How to Set an Fall Inspired Table
One of my favorite ways to welcome the changing of the seasons is to create a beautiful tablescape. I’ve always been the one in my family to set the table for holiday dinners. I love mixing and matching textures to create a beautiful visual for the whole household to enjoy. Layering different textures and shapes is a fun and creative way to transition your home into the new season. Today I’ll share with you guys how I created this beautiful Autumn inspired Fairytale pumpkin tablespace! I also have a live tutorial on Facebook if you want to see this in action!
Centerpieces and Decor
Creating a beautiful centerpiece doesn’t have to be cumbersome. Group like items such as pumpkins in coordinating colors along the center. Varying texture and height helps the centerpiece look interesting and not overdone. Here I used a mix of real pumpkins and copper ones to create mine, but if you can’t find real pumpkins you like, you can easily mix and match glass or ceramic ones. I also have added tons of other Autumn touches like these glass pumpkins around my home and you can read more in this post!
Linens
Next I like to layer linens. I chose to use my everyday patterned table cloth in a print as the base for this table. Then, I added Fall inspired napkins to flank each plate and beige place mats. Adding layers gives the table interest and a luxurious feel. I actually bought all of these items separately over the years and just put them together. You don’t have to have everything match perfectly. Instead, use items in the color scheme you picked and just enjoy the layering effect it creates. The linens and centerpiece are the bread and butter of my tablescape. Whether I have dishes on the table or not they remain the constant feature throughout the month.
Dinnerware
Once the base is established then I add glassware and dinnerware. Pro-tip: Use two plates to create depth! They don’t even have to be the same! Here I used the everyday dishes I received from the family when my grandma passed a few years ago. I happen to love collecting plates and other pieces of decor and these make me extra happy to see on the table. She served us so many meals over the years on them! I’ve rounded up a bunch of Fall inspired plates below for you to start or grow your own collection.
Drinkware
Finally add drinkware. This is where the jewelry is added to my table. Drinkware adds a little dash of sparkle and gives height to your tablescape. I love these adorable pink wine glasses that can house water or iced tea. You can also serve mocktails or juice in them for a brunch. I paired them with plastic pink tumblers that are my everyday cup. I love the pattern on these because they look like etched glass and are not breakable! Perfect if you have kiddos.
You can also add in elements of nature to your table. I’ve used everything from pine cones to pretty acorns painted in gold over the years. Simple styles and classic shapes never get old! You can find new ways to reuse antiques or a reason to grab a new collectable for yourself.
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The mind can be a battlefield. If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack you know firsthand what mental hell is like. In my late twenties and early thirties, I had panic attacks all the time. I mean on the daily and oftentimes multiple times a day. I would freeze and feel like I couldn’t drive my car. I didn’t want to go very many places for fear of getting overstimulated. Being extroverted this felt really difficult. I was torn between what my soul and body wanted to do every day. I needed to bring my body out of fight or flight but being stuck at home to do so in a calm environment was torture in itself because then I was alone with my thoughts. Over time I would get therapy and begin working on training my brain to focus on new things. I would learn different coping techniques that were not full proof but would oftentimes get the job done. It took work. Each day I’d start going down the same worry wormholes and I’d spend time and energy pulling myself out. I figured some of you might be dealing with this, too. Here are three coping tools you can use when you go down a negative mental path:
Summer is almost here and I am so pumped! I love everything about the long days, late sunsets, warm weather, pool and beach time, travel, and generally the vibes everywhere you go. Texas is ridiculously hot so I have a few things I try to keep in stock at my house to help keep my makeup in place and skin clear from sweat. I also have a few new anti-aging body creams that are making a huge difference that I had to share! You can shop all of my favorites below!
Over the past six months, I’ve been taking collagen daily. Although I’ve personally seen results throughout the past few months it wasn’t until last week that I realized just how big of an impact it’s had on my overall physical health. From my hairdresser commenting on how thick the back of my hair has gotten to diminishing cellulite - I’m here as proof that this magic stuff really works. A few months ago I wrote a blog post on the benefits of collagen. You can check it out here for an introduction to what it is and a few benefits. Today I’d like to focus on how it’s specifically impacted me and my own results. Here are three ways my body has transformed since I started taking collagen.
