The Softer Side of Autumn

Fall is my favorite season and I really DO miss the east coast this time of year.  This weekend there was a chill in the air, I broke out my LL Bean boots and cords, let Ina's chicken chili simmer all day on the stove, bought my first hot chocolate of the season and snuggled with my little ones on movie night in front of the fire.

When it comes to 'seasonal' decorating, less is more (in my opinion).  Often times, fall decorating is overdone.  This year, I'm attracted to a soft pale orange, white pumpkins, and touches of green.

Tara Guerard: Champagne and Pink

Have you seen how Tara Guerard's set her dining table for Thanksgiving in this month's issue of Southern Living.  I'm head over heels for it and am loving this color combination of champagne and pink.

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Don't you love the bench with the pink pillows?  How fun and unexpected!  In fact, I love this color palette so much it will be the inspiration for my daughter's quilt that my mother in law promised to make for her.

So pretty.

I love this tablecloth with the wide contrasting band!  So dramatic!

Ironed on monograms - brilliant!!  Love how the Lindt chocolates add the pop of pink!  Great styling. 

Love the self serve bar!

So, now I'm on the mad hunt for champagne colored fabric for Elizabeth's quilt!  If you have any recommendations, let me know!  

In the meantime, I wish you all a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.  

Make a visual impact

It's hard to resist fall's temptation of layering patterns of tartan and plaid for visual impact.  While browsing Lisa Sherry's blog, I stumbled across this amazing bathroom with plaid tile.  Yes, you heard me right, a plaid tiled floor!!!  How awesome!

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Here, I love how Atlantic-Pacific combines patterns of plaid to create immediate texture and contrast.  

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Here, we see a similar look translated to a room.  I really like this idea of combining plaids.  It really creates such a dramatic look.  

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I love how Tommy Smythe uses the oversized pattern of buffalo check to add some interest to an otherwise serene bedroom.  

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So, what do you think - is this pattern a fall favorite??

EmersonMade's Fall Collection

How did you fare with Hurricane Irene?  We just got our power back late last night, but most of our town is still out.  No electricity, hot showers, internet, and cell service really makes you go a little bonkers.  The good news is that the post-Irene weather has been cool, sunny and brisk and has me giddy for fall.  Have you seen EmersonMade's new fall collection??  I am in love.  Here is my wishlist...

 The black day coat - so simple and classic.  Look at its versatility....

Or the classic white shirt....

Add this pockets skirt and tweed jacket....so quintessential fall!

A wardrobe isn't complete without a little 'dots'....

And, how about these bag o' dresses (sold in a trio of colors).....pretty please!!

Yeah, I think I'm ready for fall!  You?

ps:  thank you for all your input - i was surprised by the overwhelming response!  And, yes, I am keeping it.  You guys are the best!  Thank you!

See it to believe it...

Can you believe those are Ikea's shelves?  I had to take a second look to believe it.  Looks like expedit has done it again.  To see more, go here.   Absolutely fabulous!

My Fall Decor

I have been trying to find some time here and there to incorporate some fall decor into our home.  I found some lovely gourds at the farmers market this past weekend and placed them in a decorative bowl.  

I love my new zig zag pillow as well - such a bright pop of yellow against our blue (boring) sofa.  I also changed up my mantle by using things I already had - I changed my candlesticks and candles.  The candles are a little too 'theme-y' for me, but it is currently what I have.  They'll do for now.  

Well, that is it for now.  I'm off to tend to my son who is sick; I was up practically the entire night w/him.  I hate seeing my little one in such rough shape.....

DIY: Halloween Silhouette Plates

I like to do a DIY every holiday because it always fun when you unpack the decorations (after a full year has passed) to see what is in there.  I always catch myself saying, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that!"  

I was inspired by Danny Seo's, a green living expert, craft room as seen on Bromeliad.  It screams 'fall' and looked liked a fun way to decorate seasonally without being too garish.  I bought some cheap white plates (8.5" diameter) from Walmart.  I did go to the goodwill store first, but none of the plates had a white background that I needed.  I printed out a couple of halloween templates that inspired me and stuck them on plates (using label printer paper). 

I painted the plates with black ceramic paint.  I painted two coats (make sure you let the first coat dry completely).  After the plates were dry, I stuck them in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  Let plates cool completely in oven.

 And, then I hung them in our kitchen. 

What do you think?  I personally love them and plan on using the beetle all year round.  He is my favorite.  

For the full tutorial, go here.  

Buffalo Check Love

Now that Autumn is in full swing, I have to confess about my affinity for buffalo check.  Simply adore the pattern.  

Joe Fresh

Country Living

 Jeffrey Bilhuber

 Jeffrey Bilhuber

jcrew

And you?  Any favorite fall like patterns - houndstooth, herringbone, etc.?