Five Things on a Friday – 10/4/24

Happy Friday, friends! It’s hard to believe it’s already October. I hope your week has been busy and productive, like any good fall week should be, with a little bit of extra time to enjoy this beautiful time of year. I’ve started decorating around the house a bit, but we’re hoping to find some time to bring out the rest of the fall decorations from of the basement this weekend and maybe watch our first Halloween movie of the year, too.

Pictured above: Rug | Coffee Table | Moody Print (Less than $20!) | Cabinet Hardware | Similar Vase/Hurricane | Satin Ribbon (color is dark brown)

So, I painted the bathroom and, like I told you, I had plans to do a few other updates in there. I went and bought some new wall art, a rug, shower curtains, all the things. Then I brought them back and ended up basically not loving any of it. The funny thing that happened, though, was that as I was trying to figure out what worked and what I liked, I ended up getting the idea to try a few things that I already owned from other parts of the house. And, of course, I ended up thinking they were just perfect. So I got my little update and a bathroom that feels freshened up, and I inadvertently spent almost nothing. I played musical tables one night, and I ended up really loving this little marble table with a cast iron base in here. I just ordered a giant piece of wall art for over the tub, and I can’t wait to show you once I get it hung. I’m still contemplating adding this rug in front of the tub, but I’m going to wait until the wall art is up to see how things feel. I’m not sure if a rug will be nice and cozy or a little too busy, so I’m taking my time to think it over as I’m putting things back together in there. The paint color is Benjamin Moore “Classic Grey”, by the way!

Speaking of home decor choices, It’s incredible how quickly home decor trends cycle through and come back around again. Like, actually, kind of shocking. I know people make jokes about fashion trends coming back around every 20 years, but it seems like with home decor it’s actually maybe a little closer to 7-10. There are things I was absolutely crazy for in the first few years that we lived in this house that are already making a big comeback, and I’m kind of loving it. We’re seeing plates hung as art, gallery walls, richly-colored traditional carpets, quilts, and ruffles, just like it’s 2014 all over again. I was flipping through Pottery Barn’s catalog and I was a little surprised and, actually, quite delighted to see beautiful quilts and pillows with big, soft ruffles. All those cozy, comforting, nostalgic things. Although I’m tempted to think of this as a bad thing, because this cycle kind of encourages people to get rid of all their “outdated” decor and then brings it right back into style as soon as it’s been tossed, I think what it really means is this: If you truly love something in your home, just keep it; it will be coming back into style in a few moments anyway.

These fall mums have nothing to do with anything. I just saw them at the garden center and thought they were pretty spectacular, so I had to share.

I really miss real catalogs. I know they’re basically just a printout of a retailer’s website, and I know that they aren’t the most environmentally responsible solution, but I miss them. There’s something so special about curling up with a catalog on a quiet afternoon, flipping through all the beautiful pages, and dreaming up ideas for what you might do with all the interesting items on each page. I know I can’t be alone in this. I spent many hours this way when I was growing up, curled up on a sofa next to a coffee table stacked high with all different types of catalogs, and there’s just something about the cozy mindset that happens in that situation that just can’t be replicated any other way. Digital catalogs are good, but just not quite the same. Sometimes you just need the full, analog experience. Do you miss real catalogs too? I actually collect LL Bean Catalogs because I love them so much, and I always appreciate a seed catalog, but if you know of any other retailers who still send out real catalogs, let me know.

One of my favorite traditions for this time of year is the Halloween “trick-or-treat” bag that I get to make for Kennedy. When she was old enough to stop going out trick-or-treating, I wanted her to still be able to have a few treats, so I started filling her old Halloween bag with a few things to give to her when we took Jack out to go door to door to get his candy. Now that she’s off at University, we’re continuing the tradition. She brings her Halloween bag home for me, and I fill it up with candy and little stocking-stuffer-like gifts for her to bring back to her place and open up when she’s in the mood for a little Halloween fun. I just have such a good time doing it and I love knowing that she still gets to take part in all the little novelties of the season. I was recently sent a few samples from Crazy Aaron’s thinking putty, and I couldn’t help but think they’d be perfect for a treat bag like the one I make, for kids young and old. Of course, Jack started playing with the samples we had right away, but I may have to find some of their Halloween mini tins for next year. I love the cute packaging and that they’re a sugar-free way to have a little Halloween fun.

School sports are the best. Kids’ sports of all kinds, really. When Kennedy played soccer, I really enjoyed watching her games and even looked forward to them. I thought that it was just that particular group of girls that I liked, but now that Jack is in the thick of his travel soccer days, I love it just as much. And it’s not just that. He’s the kind of kid who will sign up for everything he can manage, so right now he’s doing cross-country and volleyball with his school on top of his regular, almost daily soccer training. It’s really just the best, most fun thing for both the kids and the parents who get to watch them. Thank goodness for dedicated teachers and coaches because what they do really makes a big, lasting difference in so many lives.

NEWS AND FINDS

-I’m gearing up to bring you a few weeks packed full of ideas and recipes to help celebrate fall here on the blog, and I’m excited to make the most of this beautiful season, which is a favorite for so many of us. So far, we’ve made snickerdoodle pumpkin cookies and pumpkin fudge, started to decorate with a few fall-ish things around the house, and made a traditional wheat sheaf to add some festive vibes to our coffee table.

-I have been getting some of the nicest messages from some of my email subscribers, and they have just warmed my heart in ways I can’t fully express. I started my new newsletter at the end of this summer, and basically, it’s the newsletter that I would want to read. I put a lot of thought into sharing new blog posts, helpful seasonal ideas, and fresh finds, and it means so much to me that the lovely people who read it are finding it to be valuable and something they even look forward to reading. If you aren’t part of our email community yet, you can sign up here for free. When I have the next one ready to go, I’ll send it to you, too.

-Have you seen the new Kitchenaid mixer with the wood bowl? It’s truly a work of art. I even love the color of the mixer itself. What an amazing gift to give a new homeowner or a baker who doesn’t yet have their own stand mixer.

-Patagonia came out with a waxed jacket, and I think I might love it even more than the classic Barbour jackets. I’ve always loved the Barbour jackets, but I’ve never taken the plunge and ordered one because the sizing looks to be pretty big, and I just don’t want to face the disappointment. I know for a fact, though, that a Patagonia XS is truly an extra small and actually fits me without making me look like I’m a child playing dress up. The styling on it is a little more simple, and I think it would actually be much more wearable for real life here in Canada and over in Michigan for soccer. It helps that the price is much more affordable, too. 🙂 If you’re looking for a good fall/spring jacket to be a favorite for many years to come, this looks like it could be a great contender.

-Who knew that Ruggable has clearance deals? I never realized this until now, but they’re having a last chance sale right now, and there are some beautiful options with significant savings. This rug, in particular, stood out to me. It makes me want to set up a library with dark wood paneling and gaze pensively out the window at the rustling autumn leaves. Anyway, I’m not sure how long the sale runs for, so check it out now to take advantage!

-I’m trying to do a better job of posting all of my finds and links to things I use around my home to my LTK shop, so there’s always one main place to find sources for everything. Find all the recent favorite finds here.

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• Room Ideas From Around Our Old House: Recent Update Projects
• Five Things on a Friday – 9/20/24

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