FOCAL POINT STYLING: October 2012

Happy Halloween!

Best wishes to you, your children, your friends, and your family for a Happy Halloween! Unfortunately, storm Sandy may have made it not too safe for the little ones to be outside to go trick or treating back east - In New Jersey, Governor Christie has officially postponed Halloween until November 5. In New York, the Greenwich Village Halloween Costume Parade has been cancelled. Curfews in severely damaged areas continue. Newark New Jersey Mayor, Cory Booker shared this thought: "Battered but not beaten. Without power but not powerless. We stand strong. We stand together. We will persevere." No matter where you are or when you celebrate it, have fun but please stay safe.

(source)

I have been off-line from blogging the past few days because I'm recovering from some oral surgery I had. I'm looking forward to handing out candy to-nite, and see all the cute costumes. I won't be able to chew on chocolates, so I'll be relying on a chocolate shake or ice cream later on to-nite :)

Thanks for stopping by...

Have a Happy & Safe Halloween!

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS

Hello and Welcome to Focal Point Styling! I'm Lynda - sharing simple solutions to style & organize your home, fashion & decor trends, savvy shopping tips, market events, plus local love from the places I've experienced. I started this blog back in late 2009 when I lived in Miami. In 2011, I moved to Phoenix, AZ and rented a house until late 2014, when I relocated back east to the Triad in North Carolina - Join me on my journey!

SWEET SALVAGE VINTAGE - OCTOBER'S FRENCH MARKET

The New Times here in Phoenix recently released its list for "Best Of 2012" - And I'm thrilled to see the monthly vintage shop - Sweet Salvage - made the list! The New Times said, "Every month, we strive to make a little more room in our apartment in hopes of squeezing in a new vintage find from Sweet Salvage. The décor shop opens its doors every third Thursday through Sunday with a new theme and fresh merchandise. To its sprawling Seventh Avenue space, shoppers flock to find globes, signage lettering, metal lockers, and large pieces like reupholstered couches and chairs, tables, desks, and, well, just about anything else you might desire. Items fly fast, so be sure to get to the store as early as possible if you want first dibs on the decorative wares." And that is the truth!

A wonderful mix and merge of vintage fashion and decor...

I've been touring (and doing a little shopping) at this monthly vintage pop-up market since July. I've gone on various days during the four days it's open. Last time (in September) I had gone on opening day in the morning and it was as c-r-a-z-y as Black Friday!! This month, I went around 5ish on a Friday, and it was not only quiet, but so spacious; they appeared to have been wiped out (in a GOOD way!!) See last month's theme: Wicked Faire - all Halloween and Fall inspired... Next month's theme reminds me of my Holiday Home from 2010: (See Simple Comfort & Joy ) - probably because it will be called "Comfort and Joy!" Here is my tour of the October French Market theme at Sweet Salvage...

Chipppy and milk finished furnishings plus menswear inspired finds from bow-ties to ticking stripe chairs...

Glamorous finds in noir and a unique chandy in a bird cage display...

Plus two black glass goblets I HAD to have :)

Lots of lovely grey linen pieces...

Gorgeous shades of deep greens on glazed amphora vessels, old books, a velvet slipper chair and a fabulous chippy finish on a buffet...

Sweet Salvage

4648 N. 7th Ave.

Phoenix, AZ

602-279-2996

Congrats to the team at Sweet Salvage!

Looking forward to the November months install:

Comfort & Joy.

Thanks for stopping by!

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS

Seasonal Changes: Decorating for Halloween and Fall

I really enjoy changing the mood of our home for the seasons. I do this by creating seasonal vignettes at focal points in our home. But rather than just running out to a party store to buy the latest Halloween decor trend, for example skulls, birds and now owls, I mix thrift finds + everyday decor and make a few of my own. Since what I make is created from more everyday-like items, I can keep them and reuse them in my Halloween decor for years to come. Having a display form allows my seasonal decor to merge fashion + decor at home: I dressed one of my forms with a custom skirt (made by friend Jose Vasquez), torn black gauze, strands of pearls and my fave over-sized black flower pin. A feather wreath I picked up at Goodwill for $2 back in February completes the third floor Halloween vignette, reflecting in the leaning mirror on the stairs and visible from the living room. Since it's been too hot here to really use the third floor, I covered the furniture with white sheets so we have a haunted third floor (plus it will keep the desert dust away now that windows are open!) Bats I cut from card-stock (3 years ago) fly in clusters up the stairs from the second to the third floor...

Accessory update inspired by the Crate & Barrel Fall catalog: these urns where white - now I painted them flat black & antique gold...

Dollar store gauze and found branches painted flat black add to the spook factor...

Needed more black candles, so I painted a few of my white ones I already had...

See my post:

Thrifty Halloween DIY Owl Wall Art Under $6

Coming down the stairs to the secon floor... The living room, I set my "faux" mantel on our low profile media unit and a few seasonal touches on the shelves...

Mixing everyday decor items plus Halloween decor to create my "faux" mantel...

Camel throw - perfect for Fall from Goodwill for $3.

More found branches - the one in the center was actually white and I had previously used for a Christmas tablescape (back in 2009). I refreshed the branch and candle holders by painting them black satin & gloss...

Switching the mirror and removing most white from the living room helped change the mood from Summer to Fall... And this year, I tried a new mix (see my Moodboard Monday: Plaid & Leopard!) I'll be sharing shortly - so stay tuned!