My Fall Decor Picks

Over the weekend I spent some time reviewing all of my Instagram posts since the start of the Fall season.  As I was reviewing the images, I noticed that certain seasonal decor pieces made repeat appearances in the various photos I had posted over the past few months.   For today's post I wanted to share a list of those top Fall decor picks that have been front and center on my Instagram account this season and have helped to transform my home into a cozy and inviting space that is appropriately outfitted for the Autumn season.  

Tortoise Shell Coasters

Whether it's a splash of cheetah, leopard or zebra, I love incorporating a splash of animal print into my home decor (always faux of course!).  When we moved into our current house, I decided to add a splash of unexpected texture to our living room wall with a pair of these Tortoise Shells from Restoration Hardware (and am still totally obsessed with them--see here and here).  Fall is all about the warm and earthy tones, so when I came across this set of tortoise shell coasters from Caspari, it was a no brainer!  Of course the biggest surprise when I first came across these coasters was the fact that they are actually just laminated cardboard, thus very inexpensive (double win!).  Stylish, functional and affordable, makes these coasters the perfect fall decor addition to any living room. 

Twine Balls

I came across these twine balls while perusing the aisles of my local florist/garden center.  When it came to fall decor last year I totally went pinecone crazy, so I was thrilled to have discovered these fab little natural twine balls.  They make for fabulous table accents, vase fillers and can even be spray painted (say…gold or copper?) to coordinate with any decor scheme.  Unique, versatile and inexpensive are all reasons why I am loving these twine balls this season.   

Glam Pumpkins

Glam pumpkins are still going strong in my house!  Initially I had been incorporating an assortment of metallic colors into my seasonal decor, however as the season has rolled on I have found that the white pumpkins with the gold painted stems have quickly taken over as the favorite.  Whether I am decorating my bar, creating a centerpiece for my dining room table or simply coffee tablescaping, these "glammed up" pumpkins are a decor must have for me this season.  

Hearth by Nest Fragrances

While on vacation in North Carolina a few weeks ago, my husband and I spent a day perusing the shops of the most picturesque town in the mountains, Blowing Rock (definitely a town worth seeing if you are ever in the area).  One of my favorite stores in this town has the most fabulous selection of Caspari products, entertaining accessories and NEST Fragrances (naturally, this was my favorite store in Blowing Rock).  The reason for regaling you with this bit of background, is because it was at this store that I first smelled Hearth, by: Nest Fragrances.  I started out by purchasing the votive, in order to test it out and see if I liked it.  Well, within a week of purchasing the votive, I found myself online ordering the 3-wick.  OMG, this candle is absolutely to die for! Reminiscent of a wintertime fire with delicious notes of rich wood, frankincense and smoky embers, this candle is the perfect cozy accent for any home on a cold fall evening.  

Greenery: Carnations, Chrysanthemums & Eucalyptus

We all know that I love fresh flowers in my home.  I mean every room has at least one, if not multiple flower arrangements at all times.  I am a total flower junkie.  What I love about the Fall months is that my repertoire has consisted of a lovely array of inexpensive florals/greenery that just so happen to be in season.  Carnations and various types of Chrysanthemums have been trending in my house since September.  Why?  They are voluminous, pretty, inexpensive and last for weeks!  Yes those red flowers pictured at the top and bottom of this post are carnations!  So fabulous!  

As for greenery, I have loved incorporating an assortment of eucalyptus into my arrangements, not only because they come at a price tag of $2.99/bunch (ala Trader Joe's of course!), but also because they are extremely fragrant and I am in love with that shade of eucalyptus green.   Carnations, chrysanthemums and eucalyptus are all fabulous floral additions that have helped me to transform my house from a bright and breezy summer space into a cozy fall abode. 

Host a Pumpkin Carving Party

This past Friday, I invited a small group of friends over to my house for cocktails and pumpkin carving.  Since none in this group (myself included) has kids, which is typically the most compelling reason for carving pumpkins, we had been missing out on this fabulous holiday tradition for quite some time.  So as you could imagine, the response from my guests to this party invitation was an enthusiastic "yes!".  After extensive plotting and planning, I came up with a pumpkin carving party that struck a perfect balance of sophistication with splashes of festive Halloween accents thrown into the mix. Below is a breakdown of the various elements from my recent pumpkin carving party, filled with great ideas and tips on how you can recreate this holiday tradition with your own group of friends!

