Seasonal Sentiments August 2025 Rewind

Hi friend, can you believe how quickly August flew by?

We soaked up every bit of summer with pool days, Disney fun, and a few exciting projects around the house.

Now, as we turn the corner into September, I’m starting to feel those first hints of fall and can’t wait to bring you along for all the cozy changes ahead.

But first, let’s rewind and take a look back at everything that happened in August—behind the scenes, on the blog, and beyond!

WHAT WE DID BEHIND THE SCENES IN AUGUST

Quality Time With Friends

August kicked off with such a treat—two of my best friends from Kentucky, Missy and Kim, came to visit!

They both work at schools and enjoy coming to Florida for one last hurrah before returning to work.

We shopped ‘til we dropped at Disney Springs and the Mall at Millenia, and we had the best time helping Kim hunt for the perfect mother-of-the-bride dress.

In between, we squeezed in plenty of meals out, pool time, several walks, and a trip to the Winter Garden Farmers Market.

It was the perfect mix of fun, laughter, and relaxation.

Lunch With a Fellow Blogger

Another highlight of the month was meeting Rachel from The Antiqued Journey in person!

I call her the “thrifting queen,” and she is one of my main inspirations for successful thrifting!

We’ve been blog friends for years—chatting online, texting, and even phone calls—so sitting down to lunch with her and her husband felt like reconnecting with an old friend.

Rich and I had a great time getting to know them better while they were vacationing in Florida.

A Magical Day at Hollywood Studios

Later in the month, Missy came back to Florida with another friend to spend four days at Disney World, and of course, we couldn’t resist joining them for part of a day!

We met up at Hollywood Studios and had an absolute blast.

The best part?

Spotting Mando and Grogu—I’m telling you, Disney days never get old.

Treasure Hunting at Renningers

We also squeezed in another successful yard sale day at Renningers!

I couldn’t believe some of the bargains I found—like a set of four Williams Sonoma plates and bowls for only $5.

The glass vase with a wicker pedestal was just $1 and can double as a cloche.

I also scored a $1 box with coasters that’s getting a fresh coat of paint for the living room.

Even the small decorative balls I picked up are already painted and styled on our mantel.

I’m especially excited about the architectural salvage pieces and a swan that I plan to transform for our upcoming half bath makeover.

All in all, August was a busy but wonderful month, and I’m so grateful for the special memories and fun projects it brought our way.

Floating Ghost Bookends

Rich has been having fun with his 3-D printer again, and this time he made the cutest floating ghost bookends!

You all, they are so adorble and not only do they look like they’re floating in air, they light up too!

It’s amazing what you can create with a printer like that—such a fun way to add a playful touch to our fall decor.

A Downton Abbey Marathon

On quieter evenings this month, Rich and I have been rewatching every episode of Downton Abbey (plus the first two movies!) to get ready for the big grand finale movie coming on September 12th.

You can see the trailer for the movie here!

I’m eager to see how it all unfolds!

Did you know that there will be a special on TV on September 10th?

WHAT WE DID ON THE BLOG IN August

If you missed anything on the blog this month, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!

August was filled with fun DIY projects, decorating ideas, and helpful organizing tips.

Here’s a quick look back:

DIY Projects

• Turn a Frame Into a Tray – I gave an old frame new life as a stylish tray, and it turned out so cute. Plus, you can see what my friends from the Handcrafted Society created!
• Transform Frames Into Art – Another budget-friendly makeover—see how I repurposed frames to create custom artwork.
• Neutral Fall Wreath – This wreath is the perfect way to transition your home from summer to fall with soft, natural tones.
• PB-Inspired Ghost Decor – A fun Halloween project you can make with inexpensive items from Dollar Tree.
• Cabinets and Shelves That Look Custom – We shared the first part of our feature wall project, showing how to build cabinets and shelves with IKEA items.

Decorating Ideas

• Living Room Makeover – Take a look at our refreshed living room and discover all the little details that make it feel cozy and inviting.

Organization Tips

• Jewelry Organization Ideas – If your jewelry is in a tangle, this post offers simple, stylish solutions to get everything in order.

INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WEB

I always love seeing what other creatives are up to, and this month I came across so many great ideas that I just had to share with you.

If you’re looking for a little early fall inspiration, these posts are full of it:

• 7 Beautiful Organics to Help Decorate for Early Fall – Bring nature inside with simple, earthy touches.
• Organizing an Intentional and Purpose-Filled September – Practical tips to start the month with focus and clarity.
• 5 Thrifted Fall Decor Ideas – You’ll want to keep an eye out for these budget-friendly finds!
• 50 Best Fall Porch Decor Ideas to Welcome Autumn – So many creative ideas to make your front porch feel festive and inviting.
• Easy Inexpensive Fall Crafts You Can Make in an Afternoon – Quick DIY projects that are perfect for a cozy craft day.

Favorite Seasonal Finds

One of my favorite parts of a new season is browsing all the pretty new home decor that hits the shelves.

This month, I couldn’t resist rounding up some of my top picks from the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia line at Target.

They always nail that cozy, timeless look that works in any home, and the fall collection is no exception.

I pulled together 12 of my favorites—from versatile pieces you can use year after year to a few special accents that instantly bring in those autumn vibes.

A heads-up: these items tend to sell out quickly, so if you see something you love, don’t hesitate to snag it!

Click on the blue links below the picture to get details for each item!

Plaid Runner | Woven Charger | Set of 4 Wavy Berry Bowls

Black Plum Leaf Stem | Table Lamp | Tray with Handles

Plaid Cloth Napkins | Wood Bowl | Wood & Brass Twine Holder

Floor Taper Candlestick | Spindle Sculpted Candle | Pleated Ceramic Vase

HOME ORGANIZATION WEEKLY TASK

The end of August marks the conclusion of the Summer Home Organization Challenge.

But we’ll start the fall challenge soon!

Remember, now is the perfect time to organize the entertaining spaces of your home before the holidays arrive!

Here are some suggestions for spaces you can work on during September!

• Week 36- Entryways
• Week 37- Dining Room
• Week 38- Living Room
• Week 39- Family Room/Play Room

POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE FROM OUR ARCHIVES

If you’re starting to think about cozy fall days ahead, I’ve rounded up a few favorite posts from past seasons that you might enjoy revisiting:

DIY

Pretty Fall Pottery Barn Pumpkin Wreath Dupe – A budget-friendly take on a classic Pottery Barn favorite that will look gorgeous inside your home or on your front door.

Decor

Fall Home Tour with Simple Decor Ideas – Join me on a walk-through of our home, styled with easy touches that bring warmth and autumn charm.

Organize

Fun Fall Bucket List for the Best Autumn Ever – Make the most of the season with this family-friendly list of activities you’ll want to check off.

Final Thoughts

As we say goodbye to August and welcome September, we’re so excited for all the cozy fall projects, decorating ideas, and organizing tips to come.

Thank you for spending a little time with us today—it means so much to share these moments, both big and small, with you.

We hope you head into the new season feeling inspired to make your home a place you truly love.

We’ll look forward to seeing you back again on September 30th for our next Seasonal Sentiments Rewind Newsletter!

Blessings, Donna and Rich