Tag: fall

Uncategorized

10 Easy Ways to Autumn-ize Your Home

loansbyjoanna
Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.44.26 PM.png

The crispness in the air, the small gusts of wind, the faint aroma of pumpkin spice. Even in a county like San Diego, you can feel change in the air when Autumn rolls around. I personally love Autumn, and although I’m sometimes late on getting the decorations up, I enjoy decorating for all major holidays and seasons. Today I want to share with you 10 ways I like to make my home a little more comfy for the fall and winter season. Leave a comment at the end if this helped you, or if you want to share some ways you make your home a little more Holiday.

#1 – Aromatic Candles

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.38.34 PM.png

If you know me, you know I’m a sap for an aromatic candle, and it’s fact scented candles are the best in the fall. I tend to burn different candle fragrances depending on the weather. For example, food fragrances and warm and cozy fragrances work best when it’s cold and gray outside. Floral fragrances tend to work best when it’s bright and warm outside.  

#2 – Pumpkins

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.20.43 PM.png

Add a pumpkin (or three) to your tables and centerpieces. Just a few scattered pumpkins can make your home go from drab to fab in a matter of seconds. Some people swear by real pumpkins, but let me tell you, don’t discount the plastic ones. With faux pumpkins, you can use them again and again. You can even paint them white and use them as decorations for the winter season as well.

#3 – Golden and Pine Centerpieces

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.19.37 PM.png

Pine cones, squash, colorful maize, and autumn leaves are another perfect and easy way to Autumnize your home. Just leave a few bowls or cornucopias around the house to give it that crisp, Autumn feel. Browns and beiges are perfect, but adding pops of orange, red, gold, and even rose gold will give your pieces a rustic-glam look.

#4 – Throw Rugs and Wall Art

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.24.53 PM.png

Add color, texture, and warmth to your home by way of a smartly placed runner or throw rug. Not many people change their furniture with the seasons, so, changing the rug or your on-the-wall art to something more Fall-like can make it seem like you did. Keep your furniture simple throughout the year, and make your rugs or paintings the focal point. Doing this will make it easy to switch out a few details every season and have it look like you’ve redecorated your entire home. 

#5 – Coffee Beans, Cloves and Oranges

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.31.11 PM.png

There’s a little trick to making your home smell delicious all season: cloves and oranges. Make it a family event and have the kids stick the cloves in the oranges. They can even make their own designs or their names out of the cloves. Then either place them in a bowl or hang them with ribbon around the house. Another great trick is filling glass containers with coffee beans. It will look très chic,but also make the house smell great.  

#6 – Succulents (Always)

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 11.55.23 AM.png

If you’ve met me, even for just a few minutes, you probably know that I am obsessed with succulents. Not only are they great to have throughout the year, in the fall you can use them as centerpieces, by placing them inside pumpkins, or you can give them as gifts for friends during the holiday. Unlike many plants, succulents are not relatively easy to take care of, so you can be sure that they won’t be destroyed.

#7 – Don’t Forget the Front Porch

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.26.08 PM.png

I have to say, I love pulling into a driveway and seeing fall decor! You just know that the rest of the home will be comfy and inviting. Again, pumpkins are great this season, as they are able to go with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decor. If you have the time, and are able, paint the front door: Red, Green, something inviting. It’s a small detail that can change the whole look of the home. Don’t forget to take pictures. Fall is the best time for front porch pictures of the Family.

#8 – Cider, Cinnamon and Baked Goods

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.13.28 PM.png

Like the coffee beans and oranges with cloves, cinnamon is a great way to keep your home smelling like the Holidays during, well, the Holidays. Keeping baked goods like cupcakes and pies around, or hot chocolate and apple cider, will make the whole family stay in the spirit while feeding their souls and their bellies. However, try to find vegan, gluten free, and healthier delicious recipes, so that their bellies aren’t growing as big as your love for them.

#9 – String Lights

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 1.19.32 PM.png

There is something about string lights that make an evening more romantic, and family nights that much more special. They aren’t just for outside the home anymore. You can string them up on the porch, in the house, or even drop them in a glass vase or dish to give a room just a little more oomph. I love string lights not only for the Fall and Winter season, but also in the Spring and Summer for weddings and special events, so having some on hand at all times is always a good idea.

#10 – Family & Friends

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.12.01 PM.png

This is a big one. To me, family is everything, but not everyone is lucky enough to have a loving one. So, if you do, count your blessings. If you don’t, create a new family with friends you meet every day. If you have a loving family, and the room to do so, invite a friend or someone who may be lonely for the Holiday season. It’s a small gesture that that make someone’s entire year. The more the merrier! Have a happy Fall and Winter Season, and I hope I gave you some great ideas on how to Autumn-ize your home!

