Fall Decor - Part 2

Ok, we have finally gotten out of the 90's and I think we are officially in our 3 weeks of Fall......apparently that is about all we will be getting this year.  Regardless, it has spurred another friend of mine to decorate her porch and graciously share a couple of pictures with all of us.

If you missed Part 1 of the Fall Decor post, click here.

And now for Denise's great decorating..... I must tell you, if I ever move I am totally considering brick color that works great for holiday decorating.  I love Denise's brick color.  It is the perfect backdrop.  She really did it up by adding those great fall pillows and I LOVE her wreath.

Apparently she is a better mum mom than I am.  Her mums look loved and healthy.  Maybe I will ask her to foster mine and see if she can revive them.

And then take a look at the other end of her porch

I love these little tables with the lanterns and are those grapevine pumpkins????!!!! Too cute.  Thanks so much for inspiring us with your cute porch decor, Denise.  And seriously, can you help me with these mums?

My family keeps asking if I am going to throw them away.......I am determined to get some blooming action out of them.  Denise, if you have some tips I am open to hearing them.

Now here's a few things I added indoors ( unlike growing mums I thrive on indoor projects) to keep us in the fall spirit.

I added this fall blend to our little coffee station

Fall Coffee

and then I added

Apple Cider

because not all of us are coffee drinkers.  I picked up some cinnamon sticks to add to the fall fun

Cinnamon Sticks

And lastly, our favorite fall snack is on the counter....... a big jar of

Candy Corn

Mixed with

Peanuts

Listen, if sweet and salty is your jam too.......get in on this action.  Now my friend Melanie told me she does this mixture too but she also adds in

Plain M&Ms

Now oddly enough chocolate is something that lasts at my house for a really long time.  I don't have a lot of big chocolate eaters......so I don't add the m&ms but I thought I would mention it in case your household would like the addition.

Happy Fall, my friends.  May you decorate and enjoy good snacks!

Fall Porch Decor

Bless Fall's heart..... I feel like it woke up late and has been trying to get itself together to get here, but has just been running sooooo late.  Fall, it is ok, we all oversleep occasionally but we are really going to need you to get it together.  I think several of us may be on round two or three of fall plants because the heat is just relentless.  Fortunately, some of you have pushed through and even been willing to share your Fall Porch Decor with us.

First up, is my friend Melanie.  Melanie would not be deterred she decorated early and beautifully.  I think her brick color is the perfect backdrop for a fall scene.

She has all my favorite things, plantings, tin items, pumpkins and honestly the sunflowers.

And just around her hedges.......

She added a fun fall flag and more pumpkins.

I love it.  Wouldn't you feel welcomed approaching her door?  I totally would.  Thanks for welcoming through pictures, Melanie, it is so lovely.

Next up, is sweet Taylor. She also would not be deterred by summer hanging on like crazy.  She has two small children and still manages to know what season it is and that is amazing to me.  Check out her front porch

I absolutely love the sentiment on her rug.  And I really want a large wooden sign like that.  My favorite thing about her porch is how personalized it is.  I love the "M" on her wreath and the special date on her sign.  

So very cute, Taylor, I totally want to ring your doorbell and come in for a cup of cider.......and I wouldn't mind holding those sweet kiddos too!  Thanks for sharing with us.

Lastly, summer and I battled it out with some mums.  Summer won.  But I persevered with some black eye susans.......take that, summer.  

Here's my street view

and here's the view from the front door

I bought these wooden planters from Wal Mart........no, I did not go to the store.  You all know Wal Mart and I have a fragile relationship.  But I did order these planters on line. You get all three for under $60 and free shipping.

As  you can see I did a mound of pumpkins and gourds in the largest one and planted two black-eyed susans in the other two.

I really like how they turned out.

All the weather people say the temps are turning....so if you haven't decorated yet maybe it is safe to do so now.  I am still watering those mums......we will see if they revive or not.

Happy Decorating!

See you back on Friday!

Fall????

Anyone else ready for fall?  I am SO ready.  I love so much about it.....crisp weather, apples, pumpkins....I even love the colors of fall.....the golds, bronzes, oranges.  But honestly, the seven day forecast is kind of ruining the whole fall mood.  There are still so many 90 degree days ahead.

It's ok.....regardless of the weather I am mentally moving toward fall.  I am currently changing out all the candles to fall scents.  Oh speaking of candles

Head over to Bath and Body and grab yourself two and get two free.

The stores are packed with all kinds of fall goodness.

How do they come up with new pumpkin styles every year? I mean they are pumpkins.....how can there be so many different shapes, colors, materials and features....they're pumpkins!!!!

Before I go into the stores, I am telling myself I don't need any pumpkins.  I have two bins in the attic.  I SHOULD not buy any more pumpkins.

But then I get in the store and

but no worries, I am holding firm.  I have practiced for this.  I can do this.

Now if you don't have two bins of pumpkins in the attic, might I suggest these sweater pumpkins

Sweater Pumpkins

or this one that lights up

LED Clear Pumpkin

Now here's something I don't have in the attic and therefore gave myself permission to purchase

White Halloween PJs

Black Halloween PJs

.....and Halloween is by far my least favorite holiday.  I can't help it.  I embrace themes and I do enjoy getting into the spirit of whatever is going on.

I hope you have a great weekend.  If you see me in the stores, just gently take my hand, speak in a soothing tone and lead me far, far away from the pumpkins.

My thanks in advance.

See you back here on Monday!

