Fall Decor

Long time no see!  Life has gotten in the way of blogging as usual but I did want to pop back in and share my fall decor.  I have been eyeing those boxes on Pinterest for our dining room table for awhile now and knew it was the perfect use for the barn wood from my late grandpa's barn.  The wood dates back to when the barn was built in the 20's so you can imagine it means a lot to me.  Jacob and I put the box together and now I'm excited to change it up with the seasons.

I did my usual of adding in cream hydrangeas with the white for a fall/winter feel.  I like that it feels different than spring/summer!

I did something totally different on the mantel and I'm loving it. 

Better feel for the actual colors

This is my favorite of all my decor because I made it with M!  I let her paint (which she loves!) and then I simply cut them into leaf shapes.....easy and meaningful---perfection in my book!

Outside I did something different.  I got the box when I ordered something online this summer and have been hanging on to it ever since.  I love the height it adds along with another pop of color.

That's the majority of my decor this year.  I'm really loving everything I did, which doesn't always happen!

Happy Fall!

I'm Ready

I don't know about you but I am ready.  For fall, that is.  I say that as it is heading near 90 today and everyday next week.  Yuck.  We have had just enough cool weather to be a tease and I don't like to be teased. ;)  I'm ready for open windows, long walks, pumpkin candles and coffee, playing in the leaves, and carving pumpkins!  

If you follow me on Pinterest this is not a news flash because I have been a pinning fool lately and these are a few pictures that are inspiring me and holding me over until it cools off!

Three Pixie Lane

The TomKat Studio

 Sweet Something Designs

Sophia's Decor

Jones Design Company

What do you look forward most as fall approaches?  Is it your favorite season like mine!

Can't wait!!

Thanksgiving Table

Hello!

I'm happy to have my Thanksgiving table together over a week early and the bonus is that I only spent $3 on it!  I have been dying to make a box as the centerpiece for our formal dining room table for months now and I finally got the wood to do it.  However, I just don't think it's going to get finished before Thanksgiving.....maybe Christmas!  While visiting family last month I got a few boards from my late grandpa's barn dating back to the 1930's.  I love that they have a story and that they mean so much!

Rather than a box I went with a single board in the center of the table.  I combined candles I already had with $3 worth of pumpkins I bought last weekend and I think I have a simple yet elegant fall table.

The leaf plates are a few years old from West Elm, the table runner is actually a curtain (gasp) ;), and everything else I had around the house.  I love it when I shop the house and it pays off!

Have a great week!

Fall Update

Hi all!

We have been so busy traveling and hosting company that I have been MIA.  My mother-in-law bought me a great fall runner for our dining room table and I finally got it ironed and on the table.  I also added a few cream hydrangeas to the white ones and I think it helps add in a bit of fall.  I love when a few small changes can make a big difference!

I just got the supplies to work on a centerpiece for the table.  I'll be back with that when I'm finished!

Guest Post: Fall Decor in New York and Brooklyn on a Budget

Autumn in New York and Brooklyn is a season to celebrate in your home. Do not merely resign yourself to the long shadows of chilly days. Instead, bring some of fall’s warm, rich light indoors to enjoy in your interior decorating plans.

The best thing about the season is the plentiful array of colors already available outside that you can bring in and highlight for color accents. Gather up some of the colorful leaves from your front stoop and line them inside a clear, square vase. Use an acrylic sealer to coat them for sticking, then use a battery-powered tea light inside to illuminate. Kick up the DIY project a notch by adding lighted twigs you can buy at a neighborhood crafts store or might come across at a New York street fair. Tuck your display into a corner for an instant mood light to cast shadows that play off your houseplants.

Living in Brooklyn you realize quickly that trendy chic ideas are found everyone from doorstep interior, residents put their own flair that allows New York City it’s own classy flair, separate from this chic art district. For example, the multiple flea markets in Brooklyn can really be the start of a craft project weekend to transform your interior. Stroll around and look for maybe some candlesticks with round, flat tops, and then spend the afternoon spray-painting them in warm, autumn colors. Glue the candlesticks to the bottom of small, flat-bottomed crystal glasses that you could find in any antique shop in New York, and put them at varying heights on your mantel or on a sideboard. You can fill the glasses with tea lights or alternate with tea lights and candy corn for a Halloween party effect. You might luck into finding a deal on cranberries at a farmers market in Hell’s Kitchen and use a handful as decorative filling, alternating in layers with almonds or other light-colored nuts. 

Easy changes that also are budget-friendly include introducing a warm, snuggly throw on your couch along with pillows in autumn shades of brown and gold. Cinnamon candles can help give a homey scent, particularly after a long evening commute on the subway. Simmer some cinnamon sticks in water on the stove for instant fall potpourri ambiance. 

Remember that the secret to economical seasonal makeovers can focus on sights and smells in your home. New candles and updated accessories that reflect the season can be a quick way to transform your interior from summer to fall. Secondhand stores, flea markets, antique shops and even the corner grocer can inspire new ideas and create a quick spark of radiance to embrace the changing season.

Source

Alexandra is a travel enthusiast who loves to write about fashion, beaches, food, and the wonderful things in the world.  She provides her own insights on vacationing to the blogosphere.  If you would like to learn more about her, follow her @alexsjourneys or visit her blog alexsjourneys.wordpress.com 

Monster Eyes

I tried out an idea I found on Pinterest this last weekend I thought it was pretty cute.  You take paper towel rolls and cut out eyes and then put glow sticks in them.  That's it!  We have a large bush in front out our house, so it was perfect.

We plan to do it again on Halloween!

Caramel Apple Bar

Jacob and I had a group of friends over this weekend and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try out an idea I saw on Pinterest.  I had fun making a caramel apple bar and I used this recipe to keep my apples from browning and it really worked!

We had caramel, chocolate chips, nuts, and 2 kinds of sprinkles

I also made a caramel cheesecake dip with crushed graham crackers and it was delicious

Delicious!

Some Fall Decor

Hi all!

You may have noticed that I have cut down on my posts....or maybe you haven't.  I decided to cut out the fluffy posts for a number of reasons: 

1.  I don't have time to think up silly posts to fill the blog  

2.  I honestly am not sure how many of you are still out there paying attention.  I was sad when my giveaway only brought a few of you out of the woodwork.  

3.  I have started a part-time gig blogging for a local store and that is my first priority.  Between that blog, this one, and the family blog I run it's a lot.  

M is getting bigger and bigger and my priorities are changing.  I'm no where near ready to give up this blog but I do wish people were more interested in it.  Anyone out there?

Alright....enough serious talk....I'll pull myself together.  Here are a few pics of our fall decor so far.  We still need to get some pumpkins, which I will sprinkle throughout the house.

When I was planning out what I wanted to do on the mantel my first thought was a tall vase filled with autumn branches.  However, when I came across these dying green hydrangeas I changed my game plan and for now they work.  I may still do the branches because I do wish I had more height.

I worked for awhile trying to tone down the white hydrangeas and make this room feel less summery.  I think I managed to do it all with things I already had lying around!  I love it when that happens.

I love how just a few small changes can really make a big impact and make a space feel really different.

So, back to my original thought.  Is anyone out there?  Anything I should be doing differently to keep you more interested?  I'm sure more genius DIY would help but I haven't been in the DIY mood lately....

Hello?  Hello?!

More Fall Inspiration

Hello!

As promised I'm back with more fall inspiration.  I can't wait to get started decorating!

Have a great day!