Craft-a-poluzza

I shall affectionately call this weekend my own craft-a-poluzza.

Friday afternoon was spent at Applebee's with a few coworkers, followed by a relaxing evening at home.  I did some laundry, graded the one assignment I had to, labelled some new books for my students, and washed my make-up brushes (living the dream, I know!).

Saturday started with breakfast with a family member, then shopping for baby showers until the early afternoon.

My friend Mrs. K has a birthday next month and I wanted to make her a new Disney wreath for her front door.  I used different sized grape vine wreaths to recreate Mickey's iconic outline:

I also wove in leaves to give it a fall theme.  I didn't attach the leaves on purpose so she can take them out and hang up Christmas lights or hearts for upcoming holidays.

I took it over and surprised her with it. 
  
I also finished a baby shower scrapbook, a baby onesie, and the next project in {Rule 11}.  However, since the gift hasn't been delivered yet, I'm keeping that one under wraps for now.

I also enjoyed a nap, friend time, went to a house warming party, and painted my nails in preparation for next week.

I didn't do a lot of school work this weekend but that's okay because work-life balance is important.

Fall into...well, fall

 

First, I am fully aware that it's still uncomfortably hot here in Nevada.  I know we are still in the middle of summer...

But I decorated for fall anyway!

Second, I'm aware this is not socially appropriate until after Labor Day...if not later.  However, I know that back to school time gets crazy busy and I wanted a jump start on making things cute.

Third, I'm aware we don't truly experience fall like the rest of the country.  There are a few trees that have changing leaves and then lose their leaves...in December.   Perhaps this is why I love fall so much...because I don't get to experience it.  However, the colors look great on both me and in my home, so I cherish this "fall" season as long as possible.

Fourth, I've been stuck at home for a week.  I've left the house twice since surgery (for the doctor and to retrieve my car).  I got bored and wanted to redecorate (because that was free and kept me from online shopping).  I wanted to be surrounded by pretty things and for me, that means fall decor.

Fifth, I picked up some cute things at Kirkland's a few weeks ago and I wanted to display them.

Sixth, I don't fit the stereotypical "white girls love fall" mold. I don't like pumpkin flavored anything, thank you very much. I don't like carving pumpkins. I don't like pumpkin foods. I just like to look at them...preferably fake ones.

Seventh...I was home alone and no one could judge!

I like decorating for seasons and holidays.  I grew up watching my mom decorate and I wanted to be like her.  I have crates in the garage, sorted by event. I'm not ashamed of it.  I like nesting and creating a calm, welcoming, loving home environment.  

After moving to Las Vegas right out of college at 21, I wanted to desperately feel like a grown up.  For me, that meant slowly stocking up on home decor and kitchen appliances.  I wasn't into the partying and club scene, so instead of spending my paychecks on overpriced drinks and shoes, I bought holiday decor (but slowly and on clearance because that's how I roll).  Now?  I'm pretty much set.  (Although that did make registering for our wedding a bit difficult.)

So now, without further ado, here are some home snap shots:

This will adorn our table...

 (Pumpkin from Marshall's, table cloths and table runners from Kohl's)

but I'm still enjoying our new decor from my bridal shower:

Thanks gals! I have the best of friends.

I swapped out a red candle for a white one, but didn't quite love the look.

Until I added a strip of burlap!

(Not wanting to commit, I used a paperclip to hold the burlap around the candle.  The candle is normally displayed with five other white ones on a candelabra, so gluing wasn't an option.) 

I added a few pumpkins around pictures and the bookcase,

 (Of course it's burlap and polka dotted!)

But kept any with faces away until October.  I'm okay with pumpkins, but not Halloween decor.  That's apparently where I draw the line!

I have a small lantern that I decorate (leaves, ornaments, etc):

But switched things up and added a larger lantern as well:

I picked this beauty up for half-off at Target because it's slightly dented at the top.  Normally this sits in our bedroom and is filled with neutral vase fillers, but I wanted to bring a bit of silver into the decorating mix.

I do love our new fall banner (from Kirkland's):

It's glittery, it's polka dotted, it's burlap, it's like it was made just for me!

Plus it goes great with this gem on our pantry door:

(We do love our football!)

I'm hesitant to hang this outside until we get a new security door, but I couldn't pass this up!

As you can tell, I didn't go overboard and crazy with the decor.  I just want subtle fall accents to make our house feel like a home.

Happy fall y'all! 

Falling for Fall

Today's prompt: Fall Favorites. What do you love most about this season?

For those hopping over from Brave Love, welcome!

This prompt is a tad tricky for me.  Being born and raised in Arizona, then moving up to Nevada, this whole seasons thing is a vague, hazy concept.  Seasons are dictated by the weather: is it triple digits outside or not?  Trees don't change color and there's no white powder snow on the ground.  This is year six of living in Nevada and we had one snow day.  One.  However, that doesn't mean I don't get ridiculously excited about decorating for the seasons...even when the weather isn't cooperating.

Since I moved and started packing up my house mid April, I missed decorating for a few holidays.  I was itching to make our new home cute, but had to be practical and get the every day stuff out first.

However, once Labor Day weekend hit, I couldn't stand it any longer.  I got out my storage bin of fall items and got to work.  I switched out the place mats and center piece to a pumpkin filled with flowers.  I put white ceramic pumpkins on the TV stand and moved regular decorations out of the way, making room for fall ones.  A few weeks later, they're still up (meaning my furry helpers haven't readjusted my decor, which is a huge success!)

I love decorating for any season, but there are some things I love about fall.

Fall means I can wear boots with fuzzy socks and not worry about the state of my pedicure.  I throw on boots and a cardigan with a dress and tada, fall appropriate.

Fall means I can layer and enjoy my cardigans. (As a teacher, I think the love for cardigans is somehow engrained...like my love of post-its and Expo markers.) 

I love that fall means scarves on a nearly daily basis as an accessory piece or statement.

I love that fall means football.  Football means B helps me grade or cut out laminate on Sundays during commercials and half-time.

Fall means we can go for walks around the neighborhood in the evenings and eat dinner on the patio.

Fall means soups and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.  Fall means easy soups in the crockpot and coming home to a wonderful aroma.

Fall means warm, earthy tones like forest green and maroon, which look great with my Irish heritage.  Fall is my best season, colors wise.

Fall means the occasional thunder storm and cuddling up on the couch, watching a movie and listening to the rain.

Fall means the back to school craziness and meeting a new bunch of fifth graders.  Mine this year are amazing.  After the difficulty of last year, I couldn't be more pleased with 27 happy students and their supportive families.

Fall means changes and getting ready for the holidays, which means family time with those I love most.

What are your favorite parts about fall?