It's Fall, Y'all! | Autumn Haul from Gordmans

So I just got back from a lovely friend's wedding in Georgia. The bf and I made a road-trip of it—stopping half-way in for an overnight stay in Kentucky on the way there, then making the whole fourteen hour drive (we stopped several times, including for an hour long supper in Tennessee) in one shot on the way back. So excuse me while I hang on to saying "y'all" just a while longer. It's fall, y'all!

Fall is my favorite season. The warm orange and golden leaves set against cool, gray skies. The rainy days and crisp nights. The return of hot apple cider, belly-warming soups, and pumpkin spice everything! Okay, I admit I could do without the clumps of box elder bugs and Asian beetles currently invading our front porch—ew! But really, autumn is a splendid season. Especially for decorating.

I've been decorating little by little with some things I picked up here and there—like pumpkin-scented candles and such. But the time came to make a devoted fall shopping trip... to Gordmans!

Fall wreaths. Adorable autumn signs. Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins—some orange, others white, some rustic, and others sparkly! For me, it's always sensory overload as soon as I step inside the decorating heaven that is Gordmans. This trip was especially hard, as I was limiting myself to fall decor and maaaaybeee a few pieces that can sit out year-round. (It was torture avoiding the Christmas aisle—especially with a whole house to decorate this year!)

I came up $2 short of my $50 budget—and came away with some great fall finds, plus some. ;)

So what'd I get?! Well, come on in and take a look!

While I sprinkle seasonal decor throughout the living room, dining room, and office... the foyer has become the designated space for really ramping up whatever season it is. With my sweet little vintage desk, chalkboard, and turntable, it's one of my favorite nooks in the house. I had already added a little metallic pumpkin to the desk, but it was sorely lacking in the autumnal bliss.

I spent a good ten minutes trying to decide which fall leaf garland to take home from Gordmans. ;) There were some with more greens, some with sparkles, and even some with little pumpkins and berries mixed in. I ultimately decided on this orangey garland, which looks great entwined in our main staircase. Side note: It took less than five minutes for both of my cats to discover the pretty leaves and try chewing on them. 

I might have spent twenty minutes just trying to pick out fake flowers for my little red milk can. You see, I have a black thumb and my cats try to eat any fresh flowers I buy. So fake flowers it is! Luckily, the fall flower aisle was well-stocked with a variety of options—from whimsical, glittery flowers to more rustic, natural looking ones. I chose a bundle of these vibrant gold, poofy flowers and a few stems of little cattail like things. (Expert plant terminology, huh?)

Next, I wanted to show my bar cart some fall love. Okay, actually it wasn't planned. But this "Bippity Bobbity Boo! I'd rather have a martini or two" sign was begging to be brought home. :) And then I couldn't resist the little "Eat  Drink and be Scary" block. (I'm a sucker for those little blocks with sayings on them! Especially for $4!) They look great next to the moonshine we brought back from Kentucky. 

Try as I might, I can't just go into Gordmans for seasonal decor. I always see something that strikes my fancy. In this case, it was a couple things for my butler's pantry. This coming weekend, I'll be starting the process of removing wallpaper, painting, and turning the butler's pantry into a cozy little coffee nook / spare desk. And this sign was just too perfect:

I don't really know what my theme is here. Mason jars. Coffee things. Old tins. Oh, and cows. (I am an Iowa gal after all.) It'll all come together, I promise. ;)

I also have a lot of tea. The cupboards above this nook are full of those little, lightweight tea boxes that are so easy to knock over. I found this antique-inspired biscuit tin in the clearance section (you know I don't leave a store without visiting the clearance section!) and it's just the right size to stash lots of bags of my favorite Irish Breakfast, Earl Grey, and Chamomile/Vanilla/Honey blends.

How do you decorate for fall? Lots of Halloween stuff? Lots of leaves and pretty pumpkins? In one spot of your house—or all throughout, like me?

I'm going to light a pumpkin spice candle, sip on my tea, and enjoy the coziness of my decked-out-for-fall abode—while planning my next trip to Gordmans for Christmas decorations. ;)

Disclaimer: Gordmans kindly supplied me with a $50 gift card to go fall decor shopping, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks, Gordmans!