A cozy fall centerpiece

Hello, and happy October, everyone!

I'm totally slacking at my fall "mantel," but I did manage to fall-ify the dining room table, so I had to show it off.

I used a table runner I bought last year from Target; it's got a bit of a sparkle, but is otherwise pretty neutral, so I love using it. I filled the Pottery Barn lantern I scored for a good deal with some orange and white mini pumpkins -- I'm swooning over it!

To complement my mini-pumpkin masterpiece, I scattered some pine cones I collected from the yard last year, as well as mini pine cones, cinnamon sticks and dried cranberries from some potpourri I have. I also added a few orange-hued and clear tealight holders.

I wrapped the clear tealight holders in pieces of bark I brought back from our summer camping trip. No, I didn't pull the bark off a tree -- I found it along the beach; the tree it was on had rotted away, but the bark was intact and had dried in these really cool curliques that made it easy to wrap it around the tealight holders. I love the texture it adds, and that you can see the opposite side of the bark too.

I'm really loving this autumn look! It's warm and cozy and the perfect backdrop for a yummy fall meal, like a roasted pork loin with sweet potatoes and apples. Yum yum!!

The only thing I bought were the pumpkins, which were only a few dollars at the grocery store, of all places. I hope they last me through the month, but we'll see.

Here's a look at the dining room table before, when it was decorated for spring. I did decorate it for summer, but it was very simple, so I never showed it to you, I don't think.

BEFORE

And now, one last time!

Have you done your fall decorating yet, or are you behind like me? I'm hoping to tackle my "mantle" (I say mantle in quotes because it's really floating shelves!) this week...I'd love to see your fall decorating, so leave a comment with a link back to you! Maybe your creativity will rub off on me :)

P.S. You might notice my blog has a new header now! Let me know what you think of it -- I'd love to hear your feedback!

Linking up!