Harvest History

< Thanksgiving table- turned out pretty much how I wanted it to look! >

I know that Thanksgiving is behind us and most of us are now focusing on Christmas and other December holidays, but before this November month is officially over (just in time!), I want to share the tablescape and little turkey day decor that made me so happy last week.  As I have mentioned before (as noted here), I enjoying decorating with harvest and general fall decor in the autumn months because 1), I am not a huge fan of Halloween decorations and 2), transitioning from Halloween to Thanksgiving is made so much easier when just the small things need to be changed up.  Because we were hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, I was happy to display my growing pilgrim figurine collection (who knew!) and a few turkeys here and there to add some Thanksgiving ambiance to the occasion.  I also enjoyed looking for inspiration for tabletop decorations (you can read more about that here), and settled on a somewhat-rustic-with-a-dash-of-elegance kind of theme. To see more detailed pictures of this table setting and centerpiece, check out my Facebook and Twitter pages.  Now all of these decoration items are being packed away in order to prepare for Christmas decor, but all in all I was happy to have these spice up Thanksgiving day at our place this year.

 < Pumpkins and pilgrims on top of a bookcase (see more about the bookcase here) >

 < More pilgrims and a cute set of 'Thanks' pumpkins on another bookcase top >

< A welcoming turkey inside the entryway >

< A Ma and Pa turkey couple greeting you inside the front hall >

< A fall-themed beverage station for guests to enjoy >

DIY... shelves are made over!

< Before >

Finally happy to share a DIY makeover project that has been completed!  I first hinted at posting this project here, and am happy to announce that painting is complete and decorating is in progress!  Above, you can see a picture of two lovely bookcases in their original state, which were given to me by a very kind family member when an office was rearranged.  To help fill a long, blank wall in our house, these bookcases were sanded down and repainted a glossy white.  I love them in our house!  I still have a little redecorating to do in order to be totally happy with how the shelves are arranged, but that will come in time.  I also plan to color coordinate the books, instead of arranging them by category.  Tell me, what is your favorite way to arrange books and decorate shelves?

< During: shelf items are gathered in the cases while shelves are painted >

< After: shelves are installed, and the bookcases are filled with books, games, records, and decor >

< Before: with the exception of the piano, one vast, blank wall >

< After: Bookcases fill space on the wall, and books and decor fill space on the shelves >

Wonders from the Weekend

 < Place settings at our Thanksgiving dinner >

What a great four days of holiday celebrations and weekend time!  Seriously, I really felt like I just enjoyed a vacation from life!  The hubs and I had the honor of hosting family for Thanksgiving this year, and the meal turned out to be perfectly delicious (thank goodness!)  I love creating ambiance, and the table-scapes turned out just as I imagined!  The long weekend also allowed for some time in the Tahoe area, and for a fun dinner with friends.  Not an entirely productive last few days, but full of relaxing and time with family and friends, just as it should be!  I just loved this long weekend!  Now, time to get ready for Christmas... :-)

< I just adored how the centerpieces for Thanksgiving came together! >

< Sunshine, a scarf, and Starbucks- it doesn't get much better than that on a cold fall day! >

 < Love the smell of the fresh air in Tahoe- and snow on the ground is always a delight to see! >

< The bountiful spread at the best-ever Friendsgiving! >

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving, you wonderful 3P readers!  I am off to enjoy a wonderful holiday weekend with sweet family and good friends, lots of cooking and dining, time in the snow, and cozy nights in by the fire.  There is so much to be thankful for today- and every day, really!  I hope that your Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend are filled with great memories and lots of special treats!  Let me know if you score some great Black Friday deals- I am definitely looking forward to the crowd-less Cyber Monday. Now, time for us all to enjoy some  pumpkin pie!

Weekly Wardrobe

Hooray for Wednesday!  Very productive week so far, but man am I excited about Thanksgiving!  Just a few more things to cross off my to-do list, then host Thanksgiving, and spend the rest of the weekend enjoying cabin time.  I can't wait- looking forward to staying cozy in snow weather with scarves and sweaters, and catching up on magazines!  As you can tell from this week's outfits, winter weather is allowing me to layer and display the scarves I love so much.  What is your favorite cold weather accessory?