Pumpkin Carving Station

Since there were a fair number of us carving pumpkins, I decided to transform my dining room table into the pumpkin carving station.  Here is a list of the supplies I used to create this space:

• Disposable Painting Tarp
• Pumpkins
• Set of Assorted Foam Brushes
• Carving Knives (I just used my favorite Victorinox Steak Knives)
• An assortment of paints (see this post for more details)
• Glitter 
• Glue
• Tea Lights
• An assortment of Halloween candies (to keep everyone's energy levels up)
• Free Pumpkin Stencils courtesy of Better Homes and Garden (so many fabulous options!)

Pumpkin Trivia

Instead of just sitting around the table carving pumpkins in silence or with generic conversation, I thought it would be a fun idea to take this time to share a little pumpkin trivia with my guests.  Not only was it fun to see what my friends knew about pumpkins, but it also added an extra element of fun to the party.  This site has everything you need to know about pumpkins. 

Food and Beverage

What cocktail party of mine would be complete without a cheesescape?!?  Here is a breakdown of what I served at this party:

• Cheeses: Jasper Hill Farm Clothbound Cheddar, Cypress Grove Midnight Moon, Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog
• Chutney: Virginia Chutney Co. Balsamic Fig Chutney
• Crackers: Raincoast Flats Kale and Walnut, Dr. Kracker Pumpkin Seed Cheddar
• Ina Garten's Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta
• Other Nibbles: Edamame, Somersaults, Assorted Nuts, Veggies and Hummus
• Wine: Napa Cellars Pinot Noir

Goody Bags

What Halloween party would be complete without a little Trick or Treat!  Well, in our case it was more of a nod to Trick or Treating.  Each guest received a goody bag and mini bottle of Prosecco at the end of the evening  to take home along with their carved pumpkin. See my post on Halloween Treat Bags for more details.

This party was a huge hit with my friends and the perfect culmination of the various projects I had been sharing throughout this past month.  Even though it may seem at times like pumpkin carving should be more of a kid centric activity, there are so many ways to enhance the sophistication level of this activity, ultimately making it worthy of adults and even a cocktail party!  

DIY Pumpkin Votives

Last year my husband and I decided that it would be fun to carve pumpkins together for a date night.  So I set up a carving station on our coffee table complete with wine and a small selection of hors d'oeuvres (aka Halloween candy).  Long story short, our results are pictured above.  I found a cute way to make festive votives from mini pumpkins and my husband seemed to be more interested in the Halloween candy than carving, so his pumpkin remained untouched.

Creating pumpkin votives would have to be one of my favorite ways to carve a pumpkin because they are easy to make and very inexpensive. Whether you choose to use Glam Pumpkins or "Au Natural," the end result is really quite pretty and makes for a unique way to decorate your home and even your dining table for the Fall season. 

What you will need:

• Mini Pumpkins (preferably without stems- Trader Joe's has mini pumpkins for sale at 69cents a piece!)
• Tea Lights- Love these 6hr Tea Lights from World Market
• Carving Knife (Personally, I am a fan of my Victorinox knife)
  • *I tried using the 1.5" fitted drill bit (as suggested by Pinterest), but found that it was difficult to use and significantly messier than just using a simple carving knife.
• Pencil or thin marker

Instructions:

1. Trace a 1.5" circle on the top center of the pumpkin (**Be sure to press down hard if using a pencil)
2. Using a sharp knife, cut along the traced circle
3. Remove the cutout pieces of pumpkin shell (hollowing out the pumpkin isn't necessary since you will be filling the hole with a votive candle)
4. Insert Votive into 1.5" cutout hole
5. If you decide to use glam pumpkins, the paint will crack during the cutting process.  I would recommend touching up the edges with additional paint before inserting the tea lights.
6. Refrigerate until ready to use.  **These pumpkin votives can last for months if kept in the refrigerator in between uses**