Autumn's Arrival!

It's finally here! Fall's first official day for 2010! I don't know about you, but I am so ready to do some fall clean up in my closet, my house, my life! I love how the color of everything is starting to change just a little...

...from summer pinks to jolts of yummy oranges, persimmons and pumpkins!

The flowers and leaves change into golden and burnt sienna, and all this makes me want to regroup, think about fall festivities and the anticipation of what's to come! Even a trip to the grocery store looks and smells different than just a few weeks ago. Gone are the watermelons and cantaloupes up front, to squashes, cinnamon brooms and baking supplies, not to mention the Halloween candy we always buy way too early, only to gobble it up ourselves and having to buy more for the little ghouls who show up at our door!

It may still be in the low 90's where we live, but I'm sooo ready...aren't you? I hope you'll be inspired to visit a few of these great vendors and start enjoying the colors of Autumn, beginning with some incredible orange surprises!

If you don't know about the wonderful Sande at The Gift Wrapped Life, you must read this divine post on regifting the beautiful Hermes gift box shown above. This lady does the most incredible wrapping of presents and just browsing her beautiful site is such a wonderful treat! Need help finding the perfect item for a special someone? She is the go-to lady, with not only wonderful merchandise that she can send for you, but also delicious wrappings and ribbons for you to purchase! Get yourself a hot cup of tea and your favorite biscotti and spend some time here for planning your holiday gift list. She also just returned from a whirlwind trip to Paris and has fun photos and stories to share. She's one of my favorites!

Another favorite blogger and seller of mine is Lynn from Paris Hotel Boutique. This talented lady has been featured and published in many magazines, online and other periodicals. She has some of the most interesting items in her online store, and I love to spend time browsing through her site and learning so much about antique items...she really does do her homework! I couldn't resist showing you this fabulous hat that pays homage to Hermes. The hatbox is super, too, from I. Magnin. I used to love getting their catalogs, especially this time of year, preparing for the holidays with the most divine party dresses!

I am LOVING this yummy wrap coat in the freshest shade of orange. Even the lining is in this beautiful shade! The grey faux fur is the perfect color complement and I can just imagine turning up the collar to keep the away the chill. Please visit The Tulip Tree and see her other amazing items!

I am so loving this crazy vinyl carry on bag! Talk about retro...yet looks so cool to carry now! This store, Dahlila Found, is quite large this seller really has a stylist eye for what is great and right on trend. Can you believe this used to be a case for an adding machine? I would so use this for travel or just carrying around all the stuff we seem to need every day.

Retro Threadz has THE coolest accessories and fashion store! These killer go-go boots are vintage 1960's and are half leather and half suede, with fun decorative detail. How fun are these?

OK, people! This is a Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, fully lined, wool dress! This could be one A-MA-ZING piece for the right fashionista. Belted, shortened, or worn open as a jacket...some lucky lady needs to do this piece justice and this season! It's from Pretty Damn Cute, and yes it is!

Wow! Be prepared to spend some time at Fabulous Facets! These people are not messing around when they say they specialize in unusual vintage and estate jewelry! This to-die-for brooch is by the great Kenneth Jay Lane, who did (and does) the best costume pieces for the rich and famous. The Duchess of Windsor, Jackie Kennedy and Sophia Loren are all fashion icons who could afford any jewelry they wanted...but these style makers wanted KJL! This is another site to learn lots and spend a worthwhile time enjoying! DE-VINE!

Until the weather really turns crisp and cool, you might want just a lightweight trench to throw on with your jeans and casual top, like this great London Fog classic trench coat. Don't you love how some things just never go out of style? From Stiletto Girl.

You could jazz up the trench and jeans with a wonderful vintage statement making necklace, like this "Now This Is Fall" look from Oh Two Vintage. You gotta love a girl whose store motto is "Rescuing Vintage One Piece At A Time"!

These groovy earrings are from another huge store called Vintage Eye Fashion! Notice the gold chains from which the hoops dangle. With all the coral colors being shown at New York Fashion Week, it looks like they would be right on trend for next spring and summer, too!

I just could not leave out this orange beaded purse from Basya Berkman! Don't you think this would be a great evening bag...just for fun!

Ok, maybe this obi sash is a little difficult to wear, but what a great shot of color for your home! I love Asian influence in interiors and this could be just the jolt of color your room needs, from Global Texture.

You could always add a fun retro tripod lamp from Mary Had A Little Lamp! Too cute! She even suggests using this piece in a child's room.

Boy, does this item bring back memories. I still love to fondue occasionally, and what a delightful evening to invite a few friends over for dinner and great conversation on a brisk Fall night! Very romantic, too! This bold one is from Avenue J.

How about these hip canisters to brighten a corner in your kitchen. This time of year always makes me want to cook and bake, and these, available from Retroburgh, would just enhance the mood and make cooking tasks more enjoyable.

So long as you are cooking and having friends over for fondue, why not just bring out this vintage punch set for some apple cider. This is from the 1940's and has all twelve glasses and the bowl stand still with it. Visit Stellaranae to see more about it.

You could serve your fondue sauces in this bright nesting bowls with gold leaf designs. These are offered from Vintage NH.

If you are crafty and talented like my sweetie, you might want to spend chilly evenings at home making your own jewelry from beautiful coral colored glass beads from Black Star Beads. These are German from the 1950's.

Gotta run! I've got a fondue party to plan!

Lee Ann