A rustic autumn arrangement with dried pink hydrangeas, tan grasses, and red gourds sits behind a brushstroke-style sign reading "South House House Mates.

11-1-25

What I Can’t Let Go Of:

Transitions and changes have never really scared me. Most of the time, I love them — new beginnings with their feeling of possibility, the excitement of new project or coat of paint, those untrodden paths calling..

But fall? That one’s harder.
Maybe because it’s not just a transition to something new — it’s a transition away from warmth and light.

Still, I’m reminding myself that even this season invites us to be present.
Maybe not all transitions need to be chased — some are meant to be savored.

So this week, I’m practicing presence — soaking up the golden edges of now before winter calls us inward.

On the Blog

A cozy reading nook with wooden floating shelves holding books, a small potted plant, and a modern table lamp with a square wooden base and a light gray shade, softly illuminating the area.

See Those Books? Standing Straight!

It’s my little Houdini trick. It may look like magic, but it is really a simple little styling trick. So quick and easy I never thought to give it a whole blog post.

But I keep getting asked, so it finally got a short and sweet blog post

To My Book Styling Trick

The Felt Nativity Patterns are Live!

Perfect time to craft a nativity set for there littles (or grands) that you’ll actually encourage them to play with.

The long-awaited patterns are now live in the resource library and I am working on a 2025 expansion set now.

Felt Nativity Set

A felt art piece resembling a kids nativity set features a figure in blue lovingly holding a baby, while another in dark attire stands nearby. At the center is a manger filled with straw, flanked by a small sheep. The scene unfolds against a serene two-tone background.

Shopping With Friends

Let’s talk about some quick, easy transitioning decor between the holidays!

Coolest Wall Vases

First up are these wall vases I posted last week and have been blowing up!

They bring the bit of greenery we all want in a room, even if you have a black thumb — clippings + water and you’re done.

But fall can include short branches of colorful leaves or dried grasses and hydrangeas blooms. After the turkey, I’ll be adding fir sprigs and maybe some fresh holly.

Here I share my tips for a crazy easy installation.

Three clear glass wall vases hang gallery wall style, each holding vibrant green and purple leafy plants. Their healthy foliage and varied patterns add a lively, fresh touch to any white wall space.

White kitchen cabinets decorated for Christmas with red gingham bows, a green wreath with a gold ribbon, and candy cane knobs, under the text “Kitchen Candy Land.”.

Kitchen Into Candy Cane Lane in Minutes!

The turkey leftovers are in the fridge, now it’s time to convert the kitchen to holiday wonderland.

No easier way than with these peppermint knob covers!

Then hang a small wreath or a charming gingham bow on cabinet doors and you’re set!

Add a Tree — To A Window

Do you have a large picture window, sliding glass door or a glass storm door?

Or perhaps home is a tiny apartment, college dorm room or you have a loved one who will be spending the holidays in the hospital or care facility. TIP: add a cozy winter scarf at the base and collect presents there.

These gorgeous window clings are another easy, budget-friendly way to decorate for the season. Plus they’re easy on floorspace and storage space. Yes, reusable!

Glass doors decorated with two gold Christmas tree decals made of stars and swirls, each topped with a star and the phrase "Merry Christmas" written at the base. Trees are reflected on the shiny surface.

Collage of festive scenes with firecracker lights: wooden “XMAS” letters and string lights, a red lantern surrounded by warm lights, and close-up of string lights on a green Christmas tree branch.

Lights Don’t Work? Don’t Throw Out Your Tree!

I have a lovely tree from my mother, but like so many artificial trees, the lights have gone bad. You too?

These are the lights I bought last year and they are crazy wonderful!!! They make all the difference in the world. All the twinkling options with a timer and even a dimmer. Outdoor and indoor! You will LOVE them!!!

Now Let’s See What the Other Gals Found For Us

Cindy – Reinvented Delaware

Many grief counselors will say to avoid big decisions during the first year of someones grief journey. I whole heartedly believe that and I don’t plan on any big changes in my life until there has been more time for healing.

