Fabulous Fall

When I was younger, I really relished summertime.  I LOVED every minute of it.  As I've gotten older, I have started to appreciate the beauty of fall a lot more.  I just adore every shade of orange, red, and yellow.  Love, love, love! 

This year, it's taken me a little bit longer to decorate for fall, but I am finally getting around to it.  Slowly, but surely.  :)  Decorating a home is an expensive endeavor, no matter how thrifty you are, so I am chipping away at holiday decor a little bit at a time.  This is how everything  looks at the moment.

Now, I know my mantle isn't your typical fall mantle, but I basically LOVE it.  It looks so collected and eclectic, and it definitely does it for me.  :)

I mean who doesn't want a nice fall botanical next to a magnifying glass. a bunny cloche, and a tiny little cow creamer?!   Right?! 

On the other far side, you can see a few more eclectic elements.  I am basically obsessed with old salvaged architectural pieces, as you can probably tell. I also love to mix metals... and I love the contrast between black and white.  It makes my heart go pitter-pat.  {Sigh}

My teacher heart simply couldn't resist picking up this sweet little concrete apple.  :) It's so presh!

I also couldn't resist this printer's block.  I love how looks next to my bronze-esque monogram!

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I didn't do anything crazy in our dinette or kitchen.  I pretty much just layered a fall foilage runner over our burlap runner, and then added a few pumpkins for good measure.  :)

I've had this potpourri pumpkin for a few years, and it's still one of my favorites.  Simple & lovely!

I've also had this mercury glass pumpkin for a few years.  I have been searching for more of them, but I don't want to pay Pottery Barn prices, so I am going to continue to stalk and hope I find another at Marshalls or TJ Maxx instead!  I'm a cheapskate!  Guilty!

Friends, how cute is this basket?!  I picked it up from a local vintage boutique.  In fact, I may have an addiction, and I may go there a lot.  :)  One of the owners, Susan, has a great blog called Must Love Junk.  If you like the vintage aesthetic... you should check it out!  They even have an Etsy shop for all of you out-of-towners! 

I love the contrast between the rustic cutting board and the shiny orange pumpkin... and I feel like the burlap ties it all together in a really simple and beautiful way.

This fabulous French accent piece is spattered with orange, black, and green paint, and I LOVE it.

How precious are these little chevron pumpkins?!  I love the exposed seems and wooden stems! 

Of course, no fall display is complete without a few gourds.  Am I right?!  This pair is hanging out on a tray for the time being.  When I bought them at my favorite little boutique, they were hanging on an S-hook by happenstance, and I loved the presentation of it. So, now I am convinced that I need to buy one to hang these puppies somewhere.  Ha!  Soon.

Okay, and although I admit that I may have an unhealthy obsession with burlap, I couldn't resist this pillow either.  The embroidery is so dainty and sweet.

Do you want to know another obsession of mine though?!  Velvet pumpkins... and sweater pumpkins.  Currently, I just have one velvet pumpkin.  This one!  Sooner or later, I will be purchasing a sweater pumpkin or two though.  Mark my word! ;)

 Well, that concludes my fall decor tour.  I think I'm going to go back to salivating over my dream dining room.  :)  What do you think?!  A girl can dream, right?!

 

Nashville #Hashville

Oh my goodness!  I am officially enamored by Nashville.  After spending a weekend with some of my favorite ladies and using way too many hashtags on Instagram and in conversations, I think it's safe to say that it's one of my favorite cities ever.  I would move there in a heartbeat!  :)  In all seriousness though, it's such a vibrant and wonderful place, and I really enjoyed spending time with some of my bloggy pals and BFFs.  The Mr. and I are already making plans to go back to do more touristy things!  LOVE! 

Let's talk about how AMAZING the Gaylord Opryland is while I'm gushing about the city, shall we?!  Seriously breathtaking... and HUGE.  Plus, they have a great teacher discount.  Does it get better than that?!  I could have stayed there forever!  And although I am slightly disappointed that I did not become best friends with Taylor Swift during my trip to Music City, there's always next time!  ;)  Taylor, let's make plans.  This needs to happen.  Stat. 

Any-who--- I love me some country music, and Music Row was awesome.  My honky tonk badonkadonk was ALL ABOUT the honky tonks.  Pure love.  I really wanted to sing a little kareoke... and that didn't happen... but someday it will.  You can write that down.  It will happen.  All in all, it was the perfect trip at the perfect time.  I needed a little escape from my hectic lifestyle, and I needed a little quality time with good friends.  This trip was just what the doctor ordered.