First look - Holiday



Ok, I'll admit it... I've been scoping out this year's holiday assortments online to see what's new and exciting. I have some ideas up my sleeve for our own unique spin on holiday decorating this year, but I do love this lighted tree from Restoration Hardware. I'd put it in one of the many old galvanized buckets we've collected over the years, like this one from Etsy. I know, it's not even Halloween yet. It's just that I really adore Christmas and everything that goes along with it... and it's fun to start gathering inspiration early! I'll have more great finds to share in the weeks to come.

Is it really October?

Of course this year was a blur, but the weather is also throwing us off - it's been a beautiful, extended summer and we have been soaking it up. Rain? What's that? I'm sure we'll be reminded soon enough. In fact, I'm pretty sure we'll be reminded later this week! But, until then, we are enjoying it. I was almost surprised to see leaves falling since to me it felt like an overnight occurrence. We made sure to get out to the pumpkin patch on a nice, dry, sunny day (vs last year when it was a bit muddy and mucky).  Here are our winners. Of course we got one our favorite white variety, but this year we came across these pretty greenish-grey ones too, very petite with curvy stems. They look great on the front steps, do they not?

Modern Cottage birthday

Over the Labor Day weekend, the little guy turned one so we threw him a bash in the front yard. Fortunately lots of his friends were in town for the holiday so it was a great crowd up on the porch and spilling into the lawn. We kept things simple and pretty with the only real 'theme' being about those relaxing final days of summer...

The food was simple: Fresh squeezed lemonade, delicious turkey sandwiches made by a local shop,  fruit skewers, peanut butter sandwiches (no crusts, of course), and a quinoa salad with tomato and cucumber. Oh, and for dessert: cupcakes!

And we couldn't resist these when we noticed them in the beer aisle... the light blue label was perfect. Good thing they tasted good, too.

Party favors included adorable handmade paper pinwheels found on Etsy, balloons tied with cotton cording, and white beach balls. We figured the little ones would need something to entertain themselves during the party, and thought the beach balls would fit the venue perfectly. It was hilarious to watch the kiddos walk up the front steps, immediately catch sight of the balls scattered across the lawn, and make a beeline toward them to begin gleefully kicking them around the yard.

All in all it was a fantastic party and the little man had a blast!

(Lovely photography by Kristine)