I don't know how many of you have experienced "fall" in Houston, Texas. The easiest way to summarize it is to say that yesterday when I took Butters for a walk in the park with our friend Rose it was 70 degrees (the first "cold" day) and everyone was wearing coats and boots. Except for Rosy and I, obviously, because we're both from the midwest where real seasons happen.
The difficulty with this hot humid weather in my most favorite month (aside from birthday month in June) is it never really feels like a crisp fall. The leaves don't change, I rarely find the actual need to wear boots and scarves, the jack-o-lanterns wilt in the heat, etc. As a brief digression, I think it would be awesome to trick-or-treat in Houston because your Mom would never force you to wear your winter coat over your awesome Pink Power Ranger costume.
Anyways, this week I worked on making it feel a bit more like fall inside since the outside is still on July mode. Both the local HEB and Trader Joe's have an impressive array of pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes.
The difficulty with this hot humid weather in my most favorite month (aside from birthday month in June) is it never really feels like a crisp fall. The leaves don't change, I rarely find the actual need to wear boots and scarves, the jack-o-lanterns wilt in the heat, etc. As a brief digression, I think it would be awesome to trick-or-treat in Houston because your Mom would never force you to wear your winter coat over your awesome Pink Power Ranger costume.
Anyways, this week I worked on making it feel a bit more like fall inside since the outside is still on July mode. Both the local HEB and Trader Joe's have an impressive array of pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes.
So while I was away at MD Anderson trying my best not to contaminate the surgical field for approximately 13 hours a day, Jay went on the pumpkin finding errand. This was a lot of pressure for him because he knows I have extremely arbitrary criteria for what makes a pumpkin cute. Lucky me he did a good job, even if he did have to send a few picture texts to make sure the ones he picked out were up to the cuteness standards.
First off, we are lucky enough to have a fireplace and while it's too dangerous to turn on because there isn't a working flue (yes I realize this is insanity to have a working gas fireplace and no way to vent, we just don't light it) the mantle is super fun to decorate.
First off, we are lucky enough to have a fireplace and while it's too dangerous to turn on because there isn't a working flue (yes I realize this is insanity to have a working gas fireplace and no way to vent, we just don't light it) the mantle is super fun to decorate.
Goooooo Tigers! I think this is the point in the game where we almost got a touchback... PS Missouri leads the SEC East and is 7-0, just sayin. Oh and we're projected to be ranked #5 by BCS tomorrow. Woo!
The two green vases and the little Massai warrior candlestick holders are a staple year round, I just incorporate them different ways. The wheat in the vase on the right is from HEB too, I just found it in the flower section for a few bucks. The mercury glass pumpkins are from Tuesday Morning in KC, my Mom mailed them to me last year because she knew they met the cuteness requirements and I love mercury glass. I actually saw mercury glass pumpkins in the Pottery Barn catalog last year and wanted them, but they were $20 each which is crazy, even by rich housewife standards. Happily my Mom is really lucky when it comes to finding exactly what you're looking for on sale. Yay Mom!
I know the tiny pumpkins on the candlesticks are ridiculous, but as Dr. Sheldon Cooper says, "what's life without whimsy?" I think the propellers are next on the project list, so hopefully they'll be looking more presentable next time they feature on ye olde blog.
The two green vases and the little Massai warrior candlestick holders are a staple year round, I just incorporate them different ways. The wheat in the vase on the right is from HEB too, I just found it in the flower section for a few bucks. The mercury glass pumpkins are from Tuesday Morning in KC, my Mom mailed them to me last year because she knew they met the cuteness requirements and I love mercury glass. I actually saw mercury glass pumpkins in the Pottery Barn catalog last year and wanted them, but they were $20 each which is crazy, even by rich housewife standards. Happily my Mom is really lucky when it comes to finding exactly what you're looking for on sale. Yay Mom!
I know the tiny pumpkins on the candlesticks are ridiculous, but as Dr. Sheldon Cooper says, "what's life without whimsy?" I think the propellers are next on the project list, so hopefully they'll be looking more presentable next time they feature on ye olde blog.
You will notice that even though Jay is an Alabama fan (cue chorus of "He didn't even go there!") you will notice none of the decorating involves crimson, white, elephants or a tide. Two reasons, 1: alumni trump random fans (MIZ!) and 2: I decorate, not him. Winning.
All of the really great succulents I had growing for the centerpiece on our dining table had given up their will to live, so I went ahead and replaced them with a little fall scene as well.
All of the really great succulents I had growing for the centerpiece on our dining table had given up their will to live, so I went ahead and replaced them with a little fall scene as well.
I love turquoise and orange together. Again these candlesticks are present throughout the year, they just get something different thrown in between depending on the season.
Artsy shot! I'm actually tossing around the idea of figuring out how my camera works instead of point and shooting on auto mode. We'll see.
This above pic gives you a nice idea of what the mercury glass pumpkins are like. There's three total, two small, one big and I think Mom got all of them for under $20.
This above pic gives you a nice idea of what the mercury glass pumpkins are like. There's three total, two small, one big and I think Mom got all of them for under $20.
Oh and as I was trying to enjoy my undefeated Tigers destroy Florida (what's with the Gator chomp arms?) Butters became alarmed by this S who was clearly staging an attack on our home sunning itself.
Just wanted you guys to know our patio is currently safe from another invasion.
So anyways that's how I brought a little bit of fall into our home. I love how simple, inexpensive changes make the whole room feel like new. Hope everyone in a more reasonable climate is enjoying their scarves and pumpkin spice lattes!
So anyways that's how I brought a little bit of fall into our home. I love how simple, inexpensive changes make the whole room feel like new. Hope everyone in a more reasonable climate is enjoying their scarves and pumpkin spice lattes!