Corpse Flower

I had the opportunity to view the Corpse Flower in bloom at the US Botanic Garden in DC. This was the first time this particular plant has bloomed and it took the plant six year to create this bloom. In two weeks the plant grew 54 inches. The name of the flower is derived from the putrid smell the bloom emits which is used to attract pollinators such as flies and beetles. The smell can be compared to rotting flesh or garbage sitting in the heat. We saw the bloom 10 hours after it initially opened and by that time the smell was faint due to the air circulation of visitors in the greenhouse. So much energy is used to grow and bloom that this magnificent bloom only lasts 24-48 hours. 

 (Amorphophallus titanum)

Standing tall at 88 inches

A botanical artist, Mara Menahan was on site the entire week prior to the bloom and during the bloom to capture this magnificent event

The US Botanic Garden in DC is located near the Capitol building. 

Decorating with Persimmons

Persimmons look like a cross between a tangerine and a kumquat but have an indentation and the distinct "dried leaf". I feel like Thanksgiving decor can be tough since people are so eager to get into Christmas decor, but with persimmons, you can easily transition from fall into Christmas and continue using your persimmons paired with pomegranates, cranberries, evergreens or magnolia leaves. I loved some of these ideas since a few of these inspirations can use items from the grocery store or perhaps your yard to decorate for fall. Look for some berries, twigs, pine cones, duty miller or mums and make a nice Thanksgiving centerpiece, wreath or decor for your mantel. 

What are some natural elements you are using for your Thanksgiving centerpiece this year?

Persimmons with dusty miller and orange mums in a wooden bowl make a beautiful centerpiece from Santa Barbara Chic

Create this rustic Thanksgiving centerpiece using brown craft paper for the table runner, walnuts painted gold and persimmons with greenery from remodelista 

Julie Blanner's "5 Minute Tablesetting" uses tangerines but you could substitute persimmons, add a few pinecones and greenery

Persimmons, spanish moss, cranberries, artichokes and succulents create this earthey centepiece from Weddingomania

Beautiful rustic urn with persimmons from Cermony Magazine

Lone persimonns on plates make a bold impact and provide the pop of color from Country Living

If you are lucky enough to find persimmons on the branch or if you grow them you can put them in a vase on your mantel or side table from BHG

Persimmons filled to the brim of this antique silver trophy is a great pop of color for fall and transitioning into Christmas from Savor Home

Wreath with persimmons (or kumquats hard to tell) provide pop of color to the dark door from Alice Lane Home

Magnolia wreath with persimmones and pomegranites could go from fall to Christmas with a new bow and if desired a few evergreen sprigs with this wreath from BHG

"Public Service Annoucement"

Illustrated Bites

Creepy Crawly Decor by Jennifer Angus

Yes continuing with the odd decor themes for the week of Halloween. Todays post is featuring an artist who uses insect bodies to make pretty intricate wall patterns.

Jennifer Angus is a design professor at the University of Wisconsin but she is also an international "insect" artist who creates installations composed of insects pinned directly to wallpaper and textiles.

You may think you know what you are looking at, just patterned wallpaper, but upon closer examination, one discovers that it is entirely made up of insects. Actual insect bodies are used, they remain unpainted but showcased in their natural form to create beautiful design illusions to bring out our inner insect loving child days. She uses these exhibits to showcase beautiful insects from around the world  in an artist's exhibition form, but to also teach about forest and rainforest preservation and to help individuals think about their own environment and behavior. Read here for more detail on her ethical use of the insects.

Fungus Among Us

Ok I had to do Mushroom Love Part II. Since my last post showed how I used some mushroom decor in mine and my mother-in law's house, but here are some other great inspirations using mushrooms. Do you have mushroom love yet, like me? 

Live mushrooms growing on wood with instructions from Design Sponge.

Mushroom in apothecary as table centerpiece from Event Decorator

Mushroom decor around the fireplace mantel

Simple moss and mushroom in white bowl as centerpiece from Martha Stewart

Cake stand with assorted mosses and mushrooms from BHG

Birch tops with moss and mushrooms from Martha Stewart

Assorted frame vintage style mushroom prints from The Kitchn

Vintage Prints from Two Cats Antique Prints at Etsy

Mushroom Love

 I wanted something fall like, but a tad bit different so I went into my yard and found some different mosses and made a little woodsy table centerpiece using 3 tiered cake stands and some of the mushrooms I brought back from Germany last year.

Here are some more great ideas using mushrooms!

Decorative mushrooms on top of mushroom books

Add a mushroom to your planter

Wooden hand carved mushrooms on a side table