they wish. It’s a big hit – and as simple as picking up different elements at the store and laying everything out in a great display.

Creating my fruit grazing board was as simple as setting out various fruits for whatever time of the day it is. This was for a breakfast brunch – so for this one – it was all about fresh fruit and a freshly baked loaf of banana bread.

On a bread(cutting) board: I used Granny Smith green apples, grapes, strawberries, & fresh pears. There are no rules, the sky is the limit.

Of course fruit is great on its own, but jazzing it up with a little something special makes it a treat. Because this dip is amazing, you can serve it on quick breads, like banana bread.

The Best Fruit Dip

What I love is that it’s so simple to make. Best of all…you probably already have these ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.

Here’s what you need:

1 large (8 oz) package of cream cheese – softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup of powdered sugar or granulated sugar will work

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream all ingredients together. Serve chilled with fresh fruit, graham crackers, or sweet(quick) breads

With spring & summer entertaining quickly approaching, I thought we could use a yummy and easy fruit dip recipe. This dip is rich and creamy and will take your fruit dipping to whole other level.

Add in a pot of coffee, tea, & juice, and you are ready to start the day with good food & great conversation. 

I hope you make your fruit grazing board and the fruit dip. I think you’ll enjoy it, too. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Always enjoy sharing from my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin’ at Rustic and Refound.

XXOOs

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

When I woke up this morning it was snowing outside. This had me feeling a little under the weather. No sun. I needed the feel for a little spring. Since winter often keeps me inside, I thought I needed a little DIY. Still exposed and not covered with snow, were some willow twigs laying on the ground. So I gathered a few.

This little project is not my own. I borrowed the DIY project from Karianne at Thistlewood Farms https://thistlewoodfarms.com/diy-wood-twig-vase/. She has the most amazing and beautiful blog along with some great DIYs.

Things that catch my eye: Unique and inexpensive!

I love a craft that starts with inexpensive and may end with $1. This project literally cost me a dollar plus tax and a little white spray paint that I had in my stash. The dollar expense went to the glass vase I purchased at the Dollar Store.

Step 1: This is what I started with. A glass vase, approximately 8″ tall, from the dollar store that cost $1.

Step 2: Gather some twigs from your yard. I used a variety of smaller and larger twigs for this project. I cut the twigs with a pair of garden shears. I did not measure for complete accuracy since I wanted the finished product to have some character.

Step 3: Spray paint the twigs white. After spray painting the twigs white and letting them dry, I began gluing them to the vase.

Some gluing tips:

1. Before gluing, place the twig against the vase so you know where to add the glue. The twigs will not be straight and the entire twig will not lay against the glass.
2. Make sure to leave space when you are gluing the first layer of twigs.
3. My first layer of twigs, I began with the larger size all around the vase. I used the smaller twigs to fill in the gaps of the larger twigs.
4. Since I didn’t measure the height of the twigs, there is a little variation at the top. This I liked for it’s added character.

I kept gluing until I had completely covered the vase.

Step 4. When the first layer was finished, I went back and added a second layer of twigs filling in the spaces between the larger twigs. I used smaller diameter twigs to glue on top of the larger first layer.

My Finished Vase

I added some water and roses!

What more can a girl ask for?

I paired it with this little pink stool, a little wonky in nature, but cute none the less.

I hope you enjoyed this little spring craft and it inspires you to create your own twig vase.

If you need further directions stop by Thistlewood Farms at https://thistlewoodfarms.com/diy-wood-twig-vase/.

Another Rustic and Refound from my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

XXOOs

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Welcome to another addition of Weekend Round Up at Rustic and Refound!

I hope that this sweetheart’s day finds your home full of love and a little romance. After being married to my valentine for 30+ years, we still try to give each other a valentine dinner. Flowers… I love roses, but the cost of roses during Valentines Day becomes a bit too expensive. So I request that he doesn’t spend the money. We have often eaten dinners out or at home. So for an at home dinner, I thought I would share a Valentine table, whether it be for two or four.

With the Valentine weekend here romantic inspired table settings are some of my favorites.

