Halloween 2011!

Last night, at the age of 28, I went trick-or-treating for the first time in my life! Of course, Danny and I just walked on the sidewalk while Ty ran up and rang the doorbells, but it was so much fun to brave the cold together as a little family and see all of the festivities of the evening unfold. Ty was Boba Fett, I was Princess Leia, and Danny was Darth Vader - per Ty's request. We kicked off the evening at La Margarita Express, where my brother and his girlfriend Kelsey showed up to meet us in Star Wars spirit, dressed as Chewbacca and C-3PO. Thank you both for participating - Ty absolutely LOVED it!!!!! My mom came too - but she was dressed as a Lady Bug, which was also cute. However, I am a little miffed that I did not get one single picture of Danny with-OUT the mask - which was a part of his master plan apparently, but he will pay for it at Christmas when there's nothing to hide behind but an ugly Christmas sweater :)

The cast...

Contest!!

Win 50 free custom holiday cards from Red Pearl Designs! Megan Ward is the mastermind behind Red Pearl Designs, and her work is truly stunning. Please take a look at her blog, and enter for your own chance to win her annual holiday card give-away!

http://blog.redpearldesigns.com

Good Luck :)

Here's a sneak peek of her fabulous work!

Pumpkin Lovekin.

Lets get this party started right...
Hot Chocolate. Check.
Sound of Music soundtrack on vinyl. Check.
Record player to play said record. Check.

Pumpkins, and a very VERY excited 8 year old: Check.

Power Tools: Check. Wait. What? Yes - real men carve pumpkins with a jigsaw! Oh, how I love this :)

A pattern: Check.

A master goop-scooper: Check. You rock, Alyssa!

A steady hand, a sharp object, and sheer determination: Check, check, check.

Ty's Pac-Man may or may not be my favorite!!!

My favorite boys...♥ them!

Ta-dah!

Content.

It's days like this I feel so blessed. I had a wonderful weekend spent with people I absolutely love. This morning, I woke up in a cozy bed, wrapped in the warm arms of someone who adores me. It is a crisp, cold day and despite being able to see your own breath, the sun is shining. I noticed how beautiful the leaves on the trees seem to be today as I drove to work, picking up a pumpkin spice latte on the way. I arrived at work, opened the shop, kicked on the heater and the music, and here I sit - comfy warm, enjoying the latte and a slice of warm, home-made banana bread reflecting on my life and so grateful for what I have, who I have, and where I am. It is a good, make that a GREAT day. Thank you, Lord!

Autumn Love.

Fall seemed to literally arrive overnight. One day, it's 98 degrees, the next day - overcast, misty, cool, and well, FALL. I heart Fall.

Fall is crisp. Clean. Colorful. Calm. It even smells good. Apples, pumpkin spice, that 'campfire' smell that fills the air in the evenings, cool misty mornings, warm-ish afternoons, and the kind of clear, starry sky-ed evenings that make you want to light a candle, nestle into a fuzzy blanket with your love, have a cup of tea over an intimate conversation, all while keeping the window cracked so you can smell the nights' air as it kisses your cheeks. It's romantic, it's sweet. It's my favorite.

There's something to be said about a new season. A new season in weather, a new season in fashion, a new season in life, a new season in love. Sometimes change is terrifying, sometimes whether or not we realize it at the time, change is amazing. Change of perspective, change of heart - attitude, gratitude...all of the above. A shift. I am thankful.

I am thankful for every sense of this season. I am thankful for peace. I am thankful for patience. I am thankful for forgiveness. I am thankful for love.

As we head into this new season - especially leading up to the holidays, what are you thankful for?

Favorites.

A - Asscher, although round brilliant is classic and hard to beat. Diamonds are a girl's best friend...so the saying goes.
B - Babies. Chubby, happy ones with lots of hair.
C - Cupcakes. A simple butter yellow cake batter with chocolate frosting. - My Dad's favorite too :)
D - Danny. He makes my heart beat faster.
E - Ella Fitzgerald. Classic and smooth - makes me want to slow dance in the kitchen.
F - Fall. Crisp overcast mornings, warm sun-lit afternoons, and cool evenings with the smell of the first chimney fire in the nights' air - cozy layered clothing, the changing leaves, and a chai tea in hand.
G - Gummy Bears. Gummy bear kisses might even be better :)
H - Holding Hands (double points!) Seriously though, I love it...it's just so sweet.
I - Iced Caramel Macchiatos. Starbucks - summer drink of choice.
K - Kisses. "Always kiss me goodnight"
L - London. My favorite [baby] name as of late and a place I hope to visit someday.
M - Marriage. Sacred and forever. It's my turn. See: "W"
N - National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. "She'll see it later, honey. Her eyes are frozen."
O - Organic cotton sheets and a feather down comforter.
P - Peonies, Pearls, and Persian cats.
Q - Quotes: "It is, what it is."
R - Ruby Woo - MAC lipstick. Wear it like you OWN it.
S - San Luis Obispo, CA. Perhaps one of my favorite places of all time.
T - Tyler. My favorite 8-year old and my favorite candle.
U - Urban Outfitters - because Anthropologie doesn't start with a "U"
V - Volvo. SUV.
W - Weddings. I love to attend them, not sure I actually want one - too much hullabaloo for 1 day and the thought of being the center of attention makes me panic.
X - What starts with X, anyway?
Y - Yoga. My exercise of choice - when I actually do it.
Z - Z Gallerie. Full of modern ideas and a great place to pick up wall art.

R & R

Last weekend, Danny and I headed over to Lincoln City for a little quality time, rest, and rejuvenation. *Happy sigh.* It was cool and windy - true of EVERY other time I have EVER been to the Oregon coast, but aside from the weather, it was such a fun time together. I cherished every moment. We got our fill of crusty little shell shops (would someone please explain to me - what's with the fairies?!?), delicious fish 'n chips at McMenamins, and did I mention every antique shop between Lincoln City and Newport?! YES. I love that he not only kept up with my antiquing, he equally enjoyed and encouraged it! L-O-V-E! Find of the weekend?? A 1923 "Victor Victrola Talking Machine"...SO awesome. I would post a video if I knew how, but the picture below will have to suffice. Anyway, here's a little nutshell of our weekend...

Sunset from our room...


Newport!!


A little windy, but at least there was sun!

Rogue Brewery Restaurant and Pub...before he realized I had the camera out.
How cute is he?!?!?!?!?!?!

Caught and blocked! Daniel- just embrace the camera. It will happen regardless. If you fight it, then I just post grumpy pics :)

The Victor Victrola Talking Machine we scored!! Love it :)

I look ridiculous, but I'm happy so I don't care :)