15 Things Every Preppy Farmhouse Should Have

Valentine's Day got me thinking about love and how much I love this old farmhouse that seems to have a life of its own.  And I wondered if it had a voice and could create its own wish list, what would it want that it doesn't already have?  I'm thinking these 15 things would be great in every farmhouse:

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1. These Gingham Checkered Cloth Napkins would be perfect in any farmhouse kitchen.  You could mix and match them with a number of tablecloths or just use them on your bare wooden table. 

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2. This house has seen me sneak far too many desserts when I think no one else is looking.  The Life is Short...Eat Dessert First handmade sign belongs somewhere in my kitchen, I am certain.  But it doesn't apply to the children or Hubby.  How many of you can relate?

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3. Don't you just love these Copper Hurricane Lanterns?  You can place candles or LED lights in them or do something festive and creative from Pinterest inside.  I've got to get some of these before next Christmas.  I think they'd also be great to have lit on a summer night while sitting on the porch swing under the stars.

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4. Every old farmhouse needs a couple of these Reversible, Washable, Braided Area Rugs lying around.  I would love to have one for our living room and one for the dining room.  I've had to throw out more rugs than I can remember due to accidents and messes made by puppies, toddlers, and sick children.  Being able to wash them or flip them over sounds fantastic to me.

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5. What preppy bathroom wouldn't want a Teal Paisley Fabric Shower Curtain?  This would be perfect to hang in the spring and summer, and it kind of matches a tablecloth I have.  Not that the shower and the kitchen table need to match, mind you.

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6. These Tartan Plaid Ceramic Tile Coasters are too cute not to have sitting on the coffee table or end table.  I'm constantly having to distribute coasters to family members so they're not placing hot coffee or tea cups on the wooden furniture here.  

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7. These Argyle Wall Hanging Wood Letters would be terrific in the children's rooms spelling out their names or something fun or motivational.  They're hand painted and can be purchased in different colors.

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8. Can't you picture this Personalized Aluminum Sign hanging above your kitchen sink or the doorway?  I love it, and what makes it even better is that it's made here in the USA.

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9. Mother Teresa is my absolute favorite saint, and this quote of hers is made into these Handmade Maple Signs by a husband and wife team who make each sign as they're ordered.  What a great reminder every day to start changing the world by loving your family first.

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10. I have to admit I was unaware of the existence of these Handmade Monogrammed IPad/Tablet Holders until recently.  They're made of solid wood in a cutting board style, and I can't imagine how we all managed following recipes on Pinterest without one of these holding up our tablets in the kitchen.

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11. What preppy farm girl wouldn't want a Pink Argyle Lightswitch Plate Cover in her bedroom?  I so wish I'd had one when I was a teen in the eighties.  

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12. For all of us backyard chicken owners, there's a Handmade Burlap Print for our kitchens.  This time of year we're never sure if we'll find half a dozen eggs or no eggs in the nesting boxes.  In another month or so, however, there will be more farm fresh eggs than we know what to do with.

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13. This Handcrafted Rustic Farmhouse Mirror with Shutters has so much interesting design and texture and would work hanging in a number of rooms.  I've got some teenagers who would stop and admire their reflections in this a number of times a day.

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14. The book, A Touch of Farmhouse Charm, is definitely next on my book list.  If I have this, I can probably eliminate entire boards of pins on Pinterest.  It claims to have easy DIY projects, so it must have been written for people like me.  I hope there are a bunch of pallet board ideas in it.

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15. Seriously, what farmhouse is complete without an entire season of shiplap-loving home-flipping Chip and Joanna Gaines in Fixer Upper?  I can easily spend an entire rainy Saturday viewing one episode after another of these two and their family renovating, decorating, and farming.  They inspire me to get up off my chair and consider knocking out a wall somewhere.  They've made rustic farm style chic.

All of the items in this post can be found at Amazon by clicking on the blue link.  I was thrilled to learn that Amazon has a new store called Handmade at Amazon that features artisans and their handcrafted products.  Many items can be custom made just for your home and family, and it's pretty cool to read about the people who create your decor.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.   I receive a small referrer fee from purchases made through Amazon after clicking through.  Thank you for reading and supporting Preppy Mountain Farmhouse.

