OK, yes, we know. It's not even November. BUT! Our prior experiences tell us that some of the best holiday decor sells out early and we'd hate for you to miss out on these amazing pieces. It's so refreshing to see colorful decor that isn't red and green; like it was made for us! And because most of these don't scream CHRISTMAS, it's totally OK to put it out in your house now and enjoy it for the next 2 months. Seriously, don't delay. This stuff is so adorable it won't last long. 

1. Merry & Bright Hook Pillows--Grandin Road
2. Red & White Snow Dot Napkins--World Market
3. Peacock Caravan Dessert Plates--World Market
​4. Bundled Up Monogram Ornament--Anthropologie
5. Merry & Bright Stocking--Anthropologie
6. Felted Berry Garland--Anthropologie
7. Pom Bonanza Wreath--Anthropologie
8. Sugar Plum Glass Trees--Grandin Road
9. Patchwork Table Runner--World Market

​​This post contains affiliate links.

I also love a modern bathroom so this freestanding tub from Wyndham and floor mount faucet from Delta totally caught my eye. How amazing to relax in here after a long day? 

For more information about great kitchen & bath products, brands and technology, visit the eFaucets blog.

We've been setting a LOT of fall tables lately and thought we should share with you some of the details on where you can find some of these great pieces. We love to layer in festive pieces with china, stemware or other pieces our clients already own. Just add a fun new salad plate or colorful table runner and some accessories and you have a brand new look! 
This first table is more on the traditional side and all came from Pottery Barn.

Resources: All from Pottery Barn
Charlotte Dinner Plate
Watercolor Leaves Salad Plate
Monique Lhuillier Glass Charger
Bamboo Flatware
Kenaf Table Runner
Anton Paisley Table Runner
Schott Zweisel Taste Wine Glass
​Monique Lhuillier Avril Coupe Glass
​Chester Brushed Candleholders
​Turkey Place Card Holders
​
This client has an amazing Mackenzie-Childs collection that she wanted to incorporate so we found the perfect napkin and other pieces to coordinate. So cute! 

Resources:
Hammered Copper Charger--Pottery Barn
Waterbury Leaves Dinner Plate--Pier 1
Pumpkin Bowl--Pottery Barn
Teal Velvet Placemat--Pier 1
Buffalo Check Napkin--Pier 1
​Gold Rimmed Wine Glasses--similar here
Checkerboard Pumpkins--Mackenzie-Childs


Our last table is more on the eclectic side, after all, that is what we do best! Don't you just love that pop of teal?! Oh and those amethyst glasses. So in love with this table. 

Resources:
​Rustic Fatima Dinner Plates--World Market
Pumpkin Bowls--World Market
Jute Table Runner--World Market
Ikat Table Runner--similar here
Hurricanes--similar here
Amethyst Glasses--similar here
Glazed Salad Plates--similar here
Velvet Pumpkins--similar here

Want more tips and tricks on creating these amazing tables? Join us at our next event at West Elm Fort Worth for a Table Setting Demo, sips and snacks. More info and RSVP here! 

Shauna came back from a recent trip to New Orleans RAVING about the gumbo they had at the restaurant at the Ritz Carlton. Of course, she had to have the recipe and used her sweet southern smile to charm it out of the chef. It may be in a cookbook somewhere, we don't know. But as far as she was concerned, obtaining the recipe was a huge victory. And now, it is yours. The trick to gumbo is the roux and the stock. Don't skimp and don't rush. Serve with a loaf of crusty french bread and some salted butter and it's the perfect way to ward off these chilly nights. 

Seafood and Andouille Gumbo
Serves 10-12
1 cup all purpose flour                 
1 cup canola oil
1 lb diced andouille or smoked sausage
2 cups diced onion
½ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup diced green bell pepper
1 cup diced celery
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 tbsp file powder
1 tbsp chopped fresh garlic
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tbsp Worcestershire
1 tbsp Tabasco
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
3 bay leaves
8 cups seafood or shrimp stock
1 lb crawfish tails
1 lb medium peeled shrimp
1 lb jumbo lump crab
3 cups cooked rice
1 bunch chopped parsley
1 bunch sliced green onion

• Make a roux by heating oil in a heavy bottomed cast iron pot over high heat. Whisk flour in to the hot oil. Reduce heat to medium and continue whisking until the roux turns deep brown, about 15 minutes.
• Add onions to the roux and stir. Reduce heat to medium low and continue until the roux is a dark brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add the smoked sausage and stir for 1 minute.
• Add the celery, bell peppers, onion, garlic, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder. Cook, stirring for 3 minutes. Add the thyme, seafood stock and bay leaves. Bring the gumbo to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally and skim off the fat.
• Add Worcestershire, file powder and Tabasco. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 45 minutes, continuing to skim the fat off the top Add seafood and cook for 10 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaves and serve over rice, garnish with parsley and green onions.

