Boots and Blazers

Fall truly is my favorite time of year...the colors, the cooler weather, the cozy blankets....and it means it's time to break out the boots and blazers again! These 2 fashion pieces are definitely 'go-to' staples of mine... They can be dressed up or dressed down and I really can't think of two more versatile items to include in your wardrobe...except for maybe a LBD (little black dress).

This is as about as close to 'me' as a look could get...the boots, the blazer...the scarf, the bag, jeans....My Uniform! 

LOVE this blazer from J Crew...the cut, the length, classic black....would work in so many outfits!



*Drool* These Ailee Flat Studded Knee Boots by Michael Kors are yummy! I seem to gravitate to this camel/caramel color when it comes to boots...

I'm off to organize my closet and get my boots & blazers front row center!

RR

It's officially official….

Fall is here…...with vengeance!

Spooky Sunrises….

Turn into beautiful blue skies and sunshine...

Then sunset…The colours are spectacular!

How about some tailgating? It is football season after all! We have a full Thanksgiving dinner at the TigerCat/Argo game in Guelph Thanksgiving weekend!

Had to put the Fall photo cards up in my office….

Do you find you gravitate to 'spicier', more 'woodsy' scents this time of year? I sure do….and these candle from Chapters Indigo are AMAZING! I just ordered a bunch! (They're 25% off until October 28th too!)

I headed to my parent's this weekend and was greeted with quite a snowy drive and this as I pulled in the lane way….. The Sumacs are gorgeous this time of year and just pop against the white snow!

Have a great weekend! Hope you stay warm and cosy…I'm off to make a Chai Latte…. Cheers!

RR

Thank you....

Thankful.....Grateful.....Blessed.....Gratitude....

All words to describe my feelings right at this moment...but also every day.....

Thankful for drives down country lanes...

Grateful for family dinners around the table...

Blessed to be able to grow and enjoy such beautiful bounty as this...

Happy to show gratitude for each and every day....

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

RR

Pear Sparklers and Barn Nails...

The crops are being harvested, the leaves are changing and the weather continues to be absolutely perfect! Why not take advantage of the sunshine, blue skies, amazing colours and warmer temperatures as we head into Fall, by hosting lunch outdoors.

I think what I like most about this piece for Style at Home by Event Planner and Blogger, Eden Passante, is how she uses the crisp, cool whites of summer side-by-side with the more tonal colours of Fall...the perfect transition!

The use of the rough and textural acorns and pine cones beside the smooth glass, Baby's Breath and pressed linens show how to still bring in the lingering bit of Summer, while welcoming in the Fall elements.

I am a BIG fan of supporting local business (if you're a regular reader of my Blog, you already know this) and am even more of a fan of planning meals around what is currently in season.

The Williams Sonoma website is also one of my favorite sites for not only shopping, but recipes, entertaining tips and fantastic holiday tips like how to incorporate foods of the season into your party planning. 'Click' on the photo to review all of the amazing recipes...

Apples and pumpkins tend to be the 'big two' when it comes to Fall flavours and recipes. Personally, I really enjoy pears and thought I'd share some ideas in how to incorporate them into your Fall repertoire...

This beverage would be my "transitional" drink....reminiscent of summer, but with the flavours of Fall.

Pear Sparklers

Quick to prepare, this refreshing nonalcoholic drink is perfect for autumn gatherings.

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes as needed
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups bottled pear juice
• 4 to 5 cups sparkling water, chilled
• 1 Anjou pear for garnish

Directions:

Place ice cubes in tall glasses. Add about 3 Tbs. pear juice to each glass and then pour in about 1/2 cup sparkling water. Slice the pear into thin wedges, garnish the glasses and serve immediately. Serves 8 to 10.

And this beverage would be my 'welcome to Fall' drink....the colour, the richness, the spices...It's like a warm and cozy blanket but for your taste buds.

The Barn Nail

Graham Case, Bar Manager and Mixologist at Blackberry Farm, loves to infuse simple syrups with herbs and spices to make his cocktails unique. The Barn Nail is one delicious example. The recipe serves one but can easily be made in a larger batch.

