DIY It: Making a gorgeous lawn ornament for the holidays

My friend, children's book author and illustrator <a href="http://www.brianlies.com/" target="_blank">Brian Lies</a>, is sharing with us a great project he did last year that turned into this gorgeous, huge, yard ornament for the holiday season.  Brian is a very handy guy and there's not much he can't MacGyver.<br /><br />Usually I don't post holiday - meaning Christmas-ish - topics this early in the season (hello Halloween!) but if this is something you'd like to try, you're going to want to collect your materials now while doing your Fall yard cleanup. (Question - do those in warm climates have Fall yard cleanups to do?). In any event, Brian - take it away:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD9rfdGic9Fw-k04wtyTR4vC6rtix4csagUkgdTMaPkC8KDBYUAyG1RFkt-yq42UBBxlghTegI1QBh_iv54KwTxMW731zQvvIGtqtIAxq-wRMFSYDIHeqPfjW151pDc0VDZ-dm2DYe-0/s1600/IMG_2813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD9rfdGic9Fw-k04wtyTR4vC6rtix4csagUkgdTMaPkC8KDBYUAyG1RFkt-yq42UBBxlghTegI1QBh_iv54KwTxMW731zQvvIGtqtIAxq-wRMFSYDIHeqPfjW151pDc0VDZ-dm2DYe-0/s1600/IMG_2813.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><span style="color: #38761d;">I was trimming an overgrown wisteria vine at the corner of our garage and thinking about how many yards of vine material I was pulling away, and wondering if there was anything I could do with it all.  So, I took an exercise ball and began to wind the wisteria around it, holding the overlaps together with florist’s wire. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">[Note: if you're doing this project alone, Brian suggests pre-cutting your florist wire so it's ready as needed]</span></span><span style="color: #38761d;">  I started by dividing the ball into quadrants, then going 45 degrees off of those quadrants until I had divided the ball in to triangles:</span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPg3Ghhpqnn_CaAcKkc8YyOnHFurSIduYIxZC6Sr5TfPdZnYAqbSDqayA4YbWdga6PzJ7rtZAL2nVOlh8LQWFhXdpeJ5MkYDKBWVIoXIpmYm655tSdW9qK6daEyOPIKf0dvAa8Ott6pA/s1600/IMG_2801.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPg3Ghhpqnn_CaAcKkc8YyOnHFurSIduYIxZC6Sr5TfPdZnYAqbSDqayA4YbWdga6PzJ7rtZAL2nVOlh8LQWFhXdpeJ5MkYDKBWVIoXIpmYm655tSdW9qK6daEyOPIKf0dvAa8Ott6pA/s1600/IMG_2801.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Then I deflated and removed the ball:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKauAXOAWiIZi0FD_gzmgCyhIrlQrlkeXexNVEvBBa3BrXsN-QeLvAq9Vg-NVYZvL7CEWq3Z6nmzUMGejgdWzHOvXcXZbIb6x11PJ5Lr4ukoQiBT_na5Mde0qYcoxPQv8Qb5sfRrXUf2A/s1600/IMG_2802.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKauAXOAWiIZi0FD_gzmgCyhIrlQrlkeXexNVEvBBa3BrXsN-QeLvAq9Vg-NVYZvL7CEWq3Z6nmzUMGejgdWzHOvXcXZbIb6x11PJ5Lr4ukoQiBT_na5Mde0qYcoxPQv8Qb5sfRrXUf2A/s1600/IMG_2802.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><span style="color: #38761d;">And I had an orb made from vines.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0aa2ZaxWuicSHw6rwrTnM6dZtD2K3dTZm66eLmqxZ0NP-2NUFjUBOZkHUYZ98AS8Wfa9DGLgtx3uGk6EZcY7uUrBc2NKqE6pyT-AZlBpIcgDk1Hklk8g8bFWtAcU9gtbvX7Ify6_wa8/s1600/IMG_2803.