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Occasion: work and errands

Shirt: Gap

Sweatet: ON

Dress (worn as skirt): Ross (also seen here)

Socks: Nine West

Boots: Nordstrom Rack

Jewelry: F21, Kenneth Cole (rings), Simply Vera Wang (necklace)

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Occasion: dinner with friends

Sweat jacket: Anthro

Cami: ON

Jeans: Paige Jeans

Shoes: Candie's

Jewelry: For One Another (bracelet), Simply Vera Wang (necklace)

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Occasion: feeling daring on a work day

Shirt: ON

Skirt and sweater: LOFT (skirt also seen here)

Tights: Hue

Heels: BCBG

Jewelry: Kenneth Cole (watch), unknown bracelets

 

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Occasion: Thanksgiving dinner

Dress: H&M

Wedges: Nine West

Jewelry: Kenneth Cole, Simply Vera Want (necklaces), F21 (bracelets)

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Occasion: weekend errands

Sweater: TJ Maxx

Shirt: The Limited (old)

Jeans: American Eagle

Wedge boots: Madden GIrl

Jewelry: Lucky Brand, BR (necklaces), F21 (bracelets)

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Occasion: road trip

Shirt: Gap

Leather jacket: Michael Michael Khors

Vest: JC Penney

Faux Fur wrap: LOFT (from a sweater)

Boots: ON

Jewelry: Kenneth Cole (necklace), F21 (bracelets), Lucky Brand (ring)

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Occasion: cabin time

Gold sweater: ON

Cardigan: BR

Leggings and scarf: unknown

Boots: TJ Maxx

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Occasion: dinner out

Jacket: Gap

Shirt: LOFT

Skirt: The Limited (really old)

Tights: Nine West

Heels: Candie's

Purse: Ross

Jewelry: BR, Simply Vera Wang (necklace)

Bzzzzzzzzz!

Hurry, hurry, rush and scurry!  Kind of how I am feeling this week... Knowing that Christmas is right around the corner, but trying to stay focused on Thanksgiving and enjoy hosting this holiday feasting time!  I have a great DIY/makeover project that is near completion-which I cannot wait to share with you- but the busy bee I am this week may encourage me to wait until next week to share this beloved project completion.  In the meantime I am happy to share some things I have spotted which are inspiring and encouraging me to have a great Thanksgiving (including this, this, and this)!  I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving (and each day), and I hope that you do too!

< Decorating and entertaining ideas from Pottery Barn >

< Thematic 'bingo' place cards as seen in Real Simple >

< Holiday pie cocktails (so fun!) from the great girls at Fashionably Bombed >

< Adorable idea for markers and place cards from Martha Stewart >

http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/11/17/thanksgiving-turkey-cupcakes/

< Colors that won't be on my Thanksgiving table, but they are so beautiful I just couldn't resist!  Thanks  to Style Within Reach! >

Wonders from the Weekend

< Pretty sunrise falling on the marina >

Well, its here- I can hardly believe it!  Thanksgiving week already!?!  This year is just flying by- which probably explains why this past weekend also flew by- right?  The guy and I took a little road trip to the coast this weekend to complete our scuba open water certification.  All in all a great weekend, but swimming, diving, driving, and enjoying a little time touring the town has left me exhausted!  However, I am geared up for the marathon that these next few weeks are going to be, so not to worry.  You can probably tell from the pictures in this post that the whole weekend was filled with bay time- and even though the water and weather was pretty darn cold being bundled up in a wetsuit in the water, and bundled up in warm layers outside saved me.  Now, if only I could host a sea-life themed dinner this week, my experiences this past weekend would tie in perfectly to Thanksgiving dinner!  More on that dinner to come later this week... Whatever your plans are for this holiday week, I hope you enjoy every minute of it!

