In A Halloween Spirit

I really love Halloween, but sadly I have had almost no time to decorate for it so far. So, I thought I'd decorate this post instead. :) Here are some Halloween/Fall decorating ideas I love from Martha Stewart.

Cowl-necked Confession

It's barely out of the 90's here, but I am yearning for lots of comfy fall fashions. Loving this sweater from Old Navy, as well as about half of their other new sweaters. Alas, I can only window shop for now. My pocketbook will thank me. It better!

Abbey

We went to the park last week and I took some pictures of my niece Abbey. We got some cute ones so thought I'd share. :)

I Heart Fall

And I heart this boy too.

*Please note this photo was about 10 pounds ago. Cheeks not quite that chubby anymore. :)

Fall Project

It is feeling like fall in these parts. Sometimes it seems a bit sad that highs in the mid-80's is autumn to us, but what can ya do? I need a coat when I leave for work in the morning and I've taken THREE after work walks this week. Nice to have pleasant, non-suffocating weather again. I even think I might make some Pumpkin Bread this weekend.

I got a Paper Source catalog in the mail on Monday and I thought this place card idea was so cute. I tore the picture out to tuck away for a future harvest party. You know, when I can fit more than 4 people in my dining room. The kit is only $12.50 for enough to make 8, but you could easily buy the individual supplies too. So cute!

Dreaming

plus















plus

















equals happy dreams indeed.

Porch Project

Mostly inspired by Mrs. Dorothy Draper's words in this book, but still feeling the after effects of that article in Blueprint, I endeavored to clean up our front porch this weekend. Thursday after work Mom and I went to Home Depot, Target and Michael's. It was too late to start when I got home, so after I had done some of my indoors chores on Friday I got to work. I honestly gave little care to the front porch for quite some time. Here are some before pictures.

Before:

























I trimmed back the viney ground cover that had creeped it's way onto the porch, swept the ceiling, walls, and porch, disposed of the old tennis shoes and towel, washed the front door down, and emptied the pot of it's former contents. Then I put to use some of the things I had picked up on my shopping trip.

After:

I Heart Swap #1

I realize it's taken me kind of forever to post about this, but last week I sent off my package to my I Heart Swap partner, Kristin. When thinking about what I'd like to include in my swap packages I try to do two things- avoid repeating a lot of the same ideas, and have some sort of theme or cohesion to the package so that it is a pretty sight when viewed for the first time. This time since I new I wanted to include the fall season as one of the things I loved, that inspired the colors involved in my choice of items and packaging. Here's a pic I took of the things I heart before I boxed it up to ship off to Kristin. Thanks to Stephanie for hosting a great swap! Look for the follow post with what I received soon.














i heart:
cooking- an issue of everyday food
pancakes- homemade wheat pancake mix and maple syrup
fall- mini pumpkin
lists- orange notepad
photography- black & white disposable camera
memories- magnet refrigerator frame
reese's pieces- self explanatory, i think

Falling for Fall, The Sequel

Walking out the door this morning I was greeted by a cool crispness in the air. It was in the upper 50's, which meant I got to run back inside and grab my new trench coat. Yes, it might be somewhere in the 80's when I leave work today, but it definitely kept the chill off me this morning. And it cheered me up about accidentally sleeping in and being almost 2 hours late to work. But with my work schedule that put me here at 8:15, so it's not as bad as it sounds. And my boss is pretty forgiving about stuff like that, since I'm here at 6:30 AM most the time. The thing that sucks the most is I was just getting to the great part of a good dream. D'oh.

On the way to work I kept thinking about all the holiday activities I'd like to plan. I've got a lot of stuff to get done around the apartment before I'm ready to revv up my entertaining engine, but this book should help me get going. It's my paper gift for our first anniversary. I've just started reading it, and I'm also reading Newsweek and the Frank McCourt book at the same time, but it will no doubt help inspire me.

Falling for Fall

Reasons I am currently looking forward to the arrival of Autumn:

1. Being able to go to the zoo, the duck pond, fly kites, and take walks without melting.

2. Sweaters!

3. Cooking soups and stews.

4. Woody Allen's latest contribution to the cinematic world.

5. Halloween. I don't know if we'll have any plans, but I think with the wealth of vests on the store hangers right now I might dress up like her.

6. Baking pumpkin bread, finally.

7. Singing Autumn In New York and Autumn Leaves constantly.

8. And last, but not least, our one year anniversary!