Random thoughts on a chilly Saturday morning:

1. Have you ever seen a homecoming mum in Texas before? They are the size of a small planet.

Seriously.

The twins’ mums were so long and they are so short that they almost tripped over the ribbons on the bottom of the mum.

It’s Texas. Go big or go home (pics at the end).

2. I can’t WAIT to show you the finished studio on Monday. It makes me want to create and create and when I’m done? Create some more.

3. I used to use shellac on my nails–but it was so expensive and it damaged my nails. Now I have a new way of keeping my nails done.

I just shared everything on Facebook live. You can see my “system” here.

4. It was a fun week on the blog. I showed you the prettiest farmhouse that I photographed and a fun new way to shop and a creative room refresh.

And now?

Let’s see all the fun things I found from around the web.

This beautiful outdoor deck took my breath away.

Every detail is perfection.

You can see the entire deck here.

Love this tablescape for Thanksgiving.

And this place card idea is so easy to make.

See the how-to here.

This fall kitchen is so pretty.

(And I love that towel paper holder space.)

See the rest of the kitchen and the front porch here.

This pumpkin ice cream. Doesn’t it look delicious?

And it’s dairy-free, too.

See the recipe here.

 

And in random news:

This beautiful Swedish home

This DIY tiny gourd wreath

This cozy cabin

These ideas for extra tile

This simple pumpkin tutorial

How to stencil on glass

These projects made from recycled junk mail

This bedroom makeover

These adorable Christmas trees

These takeaways from English gardens

What do you think of this trend?

And this.

Are you into enneagrams? Here’s how to survive this fall based on your enneagram.

(I’m a seven—what number are you?)

And one more for the road.

Here’s some fall decorating from the front porch.

See all the details and sources here.

PS Here are a few pics from homecoming. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Kris Kris

    Your first photo reminded me that I need to check my purple mums after a frosty night. Speaking of mums, homecoming mums is definitely a southern thing, not a northern tradition! Hope the girls had a fun evening. Our team won our football homecoming game last night! As ever, I went down a rabbit hole with the Scandinavian home site--I absolutely loved the home. Something about older houses speaks to me. Gorgeous.

    1. Image for Michele M. Michele M.

      I grew up on the north coast and we did Homecoming Mums on Homecoming Game and Dance night. Loved them. They were huge too but not the size of the Texas ones! I was a cheerleader and it was our job to distribute them during class. I loved doing that - was such fun and to this day I love the smell of mums, taking me back to those youthful years.

  2. Image for Jan McKenzie Jan McKenzie

    Hi Karianne: Where was the link for the nail polish products? Watched the video but didn't hear you say where the link was. I think OPI is amazing also and I have been using that Sally Hansen Quick Dri for years now and love, love, love it. Have a blessed day, Jan

  3. Image for Danielle Danielle

    Oh how I miss living in Texas! There's nothing like a Texas high school football game, and those Homecoming mums! Always love your Thistlekeeping. It's a Saturday morning tradition!

  4. Image for Lou E Gipson Lou E Gipson

    K~what an interesting,entertaining,diverse and utterly delightful array of Thistlekeeping items today! so much to ponder! totally immersed myself in each offering! This, along with my morning coffee and quiet time,put me in the perfect mood for my busy Saturday morning! thank you for the perfect wake-up!!! Yes! you are an AMAZING ROCKSTAR! !!!!!!!

  5. Image for Barbara C Barbara C

    With your nail system—when you reapply every two days, do you apply a coat of color AND a quick dry topcoat? Thanks!

  6. Image for Sonya Sonya

    Ok I need to try the pumpkin ice cream it looks amazing. The mum thing I have never heard of but sound like so much fun. So happy your girls get to experience homecoming this year. Our schools have cancelled all those things this year but hopefully they will come up with something else for the kids.

  7. Image for Karen Karen

    Ok, so here's what I pinned today-the ice cream recipe for my son who is lactose intolerant (also he's my tech guru, bless him), that paper towel holder (brilliant!), and the cottage garden ideas. I watched the nail polish video (not live) but didn't see the links to the products. Where are they? You're right, cuticle oil is crucial. Thanks for a great beginning to my Saturday, as always!

  8. Image for Cindy@CountyRoad407 Cindy@CountyRoad407

    Love me some big ol' Texas homecoming mums! Miss dragging our monogrammed folding bleacher seats and blankets to the football games. Thanks for sharing my Christmas trees. Always enjoy Thistlekeeping!

  9. Image for Brenda Brenda

    I went to high school not far from where you live. I remember those mums! I was quite shocked to discover that they are pretty much a Texas thing! I feel sorry for all the kids who go somewhere else. They sure do miss a lot not having those homecoming mums! You should post some pictures of the twins and their mums. Have a great day!