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0aa2ZaxWuicSHw6rwrTnM6dZtD2K3dTZm66eLmqxZ0NP-2NUFjUBOZkHUYZ98AS8Wfa9DGLgtx3uGk6EZcY7uUrBc2NKqE6pyT-AZlBpIcgDk1Hklk8g8bFWtAcU9gtbvX7Ify6_wa8/s1600/IMG_2803.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seems like most people have a string or two of unused Christmas lights around, and I wound several strings around the vines, attaching the strings with florist’s wire as I went.  When I was done, I had a lighted orb—nearly three feet across—which we placed in our front yard, and moved around every few days.  The good thing is that the orb is still in great shape after a year in the garage—the vines dried out into their now spherical shape.  As long as I don’t crush it, we’ll have it to use for at least several years.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD9rfdGic9Fw-k04wtyTR4vC6rtix4csagUkgdTMaPkC8KDBYUAyG1RFkt-yq42UBBxlghTegI1QBh_iv54KwTxMW731zQvvIGtqtIAxq-wRMFSYDIHeqPfjW151pDc0VDZ-dm2DYe-0/s1600/IMG_2813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD9rfdGic9Fw-k04wtyTR4vC6rtix4csagUkgdTMaPkC8KDBYUAyG1RFkt-yq42UBBxlghTegI1QBh_iv54KwTxMW731zQvvIGtqtIAxq-wRMFSYDIHeqPfjW151pDc0VDZ-dm2DYe-0/s1600/IMG_2813.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Isn't this just so pretty?? You could make them different sizes - as long as you had different sized inflatable balls to use. Thanks Brian for sharing your project and instructions with us.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544105699/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0544105699&linkCode=as2&tag=chameleoninte-20&linkId=QHHW3KZRCME36VIY"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0544105699&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chameleoninte-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chameleoninte-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0544105699" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br />Brian's latest book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544105699/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0544105699&linkCode=as2&tag=chameleoninte-20&linkId=TTDII3H2LXMRY7IX">Bats in the Band (A Bat Book)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chameleoninte-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0544105699" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, has just been released. It's filled with fantastic illustrations and a wonderful text that is entertaining for little kids and grownups alike. I will make a great holiday gift for a little one in your life and you won't mind reading it over and over and over again!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hT-xgY4aHo_qgWQgtnDZTaL_2vKbZmWqZ8u4HXL_tt5OqFWV-yD1JZQwwRoNOWTnjGxTOi_gqhQPcqMEne8peux4At0PznnxST3BeQukD25toCo9CqdLYZDlgOIBObRfuFBiDKH5qiQ/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hT-xgY4aHo_qgWQgtnDZTaL_2vKbZmWqZ8u4HXL_tt5OqFWV-yD1JZQwwRoNOWTnjGxTOi_gqhQPcqMEne8peux4At0PznnxST3BeQukD25toCo9CqdLYZDlgOIBObRfuFBiDKH5qiQ/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div>

