How to dress like a 1970s gamine

1. Start with Lauren Moffatt's  2011 fall collection.
2. Stop there.

(I especially love the stripey dresses and the use and color of that buttery leather.)

{all images via Lauren Moffatt}

Hurricane Season

Image courtesy of hornes.org via google

A holiday table topped off with a decorative glass hurricane, or hurricanes, always looks so polished and festive. They are the perfect way to bring Autumn to the table. The glass capsules filled with seasonal items, candlelit, or wrapped, can fit into any decorative scheme - it just depends on how you use them.

I like the look of hurricanes filled with acorns, gourds, or berries- Fall's harvest right there.

Image courtesy nicegirlnotes.com via google

Although I have not tried this, I bet it would create lovely ambiance for an evening gathering with the light filtered through the warm shades of orange tissue.

Image courtesy of marthastewart.com

Candlelight flickering in these mercury hurricanes would be a beautiful centerpiece for the holiday table- wintry and elegant.

Image courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

This pair is my favorite. Really, it is because they look like New England, like my parents' place during the Fall, and I am always up for a little bit of home, especially when the holidays roll around.

Image courtesy of yourdecoratinghotline.com

Pumpkin Books

Image courtesy of i.telegraph.co.uk

Starting October 1st, in every library, there is a run on pumpkin books. This is understandable given the curriculum of most preschool and elementary schools touches upon the pumpkin life cycle at some point- plus they are a key component in Halloween celebrations and , of course, visits to the pumpkin patch.

Over the years I have compiled a list of the selections and these are my five "go to" choices for pumpkin books....The Pumpkin Book - Gail Gibbons, Pumpkin Heads!- Wendell Minor, Pumpkins- Ken Robbins, Pumpkin, Pumpkin- Jeanne Titherington, and Pumpkin Jack- Will Hubbell. Take a visit to your local book store and check them out - plus you can read what School Library Journal has to say about these titles below (so you don't just have to take my word for it)!

Image courtesy of google

Bold, clear watercolor illustrations and a concise text work together to explain the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of pumpkins. Gibbons includes a description of their traditional use by the Pilgrims and at Halloween. Directions for carving are provided with cautionary reminders about knives and candle safety along with alternate ways to decorate a pumpkin using a variety of materials found in most homes. A page of interesting facts about the history of pumpkins, their nutritional value, pollination, and instructions for drying seeds to eat is appended. Gibbons succeeds once again at covering a topic in a useful way at just the right level for beginning readers.

Image courtesy of google

Minor illustrates this simple text with lush, rich paintings that portray resplendent autumn scenes. Jack-o'-lanterns, small and large, are found on a bench, floating in the air in the form of a hot-air balloon, and on hayrides. Some look like cowboys, snowmen, or a witch; all wish readers a "Happy Halloween." Very large print on creamy ivory pages on the left side stands in contrast to the realistic scenes on the right. This visually stunning book is sure to be a favorite autumn read-aloud.

Image courtesy of google

With color photos that equal any painting for artistry of composition and sensitivity, Robbins has created a book that is certain to become an autumn favorite. Without naming the season, it launches into a description of autumn as …that time of year when…, clearly and poetically evoking the crisp, cooler days with the leaves …splashing their color on the ground…. The author documents the life cycle of the pumpkin with close-up, naturalistic photos and clear, simple text. He discusses the wide variety of pumpkin colors and sizes, from the palm-sized types to those weighing more than 1000 pounds. Basic instructions are included for carving a jack-o-lantern, with adult help suggested. The next year's crop, ensured by the pumpkins and their seeds left to rot in the field, is the focus of the last spread.

Image courtesy of google

Softly colored pencil illustrations in a realistic style effectively communicate Jamie's pride as a very young gardener. He plants a seed, then grows and harvests a pumpkin from which he saves seeds for next year. The large, detailed drawings capture Jamie's anticipation and pleasure just right. The garden creatures appearing on every page and grandpa, whom we catch sight of now and then, are a delightful supporting cast. Nonreaders can easily follow the story in pictures alone. Very large, clear print on facing pages makes the simple narrative inviting for beginning readers, too.

Image courtesy of google

A simple, appealing selection for storytimes. When Tim carves his first pumpkin, he names it Jack. When it finally begins to decay, he puts it in the garden rather than in the trash bin. As the months go by, Jack grows moldy, sinks into the leaves, hides in the snow, and finally sprouts a new plant. By the next fall, there are plenty of pumpkins for Tim to share at school. He keeps just one for himself and when he finishes carving it, he says "Welcome back, Jack!" The plant's cycle throughout the seasons is told in a satisfying, straightforward fashion. Hubbell uses colored pencils with solvent wash effects to create vibrant double-page spreads that bring the story to life. These pictures complement the text, which flows nicely with its own descriptive details. Readers can hear the crinkle of old leaves, smell the earthy odors of the garden, and breathe in the crisp air of the first frosty day of autumn. Any child who has had to throw away a beloved jack-o'-lantern will appreciate this fine offering.

passion flower plate

This striking plate from Crate and Barrel is inspiring me to become the sort of person who sets a table for dinner with seasonal touches and ever changing centerpieces and linens.

