Hostess Jo

Leaf Butterflies

Carry your love of butterflies into the fall this year!  Here is a simple, pretty idea for decorating your home for autumn while still including the beautiful butterfly.

 

Collect your favorite color turned leaves from the yard.  I can't ever decide between red or orange! Press between the pages of a heavy book for two weeks. Use a small strip of plain paper for base. With a skewer, apply glue to tip of a leaf; secure to base for a bottom wing. Working from bottom to top, glue remaining leaves, which should overlap slightly, to base. Glue two leaf stems to the top of a thin leaf for antennae. Glue thin leaf vertically to white base for the butterfly's body. A mat border and frame give a finished look while protecting the leaves.

(photo and how-to from marthastewart.com)

Fall Decorating

Well I just can't wait any longer to transform my home into a fall wonderland!  I almost enjoy decorating for fall as much as Christmas.  Anyone else feel that way?  Don't get me wrong I love Christmas decorations.  I think I am just more drawn to fall colors.

For fall I change out centerpieces, decorate the mantle, change pillow covers, and burn pumpkin spice scented candles.  YUM!  I keep it confined to the family room and outdoors (wreath, mums).  My mom even changes out her bedding!  

BHG has some great ideas for fall decorating.  I just love how this one is a combo of fruit and branches.  Great for the kitchen or as a table centerpiece.

 

Do you decorate your home for fall?  I'd love to hear all about it!

Fit for a Party

Beverage dispensers have been all the rage this summer.  I've seen several great ones but this one tops them all.  The elegant stem makes this one the best.  How pretty would this look at your drink station?  I bet it would steal the show!

 

You can purchase this beauty here.

Picket Fence Pots

How many of you grow your own herbs?  I tried to grow an herb garden inside once but was unsuccessful.  I think I watered too much.  It was the Chia Herb Garden which I though was supposed to be foolproof! 

I've been wanting to try again for awhile.  Not only do they make any dish even better, but they are also lovely to look at in a kitchen window. 

I just love this picket fence container idea for your herbs.  Not only would it look cute in your window, you can transfer this to your table for a fresh centerpiece!  This would be great for an outdoor garden party.  Your guests can pinch off a bit of parsley for their pasta!

 

Here's the how-to:

To make picket-fence herb gardens, purchase a 5-by-8-inch wooden planter box with a bottom seam for drainage, and about 4 dozen wooden plant markers. Glue plant markers around the outside of the planter with wood glue, lining up the bottoms of the markers with the bottom of the planter. Paint planter with one coat of white latex paint. Line each planter with fine gravel or perlite for drainage, then fill with potting soil and two plants. Settle the potting soil around the plants, and water.

(photo and how-to from marthastewart.com)

DIY Rustic Table

Have I told you lately how much I love anything BIRCH?  I love adding little touches of it all over my house.  This rustic table is so easy and budget friendly!  Now I just need to visit somewhere Birch trees grow!

 

21 logs, 19" tall and 3" to 4" in diameter

Paper-covered wire (available at garden stores)

Wire cutters • 36" glass tabletop

1. Stand the logs in a cluster in front of the sofa.
2. Starting about 7" from the top, wrap the cluster tightly with the covered wire, encircling it six times. Repeat approximately 5" from the bottom.
3. Place glass on top

(photo from allyou.com)

My New Love

I need these birds.  Don't you think?

Sheesham Birds

 

Find them at West Elm.

Deck Decor

While looking for ideas to spice up our back deck I found this picture of a deck very similar to ours.

 

Most everything is the same except we don't have benches.  I would love a rug like this!  It makes it so cozy along with the floor cushions.  The web is full of inspiration!  Hope this inspires you to spruce up your outdoor spaces.

(photo from myhomeideas.com)

To Paint or Not to Paint...

THAT is the question.  I've been looking for another project and I think I've found it!  The inside of the house is pretty much done for now so I'm moving to the outside.  In the front of the house I always do monochromatic colors of flowers, chairs, etc.  In the back I decorate with all kinds of colors.  Multicolored tablecloth, chairs and flowers.  I love color. 

My chairs have seen better days because they are totally exposed to the elements.  I've thought about buying cushions to spice them up, but then the cushion would just get dirty. 

Then I found these ideas from BHG for painting patio furniture!  They are so colorful and bright.

Love love the polka dots and daisies below!

 

I have a beverage tub like this.  I think this would be a lot of fun to paint.

 

The cool blue stripes below go great with the pool.

 

So I've painted designs on wooden furniture for indoors.  My question is would this sort of thing work on chairs like this??:

 

According to BHG you use acrylic paint then seal with a varnish.  I've heard of plastic paint too.  Anyone ever painted outdoor furniture before?  Mine would be in the sun and rain so I'm wondering if the designs would fade and/or come off.  The chairs are not expensive so I'm thinking it will be fun to try it and if they get messed up it won't be a huge loss!  Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated!

Under the Sea

Are you daydreaming of days on the beach, hearing the crashing waves with a fruity concoction in your hand like I am?  Ahhhhhhh...   Then you will like these pictures.

I'm loving the new more natural look of beach/sea life decor.  The creams and tans are just so clean and fresh.  Plus you don't have to live at the beach to incorporate them into your existing decor!  These new neutrals go with everything.  Not only is it great for homes but also looks amazing at parties and weddings.

These are a few of my favorite sea things:

Sea Life Pillows

 

Japanese Float Table Lamp

   

Natural Starfish

 

Shells on Strings

   

Mini Recycled Glass Tealight Holders

 

And my favorite of all!  Seascape Table Setting

 

New Arrivals for Spring

Here are a few items from Pier 1 I am lusting after for Spring!

Butterfly Words Pillow

 

Green Berries Pillow 

 

Assorted Stone and Shell Rings (only $6!)

 

Assorted Floral Wall Art

 

Unfortunately you can't purchase anything from their website, but that's ok because there is a lot more inside their stores!