DIY It: Making a gorgeous lawn ornament for the holidays

My friend, children's book author and illustrator Brian Lies , is sharing with us a great project he did last year that turned into this...

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Oscar de la Renta - Fashions for Home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/yo/design-trends-delarenta-ED0410-half-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/yo/design-trends-delarenta-ED0410-half-mdn.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Sad news this week of the passing of iconic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta at 82. I was actually surprised he wasn't older. The word "icon" is so overused today as much as words like "hero" and  and "diva", to the point where they don't really mean much anymore. We have lots of celebrities and fashionistas, but not that many true fashion icons. When one reaches true icon status, it's hard to imagine they ever weren't here.<br /><br />After all, there was this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chaos-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/080310-jackie-o-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.chaos-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/080310-jackie-o-300.jpg" /></a></div><br />And so many others, right up to the end:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGctC5pnTuky-tZyZxVMAHjNzk25ZWoe2hsz8VhkLuz2uuSNv7Diaixp9oufyTA9y6m2c-wvpD_brIoXe0K2BWewG4Xc-fEasj6gOqdCVfTLAaVjQ6dj3A_I1P9-mPROe5hv-r6GopPU/s1600/amal_-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGctC5pnTuky-tZyZxVMAHjNzk25ZWoe2hsz8VhkLuz2uuSNv7Diaixp9oufyTA9y6m2c-wvpD_brIoXe0K2BWewG4Xc-fEasj6gOqdCVfTLAaVjQ6dj3A_I1P9-mPROe5hv-r6GopPU/s1600/amal_-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />And of course, his interests included the home with pieces that were both of the moment and timeless.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-RX310_mag031_G_20120221152013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-RX310_mag031_G_20120221152013.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/a1e1a7fb-a48e-4d16-aeb2-42f3e6316a44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/a1e1a7fb-a48e-4d16-aeb2-42f3e6316a44.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oscardelarenta.com/products/2cy213/leopard-tumbler" target="_blank">Leopard Tumbler</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/07a7b932-437f-4632-9619-194c2ee014cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/07a7b932-437f-4632-9619-194c2ee014cd.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oscardelarenta.com/home/table-setting/1is307/kent-teak-serving-bowl" target="_blank">Teak Serving Bowl</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/adad7dd9-85ec-41cd-9852-5b9b03d3b6ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/adad7dd9-85ec-41cd-9852-5b9b03d3b6ee.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oscardelarenta.com/home/entertaining-accessories/2cy653/gardenia-brass-napkin-ring-set-of-4" target="_blank">Gardenia Brass Napkin rings</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/2l/design-trends-delarenta-ED0410-11-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/2l/design-trends-delarenta-ED0410-11-lgn.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moroccan side table for Century Furniture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtVExlxG3K0IxNz1JbtVaV-MgZGynlekBI-PYmEqOFxcfLH0Zy-j4Rd9kp0cLD9CdV0sZL5HYIGy3ehwbohTs7bZ3HYyyBvRApRrft61fXoobY_yUqlOkb5lelT9gMH5Fosa9oz9xhc0/s1600/item11.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.mario-buatta-12-palm-beach-ballroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtVExlxG3K0IxNz1JbtVaV-MgZGynlekBI-PYmEqOFxcfLH0Zy-j4Rd9kp0cLD9CdV0sZL5HYIGy3ehwbohTs7bZ3HYyyBvRApRrft61fXoobY_yUqlOkb5lelT9gMH5Fosa9oz9xhc0/s1600/item11.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.mario-buatta-12-palm-beach-ballroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Side chairs for Century Furniture</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/fc0f7b0d-6b3f-4205-971c-a46376469e3f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/fc0f7b0d-6b3f-4205-971c-a46376469e3f.jpg" width="481" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's to you Mr. de la Renta. Thanks for the beauty. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgPlSDr94M2Chg65FoyXMDUWNBJZ8Bb8z6jCZt3dd-tMT1DVcrl9o19tGulbiEkm25EsLZEZ41yYwPqjCdeO883ng7kf69ksvp-oQoAetoO-lNYsy6Tgo3mJoYlrR-s2tNqo2NdWbhNA/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgPlSDr94M2Chg65FoyXMDUWNBJZ8Bb8z6jCZt3dd-tMT1DVcrl9o19tGulbiEkm25EsLZEZ41yYwPqjCdeO883ng7kf69ksvp-oQoAetoO-lNYsy6Tgo3mJoYlrR-s2tNqo2NdWbhNA/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Oscar de la Renta - Fashions for Home

Sad news this week of the passing of iconic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta at 82. I was actually surprised he wasn't older. The word...

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Elegant and subtle Fall Decor

