We had some downtime at the shop yesterday, so we busied ourselves fall-ifying the place.

{Speaking of fall: in the spirit of the new season, I’m burning a gifted Rafa Natural “harvest” soy candle as I pound out this post; it’s warm, spicy heaven in a jar.}

When all the day’s deliveries were done, my right-hand lady, Shanna, stopped at the local market for some big pretty pumpkins. Armed with an inspiration photo from Anthropologie — where creative merchandising dreams come true — we got to work on the front window display.

Shanna and I spent the afternoon making dozens of simple little garlands by tying dyed oak leaves onto strands of raffia. I hung the garlands from our drop ceiling, knotting them together as I went until they made a web-like curtain.

When that was finished, I spent a couple of hours pretending I was on Project Runway in an “unconventional challenge” (aren’t those your favorite?! mine too). I individually wired silk flowers and sheet moss to our wire mannequin until she had a fabulous (albeit revealing ;)) floral frock. I placed her in front of the curtain of leaves in the window, next to a big vintage metal trough filled with more flowers and pumpkins.

As soon as I figure out how to take a photo of the whole set up without mega-glare on the glass, I’ll share it!