 The new home brand from Wayfair, Eider & Ivory features a natural, earthy palette, high quality fabrics and and timeless designs. We were lucky enough to get a preview of some of the products and are so excited to include them in upcoming projects. The prices are amazingly affordable and in addition to the decorative products we've featured, there is a great selection of bath and bedding basics. Stock up now for upcoming holiday guests! 

Pillows
Ethnic inspired with bold patterns and textures, these pillows bring a boho vibe to your bedroom or living room.

Turkish cotton towels are known to be the softest and most absorbent and yes, the guest bath does need new towels but why should they get all the nice stuff? Buy a set or 2, you won't regret it. 

Save 20% at the Friends & Family Sale at Serena & Lily with code HOMELOVE. Check out some of our favorite picks! Sale ends October 15!

1. Camille Diamond Medallion Pillow Cover
​2. Dip Dyed Stools
3. Headlands Pendant
4. Hanging Rattan Chair
​5. Round Jute Rug
6. Montecito Outdoor Pillow Cover
7. Teak Step Stool
8. Solid La Jolla Baskets
​9. Venice Rattan Chair

This post contains affiliate links.

So, October. And you know what that means. Pumpkin. Our office is buzzing with the  discoveries of all things pumpkin out there in the world, some good and some not so good. So, we thought we'd have a little taste test of our own and share our results with you, our favorite people, to give you some guidance in this vast pumpkin sea we are swimming in. We made a visit to Trader Joe's and gathered up 9 products to test, looking for the more random and obscure. We passed up on the staples of coffee and pumpkin bread, figuring everyone pretty much already had an opinion on the love/hate status of those products. Surprisingly, of the 9 products, only 1 had an across the board "no, I would not buy again". Turns out pumpkin everything isn't so bad after all!

1. Pumpkin Butter: We spread this on English Muffins, the only non pumpkin item we tried. It's rich, like a very dense pumpkin pie. Verdict: yes, would buy again.
2. Autumn Harvest Pasta Sauce: It's a blend of pumpkin and butternut squash and while we wouldn't recommend it WITH the pumpkin ravioli, it would be great with plain pasta, mushrooms and some tangy Parmesan cheese. Verdict: yes, would buy again.
3. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread: Really good pumpkin and spice flavor. Would be great on a cinnamon raisin bagel or spread on sweet potato toast. Verdict: yes, would buy again.
4. Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque: So, we had really high hopes for this one which were quickly dashed when the container was opened. A bisque should be thick and creamy and this was runny and watery. Water as the first ingredient should have been a clue. No flavor at all. Verdict: No, would not buy again.
​5. Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps: The Fig & Olive version of these are one of our favorites and this flavor did not disappoint. Spread with some soft chevre and maybe a drizzle of honey and it's the bomb. Verdict: Yes, would  buy again.
6. Pumpkin Greek Nonfat Yogurt: The pumpkin flavoring is subtle and leans a little towards that fake flavor you find in non-dairy creamer, yet half of the team did like it. Verdict: split. Those who liked would buy again.
7. Pumpkin Ravioli: Pumpkin and butternut squash pasta filled with a pumpkin and cheese puree. Again, we ate with the harvest sauce and it was too much. But with an alfredo sauce and some shaved parm? Yum. Verdict: Yes, would buy again.
8. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls: The checkout guy at Trader Joe's said these were his favorite pumpkin item so we were super excited to try. They were good, decent pumpkin flavor, and not too overly sweet. But, if given the choice between normal cinnamon rolls and these, everyone on the team would go for the regular cinnamon rolls. Verdict: No, would not buy again.
9. Pumpkin Bars: We sampled these in the office, and they got fair reviews. Then we sent these home with Presley for her kids to try, the ultimate test. They were a hit. Verdict: Yes, would buy again.

What are your favorite pumpkin picks? We'd love to hear from you! Happy October!

I've been making these cupcakes for Halloween treats and school parties for years, and every time they're a little different. The basic idea is the same, it's just the icing on top varies from year to year. Sometimes I'm lazy and make do with stuff I find in the fridge or pantry. If I plan ahead and buy the appropriate ingredients they turn out better. Let's call me lazy this year.

Anyway, these cupcakes are easy to make (if you allow it to be--I'll explain) and are a huge hit with kids (and grown ups too).

First, I'm not going to pretend I'm a baker. I have strengths and baking isn't one of them. I use box cake mix (insert collective gasps). I buy ready-made frosting. It's all I can do to take the time to make the witches legs, and that part can take up to an hour--or more. BUT! It's worth it I promise.