I like tables full of pretty blooms & delicate place settings.

 I love to mix and mingle settings to create a more collected table. One that speaks more about my rustic and refound heart. (Both plates are thrifted treasures.)

I’m a little backwards in my entertaining. You see, it isn’t always about the food first for me. My thoughts always run to the look or the presentation of the table first. The flowers, and for this table it was all about those grocery store roses and how my dinnerware can compliment those blooms.

Here it is! A thrifted table scape right down to the silver and gold rimmed stemware. It’s all in the details. Pretty white plates rimmed with delicate flowers; a mix and a mingle. Goblets with pink and white M&Ms for a sweet treat and Valentine inspiration.

Time To Break Some Bread

Time to engage in a comfortable, friendly interaction, that holds great conversation over a loaf of bread and maybe a little vino. Something to get you started.

Added to the ambiance of the setting are candles. With the pretty gold/brassy candle sticks are red, pink, and gold votives.

I told you once, I don’t follow any rules. I just use what I love or what’s in the cupboard.

Mix and mingle what you like and create a centerpiece with some flowers. Add a few candles for a sprinkling of romance- layer on the dinnerware and linens and you have yourself, A Simple. Sweet. Tablescape.

You too can create a table where conversations and laughter will linger a bit longer.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope that this inspires you to create your own romantic table.

Always enjoy sharing my rustic and refound ideas from my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’ Thanks for stopin’!

XXOOs

Reminder: Please leave me a comment. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Can you guess that my cake pedestals are dollar store creations???

I might be a bit obsessed with all things cake pedestal right now. Sooo, I have noticed around that you can make your own. When I saw this at https://www.lizmarieblog.com/2021/02/diy-affordable-glass-pedestals/ I couldn’t help but try my own DIY pedestals. Her pedestals turned out so beautifully. Liz Marie gave several options to create DIY pedestals using a glass cup for the base. When I went in to the dollar store, the glass cups available were covered with words and wouldn’t look good turned upside down.

So my options were small bowls(cereal bowls). I flipped the bowls over. I purchased a glass plate for the top portion. Size does not matter and the more unique the better. You could get quite creative and play with the shape of your pedestal. I purchased my plates and bowls from the dollar store. Affordable and the easiest option! The thrift store would also be another great place to shop.

What You Need:

*Glass plate

*bowl

*E 6000 Glue

Step 1: I cleaned all the stickers from the bowls and plates. I prepped the dishes by washing and drying them. I turned the bowl over to create the base for my plate.

Step 2: Using the E 6000 glue I placed a bead of glue on the base of the bowl and placed my plate on top. I basically “eye-balled” the center of the plate to the base of the bowl.

Step 3: Tip – I placed a heavy object in the bowl to help secure the bowl and plate. I waited 24 hours for the glue to become dry.

Step 4: After the glue is dry, turn your plate upright and you have a custom pedestal to use as cake stand, to display desserts, fruit, use in your decor, as a centerpiece on your table to display a pretty candle, for a party, & more.

Brunch for my Valentine

Since my pedestals will look great for any season, I chose to use these for a breakfast-brunch display for my Valentine.

I hope you enjoyed my DIY pedestals and you are inspired to create some of your own. Thanks for checking out my rustic and refound DIY project today. Always sharing my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

Saturday, February 6, 2021

These simple grocery store roses have been a guaranteed head-turner and too pretty to not style again and again.

Setting the table for guests or just for two, this was an all of 5 minutes and some $9.00 roses from the grocery store. A dessert table in the making. Now all I need is the dessert.

With some candles and valentine decor, your dessert table is a go!

Okay- it was probably more like 10 or 15 minutes after finding all the elements for everything.
But basically, it was a quick job either way. And since I am running around like a wild woman, sipping on extra coffee and juggling dishes – I’m trying to bring you a little 5 minute decorating tips done on a dime – so to speak.

 You know, maybe when your friend texts and says she is randomly in the area and is coming by with coffee & a chat.