My family is originally from the deep south and porches are a thing for anyone who lives in Alabama. Although I call Texas home, there are a few things from my childhood I’ve carried over here, and having a porch to relax on is a necessity. I recently made a few updates to my patio to include DIY paper lantern outdoor light shades. You basically tie a few paper lanterns together with thread and hang over the ugly old light fixture. Also, a fantastic idea for a party! My outdoor sconces are pretty deepest into the porch, so I’m not worried about wind damage. I went ahead and put together a few tips for decorating your patio!
For years I tried on different lifestyles trying to figure out which one was mine. I tried being the housewife, the adventurer, the breadwinner, the holistic momma, the corporate go-getter, and much more. I needed to go through an elimination process to figure out what I wasn’t before defining what I would be. I think that’s okay. Not all of us come out of the womb knowing our life path. Four years ago I began a journey of self-discovery. I spent more time alone than I ever have to learn about myself, other people, noting what I liked and disliked. I explored destinations alone and reflected in a new journal every month. Pages upon pages were written trying to connect the dots of who I used to be to who I am now. I am told that only a small percentage of people are self-aware. I yearned to be a part of that group. The more I discovered about myself the more I became intentional in my choices resulting in more peace and joy than I knew before. If you are at a similar place in life where you just ache to be more of who you are here are a few things that might help.
I have been dying to share with you guys my living room for some time now! I moved into this house over the summer and life has been a blur ever since. I did an insane amount of travel the past six months and am finally spending some time at home. I actually decorated the living room right when I moved in, but I didn’t love the layout. After the Christmas decor was finally put away mid-month I configured a better layout for the space. Sometimes you need to spend time in a space to really see the best way for it to be used. I’ve been making it a point to paint more often and finally added a newly finished painting above the TV and entertainment wall. It’s been so therapeutic to play around with color when I’m home. I’ll share a few tips about creating a colorful living room of your own. Not a single new item (outside of the canvas for the painting) was purchased for this space. I actually used things from my last apartment which was very modern and chic - you can see them here for yourself. I added pops of color throughout the space to give this huge open floorplan character. One last thing before we get started, I made no structural or textile changes to any of the surfaces. All tips below are perfect whether you are renting a home or you are a homeowner!
Can you believe it’s almost February? Goodness! This month has been amazing but flying by quickly. I don’t know about you, but these days I spend a good amount of time cocooning at home. I travel so much that when I’m home, I’m home. One thing that really helps my mental health is having my home in order and full of things that bring a smile to my heart - fresh flowers, my vintage ashtray that holds a deck of pink playing cards from Rosemary Beach, and soft cozy throw blankets. Lighting a single candle on my coffee table or flipping through a stack of interior design magazines are little joys that make it perfect for a cold, rainy day. When you find the right person, snuggling up in the cocoon of a home makes it even better. Here are a few ways to make a stay-at-home date night perfect this Valentine’s Day!
Yesterday the chilliest of cold fronts blew in. A drastic change from earlier this week when I was frolicking in a dress without even a cardigan. That’s Texas for you. One minute hot and one minute cold. I decided it was time to bust out the new scarf I picked up over the holidays from Nordstrom. It’s the coziest thing ever! Seriously! I rounded up a ton of plaid, pastel, stripe, and printed scarves below. I find a little pop of color on a dreary day does wonder for my mood. A cozy scarf can also be layered indoors over a long sleeve t-shirt or blouse if the house is drafty or you just seem to struggle to warm up as I do. I am usually cold so that extra layer really helps! Here are two ways I wore this scarf yesterday.
I love getting into cozy clothes in the evenings and sitting around the glow of the tree. From working on a new painting to journaling being at home is even more fun when you have a comfortable environment. For years I went with mismatching pj’s or I wore my athleisure clothes to bed. Over the past few seasons, I make it a point to take a nice long shower or bath and slip into something comfortable and elegant to sleep in. I love a good pair of satin pajamas. I paired these lace embellished shorts with a cozy sweater and then added festive slippers. I plan on wearing the same slippers on Christmas morning. They are really comfortable and add a touch of glam. Gifting pajamas are also a favorite of mine!
