Tips for keeping on top of clutter in the home

Sometimes I feel as though I'm constantly decluttering, and that's because I am! Decluttering isn't something that you can do once and never again. Like housework and gardening you need to keep on top of it, and I thought I'd share some tips that work for me when I'm trying to maintain an organised and calm home.

Have a donation bag or box ready to go

I actually have two. I keep a bag in my wardrobe for clothes, ready for a charity recycling bag to come through the door. If my bag is full before one arrives then I drop it off at a local textile recycling bank. I have a second bag in my spare room for charity shop donations. I usually wait until I've got a decent amount before making a trip to drop them off just to save time and effort, but it is ready to go at any time in case of sudden guests!

Make an effort to pass on difficult items

I think we all have a number of things in our home that we would like to get rid of but don't know the best way to do it. Maybe it's not good enough to give to charity, it's too big to fit in the household bin, or it was an unwanted gift that you feel bad getting rid of. But if you can find a way to remove things these awkward items then it will also remove the pang of guilt that you feel every time you see it, which will make you and your home feel much calmer. 

Declutter clothing while packing for a holiday

When packing, think about the things that you aren't choosing to put in the suitcase. Is it because you no longer wear them, they are uncomfortable or they just don't suit you? I've always sorted out the children's wardrobes when packing because it's a really good opportunity to empty out the drawers completely and see the things that have been outgrown or aren't being worn.

Photo credit Sarah Brown via Unsplash

Match what comes in with what goes out

Some people like a strict 'one in, one out' rule but this doesn't work for me. But if I've brought home a few of a particular item, like books or jigsaws from a charity shop haul or a seasonal Primark shop, then I'll think about where I'm going to store the new items and what I can clear out to make room for them. 

Clear hotspots daily

I have several clutter hotspots in my home. The main one is our kitchen island, but I also have the kitchen worktop nearest to the door and the coffee table in the living room. Every evening I make sure that the kitchen island and coffee table are completely clear. The worktop is a place to store things which may be needed in the next few days, but I sort this through once a week when I do my full kitchen clean. The key thing is to look at the items that build up in these places and make sure that they all have a home that they can be tidied away to. Clutter attracts more clutter, so making an effort to keep surfaces clear stops it all piling up and becoming unmanageable.

Deal completely with laundry as you go along

I do laundry regularly so I am usually on top of it and each load is sorted, folded and put away as soon as it comes off the line or out the dryer. Well, I put mine away at least and I leave piles for other family members to put away at their leisure - but it is in their rooms and not all over the house! Have a routine for the washing, whether that's putting a load on first thing or later in the day when you have time to deal with it.

Photo credit Daniele Bissoli via Unsplash

Sort paperwork as it arrives 

This also includes digital paperwork like e-mails. A lot of our post is junk and it goes straight from the doormat to the recycling. I deal with as much as I can straight away and then the physical papers can be filed or recycled.

Model good habits to younger family members

If you involve children in keeping the home clean and clear then they will hopefully use these systems in their own areas. We've developed habits for having regular clear outs of clothes and shoes, school books, toys and trinkets, as it's much easier to pass on things as you go along rather than letting everything build up. I wrote a detailed post about using the Marie Kondo method with an older child or teenager, and this is something that we return to once a year or so to keep things under control. It's especially important with children because they grow so quickly and their interests change as they get older. I hope that I'm instilling good habits for their future homes!

I hope that this article was helpful, if you have any more tips please do share them in the comments!

Why I like to keep track of the books that I've read

I've been tracking my reading for a long time now - I joined Goodreads back in 2013! I have tried other ways of remembering the books I've read but they just didn't work for me. Before that for a short time I used a physical reading journal but I felt obliged to offer some insightful thoughts about each book, and that put me off. 

When I record a book that I've read I very rarely add a review - instead I just want to keep a note of the title, author, dates read and a vague star rating. My Goodreads star ratings are quite skewed because I don't think I've ever rated a book less than three stars - if a book is that bad I just stop reading it!

I usually have too many books in my to be read pile to keep track of them separately. Instead I only add a book when I start reading it and I don't update my progress as I go along, I just log that it's finished and select my rating. I like the idea of sharing the information with friends and family like a social media account, but I only have a few friends that use it!