 < Love the sound of waves crashing against the rocks! >

 < " Hundred and fifty, and still young, dude.  Rock on." >

 < Hippity- hoppity marchers! >

 < One tall-drink-of-water! >

< Lovely stroll on a gray yet totally fun day! >

Obsessed: Cold Weather Scarves

TGIF, and happy almost weekend, everyone!  The chilly air that has been creeping into my life during this late-blossoming fall has me reaching time and time again into my drawer of scarves.  I mean, I love these things- they come in almost any shape, pattern, material, and size you could hope for.  A fun printed scarf can add the right amount of glam to jeans and a white t-shirt, a sparkly scarf will fit right in with evening attire, and during an autumn walk when a chill is in the air what is better than a cozy knitted scarf?  Plus, tying one around your purse can be a fun accent piece, or pulling out a scarf that has been stowed in your bag when you start to get cold can be a lifesaving moment.  Needless to say, I have a slight obsession with this fashion accessory!  Plus, with the addition of faux fur collars and scarves showing up everywhere- hello- what a simple way to update your style!  In honor of my love of scarves and the colder weather, I present to you... The ABCs of Winter Scarves.  Enjoy!

The ABCs of winter scarves: snoods by particularlypracticallypretty featuring crochet scarves

The ABCs of winter scarves: plaids by particularlypracticallypretty featuring sheer scarves

The ABCs of winter scarves: patterned by particularlypracticallypretty featuring christmas scarves

Th ABCs of winter scarves: faux fur by particularlypracticallypretty featuring fur scarves

Weekly Wear

Hooray for Thursday!  I can't believe that this month is flying by so quickly and that Thanksgiving is only one week away from today (eek- lots to do between now and then!)!  So glad that fall is finally upon us, just in time for Thanksgiving.  This week I am happy to share with you some of my favorite things to wear in the fall- a lightweight 'vegan' jacket, a grandpa cardigan, and a ladylike coat with bracelet sleeves.  And just so you know, any day that I am wearing animal print I always just say to the world, "bring it!" Because I feel sassy enough in animal print to deal.  There. Enough said.

Oh yes, and just so you know- the red friendship bracelet you see in the detail pictures was given to me by a dear friend, in support of our friend's awesome organization, For One Another Foundation.  Providing clean water, education, and hope to children and adults across the world?  Doesn't get much better than that.

- Above photo -

Occasion: work

Blouse: Gap

Skirt: F21

Heels: BCBG

Ring: Kenneth Cole

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Occasion: work

Shirt: Living Doll (also seen here)

Pants: Anthropologie

Heels: Simply Vera Wang

Trench coat: The Limited (old)

Jewelry: Citizen (watch), LOFT, F21, Ralph Lauren (bracelets)

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Occasion: work

Dress: Banana Republic (also seen here)

Coat: old

Belt: Nine West

Heels: Calvin Klein

Purse: Target

Jewelry: Kenneth Cole (watch), F21 (bracelets), boutique (ring)

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Occasion: work

Dress: Target (also seen here)

Cardigan: BR

Heels: Nine West

Bag: TJ Maxx

Jewelry: F21, Target, ON (bracelets), Nordstrom Rack (necklace)

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Occasion: casual Friday

Sweater: ON (old)

Jeans: BR (old)

Jacket: Target

Belt: ON

Jewelry: Lucky Brand (earrings), boutique (ring)

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Occasion: dinner date

Chambray shirt: Target

Vegan leather skirt: H&M

Heels: WHBM

Jewelry: Kenneth Cole (watch), F21, BR, Simply Vera Wang (bracelets), BR (necklace)

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Occasion: happy hour

Blouse: Laundry by Shelli Segal

Vest: Simply Vera Wang

Jeans: WHBM (old)

Heels: BCBG

Jewelry: The Limited (cocktail ring), WHBM, The Limited (necklaces)

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Occasion: weekend errands

Dress: The Limited (old)

Cardigan: ON

Boots: Make Me Chic

Bag: Liz Claiborne

Jewelry: For One Another Foundation (bracelet), Tiffany (ring)