by Kristen Bagwell

Each year, I get out my ghosts and pumpkins, fall leaves and wreaths, and then I spend the next few weeks moving them around the house one by one until Halloween has passed. Then, feeling a little bereft, I put them all back in their boxes...as though they'd been cheated somehow because I couldn't get them into just the right spots in time to really appreciate them.

With that said, it should be evident that I am not a decorator by any stretch of the imagination...I depend on the kindness of strangers, tips from stylish good friends, and the occasional fairy god-shopper. However, between those three things and this new Pinterest obsession, I have found quite a few lovely fall and Halloween decorating ideas! Here's a preview...and if you're not on Pinterest yet, email me and I'll send you an invitation.

In my head, fall decor lands in one of three categories: festive/party stuff, all-season-gets-us-to-Thanksgiving stuff, and outdoor gorgeousness. (We'll get to fun food ideas next week.) If you go to www.Pinterest.com/TriangleMOM and view our Fall/Halloween board, you'll see what I mean. Here are a few favorites from each category.

Outdoor gorgeous!
There is nothing like a wreath on the door to welcome the season. We have several ideas on Pinterest, like these from our favorite Stay at Home Rock Star. I'm not sure whether she's doing so this year, but last year Cary made and sold these wreaths (for all occasions) to fund her annual mission trip to Belize. I bet she'd do one if we asked nicely.

       

If you have the space (and the inclination), here are some more elaborate outdoor settings:







Indoor ideas
There are so many good ideas out there - mantles, nooks, corners...the list goes on! For example:






That brings us to party ideas:







And there are so many more ideas to see, share, and try! We'll be adding to this board right up until Halloween, so follow it and grab the latest ideas. Feel free to share some of your favorites in the comments below, or send them to me and I'll add on Pinterest.

Enjoy the season!