Rustic Chic Fall Bookcase & Free Printable
Hi there sweet friends!
I hope you all had an amazing summer!
It’s crazy to think it is that time of year again.
Time to take out the boots & sweaters {well almost} and
enjoy the crisper, cooler weather and ALL of the wonderful things fall has to offer.
I am so thrilled to be a part of this line up of lovely & talented girls sharing
21 Autumn & Halloween Vignettes and FREE Printables!!!
A BIG thank you to my dear friend Kristen from Ella Claire for putting this all together.
So as you would imagine, there is a little story to go with this printable.
I have to begin by saying that I am not perfect, nor is my life.
Not by a long long shot.
But I will say I am happy.
But there are those days I wake up feeling unsettled with my life.
I am human.
Feeling like what I have isn’t enough, like I need a better car, nicer clothes, a bigger budget for decorating, more help with my boys, etc….
Like I said I am not perfect.
When I have those waves of emotions I know I am not being grateful for what I DO have.
At those moments I CHOOSE to stop & begin again.
To begin with a grateful heart & not a greedy one.
To take it all in & realize how lucky I am.
What I am about to share is personal.
And I don’t usually share these things in fear of making you sad.
I am an up beat happy girl who likes to look on the bright side of things.
But sometimes you need to share to make a connection or to give understanding.
So here I go….
When I was 24 I lost my mother to a very long illness & when I was 34 I lost my sister {who was like a 2nd mother to me} suddenly.
Both losses where INCREDIBLELY painful & still feel very real some days.
But through it came an overwhelming sense of gratitude for life-my life, people and the real connections that make it all worthwhile.
It has been quite a journey that has gotten me here, to this place.
It has made me stronger, kinder, softer, more generous, more accepting, more authentic and most of all, aware of the idea that
gratitude can change everything:).
The list of blessings in my life is overflowing.
I am grateful for my little boys who fill my heart with such pure joy each & every day.
I am grateful for Mr. CF {for many reasons}, for without his financial savvy we would not have the home we have.
And our energetic 12 year old Wheaten Terrier who can’t see very well but is still the very best little watch dog:).
I am grateful for my mom, who taught me so much but mostly how to love unconditionally
& for my sister who gave with such an unselfish heart.
I am grateful for my dad, who has risen above so much in his life & who is the nicest, smartest, most fair person ever.
I am grateful for my siblings, who are all such GOOD & loving people. And all of my in laws and nieces & nephews.
And for my husbands family who are ALL amazing.
I am grateful for my friends {old & new} who have recently reminded me what it is to be brave & have courage.
For opportunities I never thought would come my way.
For our home that has been in a constant state of chaos since summer began.
For my car which I am pretty sure still has French Fries on the floor .
For where we live.
For summers at the beach.
For all of you who follow me {I am humbled everyday}.
&
for my very imperfect but wonderful life.
Photos of boys by Michele Kats Photography.
Font from HERE. Arrow graphics from HERE.
What are you grateful for?
Thank you for taking the time to read a little about my story.
Here is the amazing list of my blogging friends who also participated in this & their FREE printables!!!!
I hope you will all check them out….
Fall Vignette and Compass Arrow Printable by Rooms FOR Rent
Rustic Fall Mantel Vignette by Thoughts from Alice
Autumn Glitter Vignette by The Concrete Cottage
Oak Leaf Inspired Vignette and Hand Painted Printable by Jennifer Rizzo
Fall Vignette and Printable by Finding Silver Pennies
Autumn Definition Printable by The Lilypad Cottage
Set of 4 Wine Printables by Eclectically Vintage
Gather Painted Printable by Restoration House
DIY Fall Leaf Wreath Printable by Town and Country Living
Rustic Chic Fall Bookcase and Printable by City Farmhouse
Early Fall Vignette Chronicles of Home
Trick or Treat Banner by Ella Claire
Grateful Heart by Making Home Base
Beautiful Glorious Fall Printable by Nest of Posies
Simple Fall Vignette by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Fall Printable and Vignette by At The Picket Fence
Vintage Flashcard Halloween Printable by My Sweet Savannah
Hand Painted Give Thanks Wreath by Craftberry Bush
Pumpkins Pinecones Leaves by Migonis Home
Autumn Vignette and Fall Printable by AKA Design
Gather in the Kitchen Printable by Its Overflowing
Have a beautiful day!