It is funny because the colors are not usually what I would gravitate toward (well, it is also funny because almost every evening we eat in our kitchen, not the dining room, and certainly not at a charmingly set table), but every time I see these on display in the store I can't help but admire the spread. They are like little dessert plate shaped pieces of art. I wish I could find larger images, but the next time you are at your local Crate and Barrel- pop in for a peek.

favorite fall treat

Image courtesy of google

The bakeries around here have that sign out that I love to see- "Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are back!". If your local bakeries aren't as excited about these delicious desserts as mine are, then I suggest you make them yourself and see what all the fuss is about.

The following recipe is from Everyday with Rachel Ray and is a great guide. Whoopie Pies are the best , but Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are seriously even better!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
1-2/3 cups flour
4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Get ahead
Freeze the whoopie pies for up to three days.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.

Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop 12 generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.

simon pearce

According to my mailbox, it is autumn. All of the fall catalogs are rolling in and after this scorcher of a summer- I am ready. Of course I am coveting all of the clothing, but I also love to look through the houseware catalogs and check out their fall spreads. Simon Pearce has some shots that are so simple and feel like New England- I can just smell the hot cider and feel the crisp air.

Ah, September....bring it on!

Leaf Press Alphabet

Image courtesy of sequenza21.com via google

So the yard is covered in leaves right now, much to the chagrin of the raker in me , but much to the delight of the artist. Last year I saw this leaf alphabet project from Martha Stewart Kids and I thought it was a fantastic autumn activity- this fall seems the perfect time to give it a try.

I appreciate that the project guidelines have detailed steps, from the actual pressing (needs to be done a week or two in advance), to display (as a border or book), and that the leaves are called "nature's tissue paper" - you can cut and manipulate them to build the perfect piece of art. For each letter of the alphabet you choose an object or animal and see how you can create it from your leaf collection.

Images courtesy of marthastewart.com

This art project also just happens to have a book that makes a great accompaniment- Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. Ehlert's leaf man takes off in the wind from a backyard and in his travels sees illustrated sites all comprised of intricate leaf collage. It is the perfect inspiration for any leaf alphabet.

Image courtesy of google

Perhaps raking up the yard this year can be less of a chore and more of a treasure hunt...

Fall in France

Though I'm in North Carolina and not France - these gorgeous pictures taken in and around Montpellier's Botanical Garden by Sonia of CozyMemories feel very right to me on this rainy fall day in NC...

Pumpkins

A few more days until October and I have pumpkins on the brain. I love having carved pumpkins on the front porch before it gets too cold and the frost does them in , so that means pretty early on I need to start thinking about what sort of jack-o-lantern I'm going to create. This year I have an easily spooked toddler to consider and I imagine we will be going the happy, smiley route- that is more my style anyhow. These examples were seeming simple and cheery (even the mouse house pumpkin is fun).
If I thought I could pull it off (and it wouldn't terrify my three-year-old), it would be a major artistic challenge to try something like this- but what a cool result.
I also like the idea of stacking pumpkins and gourds. A tower of Halloween greetings for any style....
When the carving goes beyond goofy or scary faces it can result in really beautiful seasonal decoration- the second set of carved pumpkins are truly elegant.
Finally, how could anyone resist something like this sitting on the front porch?

{All images courtesy of Google images}

To get you started on your own jack-0-lantern, howstuffworks has a comprehensive pumpkin carving tutorial- everything from the very basic to the extremely ambitious.

Happy fall!

Summer makes me drowsy.

Autumn makes me sing.

Winter's pretty lousy,

But I hate Spring.

-- Dorothy Parker

image via pretentious and pop

already falling for fall...

It's still sweltering here in North Carolina. There is no need for anything other than a tank top and cotton skirt. Even that much sometimes feels like too much. So excuse me for longing for the fall. I want to feel that autumn crispness, I want to see faces pink with cold, I want, for the love of all things holy and good, to be able to wear jeans. These pictures, from the fall catalog of Toast, aren't helping. I love the mustard yellows and dark blues and touches of pink and orange in these images. And I want to live in a drafty old cottage where one needs to be wrapped up in beautiful scarfs and wear worn leather boots. Come on, fall, I need you.