I have to start by saying that I am not someone who typically does a lot of seasonal decorating inside the house. I don’t have the patience. Although lately I’ve been trying to pay more attention to my surroundings. I have found that the piles that creep into my house stress me out (I assume it isn’t just me) but having some nice things to rest my eyes on, even for a moment, does make a difference in my mood.
The area that I have been most continuously trying to keep clean and pretty is the top of the piano. It is the first thing you see when you come in the back door. I have also found that by putting a few nice things on top that I am much less likely to start piling things on it.
I did have some birdhouses that the kids painted on top. I was recently feeling like I wanted to change it up with something that is a little more fall inspired. It also helps that I have been doing some shopping at Target.
I switched out the kids artwork for some metallic and green colored items. It started with the woodpecker candle holder by Patch NYC for Target. I had admired a lot of the items from this limited line but I had at least partially restrained myself and bought the matching lamp and pillow. Then Target started marking down some of the items a couple of weeks ago. So when I saw this one half off, I pounced. I wasn’t sure where I should put it, but then I saw the old bronze plate and thought some metallic in this area would be a nice change. So I scrounged around the house and found this scarab that a friend had given us. Then I saw the bowl from the new Nate Berkus line at Target.
I also literally picked up several of these “Osage Orange” from the kids daycare. They have a couple of Bois ‘D Arc trees on the property. For some reason I grew up calling them “monkey brains” (Did anyone else call them that?). They are a funny fruit, that is native to the US. They have an interesting history. They aren’t actually edible but they apparently repel bugs (good for storing in your pantry) and they smell nice like a mix of citrus and pine. The trees are thorny and were used as “fencing” for early settler in the Midwest. And its name translates to “tree of the bow” since the branches make good bows. I am such a sucker for an weird and interesting plant!
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. My thoughts are still with my family and friends without power.
If you see some spare “Monkey Brains” at your kids’ school, grab some for me! I usually set out pinecones during this time of year (taken from a neighbor’s lawn), but Sandy has blown many away and made the remainders a mushy mess.
And I love that candle! We can never light the ones we have thanks to our overly curious cats, but I do love the look of them. Where did you get this one?
Hi Katie,
I will see if there are any Monkey Brains left. I picked these up before the storm, so I’m not sure if any of the ones left would be suitable. If there are I will grab some! The candle is from Target clearance section. Between the kids and the cats we almost never light our either. We also picked up hedgehog candles from the Target clearance a couple of days ago (Maisie’s choice). Then we lit one on the mantel (where the cats can’t go) and the kids watched the head melt. It was pretty funny to watch!
HAHA! That sounds gruesome AND fun — perfect for kids!