I appreciate this sentiment more than you know. Thank you for sharing, personal can be hard.
Where are your frames from? The mat size to picture ratio is perfect.
Beautiful post.
Jen, a beautiful printable with an even more beautiful story behind it. I’m so sorry for your losses of your mother and your sister. I can’t even comprehend how hard those times must have been and how you miss them every day. The message you share today is so important. Thank you for the reminder to be grateful for what we have.
Huge smooches and hugs, Jen. What a fabulous print with a great story. Love ya!
such a beautiful post Jen…I love the printable but I love your heart the most. Thank you for sharing it with us…xo
Absolutely beautiful what you wrote and very encouraging to me who have lost family members when younger. Also, thank you and all the other blogs who do the prints to print. I enjoy them and can’t wait to style with yours.
Thank you…..
I was drawn to this post by the words “rustic chic” in the title, since the tagline for my website is “unique rustic chic”. But it was your beautiful story that had me reading all the way to the end. I’m thankful for bloggers who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable with their “family” of readers. Autumn mantel vignettes are a dime a dozen anymore, but heartfelt feelings are a breath of fresh air. Thanks for sharing and reminding us about gratitude.
P.S. And your rustic chic bookcase looks great, especially the antlers!
Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and your sister. I hope that when you get sad thinking about them that you think of happy times with them and that those beautiful memories give you great comfort and make you smile. Thank you for sharing so much with me and the rest of your fans. I am so inspired by your beautiful home and your beautiful words. Thank you! 🙂 xo
My Gratitude Attitude: I am grateful I still have a job. I am grateful for paying off my mortgage. I am grateful for good health. I am grateful for many kitties that worship me as though I am the smartest human they have ever known. I am grateful for Clarks Sunburst sandals because they always fit my 66-year old sometimes puffy feet. I am grateful for living up 4 flights of stairs because climbing them forces me to exercise. I am grateful that I have cash to buy chai tea lattes from Starbucks with enough left over to sponsor a little girl in Ethiopia. I am grateful to live in California, where monsoons and hurricanes are few and sunny days plentiful. I am grateful for thick, shiny hair. I am grateful for a keen sense of imagination and creativity. I am grateful I am easily entertained. I am blessed to be able to visit City Farmhouse for lifestyle inspiration.
Love the “gratitude changes everything”, especially with the arrow (since I’m a Saggitaruis, and all…) It bespeaks the peace one finds in looking to others instead of self. Thank you 🙂
What a beautiful story. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and sister. Sometimes it’s difficult to remain positive through so much adversity, but your positive spirit is inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
What a beautiful printable, you have been through some rough roads, I am so sorry. This is a huge encouragement for those of us that have lost our parents, thank you! XO
I look forward to opening my email and reading your blog postings everyday. I understand the hesitation to post such personal things but I’m glad you do. I am sorry about the loss of your mother and sister. While I am generally a happy-go-lucky person too there are times when life can feel overwhelming and to read your story today lets me know I am not alone. I thoroughly enjoy your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Lovely post! Thank you so much for sharing.
So sorry for your losses. I’m sure it was not an easy journey, but happy that you seem to have risen above it and can appreciate all that you have now.
Very inspiring read. Thanks for sharing with us a piece of yourself.
Oh Jen – this was so sad but really lovely to read too. It’s all in how you look at things. Love your heart. xoxo
Jennifer, this post is beautiful for so many reasons. First, your bookshelf is uuuhmazing! Love every detail and your free printables are too cute!