Preppy Plaid Plates on Sale at Home Goods

 

Home Goods had the most incredible sales this week on their holiday items, and my husband surprised me with plaid dinnerware so I finally have good winter dishes and serving plates.  All of this was 50% off.

 

I got a dozen dinner plates, two serving platters, a set of three bowls, a buffalo check casserole dish, and some disposable napkins thrown in for fun, and it all totaled less than $75.  I might use them for a few more weeks even though Christmas is over.  We keep our tree and decorations up until January 6 anyway, so our Christmas celebrations won't officially end until then.  Perhaps this will motivate me to throw a small dinner party for some friends before everyone returns to work and school.  It's use them now or wait until late 2017 because ...

...we are getting ready to start a kitchen renovation next month.  I am beyond excited!  It's just like another Christmas present.  And I look forward to blogging about the process and sharing it with all of you.

Have a terrific final three days of 2016, everyone.  And check out your local Home Goods store if you're looking for some holiday bargains.

 

Finding Preppy Fall Fashion in Rural America

 

  This post is for those of you who don't live near any major metropolitan areas, and your shopping choices are severely limited, especially if you love classic preppy clothes.  This means no Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, or Tory Burch unless you shop on the Internet.  I don't know about you, but sometimes I need to browse the stores, try on a stack of clothes, and walk out with something today---not wait for UPS to deliver it next week.  So here are a few of the outfits I've been able to find recently.  Most of them were purchased locally, but there are a few items I did rely on the catalog/Internet to purchase.  These are all from major retailers that are located all over the country.  I figure if I could create a preppy wardrobe out here in the very rural Allegheny Mountains, you can do it anywhere.

In the photo above: Black & white paisley dress and shrug (Perceptions), black leather flats (Liz Claiborne) both from JC Penney.  The purse was made by an artisan in Aiken, SC many years ago, so that was not purchased locally.  I actually bought this dress and shoes 3 years ago, and it is the oldest outfit I'm wearing in this post, but I included it because it's one of the most comfortable dresses I own, and I love paisley.  I often wear it in the summer without the shrug since it's sleeveless and light weight, but it continues to work for early fall as well.  And it never needs ironed, which is a definite plus.  

 

I just found this shirt and skirt last week, and the entire outfit was on sale and only totaled $30!   Striped boatneck shirt (Tommy Hilfiger) & blue skirt (Lauren/Ralph Lauren) from Macy's.  The leather basketweave loafers (West 31st) are from the Bonton and are nearly a decade old.  I'm always looking for shirts this time of year that aren't too heavy, but that aren't summery either.  This one is perfect with 3/4 length sleeves, and it's not too thick or thin.  I think I'll also pair it with jeans or chinos.

 

I found this Argyle sweater (Croft & Barrow) on clearance this past spring at Kohl's.  It buttons up the front so I can wear it as a cardigan over a t-shirt, turtleneck, or collared blouse too.  The tan skirt (Merona) is from Target, but I purchased that about 11 years ago after our sixth child was born when I couldn't fit back into any of my old clothes.  And I never ever returned to a size 4 again.  The black & white striped ballet flats (Mossimo) were bought at Target over a year ago.

 

By the way, most of my children were enlisted to be my photographers yesterday whether they wanted to or not.  The only one who was excited about doing so was our seven year-old daughter who happily snapped away while I tried to give her instructions.  She must have taken 15 shots of me in this outfit. 

 

You can't really see the stripes in this blouse, but it's a beautiful pink & white cotton pinstriped shirt (Lauren/Ralph Lauren) found at Macy's last week.  There were many colors to choose from, but this was my favorite.  The navy blue chinos (L.L. Bean) are one of those items I had to mail-order, but I bought the white reversible leather belt from Kohl's, and the paisley canvas sneakers (Mossimo) were purchased at Target in the spring.  I know they're not really fall-like, but I like them so much that I'll probably continue wearing them throughout this month.  Oh, and that's me trying to keep the gnats out of my eyes and mouth.  Yesterday had to be the buggiest day all summer---which didn't make it any easier to persuade my boys to come outside and take pictures.

