Setting The Table for Fall

IT'S FALL Y'ALL! 

I adore this time of the year. Leaves crunching under your feet, a hot drink in your hand, and pumpkins scattered all over the place. Getting to layer sweaters and scarves with cute jackets and boots is a definite perk as well.

Fall fashion is just a giant mass of cozy wrapped up in flannel goodness.

Autumn has made its way into our home recently, and I've been dying to share with you my table decorations this year! 

Just like in fashion, layering is such an easy way to instantly make your table look polished. You can layer plates, table runners, napkins, you name it. I placed a napkin in between my stacked plates to break up the look, and to tie into the black centerpiece. Speaking of the centerpiece, this one is a vase from IKEA I bought years ago, placed on top of a mirror, and filled with fake leaves and flowers. The table runner is made from an IKEA panel I had hanging in my room during collage (this one is equally awesome), and a strip of fabric I pulled from the remnant bin at Jo-Ann Fabrics ages ago. 

Gold and purple pine cones??? Yes please! 

I found all of these either in our backyard, or under a tree I passed on my walk the other day. A quick coat of spray paint and nature got a nice dose of glam!

The candles are from IKEA, and the rest is just random fall decor I picked up last year at Hobby Lobby or Dollar General.

Yes I know it looks a little silly since we really don't use our dining room, or plan on having a bunch of people over anytime soon (not to mention the absent cutlery and glassware). But I just CAN'T pass up the opportunity to decorate for the season!
Do you fill your home with leaves and pumpkins? Or do you go the frightening route for a more Halloween theme? I like to keep things somewhat Fall-neutral, and make my decor last from September through November. 
Decorate smarter not harder!

Shake-n-Bake Projects

I love big projects. All the hard work is extremely satisfying, and the final transformation is almost 99% totally worth the long process. Replanting our lawn, painting our banister, the kitchen cabinets, and any of the trim work have all been majorly long, but majorly satisfying undertakings. 

But as much as I love the gratification from those tasks, there is something to be said about big changes that come in small packages. Shake-n-Bake Projects if you will, super fast and super easy. 

I have been hording these four mini-projects in my back pocket because; A) I just completed two of them this weekend, and B) they were SO EASY it seemed silly to make a whole post about them. 

First up is this adorable blue garden lantern. I spotted this gem at Home Emporium the very beginning of Summer. 

One look, and my nerdy little head instantly went to this: 

A chance to have my own little Tardis? Yes please! 

Like the tag in the picture says, it was priced $50. Even though that's probably about half of what it would be in a department store, it was still a little steep for me, and I sadly walked away :( 

Fast forward to the END of Summer, and all garden lanterns were priced down to $29.99 which resulted in this ending up in my kitchen! 

The only other supply I needed was glass paint. I used Martha Stewart Crafts, Glass Paint, Gloss Opaque in white from Michael's. The fact that it was opaque was very important since it needed to stand out against the blue paint of the lantern. To cure the paint, I placed everything in the oven, set the temp to 350 degrees, and let it bake for 30 minutes (that way the glass/earthenware heated up gradually). After a half hour I turned off the oven and waited until everything completely cooled before removing it. 

Call the Doctor because there is now a tiny Tardis in my yard! 

Project #2 was hands down the easiest upgrade to date. For $0.50, this sweet print wrapped up in all its horrible framed glory was mine. 

A quick transfer to a simple white frame with a matte, and it was ready for it's new debut. 

What isn't to love about a group of flamingos partying in front of a bright pink sky?! 
Cute art in ugly frame - ugly frame + pretty frame = beautiful masterpiece! 
Yes, decorating does involve some math, FOIL that! 
...ok moving on. 

Anyone who visits our home realizes pretty quick that I have a fondness for pineapples. It goes back to my college days, an ongoing game of real-life "spot the pineapple", and all eight seasons of Psych. If you've never watched it, give it a go, it's like Scooby-Doo for adults. 
So when I spied this iron beast at the thrift store I had to have it. 

Downside, rustic country chic is really not my style. 
Cue spray paint! 

 This color is absolutely incredible, I. Am. OBSESSED! 

THAT is more like it! 

Never underestimate the power of spray paint. 