I put together two looks wearing my new Sarah Flint Jay 100 Pumps. I love the tortoise heel and how it contrasts against the beautiful triple-dyed navy suede. I love the arch support! Usually, heels don’t have that kind of comfort but these can be worn all day or all night depending on the occasion. For the first outfit, I paired them with a silk camisole and silk skirt. A simple nude envelope clutch and gold earrings make for an elegant party or New Year’s Eve look. The second look includes a pleated navy floral dress. You can add a blazer or cardigan daytime and then switch to a scarf or a shawl for an evening look. The pumps are the perfect finishing touch for both looks. Use the code SARAHFLINT-BATHREEHEELCLICKS for $50 off your Sarah Flint order!
Whether you work from home or have returned to the office, mental health concerns are still on the rise. Things are just different than they were pre COVID. There’s no denying we live in a different world than two years ago. However, no matter what shape things are in, we can still find ways to connect with our coworkers, create a space and environment we love working in, and enjoy our time doing the things that pay the bills. Although I am a work-from-home employee, in recent months my company has been pushing more face-to-face meetings and company events. Our home office employees have returned as have many of my friends. In a very uncertain time, I find it’s best to stay positive and realistic. Understanding that things are going to remain dynamic as we continue to navigate a pandemic and just take it one day at a time because nothing is set in stone. Here are a few ways I’m managing my sanity as I go back to see people face to face.
Last week I did a massive closet cleaning. I decided to discard anything I haven’t worn in two years unless it was a special occasion worthy. It was so freeing to remove dead weight in my closet. I feel like my clothes can breathe again. After I finished discarding, I made a list of things to add to my closet. I’ve had more client and business meetings as of late and knew I needed to revamp my work wardrobe (see this post and this post). Building a capsule wardrobe for the season makes it easy to grab and go when you are in a hurry. I added cotton shirts like this one from Hill House Home and these from Amazon. Then, a beautiful blazer is perfect for a meeting over coffee. Finally, adding some basics like dress shorts, a new pair of jeans, and don’t forget a few pairs of shoes.
Statement collars are here for the Fall and I’m so happy about it. It’s an instant way to give character to an otherwise basic blouse. I’ve rounded up a whole bunch of options below but really love this rich brown eyelet top. I plan to pair it with a pair of overalls for a fall activity like apple or pumpkin picking. For a dressier look or work outfit, I plan to pair it with skinny black pants. Today I decided to wear it with a pair of curvy white jeans as we transition from Summer to Fall with an olive green purse and woven pumps. As we get into the heart of the season I'll be switching it up with deeper tones. Even though it’s not really cool here yet, I can still get in the fall mood by adding autumn colors like burnt orange, mustard, olive and walnut. As the season gets colder I’ll start layering trench coats, sweaters, jackets, over-the-knee boots and rain boots.
Every Fall I make sure to do a quick inventory of my denim, corduroy, and pants so I have exactly what I need for the cooler months. This year I’ve been really leaning towards ankle flared jeans, straight legs, and a solid pair of tan corduroys. Denim really never goes out of style.
The past few weeks I’ve been in a state of unpacking, organizing, and decorating my new home. I moved in about three weeks ago with a plan of action that unfolds more and more every day. I absolutely love getting to decorate and design spaces. In fact, I love it so much that’s what I went to college for! Funny how much I’ve used the degree in my regular life over the years. I’ve been sharing glimpses of the new place over on my Instagram (see this post and this post) but today I wanted to roll out a really simple idea for a blank wall or hallway on the blog!
As we transition to the end of the summer I’m already reaching for new items that will carry me into the Fall. Dresses are hands down the easiest item for me to throw on and change out my accessories to fit the season. Since I live in Texas, I have to still dress to combat high temperatures until mid-October when it finally starts to cool off. I find lightweight cotton blends in pretty shades of mustard, sage, cinnamon, olive, and chestnut are gorgeous this time of year. Right now I’m pairing them with brown leather slides and straw totes. However, as we move into the cooler days I’ll pair with boots and a floppy hat for more of a Fall feel. Here are a few of my favorite dresses you can grab on Amazon for under $35.
