The Everyday Home Tour. {fall}

  I love Pinterest and big blogs because they contain so much inspiration for, well, everything. It's nice to peek inside my favorite big blogger's home and see how she decorates or organizes or spends her days. But truthfully? I am the most inspired by real people and real homes. Not completely staged photos containing gorgeous goods that are just out of my price range. In real life, who has $200 to spend on pumpkins, gourds, and mums that will die in a month???

 Enter the Everyday Home Tour. I assure you, my house is so normal and average. And that's ok! I'm average! I stay at home with my toddler {and very fluffy husky and wild weimaraner}, so our budget doesn't have tons of room for just stocking up on holiday decor or instantly decorating our house from top to bottom. We've lived here for 4 years now and still have complete rooms that are untouched {unless you count piles of junk...}. Real life!

  I'm teaming up with Katie {great name, huh?!} to share a peek into how we're decorating for Fall this year and not breaking the bank. Share your home with us! Leave a comment with your blog or tag us on IG- #TheEverydayHomeTour.

  I really wanted to have a new wreath for our front door and it was a great excuse for a crafternoon with one of my besties. I used a cheapo {$4!} grapevine wreath I had leftover from a Mother's Day project and picked up a few sheets of felt for $2.50 total to make the little flowers. I sort of love how it turned out, but not the fact that my front door gets so hot from the sun that every single flower melted off and I had to buy some E600 to get them to stay! Lesson learned. But I love having a bright little spot on our blah green front door.

  Outside of our front door, I pretty much only every decorate for the seasons in two rooms of the house: the kitchen and living/dining rooms. Those are the main rooms people see and that I walk through and the places that aren't cluttered with toddler toys. One of my fall staples? This candle. You've surely heard me talk about it before and I'll definitely say it again. Plus, who cares what your house looks like if it smells this good??

  My mom gifted me this old scale last year for Christmas and I just love finding new things to stack on top of it. These pumpkins were $.79 each and I just cut the stem off the bottom two to create a cute little stack. 

  Maybe I should just give my mom all the credit for my home decor?? She gifted me this dough bowl that I break out every fall/winter to fill with whatever I can find. These pinecones were a post-christmas steal a few years ago and I decided to buy a bag of $2 mini pumpkins from Wal-mart to mix it up this year.

  This year's fall mantel looks a ton like last year's. I'm a creature of habit! I just shopped our house and grabbed some fall-ish colored books, my two glitter pumpkins {probably the only actual resuable fall decor I own?}, a green Juliska pitcher {thanks, mom!}, and these signs that had to be taken out of the guest room to get the nursery ready anyway. I had pretty much forgotten about these signs I made 3 years ago and am so glad to have them out again! 

  And, would it really be an Everyday Home Tour without some glimpses of real life? 99% of Caleb's toys are in his room or upstairs in our bonus room, but we keep a stack of books and couple of things in the living room for him. I've had the BHG magazine sitting out for two weeks in hopes that I'll find 10 minutes to actually read it...

  Thanks for taking a peek into my house this fall! How are you keeping things simple and easy and practical this year? We want to see! Snap a photo on instagram and tag us with #TheEverydayHomeTour. And don't forget to pop over to Katie's blog to see her house- girlfriend has some seriously good taste!!

Fall traditions.

  It's Fall! Well, not until next week if you're being official. But pretty much deem the beginning of September the beginning of Fall, and by that math we're already 16 days in. The weather is slowly cooling down here in Indiana, but you can already tell the seasons are changing. Leaves are starting to turn and fields are drying up {but maybe that's because it hasn't rained in ages?} and the sun comes up later and later each day. Ah, Fall. I love you.

  I'm such a creature of habit. I've been drinking the same teas, wearing the same clothes, and using the same winter lotion for 15 years. Don't fix it if its not broken, right? 

  So anyways, Fall seems to bring back the most traditions for me. And I don't mean traditions like apple picking and pumpkin carving {Justin doesn't love either of those}. More simple, everyday things. 

  I find myself picking up this book every single September {this is my 5th year}. It's one of those just good reads that makes you think and not feel hurried through. Some years it only takes me a week or two to finish. Last year, I took my time and didn't finish it until late December. I find something new each time I read it and, by now, it feel just like catching up with an old friend. Cheesy? Yes. But true!

  I love hot tea. As soon as I can even slightly justify a warm mug in the mornings, I start up my cold-weather routine of making a cup every morning, first thing. I rotate around a few favorites, but right now I'm sticking with my favorite chamomile since I want to avoid too much caffeine. I discovered this specific tea during my freshman Fall semester at Butler {before I transferred to Taylor}. Even now, drinking it reminds me of really gorgeous and introspective days around Butler's campus. Again, cheesy? Yes, absolutely. 

