With the cool weather finally blowing in to the Metroplex, we are having a moment with fall bedding. Duvets and quilts in rich colors and yummy fabrics like flannel and velvet. Plush and faux fur blankets and throws that make it even harder to get up from the couch or your bed and turn off the most recent Netflix binge. 
Recently we shared with you Shauna's guest room update with bedding from Serena & Lily and another recent guest room project on Instagram stories featured a gorgeous quilt from Anthropologie. So, if you are in the market for some cozy layers, rich colors and a surprise or two, grab a mug of cocoa and check out our favorite fall bedding picks. 

Velvet
Velvet is definitely not going anywhere, and we are so OK with that. From pillows to quilts and duvet covers, velvet is the affordable luxury that everyone needs. These are all available in multiple colors, so you have no excuse, really. 
1. Belgian Flax Linen and Cotton Velvet Duvet Cover--West Elm
2. Crinkle Velvet Duvet Cover and Shams--West Elm
3. Velvet Tufted Quilt and Shams--Pottery Barn 
4. Layne Velvet Quilt--Anthropologie

Prints
Used to be that florals were reserved for spring. Not so much anymore. Both in fashion and in home decor, fall florals in rich colors make a bold statement in your bedding. Add in some texture like embroidery or fringe and our boho selves are in heaven. In an interesting twist, as we usually stick to white sheets all year round, these floral sheets have us giddy with the prospect of an afternoon nap.
​1. Helena Embroidered Duvet Cover and Shams--Pottery Barn
2. Meguro Duvet Cover and Shams--Anthropologie
3. Myla Floral Sheet Set--Urban Outfitters

Blankets & Throws
We debate between the importance of warmth over softness when it comes to blankets and throws. While wool might be the warmest, there's just something about that faux fur that we can't give up. With blankets, layer on top of sheets but under quilt or duvet for maximum insulated warmth. Throws are vital too, so have a basket of them in the family room as well as on the end of the bed for naps and that Netflix binge we mentioned earlier. 
1. Wendover Wool Striped Blanket--CB2
​2. Sophie Faux Fur Blanket--Anthropologie
3. Overlook Throw--CB2
​4. Bright Stripe Throw--Anthropologie

Shop more of our favorite bedding here. 

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We are gearing up for the holidays over here in the SGD office. If you are expecting house guests over the holidays, now is the time to get your guest bedroom and bathroom prepped for the invasion. I mean, the visitors. We've partnered with Serena & Lily to deck out this adorable guest room with their best-in-class bedding pieces from their Fall 2019 collection and now I'm seriously wondering why the guests get the good stuff? 

First tip in styling a bed is to remember to layer. Sheets, quilt, duvet, throw. Especially if you keep your house cool at night, you want to make sure your guests are comfortable. If there is no ceiling fan in the room consider a small bedside fan.  We love the Granada Quilt in this warm Terracotta color. Inspired by classic Indian botanicals, it is just the right weight for those early fall nights. Since the temps are still somewhat mild, we've layered the Positano Linen Duvet Cover in Indigo under the quilt without it's insert. However, when that cold front comes through, you'll want to pop that down insert into the duvet cover and snuggle down. Yes, you can use linen on your bed all year around, and the Positano has been washed to be extra soft just like your favorite pair of jeans. Best of all, the Positano comes in 9 yummy colors and you know how we feel about color. 
Styling Tip: When pairing a quilt and duvet cover, we usually get Euro Shams to match one piece and Standard Shams to match the other. In this bed though, the trim on the sheets was so pretty we decided to only do the Euro Shams in the Granada pattern. 

Speaking of linen, the Positano Linen Sheets are seriously life changing. If you've never slept on linen sheets in the summer, grab a set now and hang on to them. For now though, we've traded in the linen sheets for these elegant Solana Sheets in Sky. Made in Portugal, they feature just a touch of texture with a fringed trim and washed for super softness. ​
We've finished off the bed with the ombre plaid West Shore Pillow Cover in Coastal Blue. It's made from a cozy baby alpaca blend and again, so soft we're wondering how our guests deserve such luxury. There's a matching throw available too that is perfect for an afternoon nap. 
Styling Tip: Put the sheet on upside down so when you fold it back on to the quilt when making the bed, you can see the fabulous trim. 