 

Aside from swatting bugs, we also had goat kids escaping their pasture and coming up to our photo shoot.

 

This is what they were doing under the clothesline while we were taking pictures of preppy clothes.

 

This is the last of my outfits today because it was the last of the photographing.  My ten year old son took two pictures while the gnats swirled around his head, and he said he was done.  I was tired of dealing with them too, and it was incredibly warm and muggy, and I was perspiring in my fall clothes.  This was the best shot of the two, and not very flattering of me, but it shows the outfit: White t-shirt (Land's End), oatmeal cardigan I purchased in early summer (Gap), blue jeans (St. John's Bay) bought at JC Penney a year ago, same leather reversible belt (Kohl's), dark brown leather heeled loafers from Bon Ton a year or so ago, and a gold cross necklace that belonged to my grandmother (all my pearls need restrung.)  I have discovered that cardigans are the best wardrobe item for those of us with an expanding midriff.  They camouflage that middle-aged spread quite nicely.

These clothes work for most of my days: volunteering, substitute teaching, chauffeuring children, shopping and running errands, attending meetings, and doing things around the house.  Macy's, BonTon, Kohl's, Target, and the Gap supplied most of the items, and I supplemented with L.L. Bean and Land's End.  It takes some real looking through the stores to find classic American clothing that looks good on a middle-aged mom who tries to be frugal, but it can be done...even in the middle of nowhere.

Winter Essentials for Preppy Mountain Living

Winter has finally hit in the northeastern Alleghenies.  When I awoke this morning, it was only 8 degrees, but we've still had no snow!  Last year at this time, the children had already been out of school for a number of snow days, but we've only seen flurries a couple of times this winter.  Perhaps this will be the first winter I won't have to worry about navigating an ice-covered mountain lane.  Even without snow and ice, though, winter in an old mountain farmhouse brings special requirements to make it through comfortably.  These are probably the items I use the most over the next few months, and without them, winter would be less bearable.

Beginning with the boots in the above photo and moving clockwise:

1. L.L. Bean Lambswool Boots.  These are the absolute warmest and most comfy boots I have ever worn!  While I don't wade through the snow in them (I have Muck boots for that), I do wear them when I am out and about, and even sometimes in the house on especially cold days.  I have dressier boots for wearing in the classroom, at church, and out to restaurants and stores.  Without a doubt, however, these L.L. Bean boots are the warmest.
2. Weis "Country Christmas" Coffee.  I'm still trying to drink the last of our holiday specialty coffees in the morning.  This has been one of my favorites.  The smell of the coffee from the kitchen (that my fantastic husband wakes up first to make) at 5:30 AM is what gets me out of our warm down comforter-covered bed and down those chilly farmhouse stairs when it's still dark outside.
3. Sullivan Glove Company Fleece-lined, Deerskin Gloves.  I have Reynaud's Syndrome, and if I don't want my fingertips to turn white and then sometimes black along with having numbness and pain, I must keep my hands covered when I am outside in the winter, including while driving.  My husband purchased these for me a couple of years ago from this Oregon-based company, and they have worked well.  Visit at www.sullivanglove.com.
4. Ruff Hewn Ice Traction Shoe Grippers/Cleats.  While we haven't had to worry about an ice-covered mountain this year, there have been years that in order to get to and from the barn without sliding and falling, we have needed these traction cleats.  Some winters our entire property remains covered in ice and snow until March or April.  My husband and 15 year-old son do most of the barn chores now, but every now and then I will use these too, and they are a life saver.
5. Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter.  I know, I know, I include some version of this stuff every season.  I can't help it; it is the richest, creamiest, best smelling cream I've found for dry skin.  I put it all over my arms and legs every night to prevent me from having dry, flaky, itchy skin during the winter months.
6. Lots of Wool Socks.  Our farmhouse was built in 1886, and it is drafty.  The entire house has wood floors with a cold, damp, stone-walled basement underneath.  If you go barefoot here in the wintertime, your toes feel like ice.  The gray "Smart Wool" socks have been with me for almost 17 years and are still going strong.  I can't live through January without these.
7. Land's End Silk Long Underwear.  I've had other brands, but so far Land's End is my favorite, and most definitely the silk.  If it's below 10 degrees, it's almost a given that I've got these on.
8. (on top of the silk underwear) Lip Balm.  I have lip balm stashed all over the place, and I am addicted to it year-round, but it is especially necessary up here during the winter.  Right now my two favorites are Penn Brewery Chapstick (a brewery that makes chapstick?), and Honey House Naturals Lip Butter.  The lip butter has this awesome honey/citrus fragrance and is wonderful.  You can find it at www.honeyhousenaturals.com.
9. Starbucks Decaf Caffe' Verona.  I actually picked this up by mistake because decaffeinated coffee doesn't cut it here for us in the morning.  It turns out I like it though, and it feels really good to drink a good strong cup of steaming hot coffee in the afternoon while helping the children with homework.  And it doesn't keep me up at night!
10. (in the center) Essie "Attitude" Nail Lacquer.  I usually shy away from bright, bold colors of nail polish, but I purchased it on impulse while in the checkout aisle at Kohl's last month and thought it would look great at Christmas.  I've decided it kind of perks me up during these long, cold, gray months of winter so I'll probably have red fingernails a lot for awhile.
11. (also in the center) Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer.  My skin gets so dry in the winter that I need more than just my morning moisturizer/toner/sunscreen.  This moisturizes without feeling heavy or greasy and seems to suit my sensitive skin.

