Right now, stores are filled with beautiful autumn decor. Oranges, browns, greens, purples, and dark reds adorn bedding, candles, table linens, kitchen towels, and dishes. Target, Craft Warehouse, Michael’s and Joann’s crafts stores are particularly tempting right now – yikes!
I’m trying to stay strong and decorate my home with my existing decor – things I’ve enjoyed shopping for and displaying all these years. The only new things for autumn I should be buying are things I can use up or wear out – candles, kitchen towels, home sprays, and food.
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
- Sanitize or clean pet water and food bowls, if needed. Refill with fresh food and water.
- Look over your budget for fall decorating (if any!) Plan ahead, don’t just go to a store and impulse shop.
- Have you read a newspaper, visited a major news website, or watched an evening hour-long newscast in the last week or two so you can stay informed about what’s going on?
- Need to empty out your purse or wallet and tidy them?
- Have you brought home any delicious apple cider?
TODAY’S PROJECT: Beginning Fall Decorating
I’m not quite ready to admit summer is over and haul out my three plastic storage bins of fall decor. (It was 86 degrees here yesterday, after all).
I want to look everything over before I give myself permission to buy any more decorations or household items. I probably don’t need any more, to be honest. I should stay firm and not add to my household clutter.
Hopefully I will control myself, and only buy a couple candles (which get used up) and fresh squash/pumpkins to use for ornamentation.
If you want to do some shopping for decor, look over your budget for fall decorating. How much money can you spend on new decor, if any? Can you buy a couple new fun, lovely items, without cutting into your holiday gift budget (not to mention rent, food, savings, and entertainment?)
Also, how is your STORAGE budget for fall decorating? Can you make your home cozy and homey for autumn without making it cluttered and overly kitschy? Where do you put and store your decorations once fall and the holidays are over?
You might already own everything you need. I have TWO autumn-themed wreaths I alternate on my front door (one for everyday, and one I use for the week before and after Halloween). I’ll never need to buy another fall front door wreath, as long as I take good care of the two I have. None of us probably *need* new decor, but it gives us a nice pick-me-up and can make us feel like our home is lovely and cozy.
Spend some time tonight decorating your house for autumn in a way that will please you and your family members. Enjoy the process – turn on fun music, burn fall-scented candles or spray pumpkin home fragrance spray. Pour yourself a glass of wine, a glass of ice cold cider, or a mug of hot tea. And whatever you do, don’t do any cleaning! This is a decorating day!
LOVELY BLOGS: Miss Party
“Empowering hostesses to entertain with creativity, enthusiasm and joy.” This party blog is full of DIY tips and ideas for decor and party-related crafts. It’s refreshingly low on recipes – tons of cooking blogs abound, but there’s far fewer quality party inspiration blogs like this one. Recent posts include DIY autumn fruit place card holders, ideas for an autumn wreath decorating party, how to use cherry wood leaves for decor, and serving mulled apple cider to a crowd.
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:
Cooking on Vacation (Chocolate and Zucchini)
Exotic Granola: 4 Oat-Free Versions (CHOW)
Fall Home Renovation Projects (Canoe)
Five Ways to Fall in Love With Autumn Running (Chatelaine)
Guide to the Jewish High Holy Days (Epicurious)
Heirloom Tomato Salsa (Garden of Eating)