For the guest bath, think about the swankiest hotel you've ever stayed in and all the fancy items stocked in the bathroom. Your guests should have it just as good! Stock your guest bath with toiletry items, fancy soap, bubble bath, a hair dryer, and any other pampering treats. Make sure you have more than enough bath and hand towels available. We picked the Healdsburg Bath Towels in classic white for their unique fringed finish and plush Turkish cotton feel. Don't be afraid to mix up your neutrals and combine white and ivory. The coordinating Healdsburg Bath Mat comes in white, but we went Ivory to add an additional color layer. 

So, that's it! Add some flowers to the bedside table and maybe a basket of snacks and your guest room is good to go! Check out all the great products from Serena & Lily and save up to 30% on bedding and beds during their SLEEPWELL EVENT through 10/28. 

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links
​If you've yet to venture to turn the page on the calendar, let me be the first to tell you that Thanksgiving is less than 6 weeks away. And if you are the lucky one who has "volunteered" to host the big dinner this year, congratulations! Maybe the bonus part of that position is that you can justify a new dining table that can accommodate the growing fam. We are big fans of the contemporary style of Arhaus; modern but classic enough that your dining room won't look dated in 10 years. Right now during their Dining Event, you can get up to 50% off of dining chairs with the purchase of a dining table. We are especially in love with the Recycled Metal Table with Lyon Base. I mean, this copper table top is AH-MAZE-ING! The recycled copper top that is hand hammered over 3500 times and held over an open flame to get just the right texture and patina. So good! Add the classic Gage Dining Chair or Jagger Dining Arm Chair (or both! We love to mix and match!) and your dining room just got legit.

Need a swanky bar cabinet to complete the look? Go with the Raja with its fish scale bone inlay and storage for 10 wine bottles and 12 glasses.

They have some great tabletop collections too in case your dinnerware, glasses, flatware, etc needs some sprucing up, and it’s all 20% off. Check out our favorites below, and don’t forget candleholders, vases, greenery and the like to make your Thanksgiving table complete. Sale ends on 10/31. ​

 I was compensated for this post and this post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

If you love puff pastry, tomatoes, and cheese, you’ll LOVE this tomato tart recipe. I found it in a magazine and tweaked it some to make it my own.
​Here’s what you’ll need:
1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
3-4 roma tomatoes, sliced
¼ cup fontina cheese, shredded
¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded (you can also leave out fontina cheese and use ½ cup parmesan instead)
½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg, slightly beaten
¼ cup olive oil
1 tsp herbs de provence (or Italian seasoning)
½ teaspoon garlic
salt
3-4 basil leaves, chopped
Place oven rack on lowest setting Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and unroll the pastry dough. Fold over the edges ½ inch and brush with egg. Using a fork, poke holes in the dough. Sprinkle dough with fontina and parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. While the dough is baking, spread out sliced tomatoes on paper towels and lightly salt. Let drain for 20 minutes. After that time, blot tomatoes with paper towels to extract what water is left. After dough is finished baking, take out of oven and spread mozzarella cheese on top. Place tomatoes evenly atop mozzarella. Add herbs and garlic salt to olive oil and whisk lightly. Drizzle oil on tomatoes and place cookie sheet back in oven for 15 minutes or until edges of dough are golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Place tart on cutting board and slice into four equal parts.
​Serves 4

How convenient that all of our favorite retailers are having their Friends & Family Events this time of year. Last week we shared our picks from the Serena & Lily Event (which runs through 10/14). It's the perfect time to spruce up your home for fall OR to start checking things off the Christmas lists. 
The World Market Friends & Family Event starts today for Members, tomorrow for everyone else. (But you really should be a member, it's free and you get loads of coupons.) 30% off PLUS Free Shipping online if you spend more than $75. And here's a bonus, everything in our picks is under $60! 

