There are so many ways to decorate a mantel for the fall season. You can keep it simple or layer multiple elements. Sprinkle in fall color or keep it textured and neutral. You can line it with pumpkins and fall leaves, or take a more subtle approach.
Your creativity can really run wild with this space in your home – so have some fun with it!
I really love my jute rugs.
Love the texture, love the color, love the simplicity – what’s not to love about a jute rug? They’re very loveable.
Buuut….
I’ve been feeling the pull for something with more pattern lately.
I know, right? Who would have thought.
The dining room seemed like a good place to start, so I decided to give a wool rug I had in the basement a test drive to see how I like it. That way – even though this particular rug isn’t exactly what I had in mind – I can see if something with more color and/or pattern is something I may want to keep around for the long term.
When you live alone it can be so tempting to eat popcorn for dinner every night. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s no mess, and it seems to work well for Olivia Pope, so why not?
However, I have found that while popcorn for dinner is delicious – it leaves me starving by the morning and then I find myself hitting up the vending machine waaayy to much the next day at the office. So, I’ve been making an effort to cook myself something good at least three or four times a week. Sometimes I cook up trusted old favorites, and sometimes I try something new.
Last week, the something new was a super delicious, super easy Roasted Butternut Squash Salad.
And it turned out absolutely Yummy.
Oh I am so happy it’s Friday!
What fun things do you have planned for the weekend? I’d love to get some fall color out on my front porch – but it’s so darn hot out there I don’t even want to be outside. Might have to wait and see if it cools down later next week. Fingers crossed!
But it doesn’t have to be just about the pumpkins and mums when it comes to your front porch this fall season. A new harvest inspired wreath and fun doormat can instantly refresh your front door and welcome guests.
Here are a few that caught me eye.
How many Pumpkin Spice Lattes have you indulged in already this September? I’ll admit that I have had a few.
When exactly did pumpkin spice become an obsession? Did we all of sudden discover the deliciousness of pumpkin flavored everything in the past few years? I swear, before then the only time you heard about pumpkin was in a pie.
Or maybe I just never paid attention. Either way, I’m not mad. I love all the pumpkin flavored things. All of them.
Pretty much if it involves pumpkins, or boots, or falling leaves, or cinnamon, or apples, or really anything that would even slightly evoke the feeling of the fall season, I am all over that.
The railings on the front porch have been up for some time. I’ve just been too lazy/too uninspired to get out there and put the final coat of paint on everything.
Until last week.
I made the executive decision to buck up and get something done.
I have a mountain of stuff to work on around here and for 99% of it, I have no idea how I’m going to do it or how I’m going to find the resources to pay someone else to do it.
You know how it is – when you feel like everywhere you look an unfinished project is staring you in the face, it’s easier to run and hide with a bowl of ice cream and Netflix. Or Amazon. Or Pottery Barn. Probably a glass of wine. Maybe a pizza…
Please tell me I’m not the only one who is really good at avoiding things that need to be done by way of food, shopping, or TV.
Do you like displays to be perfectly symmetrical or do you prefer them to feel a little more random and casual?
I definitely fall into that random and casual category.
But just because a display is casual and a little random, doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be balance.
But creating that balance can be a little intimidating, right?
If a candlestick is on the left, does a vase look okay over on the right? And if three books are stacked up over on the right – how many books should be stacked up on the left? Should there be books on the left? And what about that empty space…
We’re such over-thinkers, aren’t we?
Before I get started with today’s post I just have to say – I cannot even begin to thank you all for the lovely words of support and encouragement after my last post. That was a tough one to write and an even tougher one to hit the Publish button, but you all made it so much easier. I read each and every comment and message and it all just meant so much. I always knew I had the very best readers around – I was feeling the love for sure! Thank you.
So how about we lighten the mood a bit and get back to some decorating today?
Sound like a good plan to you?
Oh good. Me too.
I decided it was time to hang some new art in those floating frames in the bookshelves. But you all know I can be pretty lazy when it comes to any kind of DIY.
I mean, I love looking at all the things one can make on Pinterest, but when it comes to actually making all the things one can make on Pinterest? Nah…I’ll leave that to someone else.
I have sat down to write this post what feels like a million times over the past few months. But the words just wouldn’t come.
At first, there simply were no words.
Nothing.
Not a single one.
And then slowly, I began to see the words in my mind, but I just couldn’t get them to land on paper (or I suppose on screen would be more accurate). So rather than force it – I decided to just leave it be and I took a break.
I know you’re all probably thinking, “Umm…duh…yeah, we noticed.”
It wasn’t a planned break. It wasn’t even a welcome break. It was more of a necessary break.
A you need to take a breath and focus on yourself kind of break.
