Fragrance and your Home

For many of us, different smells conjure up specific memories.
The smell of barbecues reminds us of summer.
The smell of cinnamon, pumpkin or vanilla may remind us of the holiday season.

Some smells can even effect our emotions.
Rosemary is a circulatory stimulant that wakes you up.
Lavender’s calming aroma also has a sedative effect on the nervous system.
Citrus is particularly welcoming and uplifting.

Home fragrance comes in all kinds of formats also. There are sprays, oils, plug-ins, candles and portables. Here are are few I found. Enjoy!

Autumn Gold Yankee Candle

Colonial Candle Reed Diffuser

Bath and Bodyworks Plug-In

Clip and Go Portable

Yankee Candle Spray

"Oh daaarling, your home smells marvelous!"

Something for your creative side

Forget about all the nonsense in the world let's make something nice.

Here are some quickie DIY projects. Have some fun.

Hanging Arrangement

Fall Cornucopia
Fall Welcome

Please pardon the interruption...But...

WTF!
Financial industry a big winner in bailout proposal, but not so troubled homeowners. Nice, give the money to the ones who caused the problem??

This adds $700 billion to the national debt -- already surging toward the $10 trillion mark.
$700 billion + $10 trillion = ? I can't do the math.

I don't get it. I digress.

New from Jonathan Adler

I found this kind of funny.

Hashish Candle from Jonathan Adler
$68.00
Bougie Parfumée
Scandalously scented with black currant, green apple, wormwood, patchouli and moss. Earthy but couture – it's a tempting taboo to inhale!
And when the candle burns out...the porcelain vessel makes the perfect stash box.
• 3.75" high• 10.6 oz. candle• 2 wicks

If your stash box looked like this, wouldn't you have to stash the stash?

Enjoy your stash (whatever it may be) and...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Staying Green in an Orange and Yellow World

Going green can be a year-round practice, including during the cooler months. While you probably won’t be harvesting the garden outside, you can still be eco-friendly in your home, activities and lifestyle. Cooler weather can sometimes make it hard to think of global warming, but the earth will thank you for your green choices. Read on for some reminders.

Cottage Living
Save energy by making sure that your doors and windows are properly sealed. Poorly sealed windows and doors can be like having an open window in your home, letting cold air in and warm air escape. By keeping your doors and windows properly sealed, you'll also save on your winter heating bills.


lutz & patmos cable throw
Wear more layers inside to keep the heat down. Turning the thermostat down just a few degrees can make a big difference in your energy consumption. Make use of sweaters, slippers and throw blankets to stay warm.



Compost fallen leaves, organic materials from gutters, carved pumpkins and waste from the kitchen. You'll keep these items out of the garbage and get material to use on your lawn or garden next spring. Compost is a more natural choice for mulches and fertilizers as well.



Milk Glass Table Lamps
Replace your old light bulbs with newer energy efficient bulbs. Winter means fewer hours of sunlight and more time indoors, so use light bulbs that last longer and are more energy efficient.

Happy Autumn!!

A new seasons begins...

along with some new beginnings here....

more later....

20 Little Things about Autumn

Melissa at The Inspired Room has asked her readers to share some of their favorite things about autumn. Here are a few that crossed my mind:

20 Little Things to Treasure in Autumn

1. The County Fair
2. Decorating for Halloween
3. Scouring the Pumpkin Patch
4. Natures changing colors
5. RAIN
6. HOT Coffee
7. Longer walks
8. Outdoor fires
9. Chili and corn bread
10. Football
11. Cooler days
12. Cozy blankets
13. Sweatshirts
14. Sweaters and Jeans
15. Boots
16. Baking
17. Hot soup and warm bread
18. Thanksgiving
19. Orange, Red and Yellow
20. Fall flowers

Fall Fun for the Weekend!

Make a seasonal centerpiece...

Quick and easy instruction on how to make here

Start decorating for Halloween...

Learn how to make these fun pumpkin topiary here

Go for a bike ride...


Enjoy the garden...

Fall Garden

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

New bed...

Arhaus

1000 count sheets...

Egyptian Cotton Sheets

New comforter set...

Black and White bedding

Some reading...

Some informative reading

Ahhhh, ready to relax.

A Color Lesson: Blue

There are few blue foods found in nature and so it is not surprising that blue is not an effective color for a restaurant. It tends to suppress the appetite.

