Earlier this week, I shared my favorite fall candles, but Chris loves to whip up a stove top potpourri occasionally. Potpourri’s are great if we are having friends or family over with sensitivities to candles or we’re having a party with a lot of kids around and the candles might get knocked over or blown out (Faye says “happy birthday!” before blowing out my candles every time). Here’s his go-to recipe for fall:
Add the water to a pot over medium heat. Cut the peel from the orange and then cut the orange in half. Core the apple. Squeeze the orange halves into the water to add the juice, then drop the orange halves in, along with the apple and all the other ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce to low heat and allow to steep on low. Do not allow the pan to boil dry – add more water if needed.
We like to steep it until the water reduces down to about half, then we’ve been known to fill it up again and reduce it once more–it still gives off a lot of delicious fragrance. Let us know if you try it!
Other fun things this week!
An embarrassing thing about me is every fall, I’m still wearing a brown puffer vest I got in 9th grade from American Eagle. It’s time to upgrade this obvious staple in my wardrobe and I am eyeing this one. hard.
“Hi, I’m a part time teacher with a budget of $5 million.” –the funniest round up of every couple on HGTV shows
We’ve gotten so many questions about the new end table in the living room. It’s actually this small sideboard! It’s an incredible piece of furniture. I have a full post coming up next week about all the little changes in the living room.
A little bit ago, I sent for some glasses to try on from Warby Parker. Have you heard of them? You can pick up to five frames from their site to try on at home–for free! It’s so much less pressure than going into an office and a lot more convenient with kids, too. This week, after my 7 year old glasses finally broke, I sent for the Durand style glasses in Whiskey Tortoise.
I love that Sarah is using Semihandmade doors in her new kitchen (we used them in the Pittsburgh kitchen and we’re using them in the office, too!). And I lo-ove that she painted them green! (No, I have never looked that cute painting anything.)
After seeing Kirsten’s front door (above), I found and ordered this little 2×4 buffalo check rug in a heartbeat–can’t beat $27!
Hope you have a wonderful fall weekend! We’re loving this 60 degree weather.
I hate to comment here but wasn’t sure what else to do as I wasn’t sure you’d get my comment on your etsy shop location… I received my gorgeous print and it was bent! Am I just SOL? :(
I just got your email! I’m contacting my printer right now. Not acceptable! If you could email your order, name and address to julia@chrislovesjulia.com we’ll get it all sorted out. So sorry, Libby!
Wow, you have expensive taste and a big budget. That vest is quite spendy. ouch…. same for the sideboard.
The last vest I bought, I wore for 15 years, so I think it’s okay to invest a little more money in staple pieces.
Thanks for the potpourri recipe! Now if it ever gets cool enough to feel like fall!!!
Love the buffalo check look. For anyone who wants an outdoor friendly version, Williams Sonoma has a 40 dollar navy coir one! Link: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/buffalo-plaid-doormat/?pkey=e%7Cplaid%2Bdoor%2Bma%7C34%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C4&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH
Oh man, that’s adorable!
I love the layered rug look! Thanks for finding a cheaper version. But is the check rug safe for outdoors? Are you just planning on bringing it in during rain/snow?
Our front porch is completely covered.
Ah – that makes sense. Thanks for the response. Ours is just a little portico and I’m afraid the rug won’t survive fall/winter in Seattle :(