oh, november.

...you can start cooling down like real fall weather anytime, so that Spur will stop trying to escape the 80-degree temps by climbing in the fridge.*

*He really does climb in the fridge, and he goes all the way to the back and lays down, just like this photo**, but we don't let him stay in for long. Just long enough to laugh at him.

**No produce was harmed in the making of this photo.

xoxo.

it was cold.

It was a lovely 50ish degrees most of the weekend.  So, we drank tea, made soup, went for a chilly evening walk, and a did little of this...

There's just something about cool weather, it brings a certain clarity of mind (for me, at least). Especially after these ridiculous Abilene summers. It's going to be back up in the 80s in a few days, but I'll be happy when these cooler temps are here to stay.

And there you have it. A entire blog post about the weather.

xoxo.

fall come quickly.

We finally had some cooler temperatures this weekend. And by cooler, I mean a high of 84. But, we saw some rain and had to wear jackets in the morning, so I'm thinking fall might just be rolling in soon. And with fall, comes adorable fox coats, pie, fires, and butternut squash. My favorites.

xoxo.

the anthology: fall colors collected

May I present...the colors I'm 100% loving this fall. I know they're also 100% conventional, but can you blame me? Camel, deep orange and mustard will always have my heart!

Without further ado, the colors:

Woodsy (and Papery) Camel + Chocolate...

Heart Wood Board | Kraft Paper Wedding Programs

Rich Mustard...

Knitted Cardigan | Wrinkled Mustard Bag 

Pumpkin Spice...

Modern Living Room | Butternut Squash and Crispy Sage Pizza

And a hint of GOLD...

Gold & Wood Platter | Sweet Bow Gold Necklace | Leather Mouse Pad

What colors are you loving this fall?

xoxo.

P.S. Full disclosure: While I am loving fall, I have to admit that I compiled this post while listening to Michael Allen Harrison's Christmas Albums, which are really hard to keep stashed away once November comes (I promise his music is much better than his hair).

P.S.S. I'm also over here today.

diy monday: shiny pumpkins.

 Happy Monday, friends! As I mentioned yesterday, I'm starting a new job today! I'm very excited, a little nervous, but confident and trusting that this will be a good fit for me. Now, on to the fun stuff: SHINY PUMPKINS! This has got to be one of the easiest DIY projects I've ever done.

 I bought these pumpkins a few weeks ago, and had some leftover spray paint, so I decided to give them a little makeover. I actually painted them white first, because I wanted them to be bronze with white stripes, but when I put the painters tape over the white paint to mark off where the stripes would be, the paint just pulled right off with the tape. Hence, Plan B (B for Bronze)!

 You don't have to do anything except rinse off the pumpkins and paint! I used Valspar's Classic Metallic Bronze spray paint (similar). I love how they turned out, adding a little spice and a little glam to my fall decorating...

What do you think? Are shiny pumpkins your thing or do you prefer the straight-up version?

xoxo.

P.S. I also love these glittery pumpkins.

i love this season.

xoxo.

P.S. See those shiny pumpkins? Check back on Monday for the easiest fall DIY project ever...

a rustic fall weekend.

Click photo to view the original source.

Friends, congratulations on making it to Friday. Doesn't a relaxing, rustic weekend sound nice? Full of baking, DIY crafts, effortless hair (not sure I'll ever achieve this) and a mindset like what's written on that chalkboard.

Either way, have a good one.

xoxo.

the weekend...

 ...was filled with cooler weather 

(aka boot + scarves), 

 a much needed late-night trip to Cracker Barrel 

(especially when the tab comes out to $8.50)

...and a little Sunday afternoon hot fudge.

(eaten sans ice cream...we've really let ourselves go)

How was yours?

xoxo.

New Fall Classes at CookingThyme

Happy happy Monday, friends! Most of you know that my mom teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Ore., area. She just announced her classes coming up this fall, and I wanted to share them on here for any Portland readers!

For more info on CookingThyme, check out our website or facebook page.

xoxo.

let's have a picnic.

We've finally gotten some cooler temps here in Abilene (it's getting down to the 50s and 60s at night...I can't even believe it!), but I've heard that they won't last. Things are heating up back in Oregon as well, which calls for an Indian Summer Picnic, don't you think? Here's what I'd take on my dream picnic:

1. Sutherland Sienna Rose Picnic Basket for Two 

filled with sharp cheeses, summer sausage and perfectly ripe stone nectaries.

2. Flannery O'Connor's Complete Stories

3. Nom noms from Chocolove: Extra Strong Dark and Almonds + Sea Salt

4. Terrian's Avoca Plaid Throw

5. EAT Napkins

Who's going with me?

xoxo.

sunday lovin: squash bowling.

remember this post? my mom decided to give it a try with her gobs of homegrown butternuts. 

a-dor-able, right?

thanks, martha. 

xoxo.

sweater lamp.

how cool is this recycled sweater lamp??

love it!

[via country living] 

the weekend.

 ...was filled with my beautiful city...

 the psu farmer's market...

 a yum-yum breakfast burrito..

 a "portland" photo perfectly centered on the first attempt...

 the apple tasting festival...

 and de-licious food. like this butternut squash, fontina, carmelized onion galette. whoa. YUM.

 and white wine.

(actually i'm a total poser and had to pass mine off to my sister. i just don't like the "burn". water please!)

how was your weekend? 

xoxo.

i adore: boots + sweaters [+ bicycles]

loving the look of anthropologie's outfits on the go. they're so feminine and cozy. 

diy fall wreath [$12]

 inspired by these, and by monica's tutorial, i set out to make my very own fall wreath!

i followed monica's tutorial, and found a couple of different techniques for the felt flowers, both from purl bee:

felt roses | felt dingleballs 

(because i can't think of a better name, and they don't look like any flower in particular)

after i wrapped the fabric around the wreath form and made the felt flowers, i used a hot glue gun to attach them, and some ribbon to hang it from our door. ta-dah! 

i'd like to think that this shows my true dedication to the season, being as we live on the third [and top] floor and only have one neighbor, who is home maybe 2 out of 7 days each week [i spend most days in our apartment so i pretty much have his schedule memorized]. but even if no one else sees it, it will still bring me some seasonal cheer.

happy fall.

xoxo.

small victories [my first inspiration board].

i was feeling rather inspired by the colors in these beautiful ceramic bowls i spotted on poppytalk handmade, hence my very first inspiration board. 

i love the mix of soft colors, they remind me of fall without being candycornish.

[click to enlarge]

clockwise[ish] from top left: purse | sweater | knobs | blouse | bedding | coat | booties | cardigan | candlestick | shorts | colander | dress | paper vases| pitcher | la cocotte pot | chair | herb pot