Autumn Leaves Wedding Invitation Set

My friend and former co-worker got married last weekend, on a beautiful fall day, with a fall themed wedding and invitations to match. I was honored that Terry asked me to design her invitations. When she sent me her beautiful (and very organized) mood board/PowerPoint Presentation, I knew we would work well together!

I really like that they wanted to incorporate fall colors and autumn leaves, which printed beautifully on ivory paper. I also designed their ceremony program, place cards and custom chocolate bar wrapper.

The chocolate bar wrapper, in the theme "Love is Sweet", complete with true love ingredients and nutrition facts on the back, was simply adorable. And fun to work on! 

Using traditional and elegant fonts, with a few playful embellishments, creates a modern yet timeless style. 

Photo Credit: Scratch Bakery
I caught a glimpse of their wedding cake on Facebook, which happens to be from one of my favorite bakeries, and I totally swooned over it. Isn't it gorgeous?! I love the leaves and flowers and the natural fall feel it has. And I'm certain it tasted as good as it looks! It completely compliments their theme. If you're craving some gorgeous desserts Scratch Bakery is where it's at. They also have gluten free cupcakes and French macarons which are amazing. Becuase I want to eat all the macarons.

Congratulations, Terry and Ryan! Thank you so much for including me in the details of your special day.

5 Simple Ways to Add Fall Style to Your Home

When it comes to seasonal home decor, I usually don't change too much, but I really like the feeling of cozying things up when the weather starts getting cooler. How perfect does relaxing on your sofa with a nice blanket and a good movie sound right now?

Here are five simple ways that you can incorporate fall style into your home and enjoy autumn, indoors. 

1. New statement piece
Maybe you've had your eye on a gorgeous metallic mirror, clock or other piece of wall art. A new statement piece can easily change up the feel of any room. It doesn't have to be expensive, either. You can DIY an existing piece with gold spray paint or score a vintage find at a second hand store. 

2. Throw blanket
Who doesn't love snuggling up with a warm blanket in your favorite chair? I can never seem to have enough throw blankets. Pick one up in a warm burnt orange hue, mocha or neutral gray. Maybe even get two so you don't have to share! 

3. Accent pillows
Pillows are one of the quickest and simplest ways to change up the furniture in a living room. You can go a little outside of your comfort zone and select a seasonal color palette or bold patterns. I really like the pillows I've been seeing in stores with words like "thankful", "grateful", and cute quotes. They help personalize a space and add some fun. 

4. Candles 
I don't think I'll ever get tired of candles. They add so much light, warmth, and delicious aromas. I like using tealights on different surfaces, especially in versatile votive holders, like mercury glass. So pretty! When it comes to making my house smell amazing, I'm a sucker for those powerhouse 3-wick candles from you-know-where. "Leaves" is one of my very favorite scents. Along with anything apple, pumpkin or caramel. 

5. Bring nature indoors
Pumpkins are the obvious choice for decorating the exterior of your home, but there's a lot of other elements in nature that you can decorate with, inside - right from your own backyard! Pine cones, acorns, leaves, sticks, corn kernels. I like to fill glass vases with pine cones and acorns and surrounded them with a few tealights to make beautiful centerpieces. 

What are some ways that you like to decorate for the fall season? 

Fall Foliage Photos

Sometimes I like to play photographer. Last week, we experienced a few Indian summer days - it reached 80 degrees at one point! In the middle of October. With the beautiful fall foliage and weather like that, I had to get outside and take it in. 

I hightailed it to one of my favorite parks after work. The sun was gleaming through the trees along the Eerie canal, illuminating the multitude of autumn colors. It felt so good to be outside again after accepting the fate of colder weather. 

My toes were happy to see the light of day again. Soon they'll be hidden beneath socks and boots. 

I was surprised by the fun details I came across. Tree bark dotted with amber sap, unusual looking toadstools, fluffy milkweed, a couple wandering ducks. Oh, and a snake that scared the crap out of me. I nearly stepped on it, trying to get a closeup of a tree. When enjoying nature, look before you step. Lesson learned!

There was beauty everywhere I looked. These are some of my favorite photos from that day. The colors drastically shifted as the sun set.

He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:8

 

Season's Change

Today was one of those beautiful fall days when I just had to go outside, stop to admire the changing leaves, breathe in the crisp air and feel the change of season. The sun was peering through the trees in the late afternoon and I had to snap a couple photos. 

Brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red are taking over what used to be green. 

One of our trees is completely and stunningly golden now. 

As gorgeous as the autumn leaves are, you know what that means... fall yard cleanup is on the way. 

A few tiny pink hydrangeas are still making an appearance. Their colors are darker and richer now. 

I took this photo downtown last weekend. I just love the look of ivy scaling an old brick building with this rustic door. If someone needs a spot for wedding/senior photos, this is a good one.

This time of year always embodies change. Change in weather. Change in landscape. Change in daylight hours.

I'm reminded Nichole Nordeman's song, "Every Season":

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer 

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn 

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter 

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

The autumn verse is especially pertinent to my life right now.

Still I notice You when change begins and I am braced for colder winds. I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come.

The song's end is a beautiful reminder and encouragement that the Lord is making me new and re-creating who He wants me to be, through every season of life.

So it is with You and how You make me new with every season's change. And so it will be as You are re-creating me.

I'm so thankful that He is.