A few years back I went through a period of time where I was really shy. Growing up we traveled all over and I was constantly the new kid. It was so embarrassing to eat lunch alone until I made friends. Later on, I struggled with anxiety and found social interactions intimidating all over again. I started working on better lifestyle habits and slowly gained more and more confidence. Just about that time a friend of mine reached out and introduced me to the most amazing mascara. I partnered with a company and immediately was plugged into a team of girls who really cheered me on! We became fast friends over Facebook and they would give me encouragement when I posted! I had no idea how much I needed that in my life and am forever grateful.
It’s been a place full of growth and discovery. A home filled with peace and love. I believe we are products of our environment and I sought to create a place for Skyler and myself to flourish in! From Covid to working from home to homeschool This is where all the magic happened that created the life we have now I will be forever grateful for these memories and the life we created one day at a time. The apartment is three beds and two full baths with high ceilings and beautiful granite and stone textiles. I love how much light is throughout the day! Although the space evolved over this past year, I tried to carry the same look and feel throughout the space - whimsical, chic, and feminine.
Many of us wait for the big things in life - weddings, school dances, new jobs, or moving to feel the excitement. This past year taught me so much about learning to appreciate everyday moments. Last weekend my daughter and I decided to do just that. We decided to have a spread like none other to celebrate absolutely nothing. Grabbing a variety of non-dairy cheeses, gluten-free crackers, dark sea salt caramel chocolates, fruits and olives paired with the most delicious sparkling cider and non-alcoholic wine to create the best snack ever (those were her words).
Confession - I saw this nap dress when it launched a while back and I wish I had bought it sooner. Hill House Home has created capsule collections in limited batches of the softest most coziest nap dresses. So what is a nap dress? It’s a lightweight cotton dress than can easily transition from night to day worn as both a nightgown and day dress. After getting this pink and white version a few weeks ago I fell in love and ended up getting two more. The swiss dot pattern of this slightly sheer dress makes it both feminine and whimsical. I plan to wear this over the summer as a swimsuit cover up, a day dress for working around the house and add a belt and wedges to take myself to dinner. The pink and white stripe is not sheer at all, but the white version I’d recommend adding a slip underneath if you are wearing out.
Mother’s Day is about a month away and I’ve already begun bookmarking a few items for my own momma. Online shopping has completely shifted my time lines for purchasing items. I start looking much earlier than I used to so I can have things ordered in time of the next holiday. Spring is a the perfect time to stock up on beauty favorites for myself and for mom with the heat coming in a few weeks. As the weather warms up I constantly reach for things like moisturizing and brightening products to give my skin a beautiful glow. Giving the gift of beauty products to pamper her makes any woman feel like a million bucks. Here are my top picks for Mother’s Day!
If you are currently feeling constant pressure, it’s time to put a boundary in your life for you. You have to refill your cup before you can fill others. You have to slow down, get rest, read books for fun, put your thoughts on paper, practice good skincare and treat yourself to a day for you. You may be sitting here reading this and think, I wouldn’t even know what to do with myself if I had a day. Start small, carve out time for you to take a bath each night after kids go to bed. Get up a little bit earlier so you can read a book that puts you in a good mental place. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy… so give yourself a little play time. You’ll be able to take care of your responsibilities with a renewed sense of energy and focus. You’ll be able to love on your family better and you’ll be able to recognize when something isn’t a healthy choice in your life. Go ahead and treat yo’self!
Since I was a little girl books provided me an escape. We moved a lot growing up because my dad was in the military and spent tons of time in transit. I remember being six years old and when we arrived in Germany we had three tv channels that spoke English. Similarly when I was in High School we moved to Asia and there was limited tv. My sister and I grew up playing countless hours of board games and dolls together but when we were exhausted from that I would sneak of to my room and pull out a good book. Hard back binding and crisp pages with printed lettering took me away from the concrete walls of military housing and provided an outlet for my imagination. To this day, whenever I feel lost or down I pull out my favorite books and am instantly transported out of my current environment.
