The Midwest is a fantastic place to be, especially when autumn colors swoop in for a visit. We all know the dreaded cold is a couple months away, but that doesn’t stop us from relishing in the happy oranges, golds and bright reds of fall.

This last weekend while flea market shopping (scored an awesome vintage desk chair by the way for only $10!), the warm colors and endless piles of pumpkins were lovely to see and smell. Such easy inspiration, but I’ll take it whenever and however it comes! So, here are my funky punkin and autumn inspired finds. . . I can’t help but smell apple cider and pumpkin spice as I write this. Yum.

Sentimental Journey photograph by Irene Suchocki ($30)

Autumn mixed media by LetsAllMakeBelieve ($30)

Pumpkin Man Portrait print of oil painting by CuriousPortraits ($20)

Orange Tree in the Field original acrylic by Jen O’Connell ($15)

The Acorn Queen Locket by Marisol Spoon ($35)

Abstract Fiber Bloom by Jelly Toast ($10)

Sly Fox Cushion by Jelly Toast ($23)

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share the original funky punkin inspirations I picked up along the way this weekend (warning: photos were taken with a cell phone!). And despite my lack of a front door step potential, I found a nice home for my new pumpkin additions right on the coffee table. Cute!

There’s a plethora of polished and modern products over at Burke Decor, and just because you’re reading this today, you can get an extra 15% off your purchase. Kind of a cool way to start off the week! When you checkout online, just use the promo code BRONETTE to get the discount. And yes, they want you to yell it at them that you read brönette (well, at least I do anyway)! Hooray for markdown Mondays. Maybe it’ll have to become the norm around here!

Anyspray, thought I’d take a tool around the website and preview some of their new fall products for you. I’m especially jazzed about the Thomas Paul items they’re offering, from the glasses case, to the simple yet arty mp3 case, to the lovely and extra dramatic brooch box. Yes, I will admit I’m sucker for anything brooch related, but this would be very nifty looking on my dresser! You can browse for yourself here, but I’m warning you burkeDecor.com has quite the eclectic and vast array of items from tons of designers. Have fun shopping! Oh and ps, their blog is pretty cool too!

Let’s face it, the last few weeks of summer have been of the scattered sort. Things are all over the place, not too mention all the fairs and festivals and work and weddings. So why not continue the scattered trend here? Okay, cool. Let’s.

Here are a few fresh finds that caught my eye and tickled my fancy. No reason. And really, isn’t that the best reason of all?!

First up, I’ve got sandwiches on the brain. Ever since I gathered up enough courage to try Tofurky (the smoke flavoring was a bit frightening at first), I’ve been loving my new found sandwich freedom. So what better way to celebrate that than this super-awesome lunchbox. We’ll just pretend that’s more Tofurky on the sammie there. . .

And I can’t ignore my old standby. The goodhearted pb & j. I toast you, dear friend, with this doppelgänger coin purse.

Next up, this should have been included in my CRAP stamp post earlier this month. So many frustrations, so few stamps. Thankfully we can add this WTF?! stamp to our collection. Sometimes there are just no words. . .

Okay, well there is one word. . . YUMBOTS! It’s two of my favorite things! Cupcakes and robots. Need I say more?

Okay, well yes. I need to say that if you love cupcakes too, check out the Cupcake Project. It’ll blow. Your. Mind. Peach cobbler, tiramisu, even calzone cupcakes! Crazy cakes. Literally.

And finally, before I leave you dreaming of cupcakes and WTF stamps, I give you these silhouette posties (I prefer posties to the other, more corporate term). . . they’re playful and cute, and could add that extra 50’s spark to your desk. I imagine the boy is called Billy or Johnny, and the girl, probably Gidget. She’ll surely help you to not forget the milk! And ain’t that swell.

Sometimes there’s really nothing left to say, and all you really need is a simple stamp with a simple expression for how you might be feeling. No questions asked. Good thing I’ve found this “CRAP” stamp.

Perfect for times when either a) you feel your work is crap and you might as well save the editor the trouble of stamping it themselves, or b) whatever you’re reading is total crap and you don’t have the time or energy to go into more detail. I mean, the little boxes explaining what sort of crap it is are very useful. There’s the crap on a stick variety, or crap on the loose is a good option too.

While we’re at it, how about we just file the crap on our desk according to what it really is at its core, and put post-it notes on future crap. Good plan. Good plan. And for all that other stuff, there’s the “BLAH BLAH BLAH” stamp. There! Now your desk is stocked and ready with all the supplies you’ll ever need.

I’m sure you’ve had a similar conversation over beers. . . you know the one, where friends and new pals sit around and try to guess what instrument the other played in school. Between band and orchestra, if you played one, chances are you were a dork or geek in some form or fashion.  Right on, I say! And I, for many serious reasons only a 10 year old can think of, chose to play the cello. Needless to say, I still think any string instrument is not only beautiful to hear, but more than easy on the eyes. I suppose we’ll always be orchestra nerds and band geeks at heart!

