LAST MINUTE FALL PORCH DECOR IDEAS

Just in time for the weekend. Some inspiration before you head out to the local garden and decor stores (If you haven't finished up already)!

The last three months of the year are my absolute FAVORITE. Bring on the reasons to decorate and host a gathering (and eat and drink and be merry!)! Starting with a warm and  welcoming autumn inspired front porch. For the fall at least, it seems that there is somewhat of a formula - a pretty wreath for the door, some potted fall flowers, and lets not forget PUMPKINS (we do our best to make them last all October until after Thanksgiving) and don't forget to add some of your personal style and flair. Some inspiration to get us started:

Source: via Rosemary Lane

I love a cozy little bistro small enough for a nook or corner - its a perfect fit for a front porch. With its own autumn inspired centerpiece, it instantly transforms the area into a welcoming space. 

Photo via Stone Gable

I'm seriously considering adding a a porch swing. Add a blanket like this one (and some hot chocolate) and there will be no reason to go inside.

Source: BHG

Some mums in galvanized pots like these are definitely an autumn staple.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

For a modern farmhouse flair add some multicolored leaves and tools from the garden. If you don't already have one, add this pitchfork and apple picker to your collection.

Source: Centsational Girl

Some hanging lanterns or even some placed on the ground are a classic look that can be used year round. Fill them with candles, pumpkins, even pine cones for the fall and winter months. And in my opinion, no front door is complete with out a wreath.  I like to change it up with each season - A berry wreath in autumn colors   or gathered maple leaf wreath  are on my list to add to the collection this year.

happy decorating!

xxB

last week i finally..

Thanks to The Nester, I finally finished this wreath (made with coffee filters) I've been meaning to try! Im pretty excited about the way it turned out! I was going for "fall" that way i can keep it up until after Thanksgiving..

 I found an old worn book for .75 at a second hand book store and used  it to make a few leaves.. and also, shellacked a few red maple leaves from one of the trees in my frontyard with some modge podge.. they still crinkled up after i glued them in.. but i think it still turned out okay... it looks "natural" right?

so here's the front porch "decorated" for fall.. the munchkin helped me arrange some pumpkins and a few mums in what were our hanging pots.. 

voila!

My Thighs are Rubbing Together Again:-(

Yes I said it. And I'm very dissappointed in myself. Last year this time, I was just fitting into those jeans you put up on that high shelf hoping and praying you'll fit into them again someday. And here I am again.. putting them right back on that shelf. I tell you who's the culprit. This toddler of mine.. First it was Halloween, and then Christmas Cookies, and Valentines Day treats... all down hill after that. So this sad turn of events has caused me to feel the need to declutter my closet (i.e. get rid of all of my ugly clothes and ones I cant squeeze into any more).

so i hear you should get rid of anything you havent worn in the last two years. done.

so with that.. my closet is now a sad, discombulated (is that a real word) sight. I cant believe I'm showing this. I'm hoping this will force me to do something about it...

which leads me to this post.

Operation: Spruce Up and Organize Closet

 

Now the above snapshot is mid rampage, so it doesnt usually look like the tazmanian devil gets dressed here. no, really, i mean it.

but it is normally this bland and boring and i'd like to change that. working with the teeny tiniest budget i can put together (that was for you hubs:-)

so now i'm off to find inspiration, and this is what i've come up with so far.

what about someting like this? this is almost the amount of space i'm working with right?

cute right? but is where are the rest of her clothes? maybe she cant fit into anything either?

ahh. love this elfa storage solution from container store! i could totally work this out!

not quite my style, but thought these were very interesting storage from design withing reach.

Living Etc.

Love these old suit cases for storing out of season sweaters, scarves and such..

Martha Stewart

I REALLY like the idea of this wall papered closet. The pop of color and design really gives it some character and polish.

 Okay, so thats what i've come up with so far.. any help would be greatly appreciated:-)

me likey..

i've been pretty bummed for some reason for the last few weeks.. maybe it's because summer is almost over. at any rate, i decided to just keep it moving like it ever happened;-). 

this stuff i've been eyeing for a little bit and decided to get it off my desk top and share it with you...

love this super cute crystal bracelet from you know who (j crew)

and these navy and red "caroline's" from tory burch.. would be perfect for fall.

ever since i saw these on that little girl in the park.. i've been adoring livie and luca shoes.. they run about 40 bucks.. (ouch)!!

i think these could even go into the fall and winter with some tights?

in decorating mode and looking for drapes for the munchkins room. found these on anthropologie.. they are in my basket:-)

this is what we've been up to on sunday after noons...  can't believe she'll be two next month.. if you ask her she'll tell you exactly that!

hope you havent missed me too much.. i've sure missed you:-)

xox

oooh... pretty...

this all started because i was looking for some diy ideas to redo some little lamps i've been holding on to for a while... i found a noteworthy project video on design sponge (everyone's fav!).. the idea was to use wall paper to cover the lamp shade.. some fancy paper from paper source or paper affair might also do the trick...

at any rate on my journey i ran across some other inspiring and wish list items i thought i'd share:

the rug company

i ran across this rug on the little green notebook (blog) and then again on the rug company site and have officially decided i'd like to do a yellow-like rug for my dining room..

