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5 easy tips for fall decor

October 7, 2016

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For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing 5 easy tips to help inspire you to create great fall displays.  And, even more exciting, I have included photo examples from Terrain – my favorite home and garden store!  Here goes:

Highlight one unique piece.  Find one really unique pumpkin or gourd and use it as a focal point.  It may be a gourd with magnificent coloring, a pumpkin with many bumps, a gourd with a unique shape, or a pumpkin with a really cool twisty long stem!  Put a focus on that unique piece by displaying it on its own in a basket, on a table, or under a cloche.

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Stack ‘em up.  A really easy way to create some drama is to stack up some pumpkins for a fall ‘topiary.’  Since this can be done on any scale, it is a great decorating idea on any budget!

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Display en masse. Using any one item in multiples makes a design statement.  Put multiples of a piece or plant in a basket or on a chair or bench for an easy but impactful display. The ‘odd man out’ is also a fun way to display pumpkins.  Add an ‘odd man’ to a display of multiples.  For example, have tons of mini white pumpkins and add one orange pumpkin – or vice versa.

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Open it up.  If you are displaying a bunch of items, particularly colorful ones, use an open container to give a full view of the items on display.  If you look around, you probably already have something you can use – like an old tomato cage or some chicken wire!

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Add a pumpkin.  A very simple tip, yet an effective one, is just to add a pumpkin or two to any of your existing vignettes or plantings – indoors or out.  Without much expense, a few pumpkins can go really far to transform your current arrangements for the season!  Maybe add a little hay and some Spanish moss as well…easy!

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I hope I have inspired you with today’s fall design tips and a visit to Terrain!  Thanks for stopping by!

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Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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october book giveaway!

September 30, 2016

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Yes, it is already time to announce the book giveaway for October!

The selection this month is The 52 Lists Project by Moorea Seal.  This book provides a year of weekly journaling inspiration by prompting you to create 52 lists, one for every week of the year.

Forget about a ‘word for the year’ for 2017 – use this beautiful journal to create a thoughtful list each week that will provide self-reflection and cause for celebration!  This book is yours to make your own!

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This unique journaling project is a must for 2017!  Leave a comment on this post during the month of October for a chance to win this book.  You will receive it in plenty of time to start your new year being more mindful of the person you are becoming every day!  Learn how lists can be a tool for self-discovery, exploration, and plenty of fun too!

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Thank you to everyone who left a comment for a chance to win last month’s selection The Year of Cozy by Adrianna Adarme. Read more about the book by clicking here.  The winner of this fabulous book is Christina!  Enjoy Christina!

Instagram users, please read on!

By now you must know my favorite thing about fall is white pumpkins!  Please, share your white pumpkins during the month of October by posting to Instagram with hashtag #pleasuregram.

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Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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getting in the mood

September 27, 2016

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I am doing my best to get into the fall mood.  This year, it seems particularly difficult for me to welcome the new season.

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I decided to use a couple hours of free time to visit some local farms; hoping to shake off some of my resistance to the change of season.

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Okay – it was nice to get out and get a little fresh air, but I am still not feeling fall!  How to you get into the spirit of autumn?

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I have one last idea to help change my seasonal outlook – a trip on Saturday that is sure to push me over the edge into fall mode…I will share that with you next week!  ;)

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Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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easy salt cellar diy

September 20, 2016

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Yes, I do have a Weck jar addiction.  I can’t help it.  I see the Weck jar as the sophisticated cousin of the Mason jar…so much design sense…so much class!

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You have seen me use the Weck jar in many ways in the past. Today, I am sharing my latest use for the beloved Weck jar!

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When I recently found an unidentified small insect in my salt cellar, I decided it was time to find one with a lid!  I know insects are probably not attracted to salt…and, it may have been a one-time incident, but it was an occurrence that needed to be avoided in the future!  Yuck!

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Shopping around for a replacement salt cellar, I happened upon a life-changing item… a wooden top for a Weck jar!  OMG!  How is it possible I have never seen these before?  I instantly grabbed one to fit one of my small Weck jars – the perfect size for a new covered salt cellar!

