The Farmhouse Effect: How to Achieve An Eco-Friendly, Rustic Homestead

It's 8 pm on any given night. My other half is quietly scrolling through funny Facebook stories and our 3 year old is laying on top of us watching Peppa Pig. All you can hear in the quiet content of "relaxing hour" is my gushing squeals of, "Oh, look at that divine farmhouse sink, we could definitely do that!"..."OMG those assorted sizes of tobacco baskets for my burlap balls!"..."Eeeeeh do-it-yourself circular jute place mats! The blisters on my fingers JUST healed from hot glue gunning seashells to everything!"....and the grand finale of "I NEED ALL THE FARMHOUSE THINGS!"...and..."Honey, I need to wake up early tomorrow to get to Michael's before work."

Does this sound like anyone else's Sunday night? Well, lucky for you, I am here to enable your everything-farmhouse-decor addiction with an easy how-to guide for achieving the perfect "Green Gables" with emphasis on what's trending right now in the rustic roost and concepts that are up-and-coming for the rest of 2017 and 2018.

Start with searching tags on Instagram under #farmhousechic, #farmhousestyle, #farmhousedecor, #farmhousekitchen and so on. You will see some common trends popping up left and right and the most incredible, drool-worthy decor vignettes.

One of the biggest trends right now in farmhouse decor are wreaths. What began with the popular laurel wreath and the chunky magnolia wreath has now welcomed many other types of fauna such as eucalyptus stems, lemon leaves and olive wisps. Wreaths of most kinds emit a welcoming vibe and there's something cozy and comforting about the muted colors and fullness of a farmhouse leafed wreath. These decor staples do not come with a frugal price tag however and can often cost upwards of $50-$60 for a decent door-sized piece. The trick is to comb sites like Mercari and eBay to find gently used ones or make them yourself by tucking a plethora of 6-8 inch leafy stems (all flowing in the same direction) into a grapevine wreath and finishing it off with carefully concealed floral wire and a burlap loop for hanging. Depending on your materials cost, a stunning, hand-made wreath will run you around $12-$15 and an hour of production time. (No time to make your own? Our farmhouse wreaths are expertly crafted between $20-$30 and can be purchased online or in store. We also make mini wreaths to hang on chippy windows, pallet signs and galvanized pieces. End Shameless Plug #1)

Another trend (and for some reason, my personal favorite) is the repurposing of large glass/tin milk jugs by hanging wooden bead garlands on them. You can make these yourself for under $15 using your mom's old pine beads and some jute rope. I add decorative fabric beads to mine (and extra love) and switch between making both the loop and long garland versions. Even though this farmhouse trend may be one of the less functional ones, I find the natural wood and curves of the beads make a lovely and effortless accent to any part of your home. They can also be used as prayer beads. (Alert, Alert, Shameless Plug #2 in 3-2-1...You can find our one-of-a-kind, handmade wood and fabric beaded garlands for under $20 on our site, Etsy page and shop)

Elaborating on the aforementioned basket-wall highlights our next home decor top-trend. The thick, flat fibers of tobacco baskets are becoming a must-have in all homes. They look simply marvelous hung on the wall or used as a centerpiece on a chippy coffee table (Hint: Tobacco basket, then lay small farmhouse wreath flat, stick candle in the middle, strew a few tiny rusted tin stars strategically, voila). These popular baskets can be found at any antique store, flea market or rummage sale for $30-$40.

Now we enter the wonderful world of textiles! Live near a farm? Perfect. Grain and feed sack items such as pillow cases and tea towels, are making a surge in the markets. If you have a sewing machine and a $4 grain sack, you can make two fabulous pillow covers in under an hour. Farmhouse striped and Herringbone patterned dishtowels are also popping up left and right. They usually run under $20 a set and are both durable and decorative (and...we sell them too! That's #3!) I've seen a lot of hubbub around versatile farmhouse-striped burlap table runners. Another big hit for their durability, longevity and washability (is that even a word?) are cotton/muslin pieces. An easy way to use cotton in every day life would be with a 10 x12" muslin produce bag in your kitchen. Not only does it look clean and natural, but it keeps your produce safe from spoilage and bugs.

Here's an all-purpose material that you probably have spools of all over your garage: JUTE! Jute rope is the base for some of the most amazing farmhouse products like decorative balls, place mats, planter hangers, etc. Got an old tin strainer that sits in your attic? Wrap styrofoam balls in jute (using hot glue to keep them intact) and toss 3-4 in the strainer for kitchen centerpiece (Or you know, order them from us...wait does that count as Shameless Plug #4? I was just trying to be helpful and save you time! Hot glue gun accidents are a major epidemic in the Pinterest world! OK, fine, kill-joy...) Where there is jute, there are millions of joyous opportunities to add a little rustic flare.