But geek or not, these framed vintage violin forms from Jayson Home & Garden would make anyone stop and stare. The design is not too over the top or in your face. . . instead it’s a simple, quiet nod to the beauty these instruments exude, and what’s not to like about that? They’re full of history and well, they’re just plain pretty, let’s face it. I’d love to see more forms framed too. . . could you imagine a big ole’ bass form hanging on your wall? Now that would be totally cool. Bum bum bum. . . buuuuuummmm.

Air plant pods. Er, come again? Yes, you heard right. . . these are air plant pods created and patented by Denver’s own Michael McDowell of Mudpuppy. One glimpse of these weirdo plants and their matching upside down homes and you’ll be struck by the strange, yet appealing cacti like tentacles climbing out of the ceramic pot they hang from.

Goodness is it curious looking, but that’s what makes it worth having. I mean, those long alien fingers sprouting down from the ceiling really could be quite fetching, in a way. Also known more generally as tillandsia, these special air plants can grow up or down, left or right I suppose. And the sleek pods with the twine like cord give them extra punch of clever design.

Happy 2nd birthday to brönette!!!

Somebody’ an official terrible TWO!

Okay, who doesn’t love a play on words?! Especially when it’s in reference to a matryoshka tea set???!!! There’s so much to adore here, I don’t even know where to begin. How about the fact that the tea cups are the nesting dolls head, cleverly placed right on top of the tea pot? So simple, yet so genius. I love it! Get your very own St. TEA-tersburg tea set HERE.

My friends over at Ript Apparel are celebrating their very first birthday today. Congratulations fellas on a job well done! Your oodles and oodles of funky, original tee offerings and the artists you feature make the world a better (more stylish) place. I’m grateful you and your fabulous ideas were born!

And of course, just because it’s their birfday, it doesn’t mean the creative t-shirt train has to stop. Check out today’s tee. . . a spry, bagpipe playing Scotopus designed by the talented Dave Perillo. Cool!

That iPad sure does look cool, no? All those fun things you can do, like giant e-mails and full-scale Tetris. If only you had an extra $600+ to spare, right? Well in the meantime, while you save your pennies, there’s a Notepod with your name on it. I mean, do you even remember what it’s like to write on paper? So here’s your chance to exercise those motor skills again, but still look techy cool when you pull out your Notepod grocery list at the store.

Available in pod or pad size, have fun getting to know your pen again. Woo hoo for pens and paper!

Jess Wainer’s carved chrysanthemum vases are absolutely divine. They’re whimsical and modern all at the same time; one of the best combinations for home accessories. Not too grandma, and not too cold. . . as Goldilocks would say, just the right size, or I mean style.

The colors and intricate design are what make me want to take a pottery class. So yay, beginning on Mondays that’s just what I’ll be doing. But don’t expect something like this! We’ll leave that to Jess Wainer. For more of her collection, visit her site on Supermarket here.

Sweden’s Dasrotesrabbit has a brilliant eye for color and and a wicked sense of design. I really love the way each piece pops and engages the eye. . . like the “OK” illustration below. Is that a lemon, or a bird, or both?? I don’t really know, and actually, I don’t really care, because it’s so cool! And the giant blackbird in heels? I mean come on, how nifty would that look on your wall?!

Check out more of Dasrotesrabbit’s work on Etsy or on their blog here.  There’s definitely a lot to be inspired by, as you can already see!

The “stuff made from stuff” motto by PixelThis on Etsy is simple, but so effective. Especially thanks to this cool wheel clock, I must say. Reusing and up-cycling worn out or broken items is always a great start to designing something not only meaningful, but unique for your home. And this clock is a wheel winner in that respect. . .

And instead of using wheels, a shiny gear crank is another awesome way to view time, even if it’s rolling by too fast or as slow as drying paint. It’ll be fun to watch tick by!

Opticwaste has a fantastic spin on the antique art of silhouettes. Inspired by vintage art, quiet corners and bird wings, Ellen of Opticwaste has made her own series with a very charming and admirable twist. You may think at first glance, these are just another copy of what’s been done for hundreds of years. But if you look again there’s an entertaining edge to each, with the story discretely placed on the back of the frame.

From Uncle George to cousin Clara and her hoop skirts, I love them and the stories they inspire. It definitely gets the imagination going! Oh the webs we could weave. . .

“Emma and the hornet god got on well. Perhaps too well.”

“Beatrice neglected to read the full list of exotic ingredients in her favorite perfume. This was to have alarming consequences.”

“Lisette Landry, the famed bird hypnotist.”

“Uncle George and the spider surprise!”

“Cousin Clara had occasion to reflect that storing her hoop skirts in the attic was perhaps not the best idea.”

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Also interesting to note, the frames are re-purposed and gently distressed by Ellen the artist, and have no glass. Each one is mounted on bamboo paper, a very green and renewable resource.

W Records by Monkey, one of the coolest home and style accessory teams around, are celebrating Earth Day the only way they know how. . . with amazing cuffs and pendants made from recycled vinyl records. Check out this limited edition and inspiring green collection here.

Available only from April 21 – 30th,  the cuffs and pendant are a must-have to not only show your support for our precious Earth and all its splendor (yes I said splendor!), but also to show your support for independent design and music. So you best get on it, I know I am. Only 9 days left to get your hands on this super cool collection!