Yet I feel the need to make some minor changes. That includes a living room refresh. It can feel good to our soul to make some minor changes. It can feel refreshing. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m in the middle of a living room refresh. Some of the new pieces have arrived, some are on order and some I’m still shopping for.

The first new piece I started shopping for was a new sofa. My sofa has been in our home for 15 years and I bought it used! I found the perfect sofa at our local furniture shop and it is custom made. I was able to find some similar sofas online to share with you. It has a tufted back and three cushions. The style is called Chesterfield but it also hints towards traditional. You’ll see several other options in the images below if you are in need of a new sofa.
New chairs were next on the shopping list. I found the perfect pair of chairs to go with the new sofa over on Wayfair. I ordered them on a Friday night at 4pm and they were here Saturday morning at 10:30am! Not even 24 hours later! They come in lots of colors. I chose navy and white. I’m still on the hunt for two more chairs.
A new rug was a must. I knew I wanted a rug with blue tones and neutrals. I found one at our local Carpet Mart. It’s a discount carpet and rug store in Delaware. I found several similar rugs online for you to check out. You will also see them in the images below. Click the images to shop!
Pillows and curtains were next. I’m excited to get these gorgeous oatmeal colored, linen look curtain panels. They will be here any day. I found some pillow covers while out thrifting recently. Since I can’t link the exact ones, I found some similar pillows online. Here are my favorite alternative down inserts. Once you use them, you will never look back!

Lora – Lora Bloomquist

Last year paper trees were all the rage at Christmas. In fact, they sold out quickly and I was late to the game. Luckily, the variety has increased this year, and they’re a great inexpensive decor item to add for fun (and they fold down for storage;) You can find a wide variety of paper trees HERE. The online selection is much better than in store.
Now is the time to start paperwhites and amaryllis for the holidays. I grew some last year for the first time and enjoyed them so much. And they’re so easy! Find a wide variety of colors HERE.
This year I want to plant the bulbs in fun containers. I’ve been crushing on vintage tins with graphics and designs lately. I picked up these fun green and white ones at an estate sale. Vintage tins in Christmas colors or with winter scenes are fun to tuck here and there into your decor. (especially if they inspire memories) Find vintage food tins HERE.
I love Ruth Chou Simmons books. They are filled with her gorgeous flowery watercolor art. Her latest Way of the Wildflower book contains gospel meditations for peace over anxiety. I love seeing her books on my coffee table, and they make great gifts, too. Find Ruth’s books HERE.
Polishing old metal is not usually a thing for me, because I love vintage patina. But recently I tried a couple new products and realized my old metal pieces look rather nice when polished up! Think it will be more fun to decorate with these pieces for the holidays now. I linked to the polishing products in my Vintage Reviver’s Favorites page, HERE.
I haven’t pulled out the Christmas bins from the attic yet, but I popped this pretty cedar tree in my cart yesterday. Love that it’s in a basket already. Think I will be using this all winter long. Love that it’s got the lights on it already and can be put up in 10 minutes. For a more realistic look, give each branch a little bend so it’s not factory straight. Find the cedar tree HERE. (tip: I think their evergreen products are the best value. I picked up a couple realistic looking sprays, too. But get them quick; they sell out)

Anna – Sky Lark House

Target has absolutely knocked it out of the park with their Thanksgiving and Christmas collaborations. Apparently, everyone is noticing because their inventory is ALREADY SELLING OUT. (What?). Here are some of my favorite finds but I can’t guarantee they will still be available.

First, these holiday mugs are adorable and are a steal at $5 a piece. They have a wide array of designs including a:
These twisted tapers in Target’s collaboration with Studio McGee are elegant and timeless. They are only $12 for a pack of four and will sell out soon.
I love these Hearth and Hand retro style bluetooth portable radios in green and white. And they are perfect for listening to music outside on the patio by the fire pit.
Finally, some items not from Target. Every year I like to add a few more authentic vintage Santa mugs to my collection. Here are a few I found on Etsy.