Crafting with Claire: Fall Tablescape

““Design is coming to grips with one’s real lifestyle, one’s real place in the world. Rooms should not be put together for show but to nourish one’s well-being.””

— Albert Hadley

Claire Jackson is such a refreshing part of our Bustle family. When she isn’t wowing us with her endearing creativity, she is spending time with her sweet husband, Dan, and their two precious children, Eleanor and Henry.

We all know someone who makes decorating look effortless. Claire is THAT person. Everything she touches turns into a Pinterest ad and we love her for it. While we can’t all be a “Claire", at Bustle we want to make the art of creativity attainable for everyone. That’s why Claire has made it her personal goal to curate crafts that we can all partake in. Every season, she will lead us in a step-by-step guide through the latest diy trends. Whether you’re crafting with kiddos or by yourself with a glass of wine, we hope you enjoy this pretty piece of mindfulness

This season’s Crafts with Claire is a beautiful greeting to the start of the holidays. What better way to nourish our loved ones over the holiday season than with an engaging tablescape. With so many of us gathered around the table to fill our stomachs with good food this Thanksgiving, we love the notion that we can fill our hearts with good too.

In this blog, Claire will guide us through her process in the art of the perfect autumnal tablescape.  

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tablescape: noun [C] US / ‘tei.bel.skeip /

- an activity involving the setting of themed dining tables in artful, decorative ways for social events

Step 1: Use a simple table runner or fold a larger one as the base for your table 

Step 2: Find a large vase or flower pot (with no hole in the bottom) and fill it with greenery

Step 3: Add small pumpkins, gourds, or even fruit like pears and pomegranates along the length of your table for color and texture

Step 4: Add some greenery along the length of your table as well to fill in the gaps. I recommend eucalyptus (it looks pretty even when dried) 

Step 5: Add taper candles to give your table a festive feel!

Step 6: Add plates and napkins - I love using napkin rings to make my table nice and neat (and to really highlight those pretty napkins)

We would love to see your autumnal tablescapes and how you make this your own! Be sure to tag us on instagram (@bustlegowns) when you post.

Wishing you and your loved ones the sweetest fall season! Happy Tablescaping!

BEST FALL COFFEE IN BIRMINGHAM

Summer is subtly sliding out the back door and we are welcoming the first fallen leaves of October like a beloved house guest. As the morning air gets a little cooler and we find ourselves stepping into our fall folklore era, we thought taking an autumnal coffee tour around Birmingham would be the perfect way to say hello to our favorite season. 

The fall coffee menus around town have us craving puddles of cashmere sweaters and freshly lit candles. Whether you’re a PSL praiser or could go with a little less gourd, we found flavor profiles to comfort every tastebud.

The Sweet Potato Chai and Caramel Spice Latte at Domestique

We fell so hard for the Sweet Potato Chai. This masterpiece is a comforting blend of sweet potato puree and homemade chai that will have you craving a fire place and the smell of crisp book pages. While every drink on our list can be served iced, we think this beverage is absolutely best served hot. A cup of cozy for one, please!

The Caramel Spice Latte was everything we needed it to be sans pumpkin - perfectly sweet with depth. This latte is a delicious escape of housemade caramel with cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.

The Apple Crisp Latte at O’Henry’s

The Apple Crisp Latte is a rich, buttery latte with an aromatic blend of apples and cinnamon. Made with steamed oat milk for a cozy finish. We got this beverage iced because you can’t go to the O’Henry’s in Highland Park without taking a stroll through the park. The perfect comforting treat!

The Fall Menu at The Valley Hotel in SOHO

Deciding on one of these lattes was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make since trying to pick a favorite Taylor Swift album. We eventually narrowed it down to trying Scarecrow, Sweater Weather, and Bonfire!

Sweater Weather was the perfect latte for anyone who doesn’t want to be hit across the face with sugar. While Bonfire was RICH in the best way. The chocolate flavor was decadent and the marshmallow cuts into that richness and leaves you with the most nostalgic flavor combination.

Our favorite was absolutely the Scarecrow! Praline is a flavor you don’t often find in lattes and this drink left us feeling like we should be at home with a cozy cat, writing in our journal - GOOD VIBES.

Is there anything you think we should add to this fall coffee list? What should we try next?? Let us know in the comments or over on instagram!