My Five Favorites - Fall Essentials - Home & Fashion

Happy October friends! Do these months fly by or what? It's time for another round of

My Five Favorites, and this month we're sharing our Fall Essentials for home and fashion.

My pals' favorites always get me in trouble, I'm anxious to see what I need! 

Our sweet friend Lisa @ Shine Your Light will be back next month.    

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

Welcome to our guest this month, Laura @ Duke Manor Farm lives on a gorgeous farm in

 the countryside of Georgia. She's created the most charming home for her lucky family!

 You can check out her beautiful fall tour here, and follow her on Instagram here.

Duke Manor Farm

#1 ~ Velvet Embroidered Crane Pillow

This fabulous little pillow made a big impact! 

Confession:  The only items I added to my family room for fall is this pillow from

 World Market and fall branches and it feels completely transformed. It's a pretty

14 "x 20" velvet lumbar, with embroidered cranes and Chinese florals, I couldn't love 

it more! 

Close up of pretty texture! 

#2 ~ Plaid Blazer

I've mentioned before Free People is one of my favorite clothing brands, and this classic

 plaid blazer is pure perfection for an effortless, chic style. I love pairing it with feminine

ruffle details and jeans, but I can think of several different looks...here's my justification

 that it's worth the investment.

Pencil skirt, pearls and pumps

Brown Maxi skirt with leopard boots

Brown leggings, cream turtleneck and riding boots

Camel wide leg trousers, lace bodysuit, cap toe pumps

White jeans, white t-shirt, white leather sneakers    

#3 ~ Leather Pants

I've been on the search for faux leather pants for a year or so, since seeing Jaclyn Smith
(of Charlie's Angels for those of you old enough to have been a fan :)) wear them at a
 presentation here in town. She looked absolutely stunning at 70!
I tried the blogger fav but felt like they looked too similar to typical black leggings.
 I found these at Banana Republic and they're exactly what I had in mind!
Flattering, sleek, and classy but not skin tight, a beautiful dark olive color, that's more
 unique than black.
BONUS!!! I purchased them online to pick up in store - when I went to the store they were
40% off! The price still hasn't changed online, so check stock at your store and you may get
 a steal! I haven't experienced anything negative some of the reviews refer to.

Four Stars **** - 56 Reviews
     

#4 ~ Frozen French Baguette @ Costco 

In my book there's nothing better for a fall dinner than homemade soup and a 

warm French baguette! You can find these at Costco in the frozen section during the fall

 and winter. They're delicious and super easy to pop in the oven and serve warm.
$10.69 for 10 baguettes - 5 twin packs

#5 ~ Tulip Bulbs

WARNING: Delayed gratification!!
I'm definitely an instant gratification girl, but if something is worth waiting for, a landscape
of pretty spring flowers after a long winter is high on my list. This is the month to plant
 tulip bulbs for a beautiful spring garden.

While you're at Costco picking up the French baguette grab a bag of their tulip bulbs

 OR

 if your store has sold out there are a few Designer Collections available to
order on their website. Below is a photo of our yard from a few years ago, I like to plant
 them in clumps of 10-15 for the biggest bang!

You should put it on your weekend to-do list because I guarantee it will make you smile

 when you see little green shoots poking through the warming ground in early spring!

Costco Tulip Collection

Don't miss these friends' favorites:

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

Laura @ Duke Manor Farm

You might like these previous My Five Favorites too:

Style A Bookcase 
Mix Old and New   
Garden, Plants, Products
Summer Essentials - Beauty & Fashion
Decorate My Porch & Patio

Home Basics I Can't Live Without

 Biggest Bang for the Buck Home Projects

Organization Room by Room

 Christmas Wish List 

Decorating a Teen Room 
Beauty Products
Before & Afters You Can Do In a Weekend

Summer Accessories

Gadgets
Paint Projects
IKEA Items in my Home
Thrifted Finds
Valentine Decor
Home Organization Tips
Christmas Wish List
Recipes for the Holidays
Entertaining Accessories
Displaying DIY Artwork
Ways to Mix Metals