I usually try not to read the reviews that others have left on a book. Often I think that someone will write a provocative review in order to get more views/comments and raise their own profile. I also don't like reading the bad reviews of a book that I've really enjoyed as it makes me wonder if I was just too stupid to notice something negative about it!

Tracking my reading helps me in two ways. Firstly I enjoy looking back on the books that I've read. I don't keep a count for the year or have any other kind of reading goals, but I do like to look back at the end of year summary that Goodreads provides and see some stats about what I've read. My favourite insights are my most and least popular books as shelved by other users, and the average book length.

Secondly, I've lost count of the times that I've gone to add the book I'm reading into Goodreads and discovered that I've already read it. On one occasion I had finished it just three months prior! I'm terrible at remembering the titles of books that I've read, especially if I've read them on my Kindle. Without having a physical book in front of me I'm often not even quite sure of the title of the book that I'm currently reading!

Do you track the books that you've read, and if so how?

Get organised - A guide to heavy duty and warehouse racking

This is a collaborative post

We’ve all been there. That moment you open the door to the garage, shed, or stockroom, and you're met with a mountain of stuff. Finding anything feels like an archaeological dig, and the thought of tidying it all is enough to make you close the door and walk away. But what if there was a simple, effective way to reclaim that space and bring a sense of order to the chaos?

This is where heavy duty racking and warehouse racking come in. While the name might sound industrial, these storage systems are incredibly versatile and can be a game-changer for homes, workshops, and small businesses alike. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right system to creative ways you can use it to transform your space.

What Exactly Are Heavy Duty Racking Systems?

At its core, a racking system is a structure of upright frames and horizontal beams designed for storing items. Unlike standard household shelves, heavy-duty and warehouse racking are built to handle significant weight and bulk. They are the workhorses of the storage world, designed for durability and strength.

Think of them as the ultimate solution for anything that’s too heavy, awkward, or numerous for your average bookshelf or plastic container. From stacks of inventory for your small business to boxes of seasonal decorations and heavy gardening equipment, these racks are designed to keep things organised, accessible, and, most importantly, safe.

Beyond the Warehouse: Racking in Everyday Life

The term "warehouse racking" can be a bit misleading because its uses extend far beyond large commercial spaces. Many of us could benefit from this level of organisation in our own homes. It’s all about seeing the potential in your space and finding a system that fits your needs.

For the DIY Enthusiast and Gardener

If your garage or shed is overflowing with tools, paint tins, and bags of compost, racking can be a revelation. Imagine having all your power tools neatly arranged, your collection of screws and nails in labelled bins on a sturdy shelf, and your lawnmower stored safely off the floor during winter. You can create zones for different activities—a section for car maintenance, another for woodworking, and a dedicated area for all your gardening supplies.

For the Craft Room Connoisseur

Crafting can accumulate a surprising amount of supplies. Bolts of fabric, boxes of yarn, large cutting mats, and bulky sewing machines can quickly take over a room. Heavy-duty shelving provides the perfect home for these items. You can use clear storage boxes to easily see your supplies, keeping them dust-free and ready for your next project. It frees up your desk space for what it’s meant for—creating!

For the Small Business Owner

Whether you run an Etsy shop from your spare room or have a small stockroom for your business, efficient storage is crucial. Warehouse racking allows you to organise your products logically, making stock-taking and order-packing much faster. It helps you professionalise your operations and can scale with your business as it grows. You can store finished products, shipping materials, and raw supplies all in one organised space.

Photo credit Jacob McGowin via Unsplash

Types of Racking Systems to Consider

Not all racking is created equal. The type you choose will depend on what you need to store and the space you have available.

1. Pallet Racking

This is the most common type you’d see in a large warehouse, but smaller versions are available. It’s designed to store pallets of goods, which makes it ideal for businesses that handle bulk deliveries. The wide bays are perfect for large, heavy items. Even for home use, a single bay of pallet racking in a garage can be perfect for storing things like quad bikes, large tool chests, or even a small boat for the winter.

2. Cantilever Racking

Cantilever racking is unique because it doesn’t have front posts getting in the way. It consists of a central column with arms extending outwards, making it perfect for long, awkward items. If you need to store timber, pipes, lengths of plastic guttering, or even kayaks and surfboards, this is the system for you. It keeps these items off the floor and prevents them from getting damaged.