  I also love love love a good candle and am always so antsy to break out my go-to Fall scent. Leaves from Bath & Body Works is hands down the best. Its strong enough to fill my whole house and quality enough to last several burns. I light it nearly every evening as I pick up the house and before Justin comes home and definitely every time we have guest over. 

  And I'm dying over pumpkin bread these days. If I'm honest, I've actually been eating this from the Starbucks drive through all summer. Hey, I'm pregnant. I do what I want. But really. A few years ago I discovered the secret to the world's most moist pumpkin bread is to cook in the crockpot, surrounded by water so that it soaks up the moisture. Oh my goodness. I made some yesterday and was reminded why this has become a definite Fall tradition for me! {stay tuned for the recipe soon!}

  My favorite part of Fall is the permission it gives us to settle in. Spring and summer are all about airing out and adventuring. Winter is, whatever. But Fall is about rhythms and routines and slowing down a bit. I love that! Don't get me wrong, its not all perfect and it will soon be cold enough that I'll be wishing for summer again. 

  Tell me! What are your favorite bits of Fall? Have any good Fall traditions??

A fall tradition.

  I have a fall tradition that really just started on accident. 2 years ago, I found myself really really sad and just in a hard season of life as I was grieving our miscarriage. So I picked up Bittersweet. And then last year, I was just feeling worn out from trying to get pregnant, but learning to be content in the waiting. And it seemed like a good time to pick up Bittersweet again. Here I am, this September, settling into stay at home motherhood and life with a sweet baby- and, you guessed it, I'm diving back into Bittersweet. 

  Have you read it? It's one of those books that has you nodding your head and feeling like the author has been reading your mind, or at least standing in your shoes. And after reading it during very different seasons of life {grief, longing, fulfilled}, it really does speak to where you're at in life. Where ever that may be. Because life is always equal parts bitter and sweet. It just always is. Maybe sometimes more one than the other, but always both. 

  Anyways, as I sit down with my mug of chai and sit down with the book, I'm so excited. At this point it's like catching up with an old friend. And just in case you think that sounds too perfect, imagine a crying baby in the background {read:: nap fighting} and a sink overflowing with dishes and husky hair dust bunnies filling up the corners of my house. Life is far from perfect over here. But I always want to take time to read my favorites.

  There are far too many good quotes from the book to list here, but this is one of my favorites. It's so true. If you haven't already, go read this book. Maybe even make it a yearly tradition.

“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.” 

What are you reading right now? What fall traditions do you hold on to each year?

Fall mantle.

   I finally put together my fall mantle (or is it mantel? I never know these things) last week and I've finally decided (after 6 days) I love it. I didn't buy anything new and made it almost too simple. But I think I like simple these days. Also, let's chat about that grapevine wreath. I bought it for $2(ish) last year and it was probably the best two dollars I've spent on house things. I always have the urge to take it down and put something new there, but it just works. With everything. Moral of the story, buy yourself a grapevine wreath and thank me later. 
  And don't forget to enter last week's Fall Must-Have's giveaway- only one day left!

End of the season.

   Summer is basically over. It's cooling down outside, I have my favorite candles burning {this one and this one}, and I've literally gone back to school {new job, more on that later!}. I know it's so super trendy of me, but I love this time of year. And not necessarily for the pumpkin spice lattes {the horror!}.
 To get ready for the cooler weather and my new schedule, I did some 'end of the season' things around the house over the weekend, including cleaning out my flower pots and garden {save for the tomatoes and peppers and basil}. It was only a little sad to tear out my cukes and flowers and beans and carrots. I say only a little, because I had a really good summer. Both in regards to my garden and life. Last year, I couldn't wish summer away fast enough. This year, I really feel like I was here and enjoying the present. So I guess that's why I'm not so sad its over. It was good while it lasted, you know? I grew far more tomatoes and cukes than our family could eat, so I was able to share with everyone I know. I grew some really gorgeous flowers and shared those, too. Life was just really full around these parts. 
  So, it's literally out with the zinnias and in with the mums! Happy September :)

fall treats.

in keeping with my "friday's are for sleeping in and not doing homework" routine, 

i've been cuddling with murph and reading (and doing just a smidge of homework) all day. 

I needed to get up and do something, and I was looking through the kitchen cabinets to see what I could bake, with little effort. (its my lazy day, ya know)

I found a yellow cake mix I must've bought when it was $1 or something. I remembered seeing a pumpkin muffin recipe on Rebecca's blog a while back that used yellow cake mix.

and voila...

pumpkin muffins (I whipped up some **cream cheese icing while they were baking) and a vanilla chai.
delicious.

happy friday!

**cream cheese icing (I halved this recipe since I only made 12 muffins)

8 oz crm cheese, softened (I usually Neufchatel, it's lower in fat and I think it tastes better)

6 T butter

1 T milk

1 tsp vanilla

powdered sugar

beat cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla. stir in powdered sugar until spreading consistency. Chill in refrigerator before using.

oh no you didn't.

really Pandora? really?

