It's Fall Y'all!

It's officially fall, one of my most favorite seasons!  I'm especially looking forward to this year as the kids are big enough now to get out and do fun things.   I just know they will love visiting the local pumpkin patches, hayrides, bonfires and all of the fun fall traditions.  

I haven't decorated for fall in three years so I was excited about getting some of my things out of storage.   The kids are still curious and will grab anything within reach so I'm not going all out, but I thought a few fall touches would be fun.  (I'm still undecided on if I'm going to decorate for Halloween too or just do a few fall things and hold out for Christmas.  Call me lazy?)

First of all, my mom is super crafty.  I have been seeing pennants all over Pinterest and blogland so I just knew that I wanted one.  I showed her a few that I loved and she went right to work and surprised me with this original she made just for ME!!!!  Isn't it just so stinkin' cute???  It's hanging on the mirror right in our foyer for all of our guests to see.  I LOVE it!  Thanks mom!

I also did a few things for the mantle.  Nothing amazing, just a garland that I've had for years and a few scattered pumpkins. 

 I got the idea for the pumpkins on the candlesticks from a photo that I saw on Pinterest (do you all spend as much time on there as I do?  I seriously need to step away!!!).  The reindeer moss really dresses them up and adds a little something special.  

Then just a few more pumpkins in a vase and waalaa!  My oh so observant kiddos noticed the fall touches immediately this morning and were excited to see the pumpkins.  I have to say, that kinda made my morning!  I love that they notice and get excited about the little things!  

Speaking of my kiddos, honestly, like, how cute are they???  What is it about kids in pajamas?  Ugh, my heart melts every time I look at this picture.  I am BEYOND BLESSED!

Missoni Maddness!!!

Guess I should have seen that one coming.  I mean, in my opinion, this was the hugest collaboration that Target has done with a major fashion house ever.  But, crashing the entire Target website all day and thousands of women lining up around city blocks at 6:00am and it selling out in stores in NYC in 10 minutes?  I didn't expect that!  

I have been looking so forward to this launch and went last night as planned (we had a super busy day including a concert at the downtown library, visiting my mom's office, and stopping by my old office so I couldn't go until after the kiddos had gone to bed.).  Sadly, the pickings were very slim.  I went to two different Targets in my area and I could not believe how empty the racks and shelves were.  I struck up conversations with other shoppers who were clearly there only for the Missoni items and they were surprised as well.  One of them told me that was her third trip to a Target in one day!  

However, I did luck up on a few cute things that were left and in my size.  I picked up this dress (the LAST item on the entire rack) and this adorable cardigan (again, last man standing).  I'm not just saying this....not only is this stuff so super cute (when else can us common folk have the coveted zig zag items??) but they are surprisingly well make and luxurious feeling.  The dress is lined and fits like a glove (hits me at just the right spot on my thighs that is so slimming!!!) and the cardigan is ahhhdorable on.  I had to spring for the tights too!  So cute!  

I couldn't resist these items for the home as well.  So stinking cute!  

I feel lucky that I was able to find a few things left in my size because after looking at Facebook and online, so many people went to their Targets and found nothing but barren racks.  Mostly everything is sold out online and according to a Yahoo article  there will be very little replenishing the stores.  I checked and this little dress and sweater are already going for more than double on ebay.  Hey, I guess I have options if I change my mind!  Make a little profit, eh? 

So, did anyone else luck out and find some Missoni items yesterday??  Let's hear all about it!!!

Slowly But Surely!

 (First of all, all of these pictures are terrible quality.  Our good camera is currently out of order so I've had to make do with my phone.  Sorry!)  

Slowly but surely, I am giving my living room a makeover!  Clearly, when you are doing things on a budget, it just takes time.  However, I can already see a dramatic improvement in the living room and while it is not complete, I wanted to give you an update on where we are!  

Here are the BEFORE pics.  My father-in-law generously gave us this leather sectional.  While I wasn't sure about the color I was thrilled to have it.  It is a very masculine piece so I attempted to soften it up by adding these pillows but it was still looking pretty dark.  

Dark mantle, dark accessories, just dark.

And, here are the AFTER pics!  (For now, anyways!)  I added some new colorful pillows that I am in love with.  The floral ones are Homegood finds and I found the lumbar pillows on Etsy.  And seriously, how cute is that coffee table?  A Craigslist find for $15!  (Unfortunately, the accessories on the coffee table are for photo ops only, they wouldn't last 2.3 seconds with my little ones.  In fact, we brought the coffee table in the other night after the kids had gone to bed.  I swear to you, the very next morning it was like they knew it was there.  They all went running straight towards it all screaming, "Yay!  A new drum!!!" and proceeded to bang on it repeatedly.  Another reason why I didn't want to spend a lot of money on this makeover!!!)

And here is the mantle!  Isn't is so much lighter and brighter than before???  I'm in lurve with that mirror (another Homegoods find, on clearance no less!).  The hammered vases are from Old Time Pottery ($9 and $12 each) and the teal vase is from West Elm.  I'm not sure about the twiggy thingies that I put in there?  Suggestions???  

Okay, so here is my next plan of action.  I got the deal of the century over the weekend at West Elm.  Remember my curtain dilemma?  I have since been searching for replacements.  I have looked at all of the usual suspects (Target, JC Penny's, World Market, etc) but the only place that I could find the color that I wanted was at West Elm and were $64.99 a panel.  Not good for my budget.  But, good things come to those who wait!!!  The hubs and I stopped in at our local West Elm over the weekend and not only did they only have 2 panels left in the length and color that I needed, they were on sale for $25 each!  SCORE!!!  So, I need to hang those suckers up, but I want to make sure that they match my new Santa chair (yup, Santa got it for me) that is currently in route to me that will be replacing the black chair next to the mantle.  Y'all.  This chair is the bomb.  Can't wait to show it to you!!!  She is gonna really complete the room!

You may not have noticed but I also did a lamp switcharoo.  This lamp (and it's taller matching partner behind the couch) where also in the rec room.  I just felt like the wood tone of the shades really worked with the color of the leather in the couch (which has since really grown on me).  I am also planning on replacing this sofa table with the yet-to-be-painted buffet that my mom is giving me.  I was leaning towards a funky green for the buffet,  but I've heard a lot of great things about a Martha Stewart color called Plumage.  It's a deep teal that I think would look fab.  Hmmmm....decisions, decisions!    

                               

Okay, so what do y'all think?!?!?!  I'm completely open to suggestions!!  And a huge thank you to Shelli at A' la mode who could see the beauty in the space and shared her vision with me!