One Week From Today

And it is officially Fall!  Eeks - can you believe it my dears?  The weather this week has been cooler, and definitely fall like.  I think I just might be ready to pull out my lightweight sweaters and cardigans and get cozy ;-)

However, I understand if you're not quite ready yet.  Maybe this fabulous fall table for two will help get you in the mood...

Fall flowers in a vintage wood cream cheese crate - yes, please!  I always love when arrangements extend beyond their containers...like those persimmons.  Pretty perfection, no?  Plus, I really am tempted, just for the cuteness of it, to use apples as seating cards sometime this Fall...just to turn an ordinary dinner night into a little celebration.  Ooh, and next Friday being the first day of Fall, is just the right night to do so.  Have some fun loves, celebrate the little things...because it's all the little things that are truly extra special ;-) 

And to Fall - come on over, I am ready to cozy!

~ Ciao

...images via brooklyn bride

~ flowers of the week: 11.15.10 ~

Good morning lovelies!  Did everyone enjoy the Fall weekend?  Mine was quite warm and sunny, but it is definitely Fall with the cool breeze blowing the leaves and the chilly nights and mornings.  So how about this bouquet...

Of apples, leaves and berries - quite fitting for a Fall, no?  

I have a jammed packed week this week, and will try my best to get a Tuesday Thought up and a homemade project for Thursday...but I can't make any promises this week.  You'll just have to check back to see...although I do have some projects in the works...I just hope I have time to finish them and still be able to get some sleep!  Hope you have a lovely week. 

~ Ciao

...image via country home

~ spooky sunday sweetness ~

Happy Halloween my darlings! Hope everyone gets lots of yummy treats.  You can get the recipe for these spooky sweets right here.  Enjoy, and see you tomorrow.

~ Ciao

...image via matt bites via postcards & pretties

~ fall on a stick ~

I adore these candied lady apples...

Don't they look delicious?  I adore lady apples for a couple of reasons.  First, they are truly an heirloom - of all the known apple varieties, the lady apple is apparently the oldest; and second, their small size!  It is their small size that makes them perfect for either a sweet treat at a fete, or as favors for your guests to take home and enjoy. 

If used as a favor, I would attach a little tag with a reference that they are an heirloom...the first of many that the two of you hope to pass down!  Cute, no? 

Here is the recipe (from cannelle et vanille):

~ Candied Lady Apples ~
adapted from Martha Stewart

2 cups sugar
1 cup water
3/4 cup corn syrup
10 lady apples

Remove the stems from the apples and insert a wooden skewer in each one.
Mix the sugar, water and corn syrup in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook to a very light caramel (barely any color) to about 315F. 

~ Ciao

...image and recipe via cannelle et vanille

~ on the table: apple wine ~

I keep coming back to this picture, as I think it would make a simple centerpiece idea for a casual orchard or wine country wedding, indoors or out...

I'm seeing long tables with white tablecloths and wooden crates (like the one above) in the center holding a couple bottles of wine, some cute glasses, apples and/or grapes, branches and/or vines and a table number.  To top it all off I would add dishcloth napkins at each place setting for a casual, homey feel that would also add some additional color if wanted!  Can you see it?

But I do have to say that any fruit, nuts, cheese, shells, etc... and flowers, grasses or moss would work too depending on your location!  And really this idea can be used at just about every location I can think of.  Such a cute, simple idea that I love!

~ Ciao

...image via gardenrooms

~ in the orchard ~

Wouldn't it be lovely to have your reception dinner amid the tress of an apple orchard?

A wonderful locale indeed!  And while this table might not be in an orchard, the casual tabletop decor was definitely inspired by one.   I love the simpleness of this tabletop...crisp white linens with runners made of old-fashioned kitchen linens, the basket full of a variety of apples as the centerpiece, the clean lines of the patterned napkins and the favors of apple butter in little jars topped with a bit of fabric and twine.  And to top it all off -  bunting attached from tree-to-tree, and big white ballons tied with twine.

Just think how spectacular everything would look at twilight...a lighted path to lead the way to the table, lights twinkling in the trees and strung from tree to tree over the tables and candles everywhere!  Dreamy.

It would also be fun to hold a bridemaids luncheon/picnic here too, or a day after the wedding picnic, or for a photoshoot...sorry, I just can't help myself!  And I am quite inspired...as my brothers best friend owns a very large apple orchard...just might have to see what I can come up with...

~ Ciao

...tabletop by frolic for once wed