FOCAL POINT STYLING: FAST FALL VIGNETTE

During my trip back home last week, I spent most of my time visiting with my mom in Miami. Unlike me, she's NOT a shopper but she was very much looking forward to going on a little Fall shopping trip with me: her personal shopper! Since she was looking for both some fall fashions and decor, we skipped the major mall scene and headed to a nearby TJMaxx and HomeGoods. The cart worked great to hold a few Fall finds for her home (a natural pumpkin, a wreath for the front door, a new vase and a copper picture frame) while the handle bar hung some new knit tops, Fall sweaters and handbags - all great scores and didn't bust mom's budget! While we were out, we even had a Miami style Cuban lunch at a local spot called Sergio's where I devoured a roast pork sandwich! After some last minute grocery shopping at Publix for dinner, we got back to her home and I did a little Fall fix-up -- just before we surprised our family-like friend Marcia (she didn't know I was coming -- but had asked when I'd visit because it's been two years since I was back home in Florida). I asked my mom if she wanted to skip Fall and I'd put up the tree for her -- she laughed and she said no - so within the hour, I made just a few quick changes for Fall, using some items she already had plus the new finds from our shopping day...

My mom isn't into heavy layering or over-the-top seasonal displays. She likes to keep things simple - easy to clean-up, pack-up and put away. But just a few Fall finds from HomeGoods gave my mom the little touch of Autumn in Miami she was looking for. She only spent $65 at HomeGoods and $35 at Michael's for her budget-friendly Fall fix-up!

The copper frame came in handy to display pressed leaves - in a pinch faux, but my mom has some Fall leaves from New Jersey pressed in a book to switch these out for. We also had stopped at Micheal's so I could pick out a few Fall flowers for the table - to switch out from her Summer white hydrangeas. Her table is oval, so a few dark woven matts add a little texture and act as a small runner...

The new wicker wrapped vase added a little texture to the glass top table and the Fall leaves looked pretty reflecting in the mirror for her entry. From the guest room, I pulled over a small stack of books in orange and mustard to stack on the ottoman (and camouflage the plug)...

To keep the few Fall changes small, I kept them to table-top surfaces: the entry console, the gallery wall bench, the dining table, the buffet and the coffee table -- no textiles -- this way she can easily switch out Fall for a little winter holiday decor later after Thanksgiving...

I spotted this apothecary jar in mom's hall closet filled with shells, and I switched them out for some nuts, gourds and pinecones she had. All of her candles are vanilla and work great paired with fresh coffee beans as filler in the glass container...

Also from the patio - I brought in a mustard pitcher I picked up for my mom a few years ago while thrifting - and I switched out a lighter basket with wicker spheres for this darker basket with wood chips... and added some of the mini gourds, nuts and pinecones she had...

The sea grass had faded from the sun on the patio, but worked great as straw and added height on the buffet. The lanterns were a previous HomeGoods find and glow nicely with lit candles inside...

I had my mom snap a few pics of me surprising Marcia at the door - She was so happy, and so was I. It's been too long and love the long talks we use to have. Marcia is a retired Dade County school teacher...