COZY UP FOR FALL
It’s officially that time year, pumpkin everything and everywhere. With a chill in the air, it’s time to add simple decorating touches to your home to make it cozy and welcoming.
Every time I post pictures of my fireplace mantle with seasonal decor, I receive quite a few emails and comments from you all, Most of which say, you wish you had a mantle to decorate. Well, good news! You don’t have to own a fireplace to create a pretty vignette for fall. Today I’m sharing with you other fun spots to decorate. Like benches, consoles, acrylic trays and coffee tables. It’s fun to choose little spots around the house for a pretty seasonal vignette. First place I like to start is in the family room, or place you spend the most time, and then work my way out, sprinkling little touches here and there. I try not to go overboard. It’s not my style. I like a fresh + clean + uncluttered aesthetic and stay true to that thinking when it comes to seasonal decor as well. While it’s so fun to be able to start embracing all things fall, sometimes it can be a tad overwhelming as to how you’ll incorporate it into your home. It’s easy to get flustered on what to change and how. Here some things that I do in my home, and affordable ways to do it. Remember, sometimes less is actually more.
DECORATIVE PILLOWS
Decorative pillows can quickly transform the feeling of a room by trading them out. I picked up these awesome woven ones on a recent trip to Marshalls. Don’t you just love the gold? Don't you just LOVE Marshalls? I about fainted when I saw them. Not to mention metallics are still so on trend again this fall. They’re soooo pretty and perfect for my living room! They reminded me of a sweater, a really GREAT sweater. One I wouldn’t mind owning. I just love how they added a touch of cozy to my clean line sofa. Next time you’re shopping, think about fashion and texture when you’re choosing. Mimicking a fall wardrobe helps get your creative mind going. Plus, pillows are a great inexpensive way to
change a room, and you can’t beat an $18 + $24.99 price tag. That’s what I love about Marshalls.
They never takethe fun out of shopping and always have an abundance of merchandise to choose from.
Marshalls + TJ Maxx + HomeGoods are always my first stops and often times my last.
Sweater pillow $18.00 + gold mercury glass pumpkin $12.99 + white pumpkin(s)-pack of 5 $9.99 +
grey throw blanket $24.99 all from Marshalls
TRAYS
Trays are such a simple item to style and can be placed just about anywhere. Easy to move when needed, kinda like a little traveling vignette. I have them all over my home. Kitchen, powder room, entry table and coffee table, like you see here. It’s one of those simple styling things that takes all of five minutes to put together. Those are the best ones, right? In between all that other stuff we need to do like paying bills, unloading the dishwasher, running to the grocery store and making treats for the class party. All you need are three - four items. Find yourself a great tray like this one I scored at West Elm. Next is a hero item, your focal point, something with height and always the largest thing on the tray. Then add a natural element. Lastly, a conversational item, like this super cool brass antler from Marshalls for $9.99. That’s it. Seriously though, it’s super simple. I’m not a fan of decor rules, but I am a fan of doing what you LOVE, so I strictly use golds + grays + whites and neutral colors.
But hey, if fiery orange is your love, than go for it!
BLANKETS + THROWS
There isn’t much need for heavy blankets strewn all over the house during summer, but during fall that all changes. Adding a cozy blanket or throw on your sofas or benches gives off a super warm feel. Not only do they help bring fall into your home, they also give you a warmth. I’m really loving this gray one I picked up from Marshalls. Yet, another affordable and completely versatile way to change things up.
METALLICS + MERCURY GLASS
I'm a huge fan of GOLD, I know, shocker. It’s my favorite color besides white. Now, I think pumpkins are gorgeous as they grow. But I am also of the opinion that everything looks better with a little shine. I love the look of incorporating mercury glass + gold pumpkins into your decor. How beautiful are these?!?
I mean, it was love at first sight. Another score. They ranged in price from $12.99 - $17.99.
PUMPKINS
These little guys make a simple decoration. You can’t get much easier or cheaper than decorating with pumpkins. Not only do they very in shape, size and colors, but also the choice between buying real and fake. Well, I don’t think there’s anything cuter than real little white pumpkins. I’m telling you, as soon as my farmers market advertises their arrival, I’m the first one there, coffee in hand and ready to pick. I usually come home with at least FIFTY of those little babies. But, since the Pumpkin Crisis from 2015, they say will carry over into 2016, can you believe this?!? I started paying closer attention to faux pumpkins and picking up ones I loved and would want to incorporate into my decor.
Because, fall without pumpkins all over the house, wouldn’t be fall.
FALL CANDLES
Candles are another great thing to swap out. Most of the summer looking candles are light + airy and give a nice floral aroma. But, it’s the fall ones that really have my heart. Pumpkin, with evergreen scents at a close second. I definitely invest in a few pumpkin spice candles every year, and if you haven’t considered Marshalls for that too, take a stroll down that isle next time you go. All the name brand candles you crave there for your senses. But, you can take what you already have and add a fall touch to it! Wrap simple white candles with twine to instantly create a different look. I picked up this natural twine at Michaels Arts & Crafts and wrapped a few of my candles. Even throw a few acorns around the base, like I did. I picked these acorns up last year in the Target Dollar Spot section, but this year they got a coat of Krylon Chalky Finish white paint, and I tell you what, I’m loving the new life it gave them. Simple and festive.
FALL FLAVORS
I can’t let this post go without giving you one of my favorite recipes to add pumpkin to. This ones perfect to whip up in the morning and snack on while you decorate. Every time you walk by to move that pumpkin or adjust those leaves, grab a bite. It also makes a wonderful appetizer to bring to your next fall gathering. As far as I’m concerned, you can add pumpkin to just about anything you’d normally make or bake. From muffins to mashed potatoes, it’s all about the pumpkin this time of year!
PUMPKIN HUMMUS
- 1 15 oz can Garbanzo Beans 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbs fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbs Tahini Pepitas for garnish
- 2 cups Pumpkin puree, canned 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Place all ingredients, except pepitas into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with pepitas. Serve with pita chips or veggies.
Even those Stacy’s Cinnamon Sugar Pita chips are yummy along side.
Savory + Sweet....the perfect combination if you ask me!
Now, go grab yourself a Pumpkin Spice Latte and take a stroll through your nearest Marshalls. I’m certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find wallet-friendly blankets, throw pillows, vases and decorative pieces to give your home that seasonal WOW factor.
I hope some of what I did, inspires you!
Happy Fall Y’all!
Xx
landyn