Ingredients:

For the spiced honey syrup:

• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 1 cup (375 ml) honey
• 1 cup (250 g) sugar
• 5 whole cloves
• 5 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 allspice berries 
• 
  1 1/2 fl. oz. (45 ml) whiskey
• 1/2 fl. oz. (15 ml) cherry liqueur
• 2 dashes plus 2 drops bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Directions:

To make the spiced honey syrup, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine the water, honey and sugar and heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick and allspice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Strain the syrup into a container. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using. You will need 1/4 fl. oz. (7 ml) spiced honey syrup for this cocktail; refrigerate the rest for making more cocktails.

In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine the whiskey, the 1/4 fl. oz. (7 ml) spiced honey syrup, the cherry liqueur and bitters. Stir until cold and pour into a tumbler. Garnish with an orange peel. Serves 1.

So it's official...you have no excuse but to get friends and family together, outdoors while the weather is still balmy and summer like, and have a wonderful afternoon or evening of eating, drinking, talking and laughing!

Cheers to Fall and all that it brings!

RR

Dear Summer.....So long for now...

Another summer has flown by.... I'm literally sitting here thinking to myself.."where the heck have the past few months gone!?"....

I was sitting on the patio the other morning with a latte and a magazine, there was a slight chill in the air as black walnuts fell around me..a sure sign that Fall is well on its way.

A last 'pop' of summer colour...

One of the last bonfires....

My back deck bounty....it's harvest time!

The Sea Buckthorn is ready to be picked!

Even the sunsets take on a different glow at this time of year....

Sunflowers...the PERFECT Fall flower!

Beautiful bouquets at the market...perfect for a Fall table scape.

I've already started Fall wreaths for clients....let me know if you'd like me to put one together for you!

Charlie and I went for a walk this long weekend...the morning mist and colours look like Fall is just around the corner.

YEAH!! It's sweater and jeans time again! Love this ensemble from Blushshop!

As much as I love the long, sunny days of summer, I am ready for Fall....the cooler days/nights, the changing leaves, the bounty from the summer's growth....You'll still find me on the deck/patio/beach....I'll just have a nice warm sweater and quilt with me!

I have to say, I think Fall may be my favourite time of year!

RR

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Busy, Busy, Busy...

The past few weeks have been super busy.....at times it just feels like there are not enough hours in the day!

 

Time is flying by, but I am making sure to live every minute....every moment....

 

These pictures are just a few of the moments of my life over the past few weeks...

 Sunset at Emma's Backporch in Burlington on Lake Ontario....Retirement party for my amazing boss....We're really going to miss him and I will be forever grateful to him for everything he taught me, the opportunities he afforded me...and for him just being the truly wonderful person he is!
 

 

 Charlie and my Dad...having a a very in depth conversation....note the crossed paws :)
 

 

I was looking through old pictures of Charlie...those big brown eyes....that pouty lower lip....he had my heart since the first time I laid eyes on him!
 

 

Sunset on my flight into Thunder Bay... 

 

 

 Clouds.......flying at sunset is my favorite time of day...

 

 

 Looks like cotton balls....

 

  

 My outdoor holiday decor....ready and waiting to be displayed....The leaves have been raked, outdoor furniture has been put away, the gardens have been tended to....bring on Winter!

 

 

 A cozy corner in my home.....this was taken as I was lounging on the couch, glass of wine in hand just enjoying being home and enjoying the coziness of Fall...

 

 

Candlelight makes everything better! Romantic, warm, cozy....perfect ambiance...




As I look back on the past few weeks...past few months in fact...this statement couldn't be more true but it also reminds me to not waste a second and really get out there and live!

RR

Giving Thanks...



Happy Thanksgiving!

 

This is the time of year we gather together to give our thanks to family, friends, community and for all that we are lucky enough to have in our lives...

 

I am eternally thankful and appreciative for everything in my life....and sometimes it's the 'small stuff'...the 'everyday' events we can take for granted and forget to be thankful for.

 

Things like.......

 



 

... the simple pleasures of a long walk with a friend

 

 



 

..... the sun rising against the trees

 



 

.... the memories of loved ones lost

 

 

 

 

......nature's bounty

 

 

 

 

....sunsets and storm clouds

 

 

 

 

........the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

 

 

 

 

........a warm cup of comfort

 

 



 

 

Hope you have a wonderful long weekend!

 

 

RR

First Weekend of Fall....

 

This is my favorite time of year....