Uncategorized

Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup

loansbyjoanna

I love a beautiful fall spread, especially with the hint of pumpkin in the background. You can do this with a candle, and trust me, I love a good candle) or you can do it with a pumpkin soup, inside of an actual pumpkin.

This pumpkin soup recipe is creamy AND healthy. It calls for roasted pumpkin for maximum flavor. This roasted pumpkin soup recipe would look lovely on your holiday dinner table, and leftovers would go great with sandwiches or salads the next day.

Recipe yields 4 bowls or 6 cups of soup.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • One 4-pound sugar pie pumpkin
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 large or 6 medium garlic cloves, pressed or minced
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon cloves
  • Tiny dash of cayenne pepper (optional, if you like spice)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable broth
  • ½ cup full fat coconut milk or heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • ¼ cup pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Carefully halve the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds (you can roast the seeds if you’d like—see note—but you won’t need them for this recipe).

2. Slice each pumpkin halve in half to make quarters. Brush or rub 1 tablespoon olive oil over the flesh of the pumpkin and place the quarters, cut sides down, onto the baking sheet. Roast for 35 minutes or longer, until the orange flesh is easily pierced through with a fork. Set it aside to cool for a few minutes.

3. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add onion, garlic and salt to the skillet. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes. In the meantime, peel the pumpkin skin off the pumpkins and discard the skin.

4. Add the pumpkin flesh, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cayenne pepper (if using), and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper. Use your stirring spoon to break up the pumpkin a bit. Pour in the broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, to give the flavors time to meld.

5. While the soup is cooking, toast the pepitas in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant, golden and making little popping noises. You want them to be nice and toasty, but not burnt. Transfer pepitas to a bowl to cool.

6. Once the pumpkin mixture is done cooking, stir in the coconut milk and maple syrup. Remove the soup from heat and let it cool slightly. You can use an immersion blender to blend this soup in the pot. I prefer to use my stand blender, which yields the creamiest results—working in batches, transfer the contents of the pan to a blender (do not fill your blender past the maximum fill line!). Securely fasten the blender’s lid and use a kitchen towel to protect your hand from steam escaping from the top of the blender as you purée the mixture until smooth. Transfer the puréed soup to a serving bowl and repeat with the remaining batches.

7. Taste and adjust if necessary (I thought the soup was just right as is, but you might want to add more coconut milk for extra creaminess/milder flavor, or maple syrup to make it a little sweeter).

8. Ladle the soup into individual bowls. Sprinkle pepitas over the soup and serve. Let leftover soup cool completely before transferring it to a proper storage container and refrigerating it for up to 4 days (leftovers taste even better the next day!). Or, freeze this soup for up to 3 months.

DIY, Uncategorized

10 Ways to Autumn-ize your Home

loansbyjoanna

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.44.26 PM.png

The crispness in the air, the small gusts of wind, the faint aroma of pumpkin spice. Even in a county like San Diego, you can feel change in the air when Autumn rolls around. I personally love Autumn, and although I’m sometimes late on getting the decorations up, I enjoy decorating for all major holidays and seasons. Today I want to share with you 10 ways I like to make my home a little more comfy for the fall and winter season. Leave a comment at the end if this helped you, or if you want to share some ways you make your home a little more Holiday.

#1 – Aromatic Candles

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.38.34 PM.png

If you know me, you know I’m a sap for an aromatic candle, and it’s fact scented candles are the best in the fall. I tend to burn different candle fragrances depending on the weather. For example, food fragrances and warm and cozy fragrances work best when it’s cold and gray outside. Floral fragrances tend to work best when it’s bright and warm outside.  

#2 – Pumpkins

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.20.43 PM.png

Add a pumpkin (or three) to your tables and centerpieces. Just a few scattered pumpkins can make your home go from drab to fab in a matter of seconds. Some people swear by real pumpkins, but let me tell you, don’t discount the plastic ones. With faux pumpkins, you can use them again and again. You can even paint them white and use them as decorations for the winter season as well.

#3 – Golden and Pine Centerpieces

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.19.37 PM.png

Pine cones, squash, colorful maize, and autumn leaves are another perfect and easy way to Autumnize your home. Just leave a few bowls or cornucopias around the house to give it that crisp, Autumn feel. Browns and beiges are perfect, but adding pops of orange, red, gold, and even rose gold will give your pieces a rustic-glam look.

