Fresh Picks: October 2011

Welcome back!! It has been a long while since the last “Fresh Picks” post! We are a little late because it usually happens on the 1st of every month, but better late than never!! It was a very busy summer and Fall has been equally as busy! We completely re-designed the site, I have had a ton of new interior design projects locally and a few DIY projects around here to complete! I have a ton of new things to show you, talk about and great ideas to let you in on in the coming days!!

 So… the website… love it or what? I am thrilled to pieces with how it looks and functions!!

 As many of you know, since the beginning of the blog, we have listed our favorites to you in a monthly spotlight around the beginning of each month! It was an idea my mom came up with actually and it just kinda stuck. It’s one of my favorite posts to write and I enjoy showcasing what I am digging each month!!

So… let’s give it up for October’s Monthly Picks…

Let’s start it with the home edition:

1. If you follow me on twitter, you may remember me talking about a rug we ordered from Urban Outfitters for under our kitchen table. We love the Venetian Lace Rug… it was inexpensive and on clearance {love that} and it is perfect for our space!

2. I have been really addicted to Succulent plants lately. They are stylish and add a touch of nature to a space. I picked up this set of 3 succulents from Pier 1 awhile back. They have migrated from room to room in our home as the seasons have changed.

3. We are big pancake people!! Kevin is the pancake maker in our home. He usually makes Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes, but how much fun would pumpkin shaped pancakes be? Kev laughs, but I think shaped pancakes just taste better! {P.S. We eat gluten free pancakes— here’s the recipe we use most often}. This pumpkin pancake mold is from Crate & Barrel and would be great to use when you have those ‘Thanksgiving Guests’!

4. I recently went to Ikea with a good friend of mine for the day. I didn’t have anything in mind to purchase except this fabulous planter! This straw planter had been on my wish list for quite sometime. I actually picked up a faux plant to go in while I was there too!! It has moved around the house since it got here!!

5. I love to bring in a little glitz for the fall months. Tans, browns and sequins are fun ways to add a little sparkle into a room! This circle pillow from West Elm is the perfect amount of glitz! Add two to a sofa or add one on a chair for a little extra ‘bling’ to your space!

6. I am a huge candle burner. I love candles and I literally use mine everyday! Nothing is better in the autumn than a pumpkin pie scent coming from the kitchen! I love the Bath & Body Works candle collection… they smell fabulous and the come at a great price!

7. Hocking glass jars look great in the kitchen! Use them for canisters, storage for cereal, or even for laundry pins or detergent. I recently picked up one from Target for a styling session and kept it for my kitchen!! I added sugar to mine and it looks fabulous.

8. What says autumn more than pumpkins? I have already decorated for fall in our home and we have many different kind of pumpkins {wooden, ceramic, glass & straw}, but I have my eye on these metallic beauties from Z Gallerie.  Gorgeous or what?? They would make a fabulous centerpiece for a dining or coffee table.

Beauty Edition {something fairly new since the summer}:

1. Leopard is always a trend in the fall. I love bringing small touches of leopard print into my wardrobe for the season! This leopard scarf from JCrew caught my eye. It’s the perfect accessory to add character to an outfit!

2. Since I live in Florida, the start of autumn usually dictates the beginning of hair curling for me . I can’t keep a true curl in the summer at all. I love my spiral curling iron {from Target} to pieces. It makes modern & perfect curls!!

3. I have noticed a lot of nature inspired jewelry lately. Leaves are a huge inspiration in jewelry designs this season. For pieces like this you don’t wear ‘everyday’, I like to go for the costume jewelry approach! The leaf earrings are from Forever 21 and they are really inexpensive!

4. My FAVORITE clutch I own! Lately I have been sporting my Louis Vuitton clutch bag everywhere. I love it for fall… it is perfect! It is a staple in my wardrobe and I love, love, love it.

 5. ‘Tis the season. I use lotion all year, but during the fall and winter I keep extra lotion around for my hands. I love Bath & Body Works hand cream because it is thick and really keeps your skin moisturized!

6. On one of my recent Target outtings, I got ‘stuck’ in the store while a huge & sudden storm came through. Getting stuck in Target isn’t a real problem for me… but it is for the hubby! I completed my to-do shopping list and browsed the store for quite some time while the terrential downpour was occuring. I came across this sweet cardigan and it came home with me! I love it and it is perfect for the fall/winter in Florida!

7. Shoes, shoes, shoes. Lately I have purchased a ton of new flats for the fall & upcoming winter season. I was in Target {a different day from the day mentioned above} and these little ballet flats caught my eye. They were perfect… except I couldn’t decide on a color… so what was a gal to do? I bought both! They are PERFECT for skinny jeans and even dresses! {Black Shoes, Tan Shoes}

P.S. We have a few fabulous giveaways coming up soon! Plus, tomorrow’s post is blushing with pink!!

What are you loving these days? Any items on your wish list this month?? Do Tell.