Funky Fun Pumpkins

Every time, after the rush to finish a flip, I end up in what is, more or less, a flip hangover.  I'm still playing a bit of catch-up and trying to get into a non-flip routine (which always seems to be the toughest part).  Fall has snuck up on me fast and Halloween is a week away!  I'm still not sure where the summer went, let alone fall!  But I digress.  After a short, head-clearing blogging break, I'm back with my usual schedule of babbling and randomness.  Please enjoy. Aside from Christmas, I've never been much into seasonal decorating.  It's been about 6 years since I carved a pumpkin, however these super-fun, a little funky, and a little different pumpkins have me rethinking my stance a bit.

Looking at this floral pumpkin from Hunted Interior I was instantly intrigued about HOW.  It looks painted!  Turns out it's decoupaged and I wouldn't have guessed.

Speaking of decoupaged and painted....

How very Kate Spade.  I'm such a sucker for polka dots, so Sincerely Sara D had me at gold dot.

This little owl from a Modern Dame is so awesomely adorable.  Those eye 'feathers? Gorg.

Any decorating that also involves power tools and instructions that include "drill into pumpkin" I'm totally on board with!

(via DESIGN LOVE FEST)

(via BHG)

Have you gotten creative on some gourds lately?  What's your favorite non-jack-o-lantern way to decorate them?  I'm taking notes!

Holiday Roundup

Can you believe Christmas is already a week away?  It's a stealthy little minx, huh?  I figured I'd pop in today with a rare Thursday post to make up for my lack of posting yesterday with a little bit of festive inspiration.  Lately I've been loving all of the holiday DIYs and home tours that I just had to share some of the highlights with you. **As per usual, please pin responsibly.  Please click through to the original sources to pin from.  Muchos gracias!!**

I was scrolling down my facebook feed the other day and was stopped dead by this adorable tree topper featured on an Apartment Therapy home tour.  It just goes to show that despite seemingly every tree in blog-land being curated and themed, you can still accomplish a chic, stylish tree with mis-matching and personal ornaments.  Whoooo knew?  (pun intended)

I'm absolutely in love with Nicole Balch's holiday mantle over at Making it Lovely.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for a good silver gold and white combo- much like my own tree.

If you're in need of a super simple way to style up your holiday buffet, might I suggest popping over to Little Green Notebook where she created this stellar buffet backer (again with the puns).  What I love most about this idea is that you could bring the chalkboard backer out for the next event and draw a different backdrop.  Confetti for New Years, candles for a birthday, or even a beautiful hand written meal menu.  I think I may need to be making one of these in the future. (And hello, can we PLEASE swoon over her chevron floors and well styled bookcase)

I've never been hugely into the holiday pillows thing, thinking it was a little kitschy, but once again Madam Emily Henderson proved me wrong and killed it with her glam holiday decor this year.  Somehow she seems to always manage to create rooms that are simultaneously ready for a magazine cover and invite you to curl up and get comfy at the same time.  Not an easy feat.

I've never been the biggest fan of the standard wreath for indoor decor.  Luckily for me, lately anything in a roughly wreath-like shape can pass for festive and I'm loving the creative options!

These cut wood wreaths from Sarah M. Dorsey are so simple and pretty.  With different decorative elements added, these could almost last year-round on a front door.

Along the same general shape lines, I've seen several versions of PVC pipe wreaths like this one from A Beautiful Mess and I love them all.  Maybe because it involves gold spraypaint.  I would probably like almost anything if you spray it gold.

The most unexpected wreath, but so simply chic is this geometric floral wreath from Brittni at Paper n Stitch.  This one might convert me to being a wreath-year-round type of gal.

Looking at all this awesome holiday festiveness is getting me in the mood to wrap presents!  How have you gotten in the holiday mood this season?

Holiday Baubles and a Speedy DIY

The stockings are hung by the mantle with care..... I lie, we don't have stockings OR a mantle, but the holiday decorations are officially up!  Before I give you the full festive tour, I wanted to show you a quick and easy DIY that keeps putting a smile on my face.

This adorable little "Merry and Bright" canvas was seriously simple guys- the most time-consuming part of this process was scouring pinterest for inspiration.

The lengthy list of supplies includes:

• a sketch pad to practice lettering and plan out the design
• a pencil
• a 6x6" canvas
• a black sharpie and (optional) a gold sharpie
• an eraser

Since I already had all these supplies chillin' around my house, this project was essentially free.

First, I took to my sketch pad.  I traced the outline of the canvas and started playing around a bit.  I'm not a calligrapher or hand-letterer, so I needed a little practice and prep before hitting my canvas.

Once I was set on the design and style of lettering, I took my pencil lightly to the canvas (so that erasing the pencil marks would be no problem later).  After a little trial and error, I was able to get the spacing just right and move on to my sharpie.

The key here is to try and do everything in smooth strokes and not to think too much.  Who cares if that one line isn't bone straight, that's the beauty of hand lettering.  Once you've sharpie'd the whole design, go back and gently erase all of your pencil.

Aside from my one wavy letter (I'm looking at you, Mr. T) I'm over the moon with how simple and chic it came out.  Just as I had pictured it- festive, graphic, and not too kitschy.

It compliments the rest of my holiday decor nicely.

Looked a little different last year without the bookshelf, no?

And one more reminder of the cute and festive DIY.

I hope your holiday season is "Merry and Bright"!!!

This project is linked up over at Newly Woodwards Dare to DIY link-up.  Go check it out!