Easter 2013

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I let Evie pick her own Easter shoes this year...I cringed, she said "she felt like a princess"

We had dinner at my mom's house and then were off for an Easter egg hunt with my BFF and her kids.  I admit, I still love hiding the eggs.  :)  

Fall Decorating on a Dollar

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Here are the details of my affordable Autumn decorating.

My leaf garland on the mantel costs $2!  I used a package of paper leaves from Dollar Tree and a package of brown cardboard leaf gift tags from the dollar spot of Target.  I simply taped them to kitchen twine.  It took me about 10 minutes.  I love how the leaves are the same ones that I have on the dresser in the dining room, it's my subtle way of tying the rooms together.

The ceramic pumpkins were also a Dollar Tree find, you can find them online here.  My wheat stack was $15...so total spent on my mantle, $22!

Finally, if you remember, my brown paper sack flowers in the foyer added a festive feel for a grand total of $.50!

Sweater Pillows

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Please tell me I am not the only one that goes into Pottery Barn this time of year and has to resist the urge to curl up on one of those down couches, covered with sweater pillows, and take a nap.

This fall, I've tried to create that same feeling in my family room.  I found a few cream cable knit sweater pillows at Hobby Lobby for $12.50 each.  I combined them with my white fur pillow I already owned and a  chunky chenille throw from Target.

Happy Napping!

Fall Mantel

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For years, I have dreamed of having a fireplace mantel to decorate for the holidays!  Yet, when it came time to decorate my first mantel for Autumn...I was totally stumped.  Not only that, I was still loving what was already there.  So I decided to keep it simple...

Join me on Thursday and I will share my easy and super affordable autumn decor tips, including the mantel garland and white ceramic pumpkins.

Fall Vignettes

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This week I have been working on decorating the dining room for Autumn.

I am no expert on creating vignettes, but here is the way I do it.

Step 1.  Clear the surface and start with a clean slate.

Step 2.  Gather any and all items you think you "might" want to use in your vignette.

Step 3.  Begin layering items

When I layer in my items, I try to start with taller items in the center then work my way out and down.  I move things around, add in items, take items out, and just basically play until my eye feels happy.

 I was inspired by the mixing of textures and finishes of Pottery Barn fall displays I have seen.  I combined rustic elements, like the picture frame, with different colors of gold, silver, and mercury glass.

 The gourd and pumpkins were from HomeGoods

I picked up the urn and picture frame at Hobby Lobby.  The paper leaves and moss came from Dollar Tree.
The free printable came from here.

I also added some cozy placemats to the table.  The candleholders were on clearance at Anthropologie.  I like to have a little centerpiece on the table, but don't like it to be something that always has to be moved or gets in the way of conversation.  I am happy with this little platter of lavender and candles.

I am really wanting to add some items on the wall to fill in around the mirror.

  I picked up these plates at TJ Maxx for  $7 and am thinking them over.

I also picked up this little gal at HomeGoods, isn't she caauute?!!

 I don't think I will put her out until a little later in October though.

Our Entryway Striped Wall & Harvest Decor

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I am slowly starting to put out some autumn decor.  I have been gathering ideas on Pinterest and saving them to my Harvest Decor board.

One idea I immediately fell in love with was these brown paper flowers.  Using her instructions and $.50 worth of lunch sacks from the dollar store, this is how my version turned out.

 The chalkboard was made from one of our kitchen cabinet doors and a quart of schoolhouse green chalkboard paint.   (the cabinet door had a few small scratches and the builder replaced the one in the kitchen, but left me the damaged one.  I am glad they did!) I am far from being a good chalkboard artist, but I enjoy changing the quotes every few weeks.

Aside from the paper flowers, raffia pumpkins, burlap pumpkin, and acorn...this is pretty much how the entry area looks all the time.  I would like to maybe add a few more clocks and I definitely need to finish the stool project.  You might remember that I picked up the stool (and the wire basket) while antique shopping with the kids.

I think it will probably take the whole month of September, maybe longer, for me to get all the whole house decorated the way I want for Autumn....but that's ok!  Not rushing will give me plenty of time to sit and watch the leaves change.

Check out more transformations by clicking here. 

Find many more DIY ideas over at {aka}design by clicking here.