Fall Front Porch

My front porch got a much needed refresher last week and I've been enjoying every minute of it. I thought I would be the only one to use it, but I've found my boys out here visiting with their friends in the afternoons. Oh, and Mario (my almost one year old puppy) LOVES it out here. It's so nice to have a spot the entire family can use.




I decided to work mostly with my existing décor and just add mums, but I couldn't resist a few owl candleholders I spotted at TJ Maxx. Despite using my spring planters and pillows, the mums and pumpkins still make it feel like fall. I'm loving the alternative use of color since it's still very warm and green here in the south.












I think this is the perfect place to sit and make my fall bucket list, which I know will include a hayride at a pumpkin patch and making smores in the backyard. What plans do you have this fall?






Linking this post up at Southern Hospitality for a fall outdoor décor party!

Round Top and a Project Sneak Peek

After several years of reading about other bloggers Round Top Antique Fair experiences I finally made the trip up there myself. I took my friend Lindsay who I knew would love it, possibly more than me. She's new to blogging and you can check out her craftiness here. So, why did it take me so long to get up there? Honestly, I'd never heard of Round Top, Texas. I kept hearing it was in the Hill Country and assumed it was somewhere near Austin or San Antonio, which is several hours away. And, I got it confused with Round Rock, TX that's near Austin. It turns out it is a little over an hour from my house, near Brenham (home of Blue Bell ice cream), if you are an equally confused Houstonian.

You might have seen a few pictures I put on Instagram. I wish I had taken more, but I was so overwhelmed by it all. There are miles and miles of tents along the road. Once we passed Round Top it was even crazier in Warrenton. This is definitely not a place you can go without a plan. Thankfully, I had looked up a few places and had an idea of where to go. One of the top places is Blue Hills. I absolutely loved the French Laundry tent there. They have beautiful bedding and throw pillows at reasonable prices, which is nice since I was surprised at how expensive everything was that day. I did buy these two Christmas stockings for $30 total. My husband gets the manly brown velvet one and the other one is mine. I love that the colors fit right in with my living room.




We headed back to Brenham for lunch and later stopped at Leftovers Antiques that I noticed on the way there. I also read about it on another blog and was intrigued by it. This is truly one of the cutest stores I have ever seen. It's huge for a boutique and we spent so much time looking around that we never made it back to Round Top. I couldn't resist a small Dash & Albert kitchen rug.







I love the way it goes with my Blue Willow dishes, which I appreciate more after seeing how much they goes for in Round Top. I have mixed feelings about this Antique Fair. I was shocked by how expensive and huge it was. I know good deals can be found, but you really have to look. It's just not possible to visit every tent so a plan is a must. I'm not sure I will go back. I typically have a shopping expiration date of two hours and then I want a margarita. ;) I definitely will go back to Leftovers Antiques. They had great gifts, so I'm thinking some time before Christmas I'll make another trip. The day we were there the staff was preparing for a book signing so we got free drinks. I can tell the men really loved that as their wives were shopping, lol. And, guess who the author was? Rachel Ashwell! We missed her by one hour. :(

I've got a new project update and a deal alert! I'm finally fixing up the balcony off my bedroom. I thought this was going to be my space when we moved into this house, but I realized that was impossible with kids. The wicker furniture we had out here warped over the years and I never bothered to replace it since I never used this porch. Now, that my kids are older and I have a pool view it's time to fix this space up. I bought this ottoman yesterday at Wal-Mart for $29.88 to go with a seagrass chair my mom bought me recently. $29.88! It was the last one left so I lunged at it and tucked it safely away in my cart. I could see the envious eyes of other shoppers as they passed me by. However, if you want one take advantage of Wal-Mart's free ship to store policy it's available online.





But, I am in love with this one. Isn't it great? I am trying so hard to find a spot for it in my house right now.




I'll be back tomorrow with my fall front porch reveal!

Setting the Perfect Table

The holiday season is right around the corner and that means we finally get to use our formal dining rooms. ;) I have two sets of formal dishes that I can use, but I like creating a new tablescape for every major holiday so it can be a bit tricky to come up with new ideas. Changing out the centerpiece is important, but decorating with new tablecloths and runners really give a table a completely different look. One trend I love is to use your favorite fabric instead of a mass produced runner or tablecloth. If you don't sew, use a hemming tape that only needs an iron to make a perfect edge. I've done this many, many times and you can't tell the difference until you flip the fabric over. Here are some beautiful examples.












I've already been eyeing a few fabrics for my fall/winter tablescape!

Fall Mantel: Cozy and Candlelit

It's officially fall! 

I'm looking forward to cuddling up in soft faux fur throws, enjoying my favorite comfort food, and layering on the cozy sweaters. There's nothing better than enjoying a fire on a fall night, whether in front of a fireplace or from the light of a pumpkin scented candle. It will be many weeks before the weather is cool enough to turn on my fireplace, which is why candle light was a must this year when planning my fall mantel.



I found these copper mercury glass candle holders at Target this past week and knew they would be perfect for my mantel the minute I spotted them. They fit right in with my current décor and add a touch of fall at the same time.












The "Dust to Dust" title will be very fitting when Halloween rolls around! I pilfered a few items from my vase filler to add a natural touch.








Cinnamon scented pinecones and natural vase filler in a neutral tone from last year adds a touch of rustic.









Linking up this post to these parties!

Between Naps on The Porch

Thrifty Décor Chick

Scents of Fall

While it may not feel like fall outside, that won't stop me from making it feel like fall inside. I've been stocking up on fall candles the past month and now that I've officially burned through my summer scents it's time to bring out the fall candles.

Here's my stock pile. I love Bath & Body Works candles and they are on sale right now, two for $22. It's more than I usually spend since I go through them so quickly. On the days that I let my candles burn all day I bring out my $5 Wal-Mart candles that I love almost as well.




This morning I'm burning my favorite, Leaves, while I drink coffee.




Coffee, candles, faux fur throws...It's starting to feel like fall inside my house. Outside the leaves are changing from the heat, but I'm pretending it's from cool weather. Have you bought any fall candles yet? I'm always on the lookout for new ones so feel free to share your favorites!