A Spookilicious Halloween

October 30, 2019 Lisa

Happy Halloween!

Halloween has such potential for bringing out the kid in us. Join in the fun with these ideas:

1. Spider Parade: This creepy trail of spiders startled my own family (even though I’ve done this before) So, that was a dollar well spent!

2. Add some eerie to existing elements: Most of the year, Beethoven adds some dignity to the family bookshelf. With the addition of some funky glasses, he becomes “vintage spooky.”

The versatile apothecary dish joins the haunted fun when filled with plastic bones and moss. This display is mostly filled with year-round accessories, like the large book and various candle holders. The strictly Halloween-themed additions are few, small (ie. requires little storage), and inexpensive choices. If you like the spooky globes, find the tutorial from Flamingo Toes here.

3. Add holiday fun to unexpected places. This adorable teddy turned bathroom attendant is a light-hearted surprise for guests.

4. Make some ghostly snacks, like these Cookie Ghosts & Mummies: Check out my YouTube video for complete instructions.

Enjoy! Hope your Halloween is “Spookilicious!”

Autumn

Happy Fall . . . On a Budget

September 27, 2019October 3, 2019 Lisa

Ah, fall. Cooler temperatures, cozy scarves, and pumpkin spice–everything.

This year, I want to be conservative with my finances and my space, but still fully relish this delightful season. If you also watched Marie Kondo’s Netflix special and were inspired to de-clutter, you’ve learned to thoughtfully consider what you add to your life and home. So, here’s to embracing the season . . . while being financially savvy and mindful of how much inventory I’m signing up to store at the season’s end.

1. Multiple Uses:

Invest in items that work for more than one season. These pine cones reflect autumn, but they’ll also support Christmas and winter displays. (And are free for those of you fortunate enough to live near pine trees!) Evergreen topiaries can be dressed for any occasion. Bowls or trays in neutral colors or a material that coordinates with your style (think: wood, brass, silver, copper, mercury glass, galvanized tin, etc) can flow from one season to the next by changing what you put inside. So, shop with flexibility in mind.

2. Embellish Existing Elements:

This teapot of greens gets a few autumn colored companions (from the Dollar Tree), and it’s ready for the season.

Most of the year, the wreath below adds some much needed green to my desert spaces. By wrapping a beaded garland around it and adding some leaves, it says, “Hello, Harvest!”

Find a wreath with a basic, non-season-specific leaf for your base. Add garlands, floral picks, or ribbons appropriate for the season, and you also put to work Tip #1!

3. Repeat after me: Repetition!

One of the reasons store displays or magazine spreads look so pulled together is because they employ the design principle of repetition to create theme and a defined style. You can do that! Find an inexpensive item you can tuck in and around your more unique pieces to pull them all together. Pine cones, acorns, pumpkins, ribbons, tea lights—there are so many options. In your home store or online look for “vase fillers.” These bagged beauties specialize in small but abundant pieces that naturally repeat. And repetition reveals intentionality in your design.

4. Color Cues:

Consider using the colors already present in a room to translate the season. Fall isn’t restricted to yellow, orange, and brown anymore. You can find autumn-themed treasures in every color scheme these days. The result is a harmonious environment that echoes the season, without shouting it. How does this save money? When you coordinate with your current color scheme, it’s easier to pull from inventory you already have to support your theme.

Succulents exist all year here and the substantial pot provides a happy backdrop for this tiny blue pumpkin.

This turqouise mason jar lives in my kitchen year round, hosting whatever the current season inspires.

These green bottles are seasonless and pull in the dark green curtains, just out of view.

In this white and gray example from my dining room, I’m using place mats, plates, napkins, napkin rings, and a tray that are put to work year round. The pine cones, acorns, and mini pumpkins are the only season-specific items (and small, taboot), but they pack plenty of punch by gathering them into a central focus point.

It is possible to scimp on purchases without scimping on joy! Now where’s that apple cider . . .

Happy Fall!

Seasonal Inspiration

Simply, Fall

October 31, 2018November 1, 2018 Lisa

I love embracing the seasons–especially here in the desert where there is little else to tell you that a new one has arrived! However, it’s been a doozy of a year for this family and pulling out all the stops for Pintrest-worthy spaces is simply unrealistic. (Warning: a short soap-box moment ahead . . .) I think decorating and creating should be a soul-filling endeavor, a happy escape from the routines and mundane, and a reminder of the kinder, beautiful aspects of life. Anything else is a chore, and I don’t need any more items on my to-do list, do you? This year I’m merely aiming for a suggestion of the season, in a way that will translate from September through November and work for all the holidays therein.

So, this year, it’s simply, Fall . . .

a pile of pumpkins . . .

A combo of real & artificial pumpkins signal the season at the front door.

Any tray or shallow dish can be drafted to make a simple centerpiece.

Felt pumpkins (from Target)–just open the box and pour!

or three . . .

1. A combo of real & artificial pumpkins signal the season at the front door. 2. Any tray or shallow dish can be drafted to make a simple centerpiece; just add mini pumpkins, gourds, or acorns to a trio of candles. 3. Felt pumpkins (from Target) make an easy display–just open and pour!

Tag: Autumn