Etsy Find of the Day: Kindling Accessories

Are you in a fall frame of mind yet? I'm trying, really I am -- but with the mercury hovering in the mid-80s here, it's not easy. We did take the kids to a pumpkin patch last weekend, but the whole notion of Halloween decorating and fall decor feels a little ridiculous when you're wearing shorts and flip-flops and mopping sweat off you brow. (I swear, between this absurd weather and the potential results in the upcoming election, Vancouver is looking better and better ... )

Anyway, I am at least attempting to get into a more autumnal mood at home. I don't tend to like things that are too seasonal or theme-y, but am drawn to more natural accents at this time of year -- simple branches, twigs with small clusters of berries, bowls filled with tiny white pumpkins, and acorns, pine cones, and fallen leaves collected on neighborhood walks.

These rustic pieces from aptly named Etsy seller Kindling are right up my alley: Simple, natural, and lovely. Above: Twig Picture Holder, $25

Small Stump Planter, $40

Wood Candle Holders, $40 per pair

Check out Kindling's Etsy shop right here.

Cool Stuff: Marimekko Fall Collection

There's another minor heatwave predicted for these parts in the coming days -- but still, I can feel it: Autumn is almost here. The first tinges of fiery red and orange are beginning to seep into the leaves, and the morning air has a welcome crispness. Fall is, without question, my favorite season.

And now that the summer heat is (mostly) behind us, I can finally start appreciating the autumnal decor that seems like a cruel joke when it first starts popping up in the sweltering days of August. Perfect timing, then, for Marimekko's new collection of fall fabrics.

My favorite new patterns and colorways:

Purnukka Red, $42 per panel

Valmuska Olive Green, $42 per panel

Biloba Green, $52 per panel

Ginkgo Gold, $52 per panel

La Botte Green, $42 per panel

Pudhas Yellow, $42 per panel

Joika Brown, $48 per panel

Kumiseva Red, $70 per panel

Terttu, $58 per panel

Marmeladi Yellow, $54 per panel

See the entire collection right here.

eBay Find of the Day: Orange Glassybabies

How perfect would this trio of handblown, fiery orange Glassybabies (which I recently blogged here) be for your Thanksgiving table setting?

Bonus: They're a fraction of the regular retail price of $40.

Current bid: $15 each, or you can use "Buy it Now" to grab them for $25 apiece. (Hurry -- the auctions end Thursday afternoon.)

Etsy Find of the Day: "Nightmare Before November" Wreath

This faintly goth-y wreath just seemed fitting for this gray and blustery day on the eve of Halloween.

The seller describes it thusly: "Over a frame of cedar boughs, I wrapped thorny wild blackberry vines and thorny gorse, and decorated it with prickly bull thistle heads. All of it DEAD!"

But it's also just a nice, late-Autumn adornment for your door -- simple, seasonal, not too "foo-fooey." Encircling a pile of baby pumpkins and craggy gourds, it'd make an interesting centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, too. (Just be careful not to touch it, since the seller cautions that it's "seriously thorny.")

Consider yourself warned.

$18 right here.

Cool Stuff: Woodsy Candleholders

More Autumn goodies: This faux bois candelabra, $89 from Wisteria, has the appearance of an ancient, gnarled tree. It would look especially spooky with black candles, methinks.

And these root candle holders, $29 each from Wisteria, are lovely in an earthy, natural way. (Bummer: They're on back-order until November.)

eBay Find of the Day: Pumpkin Tureen

Filled to the brim with candy, this charmingly craggy, Italian-made ceramic soup tureen is the perfect container in which to proffer sweet treats to the wee ghosts and goblins who'll be ringing your doorbell on the 31st.

And filled with rich soup or candied yams, it'll be a great finishing touch for your Thanksgiving table setting, too.

Current bid: $10. (Hurry -- the auction ends Thursday evening.)

eBay Find of the Day: Blanc de Chine Owl

More seasonal decor that won't make your home look like a party store exploded inside.

Perched on a table or bookshelf, this Blanc de Chine owl figurine will lend some fall flair and class up the joint a bit, too.

Current bid: $15.

Cool Stuff: Halloween Decor

I'm not really one for theme-y holiday decorating, or for spending much money on hokey Halloween accessories. A bowl full of ghostly white baby pumpkins on the table and a group of deep orangey-red and lumpy green pumpkins on the porch will do me just fine -- despite my 9-year-old daughter's valiant attempts to Halloween-ify the entire house.

But the Autumnal accents (such as the copper nest string lights, above, $29) from Smith & Hawken are pretty (and subtle) enough to keep around all season.

Orange Berry Lighted Garland, $39

Seeded Glass Pumpkin Hurricanes, $15 to $29 each

Orange Cafè Light String, $39

(Damn, I miss the Smith & Hawken outlet in Berkeley, where you used to be able to swoop in and pick up this stuff for pennies on the dollar ... )