I Love Me Some Autumn

I really, really love Autumn. It’s my favorite of all of the seasons. Living in the Dallas area my entire 28 years, I don’t get to really enjoy a proper Autumn, but still, what I do get, I love. I know it doesn’t officially start until later this month, but in my home we jump on the Autumn train the moment Labor Day comes around and football season starts. {GO COWBOYS!!}  When I say we love the cooler season, I mean it…my daughter just last week picked the Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol to watch. She’s her mother’s daughter for sure; I’ve been known to watch a Christmas movie or two starting in late Summer for as long as I can remember. Unconventional yes, but that’s alright. We do things our way.

Autumn just brings about a breath of fresh air, figuratively and literally. After suffering through 100+ degree weather all summer…and late Spring, early Autumn…, that first inkling of a cool breeze in the morning or windows-open worthy evenings is welcomed with open arms. Football on the TV, pretty orange and brown decor, baking and cooking, sweaters, boots, pumpkins, cinnamon, cloves and apples simmering on my stove {see my recipe below}, colored leaves, planting pretty Fall flowers. It means holidays are around the corner, a new wardrobe <I despise shorts btw>, new decor for the house, new crafting ideas…aaahhh. Love.

…………………………………….

Some Autumn lovelies to get the season going!

This is some pretty beer – Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale. I love the packaging. And any beer that has yummy pumpkin, nutmeg and other spices mixed in. Yes, please. Autumn in a bottle.

I’ve seen those cute little seasonal printables all over Pinterest and people’s homes framed, so I thought, why not just make my own. Any reason to waste time and play around on GIMP – because Photoshop is still not installed on my computer…I’ve had it for almost a year, so maybe I’ll install it before Christmas…procrastination is my middle name. Feel free to use.

Kiddos playing in the Autumn leaves. The good life. {via}

Gorgeous apple & leaves centerpiece. Red plaid throw draped over the chair. I can almost feel the cool crisp Autumn air looking at this Autumn dinner party. {via}

Smells like the holidays. Yummy simmering potpourri from Make It Do blog. A great, natural alternative to burning candles in the house all season. {via}

My Simple Apple Cinnamon Potpourri Recipe:

1 Sliced or chopped apple (great if you have one going bad!)

1 Tbs cinnamon powder (easier and cheaper than cinnamon sticks)

1 Tsp cloves (more or less)

Dash of vanilla (grab a cheap one at the grocery store)

Throw it in a small pot, cover with water and simmer on low on the stove. The house will be smelling like heaven within minutes of it simmering. Make sure to check the pot every once in a while to refill with water if needed. Once I’m done using it, I put it in a little container, let it cool and save it in the fridge. It will last at least a week. This is a great, affordable handmade gift for a work exchange or for the neighbors once the holidays roll around, just be sure to tell them it needs to stay in the fridge when usused- just put in a mason jar, fill with water, screw the lid on, add a cute little label and ribbon and ta-da!

Oh, Autumn, how I love you.

Pretty Song for the Day: Closer to Love by Mat Kearney

Girlie Room: Garland Decor

My little sugar recently graduated from the crib to a big-girl toddler bed – why we had a momentary lapse of sanity and decided to bring this little-person freedom upon us is beyond me. She actually loves it and does pretty well in it, to give her some credit. We’re in week three and it’s been fairly uneventful for the most part. The first night, when we thought she was fast asleep in her big girl bed dreaming of chicken nuggets (not puppies or clouds, she’s not obsessed with those…), she came bursting into the living room twice like a mad woman who just escaped prison, giggling her head off, and one last time with her new hammering toy from Ikea that she managed to find in the dark.

It was pretty hilarious, and I had to try and hold my laughs and smiles back. Love that kid. She has also gotten in the habit of waking up in the middle of the night to crawl into bed with us.  How can you resist her cute little smirk and ‘Hi Mommyyy’ whispers in the dark at 2am???…Daddy tried to put an end to that pretty quick. Who doesn’t love tiny little girl toes shoved into your back, little fingers poking your ears, and ‘daddyyyy I woke upppp’ declarations in the midle of the night…sheesh. Alas little mini wins –> most nights she gets in the bed with us and we let her stay. You can’t blame the girl for being so excited about her new found freedom. And for wanting to cuddle between mommy and daddy. One day she’ll want none of this and I’ll miss it.

I am also excited, mainly because I got to re-arrange her room.  I have some plans for the room, most that I’ve found while ‘pinning’, so I thought I’d document and share what’s inspiring me. {we’ll see if these actually get done} Gah, I love pretty girlie rooms! And Pinterest. And DIY blogs.

————————————-

~ PRETTY GIRL GARLAND DECOR AND SUCH ~

This dainty paper flower garland was pinned by Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine from an Etsy shop.It’s for weddings, but I love it for a big girl room. So sweet and delicate, and the colors are perfect.

{via}

Another from Etsy via Pinterest, these Cotton Candy Mini Party Pom garlands are adorable. Little bursts of color. I think I’d like them in pale pink and yellow.

{via}

I love this DIY Paper Heart Wall Art from HoneybeeVintage…it’s a cute alternative to the regular garland decor.This would be perfect anywhere in the room. Easy and fast too, love it.

{via}