3. Longspan Shelving

Longspan shelving is perhaps the most versatile option for homes and small businesses. It looks similar to pallet racking but is designed for storing non-palletised items. The shelves are typically made from steel or chipboard and can hold a substantial amount of weight. It's perfect for creating organised storage for archive boxes, product inventory, or heavy equipment.

The Benefits of Getting It Right

Investing in a good racking system offers more than just a tidy space.

● Maximise Your Space: Racking makes use of vertical height, freeing up valuable floor space. You can store more in a smaller footprint.

● Improve Safety: Piles of boxes and precariously stacked items are accidents waiting to happen. A proper racking system stores everything securely, reducing the risk of trips, falls, and falling objects.

● Increase Efficiency: When you can see what you have and access it easily, you save time and frustration. For a business, this translates directly into faster order fulfilment and better inventory management.

● Protect Your Belongings: Storing items off the floor protects them from damp, pests, and damage.

Tips for Choosing the Right Racking

Ready to get organised? Here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy.

1. Measure Your Space: Measure the height, width, and depth of the area where you plan to install the racking. Don’t forget to account for any obstructions like light fittings, doors, or fuse boxes.

2. Know Your Load: Have a clear idea of what you’ll be storing. Consider the weight and size of your items to ensure you choose a system with an appropriate load capacity. It’s always better to go for a higher weight rating than you think you’ll need.

3. Think About Access: How will you get items on and off the shelves? If you’re storing very heavy things on high shelves, you might need a small step ladder. Ensure you leave enough aisle space to move around comfortably.

4. Consider Assembly: Most modern racking systems are designed for easy, boltless assembly. However, it's worth checking the assembly instructions before you buy. It’s usually a two-person job, so you might need to enlist a friend to help.

A Personal Touch: My Racking Project

A few years ago, our garage had reached a critical point. It had become a dumping ground for everything that didn't have a home in the house. We had old furniture, half-used tins of paint, kids' outdoor toys, and my growing collection of gardening tools all competing for space.

We decided to invest in two bays of longspan shelving. We spent a weekend clearing everything out (which was a task in itself!) and assembled the racks along one wall. Suddenly, we had a system. We used the bottom shelves for heavy items like bags of soil and the kids’ go-karts. The middle shelves became home to my tools and pots, organised in labelled plastic tubs. The top shelves were perfect for lighter, less-frequently-used items like Christmas decorations. It was transformative. The garage is now a functional space, and we can finally fit the car in!

Take Back Your Space

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a home improvement hero, or just someone craving a bit more order, heavy-duty racking is a practical and effective solution. It might seem like a big project, but the reward of a well-organised, functional, and safe space is well worth the effort. So, take a look at that cluttered corner and imagine the possibilities.

How to use Hama beads in crafts this Halloween

I love crafting with Hama beads, and I also love remembering some of the many Hama bead crafts that I've shared here on the blog over the years. Today I'm revisiting some of my favourites, all of them Halloween themed crafts.

If you haven't used Hama beads before then you might find this post helpful - Ironing tips for Hama beads.

Start small

If you are new to working with Hama beads or you don't want to purchase too many supplies, start by practising with some smaller pieces. I've created a set of small Halloween art pixel designs which are perfect for all sorts of projects - Halloween party place cards, keyrings, party bag gifts and favours, mini bunting, magnets, pendants...all sorts of things! They are easily made using the basic square pegboard and whatever beads you might have lying around.

Work with what you have

If you already have some Hama bead supplies then it's easy to do some Halloween Hama bead crafting just using what you already own. 

These Hama bead witch designs are made using the princess pegboard. With a bit of imagination the board can be used in lots of different ways to create some spooky witches.

I also repurposed the Hama bead house pegboard to create a Hama bead Halloween house. I just chose colours that worked with a Halloween theme and added a pumpkin and some bats.

If you have a selection of Hama bead pegboards already lying around, think about how they could also be used for Halloween themed designs. Even the basic shapes like circles, hearts or stars can become perfect Halloween decor if you use a spooky colour scheme or glow in the dark beads.

Halloween themed tableware

Following on from the above, another use for the basic circle shaped pegboard is to make some Halloween Hama bead coasters. You can find designs to copy, like the ones in my post, or just work on stripes or concentric circles in Halloween colours.