In the coming year, we are seeing a welcoming of BOLD colors and accent pieces, hand-drawn patterns (especially in dishware and fabric), aquatic accents like sea animals, fish scales and bright aqua hues, lace-patterned luminaries and lampshades, all things rattan (including vases, furniture, market totes), bricks and wood-grain replacing subway tile, and both hammered and shiny metallic accent pieces.

If it's all completely overwhelming, stick to these simple concepts:

• All things Chippy!!
• Galvanized, brass or antique bronzed all day, every day.
• Old shutters and windows are the perfect wall-space fillers (including hanging shutters on either sides of your indoor window frame in lieu of curtains).
• Eliminate clutter by sticking to functional or semi-functional pieces like crates for shoes, galvanized or wooden wall cubbies for knick knacks and mail, stacking old books on surface tops for height, using apothecary jars, canisters and bread boxes functionally (and decoratively at the same time) and hanging flat baskets as gallery wall art.
• If you love it, USE IT!! Nothing shows more personality than those flea market finds that you fell in love with at first sight.
• Anything can be repurposed. If you are thinking about throwing out that old dresser, slap some chalk paint on it and use it as a console table in your living room. Old glass items laying around in boxes in your garage can be spray painted with milky white or sea glass paint to make decorative vases. Pallets are easily broken down, stained and can be painted on or decoupaged. Large picnic baskets and vintage trunks make wonderful side tables or hope chests to store blankets, while adding an element of antique charm. Use milk paint on candlesticks, then sand them down and seal with wax for a shabby chic feel. Hang old produce scales as a swinging shelf for laundry soaps or plants. And black and white vintage photos and postcards for a quarter from your local flea market are the universal, affordable items to complete the farmhouse look. 
• Fresh flowers and herbs go a long way! Add a few dry-brush swipes of chalk paint on a terra cotta pot or use old pitchers to store your garden florals.
• If all else fails, spend your Sunday nights finding farmhouse inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest. Find us on IG @serendipitymomshoppe to keep up with our newest must-have items! 

Look Who Just Popped Up!

Did I literally blink and 4 months have passed since I abandoned my sane way of life to start my own business? The truth is, it has been an absolute whirlwind since February, specifically this last month and a half. That is because I have been diligently prepping to open my own little year-long Pop Up Shop back in mid-May!

"What is a Pop Up Shop?", you may ask! A Pop Up Shop is a small, concentrated venue of a company's top or newest products to be displayed and sold for a specific amount of time. Some of the hippest brick & mortar establishments started off as Pop Up Shops, and some of the trendiest corporations (Apple, etc.) host frequent Pop Up Shops to showcase their upcoming must-haves.
I decided to combine the best of all worlds, and host a brick & mortar Pop Up Shop that will last for a full year, which features not only my own home decor & style designs, but over twelve Etsy-makers, many of whom are based locally in Lancaster, Pa!  (If you were planning a drinking game around how many times I referenced "Pop Up Shop", it's about to be downhill for ya!)

Among the local Etsy-glory featured, we have sensational rustic, hand-painted signs by local favorite Honeysuckle Shop, gorgeous hand-stamped farmhouse pillows by mother-to-one-of-my-favorite-humans Laura Firestine, ambrosial hand-poured candles by Reading-based Henny Faire Co. in savory yet floral combinations like Mushroom Tuberose, stunning framed silhouettes hand-cut by grandmother-of-8 Sue Bowers, and vegan lip balm by Friendly Body Products that will leave your lips feeling silky and rejuvenated, just to name a few. If you are browsing for exclusive Designs by Serendipity Mom items, we are offering our most popular totes, pillows, mugs, prints, handmade boho decor and now...all-natural bath bombs! Not in the market for home decor this season? We hear ya...you can also find eco-friendly and affordable handmade jewelry by some of the most popular Etsy-sellers, fun & funky accessory bags and hair swag, and we even have a Joey Corner where you can peruse kid-approved gifts for your little ones.

My first craft market back in March

The concept of the Pop Up Shop came to me one day while I was dejectedly packing up all of my products after yet another unsuccessful Saturday craft market. My heart commiserated with the other talented local crafters as they sloughed their beautiful work to the cars, with little to no return from their day-long investment that began at a dismally dark 6 am. Starting out this spring season in the "Craft Market World" as an unknown newbie, I quickly absorbed the frustration of many seasoned vendors watching the same few people sell and sell their amateur products, while everyone else was sorely bypassed because it wasn't their ideal target market or they were out of town and unknown to the area. I myself left every afternoon feeling defeated and out of my element, despite the positive feedback I got from the market's browsers and fellow vendors. I knew that I needed a more permanent and specific forum to display my lovingly and originally designed wares, and vowed to include other local crafters so that their businesses could be legitimized and recognized in an actual store as well.

