Just a little post to share some October goodness with you all. With the tension of this election it’s nice to take a break for some happy things right now. I hope you are enjoying some of the beauty that October brings with all it’s amazing fall color.
I was lucky to have a lunch out for a special friend’s birthday this week, and I brought pumpkins as a little table favor. I was surprised everyone liked them so much.

As they seem to be a hit, I wanted to share this fun and simple craft that seems impressive, but is actually easy and fool proof. These succulent pumpkins are a pretty and fun variation on the usual October pumpkin craft and last many months. All you need is a pumpkin, some moss, some dried flowers and snips of succulents of different varieties and a hot glue gun.

If you live in the Bay Area, you can buy the whole kit from Petite Petal Company in Campbell which my neighbors and I did. They are now sold out, (call or email them to see if that has changed ), but you can pull this all together on your own too. My neighbors Kim, Becca and I were to make kit one pumpkin each and we set up in my garage with our ingredients and chatted away while we worked.

We found we had more than enough extra moss and dried flower bits to make more. We also foraged our yards for more succulents to clip, and the pumpkins just multiplied. My son and his girlfriend did some too. The succulents will continue to grow and can be transplanted after the pumpkin starts to go, but some have even lasted into the next year says Karen at Petite Petal Co.
To do this yourself, you need a mix of moss, and this bag has all types…

You also need some dried straw flowers like those in this mixed bag.

Those are just quick buys on Amazon and you can also used dried foraged bits from your garden like lavender or statice. If you have succulents about, go take scissors and clip smaller sizes that will work on the pumpkins. Start with a generous amount of hot glue with the moss, take your time arranging the elements and glue in when you find the bits pleasing.

We distanced in my garage with masks, but took a little photo after. It was a very hot day 99 degrees!
You can leave a stem on like my friend Becca did on her little white one, or you can cut them off. There is no wrong way and anything goes.. Have fun!
Mary Ann Pickett whose birthday lunch I attended this week styled the one I gave her on her mantle below left…
Then she went outside foraging near her home and made a unique one with berries, above right. Love it! Wouldn’t this be cute for the holidays??
Elizabeth, our Antique Goddess had her own unique way of mixing hers in her decor..

Here I am with Elizabeth, Cindy and Mary Ann at the RH Corte Madera gallery. We had lunch at the open air rooftop restaurant to celebrate Mary Ann, who looks so amazing. She just wrote this post on her skincare and makeup during a pandemic. Whatever she does, I need to start!

A few snaps from this beautiful space… They have two floors of rooms filled with beautiful things. The top floor felt pretty open and spacious for a lunch with a small group. We were not near others and each table has it’s own sanitizer.

The food was excellent too! The salted chocolate chip cookies were a dream. This might be a destination if you have a special celebration during this pandemic. I like their protocols and distancing.
I loved everyone’s looks that day!

They wanted to know more about my dress which was a fluke finding it at Target. They have been designing some great pieces and this dress was good for me as I am short and have a tummy. It is so comfortable and has pockets. I am 5’4 and bought a small.

I even bought it in black as it’s hard to find flattering dresses that feel easy on. I can layer this with jeans in the cooler months and wear it like a tunic.

Two more good things..
This book How Not to Wear Black has been a fun read I picked up last week at my favorite Santa Cruz bookshop. It’s by the fashion editor of The London Times and it’s chock full of good ideas for mixing it up with your wardrobe, buying what looks good on your body and buying better. Many great photos and I am savoring this book!

While I was up in Corte Madera for Mary Ann’s lunch I had a chance to slip into Anthropologie there and get her this acacia and marble cheese board which I love..with these napkins. Good colors right? And they come in sets of six!
Can you believe I was carrying the board for her to her car and we stopped to take a photo with us all and I put it down somewhere and later we both realized I left it somewhere at the mall. UGH! I am sending her a new one. What a dumb move. Someone is enjoying it, somewhere!
I am up in Tahoe this weekend and sharing some photos on Instagram. It’s beautiful in fall here. More on my next post!
Have a good Sunday!
Kim


You are the best, Kim!!! I am linking to this as you give us more of a tutorial on the embellished pumpkins. You didn’t need to order another cutting board! But thank you. I love the napkins too! Perfect for Thanksgiving.
Where did those WHITE FLASHES come from on my DRESS?!!!I like it matches MY HAIR!!!!!!!!!
YOUR PUMPKINS are FABULOUS and I just realized you are not carving out the TOP!Fo so reason I thought the top was taken OFF!
Love that YOUR SON and his divine girlfriend jumped in TOO.A FAMILY AFFAIR!
I LOVED SEEING EVERYONE THURSDAY and it was so good for me to GET OUT of my BUBBLE!
THAT RESTORATION HARDWARE was a DESTINATION worth going back!THOSE OLIVE TREES………I could have hung out all day!
Now, did YOU EAT that last cookie on the way HOME?I HOPE SO!!!!
XOXO
Hi Kim,
Your posts are always so much fun! Looks like you ladies had a great time for Mary Ann’s birthday, your dress is adorable and such a fun find! I hope to visit that RH someday, it really looks fantastic!
The pumpkins are a fun project. We sold them at the boutique I used to work at for $35-50 each! A local lady made them, but honestly I think yours are so much better!
Anyway, that’s a festive & crafty way to spend some creative time with your friends, looks like you had an enjoyable and successful afternoon!
Tahoe is like a dream in the Fall. Hope you’re having a great time and that you brought extra sweaters. At least somewhere the weather is appropriate for the season!
Hope to see you soon.
XO Heidi
Your dresses are so cute. Good to know you’re my same height. It will help me gauge how things will look on me. You all look so can and I love your pumpkins.
Love these pumpkin ideas Kim. I am making a few this weekend and you’ve provided some great inspiraiton!. Have fun in Tahoe!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
First of all, you all look fabulous … but I am extra specially in love with the Contessa’s dress! Your pumpkin craft is adorable … and so fun to do with neighbors. I’m ashamed to say I bought two little succulent stuffed pumpkins at our local nursery. I had no idea I could do it myself. Actually, I would probably find a way to mess it up … I’m a terrible DIYer. The new RH looks amazing. And, twice the size of the Yountville location. So excited about your Tahoe news! xo
Hi Juliet, I agree Elizabeth’s dress is really unique and pretty. I actually would have done the same thing and bought these pumpkins too if it wasn’t for my neighbor’s saying let’s get the kits. I’m not a huge crafter- or good at it! This was pretty fun and easy. Yes the RH is fun and beautiful. I would love to see the Yountville location as well! xo
How lovely that you’ve been able to spend some time, safely, with friends and neighbours. Your pumpkins are simply gorgeous! I haven’t seen anything even remotely similar before. What a thoughtful idea to take some for your friends when you met for lunch. 😊. Where you met in Marin looks beautiful… somewhere else to add to my ever growing list! Love the serving board and napkins that you chose for Mary Ann … such a great present. Shame about leaving it somewhere ( these things happen ) … as you say, hope someone is enjoying their unexpected gift!
I’m going to order “How to not wear black “ it sounds like an interesting read! 😊
Hope your weeks going well … Autumn Tahoe looks wonderful!
Rosemary xxxx
Thanks Rosemary. I think we were being safe. Was a treat to be with friends and do this right now! xo
Hi Rosemary! Those pumpkins are all over here in California. I hope you get to get up to Marin and see this RH. It’s beautiful and I know you would love the lunch place. I hope you enjoy the book. I know you like clothes as much as I so I think you will! xoxo
These pumpkins are so adorable.
What a great post. I always enjoy seeing you girls together and looking so fashionable.
xo
Leslie