I'll admit it - with the exception of Christmas (and sometimes not much then) I'm not one to do a lot of holiday or seasonal decorating. I have a friend who must have bins and bins of seasonal decorating items and she loves to get her house ready for each seasonal change as early as possible. I admire the effort and energy it takes, but it's just not my thing. And the seasonal Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorating is particularly not my thing. Too orange and brown I guess. It also seems that much of it is overdone with a lot of fakey fake fake items. Maybe it's because I don't have kids... I can see the appeal if one has little kids.<br /><br />I do, however, appreciate a more subtle approach to the season.<br /><br />This is a beautiful long centerpiece for a Thanksgiving table, isn't it? This is from the Lauren Conrad blog (who knew?). Very pretty and can be done with twigs and leaves still available in the yard.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/46/bb/30/46bb3096c6c7bbaf44b2bcef6d375521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/46/bb/30/46bb3096c6c7bbaf44b2bcef6d375521.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This mantle from the At Home with the Barker's blog is very pretty. The mirror is fantastic and the subtle color palette is a refreshing change from all the bright oranges.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/cd/21/d3/cd21d3a69f25ea20e10b88e5a8140720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/cd/21/d3/cd21d3a69f25ea20e10b88e5a8140720.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><br />Karin Lidbeck Brent (for Better Homes & Gardens) creates a simple and easy outdoor display that is bold without being overdone. Some small branches and couple of pumpkins and voila.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/df/da/13/dfda133e19b40d44869833e03e50cee9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/df/da/13/dfda133e19b40d44869833e03e50cee9.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This centerpiece is just gorgeous. Love the subtle colors.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/e6/39/34e6396bd67aeb808e2d0808563f2378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/e6/39/34e6396bd67aeb808e2d0808563f2378.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />A simple tablescape from Dear Lillie.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6b/e7/ee/6be7eed390cd3bba1a83d397a9af2566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6b/e7/ee/6be7eed390cd3bba1a83d397a9af2566.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This center hall table (how amazing is the center hall itself) is filled with the "bounty of the season" without being over styled.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/18/e6/8f/18e68f557a63613c326f9a04043cdf70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/18/e6/8f/18e68f557a63613c326f9a04043cdf70.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/linda_merrill/fall-decor/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image links and credits here. </span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />And so, I did do a tiny bit to acknowledge the season. I added gourds to my mantle. That's it. Actually, it's hard to tell in the photo, but the little painting in the center is perfectly "fall" with her berry swathed headdress.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10730842_10204511415521277_4916925148593916953_n.jpg?oh=ce1bc91d3344375d32b01bd56a14ed23&oe=54B9FFC3&__gda__=1424775318_b747515ce6dadca27701686d6da35154" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10730842_10204511415521277_4916925148593916953_n.jpg?oh=ce1bc91d3344375d32b01bd56a14ed23&oe=54B9FFC3&__gda__=1424775318_b747515ce6dadca27701686d6da35154" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And, on Saturday, I saw this beauty below in an antiques shop and had to bring her home. She's now swathed in my one Hermés scarf, which is handily orange.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfc_7DbPm8j1hDQj9lnaVgyLbLMx3Ai1Vzf8ygZgxJWrt-TzshjL37T2IDf1jgCrnKnv_sv_VFTOKNtg9rMnBOwD0yyqMVUTONyYAStxS0KoBXUdJcamchBJfNakZ2vQW68u6IxjWb_M/s1600/IMG_5151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfc_7DbPm8j1hDQj9lnaVgyLbLMx3Ai1Vzf8ygZgxJWrt-TzshjL37T2IDf1jgCrnKnv_sv_VFTOKNtg9rMnBOwD0yyqMVUTONyYAStxS0KoBXUdJcamchBJfNakZ2vQW68u6IxjWb_M/s1600/IMG_5151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />How do you like to decorate for fall?<br /><br />Oh, btw - I was just interviewed by Floor Coverings International's blog. You can read it <a href="http://peninsula.floorcoveringsinternational.com/blog-interview-linda-merrill.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPo2QGz10kefENn_fq-PRJGzrshyphenhyphenFVDwG1ufJ_ytdERq5bYXblGIPkA3UcnoPxcZg4FPwzv7uxoGYqP_ZqIG-3bsdl4m9_1v8tYlblWYW0l87ixkNjD02q8FIPJgCUQ2QJmR1Mo-X-RY/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPo2QGz10kefENn_fq-PRJGzrshyphenhyphenFVDwG1ufJ_ytdERq5bYXblGIPkA3UcnoPxcZg4FPwzv7uxoGYqP_ZqIG-3bsdl4m9_1v8tYlblWYW0l87ixkNjD02q8FIPJgCUQ2QJmR1Mo-X-RY/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br />

Elegant and subtle Fall Decor

I'll admit it - with the exception of Christmas (and sometimes not much then) I'm not one to do a lot of holiday or seasonal decorat...

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