1. Multi-colored Felt Garland. These are perfect for decorating a tree, adding to a bowl on the coffee table, draping over a picture frame, adorning a lampshade, you get the idea. 
2. Emerald Green Ceramic Peacocks. I don't know why, but these remind me of trinkets that my grandma might have had. Comes in a cute bedside table vase or bathroom trinket dish.
3. Finlay Dot Sculpted Towels. You might remember these from that amazing bathroom reno we did earlier this year. Still one of our favorite towel sets. 
4. Art Deco Fan Ceramic Coaster Set. We love the idea of a Great Gatsby-esque bar cart and these chic coasters add the perfect touch. 
5. Velvet Throw Pillows. The best thing about these pillows is not the amazing color selection, or the plushy velvet, it is the price point. $9.99 y'all!!! Before your 30% off! Gimme three of each!
6. Faux Eucalyptus Wreath. Sometimes Fall + Wreath = A Hot Mess. Which is why we like the simplicity and elegance of this door wreath. It doesn't have to be ALL pumpkins. 
7. Brushed Gold Planter with Stand. You know those pots of mums you bought last weekend? Pop those babies in two of these planters on your front porch and wait for the neighbors to ooh and aah. 
8. Multicolor Watercolor Foliage Napkin Set. Swap out your bright summer napkins for these muted earth toned watercolored ones. So many rich colors, they will go with just about any dinnerware you own.
9.Ivory Moroccan Wedding Blanket Throw. Unlike those snuggies  that you hide in a basket when company comes over, you'll be proud to toss this handcrafted throw on any sofa and leave it there!
10. Shanghai Rice Bowl Set. They may be meant to be used for rice, but we can think of a dozen uses for these brightly colored bowls. Soapdish, trinket dish, serving dips or olives. Trust me, you can never have enough cute bowls. 
11. Multicolor Patchwork Cadence Pillow. I mean, doesn't this pillow scream Fall? Pumpkin and cranberry and eggplant! So love. 
12. Painted Square Hooks Set. Raise your hand if you've ever walked down a hall or opened a door or stepped in to a closet and thought, "Gee, I could sure use a hook there." 
13. Evil Eye Coir Doormat. Not that we are superstitious or anything, but I mean, it couldn't hurt to ward off any evil from entering your home.  Right?

Our Artist Spotlight this month is Virginia based artist Juniper Briggs. Her new series, "In The Company of Beasts" is all about facing our fears. "By turning towards the qualities represented by each animal in the collection, we are able to befriend, nourish and even harness our fears, transforming them into fuel for personal growth." We love the energy and spirit of her work and are so excited to share her talent with you. 

​SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career?
JB: Make lots and lots of art. Stick with it. Find your voice and be consistent without being redundant. Make sure you have a website where you can show your portfolio and where collectors can acquire your art. Tell your story through social media. Collaborate with other creatives. Give yourself permission to succeed! Write down your goals and visualize them coming true. Work hard, stay curious and keep going.
 
SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
JB: I don’t know… I would probably be a writer or an interior designer. (Basically I would be Shauna, lol) I love storytelling in every form. I think that is one reason that painting works for me. It feels like I’m telling a story on canvas. I have a half written novel that I may or may not ever get back to one day. I view interior design as a type of storytelling too. The way we connect to our surroundings tells the story of who we are.  

Find Juniper and her work here: 
Website: www.juniperbriggs.com
​Instagram: @juniperbriggs
Email: juniper.briggs@gmail.com

Friends and Family Events are like top of our list of favorite things. And when it is a Friends & Family Event for one of our favorite retailers, that's even more exciting. Serena & Lily is known for their breezy, easy California coastal style and we can always find room for that in our designs. We've picked some of our favorite pieces for your home and for gifts. It's not too early to shop for Christmas, you just may as well buy one for yourself too because by December, you won't want to give it away. 

The Friends and Family Event runs through October 14. Get 20% off almost everything with code BEOURGUEST. 

This post contains affiliate links and we are compensated for purchases made via these links.