For the Love of Fall!

It's Fall y'all!!!

The word Fall itself conjures up so many wonderful, happy thoughts! It is by far my favorite season of all.  Of course, Summer is a very close second.

Cool, sunny days. Crisp, cold nights. Crackling fire in the fireplace.  Breathtaking colors. Big cozy sweaters. Boots. Crunching leaves underfoot. Hot chocolate. Pumpkin picking. Apple cider.

Check out this collage that I put together that perfectly portrays the incredible colors that Fall has to offer.  God is so amazing showing us what only He can do.

images courtesy of pinterest and google

I will admit that I am not a huge fan of Halloween. Sorry! I am however, a huge fan of Fall and all that goes along with it.

Decorating for this fabulous season is definitely a must on my to-do list.  Mums, pumpkins (especially white ones), wreaths and garlands top my list.  I found some incredible ideas that I may just have to try.

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Nothing says fall like when your front entrance is decked out to the fullest.  I love how the pumpkin above is hollowed out and a mum is placed inside.  Check out how some of those gourds are spray painted gold for a pop of bling!

How adorable is hanging the word "fall" on your front door.  Certainly something unusual that you don't see everyday.  Kim over at Sand and Sisal can give you the whole low-down on how to get it done.

thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com

josiejones.com

White pumpkins are my absolute favorite when it comes to fall decorating.  As a matter of fact I think I'll stop and pick some up today when I run my weekend errands.  There is a stand up the street from us that always has them every fall.  They are just so chic and add the right amount of contrast mixed in with your traditional orange pumpkins.

Now this is something that you don't see everyday!  Which is why I love it so much.  Wrap your pumpkins in black tulle and tie with wire  ribbons at the top.  A great twist on the pumpkins on your porch idea that is so popular. Mix those in with plain orange and white pumpkins, mums and some corn stalks and you'll be the talk of the neighborhood.  Oh, and don't forget a great wreath to top it all off on your front door.

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When Indian Summer rolls around, how about a picnic to enjoy some of the very last days of warmth.  Visit one of your area's county or state parks and live it up.  Bring a table cloth for the table, some chairs for lounging or reading, a frisbee or football for some outdoor exercise and throw your hiking boots in the trunk just incase you feel like a hike to work off all the scrumptious food you just devoured.

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The perfect way to end your picnic, or any other Fall day for that matter is by roasting some marshmallows by a fire.  Sitting around a fire all bundled up with blankets, making s'mores and singing songs brings back such sweet memories for me.

Can't build a fire any time soon?  No worries!  You can enjoy a different version of s'mores that doesn't require a fire at all.  You can make s'more trail mix.  All you need is Golden Graham cereal, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.  Or, check out this recipe for a totally different version.  Either way, I'm sure they will both satisfy your graving.

I would be remiss if I didn't talk a little about Fall fashion.  Our Summers are so short here in upstate New York that I try and push it into September and October.  When the temperature finally does drop below 60 degrees, I love to pull out my cozy sweaters, jeans, boots and scarves.

Check out some of the fabulous Fall outfits I found on Polyvore.  I even created two myself. Can you guess which ones I did?

Well, that about wraps up everything I love about Fall and all that goes along with it.  Do you enjoy Fall as much as I do?  Or do you prefer another season instead?

Enjoy everything about Fall because the snow will be flying before you know it.  I know, I know, I just said that really bad four letter "s" word.  Sorry, it's a fact of life here in Syracuse.

Blessings,

Holly

PS.....the last two outfits are the ones I put together.  I wish shopping was that easy, and free too.  Oh well, a girl can dream can't she?

Geometrics

I just bought a new chair and I absolutely love it!

I wasn't planning on it.  It just happened.

My plan was to buy a leather chair for a particular spot in my living room.

I wanted one like this:

horchow

or this:

joss and main

or maybe even this:

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I also knew that it was going to take me a long time to get one.  See with one child in college and the other one not far behind, I had to get my priorities straight.  Buying a new leather chair was not at the top of my list.  So, it was either wait many years down the road, or, see this one at Marshalls on sale for an incredible price and talk my wonderful husband into why we should buy this one while we wait save for the leather one of my dreams.

What do you think?  Isn't it just beautiful!

I adore the geometric pattern on the fabric.  That seems to be all the rage lately.  By the time I can afford to get that lovely leather chair, this will probably be out of style.  I do prefer to purchase timeless pieces, hence, the leather chair.  For right now, I'm downright giddy about this piece.

Here are some great uses of geometric patterns.  They all look so fabulous.  Who knows, maybe they are becoming the new timeless.  Only time will tell.

Pinterest

HGTV

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Pinterest

Pinterest

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honey we're home

the hunted interior

honey we're home

designer's  attic

  Look for a post in the future when my entire living room is complete.  Still need some sort of bamboo shades for my windows, a side table to go with my new chair and maybe a floor lamp to make it the perfect reading spot.


Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you're enjoying your summer so far.  I know I am.  Having the summers off is just glorious.

Holly

Summer is flying by.......

Where is the time going?????  When they start to advertise "back to school" items, I know the summer is almost over.

Well we finally received the balance of our furniture shipment, so I can really start to settle.  I have taken a few pics of some "spot" decorating (that is my word for putting together one little area in a big room).

I placed this little layering between my living room and dining room as a little divider.

                                                                               

This is my collection of old/new bottles on display in a terrarium.  I glued many sea shells into corks for toppers.