Here's what you'll need:

1 cake mix (or homemade cake batter if you're an overachiever) and the ingredients for the mix
2 cans white frosting
powdered sugar, milk, and green food coloring for the green icing 
paper straws
black card stock
cupcake liners
glue
an oven

To make Melting Witch Cupcakes:
Assuming you have an oven, bake the cupcakes according to the recipe. Let cool.
Cut each paper straw in half. 
Using a pencil, draw witches shoes. I promise no two will look alike and that's okay. Do not obsess or agonize over this part. You will start drinking and will soon find yourself drunk. I'm serious. Draw the dumb shoes. Cut them out. Move on.
Glue your not-so-perfect shoes to the straws. Set aside to dry.
In a piping bag (or plastic baggie with corner nipped off) add white frosting. Pipe on  cupcakes after they've cooled.
In a mixing bowl add powdered sugar and a small amount of milk. You don't want the icing to be too runny, just enough runny. See, this is where a professional baker would be a good idea. I have no idea how to tell you how to do this part. You just have to figure it out. Sorry. 
Add green food coloring. Mix and voila--there's your melting witch parts.
Pour green icing over each cupcake. It's okay if the icing runs over the edge. She's a melting witch after all.
When you're ready, insert the witch's legs in the cupcakes. 
Congratulations. You're a master baker. No one can top you. Go ahead and pat yourself on the back. Ask your kids to tell you three things they love about you. Have some wine and call it a day. Happy Halloween.

It's all in the details when it comes to high end designer pieces for your home. But many times you can achieve the same look at a fraction of the cost. In our first installment of "Splurge or Save", we share some of our favorite splurges and the similar products we found at amazing savings. 

The Goldfinger Lounge Chair has been replicated by many, but the Jani Armchair from Wayfair has been the best version we've seen.

Circa Lighting has some of the best designer lighting in both table and hanging. Keeping with the same shape, the Olivia Table Lamp has a higher sheen but similar rich color. 

We used the Tremont Cocktail Table from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in a recent project and it definitely makes a statement. Smaller in scale, the Cindi Driftwood Coffee Table provides the same organic addition to your living space.

So yeah, we think the Oscarine Bar Cart from Anthropologie is pretty fabulous. But, if we'd never seen that one, we'd be snatching up the Reynaldo Cart from Wayfair in a heartbeat.

Kelly Wearstler's Forza Lantern has a ruched linen shade on a twisted metal frame. The more simple Rocco Pendant Light provides a similar soft glow with it's faux silk shade. Both come in a variety of finishes.

Y'all know we are huge fans of embroidery, and the bold pattern on the Jimena Chair from Anthropologie makes it one of our favorites. Achieve the same look with a more simple embroidery with the Linnet Chair from Grandin Road.

Sometimes you stumble upon the same item at two different places with vastly different prices. As far as we can tell, the Tufted Wild Bloom Rug from Anthropologie and the Heather Rug from Grandin Road are exactly the same. Just shows it pays to bargain hunt! 

This post contains affiliate links.

This week the team attended the Sherwin-Williams Colormix Color Forecast 2019 presentation at Dallas Market Center to get a sneak peek at what they see as the biggest color trends for 2019. As you might imagine, the color trends for home change a lot more slowly than the color trends for fashion. Remember back in the 70s when those avocado green appliances were around for FOREVER?! (The 70s are back, BTW but hopefully we learned a few lessons on colored appliances the first time around.) 
Six color stories ranging from cosmic minimalism to bold maximallism and inspired by tech, the Southwest, British libraries, Africa, natural elements and eclectic excess provide a variety of moods and colors for any project. 
​
Shapeshifter
 Inspired by the cosmos and that unique space between tech and spirituality. Clean lines, iridescent finishes and a palette of ethereal blues accented with golden yellow.

​Wanderer
Modern western palette featuring the dusty colors of the American Southwest. Worn leather, natural woods and tribal patterns. 

​Aficionado
Inspired by British libraries and menswear patterns such as plaid and paisley, this palette is a rich, elegant update of the saturated colors of the 50s-70s.

​Enthusiast
Fully embracing the "more is more" philosophy, this color palette is bold, expressive and excessive. Layered patterns as seen in designs by Gucci and Prada, animal motifs and brocades provide inspiration.

​Naturalist
The wonder of nature as both botanic and through an Art Nouveau eye provide the inspiration for this ethereal, sophisticated palette. 

​Raconteur
Inspired by African heritage and crafts, this palette tells the story of a culture through color, texture and pattern.

Do you have a favorite? Which one are you? Send us your feedback, we'd love to hear from you!