#4 – Throw Rugs and Wall Art

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.24.53 PM.png

Add color, texture, and warmth to your home by way of a smartly placed runner or throw rug. Not many people change their furniture with the seasons, so, changing the rug or your on-the-wall art to something more Fall-like can make it seem like you did. Keep your furniture simple throughout the year, and make your rugs or paintings the focal point. Doing this will make it easy to switch out a few details every season and have it look like you’ve redecorated your entire home. 

#5 – Coffee Beans, Cloves and Oranges

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.31.11 PM.png

There’s a little trick to making your home smell delicious all season: cloves and oranges. Make it a family event and have the kids stick the cloves in the oranges. They can even make their own designs or their names out of the cloves. Then either place them in a bowl or hang them with ribbon around the house. Another great trick is filling glass containers with coffee beans. It will look très chic, but also make the house smell great.  

#6 – Succulents (Always)

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 11.55.23 AM.png

If you’ve met me, even for just a few minutes, you probably know that I am obsessed with succulents. Not only are they great to have throughout the year, in the fall you can use them as centerpieces, by placing them inside pumpkins, or you can give them as gifts for friends during the holiday. Unlike many plants, succulents are not relatively easy to take care of, so you can be sure that they won’t be destroyed.

#7 – Don’t Forget the Front Porch

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.26.08 PM.png

I have to say, I love pulling into a driveway and seeing fall decor! You just know that the rest of the home will be comfy and inviting. Again, pumpkins are great this season, as they are able to go with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decor. If you have the time, and are able, paint the front door: Red, Green, something inviting. It’s a small detail that can change the whole look of the home. Don’t forget to take pictures. Fall is the best time for front porch pictures of the Family.

#8 – Cider, Cinnamon and Baked Goods

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.13.28 PM.png

Like the coffee beans and oranges with cloves, cinnamon is a great way to keep your home smelling like the Holidays during, well, the Holidays. Keeping baked goods like cupcakes and pies around, or hot chocolate and apple cider, will make the whole family stay in the spirit while feeding their souls and their bellies. However, try to find vegan, gluten free, and healthier delicious recipes, so that their bellies aren’t growing as big as your love for them.

#9 – String Lights

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 1.19.32 PM.png

There is something about string lights that make an evening more romantic, and family nights that much more special. They aren’t just for outside the home anymore. You can string them up on the porch, in the house, or even drop them in a glass vase or dish to give a room just a little more oomph. I love string lights not only for the Fall and Winter season, but also in the Spring and Summer for weddings and special events, so having some on hand at all times is always a good idea.

#10 – Family & Friends

Screen Shot 2019-10-08 at 12.12.01 PM.png

This is a big one. To me, family is everything, but not everyone is lucky enough to have a loving one. So, if you do, count your blessings. If you don’t, create a new family with friends you meet every day. If you have a loving family, and the room to do so, invite a friend or someone who may be lonely for the Holiday season. It’s a small gesture that that make someone’s entire year. The more the merrier! Have a happy Fall and Winter Season, and I hope I gave you some great ideas on how to Autumn-ize your home!

 

 

 

DIY, Uncategorized

11 No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

loansbyjoanna

 

11nocarve

Many people buy and decorate pumpkins for the fall season. Some carve them, others leave them sitting on their porch steps untouched until they rot, and creative souls (with the new addition of you and I) show their creativity by decorating their homes with unique, no-carve pumpkin art.

I have to admit, over the past few years we haven’t carved many pumpkins, but we have decorated our porch with giant pumpkins in all of their natural orange beauty. This year, after seeing these no carve pumpkin decorating ideas, color me inspired! I hope some of these ideas give you a bit of Autumn inspiration as well.

 

#1 – Use Crayons to Make a Melted Crayon Pumpkin

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Do you have a bunch of broken crayons at home? Well, this slight twist on melted crayon wall art is fun for the whole family and creates a really neat effect. For even less mess, do it upside down. Find a jar, place your mini pumpkin upside down with the stem inside the jar, place some crayons on top of your pumpkin, and use a hair-dryer to melt your crayons!

 

#2 – Turn Your Pumpkin into a Cute Party Cooler

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This idea is sure to impress at your Fall get-together. Just choose a large, wide pumpkin, cut off the top third with a serrated knife and scrape out the pulp and seeds. Line the gourd with a glass or plastic bowl to prevent it from becoming water-logged. If the pumpkin opening is a bit too small for the bowl, carefully shave the inside edge with a spoon. Finish by filling the bowl with ice and wine, beer, or bottled drinks.

