Saltwater Sounds: Early Holiday Shopping and Mashed Potato Dreams
Welcome To This Week’s Saltwater Sounds…
A collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. Here, I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what to look forward to on the blog, and the inspiration I’ve found throughout the week.
This Week at a Glance
Maybe it’s just me, but the days start flying once Halloween is over.
November is here with shorter days, warmer drinks, and every excuse to stay inside under a throw blanket. Can you believe Thanksgiving is just 18 days away?
Are you hosting this year? Or are you the lucky guest who gets to bring dessert? (That’s my dream job.)
As for me, I’m all about the stuffing. And the mashed potatoes. If you’ve read my About Me page, you already know about my deep and loyal love for anything with a potato in it.
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Easing Into the Holidays

You may not be ready for Christmas yet, but it definitely seems like the stores are ready for us to shop.

Last week, I spent the afternoon shopping in Poulsbo.


I look forward to the Red Plantation holiday open house every year, and it’s usually where my holiday shopping begins.

Each vendor booth has its own unique holiday decor.


All the ladies at the Red Plantation are so welcoming and worked really hard to set up their “Winter Wonderland.”

I also took a look around Rust and Relic. It’s one of my favorite places to hunt for vintage decor, especially at Christmas.

You wouldn’t believe how many vintage sleds and skates I found that day.

I loved these green vintage skates! But I resisted the urge to buy a third pair.

I also found a lot of red thermoses, transferware, and bottlebrush trees.



And vintage Santas everywhere you turned.



Details Home and Garden is another shop in Poulsbo where I get so much Christmas decor inspiration.

I always look forward to seeing which Christmas themes they’ve chosen each year.

I bought a few pillows and pictures of red cardinals last year for the holidays. If only I had thought about buying a few of those cardinals for the Christmas tree this year.

The coastal tree sat inside a bathtub.

This was a beautiful presentation of two Christmas trees inside urns decorated with the prettiest blue ornaments.

And if you don’t like blue, how about green?

Oversized nutcrackers were a big thing this year. The bigger, the better.
Wrapping Up the Garden Season

The spring bulbs are in the ground. Now comes the hard part… waiting until March and April for them to bloom.

We’ve started mulching the fallen leaves with the mower. Soon we’ll spread it into the garden beds as a protective layer, especially over the dahlias and bulb planters.
Garden Supplies and Tools
Check out my favorite garden supplies and tools for the growing season. Whether you’re looking for potting soil or deer repellent, you’ll find what I use in my own garden.
On the Blog This Week
20 Simple Ideas for Christmas Decorating on a Budget
A cozy, festive house doesn’t need a big budget. It needs a few good choices and a little patience. These are the budget Christmas decorating ideas I actually use, from free greenery to dollar thrift finds.
17 Ways to Decorate with Christmas Ornaments (Beyond the Tree)
I have more Christmas ornaments than any tree in our cottage could hold. Plaid ones, mercury glass, a few with a real story behind them, and a growing pile of vintage finds I couldn’t leave at the antique mall.
Vintage Cottage Christmas Home Tour
A vintage cottage Christmas comes together a little at a time: an ironstone pitcher from an estate sale, a sled from an antique mall, one more Santa mug I couldn’t leave on the shelf.
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week
The furnishings and accessories in this home on Oak Hill Drive create the most charming space that feels like a Nancy Meyers film.
This salted bourbon pecan pumpkin pie looks absolutely delicious!
Make a faux tree smell real with these DIY Christmas tree scent sticks.
Here’s a beautiful Thanksgiving table centerpiece idea.
Try one of the 27 fun ideas for hosting Thanksgiving.
The ultimate guide to hosting a Thanksgiving pie party.
Check out this luxurious Archipelago villa in Sweden.
Here’s how to tie a Christmas bow.
Coming Up Next Week
Next week, I’ll share my adventures in Hawaii and what’s starting to happen around the cottage.
Wishing you a cozy week, a warm drink, and a head start on your holiday list.
Until next time,

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