The color blue causes the brain to release tranquilizing hormones and can be used effectively in hospitals and dentists' offices.

Pale blues encourage fantasy.

Blue is the color preferred by most Americans.

If not too dark, a blue surrounding increases productivity. Studies show that students score higher and retain more information when reading blue text. Weight lifters lift heavier weights in blue rooms.

In apparel, dark blue denotes credibility, responsibility and trust.

In the middle-ages, blue was a difficult dye color to achieve and it became associated with a high level of socio-economic and moral achievement. References: Carlton Wagner, Director of the Wagner Institute for Color Research, Chicago IL Faber Birren, The power of color: how it can reduce fatigue, relieve monotony, enhance sexuality, and more

All images courtesy of Easy Living magazine.

Make a Fall Centerpiece

Some makings for an easy fall centerpiece. These pieces and more can be found here.

Resin Balls

Gold Bowl

Leaf Covered Balls

Script Bowl

Look what you can buy for under $10.

Cost Plus World Market has some nice things for under $10. I think I will start gathering some things for Christmas. Great stuff for gift baskets.


Chopra Votive Cups


Medallion Journal or Notecards



Jacquard Damask Kitchen Towels



Coffee Mug and Spoon Set

Nice items for a shopping fix. I can almost always scrape up $10. (or more).

Excuse the interruption but, San Diego was robbed....

Please pardon the interruption, but I must rant just a little. We will resume regular programming in a moment.

For the second-consecutive week, the Chargers mounted an inspirational second-half comeback only to see their late lead slip away. But this time, it was a little harder to swallow.

The Chargers were holding a 38-31 lead at Denver’s Invesco Field Sunday with 1:17 remaining when Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler had the ball slip out of his hand. Tim Dobbins fell on the loose ball, but an official’s whistle had blown the play dead. Instead of the Chargers celebrating a late goal-line stand, Denver got two more chances and escaped with a win.

“On the last play, it was clearly a fumble,” Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner said. “(Referee) Ed (Hochuli) came over to me and said he blew it. That to me is not acceptable. This is a high-level performance game. That’s not acceptable to have a game decided on that play. Our guys fought to come back. They competed in all phases and it’s just disappointing to have that kind of performance spoiled by that call.” Chargers.com

Thank you for your patience.

Enjoy the Weekend

Seems I need to change up my diet a bit. Good thing there are some yummy fall fruits and veggies in the markets.

While I will be shopping for this...

I will be thinking of this...

Adios, tacos and beer!

Indulge in some tasty treats and...

Have a great weekend!

More Fall Color...

I found these beautiful French cookware items at my favorite discount site. Why not start planning for your fall holiday meals?



Enameled Chicken Roaster

6 Qt Oval Cocotte



Provencial Salad Bowl



8 x 12 Baking Dish


They can all be found here.

Bon Appetit!

What is a 5.3 million dollar ewer?

A 1,000-year-old carved rock crystal ewer, one of only seven known surviving examples, will be offered for auction next month at Christie's Islamic art sale and is expected to fetch over 3 million pounds ($5.3 million).

The auctioneer said the ewer was made for the court of the Fatimid rulers of Cairo in the late 10th or early 11th century, and has been embellished in enameled gold mounts made in 1854 by a French silversmith. You can read more about this ewer here.

This ewer is from the 7th century, Iran or Iraq and resides at the New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. I wonder what this one is worth? It's older than the 5.3 mil one.

For those who are not familiar with the term ewer, like myself until I Googled it this morning, here is a little synopsis;

An ewer is a type of pitcher with a flared base, a stout handle, and a decorative spout. Ewers have been manufactured around the world for thousands of years, and many fine examples of ancient ewers can be seen on display in museums. In the modern world, ewers are primarily used for ornamental purposes, although in some regions of the world, they are still used to hold and transport water.

The design of an ewer is designed to facilitate the transport of water and other liquids with minimal spilling. Some ewers can also be sealed, a trait which was utilized historically during long journeys to transport liquids like olive oil, wine, and water. Many historical ewers got quite large, holding a high volume of liquid; it is also possible to find smaller ewers designed for use at the table or in the bedroom.

I think they should serve beer in a ewer, instead of the modern day pitcher. It would keep the contents of the pitcher from sloshing out on the floor, on your feet, on the table, etc...

Next pizza party I'm ordering a ewer of beer.