New Blog Site

Hello Readers!  I have a new domain for my blog.  Future posts will be on my new website.  Please click over and check it out.  I am fortunate to have a friend who creates websites because I'm not very computer savvy.  The creator of  my new site is ginasis.  I feel my new blog reflects more of my personality and is easier to navigate.  All of my past posts from this blog can be found on my new site as well.  I hope you take the time to check out my new place on the world wide web and that you'll follow me there. 

Fall Nail Polish

 

I'm not much of a beauty queen, but these are some nail polish colors I'm loving right now.  Essie has a new Fall collection of polishes which can be found here .  I love all of the colors!  The polishaholic shows what all of the colors look like on her nails which is helpful.  I'm a nail biter so I'll spare you a photo of my short jagged nails.  I know it's gross, but it's a nervous habit.  My nails actually grow out rather nicely if I keep polish on them.  I'm fairly low maintenance when it comes to beauty routines, but I love a pedicure.  Fortunately I'm not a toenail biter which would be really gross.  What's your favorite nail color?  



 

Lori Mitchell

Lori Mitchell Trick or Treaters

Witchy Hazel's Big Sister,
Esperilla & Fraidy Cat

Sebastian the Bat & Captain Kid

Robby Robot

October is one of my favorite months.  I love the Fall weather, the colors of Autumn and Halloween. I came across the above Halloween figurines at a Junior League shopping event called Holiday Mart years ago.  I fell in love with their quirky looks and adorable costumes.  They all have skinny little legs which is something I've yearned for most of my life.  They make me smile when I look at them.  It has been hard to decide which ones to add to my collection over the years.  I am running out of room on my sofa table to display them.

The creator of these trick or treaters is folk artist, Lori Mitchell.  Her figurines are whimsical and she is known for exaggerating their proportions and expressions.  Each year she adds new characters to her collection.  She also makes figures for other holidays.  I have a few of her Christmas ones, but I've tried to limit myself to Halloween since they are my favorites.  There are so many to choose from it makes it hard for a girl to decide.  You can purchase her collections at various places on line.  I have also found them in a few specialty boutiques around town.  I hope a few trick or treaters bring a smile to your face this month.

Fall Decorating

Large Owl Plate from Pottery Barn

 

Green glass vase from Pottery Barn

Owl Martini Shaker from Pottery Barn

Last Friday I posted some displays from my local Pottery Barn store which were an inspiration to me while preparing my home for Fall.  I thought I'd share how I displayed my purchases. In the first photo I used the large owl platter on my mantle and grouped it with some other owls I already own.  I'm not a pro at decorating by any means, but I've learned a few things from interior designers.  When you group similar items or collections it makes more of a statement than if you have them spread sporadically around your home.  This by no means is all of the owl statues I own, but I think it makes a statement. It helps if you have items of varying heights.   I also threw in the witch plate to give the grouping a pop of color. The bittersweet adds a natural element and also adds a touch of color.  The rocks in the vase also add a touch of nature, but I went the fake route on the twigs.  I found them at Crate and Barrel.  They are made of paper and look pretty cool up close.  In the second photo, I spread out my swag of bittersweet and put a few sprigs in the green vase from Pottery Barn.  Now that my house is decorated for Fall I can sit back and fix myself a martini with my new owl martini shaker. 

Transitions

"My past is the fertile ground from which new good arises."  I copied that sentence from a little publication I read called The Daily Word.  It teaches me to not mourn the past, but to look at it as the sowing of seeds that have yet to harvest.  To look forward to more good in my life.  I have a lot of great memories and as I go through many transitions in midlife I can get a little sad at times.  I have a feeling a lot of it has to do with hormones.  Sad that good friends have moved and things won't ever be the same, marriages are ending and kids are going off to college soon.  Life is full of these transitions.

When we bought our first home we lived in a cul de sac and we were great friends with all of our neighbors.  We were all about the same age and starting families at the same time.  We were young, life was good and we had fun.  Then couples started to move into bigger homes as our families grew.  The addition of children meant more stuff which needed more space.  We've kept in touch with a few of those neighbors, but things are never the same.  Our second home which we still occupy is also in a cul de sac.  When we built it 13 years ago we were in a similar situation.  We all had young families and we had various gatherings in the cul de sac while the kids played.  We were young, life was good and we had fun.  Originally I was worried we'd never have the same experiences we did with our first home, but there was more good and fun times in store for us.

Once again a transition is occurring.  Neighbors are downsizing as kids get older, we don't have gatherings as often, and people are going in different directions with kids activities.  There is still a feeling of community, but it's not the same.  I try not to mourn the past, but look forward to the new possibilities the future holds.  Most importantly I'm learning to enjoy the present time because I know things won't be the same 5 years from now or even 2 days from now.  I've always been a forward thinker waiting for a future day to come.  If I'm not dreaming of the future then I'm rehashing the past and over analyzing things.  I'm starting to come to grips with the realization I'd better stay in the present because things change tomorrow unless you're Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day.  I'm reassured though that there will be more good and fun even though I won't be young and things won't ever be the same.  My past is laying the groundwork for the future, and I'm looking forward to harvest time. 

Red Cedar Gardens

My Fall Outdoor Pot inspired by Red Cedar

My inspiration

Cute Little Fairy Gardens at Red Cedar Nursery

Owls Abound at Red Cedar Nursery

Red Cedar Gardens is a beautiful little nursery tucked away at 7895 W 183rd St. in Stilwell, Kansas. I often forget about this gem of inspiration since it's off the beaten path.  I had lunch with a friend who reminded me of the nursery since I was looking for Fall inspiration for my front porch pot.  The blooms of summer were looking withered and overgrown and my pot needed a makeover.  I decided to venture out to Red Cedar and wasn't disappointed.  One of the owners Ricki was putting together Fall outdoor displays for a class she was teaching the next day.  I showed her a picture of my pot from my IPhone.  By the way, the IPhone takes great pictures and is super convenient.  She gave me several suggestions, and I was overwhelmed and in awe of her creativity.  I love owls and had an owl statue at home so I decided to go with the owl theme.  I only needed a few items: a kale plant, a pumpkin, milo (which are the cornstalk looking things) and a sprig of bittersweet.  Bittersweet can be very difficult to find so I was thrilled she had it in stock.

Red Cedar offers several types of classes during the year.  My friends have taken their fairy garden class and loved it.  Ricki has a knack for creating beautiful arrangements by adding statues, lanterns, and other chotchkies with items from nature .  I was inspired to look at my outdoor pots in a whole different light.  I will definitely be returning to Red Cedar for some winter inspiration.  If you live in the area it's worth the visit  www.redcedargardens.com

Eric Stonestreet

Congratulations to Kansas City native Eric Stonestreet on his Emmy win!   His character Cameron makes me smile every Wednesday night.  I can't wait for the new season of Modern Family.  The show is so well written and at the heart of it's story lines is the importance of family.  The acting is superb which was evident from all of the leading actors Emmy nominations last night.  The show won best comedy and Julie Bowen also won for best actress in a comedy series.  If you want a good laugh tune in on Wednesday nights on ABC.