 

#3 – Decorate Your Pumpkin with Gems, Glitter, and/or Paint

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Simple, and sure to immediately add class to any pumpkin project, is this art deco idea. To make it kid-friendly (as opposed to a huge glittery mess on your new hardwood floors), paint the pumpkin yourself. When it dries, let the kiddos decorate it with colorful gems, stencils and spray paint, fake jewels, ribbon, seashells, and lace. The more you trust your kids, the smaller the decorations you give them. If you have toddlers, large bowtie macaroni should do the trick.

 

#4 – Use Your Pumpkin as a Succulent Holder

Screen Shot 2018-10-24 at 5.17.06 PM

If you’re anything like me, natural elements in the home have the ability to put you in a state of relaxation. Dazzle your guests with a fall centerpiece featuring a pumpkin topped with succulents. As a (tiny) shortcut, you can plant the succulents in a normal pot and set it inside your real (or faux pumpkin) and then you don’t have to worry about re-potting down the road! It’ll be so nice to have a seasonal succulent centerpiece that will last through Thanksgiving, and they aren’t too difficult to make.

 

#5 – Be Your Pumpkin’s Fairy Godmother

Screen Shot 2018-10-24 at 5.17.18 PM

You don’t need a fairy godmother to turn a pumpkin into a carriage. All you need is a pumpkin, a furry toy animal, and a quick trip to Michael’s or Hobby lobby and you can make the rules. This artist used clay for the door, but you can just as easily use small barbie princess parts. Just spray them with gold paint. If you have extra time, hollow out the pumpkin, place a candle inside, and cover the hole with a door. For extra fantasy points, make a curly-cue stem out of Papier-mâché.

 

#6 – Create Fake Food Out of Your Pumpkin

Screen Shot 2018-10-24 at 5.17.36 PM

Using acrylic paints, turn your pumpkin into something everyone will want to eat. You can use any tool you like to paint: paintbrushes, cotton swabs, sponges, or cotton balls. Keep a damp cloth at your side to quickly clean off any mistakes. Pretend that you’re just painting an ordinary canvas. *For the popcorn bucket, add a plastic bowl and fill the bucket with real pumpkin spice topped popcorn to wow your guests.

 

#7 – Fill Your Pumpkin With Real Food

Screen Shot 2018-10-24 at 5.17.53 PM

Pumpkin stew, pumpkin casserole, pumpkin creme brûlée…the possibilities are endless! My favorite idea happens to be individual “Pumpkin Mac&Cheese” inside of adorable mini pumpkins. For kids parties you can even fill the pumpkins with trail mix, potato chips, pumpkin seeds, or Holiday candy.

 

#8 – Let Your Pumpkins Convey Your True Feelings

Screen Shot 2018-10-24 at 5.18.07 PM

Everybody loves emoticons, and experts say that a well-placed emoji has the ability to change a recipient’s mood. These pumpkins are a must-try. Spray-paint your pumpkin yellow, or keep it the original orange, and either paint faces, *or keep sticky pieces of felt in a bowl and change your emoji’s mood daily.

If you use mini pumpkins, you can line a small window sill with these little fellas and be the talk of the neighborhood.

 

#9 – Make Beautiful Fall Centerpieces

Screen Shot 2018-10-24 at 5.18.20 PM

Pumpkin centerpieces will be your inspiration this Autumn. You can make pumpkin flower vases, pumpkin trees, or stick candles in your pumpkin to create a large candle holder. Then, add some lose pumpkins, squash, and other Fall veggies for a breathtaking dinner or reception table. Add some cranberry vines, pine boughs, or cones for a contrast. If you’re planning on hosting more than one Fall get-together, there are limitless possibilities to decorate all the tables in your home.

 

#10 – Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?

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Of course you do! Paint your pumpkin white, or just find white pumpkins. Then, all you need to add are a few felt pieces, a scarf, and a top hat to make your neighbors wonder how your snowman hasn’t melted under this California sun. For the kids, and with just a little extra effort, you can even turn your snowman into Olaf (from Disney’s Frozen), BB-8 (from Star Wars), or Jack Skellington (from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas).

 

#11 – Cover Your Pumpkin in Fabric & Gift to a Friend

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Looking for an easy gift that won’t break the bank? Just cover your pumpkin in fabric: lace, tulle, silk, cotton, or any fabric you can find. You can either sew a closing, or leave it raw and add a decorative tie, and that’s it. You have an easy gift that you can give to kids, coworkers, family, and friends.

Hope you’ll give at least one of these ideas a try. And send a photo of whatever you make for a feature on my Instagram Page!😊