home about me our home

Saturday, October 15, 2011

A Sophisticated Pretty Halloween



Since I no longer have small children living at home I try to elevate my Halloween décor up a notch. I prefer a pretty, or sophisticated look over the scary look that is seen this time of year. I even like the cute side of Halloween.(I will do a post on that later!)

As most of my readers know I don’t do orange for the Fall, or for Halloween. My apologies to all of you orange pumpkin lovers. I look for black and white combinations that lean more towards the pretty, or sophisticated side of Halloween. Here is a group of images that I have saved in my picture files and on Pinterest……..



This would be so easy to duplicate. Just think of all the ugly not so popular discarded vases that are still on the shelves at the thrift stores. A can of flat black, or even chalkboard paint would give you the look of jasper ware.




Source: nood.ca via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I thought these were actually pretty renditions of a Halloween owl. I think flowers or even votive candles inside would look really pretty all lined up on your window sill to greet your trick or treaters!






A sparkly chandelier ornament makes such a pretty little napkin ring for a Halloween dinner.



Another can of spray paint!! This time in high gloss with shiny metal upholstery tacks makes for a pretty pumpkin.


Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest


How about a pumpkin candelier? I can not imagine cutting these pumpkins with all these pretty shapes, but I do have some pumpkins that are  carved somewhat like these that I ordered from Grandinroad several years ago. Unfortunately they no longer sell them.





Easy to do! Again, go to Goodwill or your local thrift store and purchase a broken lampshade. Strip it and spray the metal part black. Silhouettes are easy to find online, you can make a copy and put it in a frame and you can have this whole set-up!





This is just pretty!! This could be used for Halloween or for Thanksgiving as shown by the,”be Thankful!”




Simple white plates with the addition of black crows makes for an easy and striking decoration for Halloween.



This is a great example of mixing your textures. This is so sparkly and yet the clusters of hay give it a nice texture as well as the grapevine pumpkins. Simple cream candles keep this arrangement pretty and sophisticated.











I love, love this simple glowing arrangement. I am on the look out for some lanterns to paint white!









I remember when Eddie did this on his apartment mantel. I just loved the black rick-rack against the white pumpkin. He always does such amazing and inspirational ideas on his blog. He is now a regular contributor to Woman’s day and Southern Living magazines too!!




I don’t know about you all, but I know a lot of little girls that would love this butterfly pumpkin made with hinges and wire!!





If you like a little glitz in your life how about a spray can of metallic paints to do the trick?



Just a simple application of self adhesive black numbers, and you can add these to your porch with the numbers of your home’s address.



Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Purchase a pair of ladies lace nylons and put them over a white pumpkin, and you have created a beautiful lacy pumpkin. Pretty not scary!!








More tacks to add a pretty scrolling design to your pumpkins. A simple and yet very pretty way to add a sophisticated look to your pumpkins.

I don’t know about you all, but I feel more inspired just writing this post and pulling together all of these images.

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Adding a sophisticated or pretty feel to our Halloween décor

Kathysue

Friday, October 14, 2011

Bringing In A Touch Of Fall!


Fall is in the air or at least it feels like Fall first thing in the mornings with the crisp air. As the day goes along and we get temps in the 80’s it actually feels more like Spring.

I am starting to see a little evidence of the Fall season in some of the surrounding trees. Their leaves are starting to change and fall to the ground.

In spite of the weather I am trying to get in the mood for Fall by adding a few touches here and there around my home.




Sarahs Visit 10 2011 and fall touches 002 (581x800)
I added a jade colored pumpkin in my living room.




Sarahs Visit 10 2011 and fall touches 004 (600x800)
A special vase with a Fall bouquet is added to the entry table. Next to it I have a crystal bowl filled with amber by Cote Bastide. It has a wonderful warm fragrance that is a soft fragrance, just enough for guest to ask,”What smells so good in your house?”



Sarahs Visit 10 2011 and fall touches 006 (581x800)
Here is a  close-up of the vase. It has a wonderful relief of shadows of trees that look very Fallish to me.




