Fall? It's Still 100 Degrees

The forecast promises temperatures below 100 this week, so I pulled out the fall decorations. One thing I detest about AZ is the lack of fall--no sweater weather, no falling leaves. Nothing. But at least I can make it look like it's crisp outside.

Here's a look at my living room mantel.  It's hard to get a good shot of the entire fireplace, since it's partially blocked by an enormous black piano.  

 My goal this fall was to buy no new items and see what I could do.  I almost made it--the only thing I bought was the berry sprigs--a rope of about 100 sprigs for $17.99, and they've made an appearance just about everywhere in the house.

 I wrapped a few around candles, tucked another few under vases. I used my burlap scraps from my guest room curtains (described here) as a makeshift mantel scarf, and I love the texture.

 I asked for a little photography assistance in this post, and I listened.  I read the first few lessons on 3 Boybarians, I messed with the shutter speed, and I used my 50 mm lens.  I couldn't be happier.

 This old scale may be my new favorite thing--that and my 50 mm lens.

Who would have thought I already had all this cuteness in my fall decorations and in my tchotchke closet (closet described here)?  

Linking up to My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and Sugar Bee Take-a-Look Tuesday.