The Essence Of Autumn

Those who know me- know that Fall is my favorite time of year to decorate. Living in the hot humid South causes me to yearn for Fall-like weather in August (which is usually when I pull out the fall decor). This year when I ventured up into the attic (which by the way was well over 115 degrees up there) I was surprised to see that I had accumulated 5 larges tubs and 3 trash bags full of Autumn Splendor! WOW I do have an addiction. But because I have been scaling down my home this year, cleaning out, throwing out, giving away, re-organizing, etc., etc., I decided not to use every singe garland, pumpkin & pine cone- and you know what? I like it. Its just the right touch of warmth. I feel like my home has been lightly kissed with the warm, yummy spices of fall and not assaulted with fall frenzy. I always thought because I couldn't "really" have fall here in Texas that I could "make it happen" within my home- but I'm pleased now to just have the essence of it and it not look like an aisle at Hobby Lobby. So if you want to just "spice" up your home this fall- use what you have- scale down-lean towards little and you might find it quite the pleasure.








































For more fun fall ideas head on over to Rhodas at Southern Hospitality cuz its Fall ya'll!!

How time flies....

We have heard that saying coutnless times "my how time flies" but it doesnt really hit home until you have your own children. I took my daughters picture yesterday before she headed off to her 1st day of 1st grade-I then found the same picture taken last year on her 1st day of Kindergarten. *sigh*
Hugs your kids today- take time to sniff their sweet little necks!

Kindergarten:


1st grade:


Here are some fun and insightful quotes about time:

The bad news is time flies. The good news is
you're the pilot.
- Michael Althsuler

Lost time is never found again
-Benjamin Franklin

Time only seems to matter when it's running out.
--Peter Strup

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin
you have, and only you can determine how it will
be spent. Be careful lest you let other people
spend it for you.
- Carl Sandburg

Do not wait; the time will never be ''just
right.'' Start where you stand, and work with
whatever tools you may have at your command, and
better tools will be found as you go along.
- Napoleon Hill

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for
those who fear,too long for those who grieve, too
short for those who rejoice,but for those who love
time is eternity.
- Henry Van Dyke

Black, White, and Cream all over

Over the past year I have slowly been editing and adding new things to my home. I realized the other day that there is a common color scattered through out the house. Cream! oh how I love thee. And of course all things Black & White! But cream- such a warm yummy color. not too bright, not too dark-just right. I thought I would share some pictures of different rooms where I have used this color. Think of it as the cool whip to your pie, or the creamer to your latte, or the milk to your tea, or the...oh you get the picture.




















Head on over to The Inspired Room for more all things beautiful! and a big congratulations to you Melissa for 2 years in the blogging world- you truly are an Inspiration!!

Pink chalkboard paint

I found this cutie-patootie- pink chalkboard paint at Michaels the other day.


I turned this $5 garage sale mirror into a chalkboard for my daughters room.

I really didn't want to paint over the mirror- so I removed it and turned it to the backside and painted over that. If I ever decide I want the mirror again, I can just switch it back!



Meanwhile, I'm in the middle of repainting all this:
these were also garage sale finds: $35 desk, $25 desk & hutch




My garage looks like a furniture warehouse.
Head on over to Rhodas Southern Hospitality for more fun finds.

My $1 chalkboard

Out on one of my garage sale hunts I came across this magnolia tin tray for $1. Im sure in a former life it was "in style".


I was about to pass it up but my friend from WeAreTHATFamily- reminded me it would make a great chalkboard- there were two, so we each got one. I decided to use it as a Welcome sign for the front porch. I drilled two holes in the top & added ribbon. You could even change out the ribbon for the seasons. The black knob-thing its hanging from is an old door knob- I spray painted it black- filled it will floral foam and stuck it over a nail head- cute eh?

How about some stain?

After drooling over the staircase makeover at Centsational Girl and Rhoda's at Southern Hospitality, I decided to do mine. Well I sorta back peddled on the stairs and started with something smaller- the fireplace mantle. I used the Min Wax Gel Stain- LOVE this stuff people-

love, love. After some serious sanding, 2 coats of stain, and 2 coats of polycrylic gloss -I am quite pleased. Now onto painting those ghastly walls- leaning towards this Pottery Barn color Berber White
BEFORE


AFTER



The entry way niche


Now if I can just muster up the courage to tackle the stairs.


Head on over to Serenity Now for more fun stuff.

Broken Mirror = Good Luck!!

The old saying that a broken mirror brings bad luck- well not today!! I was at a local thrift store today wandering around. While I was there I heard a crash and saw that the store clerk had broken the mirror out of this beautiful antique looking frame. As she was cleaning up the shards of mirror I asked her "so whats the price of this now that the mirror is broken?" She said "oh- its worthless now- how about $5?" Oh yes she did!!! I kept calm trying not to break out into dance right there in the store and told her I would take it off her hands- (tee hee). So here it is. I believe it once was the top to a dressing table- it looks antique to me. I needs some TLC (i.e. spray paint). Its big too, over 35" wide and 36" tall. So the question I have for you is: what should I do with it? It looks AMAZING above my fireplace - I called around to get a quote for mirror replacment & they wanted $125! um no thank you. I thought chalk board but my husband would kill me if I put another chalk board in this house. Suggestions?