Month: October 2024

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Pairings: Arizona Autumn + Fall Decor

I’ve paired nine shots of Arizona fall color with Etsy finds that match their autumn vibes! Each pair is a place to go along with fall-inspired decor and other fun stuff.

You can see more on Etsy’s Fall Decor Essentials guide or check out my personal picks.

 

Fall leaves at Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Artificial stems with fall foliage in a glass jar vase
Six fall foliage stems from BoutiqueBarn in New Hampshire.

1. Fiery Orange Trees + Stems

Go: Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona

Every fall, this Chinese Pistache Tree at Boyce Thompson Arboretum turns brilliant shades of orange. You can see it from far away, as it stands out from the green leaves of trees surrounding it.

BTA is a great day trip from the Phoenix area! It’s just about 45 minutes from the East Valley via US 60.

Get it: Rustic Fall Branch

In similarly striking oranges and yellows, you could use these fall foliage stems as part of a flower arrangement or on their own, grouped together to make a standout seasonal centerpiece.

    • At 24 inches tall, they could really add some height to your Thanksgiving tablescape!
    • Sourced by BoutiqueBarn + shipping from New Hampshire.

 

Tree stump with small mushrooms growing on it.

shelves that look like mushrooms
Ceramic floating shelves made by LeilyCloud

2. Stump Mushrooms + Wall Mushrooms

Go: Summerhaven, Mount Lemmon near Tucson

I wasn’t planning on taking a photo of a tree stump while I was admiring the view from Mount Lemmon. Then I noticed teeny – almost cute – little mushrooms growing out of it, and those needed to be captured!

Get it: Mushroom Shelves

I don’t think I’ve seen anything like these mushroom shelves! They are the result of a husband and wife collaboration. She makes the ceramic mushrooms, and he designed a metal mount that allows you to hang them on almost any type of interior wall. Their shop has a variety of mushroom hooks, floating shelves, and even a mushroom soap dish!

    • Waterproof.
    • Designed to hold up to 8 lbs.

 

butterflies on a plant with yellow flowers

plantable card with butterflies on the front
Handmade in the UK by URBANSPROUT Store.

3. Butterflies Pollinating Flowers + Planting Flowers

Go: Boyce Thompson Arboretum

We were at Boyce Thompson Arboretum and noticed a small row of plants with yellow flowers on them – and each had multiple butterflies on it slowly opening and closing their wings, and (I assume) feeding on nectar. They were so beautiful. And so focused on the task at hand that I could get a little closer than normal to snap some photos with my phone.

    • BTA is right ouside Superior.
    • If you’re heading east, you’ll pass the Arboretum before you get to Superior proper.
Get it:
Bee + Butterfly Plantable Seed Cards

It’s truly wild how closely one butterfly on the card happens to match one in my photo!

    • Part of a pack of 6 cards featuring watercolor illustrations of butterflies and bees.
    • Plantable cards: The cards are made from recycled paper with wildflower seeds embedded, so you can plant them!

 

Boyce Thompson Arboretum berries

botanicals
Natural dried canella berries, handpicked by BoutiqueBarn in New Hampshire.

4. Berries

Go: Boyce Thompson Arboretum

This cluster of bright orange berries was another BTA find, when I was on the hunt for fall colors in unusual places.

Back when Phillip and I lived in the Phoenix area, there were a couple years we got memberships to the Arboretum. It neat to see it in all different seasons!

Get it: Natural dried canella berries

You can get this type of berries in more vibrant colors, but there was something I preferred about the muted, neutral tones of this one.

 

papel picado outside Tucson Museum of Art

Miniature papel picado flags
Cake-topping miniature papel picado, made by AyMujer in Indio, California.

5. Papel Picado

Go: Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson

Intricately cut paper flags are part of the celebration of Day of the Dead, which also happens this time of year. They’re a different kind of fall color!

We saw these hanging on one corner of TMA on a visit to Tucson, years before we lived here.

Get it: Papel Picado Garland Cake Topper

I love these miniature papel picado flags made into a cake topper!

    • Sold in sets of two strands with bamboo flag stems included.
    • Fits a 6-12 inch cake.

 

 

Sunset in willcox

wreath
Handmade by Melshomedecorshop in Chicago, Illinois.

6. Wispy

Go: Willcox, Arizona

Phillip and I visited Apple Annie’s Farm in Willcox to go apple picking during a weekend trip. We left because the sun was setting, and then saw these fantastic clouds!

    • Apple Annie’s has 3 locations around Willcox with different offerings.
    • If you want to go apple picking, make sure you’re headed to their fruit orchards, which are about 15 minutes northwest of the center of town.
Get it: Pampas Grass Wreath

I like how understated this is compared to a lot of fall wreaths! The pampas grass reminds me of those wispy clouds. And I guess I’m into a kind of into neutral color palette this fall.

    • Approximately 20-21 inches from leaf tip to tip.
    • Made with faux pampas grass, cream berries, blackberries, brown bunny tails, and laurel leaves, accented with a brown velvet bow, on a grapevine wreath.

 

leaves collecting in a stream

candle with dried flowers
Candle made with soy wax by Monsoon Wildflowers in Maricopa, Arizona.

7. Fallen Flora

Go: Sedona, Arizona

While hiking in Sedona, I noticed how the fall leaves were collecting up against stones in the creek, and mixing with the plants that were growing in the shallow water.

    • The West Fork of Oak Creek Trail is a beautiful place to hike and enjoy autumn leaves!
    • The trailhead is between Sedona and Flagstaff, off of Route 89A.
    • Phillip and I have done parts of that hike a number of times.
Get it: Dried Flower Soy Candle

I like the asymmetry of the offset florals and dried orange slices.

    • This candle is made with soy wax and other natural ingredients.
    • You can choose your own scent from a long list of options!

 

 

Día de los Muertos in Mesa

Headpiece decorated with flowers
Made by BloomDesign Studio in Quilcene, WA.

8. Flower Arch

Go: Día De Los Muertos Festival in Mesa

Tissue paper flower arches decorate Mesa’s annual Day of the Dead Celebration.

    • The free festival is going on this weekend! It happens every October.
    • It takes place outside the Mesa Arts Center, which is right by a light rail stop.
Get it: Day of the Dead Headpiece

Frida Kahlo-inspired flower crown for Día de Los Muertos. Fabric flowers are attached to a headband with eco felt underneath to keep it comfortable to wear!

 

 

the last fall leaves hanging on to a tree

Botanical print
Signed original print, handmade by KathyHuttonPrints in Bath, UK.

9. Last Leaves

Go: Boyce Thompson Arboretum 

The last few leaves hanging out in the tree. They probably got around to falling eventually.

Get it:Chestnut Art Print

The shape comes from the artist’s sketches of chestnut tree leaves. She hand-carved a stamp, covered it in saffron yellow ink, and used that to create these prints. They were individually printed onto Washi paper from Japan, so each is unique.

Product photos are from the seller’s Etsy page.

I may receive compensation from Etsy for affiliate posts and links.

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