  10. Image for Diane Ruebel Diane Ruebel

    Of course, you're a 7!!! Your infectious enthusiasm and zest for life always inspires my 4 type. Marilyn Vancil, a dear friend, has an amazing book called Self to Loose, Self to Find.. I believe. you would love it. The moody changes in the Swedish home are incredible. They fit my type. A renewing Sabbath tomorrow, Diney on Camano Island

  11. Image for PJ PJ

    I think I've been living on another plant for 64 yrs. I have no idea what a homecoming mum is or what the purpose is. Just curious if someone can explain it to me, please? It's kinda interesting, that's for sure. Love all your ideas here today.

  12. Image for Paula@SweetPea Paula@SweetPea

    Loved seeing the twins and their homecoming mums. It makes me really sad for my former students that football season in VA isn't happening. There is nothing like the Friday night lights!

  13. Image for TERESA GONZALES TERESA GONZALES

    Thanks for the weekly wrap up! Love all the ideas. The twins look so adorable and HAPPY!!! See they wear red lipstick just like their MoM :). As to your question about trends- I have loved venetian plaster for years.

  14. Image for Kim | Shiplap and Shells Kim | Shiplap and Shells

    I loved seeing the twins and their homecoming mums. Oh to be young again! I'm so glad they were able to participate in Homecoming this year with all that is going on these days. Oh, and that pumpkin ice cream looks heavenly. Maybe more than usual since I am now off sugar, so I can look just like you someday!

  15. Image for Amy Amy

    Where have homecoming mums been all my life? If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is a homecoming mum? Is this a southern tradition? Or a new thing? I'm in the midwest and have never seen homecoming mums before. To be honest, I can't quite tell what it is from the pictures-- is it a decoration that they are holding? Does every girl get one? Who gives it to them? So. Many. Questions. I should probably just go to bed but I'm intrigued. Your girls are just beautiful, by the way! Thank you for helping me figure this out.

  16. Image for Maureen Provost Ryan Maureen Provost Ryan

    Good morning, Karianne! I've been interested in the Enneagram for decades and am pretty sure I'm a 3 or possibly a 7; they are a lot alike! It feels like I have to accomplish something every day or I'm disappointed! An expert in the Enneagram told me he thought I was a 7, though, and if you are a 7, I'm in good company! Can hardly wait to see your studio--it's going to be great.

  17. Image for Carrie Carrie

    Love those Texas Homecoming Mums and the beauties holding them! So much fun to be had this senior year for them~ and you!

  18. Image for Teddee Grace Teddee Grace

    I love the textured walls but think they probably need to be done by a pro. I remember how bad some sponge painting was! Perhaps Italy could send us some real Venetian plasterers!

  19. Image for Juliet Juliet

    Oh my gosh, KariAnne ... I always learn something new from you! You'd better sit down for this ... ready? I never heard of a Homecoming mum! What?! Yep ... you heard me right. I had to read and reread your sentence ... wondering if you meant mom or mums (like fall flowers). So, I Googled it and now I don't feel as bad because as a life long Californian ... we just don't know these things! Anyway, the girls look adorable and you look like such a happy, proud mom/mum! xo

  20. Image for Nicole Nicole

    This was the first time I ever heard of a homecoming mum. When I saw the pics, well, let's just say that was NOT what I pictured! I was thinking some type of corsage or something, haha! The girls look great, glad you got to enjoy it with them :)

  21. Image for Barb Barb

    Thanks for the nail tips. I must admit I have left mine bare these past months re:Covid and stay at home orders but you gave me the push to do my “own” nails. Great self care treat. Thank You! I love how pretty they way they look all done up again. Have a great evening. B

  22. Image for Lynn Mosher Lynn Mosher

    I love, love, love LOVE that picture of you and the other cuties! So adorable! And those mums! I've never seen those before. They're huge! Wow! I always love your Thistlekeeping. Such wonderful things! Thank you! Oh, and I'm a 9! 😁❤

  23. Image for Loryl Loryl

    My bestie from college was into enneagrams. As a life coach it helped in understanding her clients. I was definitely a 3 in my working life. But I’ve mellowed in retirement. LOL. Pumpkin ice cream is the best! And those Homecoming mum pictures of the twins, so cute. We used to do football mums for Homecoming, a single corsage, in HS but the tradition was forgotten by my senior year. So sad. I love their smell, My fav fall flower.

  24. Image for Crystal Brown Crystal Brown

    Late to the party.... as usual. I have a hard time keeping up with my email for some reason. BUT, I love that faux plater walls are coming back. I was never a fan of the Tuscan look but love walls that look like old plaster, color washed in faded colors and not the awful sponge painting of the 90's. Joanna Gaines did a mortar wall in one of the fixer upper homes in the last season and it was spot on! Thistlekeeping is so much fun. Thank you!

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