Fall Tips and Tricks by Nordstrom

Nordstrom invited us up for a Fall Tips and Tricks workshop.....and we gladly went. We were a little concerned when we arrived and they told us the workshop was set up in the Gucci section.... yikes....all these tips and tricks may be out of our budget.  But the sweet stylist informed us there would be items from all price ranges.  We settled in for the workshop.

Some of you may consider the fall trends great news.....others may moan with dread

Here are some of the key trend words for the fall: Prairie, 80's and Bandana Scarfs.

So does that sound good or horrid to you? Well just remember all trends are best done with your own personal flair.  Here are a few options in each of the trends for you to consider.  There are lots of tops with small floral prints

Hinge Ruffle V -neck

BP Gathered Back Top

Caslon Print Blouse

And if you like denim, this is the fall for you.  Tons of jeans in every style imaginable, bootcut, boyfriend, slim fit, etc.  Also, it will be a great season for throwing a denim jacket over all the above tops and over dresses.  

If you need a good denim jacket, allow me to recommend

Helena Denim Jacket

The stylist also suggested we have great boots....and western inspired are highly recommended

Lance Block Heel Bootie

Sam Edelman Macon Bootie

And a lower heel option

Dolce Vita Pearse

And all of these can be worn with your dresses and pants

As far as the 80's go....blush is back with a vengeance

The makeup artist demonstrated this blush on several of the models

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic

This particular color is First Love.  It worked on almost all skin tones.  Notice how it is made....a darker pigment in the center.  It is designed to swipe up the cheekbone with the lighter color and then give the pop of color on the apple of the cheek with the center shade.

Here are all the color options

And who remembers these ?

Madewell Bandana

This one comes in about 7 color options.  We may have come home with 5 of them.  I even came home and found one I held onto for all these years.  I yard sale stuff like crazy but I did hold on to one and it was fun to pull it out and put it back into circulation.

And if you are not into things being tied around your neck, these also look great on a tote or a purse

Other things that we saw a lot of were long denim skirts, corduroy of all kinds and jackets upon jackets.

I am very excited to layer up and enjoy these new fall trends. Temps are falling and here we go.

See you back here on Wednesday.  Make it a great Monday!!!

Fall Table Decor (Part 2)

Welcome back.....are you ready for more fall table decor?  Well great.....because that is absolutely what we have today. If you missed part one, have no fear just click here.

Today our first table is from my friend Janet.  Janet totally rocked at this.  She did several centerpieces using the same basics but then just added things, switcherooed....and made new magic.  Here is her first look where she really went for height and symmetry....love

Then she went a little lower by removing the candle holders and adding a different floral

Then some of the candles returned and the grasses showed up.

The last look incorporated this beautiful gourd in the center

How cool are all those looks.  Janet said her table kept changing and I just loved that she took us along for the ride.  I can't pick a favorite....love them all

I also snuck downstairs to my mom's kitchen and got a few pictures of her table

She, unlike me, commits completely.  See she actually has fall plates.

And her amber tumblers and gold flatware seal the deal.

I remember growing up with full holiday tables. Whatever the season, she is 100% in.  I am glad nothing has changed.  She's totally responsible for my love of and embracing of every holiday that comes along.  Good job, Mom!!!

Now on to my friend Kim......before we see her table check out her fireplace

I love the mix of the orange and white pumpkins.

Here is a close up of the mantle

Just beautiful......

And look at the gorgeous colors she used on her table

It is like elegant, classy, subdued fall.  I love the height variance she achieved with both the candle holders and the pumpkins.  You know what I need?......some pine cones.  I always love them in decor and yet I have none.  Thanks, Kim, you have given me decor envy and yet another reason to shop!  Well done.

This next table is from our youngest participant, Taylor.  She is the blessed new owner of a beautiful custom built home.  They literally just moved in this week AND they built their table, decorated it and sent in some pictures.  I know.....youth!  Check out this lovely decor

I am in love with her color palette.  In love.  Just look at these plates and that napkin ring

The metallic spheres are that perfect unexpected touch that makes this divine

Taylor, wishing you and your sweet family many wonderful holidays in your new home.  Thanks so much for inviting all of us in the first week!

Next up, is my good friend Denise.

I was totally distracted when she sent me these because I thought her actual table was gorgeous.  And then I looked at the decor and was even more impressed.

I love the grasses in the middle and the drama and height 

And she really took her pumpkins and foiliage to each end of the table.  No matter where you sit at this table, you will enjoy some good fall decor.

Who wants to go to Denise's house for some mulled cider?  Me..Me..Me!!!

Oh and I told you guys I would show you my table with the velvet pumpkins I made.  If you missed the making of the pumpkins click here.  And here is how I put them together on the dining room table

I used a William Sonoma tablecloth I have had for years, my basic china (sorry mom), some green napkins under each plate and tiny faux acorns on each plate

I also clustered the candle holders with the acorns and used some wooden block candle holders to elevate some of the pumpkins

Here is a close up of the acorns on each plate.  I found a whole bag of them at Art & Soul on Whitesburg Drive.

A huge thank you to today's ladies - Janet, Mom, Kim and Taylor and Denise.

And thanks to you for checking in with me here on the blog.  I hope you have a great weekend.

It should be a great one because this

 is our first seven day forecast with mostly 70's!!!!

Of course, sending big prayers to all those who were affected by the hurricane.  Unbelievable damage and clean up. All the best to the multitude of folks in the path and prayers for all the crews there to help out with it all.