September! How on earth is it already September? It seems like it was just January!
(We made it up to Rockefeller Plaza in time to see the tree AND Buddy the Elf’s sleigh!)
Now here we are in AUTUMN. Which reminds me, I would’ve blogged sooner but, at some point along the way, my photos stopped uploading right and it just didn’t feel as fun to write around blurry, desaturated pictures. Do they still look blah/dark/fuzzy on your end, too? My web tech is stumped and I’ve tried allthethings, so I’m just going to pretend they don’t for this post! 😅
Fun, new-to-me things since we last talked:
- The New York Times puzzles every morning. Anybody else play Wordle, Connections, and Strands?
- This book, this book, and this book. They’re all must-reads!
- “Pastoral” originally produced by Homer Laughin China Company, and later by Taylor, Smith & Taylor:
I picked up a set of the bread & butter plates on eBay, and had to know more about the rest of the set. Turns out, the pieces were originally included as an incentive inside boxes of Mother’s Oats!
Can you imagine? I found a few old ads that show a woman literally pulling pieces straight out of the box! (My mind went straight to broken pieces of china and thought, “that would never fly these days!“)
And speaking of secondhand stuff, boy did I GASP when I saw this fairytale hutch pop up on Facebook Marketplace recently:
Isn’t it dreamy? All swirly & strapped wood on top and traditional & turned legs on the bottom—swoon! I had way too much fun decorating it for Fall. (And don’t even get me started on how hopeful I am that the weather will follow suit soon, too! It was almost 90 degrees here yesterday! 🥵) I used a collection of vintage items from around the house, and added in a few new things I picked up at Michaels and Hobby Lobby.
And speaking of things I picked up at Michaels…WOW do they have some fun Fall finds this year! I sprinkled some onto our dining table too.
Here are (affiliate) links to the things I brought home with me:
Ceramic Taper Candle Holder (Large)
Ceramic Taper Candle Holder (Small)
Well, that’s all for today. I’m off to hang some more wallpaper in the kitchen and install some IKEA cabinetry with Kevin in the big snug. (That’s what we’re calling our roomy den- ha!) We’ve been working on (in doses) on both spaces for several months now, and I can’t tell you how good it feels to be making noticeable progress. Ya know that point in home renovating where a room isn’t finished, but it looks SO much more like YOU than it did when you started, so you hang out in there WAY more than you ever have, and find yourselves telling the same renovation stories over and over again as you smile at your progress? Yeah. We’re at that point. 😄 So grateful for the opportunity to personalize this old place. Happy week, friends! I’ll try to report back with updated kitchen pics soon. Let me know if these were sharp and saturated! 🤞
Layla
For some reason I quit seeing your posts on Instagram! I’m so glad you sent the newsletter so I could catch up with you again! Love the fall vibes at your pretty house!
Thank you, Deborah! So frustrating that the algorithm hides my content over there, but thankful we can still connect here! 😀
I don’t watch Instargam!
Keep the blog rolling.
I missed you.
Glad to find you from MS Mustard Seed.
Always love your decorating! Glad to see you on facebook!
Thank you, Gail! 😀
I have some little juice glasses that came out of oats over 65 years ago. I also have some hand towels that came out of laundry soap years ago.
Oh my goodness, that is so fun! 😀 Thank you for sharing about those, Debbie! 😀
Love that you sent this update as I don’t always keep up with IG stories! What an interesting tidbit regarding the china. Brings back memories of my grandparents collecting dishware with their books and records from gas station fill-ups! Those were the days. Lol
Wow! I didn’t know that about the gas station fill-ups! How cool! Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
Photos are perfect! Glitch must be solved! That hutch is lovely!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear the photos looked okay on your end too, Karlene!
I’ve always loved your blog when you posted regularly. I don’t do IG. Now that you don’t blog regularly getting a notification is like “oh yeah, I forgot about her.” The pictures look great. I need to check out Michael’s. I like the candle holders. Good to see you posting. Would love an update on all things.