Fall 2011 003 (800x600)
I always plant ornamental Kale in my front yard right by the porch. I use touches of darker pinks and purples to bring out the color in the Kale. Kale just says, “Fall!” to me.





Fall 2011 004 (600x800)

A few white pumpkins are added next to the sweet potato vine that has taken over the black pot it is planted in.



Fall 2011 008 (600x800)
This year I added a sparkly letter,”P” to my white pumpkin. A friend of mine did this to her white pumpkin and I loved the idea so much I did one also. It is really more sparkly in person than it shows in this image. You know me I must have a letter,”P” in just about every room in my home!!


Fall 2011 006 (600x800)

Right by the door I added different colors and sizes of pumpkins. As you will notice there is no orange pumpkins at Kathysue’s home!! I just find that these colors seem to work best for me with the colors in my home.


Fall 2011 010 (800x600)
Another touch of Fall with the addition of ornamental Kale.



As you can see I have started adding a touch of Fall here and there. Next it will be time to make a few more changes inside.

I like to bring in warmth by adding elements such as

  • Cutting boards
  • Baskets
  • Black lampshades
  • More votive candles
  • Pictures with a touch of black
  • Warm throws


What are some of the Fall touches you add to your home?

What ever you do to bring in touches of Fall, remember to:


“Enjoy the Process!”

Kathysue

Thursday, October 13, 2011

What I Was Doing This Time Last Year

Another year has come and gone! My how time flies when you are having fun, or in this case when you are getting older.

This time last year I was in Egypt!! I am so thankful that we had the experience of visiting this amazing destination, because now, a visit there would be impossible due to what is going on in our world at this time.

Here is the post that I wrote a year ago today............



As some of you know I have been on a three week vacation to Rome and on a Mediterranean cruise.

 Hubby and I went with two other couples that are long time family friends. While we were on this trip I celebrated my 60th Birthday. Here are just a few pictures of what I did on my 60th.

It all started the night before where Hubby surprised me with a Birthday dinner in the beautiful Murano restaurant on board ship. The dinner was amazing and the company was the best!
Holy Land 2010 744 (800x595)
I am the Birthday girl sitting at the table with the love of my life.

Holy Land 2010 746 (800x600)
A special Birthday cake. Yum chocolate, my favorite!!

Holy Land 2010 745 (747x800)
The waiters singing Happy Birthday with all kinds of accents and notes!!!

The next day off to Egypt to see the pyramids!! My son wrote this Happy Birthday note to me……..
I wanted to wish Mom a Happy Birthday! Not sure I'm comfortable with the symmetry of being born on Friday the 13th and visiting the Pyramids, a place renowned for ancient curses and all other manner of spooky stuff on the same day, but to each his...her own. ;) Hope you enjoyed your day and I'll see you guys when you get back. Love you!

That is right I was born on Friday the 13th 60 years ago!!! Love his sense of humor.

Holy Land 2010 823 (800x475)
It was a bit windy but warm and lots of dust in the air. The little numbers on our shirt are our bus numbers. Trust me there were a LOT of buses there!!!

Holy Land 2010 840 (800x312)
This picture not only shows the line-up of buses but the two largest pyramids and the Sphinx. It was truly amazing to be there in person.

Holy Land 2010 834 (800x600)
A close-up of the largest pyramid. Our tour guide told us the pyramid weighs over 11,000 tons. Amazing!

Holy Land 2010 830 (800x600)
This is a great shot of the individual stones and how they stair step upward.

Holy Land 2010 836 (800x315)
Full length of the Sphinx.

Holy Land 2010 842 (800x598)


I had to take a picture of this image.  Yes, even in Egypt they have one of these……….
Holy Land 2010 788 (800x600)


Then we sailed off into the sunset……….
Holy Land 2010 855 (800x596)
………Tired and full of awe. This is a Birthday that this girl will never forget!!
Kathysue