Fall Mantel

Last Friday, I decided it was officially fall. I know it's technically been fall since September, but I haven't really had time to slow down and soak it in. Plus, it's still been shorts and t-shirt weather here, so it hasn't felt like fall. But last Friday, after my last class and right before I left for Dothan, I had to get my oil changed. I picked a recently open shop next to a thrift store I frequent so that I would have something to do in the 45 minutes it took them to change my oil.  While wondering around I happened upon a large empty frame that I thought would work nicely on our mantel for pretty cheap, so I grabbed it. And also lugged it back to the auto shop. Probably got a few strange looks, but that's okay.

When I got home I rummaged around and found the fall decor I bought last season, and threw it all on the mantel. It surprisingly turned out well for a two minute decorating whirl.

I picked up the printed handkerchief, the pumpkin (which really has a place for a monogram, sold separately, on the other side), and the acorns at Hobby Lobby after Thanksgiving last year (= 80% off). The orange dried floral thing sticking out of the candle holder on the left was also from Hobby Lobby. It was in last year's fall by-the-door arrangement outside, which I didn't use this year. The candles (Ikea) and holders (Dollar Tree) are usual mantel items that happened to fit the theme. The owl was from Target at Christmas time, but he certainly blends right in here. It didn't fill up the whole mantel, and I never know what else to do with our map, so it just stayed. 

I had been wanting a large empty frame to add to the mantel to give some dimension and height at times, but had never really looked for one (aka, thought they would/could be expensive). When I saw this one in the thrift store, I first noticed it's shape and size, but then realized that it would match the metallic sunburst piece on the opposite wall (shown above). (It matches more than the photo shows; they both have a brushed bronze metallic look to them.) And that piece also has silver in it, which helps tie in Mr. Owl.

Here's a close-up of the acorns scattered across the bottom. They are little jingle-bell like things. 

On my drive to Dothan, I got to enjoy God's beautiful scenery and noticed that the leaves are starting to change here and there. Also this week I started burning fall scented candles, and we have a few fall 'activities' planned (one of which is coming up here on the blog... stay tuned!). So, welcome fall! And apple cider, and sweaters, and boots, and pumpkin bread, and crunching leaves, and Thanksgiving, and apple pie, and everything else that feels like this time of year! (I kind of like it, can you tell?)