Well, howdy Ann! 😀 So fun seeing your name pop up today! I look forward to sharing another update here again soon!
Wow what a find! I love the new hutch. It all looks so lovely together. Love that turkey mold too. I neeeeeed it. 😉 Wish they’d still do the china in the oat boxes. Or green stamps. I remember my grandma letting me fill the book and trading it in for dishes. Might be the first time I realized I adore all dishes. Thanks for the great memories. Happy Fall!
Thank you for sharing that story about your grandma and those green stamps, Cindy! I loved reading it and I’m so glad you stopped by today! 😀
Oh my! It is always good to hear from you! It’s like an old friend that calls out of the blue! thank you for sharing, just love seeing your stuff!
Wish I knew how to send you a pic, we’ve been doing the same here making our home our own. we just hung wallpaper (for me the first time ever!) on an accent wall in our tiny kitchen. It really brightened it up & made this space open up and shine! I LOVE designing & decorating & my husband loves to execute the projects. (Ha! am I blessed!) Next one will be our kitchen table that will also give me more ‘counter’ space in our small home. (Occupy till He comes!)
Oh, how I loved reading your comment, Ginger! 😀 Thank you for catching up with me today!
The photos look great to me and oh so dreamy! Heading into summer here in Australia so I will have to live vicariously through you instead. 😊 Always an autumn/winter gal here.
Thank you, Catherine! So fun hearing from you (all the way from Australia!) today! 😀
Enjoyed hearing from you again. I look forward to future posts. The photos look good to me.
Thank you, Michele! I look forward to sharing about the kitchen soon!
The photos looked great to me and I LOVE the story about the dishes! How fun is that?
Your taste and style are timeless and I love seeing your home.
Thank you for visiting today, Lisa! Such a kind comment you left for me to find! ❤️
Your Pictures look fine to me! Loving see your blog in my email, it just makes my day!!! I have followed you on IG for years and you still are one of my favorites !!!!
Thank you for the update. Happy Fall 🍂🍁
Thank you so much for the kind comment, Terri! ❤️
Yay! So happy to read your blog today! Pics came in clear on my end. Whew! I’m ready for some cooler weather, too. It’s still hot here in Mississippi.
Happy Fall!
Happy Fall to you too, Tonia!
That is so cool about those plates. I guess the oats protect them and the deliver people were probably not as rough with packaged back in the more “gentile” days. Love this post. You’re the bestest.
Awwww, you’re so sweet to say that, Rosemary!
👋🏻👋🏻Hi, Layla! good to “see” you in my inbox!
Hi, Tracey! Thanks for swinging by today, too! 😀
Im thinking you re in no FL like me with 90 weather. As far as consumerism, less is more my dear. As I age , the desire to spend and have less feels nourishing. An email with your blog appeared in my inbox….
We’re just up the road in central Alabama. Stay safe this week, friend!
Photos look great Layla! Thanks for the fun read!
Thank you, Joni!
I just found you because Miss Mustard Seed shared your link today. I do do Wordless, Connections and Strands every morning and then my daughter share our results with each other and we often share stories about how we figured them out. I’m really curious to know where you saw the Buddy the Elf sleigh
Welcome, Margery!
The sleigh from them movie lives at a fire station on Long Island. A local man bought it on eBay shortly after the movie came out and later donated it to the firehouse. Turns out, they bring it outside every year so people can see it and take pictures with it. How fun is that?
Ugh Wordle not Wordless although sometimes I feel that way!
The pictures here look clear and wonderful to me. Glad you posted! I’ve enjoyed your blog for a long time, even though I see you on Instagram too. I think your new hutch is unique and gorgeous! I love seeing how you design a room and complete your vision!
What a great furniture find! I’ve missed reading your blog, I’m not on IG or Facebook. I’m purely a blog reader. How about those charming little houses I see on the shelf. Do you remember where their from?