{autumn decor}

I love autumn! I just don't love what follows autumn:(
This weekend I was inspired to do a little autumn inspired decorating.
I made this little wreath today out of all the wine corks I had on hand.....hmmm what does that say about my wine consumption:)

I think the yellow sunflowers look really cute against the blue door~
Do you think it's wrong to use faux flowers with real ones?

I do it all the time when it's time to change seasons but I don't want to tear out my summer flowers! I think it looks ok...
I did leave my starfish out! You can take the girl away from the ocean but you can't take the ocean away from the girl~
And the flower box underneath my house numbers~

more faux flowers mixed in with the real ones~

I definitely love mums for autumn decorating!

I just think the color is so happy~I also made a little display on the front porch table~I think autumn decorating is so cozy and inviting~and if you noticed you can even see my fish food for the pond hidden among the items in the display.

So there you have it....simple ways to make your home feel a little more autumish! Is that even a word:)

and in case you were wondering about my riding....
I did 50 miles yesterday~ ok really 49.73 miles......in3 hours and 20 minutes! Not too bad but not exactly where I wanted to come in at! Next week is the ride I have been training for! I am definitely fine to ride 75 miles but don't feel like I am ready for 100 miles! Owell there is always next year! Now I will know more of what to do in my training! It is sort of hard when you don't have a coach telling how to train and what exactly to do! Either way I am still pretty darn proud that I can get out there all by myself and ride 50 miles! It gives you a lot of time to clear you mind!!!!

"The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy." The Dalai Lama

{chalkboard paint}

Good morning everyone~

Thanks for the positive input on Fresh Friday's! I'll keep it up. Now I just need to figure out a way to make a blog button for that! {I've seen those on other blogs} Any ideas???

I love chalkboard paint. It's such a simple and fun way to transform things you might already have on hand. I have made many chalkboards out of frames I already had on hand and have one in almost every room of my house!

You remember this one...I put it by my front door so I can write happy messages to my friends that stop by or to the UPS guy! I know he's always coming to my house!

This one is in my dining room...
A couple in the kitchen.... I actually bought these about 6 years ago and paid a little too much for them. That's when I decided I could easily and more affordably make them myself!
The one in my sunroom...I had that frame for a LONG time just hanging out in the basement. I'm so glad I don't throw things away~

Oh and I even painted the backsplash in the kitchen with chalkboard paint. I figured it was a pretty low budget re-do so why not?!?!? And I think's it's fun to see what people wrote after a party~

Lots of ways to spruce up your space with things your might already have on hand and with a little can of chalkboard paint!

Here are some other ideas I found while browsing around....Just click the image for the source.

A great big chalkboard, perfect for kids to draw on until their heart's content~

Paint your dooor with chalkboard paint...hey, why not?!?!

Look at this whole wall painted with chalkboard paint. I really wanted to do that with my dining room wall..but the room is just too dark for that. But you never know! I do like to change things up~Maybe throw some chalkboard paint on you bicycle. So cute, especially if you had a vintage cruiser~And last....paint your car with chalkboard paint! I love, love, love this!

Makes me want to find a vintage junky jeep and just paint it with chalkboard paint!

So there you have it....lots of cute ways to use up that can of chalkboard paint! Do you have any things in your home painted with chalkboard paint???

Have a great day~

{the front door}

Finally painted the front door last weekend~

Turned out *OK*.....
It wasn't the exact blue I was after...but I still think it looks happy! It seems like I can never pick the paint color that I see in my mind! Why is that?!?!?

I might paint it again at some point~

But not right now.

I added a cute little chalk board {just an old frame I had that I painted black and painted some sheet metal with chalkboard paint} works out just perfect! And I like the happy little flowers below it! I like the house numbers....Had to add those awhile back after the UPS guy wrote me a little note regarding not having house numbers on my house. Sorry!

Happy little flowers to greet our company!

The little pillows I just made look perfect {I think} on the front porch!

And one of my favorite things...

Using wine boxes to plant flowers in! Simple and cute! This one is a little old..but they do last quite awhile and I only pay $5 for them! Cost effective~

Even Ruby and L.C. like to hang out on the front porch!
OK.....really they just like to chase the chipmunks that live around the front porch!

Next will be the pond!! Yippee.....
I love summer projects!! Don't you!?!?!?
Have a happy week~