Fall Home Tour 2016 - Kitchen

Welcome to our fall kitchen. It is great to get back in the kitchen after a summer spent outdoors and cook some yummy meals for my family. Our family spends lot of time gathered around our small kitchen island. And, of course, Dax needs to get in on the action by begging for a piece of apple.

I got the idea to hang this mason jar "chandelier" over the kitchen island in a magazine called "Living the Country Life". We aren't exactly living the country life in the suburbs of NYC, but I found some great inspiration on those pages.

I added some fall goodness to the 3 tiered stand on the counter. The pumpkin "curtains" are actually dish towels from HomeGoods. 

I added a fall wreath to the window over the sink for some color. I am enjoying the Mrs. Meyer's new apple cider scented soaps.

It was fun to add some fall touches to the new shelves we recently added. 

I kept things fairly neutral in the sitting area by the kitchen.  

Keeper is resting in her usual spot by the island...

Dax, on the other hand, wants to say thanks for stopping by today!

Want to see more of our fall home tour?

Family Room

Dining Room

Entryway

Fall Home Tour 2016 - Dining Room

Happy Monday! We are finally enjoying some cooler temperatures in NJ and it has been delightful to be outside. We added some fall decor to the outside of our house and I will be sharing that later this week. Today for the fall tour, we are upstairs in the in the dining area of our home. I mentioned a few weeks back that we switched our dining and living areas around. You see, I was very anxious about my husband's upcoming surgery and moving furniture is my therapy. Fortunately, the surgery is now behind us so the rest of the house is safe...for now.

I like how this set-up gives us more room in the dining room at this time of year. After lots of BBQ-ing and eating outside, it is enjoyable to have a "real" meal at the table again. There's nothing like some comfort food on that first cool Sunday evening of the season when we light the candles and sit down to dinner together.

My Perfect Mess, Kids & Pets Included (& Giveaway!)

It probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone that my house doesn't always look like the pretty pictures I usually post on this blog. In fact, I sometimes look at this very blog that I myself publish just to remember what our house can actually look like when I tidy everything up. But the truth of the matter is, we actually live here and it would be sad if we all weren't able to make our messes everyday. First and foremost, like most parents, I want my kids to have the best childhood we can give them. I want them to remember a mother who was present, not one who was always worried about the tidiness of our house. I want them to have space to be creative. To be themselves. And let's not forget our two beloved dogs that are such an important part of our family. I want them to be comfortable too. :) And so I present for your viewing, my perfect mess.

Fall Home Tour 2016 - Family Room

Welcome to our family room, always my favorite spot to add some touches for fall. This year, especially, we are nesting at home as my husband recuperates from surgery (it went well thank goodness!). There is nothing like a health scare to force you to slow down and count your blessings. That is definitely what we are doing this fall.

Fall Home Tour 2016 - Entryway

Hello and Happy (Almost) Fall! We are settling in back at home after Billy's surgery. Everything went extremely well and he is recovering slowly but surely. Today, I thought I would share a couple of pictures of our front entryway.