Merriment Moment of the Week - Camel Capes & Pumpkin Patches

Here are my favorite finds from this weekend!

CAMEL CAPES FROM FOREVER XXI
This weekend, I purchased a super cute camel cape from Forever XXI for about $20. Keep in mind - I have never been a big Forever XXI fan. The clutter, chaos, and cheap materials have always turned me off before I could even take a look around.

However, I'm starting to reconsider my bias. If you're trying to save money and can't splurge on "trend" items, affordable stores like Forever XXI and H&M just might surprise you. You can also search on polyvore.com for specific items by price. I bought a different camel cape than the one featured below, so Forever XXI has plenty of fashionable options in the fall trend department.

 Image via Forever XXI

STYLISH GUEST BEDROOM 

Image via Pinterest

PUMPKIN PATCHES & FALL FESTIVALS  
Evan and I hit up a Pumpkin Festival yesterday at a ranch in Santa Clarita. With giant sunflowers, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, candy apples, and snow cones, I felt like a kid again while enjoying all of the treats of the season. If you're looking for a fun, inexpensive way to get into the fall spirit, I highly recommend looking up pumpkin festivals or similar activities in your area.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT & GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE - FROM ACTUAL LOCATIONS 
These sermons were the awesome start to my Sunday morning. If you're at all fascinated by Israel or Biblical history, you will truly enjoy these videos!  

Sermon on the Mount from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.

The Garden of Gethsemane from The Austin Stone on Vimeo. 

WEDDINGS/EVENTS - Pumpkins

Not a big fan of scary? You don’t have to settle for tacky Halloween décor when there are so many sophisticated ideas available. Try one of these stylish pumpkin designs instead and add a dose of cheer in with the fear!

From Left to Right: dressdesigndecor.blogspot.com; Southern Living; Country Living; Country Living; Southern Living; BHG.com; BHG.com; Martha Stewart; and lucydesignsonline.com

INTERIOR DECORATING - Patterns & Fabrics 101: Houndstooth!

Patterns & Fabrics 101 is back with HOUNDSTOOTH!

: A two-toned pattern featuring broken checks or pointed shapes, originating in Scotland. Popular in 1960's style jackets, suits and hats. Also referred to as dog's tooth. (nyfashioncenterfabrics.com)

“Houndstooth checks originated in woven wool cloth of the Scottish Lowlands, but are now used in many other materials. The traditional houndstooth check is made with alternating bands of four dark and four light threads in both warp and filling or weft woven in a simple 2:2 twill, two over – two under the warp, advancing one thread each pass” (themitchelli.com/glossary). 

From Left to Right: caitlincreer.com; Southern Living; Meandjilly.blogspot.com; kathryngreeleydesigns.com; Design Sponge; kathryngreeleydesigns.com; Elle Decor; Etsy; Vintagerevivals.blogspot.com; HGTV.com; & Neiman Marcus

INSPIRATION - Comfort In All Our Troubles

Thinking about this verse today…

 Image via chaplaincarey.blogspot.com

God comforts us in all our troubles, serving as our refuge and offering an overflow of compassion. He could easily stop there, but instead, he provides us with additional comfort by sending people to share the comfort that they in turn received from Him during their troubles. Take heart in times of trouble - comfort is coming. 

FASHION - Turban-Style Headbands

A few years back, when Blair still donned her headband “crowns” on Gossip Girl, my best friend, Ginny, and I were headband enthusiasts. I loved feeling put-together simply by adding a basic hair accessory. While preppy and polished are still my personal preferences, this year is all about effortless, bohemian chic with the turban-style headband.

I recommend the variations with a touch of glamour and a pop of color, such as the headbands shown below. If you feel like venturing out from familiar hair accessory territory, give these turban-style headbands a try. Who knows? You just may become a headband enthusiast all over again! 

From Left to Right: favim.com; theneotraditionalist.com; stylecompare.co.uk; grandbeautyspa.com; thechicdepartment.tumblr.com; Pinterest (google); and dailymovement.tumblr.com

WEDDINGS/EVENTS - Flower Girls

I can’t think of a more endearing way to say ‘Here Comes the Bride’ than an adorable flower girl clad in a sweet dress. There’s something indescribably special about beginning a ceremony with the lighthearted radiance and innocence of a child, the pureness of love on display for everyone to see.  Whether formal, preppy, rustic, or whimsical, there are precious flower girl ideas for every style of celebration.

The options are endless - flower hair wreaths, butterfly hair clips, posh headbands, wildflower braids, ribbon wands, ‘Here Comes the Bride’ banners, parasols, cowboy boots, preppy cardigans, Mexican-style frocks, luxurious bows…the list goes on and on. WARNING: It's easy to cross over from cute to kitschy if you don't reign yourself in. Just keep your color scheme, level of formality, and overall theme in mind, and you won’t go wrong with your flower girl choices! 

From Left to Right: My Wedding, Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, The Knot, Glamour, Pinterest (google), The Knot, Pinterest, Manolobrides.com, Style Me Pretty, Style Me Pretty, Untamedpetals.bigcartel.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Strictlyweddings.com, & 100 Layer Cake