Hello Friends! This is one of those, "Stop and smell the roses" posts. Even though the blooms have all faded and summer has come to a close, we can still draw inspiration from flowers because stores still stock plenty that you can bring indoors to add color long after your garden has faded.

It is during these busy autumn days that we need some time outs, wouldn't you agree? Time to notice the subtle seasonal changes and time to enjoy what is left of summer’s bounty. I feel like I am writing this post primarily for myself as I only have a few moments to sit in between getting my son down for his nap, doing the fifth load of laundry, figuring out what is for dinner and then picking my daughter up from school. We all have our various forms of daily madness and hence the need for a moment or two of quiet solitude (if we are lucky).

Creativity needs these moments.

We need these spaces in our day to take a deep breath and notice some leaves or the color of some petals or whatever else nature is offering us. Since work is important and many of you cannot go outside right now and find some flowers to smell, I thought I would gather up some of my floral photographs from the past for you to enjoy. Hopefully this brief pause will help give you some creative ideas or at least a little break from your daily routine. It is pleasure to be back here on decor8 after taking a mini break this summer to travel, and I will see you here soon with my usual Color Me Pretty column later this month.

Until then, take good care. - Leslie Shewring.

(text, styling + photos: leslie shewring from a creative mint)