A "spot" in my dining area to display some treasures.

Need to distress this table.  Don't you think?

Had to break up the entertainment center, due to the lack of  a full wall.  We set it between a window, and I think it works

Little area between the back door and half bath.  Great place for our keys.

Well this is the only "spot" Decorating I have done so far.  More to come in the coming weeks.

Summer isn't really almost over is it?  Let's enjoy one day at a time. "This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it".

Gardening In Our Lives

I am fairly new at gardening.  I've only become somewhat interested in the past few years.  My interests lie mostly in perennials because they are pretty maintenance free.  The annuals that I usually plant are in containers.  My favorite are geraniums. This year I thought I would try my hand at growing some herbs.  This, I also thought I would try in containers.  So far, so good.  It's great to just walk out my front door with scissors in hand and cut off what I need for that day's dinner.


What I've also learned about gardening is the most amazing colors that certain plants produce.  If you are ever looking for the perfect color for something such as decorating (wall color, accessories) or what to wear to your next outing (dress, sweater, scarf) just look outside.  Mother nature certainly knows how to put on a show.

Raspberry Delight

All images are from Pinterest

Something that I am really, really bad at, that somehow I have to figure out how to remedy, is that I cannot remember the name of anything.  The top picture is from my garden.  What's it's name?  I have no clue.  Someone the other day asked what the name of the wall color was in my living room.  I had no clue.  Is this something that I should keep track of?  Do people really know this kind of stuff?  Anyway, I was thinking I needed to add a third color to my living room.  An accent color of sorts.  My living room is blues and greens (click here for a refresher).  This raspberry color may just do the trick.  What do you think?

You Are My Sunshine

All images are from Pinterest except the center and far right bottom corner images are from my garden.

The outside can also give you ideas for color combinations.  I've always loved the color yellow, but putting yellow and white together just makes me smile from ear to ear.  It's such a bright and cheerful combination.

Orange You Glad.....

All images are from Pinterest except the upper right image is from my garden.

Pantone's 2012 color of the year is none other than Tangerine Tango.  I would be remiss if I left that gorgeous color out of my list of beautiful nature inspired colors.  My guest bedroom walls (now don't ask me the name of the color) is a form of Pantone's 17-1463.  You can use it in so many ways if your not quite brave enough to go all in. Accessories such as pillows, lamps, window treatments and even accent rugs are great ways to to use this warm, luscious color.

Have fun all you color enthusiasts!  Look in your garden, go for a walk (like my mom did here), or just be a little more aware when you're out and about and I bet you'll find your next wall color.  If anything, you'll appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer.

HOLLY

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on people who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  It is also a time to thank our current service men and women and veterans for their courage and bravery.  It is because of you that our country is the best place to live on this planet.  Thank you is such a small and seemingly insignificant phrase, but know that it is meant with the deepest respect and admiration for all you have done.

I love to decorate for the summer holidays starting with Memorial Day and leading next into the 4th of July.  It makes me feel so patriotic.  Red, white and blue are such happy colors and I get such a feeling of Americana when this time of year comes around.

We celebrated this fabulous holiday by inviting some friends over for a cookout.  We did "cook out" on the grill, but the entire time was spent indoors because the temperature soared into the 90's and the humidity was oppressive.

Here is what our menu consisted of:

chicken or shrimp kabobs with peppers, onions and mushrooms

Greek Santorini Couscous Salad

macaroni salad

deviled eggs

strawberry shortcake kabobs for dessert

Greek Santorini Salad.....see recipe here

Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs....via pinterest

We also made whole fruit margaritas.  Oh my, were they ever delicious.  We recently purchased a Vitamix and this recipe was in the cookbook that came with it.  In the future I will talk more about the Vitamix and everything wonderful it can do.

Whole Fruit Margarita

1/4 cup water

6 oz tequila

2 oz Grand Marnier or triple sec

1 medium orange, peeled, halved and seeded

1 lime, peeled, seeded

1 lemon, peeled, halved, seeded

6 Tablespoons sugar (I used 4 T of Truvia)

4 cups ice cubes

1.  Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container (blender) in the order listed and secure lid.

2.  Select Variable 1.

3.  Switch machine to start and slowly increase speed to variable 10.

4.  Blend for 15-20 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

5.  Pour into salt-rimmed margarita glasses.

6.  Serves 5.

We do not care for the salt on the rim, so we just skipped it.  Sugar on the rim is another option too.

Olivia 15, Chloe 17, Josh 19, Adam 18

The kids have basically grown up together.  Although they go to different schools, they have become good friends over the years.

The Coles....Olivia, Donna, Adam, Ed

 Donna, Mark and I are originally from Buffalo.  Donna moved to Syracuse after she graduated from SUNY Potsdam and married the love of her life, Ed.  She has been a music (instrument) teacher in the same district that hired her right out of college.  I believe they have lived here for about 24 years.  Ten years later is when we moved to Syracuse and it was Donna who helped us get acquainted with the area.  Thank you so much....we couldn't have done it without you.

Just us.....Josh, Mark, Chloe, Holly

Donna and I have been friends since the 5th grade.  So that is about 36 years.  Wow, that's a long time! I never realized it has been that long.  Well, it has been a fabulous 36 years my friend.  So many great and wonderful times/laughs/trips/tears and memories.  Cheers (with my margarita in hand) to friendship.

Holly and Donna

Hope you all had a marvelous Memorial Day weekend!  Let summer begin....WOOHOO!

Holly