DIY Projects

Fabric

Decorate an Outdoor Space
Pillow Projects
Decorating for Spring
Decorative Accessories
Home Organizing Tips
Quick & Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas

Paint    

You can also find me on Instagram and Pinterest

My Five Favorites - Garden Plants, Products & A Crazy Tip

Hey friends, hope you're having an awesome summer and taking advantage of
being outside. Anyone else love early mornings and late evenings on the patio? It's
time for another round of My Five Favorites and this month we're all about the garden,
 sharing our most loved plants, products and tips for keeping it all looking good.
Be sure to check out my pals' favorites, too:

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

I know you'll love our guest this month, Kelly Elko, she has a great sense of humor
and check out her green thumb! On her blog she shares some great tips on growing beauties
like these hydrangeas! Kelly has an obsession with classic old homes, her IG feed is a
treat if you share in her fondness! :)   

#1 - Faux Flowers

I know what you're thinking, but hear me out!
Last year we were having a group over for dinner and as luck would have it my
geraniums had just bloomed and I was left with a nice collection of pretty buds!
I noticed some colorful faux flowers at Hobby Lobby, I thought I could add to my pots
 to give them a little dose of color. :)
My friend commented on how pretty my pots were and asked what type of flowers
I had in them! Hahaha!!
I brought them out again this year to show you guys - in these pots I have a
collection of geraniums, verbena, trailing sweet potato vine and faux gerber daisies. 

There are only five faux flowers in each pot (I broke apart a larger bouquet) all the rest are the
 real deal. I simply wove a bit of the foliage from the verbena through the faux flowers.

#2 - Creeping Jenny

When I was on a garden tour one of my favorite ground covers I saw over and over again
 was Creeping Jenny. I was smitten with the contrast of the bright chartreuse color in the
 gardens! When I researched it, it sounds like it can be grown anywhere (Zone 2-10) and will
 tolerate varied conditions from sun to shade.

#3 - Boxwood

My all time favorite style for a classic landscape. This was another garden on the
same tour, it was a very small lot and packed with inspiration throughout. Their creative
boxwood hedge had me dying to go home and add more to our yard.

I have a ways to go, but ours are doing great, we have 18 of these larger boxwood
 (2' x 2' x 2') along a long bed in our backyard and my little hedge around our birdbath is
 filling in too.

#4 - Evergreens

Arborvitae can't be beat for architectural detail, reasonable price and color throughout
 the winter. They're great against a fence, planted in pots on the patio, or in the garden
below the homeowner anchored four corners of their lot with symmetrical plantings around
a large arborvitae.

#5 - Jack's Classic Bloom Booster

The flowers in Vail, CO are stunning in the summer, it's a short getaway from Denver, and
we've always loved spending a long weekend there. One year I noticed the town's gardeners
tending to the flowers and asked if they had any special tips.
That was my first introduction to Jack's Classic Bloom Booster!
It's the best and I've never used anything else since then.

Vail, CO

You might like these previous My Five Favorites too:

Summer Essentials - Beauty & Fashion
Decorate My Porch & Patio

Home Basics I Can't Live Without

 Biggest Bang for the Buck Home Projects

Organization Room by Room

 Christmas Wish List 

Decorating a Teen Room 
Beauty Products
Before & Afters You Can Do In a Weekend

Summer Accessories

Gadgets
Paint Projects
IKEA Items in my Home
Thrifted Finds
Valentine Decor
Home Organization Tips
Christmas Wish List
Recipes for the Holidays
Entertaining Accessories
Displaying DIY Artwork
Ways to Mix Metals

DIY Projects

Fabric

Decorate an Outdoor Space
Pillow Projects
Decorating for Spring
Decorative Accessories
Home Organizing Tips
Quick & Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas

Paint    

You can also find me on Instagram and Pinterest

TGIF ~ The Gems I Found

Happy 4th of July friends ~ have a wonderful weekend!