I hate your 40 hour a month listening limit.

I'm not sure who to be more annoyed with, though.

myself, for actually have reached the limit. (how does one listen to 40 hours of music in less than a month's time?!)

or you, Pandora, for making such an annoying rule. I had just created the best Quickmix ever.

good thing November 1st starts my music-listening hours all over again.

but on a happier note, I've been super productive today, house hunters is on and my pup is cuddled up next to me.

and my sweetie will be home any minute. 

So take that Pandora, you can't ruin my good day!

thankful.

I've been feeling pretty thankful today...

for lots of things.

here's just a few:

TPCC. J & I couldn't be happier we found this place as soon as we moved to Indy. humble, biblical, and real.

York peppermint patties. I'm obsessed right now.

Crunchy fall leaves. and really just everything about Fall. change is good for the heart.

Brisk morning runs with Murphy. I always feel so refreshed and clear-headed afterwards

Learning. and the privilege to do so. I feel so blessed with my education.

Justin's job. God's been so faithful in providing for us and we are so thankful that he has this job!

that Friday is only 5 days away. (that's when Justin will be home!)

Justin. my better half. I couldn't ask for a better husband. I fall more in love with him every day. and I miss him so much when he's gone!

what are you thankful for today?

farmer's markets and apple bars.

I'm going a little stir crazy working on the most boring paper of my life, and to reward all of my (somewhat) hard work, I'm giving myself a blogging break :)

This weekend was full of comfy clothes, rainy days, scarves, homework, refreshing sunday church, and watching football with friends. The next few weekends will be busy, so it was nice to relax before life gets a little crazy!

I made to Carmel's last Farmer's Market of the season and snagged a great deal on flowers, apples, peppers, squash, and a baby eggplant all

for less than $10!

I baked apple bars twice this weekend. I literally put the second batch in ten minutes after the first was finished. I.love.these.bars. We ate them all the time growing up! Cinnamon-y apple goodness!

Apple Bars

1c. vegatable oil

1 3/4 c. sugar

3 eggs

2t vanilla

2c. flour

1/2 t. salt

1t baking soda

2t cinnamon

2c diced/peeled apple (I usually just use 2 medium tart apples and don't bother with measuring!)

Mix together oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour, salt, soda, and cinnamon. Fold in apple. Spray bottom only of 13x9in pan with cooking spray. Pour in batter. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes (My oven is HOT and I only need to cook for about 35 min...so keep an eye on the bars if your oven's cooks faster/slower). Middle will look under baked, edges will be brown. Bars will firm as they cool.

Enjoy!

best time of the year.

Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons, and I could not be more happy that it has finally arrived! here are some of my favorite things right now...

cool breezes

hoodies and sweaters

warm chai

hot oatmeal in the mornings

crunchy leaves

settling into a routine at school

fall home decor. love this!

pumpkin! All things pumpkin!

here's to hoping winter waits a long, long time to rear his ugly head!

sew.sew

Since Spring, I've completely neglected my lovely stack of fabrics and half-done projects along with a long list of project ideas to start. But I just found out that September is National Sewing Month! I'm taking this national month of sewing-celebration to motivate me back into sewing. I'm not exactly sure how I'll fit it into the pages and pages of reading that I have to do, along with papers, group projects, and all that grad school goodness, but I'm sure going to try!

I figured 5 is a good number to start with. So here's what I'll be working on this month:

1. this apron. I started it months ago, got sidetracked after coming down with a bad head cold and then never picked it up again!

2. a cute lunchbox. I've been wanting to make this since I saw it in One Yard Wonders, and now that I take my lunch everyday to school, it would come in handy!

3. I want to make some cute placemats for our cute new dining room table. We painted the room Gentle Moss, so I'm on the hunt for a fabric that goes well with the green...any suggestions?

4. curtains curtains curtains. Our bedroom and office both have bare windows that just look blah and I've been wanting to try my hand at window treatments. I hear they're easy...

5. and just for fun...not functionality or necessity...I've been eying this adorable clutch!

hopefully I can get to them all! Maybe I'll even give myself a break from paper writing and group project working this weekend to pick up where I left off on the apron. Maybe. :)

Justin's in Chicago for a bachelor party this weekend, so I'm trying to keep myself busy working on school stuff, cleaning, menu-making, and hanging out with this fool...

(he's been laying like that for the last 20 minutes, no joke.)

I love quiet and solitude and all that jazz and usually I would relish weekends to myself like this, but for some reason I'm not this time. I barely slept last night without Justin and find that I have to keep myself busy to not go crazy in this apartment alone. Sunday afternoon (when J gets back) most definitely cannot come quickly enough!


(I'm loving my new, warm fall candles! They make we want to put white chicken chili on my menu for the next two weeks!)