For your Halloween table you could also make some Halloween themed Hama bead napkin rings. These designs are really simple, using only the square pegboard, and by shaping them slightly when they are still warm from ironing they fit perfectly around a rolled napkin.

Halloween decorations

If you already have some suitable finished Hama bead crafts lying around the house then maybe there is a way that you can re-use them for some Halloween decor. For example, I used the Hama bead witches mentioned above to create some Hama bead witch displays using shoebox lids. We painted the lids black and used glitter and sequins to decorate before mounting the Hama bead witches.

I also used a pattern which I developed for Hama bead sugar skulls to make some Hama bead sugar skull bunting. I love how the sugar skulls use the same template yet they are all individual, and it's also a great way to use up small quantities of leftover beads.

Think about wearable accessories

This same sugar skull pattern can also be used the the tiny mini Hama beads to craft some gorgeous little sugar skull earrings. Great for Halloween themed parties!

You can also use the mini Hama beads to make some little Halloween themed pin badges. All you need to do is create the design and then add a pin badge backing. 

I hope that you liked my ideas for some Halloween themed Hama bead crafting!

Water safety and your business - What you need to know

This is a collaborative post

It’s easy to overlook the importance of water safety in a business. As long as the wet stuff continues to flow, most people happily forget about it and let it get on with its job of heating the pipes and supplying the water for tea time. But in the background, risks lurk – some of them deadly.

Chief among these risks is Legionella, a water-borne bacterium that can cause all kinds of nasty illnesses, including Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. A bout of illness will result in a visit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSA) and, in some cases, steep fines or even imprisonment, especially if Legionella is contracted. It’s therefore imperative that you understand the law and what you can do to keep your water sources and storage tanks bacteria-free.

Here’s how.

Breeding Grounds

• When it comes to water safety, it’s important to understand where issues tend to arise. As a rule of thumb, water-borne nasties will breed in the following conditions:
• Where there is a supply of stagnant water, typically found in dead legs, water reservoirs and little-used outlets.
• Where the water is not too hot – a temperature somewhere between 20–45°C will encourage bacterial growth.
• Where the pipes and storage places are ‘nutrient-rich’ in rust, scale, or sludge.

Photo credit Sasikan Ulevik via Unsplash

Risk Assessment

The key to keeping on top of water safety and Legionella control is the risk assessment. It’s often the case that a business doesn't have the know-how to do it itself, and so has to bring in an outside specialist like the people at the Water Hygiene Centre to help here.

At a minimum, the risk assessment should:

• Map the topography and layout of the pipes, storage and outlets.
• Identify high-risk areas of the premises that are liable to breed Legionella and other harmful pathogens.
• Test water temperatures to ensure the hot water is being kept at above 60 °C and outlets deliver hot water above 50 °C within one minute, while the cold water temperatures are below 20 °C after one minute of running.
• Evaluate existing control measures (temperature checks, flushing regimes and disinfectant procedures) and update them if gaps in the regime are identified.
• Ensure that water safety compliance documents and records are being maintained properly, stored and auditable.

Review

The risk assessment isn’t a one-and-done exercise. A new risk assessment will need to be carried out frequently to ensure the control measures you have in place are up to the job of keeping your water safe. As such, it’s recommended that a fresh risk assessment be carried out at least every two years.

A fresh risk assessment is especially important if the water system changes (new pipes are introduced or onsite renovations are performed), if Legionella is detected, or if the building has high-risk water systems – hospitals, care homes and hotels fall into this bracket.

Day-to-Day

The good news is that the day-to-day job of managing and controlling water risk is fairly straightforward once the risk assessment has been carried out. The law says that the day-to-day management of the water system should be carried out by a person nominated as the ‘responsible person’ or RP. It’s the RP’s job to perform the control measures and keep on top of the high-risk parts of the premises identified in the risk assessment.

Conclusion

Water safety doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a methodical approach to risk management. Indeed, at the heart of any water safety regime lies the risk assessment. Get that right and the day-to-day business of keeping your water supply bacteria-free should be plain sailing.

Enjoying the garden as summer comes to an end

It's time to accept that the long summer is coming to an end. We've been so lucky this year with the weather, and we've really made the most of the our lovely garden that was finished in the spring. The weather this weekend was still really nice, a little bit of rain but it hasn't started to get too cold yet. So I decided it was a good time to make a start on preparing the garden for winter.