Last is this adorable brass tray. He was looking pretty rough, but I knew with a little TLC he could be spectacular. 

I've read before that a mixture of salt and lemon juice can work as brass polish. Since both of those were in my pantry (aka FREE), I figured I'd give that a go first before going out and buying special brass polish. I mixed the juice and salt in a bowl to create a paste, then just dipped a rag into the solution and went to town. 
After a few moments of vigorous scrubbing I could already tell a world of difference.

Just look at that shine! 
I couldn't believe all of the gorgeous that was hiding underneath that tarnish. 

 Of course I wasted no time finding it a home on our coffee table. 

How incredible is this before and after?! And all it took was a couple ingredients found in the kitchen. 

There you have it! Custom details, a new frame, a fresh bold color, or a bit of polish and elbow grease can breath new life into a tired old piece, and all you need is an afternoon worth of time. 

It's a Wrap! Rattan Chair Makeover

Can you believe that Summer is practically over? These past few days of upper 90's and high humidity prove it's not leaving without a fight.

Anyhooo, back in the BEGINNING of Summer, this adorable little rattan chair caught my eye on Craigslist. I fell in love with the curved lines of the frame as well as the details on the back, and knew right away it need a home in our backyard. 

$15 later and we had a new chair! 

So I had this idea. 
I really wanted to make this chair pop, give it a little extra attitude. I ALSO wanted to do something with all of the beautiful neon string and cord that you always see at hardware stores.

Aren't those colors just stunning?! Who knew construction string and paracord were so adorable. Once I had an idea what color I wanted to go where, I began wrapping my cord around the back of the chair. I switched between knots and hot glue to help secure everything. 

This part got a bit tedious. After a while, wrapping string around and around and around became pretty boring. Good thing I had The West Wing on Netflix to keep me company. Don't judge, it's a greats show! 

But all that wrapping and hot glue payed off, because now I have a chair that is just bursting with character! Doesn't it make you want to take a seat, relax, and truly enjoy these last days of the Summertime? :) 

 

Another example of how simple materials and a bit of color can transform something from drab to fab!

Walk, Drink, Chill, Repeat.

This Saturday, my great friend Dan and I decided to enjoy the absolutely GORGEOUS weather, and roam all around Cincinnati. 

Our first stop: The City Flea! 

Over the summer this event happens once a month in Washington Park, and is pretty much like Etsy...but in real life! Tons of creative types gather on the lawn and sell their products. Vintage clothes, handmade crafts, original jewelry, unique gifts, everything! 

This park is quickly becoming one of my favorite places in Cincinnati. Last Sunday Dan and I went for a free concert, Opera in the Park, presented by the Cincinnati Opera company. Every weekend there are free events at the park for the public to enjoy.

After browsing through the flea, we headed deeper downtown and grabbed a quick drink at Nada. I've walked passed this restaurant so many times and have ALWAYS wanted to check it out. They are a contemporary Mexican restaurant, and I can tell you first-hand that the margaritas are exceptionally yummy :) 

We dubbed our look for the day "hipster-hippy". 

Once we got our fill of downtown we thought, "Hey! Why not keep going and head up to Mt. Adams!?". So sticking to the theme of walk, drink, chill, repeat we wondered around and found ourselves at The Blind Lemon Cafe. This cafe is like a secret garden where magical fairies come along and serve you wine, beer, and little pint sized bowls of pretzels. 

I still can't get over those over sized vintage posters! And the mirrors expand the space by adding so much drama! Eric is going to come home one day and find a giant mirror propped up against our fence in the backyard. 

I could have sat there all afternoon. 

The last stop of the day was the Unwind Wine Bar in Hyde Park. If you enjoy wine, beer, appetizers, and desserts this is the place for you. We each had a delicious glass of vino and split a lick-your-fork-clean slice of lemon blueberry cheesecake. 

Walk, drink, chill, repeat. 

This should be the mantra for every weekend. I don't think we could have planned a more relaxing day of  exploring our wonderful city if we tried. 

So if you're in the area and looking for someplace new to hang out; Washington Park, Nada, The Blind Lemon, and Unwind all unofficially have the Dan and Beth Stamp of Approval!