Timeless large scale affordable posters! 

Young House Love Metallic Rimmed Glass Pendant

Clever use for wine bottle rack. 

8 Gorgeous Ideas for Gardens 

Strawberry Dream Cake perfect 4th of July Dessert

Simple favorite ideas for the fourth.

TGIF ~ The Gems I Found

Happy Friday friends, enjoy these gems! 

Stephanie Kraus Designs fabulous Kitchen Before & After

What's Ur Home Story gave these bar stools a new life.

Brooke @ Velvet & Linen shares the varieties of roses throughout Patina Farm.

Telluride Place Setting  - geometric in black and with subtle touches of gold.


Yum! Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Almonds here

Seleta shared 'How Stylish Notes Make You Smarter.'


This week's favorite vignette...

One Kings Lane - Heidi Merrick


Have the BEST weekend! 

frilly ornamental cabbage for fall

I'm crazy for the thick, frilly crinkled leaves of ornamental cabbage, and add a plum

 or fuchsia colored center and they're guaranteed to make their way into my cart. 

I spied some at a nursery over the weekend and couldn't help but grab a pot.

 I haven't decided how I'm going to display it yet, and I found too many pretty options. 

I have a pair of smaller urns that happen to be empty, and an old wooden coke box,

some great weathered pots, a shiny silver bowl, and a big white soup tureen. 

What to do?

add them to a pot or urn...

lowes.com

indeeddecor.com

dorothysueandmillieb.blogspot.com   

eclecticallyvintage.com

inspirationlane.tumblr.com

treehugger.com

 create a simple centerpiece...

lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com

town-n-country-living.com

everdayhomeblog.com

make a note to plant in the garden...next year. 

rhymeswithlinneaus.com

Do you have a favorite?

create overflowing window boxes and planters inexpensively

I love the personality and charm beautifully potted flowers and window boxes add to

 our home in the summer. BUT, I hate spending a chunk of money on flowers that aren't

 mature - you know the look - a sparse planter filled with short annuals. After dishing out

 for a cart full of plants I want pretty overflowing planters and window boxes today. :) 

 I'm also not a fan of paying big $ for pots that someone else has put together, they

 usually aren't my favorite color or style. 

My trick is to divide mature plants... 

Last summer with Ferns, Impatients, Sweet Potato Vine

Here is my collection of plants that will have three large 3' window boxes

overflowing at the beginning of summer for about $60. 

2 Large - Kimberly Ferns @ $13.00 ea. = $26.00 

2 Large Hanging Baskets @ $13.00 ea. = $26.00

6 pack of Sweet Potato Vine @ $10.00 ea.

I purchased the ferns and hanging baskets at Walmart and the vine at a local garden

center. (O'Tooles)  

 After removing the fern from the plastic pot use a serrated kitchen knife and divide them

 into thirds, just cut straight through the roots. They'll be just fine, trust me!    

 

I put two 1/3 sections side by side in the center of my window boxes.

For the hanging baskets of flowers I'm more careful to divide them without disturbing 

the roots. Looking down from the top separate the plants into fairly equal 1/3 sections

using the serrated knife.   

 

Plant 1/3 on each end of the window boxes. 

Each window box gets two sweet potato vines, planted between the fern and flowers.

I lay mine on its side with the base of the plant as close to the front of the window box as

 possible - it's my quirky idea that it gives it a little head start flowing over the side. 

Unfortunately, we had 6" of snow on Mother's Day and crummy weather right through

Memorial weekend so my plants got a super late start.

 I usually plant the beginning of May and by Memorial Day things are looking good.   

 May 26th - Planted

 June 14th - 19 days later

Anyone that's planted Sweet Potato Vine knows it will be no time and they'll need 

trimmed to keep them in check.

Sorry, I just noticed I took a photo of a different window box, they're all basically the same

except if you look back the hanging baskets were a tad different.   

That's it - I've done it for years with great luck.

 Do you have any tricks or tips for creating great looking planters?