Here’s to a fresh, new week! This weekend, we went to a fun pumpkin patch with pony rides, a haunted trail, petting zoo and face painting and even managed to get a family photo with everyone in it!  That never happens!  It’s been challenging to get stuff done around here with having to watch our baby so closely.  She’s everywhere and at that stage where she has no fear and can easily get hurt.   I’m always on high alert and her energy seriously wears me out! That’s life with a baby for ya! At home, I did manage to put the finishing touches on our Fall dining room and even got it photographed for ya!

We have so, so much to be thankful for.  First and foremost, I’m thankful that I can even feel thankful right now after such a hard loss this year.  It was only 8 months ago that we lost our Dad and not a day goes by that we don’t think about him and miss him.  He added so much to our family and his absence this Thanksgiving will surely be felt.  I have sweet, sweet pictures of him and my Mom cuddled up on the couch from last year’s Thanksgiving and even though he was frail and missing hair, their love was strong as ever. 

Even though we’re celebrating Thanksgiving dinner away from home, I couldn’t help but set a small Thanksgiving table for myself (and you!) to enjoy.  I’m thankful for this blog so I have an excuse to put together holiday decorations like this to share.  This table was inspired by nature and the fabulous dessert plates by Nate Berkus.  I was lucky to get one of the last sets currently in stock at my store.  His stuff goes fast in Houston.  In your town too? 

I layered the dessert plates on top of black and gold dinner plates,

It’s about this time of year that we start planning what we’re doing for Thanksgiving.  As you might know firsthand, it can get complicated to try to spend time with everyone on both sides of the family on one day, but we always make it work.  I have two brothers, both with significant others whose families are in town as well, and my hubby’s sister lives close and her husband’s family is also here.  So, we typically do Thanksgiving at my sis-n-law’s house in the early afternoon (with her now three kiddos, her husband’s parents, and my in-laws if they’re in town) and then head to my parents in the evening to be with my siblings and their kiddos.  

Was the first day of Fall as gorgeous in your city as it was here?!  We got to experience a significant drop in temperatures and a morning without humidity- pretty near perfect!  In honor of the official start of Fall, I put together a “rustic glam” mantle.  Of course, we don’t really have a true mantle, so our console table subbed in. 

I got some glam inspiration from this little fox I found at Target.   Have you seen him yet? I passed him up a couple of times, but recently couldn’t resist. Foxes are the new owl.

And the countdown to Thanksgiving beings!  Over the weekend I finished up my grocery list and actually made it to the store.  I “think” I have everything, so I’m hoping I don’t have to return to the store for “one more thing!” I also completed our Thanksgiving tablescape:)

This year, our Thanksgiving table was inspired by all the luxurious shiny gold I’m seeing and loving these days in fashion and home decor.   The place card for the table (a spray painted pear and computer-crafted label) sparked the idea.

With Thanksgiving drawing near, I’ve been thinking about gathering around the table and enjoying my family and all the homemade food and dessert that Thanksgiving brings.   This year, we’re still not sure who is hosting, but I would be happy to have everyone over here:)    I started playing around with tablescapes this weekend and liked this simple one.  I typically go for warmer colors for Thanksgiving, so this is a nice departure for me.  I think I’d like to add some tall glass candlestick holders (or votives) and white candles, but I’m still looking for those.  I used our wedding china (Ralph Lauren),