Tablescape Tuesday: Harvest Heaven

Turkey Time for the Tots!

My crafty and talented friend Heather Centurioni just invited my son, JR, and I over for a play date that promises to knock the task of finding a meaningful gift for my Thanksgiving Hosts off of my list.  I absolutely love her party concept so just had to share it with you!  Heather is inviting a group of friends over to make Turkey Aprons with our little ones!  Here are her steps and suggestions:
1. Invite your friends for a playdate and ask each to bring an apron or two.  She suggests shopping for light colored aprons in both adult and child sizes at craft stores.  In other words, the party is BYOA!
2. Ask each person to sign up to bring a color of fabric craft paint.  Heather is going to provide the brown paint for the "turkey" but the feather colors will be brought by each of the guests.  Her guests will bring red, yellow, orange or any other colors that they feel should be added to the turkey!
3.  Heather has a "craft room" at her home so her party will take place there but you might want to clear a spot in your kitchen or rec-room to host your friends. Heather is also going to provide the "puffy paints" needed to accent the apron.
4. Here are the steps to make the apron:
-Lay out the aprons
-paint the palm and thumb of your tot with brown paint using a sponge or paint brush (this will be the body, head and neck of the turkey).
- paint each finger a different color (these will be the feathers!)
-press your childs hand down on the apron so that it "stamps" the apron.
-using puff paint, draw stick legs, beak, and wattle on the turkey.
-glue a "googly eye" onto the turkey.
-using puff paint, write the name of the "artist" and the date and any other you might want to include such as the recipient of your wonderful gift!

While the aprons are drying, you can have a cookie decorating party too!  Check out these amazing cookies that Heather shared with me.  She came up with the idea because she had so many candy corns left over from Halloween! For more of Heather's ideas and inspirations, check out her blog.

Have Some Fun with this Fall's Fashion

With plenty of new looks on the runway this Fall, the infamous question resurfaces, "How can we transform runway looks into ready-to-wear?" Here is a look at my favorite new trends and how to wear them on the street!

You don't have to be in the front row at Fashion Week to know that flowing feathers are the accent of choice this season. Open any fashion magazine and find feathers flying. They can whimsically float along lower hemlines or flock along collars for a more dramatic presence, but any way you wear them, do it with a confidence that says peacock rather than pigeon. If you don't want to jump, but would rather ease yourself into the trend then try out an accessory like a single- feather necklace or an evening bag with feather trimmings.

A great trend for this coming season is the pops of color seen paired with classic silhouettes. This means that not all of our vibrant pieces need to be pushed to the back of the closet. Could it be, we're able to save both time and money this season? Believe it! Because this season, saturated hues are going to allow us to stand out in autumn, wearing electric blues, pinks and purples, without looking like a walking faux pas. If this sounds too risky for your liking then accessorize with a vibrant handbag or an eye- popping set of heels.

Layers, layers, layers! Especially, with lacey garments. When I hear layering, immediately I think, BULK, but that doesn't have to be the case. With thinner knits and lacey tops you can pile on clothing while keeping a feminine shape.

Every few seasons leopard print seems to make a blip on the trend radar but what really changes is how to wear it successfully. Animal prints can very easily fall face flat into fashion catastrophy but if you keep sophistication and class in mind, then your spots will steer clear of those horrible images that initially come to mind when a leopard print mini skirt is mentioned. Last Fall we saw tons of vintage inspired leopard print coats paired with cigarette jeans or a black pant. Isabel Marant showed a look that was both cool and chic on the runway (below), and although the chucky furry jackets were just right,then- now, we're transitioning into a more flowly and feminine approach, and continue to accessorize accordingly with leopard print bags and belts.

I hope this helps with choosing your ensembles this fall. This season's trends beg us to be daring so remember to have fun!

25,000 Pumpkins!

My favorite spot to get fantastic photos of my son is among the 25,000 pumpkins and 22,000 chrysanthemums, fall marigolds and ornamental peppers at Autumn at the Arboretum's Great Pumpkin Festival. Here is a photo of my little guy playing around the 15' Pumpkin House! For more information visit www.dallasarboretum.org/Events/AutumnFestival2009.html