Be vewy vewy quiet...

We're hunting mantels.

Fireplace mantels that is.

I, once again, blame pinterest for this insane disease.  I see something and I want it.
The plethora of gorgeous, mind blowing mantel decorations is never ending.

I even made a pinterest board just for mantels that you can see here.  So many options, right?

Take this Halloween mantel.  Um, Halloween is my favorite holiday.  Geez, I wish I had a mantel to decorate it like this.

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Or how about this inviting Christmas mantel?  How warm and fuzzy does this make you feel?  Wow, I wish I had a mantel to decorate it like this.

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I am in love with this Junk Mantel from Funky Junk Interiors, one of my favorite blogs to follow.  I love junk!  Golly, I wish I had a mantel to decorate like this.

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Here is where Craigslist comes in handy.

I have my settings on my Craigslist app to alert me whenever mantels are for sale.

Only problem is they are so expensive!
$950?  Not in my lifetime
$700?  Yeah right.
Not even $150 was in my budget - *headdesk*

Months went by and still I couldn't find anything.

This is gonna be harder than I thought.  That empty bare wall in my living room is just gonna have to wait...

Or so I thought.

Ain't she a beaut??

I found her on Craigslist... It has glowing logs, a metal crate for the logs AND the fireplace screen!  *SQUEAL*

To make the situation better.  It was Free.  You read right...F-R-E-E!

Oh, but she's heavy. The woman who owned her first lived on the second floor apartment. IN MY COMPLEX.  How funny is that?  I had to go literally down the road for it.

Doooown the stairs. Ouch.

*I* live on a second floor apartment.

Uuuuup the stairs. Ouch.

Sit back and admire.  YESSS!

Immediately, I started grabbing some knick knacks off my entertainment center.  I didn't care what I grabbed, I just wanted to decorate it.

Ok. Ok. It's not much, it looks downright pitiful compared to the ones I showcased earlier.
Guess I have some learning to do.

Geez, wow, golly- I have a mantel to decorate now!

What is your favorite way to decorate your mantels?