I didn't want it to be just another "Lancaster County Handmade" shop--I wanted it to be an experience for our guests. A calm place where they could feel safe to bring their kids while finding inspiration for their homes with one-of-a-kind pieces for a fraction of the price of the online markets, and an eco-friendly haven that supports the local economy. Being a frazzled mom myself who pines over Pinterest and bemoans the inflated Etsy shipping costs, I have constructed this enterprise with the busy mama in mind so that we wouldn't feel limited to the Target dollar bins in the front of their store (shh, Target, your dollar bins are still my happy place). We even offer healthy snack fuel for both parents and their littles to buy a few extra shopping minutes in peace.

This summer, I am excited to launch our Summer Social Series, which will include twice-a-month eco-friendly kid's craft sessions for only $5.00 (parents/caregivers craft for free), Mom's Brunch Social every Second Saturday (mimosas, pastries and kid-free shopping while mingling and networking with fellow local moms) and our big Grand Opening celebration on Saturday June 3rd from 9 to 5! Come enjoy the sweetest cupcakes and even sweeter discounts as we officially kick off my lifelong dream-come-true. And please stay tuned for upcoming posts with more details about the Summer Social Series AND our Tribe22 subscription boxes!

Thank you for your constant encouragement and support as Designs by Serendipity Mom has started it's growth spurt. I hope you all will make it out the the Pop Up Shop at some point, and please note that we are constantly updating our inventory with the upcoming season's sweetest products!

Fifty Custom Christmas Gift Ideas UNDER 50 Dollars

There's nothing that spreads Christmas cheer quite like a mob of sweaty people in tryptophan comas pressing you against the cold glass doors of Target at 3 am in search of the coveted last Hatchimal... Or the rush of adrenaline that courses through your body on the night of Christmas Eve as you scour the empty shelves of your neighborhood CVS in search of anything that can remotely be wrapped or bagged...

Aside from death, childbirth or starting a new job, Christmas shopping tops the list as one of the most painstakingly agonizing life-events in this girl's book. There's something about large crowds throwing elbows at each other to save $20 on a pair of sneakers that really gets me in the giving mood. While many of you will be waiting 30 minutes for a parking spot at the malls this holiday season, I will be calmly sipping festive craft beers on my cozy sheepskin rug, dreaming of the perfect holly spring to tuck into the ribbon on the brown paper packages that I wrapped months ago--(How hipster did I just sound right there?!) 

What if I told you that you could do all your Christmas shopping in one day, on ONE website and everything would be either handmade, personalized or one of a kind? Etsy.com is a charming portal for makers and crafters to display their handcrafted products. It's like an eBay for artisans, but you are buying goods directly from the dealer and cutting out the upcharge that stores tack on. I know for many, it is incredibly daunting to navigate because there are just so many goshdarn adorable options. Lucky for you, since I have zero personal life outside of instagramming my lunches and hot gluing felt, I am something of an Etsy aficionado. Behold, a carefully compiled list of the top 50 gifts under 50 dollhairs. And don't worry--these pieces are all timeless, so they aren't going to go out of style like those little furbies that hatch out of eggs. PLUS, you are supporting small business owners all over the world. Most of these gifts have a quick turn around--you will receive them within a week or two of ordering, even the personalized ones! Be sure to read all ordering and shipping information to ensure that your gifts arrive before the holidays. 

Long forgotten are the days of snowmen neckties and Bill Cosby sweaters for dad. Give the man in your life something he can actually use!

For Men

Engraved pocket knife or multi-tool ($20-$40)
Flannel Pajamas ($45, without monogram)
Monogrammed shaving kit or leather toiletry bag ($20-$40)
Leather Wallet ($40)
Vintage Ammo Can toolbox/storage can ($35-$45)
Rustic iPhone docking station ($35)Engraved flask ($20)
Monogrammed, etched cigar humidor or watch box (starts at $50)
Custom pocket watch ($45)
Game of Thrones whiskey decanter set ($25-$35)

Copper engraved & personalized "Love Reminder" card ($20)
Engraved hammer ($30)
Wooden engraved watch ($45)
Red Clay beer mug ($25)
Dapper Fox print necktie ($30)
Case of craft beer ($30-$40)
Outdoorsy Fleece/Shirt ($20-$45)

I think every woman in the world has at some point owned the same gold heart necklace or Elizabeth Taylor perfume given to her on Christmas morning. While those are tried and true classics, this could be the year to really WOW her!
For Women

Olive green jersey infinity scarf ($45)
Bohemian jewelry ($20-$40)
Fingerless felted gloves ($35)
Chunky nautical knot bracelet ($25)
Rustic handmade soap set ($20-$30)
Celtic knot hair barrette ($20)
Wooden iPad stand ($45)
108 Mala bead necklace, Buddhist jewelry ($20)
Dark wood watch ($50)
Burgundy cotton handbag tote ($40)
Contemporary silver etched business card holder ($20)
Designer patterned leggings ($30-$50)
Dainty pinecone earrings ($6)
Wooden owl hair pin ($25)
China leaf trinket bowl ($45)
Rustic wooden beer or wine tote ($25)
Brown leather driving gloves ($40)

While kids sized Jeeps and American Girl Dolls are every child's dream, budgets don't always agree. Skimp on price, not quality with these one-of-a-kind gifts for kids of all ages.

