I recently browsed through the latest Garnet Hill and couldn’t be more smitten with these:

Buckets of Joy Advent Calendar, $48

Hats and Mittens Advent Calendar, $78

I’ve always wanted an Advent Calendar, and I am thinking of creating one in the upcoming weeks.  Do you follow this tradition ?  Have you ever made an Advent Calendar ?  Know of any other great DIY links to get me inspired ?

Finally, I give you permission to slap me for discussing Advent before Halloween has come and gone.  I’m officially as guilty as the retail stores.  But CG is known to plan ahead . . .

One of my favorite things to do when the weather turns is transition the dining room.  It’s a space that serves us for both casual and formal dinners, so it has to multitask.  Last May, I transitioned the space for summer, adding off-white slipcovers and garden roses.  However, with the first autumn rain, it was time again to change the slipcovers on the chairs and update the tablescape.  This year, I also changed the window treatments.  A few candlesticks, seasonal pumpkins, and some earth toned linens, and the dining room is ready for homemade hot soups and pumpkin pie.  Yum.

One thing I wanted to change this year was the window panels.  The existing dark brown panels with a botanical pattern looked great in summertime contrasted with the crisp white slipcovers.  But in winter, with a brown rug and brown slipcovers, the whole space was looking a little, well, a little too brown.  So I opted for something lighter, and simpler.  Soft green linen look panels customized to fit my French doors.

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“Mom?  I found these acorns outside.  Can we pleeeeeeeaase make a squirrel house today ?”

Me: The squirrels don’t really need a house for their acorns.

Mini CG:  “Well, can we make something pretty ?  Today ?  Right now ?  Pleeeeeease ?”

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Watching the leaves fall from the trees reminds me of how much I am drawn to branches used in decor.  I found some interesting accessories online, and also some out-of-the-box uses for branches. 

First, here are some dynamic images that inspire me these days. 

Image: Wedding Bee

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