All things Autumn!!!!

Halloween is quickly approaching and I feel like it always sneaks up on me because I am just finishing up my son's birthday and then before I know it...it's October.  I did have time to re-decorate my mantel and take down all of my summer decor (sniff, sniff) and put up some Fall decor, but I have not yet put up anything Halloween.  I figure I'll wait until mid October to swap it out again.

Here is a picture of what it looks like...the picture is kind of washed out, but it really has a lot of color to it.   I used different fake pumpkins, gourds and acorns to add some color until I have time to go get some real ones.

In the hurricane on the left, I have Indian corn off the cob and on the cob and some feathers and reeds.

In the hurricane on the right I have some fake mini apples and some acorns that my daughter and I collected forever ago.

I love all things Autumn this time of year and especially the color orange.  From orange decor to orange clothing...I just love the warmth it adds to my home and my wardrobe.  Here are a few of my favorite things about Autumn.

The changing leaves.....

I LOVE everything about Fall and especially the brilliant colors.   Orange is one of my favorites and I enjoy seeing so much of it this time of year....especially from Mother Nature herself.  Check out these leaves.  They are truly unbelievable.  I love to drive around seeing the changing leaves.  I have such fond memories of my trips with my mom throughout the Northeast in Fall to see the changing leaves.   I want to experience that with my own children when my little guy is old enough to appreciate it.

We used to pack up the car and head to some little towns in Connecticut and stay at a little hotel or motel and just enjoy the outdoors, shopping, eating and being together.  It was fun.  I think that made me appreciate this time of year at a young age.  We used to come home with tons of vibrant leaves too.

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Pumpkin Picking...

Probably my most favorite thing about this time of year is pumpkin picking and going on hayrides with my children.  We have been doing this for as long as I can remember and it's one of the only things that I almost always capture pictures of.

2002

2004

2005

2006 with a brand-new baby Ryan

2007 (a strangely warm day)

2009

2010

2011 

Pumpkins and gourds...

Pumpkins and gourds add so much color to the most basic of spaces.  Whether it's my front porch, my mantle, or maybe just our kitchen table...I love the added color.  Even the most basic arrangements look incredible.

I love the contrast of these pumpkins against this blue pick up truck.

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These simple table decorations are so great.  Just the pumpkins, gourds and some simple ribbons go a long way.

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Now I think pumpkins are just gorgeous by themselves and I don't generally like the idea of painting over their beauty, but I do love this and think I might have to give it a try with some gold paint.

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And of course carving them is great too...how about these amazing ideas?  I love the flower centerpiece with the orange flowers or how about monogrammed...both ideas of course from non other than Martha herself. 

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Pumpkin flavoring and smells...

I adore all things pumpkin smelling and tasting.

My girlfriend gifted me this hand soap and it's amazing...thanks Jen!

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Or how about this candle?  This one might be too sweet smelling for me.

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But this one is my favorite from last season.  It reminds me of a cool Autumn day.  It truly amazes me how they can capture that in a scent.

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And this brewing...well that's just one of the best things around.

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Or maybe just this.  It's like heaven in a cup.

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Orange or pumpkin recipes...

While the smells are nice, how about the taste?  One of my favorites for sure.  A close second to anything cinnamon for me.  Here are some recipes I'd like to try this season.

Pumpkin Gingersnap Parfaits....

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Pumpkin Pie Dip....served in a pumpkin of course!

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Orange clothing....

Last, but not least....orange clothing.  That sounds like a bit much, but check out some of these finds.

I am totally a vest girl because I do not like coats.  I tried to get this adorable orange one, but it's now sold out.  Boo.

And this....well I just love it.  I like the shade of orange that it is.  It does not scream Halloween.

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That wraps up my favorites for this Autumn season.   Of course I love big sweaters, boots and everything else that makes me think of this season, but this year I have a special affinity for orange.

Poshed Up

My very favorite time of the year...it's HERE!

I love absolutely everything about Fall!  I feel lucky to live in the Northeast where we truly get to enjoy all four seasons and their corresponding weather, but of all...I enjoy Fall the most.  The smell of baked goods and clean, crisp air, the cool breezes, warm sweaters, the sound of crunching leaves and the colors of nature everywhere....I just adore it all.

And...I love most to decorate for Fall.   I have 3 full bins of decor for just this season.  The good thing is that it stretches (at least for me) from the day after Labor Day until the day after Thanksgiving.   That's at least 2 full months.   So I literally start decorating the day after Labor Day.   Call me crazy, but by now, I can't wait to see new things around my house and the splashes of red and orange.   Besides, the stores put their Halloween candy on the shelves the day after 4th of July so I'm not too far ahead...lol

I found some great ideas for mantles for the Fall to help inspire my own.  My fireplace is located in my kitchen...which is very much the heart of our home.   I love to switch it for holidays and seasons to keep it interesting!  We spend all of our time in our kitchen from cooking, homework, family game night, entertaining, etc. so I need something fun and inviting on my mantle.

I'll first show you my inspiration....

Love the simplicity of this leaf garland from Better Homes & Garden.   You can even recruit your family to help gather the leaves.   Martha Stewart had the same idea with these that she's dipped in wax to preserve...

I'm digging this Fall banner from 'One Fell Out of The Cuckoo's Nest'.  Not sure if I have the interest in making it this year, but love it just the same.

And I LOVE any kind of glass container...    hurricane, drinking glass, mason  jar...you name it.  These from 'Junk Garden Girl' are so great for fall.

And these hurricanes filled with gourds (fake I think from the looks of the picture) from 'Her Southern Charm' are so similar to what I've done in years past.


So...here is my mantle after a few days of work....what do you think? 

It looks a LOT better in person and during the day, but you'll just have to take my word for it.  It's a very high stone fireplace with a stone mantle so it needs lots of color!

And this work in progress similar to the one I found on pinterest will sit in the middle once it's complete.....

Can you guess what it will say?

I also like to do a simple centerpiece that I either leave on my kitchen table or on my kitchen island with some candles.  Here is my inspiration...

Not sure about the rolling pins, but I love the long dough box that is pictured with the misc. items in it.  It's for sale on etsy by the way...just click here.   I haven't completed mine just yet because I really want to use real pumpkins and gourds and it's still to early for those.

I tried this idea of a gourd topiary last year, but with Dollar Store fake pumpkins and I choose to re-use it this year.  This idea was from 'The Party Dress'...and they have stunning ideas!

And I usually decorate the windowsill in our kitchen as well since I spend a disgusting amount of time looking at it as its in front of our kitchen sink.   Here is where I am as of today, but again I'd love to add some real items once we make our annual trip to the pumpkin patch.

I know it just looks like ordinary acorns, but my daughter and I picked those 5 years ago together so to me they are priceless. 

And candles...oh how I love you candles.  Especially those smelling of fall scents like pumpkins, apples, cinnamon.  Need I continue.  How about these adorable candles found on tumblr...so simple!

Or these in mini pumpkins....LOVE!!!

Last but not least is the front steps.  This is definitely not my area of focus or expertise, but an area I'd like to try to improve this year.  Here are some gorgeous ideas and inspiration!

Too much?  But oh so beautiful.  From Midwest Living Magazine.

And this beauty from 'Front Porch Ideas and More'...a bit more realistic.

And last, but certainly not least...from my so-called alma mater Southern Living at HOME.   This is so great!

I hope you feel inspired and ready for the cool days of Fall to follow!

Poshed Up