For Kids

Superhero Cape ($50)
EcoFriendly Dinosaur shaped crayons ($10
Personalized wooden baking utensil set ($20)
Peppa Pig nesting dolls ($20)
DIY Catapult kit ($10)
Personalized wooden Lego tray ($40)
Woodland Animal DIY papercraft kit ($10)
Engraved guitar ($45)
Personalized treasure chest ($45)
Organic handmade construction vehicle play mat ($25)
Zombie brains soap ($5)
Mermaid tail blanket ($30)
Handmade Batman shelf ($45)
Kids' teepee playhouse ($50)
Personalized children's book ($25)
Personalized leather tool belt with kids' tools ($45)
6 pcs crochet vegetables set ($30)
Fairy Garden kit ($30)
Friendly Sloth peekaboo stamp ($10)
Knit stuffed unicorn doll ($45)

Another successful Christmas shopping for the books! And the most important thing to consider is that it's not the gift, but the thought that counts. The true spirit of Christmas is found in the faces of those you love and the bottom of the huge bowl of rum egg nog. Happy holidays to all and much love to you and your family! 

Challenge Accepted: Have a Sparkling Home by Thanksgiving with this Free Printable Cleaning Calendar!

I have a confession to make...for those of you with pristine, immaculate houses...please, for your emotional well-being, discontinue reading and occupy yourselves with Pinteresting gourmet recipes or little GMO-free Halloween goodie bags in carefully carved mini pumpkins. (Even if your house is a pigsty, those ideas actually sound fantastic)

Dismal confession of the anti-Stepford mom: I absolutely, positively, with every ounce of my being, HATE to clean. 

Ok Ok, I know what you're thinking. For someone who has based their entire brand Serendipity Mom on their experience in the hospitality industry, that's a pretty disturbing admission. It's not the physical act of cleaning that keeps me awake, shivering in the fetal position at night...it's the grim realization that once you work up the noble motivation to tackle an entire house, the arduous list of tasks becomes entirely too overwhelming and it looks like another tornado swept through (only a few days after you spent 2 hours hunched over dried jelly smears on your baseboards). Living with a toddler and two fluffy dogs often leads me to discover dog hair tumbleweeds resembling a smaller dog under my armchair, mac & cheese embedded into my dogs' fur from a toddler plate being overturned at dinnertime, and long-forgotten sippy cups of milk excavated from a toy chest a week later. This parenting gig is not for the faint of heart, but there IS a way to keep your sanity while keeping up your house to the best of your ability.

For those of us parents who lovingly call our mess "making memories," a do-able solution does exist. I've come up with an easy-to-follow cleaning calendar for the month of November (because the holiday season just isn't stressful enough without having to clean house before a visit from the in-laws). Other cleaning calendars I've seen floating around the internet seem so overwhelming and expect you to magically find 3 hours a day after 9 hour work days, commuting, after-school activities, meal prep and homework. I will be the first to admit that by Wednesday night, I'm slouched over on the couch longingly imagining a cold beer in my hand; because the thought of having to get up and pour an actual beer from the fridge would just be too much effort for my exhausted body. 

If you can find 45 minutes a day between making amazing memories with your kiddos, you've already taken the first step to regaining your sanity. It even covers the Post-Thanksgiving home-detox after the highs of lively guests, rich food and wine have worn off. 

You will have a few days to prep for the Cleaning Calendar Challenge--I know I will be stocking up on sponges/rags, Clorox wipes, baking soda/Dawn/vinegar/peroxide (for baseboards, bathrooms and carpets), Swiffer dry & wet pads, window cleaner and laundry detergent/fabric softener. My budget will be around $50 for supplies and I will devote roughly an hour either before or after dinner to daily cleaning. At the very least, it will be a successful day if I can make the time to hang up clothes from the growing pile engulfing the rocking chair in my bedroom. Additionally, the most important task you can achieve on Sunday is to prepare for the coming week. Whether that means planning your work outfits, packing lunches, freezing dinners or making a weekly calendar--dedicate that day to the little details that often leave us frazzled in the mornings. 

I'd love to hear about your November Cleaning Calendar Challenge experiences: what worked, what didn't, what you did differently, what needed additional time/focus, what your kids were able to help out with, etc. Before and after pictures would also be amazing! Until next time!