Dish Towels, Votives, & Simple White dishes

Yes, a white & red plaid dish towel became my “table runner,” copper votives, a pitcher of roses, & wooden block that I painted with a red heart became the centerpiece for a valentine desert table. I stacked my dishes and layered on the cloth napkins – done!  This is something you can incorporate in a snap. 

For a little extra luck & a run for the roses table scape, I threw in the dish towel with a horse shoe and a vibrant red rose. ‘More on the western romance.‘

Seriously though- decorating your table for guests or a theme doesn’t have to be involved or take a ton of time to do. Just a few elements you may have around the house add that special sprinkle of love.

Need an invite?

No problem!

Next time I’ll be sure to bring the dessert;)

Happy Saturday everyone! XXOOs

I hope you enjoyed my sweetheart tablescape. Love sharing my tips from my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin’.

Friday, February 5, 2021

These roses called for a bit of fun! A Valentine Fiesta!

Sweethearts day is coming up and I wanted to do something a little out-of-the-box other than just red and pink. So, I kind of mixed it all up with this serape table runner that matched my inspiration roses. They match perfectly!

While designing a Valentine’s Day table I grabbed some white plates and pops of blue with the napkins and candle stands. The blue and white mingling with gold and other colors from the serape table runner were my Valentine colors.

A Sprinkle of Romance

While no chocolates here, It’s valentine hearts on my spurs and for customizing my table for the win! An old pewter coffee pot for the roses and old reclaimed branding irons for the candles, it might just be for a little western romance.

If you know me at all… I’m pretty much obsessed with roses, and these bold beauties with a little rustic decor pretty much speak my lingo.

Added A Little More Rustic

What speaks more fiesta than an old cactus painted bucket used as an ice bucket? Can you just believe? I just fell in love with this bucket on the table! This cute little treasure was hand painted by my ever so talented niece at Rodeo Tough Paintings (@rodeotoughpaintings).

This definitely is my Rustic & Refound! Bold, pretty, & fun.

Combine bright beautiful blooms, Mexican serape style linens, and colorful glassware and you get an elegant Valentine Fiesta like this. Oh, and don’t leave out the candles. Candles just add to the romantic ambiance.

  Taco ‘Bout Love

What’s on the menu? Well tacos of course!

Shrimp tacos.

I hope you have enjoyed my Valentine Fiesta table.

Always sharing my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin’.

 What do you think of my Valentines Fiesta table? Let me know in the comments, find me on Instagram & chat with me. XXOOs

January 29, 2021

I love that I can see my butlers pantry from my kitchen when the barn door is open.

I have been wanting to display my collection of white serveware for sometime. I love white dishes! They don’t complicate a look & they go with everything. I love the simple styling of white.

When we built our house, I had other plans for this side of the pantry. I wanted it to be a real butlers pantry with additional cabinetry & counter space. However, the budget wouldn’t allow for additional costs & my husband made the decision to add the white shelving. I was somewhat disappointed.

My Farmhouse Style

Today, I love the idea of the open shelving & having a place to display my white dishes, serveware, and crystal. I love styling the shelves. This fit my farmhouse style and need.

I’ve added some collected pieces of copper, cake stands (the cake stands fit perfectly on the shelves), crystal, & a mixture of medals (copper & silver). I love all the white mixed with browns, creams, the bright pop of copper & wood. These are all great accent pieces and winter seems like the perfect time to really embrace that palette even more so than usual.

Seasonal Changes

One of the best things about a collection of white dishes? It is so easy to change the look with the seasons. For a little refresh, I added a burlap banner & stenciled the word ‘love,’ a pink stool, & a willow heart. Fresh & simple valentine decor.

Oh, & maybe a valentine cup;)

White dishes are so versatile.

Quite often the barn door is open… to see storage that is doing double duty and is as pretty as it is practical.

 Styling

I’m learning this whole thing on shelf styling. I sort of just winged it. You can probably tell. I did try to group some like items & stack plates, bowls, platters, & anything else that might stack for more vertical height. I also considered how much use some items got and put those up high.

I hope that this grouping adds interest to the space and keeps the eye moving. That was my goal.

