Fall is here! The sun is back out after a period of gray and rain with temps that are cool and bright blue skies. Fall in northern Germany looks and feels just like what I'm used to back home in Boston. I was surprised when I relocated and realized that New England autumns and Northern German autumns are the same - including the gorgeous foliage and for this I am so grateful! To capture some of the season's gorgeousness, I'll spend the next few hours strolling the city, parks and forest nearby to collect fallen objects and then, head to the flower shop for snowberry (German: Schneebeeren) branches. I adore their round, fleshy bulbs and their slightly pink tint. In a tall vase, they  look quite striking on the dining table - which is exactly where I intend to display them. Do you love them, too? Before I go, I simply must share a few lovely things I've had in my shopping cart over for a few days now since I'd love to create a fall table around a blue & green theme. Why these colors for fall? Blue is a direct translation of the sky and the green leads us in the holiday season with its pines and lush greenery. I'm thinking to organize a special family dinner before the baby's arrival to gather everyone for an inspiring meal. Thanksgiving isn't celebrated in Germany (obviously), so it's also a way that I can host something festive in November that makes me feel like I'm home again. Some of my favorite things for a table spread are shown above. I hope that you enjoy them!

1. This tablecloth would be my foundation piece. I'd use neon green fabric paint and a very fine tip brush to highly a few rims on the plates and patterns here and there. That's a nice way to customize a covering like this. When I saw it I immediately thought of my younger years when I was a coloring book addict! 2. I'd then cut this chalkboard table runner in half (width-wise) and lay it down the center to add some drama and to eliminate the need of using placemats. I'd write everyone's name with chalk above their plates in chalk (maybe lime green?) in my best swirly handwriting, directly onto the table runner. It's all about the unexpected touches, right?  3. Next, I'd add these animal head vases to display down the center of the table. I would prop them on antique books of varying heights to add dimension and drama and fill them with various berries and dark, dramatic dahlias. 4. I'd add linen napkins with a yellow neon border to top each plate, tied with some twine with a small stem of berry tucked inside from the animal vase arrangements. Neon yellow will further lift the palette and bring out some of the green foliage in the vases.

5. I'd mix and match these dinner plates. 6. I'd pull a nice mix of stemware together, like this gathering along with 7. these to add a quirky touch. 8. I'd place a cushion or two on my chairs to bring in more color and fun pattern. And finally... I'd add tea lights in simple glass votives dotted around to set the mood and my playlist would include: Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood... The song featured in this AMAZING video below...

Do you plan to entertain in November? What type of party will you host? Do you have an idea as to a particular theme you'd like to try?

xo, Holly

(images: anthropologie)