 

Mother Nature plays a big part in why I love Fall and these photos help to explain why....

 

 

 

You can't find colours so deep any true any other place but in nature...

 

 

The tones, the shades, the light.....

 

 

The clouds at sunset....looked like a storm was rolling in....

 

 

Whites, greys, yellows...

 

 

 

Orange, green, more grey and white...

 

 

Front entryway...welcome...

 

 

Mini Island in the kitchen...vintage tin signs, pie stand, wooden cheese box, apples.....

 

 

Curled up on the couch looking through Style at Home ....

 

 

I couldn't believe my eyes....a double rainbow....'make a wish'...and I did! ;)

 

 

The rainbow was guiding me home....but, the elusive pot of gold could not be found...

 

 

My front steps....pumpkins, gourds, grasses, antlers, drfit wood....

 

 

 

The base arrangement is from The Garage in Belmore, ON and I have just added to it....

 

 Bring on the frost, the raking of the leaves, the hot chocolate, the bonfires...the list could go on and on....

Happy Fall!



I hate to say this...but....

...I'm SOOOO ready for Fall!

 

The muggy, humid and damp weather today reinforced that I'm ready for Summer to wind down and can't wait for the cool, chilly weather of Fall to ramp up.

 

I'm ready for the Fall colours....the sweaters....the riding boots....and I'm hopingthe squirrels make quick work of the walnuts from the trees in my backyard.

 

We did some 'antiquing' this weekend and made some great finds.....

 

 

For only $8...how can you pass this up? The colours, the tones, the shades.....it will make a great back drop for an autumn vignette...

 

 

 

These 2 pieces really caught my eye....I didn't walk out with them but I think I have to go back! Any excuse I have to explore the cute shops in the town of Neustadt, I'll take!

 

 

My boot collection is sitting there...waiting for the cooler weather..almost begging for me to wear them! I'm going to have such a hard time not buying a new pair to kick off the season...

 

 

I walked in to my parent's home this weekend to find a bouquet of sunflowers on their kitchen table...LOVE them!

 

 

 

I also walked in to see that their furniture has been delivered!!!! Well done Mom and Mike on your selections (yes, that's right, my Mom and brother picked out the furniture and I wasn't even there to help!)

 

And....

 

 

 

.....My Dad and brother had put the final coats of stain on this gorgeous wormy Maple dining set made by our Mennonite neighbour, David. There are 2 leaves and 8 chairs total and he did EXQUISITE work!

 

If you are interested in a set, just send me an email to rusticretrievals@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

I was at my parent's this weekend as it has been one year since their house fire. We sure have come a long way....a new home has been built, they are all moved in and we are already making new memories!

Right after the fire, we found this angel in the ashes....she was once considered part of our Christmas decor, but she now holds a place out on display year round...watching over us...our true guardian angel!

 

This past week also marked one year since the tornadoes tore through Goderich....The first time I visited after the storms rolled through....I cried....Canada's prettiest town had some open wounds, but I know they will heal without many scars left behind.

 

 

Earlier this Spring I went for a walk along the lake in Goderich and this is a picture from that day.

 

I hope you all had a great weekend....I sure did! It was full of mixed emotions, but most importantly, it reinforced that as long as we continue to push forward and persevere, anything is possible!

 

RR

Rustic Transitions....

The transition to Fall has to be my favorite time of year. The light, the colours, the chill in the air...time to pull out the wool sweaters, cozy blankets, leather boots and the most fun of all....time to change the decor in your/my home!

When it comes to home decor this time of year, the best place to pull your inspiration from is right out your front door....

The rugged bark of a tree in mossy browns and smokey greys, the mustard yellow of golden rod, the burnt oranges and deep burgundy of mums, the muted greens of the trees & corn stalks, the greeny blues of the lake and the sandy beiges of the last walks on the beach.

Take a look around your home....Small changes such as adding knit throw cushions, a wool throw/blanket, add more candles in earthy tones, fill a vase with branches rather than flowers, a simple wooden bowl filled with stones from the beach....All of these will take your home from Summer to Autumn and add warmth, coziness and character.

Just walk out your front door, down the lane and around your neighbourhood or take a weekend roadtrip through the countryside...take lots of pictures and come home with more inspiration then you'll know what to do with!

RR