I began with the vegetable patch, clearing it all out and tidying up my strawberry and raspberry plants. I hope that they survive the winter! I also have some foxgloves that I planted from seed a couple of months ago. Some are in the borders and some are in pots, I'm keen to see if they survive and how they compare to the seeds which I'll plant in the spring.

We get a lot of fallen leaves in the garden and usually I'm out there picking them all up, this year I'm going to experiment with leaving the ones that fall in the borders and moving ones from the paths to the vegetable patch to see if they help the soil at all.

I pulled up my remaining tomato plants and picked off the last green tomatoes, hoping that if I leave them indoors in the sun then they might ripen. My tomatoes were amazing this year, I think it was a combination of the great weather and the new topsoil that we had added to the vegetable patch. I had so many that for a couple of weeks I was making a big batch of tomato soup every day and stocking up the freezer.

I've packed away some of the garden chairs because they are quite light and they blow around in the wind. But I want to keep my little table and one chair out on our breakfast patio, with the intention of sitting out there whenever it's warm enough. I had a lovely sit with my Kindle after all my hard work.

The canna lilies on the right have been amazing this year. I planted them in May after a recommendation by our garden designer and I wasn't quite sure about them, but they've been incredible. I cut back the flower heads just as they are starting to finish, and more and more kept appearing with plenty of buds still to flower. I know that they will die down soon and I'll have to decide whether to dig them up for the winter or to just wrap them in fleece and keep my fingers crossed for their survival!

I still need to plant my bulbs, I've never bought bulbs before and I went a bit mad at the garden centre a few weeks ago. I'm planning on putting some in the centre of my vegetable patch, which is always an awkward space for growing things as it's difficult to reach from the edges. Ideally I will end up with some lovely flowers which I can pick for the house. Then I'm just going to fill all my borders and spare pots and see what happens!

There's still an apple tree that needs pruning and lots of weeds growing between the stones in our beautiful front garden - I've got lots to keep me busy!

Using ChatGPT to plan a holiday - what's the best way to use it?

I'm currently in the process of planning a big holiday - a several week trip to Japan which will involve travelling around the country to visit many places of interest - and for the first time I'm experimenting with using ChatGPT to help me come up with places to visit and to plan an itinerary. 

I've been having a really positive experience, so I thought I'd share some of the pros and cons, as well as a few tips for anyone thinking of using AI to plan a holiday. 

Advantages of using AI to plan a holiday

ChatGPT is constantly evolving, and is constantly being updated. ChatGPT now has an excellent memory, so even in a separate query it will remember the ages and interests of family members or information like the fact that you are a vegetarian family. So you don't need to keep repeating yourself with each prompt.  

It's perfect for finding a small piece of information quickly, for example the opening times of a particular attraction, without having to trawl through Google search results. Just remember to ask it for for a link that you can use to check the information!

It's brilliant if you are searching for information online which may be in a different language, for example a small local attraction which may not have an English website. 

I found it very helpful for putting together an itinerary based on attractions which are close together geographically without having to hunt everything down on a map. It's also great for suggesting day trips or other places to visit nearby.

The AI can pick out some less well known information, for example more niche attractions, that wouldn't come up in the first few pages of search engine results. It finds even the most obscure information incredibly quickly.

Some negatives to using ChatGPT to plan a holiday

If you've asked for an itinerary make sure that all the days are included - I had an attempt that missed out an entire day. 

The AI may draw to your attention to the fact that an attraction is closed on a certain day, yet still plan for you to visit on the day when it's closed.

Opening hours or ticket prices may be incorrect, and it may suggest visiting places such as restaurants that have now closed down.

Restaurant suggestions in particular can be a bit random and it's difficult to see why a particular venue has been suggested over others that are just as good or more suitable.

Depending on how you phrase your initial prompt, the AI may pick out something small and run with it. For example, I mentioned shopping as a possible interest among several others and was presented with a three day itinerary which included only shops, rather than any famous sights.

Photo credit Finn Mund via Unsplash

Some tips for using ChatGPT to plan your travels

In your initial prompt, enter as much detail as possible. For example - ages of travellers, interests (history, art, nature, transport...), the type of place that you want to visit (museums, shops, landmarks, places to take a good selfie, ways to experience local cuisine...), attractions that you definitely want to visit and the sights that you aren't bothered about, whether you will have a car or will be using public transport.