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How simple, yet how exciting!  Love it!

I hope I have inspired you to come up with your own use for a Weck jar with a lid!  I can already imagine some cool Halloween applications!

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Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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thoughts on fall fashion 2016

September 9, 2016

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I started to organize my fall wardrobe this past week.  For Friday field trip today, I am sharing a few of my ‘closet’ thoughts.

For this fall, I have a favorite trend.  I am loving exposed shoulders.  (These trendy cutouts are great for all ages since undergarments can still be worn.)  One great dress and one neutral sweater with cutout shoulders are plenty to embrace this continuing trend and stay current with fall!

pizza-shirt-pleasure-in-simple-things-blogAnother fashion favorite for the new season  – and guilty pleasure – is a message tee.  There are so many great ones out there and one t-shirt for weekend wear is a fun and inexpensive way to change things up for the season!  Think ‘powered by caffeine’ or maybe a witty saying exposing your candidate pick this election year, or a tee in support of breast cancer awareness coming up in October.  I love this ‘body by pizza’ tee that I found at Target.  I don’t usually wear tees, but I like to wear one while I do my outdoor painting or projects in the fall, and purchasing a new t-shirt for the season doesn’t break the bank!

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This photo came from The Limited’s website.

Been there, done that.  Sometimes, enough is enough.  When a trend lasts for years, it gets old.  Remember how the chevron pattern was beat into the ground?  I am currently feeling this way about fringe and tassels.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good tassel, but I have been embracing this trend for a few years now…time to move on!   Although I will be wearing some of last year’s embellished purchases, I will not be buying any more clothing or accessories with fringe or tassels this fall season!

As always, fashion trends are about what works for you.  I know I will not be purchasing a puffer jacket or wearing statement chokers this season, but this long-limbed gal is loving the extra-long sleeve trend!  And, although I may not purchase velvet clothing this season, I may incorporate this trend into my home décor.

I hope you are inspired to pick one or two trends you love this season and use them to update your fall wardrobe…what are you embracing for the new season?

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend.  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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creating a change in perspective

September 6, 2016

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How was your Labor Day weekend?  Mine was great!  I was able to visit a friend I don’t get to see often enough. I left my coastal town in Connecticut to spend some time at my friend’s log cabin in Dutchess County, New York.  Though my usual time off is spent at the beach, my Labor Day off was spent in the woods!

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Changing up surroundings is great for a change in perspective.  Once I recognized this fact, it seemed I had examples of perspective changes all around me this weekend!

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Did the yellow watermelon make you look twice?  Great example, right?  (This was purchased at a farmer’s market over the weekend – very juicy and very yummy!)

Probably the best example I found of a perspective change though; was on our hill walk.  That’s right – not a mountain – just a small hill!  You might think climbing a hill barely worth the time, but you know what?  A walk up this hill – a mere 550 feet above the Hudson River – created an amazing change in perspective.

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Just with this little shift in elevation from the top of the hill, a whole new perspective came into view – the Catskill, Taconic, and Berkshire Mountain ranges as well as much of the Hudson River Valley!

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I am proposing that you create a little change in your own perspective.  Something as simple as changing your usual route to work can be amazing!  Give it a try!  Be inspired to create a little change in your perspective this week.

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Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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september book giveaway!

August 30, 2016

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September 2016 Year of Cozy Giveaway pleasure in simple things blogWith September here in a couple of days, I am announcing the next giveaway book.  It is The Year of Cozy by Adrianna Adarme.  This book is fabulous!  If I were to write a book, I would want it to look like this!  It includes 125 recipes, crafts, and other ‘homemade adventures.’  Adrianna has created a book that is truly a joy to experience.  The recipes, creative inspirations, and DIYs are organized by season – starting with Autumn/October.  Anyone that reads this book is sure to enjoy a wonderful takeaway – whether it be a new perspective, or a new recipe.

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I feel lucky that Adrianna chose to share her ‘good life’ moments with me in the pages of this creatively inspirational book…I am sure you will feel just as lucky when you read it!  Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy for yourself.  (The photos here weretaken of my own copy of The Year of Cozy.)

