Better Homes & Garden: Autumn Inspiration

I love the fall season and generally can’t wait for the cooler weather, especially after this year’s HOT, did I mention really HOT Texas summer. Fall is the time when the amazing display of color is provided by nature. Autumn has one of the years most decorated holidays; you know I am talking about Halloween. Not to mention Thanksgiving, which is dedicated to food, family, football (at least in my family) and it has its roots in our American culture. Fall is the season of football, chili cook offs, harvest celebrations, carnivals and the shift in the planet’s rotation provides the best celestial viewing at night for stargazing and outdoor activities.

This year I have been a little late and I will admit off from my usually self when it comes to decorating for the autumn season. So when I need a little inspiration I turn to three iconic entities: Martha Stewart, Southern Living and Better Homes & Gardens. This post is in honor of one of the three. All images were obtained from their website (http://www.bhg.com/) and magazine that I have a subscription to. I hope it inspires you and enjoy.

 

Ciao,

Favorite Season

Fall is the start of my favorite season. First the start of school with all it brings: back to school sales and most importantly the kids are back at school. From there is our yearly fall festival filled with cotton candy, caramel apples, craft expo,  making s' mores  White Coco Latte (that’s a drink it’s really good) or a good bottle of wine while roasting nuts over an open fire with family and friends (good times).

Let’s not forget Halloween filled with bewitching décor, classic B-movie marathon, sweets that will make my dentist smile and the neighborhood kids in their cute costumes. The leaves change colors and witches and goblins turn into tom turkey, bundling up to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade(sometime live and other time just in front of the TV with a big Texas Breakfast), the family gathering together and lots and lots of football….. GO SAINTS!!!

Last but not least is the season of Love, Joy and warm wishes to family and friends. Though a bit commercialized, Christmas is still very symbolic and very holy to me. It is the time when the world takes a moment to think about someone else’s needs. But most importantly we celebrate the birth of Christ.

There are several activities I personally participate in that are community based; however it’s so much more rewarding to do it with the family. This year my sisters and I will be donating quilts, food and volunteering our time at our local MLK center. Helping your fellow man is not only warming to the soul but our Lord and savior also commands it. Sadly the spirit of generosity isn’t shared year round.

I am a big supporter for family traditions, some in my family could even use the word obsessed. While we still exchange gifts,  my family has started a new tradition of adopting an Angel. It’s just one way of giving to someone in need. As I was saying, my family is not so much on keeping all of our old traditions but I fight to keep them alive until I have a family of my own. I want to share just a few of the past and present traditions we participate in (willing or not).

• Reading the birth of Christ before opening gifts on Christmas day 
•  The Nutcracker Ballet
•  Eating at McDonalds after Christmas shopping
•  Watching Christmas cartoon marathon. A side note; I love frosty the snowman and snoopy the most.
•  Singing carols together
•  Holiday light viewing (the family packing into the van and driving around to neighborhoods looking at decorated houses).
•  Angel Tree.
•  Decorating the tree together. I currently have two. My goal is 3.
•  Parade of Lights
•  Open one gift on Christmas Eve and each person say what they are thankful for.
  

I am hoping to add to the list. Who knows, I might put on some of the things I do in my own home. Just be prepared to have a long list. I love the holidays.

With love

Monique

Fall Inspiration from Southen Living at Home

Not too long ago I attended the Southern Living at Home National Convention here in North Texas. I was able to meet some really nice and creative women. I was so inspired by the different themes that were displayed. I am posting the fall displays and will post the holiday and other pictures later on this month.

I have to say that the people who design the different rooms are amazing. Their creative use of items was crazy. It really encourages me to look at items in new ways and not just how they were initially designed to be used. I don’t think I will be able to recreate the exact look they have but it does give me some ideas. I’m not even ashamed to say that I purchased a few of the items I saw used. I’ll take a few photos of the products I purchased for my home decorated.

The other views that were at the design exhibit were dining room, bedroom, children’s room, living room, outdoor setting and various table settings. I can say it does give me a lot of ideas for the warmer, not to mention drier, months.

While there I did learn quite a few things. Here are some of the tips the designers used for their demonstration:

1. Display items in set of 3 or 5. It is more appealing to the eyes

2. Use natural elements. At the design exhibit they didn’t just have fresh flowers but also dried flowers, fruits, veggies, grasses, branches and grapevines.

3. Appeal to all the senses not just sight. They used a lot of varying texture, colors and different materials. One of the designers said people love to touch and by changing the texture of thins it is more appealing.

4. Lighting: You need to see it to enjoy it. There were light’s everywhere, in book cases on desk and always near where people would be seating.
5. Lifts and levels. Modifying the height that is displayed allows the eye to stop take an item in. It also adds interest.