Second, and more importantly………….I have tears streaming down my face right now. Your post is such a good reminder to be grateful for what we have. I am so sad to hear about your losses. There is so much that we have to be grateful for if only we choose to see it. A reminder that I need on a daily basis. My house is “too small”, we don’t have “enough money”, I don’t have “enough time” to do all that I want to do…and on and on it goes. Thanks for the reminder Jennifer 🙂 I am gonna sneak a peek in my kid’s bedroom right now before I head to bed to remember just how blessed I am. And you are an amazing blessing in this blogging community. I appreciate your heart so much.
What a sweet post. I am thankful for the smiles on my young sons’ faces.
Jen, your sweet words made me tear up. I am so thankful for you, sweet friend and for the kind, loving impact you have had on my life. You are truly one of the very best people I know. And what a perfectly perfect printable.
Love this! I want to print this out and hang it! I didn’t see a link to print it. Could you help me by telling me how to print it out to a size 8 x 10? Thanks!!!
I’m grateful for many of the very same things and I love your positive outlook on life. Plus you have such a cute family – what’s not to be happy about!!! Love your style and printable – happy fall!
Hi Jennifer, your blog is lovely and my favorite by far. I lost my much younger sister two and half years ago. Your story touched my heart , and your family is so blessed to have your courage, strength and hope. I’m slowly making my house a home. Thanks for all your inspiration on living in a space you love!
Gorgeous as always friend! I need you to come style all my bookcases, love the way yours look so effortless and fun!
Jen, you will never know how this struck my heart! I was mourning my son this morning… no he is alive and well but i miss him so after we made the whirlwind trip to watch him graduate from Army Basic training. In the span of 12 months our eldest boys joined the Army and moved out… permanently. With both of them they went through a period where life around them was kinda miserable… just think stereotypical teen years but thankfully it didn’t go on and on. Their last year at home was such a time of bonding, a time where they were typically pure joy to be around. Since our middle son left in June it has become far too quiet around here for my tastes as our youngest is a bit of an introvert like his dad. They recharge their batteries by being in a house… alone. So this morning after I finally woke up the house was quiet… the youngest already at school and hubby at work well I just wanted to cry and smile at the same time. It was so good to spend time with my boy (he is my kindred spirit… ha ha yes it can be challenging!) and to see how he has grown. I’m proud of the young man he has become.. and I cherish the time we got to spend together. Today, today I am grateful the young men my sons has become and are becoming. So thank you for sharing!
Hi Peggy, thank you for taking the time to write this:). I know the feeling, the quiet is so nice & we desperately want it in the midst of all the chaos but when we get it we miss the chaos. It sounds like you are very blessed!!! Have a beautiful weekend & enjoy your family!! Jen
Jen, Feedburner stopped sending me your blog by email. Have you heard of others having a problem? Love your blog.
Thanks, Susan
Thank you for sharing your story.
I had a traumatic miscarriage last week, but there is so much to be grateful for: my husband and I are closer than ever, I was reminded of how much I love my friends, and I was in the right place at the right time to receive emergency care. Being grateful is how I got through everything.
I am going to print off your printable and post it at work where I can see it every day. Thank you again.
I am so sorry Corrie for your loss. It is so true, to be grateful is to be happy. Sending lots of love your way. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Have a nice weekend, Jen
Thank you for this beautiful post! Such a good reminder to always be thankful. I would love to print this out but do not see a link for it?
Megan, Thank you so much! Just right click & save as. Happy Fall, Jen
Jen, this totally touched my heart! I knew we shared the loss of our mothers at relatively the same age, but I had no idea about your sister. What a journey you’ve been through! You are truly one of the sweetest, most genuine people that I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time with, and I didn’t know your mom or sister, but I’m sure they would be very proud of the person you are and following your dream. Lots of love and big hugs!!
Jen, thank you so much for saying that. I think if I have learned anything is that everyone has a story & that kindness is best thing we can share with each other. I adore you & think you are so INCREDIBLY talented, your mom is looking down on you with such joy and love:). Have a great day!!! Jen
Blessings! This is beautiful and inspiring. I’m just having trouble figuring out how to print it. Help please 🙂