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The winner of the August giveaway,  My New Roots by Sarah Britton is Sheryle.  Enjoy creating some of the healthful plant-based selections in this wonderful cookbook, Sheryle!  Click here to read more about this title.

Instagram users, please read on!  All during the month of September, in keeping with the giveaway book, let’s share things that make our lives cozy!  Use the hashtag #pleasuregram to share!  Have fun with it!

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Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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guilt-free birthday treats

August 26, 2016

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A birthday doesn’t have to be defined by a cake dripping in sugary icing, does it?

Because I gave up processed sugar at the start of 2016, I decided this year I would make my own birthday treats so I wouldn’t feel obligated to indulge in a sugary dessert that might not even be my favorite taste treat.

My two favorite tastes this time of year?  Watermelon and fig…not necessarily combined, of course.

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I looked through this month’s giveaway book, My New Roots by Sarah Britton, to get some recipe ideas!  I decided to make the Walnut Fig Bars.  My love for figs was the motivation for this choice, but it seemed a good recipe to try out for the upcoming fall season as well.  (For a chance to win your own copy of My New Roots, click here and leave a comment.)

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I also leafed through my go-to recipe book, Clean Slate from the editors of Martha Stewart Living for dessert ideas.  This book was given to me as a Christmas gift last year and it jump-started a whole new way of eating – an unprocessed foods way of eating!   I love frozen treats and this book included a few recipes for really simple frozen treat ideas.  I chose a watermelon-lime granita to add to my birthday dessert selection!

With just three ingredients – watermelon, honey, and lime juice – what could be easier, or tastier, for an icy birthday treat!  Watermelon and frozen – a great summer birthday combination!

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To make:  Pulse 7 cups chopped seedless watermelon, ¼ cup honey and 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice in a food processor until smooth.  Pour into an 8-inch square glass baking dish, cover tightly, and freeze overnight.  To serve, scrape with a fork into bowls.

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My birthday present to myself – unprocessed, guilt-free treats!

Thanks for sharing my birthday treats with me today on Friday field trip!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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take a breath

August 16, 2016

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Did you know yesterday was National Relaxation Day?

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It seems odd to me to assign a relaxation day on a day when so many people are starting a busy work week.  Am I the only one that needs to hit the ground running on a Monday morning?  I think this day should be renamed ‘National Take 5 Minutes of Relaxation Time’  for the average person to realistically participate!  If you have a whole day free to relax, you probably don’t need to!

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With that being said, I am sharing my most recent relaxation time – not an entire day, mind you – but, a couple of hours on the water with some friends.

pleasure in simple things relaxing on the waterI hope these photos will inspire you to take your ‘5 minutes’ of relaxation time.  Take a deep breath and truly relax – even if only for the few minutes it takes you to look through these photos.

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Thanks for stopping by.

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(No, that’s not me, but my friend is definitely chillaxing…queen of the world!)

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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tomato time of year

July 26, 2016

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Don’t you love fresh garden tomatoes?  They are THE best!

I thought today I would get you a little excited about using your grill to bring out the best of this glorious summer food!  How will I do this?  I am going to show you photos of my top two favorite ways to eat fresh garden tomatoes using the grill!

The first way is with cherry tomatoes.  The flavor of these little lovelies is so enhanced when heated!  Put some fresh picked ones in a shallow pan, drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and fresh garden basil, and heat on a covered grill…so flavorful!

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The second, and very best way, to enjoy fresh tomatoes on the grill is in pizza!  And, grilled pizza is the best!  You don’t need to get fancy…the fresh tomatoes do all the work!  You can buy grocery store pizza dough and add whatever toppings hit your fancy.  Sometimes we just put tomatoes, olive oil and fresh garden basil and that’s it!

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Am I putting you in the mood to grill up some fresh garden tomatoes?  That is the goal!  And, eating your creation al fresco is a must! :)

I hope I have inspired you to come up with your own grilled tomato combinations!  Have fun with it!

Thanks for stopping by and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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