Basically, I didn’t follow too many rules to ‘perfection.’ I cleaned the shelves and placed items to try and please the eye. If I’m not having fun with this I can always close the door!

Mostly, I think I need some more white dishes!

I hope you that you enjoyed following along with me as I styled & refreshed my pantry.

Today’s tip: ‘Do what makes you happy! ‘

Always sharing my “Wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin’.”

Friday, January 22, 2021

A beautiful and warm table scape is something you always want when you are to have guests.

When your home becomes your entire world, rediscover the joys of things that surround you—and the stories they tell. My story begins with a found elk antler shed. This shed antler had a few blemishes that did not add to it’s rustic appeal.

So with a little copper and white paint, It received a transformation.

I am the girl that’s all about rustic, elegant, and pretty and I have no inhibition’s to combining all of them on a tablescape. I’m always inspired by Ralph Lauren. His style often brings a contrast of elements to a space.

Today I used some elegant flowers, votives, and simple dinnerware combined with a rustic elk antler, for unexpected harmony.

Home for me has always been a place of warmth and security and enjoying simple moments with my family. During these times of uncertainty, I’m thinking of you and wanted to share some of the things that I love, that lift our spirits, that keep us connected, that give us hope—that make us happy.

Food and dinning bring us together along with great conversational pieces. Here I think I nailed the conversational piece. The jury is still out on the food.;)

I’ve heard it said that, “Our lives are shaped by the spirit of the home.” I think my home to speaks to my style, things I enjoy that truly lift my spirit. I enjoy the ‘refound’ in things and sharing them with others.

So, for this table I was thinking simple rustic charm. Warm & welcoming, earthy colors and textures…A natures tablescape that allows good friends & conversation to take center stage.

With my rustic and refound item that didn’t cost me anything, except for a little paint that I had on hand, I set a simple table setting.

I hope that this inspires you to set a table, even if it is only for two, with something rustic, charming, and brings you joy. Sharing my “Wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.”

“It is in the spirit of togetherness that we will rise.” Ralph Lauren

Monday, January 18, 2021

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Valentine’s Day reminds me that home is really a wonderful place to be. It isn’t about the possessions on the walls or the collected treasures. However, some of those collected items from family and friends remind us of the love we have for them.

I don’t decorate for Valentine’s Day, but sometimes you see something that inspires you to create. When the skies are drab, the ground is frozen, or covered in snow, my mantra for getting through what feels like the longest season…“Get Creative.“

So, I found this posting by @vintagehome – Campsite about creating some DIY Yarn Wrapped Hearts. I thought her project fit my rustic and refound decor style so I followed the steps and viola, I made my own.

Just a DIY!

I used a neutral color jute twine and white yarn for my hearts because that’s what I had on hand, but it also fit my winter table scape decor.

My steps...

Step 1: To make these yarn wrapped hearts, you will need a piece of paper (to make the pattern), cardboard(I cut my cardboard shapes from a cardboard box), tape, scissors & yarn (jute) of your choice.

To begin, I folded my piece paper(ledger paper) in half & drew half of a heart shape near the fold of the paper.

I cut out the heart & traced it on to the cardboard. Then I cut out the cardboard heart shape.

Step 2: Begin wrapping your heart with the string. To secure the yarn, I taped the end of the yarn to the cardboard heart.
Now, you just start wrapping the string. Continue wrapping until you have completely covered the cardboard heart.

This is what your heart will look like when it is completely covered.

Step 3: When the heart shape is completely covered to your satisfaction, cut the string/yarn & wrap the string back through a wrap and tie a knot. You can use this side for the back. (Sorry, no photo for the tie off.)

That’s it folks! A fast & simple project!

I thought they turned out so cute to use for Valentine’s day decor. If you follow the steps at vintagehomedesigns.com she tells you how you can add some string/yarn to create a hanger so you can hang them up or add them to a garland.

I used my string hearts in this black dough bowl & added them to my winter table scape. I like how they complement my neutral decor & add another layer of texture.

I hope this inspires you to try this project and maybe to use some red, pink, and cream colored string or yarn.

I hope you enjoyed this winter project for ‘My wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’