 

anthropologie

I have a floral black and white rug that we used to have in our apartment when we lived in little 5 that is way too small in my family room. i'd love to replace it with something like this.

 

 

textile designer Lotta Jansdotter  sells these great little bags filled with fabric remnants perfect for small projects like this change purse and tissue holder from Etsy seller Little Byrd. Each cotton bag is filled with 5 different patterns of 36×36″ fabric for $14.00.

Note: I dont know this Little Byrd. .but I do know Homemade Grits.. and her graduate school pouches are super sweet:-)

 

  

i thought these things were extra yummy! 

ran across them on my new favorite site

littlewillow.com 

I'm  not big on gold (jewelry) per se.. but i thought these dainty little Solitaire Emerald Rings by Erica Weiner  were too perfect. It would be really cute hanging from a thin gold strand necklace. It's my birthstone..  so i think they would make a sweet little birthday present (hint, hint)... 

enough day dreaming for now.. i think i'll work on one of my little projects while watching the young and the restless (dont judge me:-) and then read a couple of chapters before bed.

sleep well.

xxx

is it too soon?

hubby is putting the little munchkin to bed tonight so i thought i'd do a quick post on what's been on my mind today..

now that we've kissed 2009 good bye and put the Christmas decorations back in the basement.. i was thinking that i'd like to make a valentine's day inspired wreath and a centerpiece of sorts for the house.

i've been looking for some ideas to nab and havent quite come up with anything yet. but in the mean time... these ideas are getting my creative juices flowing...

martha stewart called this a heart "felt" scarf.. i think it could also be used as garland.

these knitted hearts would be a good gift for a baby,  slightly larger and stuffed with wool and a jingle ball.

maybe this idea from better homes and gardens would be a cute table topper?

i think i will definitely be doing something like this... what better excuse to make brownies and design sponge even provides templates.

valentines heart felt pins by the ladies at purl bee.

 garland also by the fabulously talented ladies at purl bee

cute gift idea (also from design sponge) or if you are just looking to add something to your home decor for the holiday and beyond. . i think i might try this one. as part of my spring cleaning i have an old jewelery box that needs cleaning out.

i couldnt resist posting this pic of my little munchkin from last valentines day. i know i was being "bad mommy" by giving my munchkin her first taste of sweets at 6 months but i couldnt resist making these valentines day cupcakes and celebrating her half birthday!! i promise i only gave her a little bite:-)

muwah!!

ho ho ho! here we go!

we are nearly ready!

last week we got the ball rolling with our new advent calendar (made by mommy).. and finally got some of the Christmas decorations underway.. i'm still working on the wreath for the door.. i had it all done and i found it crumpled on the floor after the last guest arrived at our annual holiday party.. which went off without a hitch i might add.  except for the fact that the only pic i have is one of auntie lee-lee and the little munchkin.. somebody forgot to take pictures (papa bear:-)

here's the family photo in front of the tree we picked out last weekend. i thought i was going to use it for the family Christmas cards but decided to wait and see if I could get a better shot for the new year's cards instead..

the little munchkin loves her auntie lee-lee who came all the way from jax to celebrate with us.. h family style! we love her so!

 

so each year we give a nod to the hubby's alma mater with our garnet and gold Christmas decor. this year is especially bittersweet since the big man himself is stepping down. go noles!

 

so i tried my hand this year at some hand made ribbon ornaments. thanks to martha stewart, she's my absolute fav!

in addition to our growing collection of garnet and gold ornaments we add to the tree little treasures tied to any of our favorite Christmas past times and gifted ornaments from friends and family.

 my new favorite ornament  added to the tree this year is this little reindeer given to us by a new friend and super mommy of the cutest twin little girls...

 

stay tuned.. this week i'll be trying my hand at some hand made gifts.. this black apple doll (thanks for the idea leslie!) and some little velvet belts for the munckin. still adding to the decor for the holidays.. any suggestions on a kid friendly coffee table and dinner table centerpiece are welcome!!

I'm so excited!

About to crawl into bed with a cup of Chai and a copy of the latest Real Simple magazine that I swiped from my bestie Jill!! Sweet Relaxation..

But before I do that.. Just wanted to post a couple of cute finds that I came up on while perusing the internet on some of my fav sites..

I'm absolutely amazed at the makeover to this $40 credenza from the Little Green Notebook.  

I am SO on a mission to find my own little treasure to spice up for the house.  But first I will need to get a different color paint on these walls for the perfect backdrop.

Before

She used Rustoleum's 'Saftey Red' Spray Enamel available at Home Depot

After

 

Love, LOVE, LOVE munchkin clothes.. Some people prefer animals, and, flowers and butterflies.. but i prefer things that I would wear in miniature. Like this Baby Gap - Quilted jacket in Navy 
I would totally rock this with some jeans and boots.. or some Pearls and Khakis:-)

This Penny People Alphabet Art
is totally affordable and nursery chic starting at $15 bux!

 Jemos - Elaina

And when I grow up I will be happy to splurge on necessities like this Tory Burch REVA HAT and matching glove.

love the mini-me:-)

And Loves these Tory Burch LATTICE GLOVES