Over the past few weeks I’ve made a major shift in what I eat to include going grain-free. As I’ve mentioned her on the blog I am anxiety prone. Not just a little anxiety, I’ve been diagnosed with full blown panic disorder. These days I rarely get a panic attack, however that is only due to a consistent self-care regimen, therapy and lots of rest. I also practice mindfulness which has made a huge impact on how I process information and worry less. Practicing joy is another intentional element in my life and as we’ve had shorter days I find myself inside more than ever and with that came baking! Baking has been a pastime of mine over the years beginning with vacations at my grandma’s house when I was little. I loved spending hours with her making our family banana bread, cookies and cream puffs. While some of the other kiddos in the family were impatient at a young age, I found I got more attention from her if I baked and therefore spent tons of time doing so. Before you knew it I picked up a lot of information and realized just how much I absolutely love baking!
Over the years my family who are avid readers have given the gifts of books time and time again. I have to tell you, books are some of my favorite gifts to give and receive. Last year I shared a few favorites in this post and then also I did a book review on Facebook live here. Books are incredible for the brain. Did you know it’s the best way to exercise your mind? It’s like giving your brain a high intensity workout. This year most of the books I’ve read revolved around the topic of personal development: spiritual, business, mental health and healing. I set out early in the year to make my life “explode” and knew from day 1 it would require an immense amount of focus. Some of these books were ones I listened to while others I read in paper form. Because I spend so much time in my life working on screens my book time stays off screen. Today’s post includes my favorite finds on Amazon so you still have time to grab for those loved ones or gift yourself as you begin a new year.
Drumroll please…It’s finally here. Opulence lipsticks are back in stock after months and months of waiting. Not only are they back in stock but come in six glorious shades. From bold pink to soft matte rose there’s just nothing I mean nothing more glam that swiping on a bold shade of lipstick to tackle the day! I am so excited to share our newest holiday bundle with your choice of three shades for under $60. These babies are not for the faint of heart. They have lasting power that exceeded all of my expectations!
I spent this weekend nestled up reading books and baking delicious sugar cookies for the holidays. I love this time of year and try to fully immerse myself in as many festive activities as possible. Although this year is already looking different than last - no large holiday parties or gatherings, I’m determined to make it count. I’ve been adding little touches all over the home to bring a cheerful atmosphere no matter how cold it is outside. From sequin embellished pillows to colorful tiny bottle brush trees the space is filled from ceiling to floors in sweet holiday decor. You can have a beautiful home no matter what your budget may be if you are thoughtful and creative. Surprisingly many of the little trees I’ve picked up over the years were found at dollar stores or discount stores. Keep your eyes open and look at new ways to use items.
Every year my daughter and I decorate gingerbread houses. We’ve been doing this since she was five and it’s become a really fun tradition over the years. Most years we use a gingerbread kit. To date my favorite one came from Sprout’s which you can see in this previous post where we also mad our own wrapping paper for the season. This year I went ahead and braved doing one from scratch. Although it ended up being a little wompy the memories of making it will forever reside in my heart. Sometimes it’s not about being perfect it’s about the process.
Isn’t there something magical about sitting down at a beautiful table? Each season I set our table with a different theme. You can scroll back to this post for a Autumn Inspired table for this week’s Thanksgiving preparations or this previous post where I show you how to come up with a theme! But tablescapes are a fun and easy way to add a little decor to your home. This year, we’ve been pulling out all of the soft green, white and pinks for our holiday decorations. I decided to carry the same color scheme I use all year round and just add a few touches that are winter themed to our living and dining room. Little bottle brush trees are scattered throughout the place (37 in total) and a few containers filled with ornaments add so much sweetness to the area this year. Since we are spending more time here than usual I decided to make the space feel warm and inviting.
Do you journal? I do! I use it to help process emotions, list ideas for the future and things I’m grateful for. I’ve been journaling for years and it has completely changed my life and mindset. If you are struggling to journal, that’s okay! Try this to get started…