There are plenty of other things I love to have around to get me through my least favorite season, but these eleven are the ones I don't like to do without.  Some of them I would keep no matter where we lived, and others are unique for living on a small farm on the side of a mountain in the North.  Maybe a few preppy plaid products would be a nice addition and lift my spirits during these days when it's dark at 7 AM and dark again by 5 PM.  Any recommendations from you dear readers?

Fun Preppy Finds for the Winter

There seem to be so many preppy and plaid winter items in the stores right now.  For some unexplainable reason, I am absolutely crazy for plaid this year, especially tartan plaid.  The pillow above can be found at Target, but our local store has nearly sold out.

This is the back side of the woody wagon pillow.  It's not plaid, but it's close enough.  Thanks to Between Naps on the Porch blog for spreading the word about this, plus plaid bedding and boxwood wreaths found at Target right now.

I fell in love with this GAL blue and black plaid purse that I found at the BonTon.  There was a variety of red plaid bags in different sizes as well, but I was drawn to the blue.  

 I am loving plaid so much that I decided to decorate our house for Christmas in a burlap and plaid style this year.  I'm calling it a primitive preppy look.  This is just a sample of what I picked up at Michael's and Target the other day.  I've already started working on making new ornaments so when we get our tree the day after Thanksgiving, I will be ready.  The wide spool of ribbon is actually tartan plaid printed on burlap, and the smaller ribbon is a soft plaid flannel.  I lucked out and found the plaid balls with burlap ribbon fastened around them already, so I don't have to attempt to make my own.

I've got my eye on a few more plaid items.  I love the plaid canvas totes that Land's End is carrying.  I think I would actually carry one of those year-round.

Land's End is also carrying these down plaid vests, which I would wear all winter.  I'm fairly certain I also saw some at Macy's and BonTon.  I'll be looking for those when I'm out this evening with my hubby.

I'd also love to get one of these plaid throws to toss over the rocker that holds the deer/woody wagon pillow.  I've seen similar blankets at Macy's, but Land's End is having a terrific sale until the end of the day.

If anyone comes across a coffee mug with plaid monogrammed letters, please let me know.  Target has plaid mugs, and they have monogrammed mugs, but I haven't seen the two combined in one cup.

I'm off to try making some pumpkin spice smoothies that I found on Pinterest.  I've got to finish experimenting with all these fall and Thanksgiving creations before I think any more about Christmas.  Hope you all have a wonderful November weekend.