Make sure to add in your travel plans, for example flight or train details, and whether any of the dates in your itinerary are fixed, for example if you have booked tickets to an event. Ask the AI to suggest quieter days or times to visit large attractions, and ask whether there are any public holidays or local events to be aware of.

When the AI comes back with suggestions you can keep a thread going and all the information you've received so far will be stored in the chat. For example further prompts like 'do you have any other suggestions that are more suitable for teenagers', 'how about some places with historical significance' or 'what else could I do while I'm in this area'.

You can ask for summary reviews, like 'what do people think of this attraction' or 'is this a popular place to visit with teenagers'.

Finally, check every detail before you leave. In particular opening times, transport links, admission costs, process for purchasing tickets and so on. I've found ChatGPT to be generally accurate, but you can't rely on it entirely! You can also always ask the AI for a link to an official website where you can verify the information.

I hope that this article is helpful - next time you are planning a holiday see whether ChatGPT can help you out!

How to make eating on-the-go as healthy as possible

This is a collaborative post

Rushed mornings, late trains, dashing to pick up the kids, meetings that cut into your lunch ‘hour’ - most days don’t leave you with quite as much time as you’d like to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Being healthy on the move doesn’t mean eating a perfect, warm, healthy meal with a knife and fork for every meal - it’s about making the best choice that’s actually available to you. Let’s take a look at what some of those choices are.

Nutritional bases

The quickest way to stay full is to go with a base of protein and fibre. In a café, that might be eggs on toast with a side of spinach rather than a lone pastry; in a supermarket, it could be a low-fat yoghurt pot or cooked chicken with a grain-and-veg salad, instead of a beige triangle of white bread and crisps. 

If you’re pulling into a service station, then you could go towards something like chilli, soup, or sushi plus edamame. The point is to look at the options in front of you, assess which option is the healthiest, while also picking something that you actually enjoy.

Carry some healthy snacks

A handful of small items can really make healthy snacking a whole lot easier. Pack a spoon, a foldable container, a source of protein that doesn’t go bad (like some John West tuna), a couple of oatcakes, a mini nut butter and an apple in your bag before you leave your home. 

Suddenly, a plain yoghurt becomes a proper snack, a side salad becomes lunch, and a basic smoothie stops being little more than sugar in a cup. It takes almost no space, and saves you from the emergency that leaves you feeling tired and potentially even hungrier.

Photo credit Dana Sarsenbekova via Unsplash

Don’t be overly rigid

On a more general note, most dieticians would agree that the most important thing when it comes to eating well is not to be overly rigid. The most important thing is that you eat well over a long period of time, not that you eat a ‘perfect’ (but largely unpalatable) diet for just a few months, before ultimately cracking. 

If this means having the odd sweet snack, that’s totally fine. You just want to make sure that the majority of your food sources also contain healthy amounts of protein, fibre, fat and carbohydrates, so that your body is getting the building blocks it needs to keep you healthy and happy. 

Timing is important

That being said, it’s far more likely that you’ll crack and eat something sugary if you wait to eat until you’re absolutely starving. Stave off that extreme hunger with smaller snacks - nuts, oat cakes, rice cakes - and you’ll have a much more pleasant experience overall.

Eating healthily while on the go isn’t all that hard. What it does require, however, is a bit of forward thinking, and some adaptability. If you’re regularly in a rush, then those desperate bouts of hunger shouldn’t be unpredictable - plan just a little bit in advance, and you’ll make life so much easier for yourself.

Felt leaves for Autumn craft, styling them as bunting

A couple of years ago I made these embroidered felt autumn leaves. I love them! I really like the contrasting autumnal colours, the little beads that look like dew drops, and the varied shapes of the leaves. Usually I display them for autumn in a bowl on the sideboard, but this year I had a think about some different ways to style them as part of my autumn decor.

I decided that this year I would use the felt autumn leaves as bunting over my mantlepiece. I have some miniature wooden pegs in my craft stash so all I did was hang a length of thin ribbon and use the pegs to clip the leaves at intervals. 

My autumn decor is a little minimalist, but here's what it could look like, with a little help from ChatGPT!