Happy Halloween!

image courtesy of Great Arrow via Red Stamp

Here's to hoping to you receive lots of treats today, and always!

Two Halloweens????

Having Halloween on a weekend is AWESOME, in fact Halloween on a Sunday is even better!

I have a fun packed weekend planned this Halloween.  

The original plan was to dress up and go out tomorrow night.  A close group of friends came up with group themed costumes, gathered items and we were ready to go.  

On Monday this week, we received a Halloween party invitation for tonight.  SPOOK-TACULAR!

Then I thought....wait, what am I going to wear?  Tonight's party is also a costume party, and I am totally opposed to wearing the same costume and outfit two nights in a row.  

So I've been racking my brain and think I've complied some options for great last minute costumes.

These quick outfits all include things I already have in my closet.  What can you re-purpose for a quick Halloween party? What are you going as this Halloween?

If....Then

IF it is fall THEN Halloween is close.

IF Halloween is close THEN you should carve a pumpkin!

I love Fall in VA.  The leaves change color, the weather has this crisp chill that only requires a light sweater. It means the holiday season is quickly approaching, which means people in turn are joyful and excited & it all begins with Halloween; however, I am a firm believer that Halloween is not complete without a pumpkin. 

The b/f doesn't know it yet - but I'm going to beg him to carve pumpkins with me this weekend.  Two years ago, he and I carved the most AMAZING Joker pumpkin.  The only problem was I got so excited for Halloween that we carved it 3 weeks in advance and it was completely rotted by October 31.  

This year we've been so busy we haven't even had time to go to the pumpkin patch, which happens to be one of my favorite things to do. 

Here are some fun pumpkin projects, crafts, carvings, and pictures.  Enjoy!

Learn to make these HERE, Martha Stewart

Learn to Make this "chandelier", Martha Stewart

Sew yourself a pumpkin patch

I personally LOVE the "G" pumpkin - for obvious reasons I suppose. 

What woman doesn't love a little sparkle?

 I can't wait to try some of these out!
Which is your favorite pumpkin project?

Yikes!

BAD NEWS:

Busted the iPhone.

Womp, Womp.

GOOD NEWS:

Maybe it's time for a shiny new iPhone 4

Everybody needs a friend

I started a new job a 1 1/2 months ago. 

I'm selling educational software that plugs in with course management systems (i.e Blackboard, Moodle, Angel, etc.) which allows faculty and staff at schools to identify students that are at risk of failing and/or dropping out of school.  It also helps students schedule online appointments to get help, so-on and so-forth. 

I love my new job.  The people are awesome; it's a small little start-up that fosters creativity.  I've always kind of considered myself this odd hybrid of creative and technical (I sew, I like computers - you get it).

Well today - I added an office mate.

Meet Smartie-Fish!

He's fun and vibrant and makes long days at work, more fun.

Ok, fine, at least he made this ONE day at work more fun.  

I'm excited for many more Smartie-Fish filled days.

Design Style

In the past few months I've been trying to reinvigorate my design style.  Not only in clothing, fashion, but also home and interior design.  I'm finding inspiration everywhere. 

A friend's blog had a design quiz posted forever ago, so during my design exploration I decided to revisit

http://www.sproost.com/.  Here are my results to share:

50% French Eclectic

 Parlez-vous français? Even if the answer is no, you can confidently say your home does! French Country, like its name, somehow manages to both be formal and casual, classy and unassuming at the same time. You like your spaces to feel inviting from the moment you (or your guest) opens the front door and this feeling should continue even after you've entered your most formal room. Even though there are French antiques here and gold details there, the rustic elements provide a balance and warmth that seems to say, "come in, relax and stay a while." Your love of antiques leads you to flea markets, garage sales and hours of eBay hunting.

More >

Materials

The materials and pieces you are drawn to play on the mix of formal and casual. Many of the pieces look like they were passed down from your great-great-aunt (even if they are brand new!) and you managed to upholster them in a way that made that piece both then and now. Much of the furniture is wood-framed and the wood is either left natural (hey there rustic!), painted white (hey there country!) or even gold (hello refinement!). And many times there is a strong mixture of all of these. If you find yourself leaning much more towards the "country" side of things and away from the Parisian side, drop the gold details and replace them with wrought iron.

Colors

When it comes to color, you are drawn to bright and airy options. Thoughts of the French countryside are key - warm colors such as yellows, reds and oranges hinting at fields of gold. But the nice thing about French Eclectic is you can just as easily go in the opposite direction: pale blues and greens hinting at acres of lavender fields and expansive blue skies.

Space Planning

When you think about laying out your French Eclectic room the key is to invite people in and encourage them to stay. So furniture should be grouped nicely to encourage intimate conversation and the main pieces should be comfortable in both look and feel. There should be plenty of places to set drinks, prop feet and lean back. And yet the functionality of these pieces doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't beautiful antiques or replicas.

50% Nantucket Style

Oh how you love the beach! Who doesn't, right? And so your dream home is either perched in your favorite beach town, or you've brought that favorite beach town into your house.

More >

Materials

Your art and accessories speak directly to the activities that are found at the beach. Pieces of driftwood you found here, pictures or paintings of the amazing views there. Things that remind you of the coast - surf boards or fishing boats - are found throughout the house. The feeling of the seaside is both abstract and literal in the design of your space. The fabrics are natural, cottons and linens and are light in color and touch. Much of the furniture is wood or wood framed (the lighter the better, think driftwood!) and wicker, when done right, is a must.

Colors

And since your true inspiration is the sea, the colors and textures in your home are the same that you would find at your favorite beach: white, light beiges and grays of the sand and driftwood, a variety of blues for the ocean and sky, and greens and vibrant blues of the sea glass... but the key is white! Your space should feel light and airy and give off the mood one has when at the beach: laid back!

Space Planning

Your furniture is comfortable and the layout is cozy. The more it reminds you of actually sitting on the warm sand the better! And what do you do at the beach? Hang out with family and friends - and your home is just an extension of this play place... and though the space is filled with large white furniture, it somehow manages to feel both durable and casual.

I'm sooooo sorry :(

Ok, I know I've been MIA.  I am so sorry :(

Things have been crazy, busy, hectic and I have no other excuse; however, I am back and promise to post more frequently and consistently.

Let's get crafty.