Halloween 2012

Another fun year of ghouls and goblins is behind us, and Branner had a blast! There was a Halloween parade at school yesterday morning that was just precious. We kicked off the evening festivities with pizza, goodies, spiked spiced cider/mulled wine, friends, and fun! We moved right on to trick-or-treating, and capped the night off with a visit to Aunt Jen and Uncle Trey's! Branner had a wonderful time, and so did we! Can't wait to do it again next year!

A while back, Branner had asked to be a shark for Halloween, so that is the first costume we ended up with. However, when we got to school yesterday for the big parade, he wasn't having any part of being a shark. So, he decided to be a fireman last minute instead. His teachers sent the costume home *just in case*, because they are the best, and that's what B ended up being. He held onto the hat all night long while walking from door-to-door (no wagon this year, we have a big boy on our hands), and was just too cute for words in general! Hope everyone had a safe, happy Halloween and got tons of good candy!
 

Dressed and ready to get some candy! 

Group shot!

...and another!

  

Trick or Treat!

Yay, candy!

Walking with Daddy!

Cindy's Chili

Here it is, my famous chili recipe!!!

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3 lbs ground beef (or turkey or chicken)
2 lg onions, chopped
2 lg green bell peppers, chopped
2 sm cans tomato sauce
2 cans kidney beans
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 qt tomato juice
3 T chili powder
1- 1 1/2 T salt
1/4 c brown sugar
3 T white sugar
1 t black pepper

Brown meat, onions, and peppers together. Add other ingredients and simmer for 1-1 1/2 hours on low heat. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheddar, and jalapenos!

Currently

Homemade Pumpkin French Toast—YUM!

Here's what we're up to right now:

Singing all kinds of silly Halloween songs with Branner and taking him on almost nightly walks to see the "graveyard" one of our neighbors has set-up for the occasion. He loves it and the huge spiders our next door neighbors have on their house!

Packing and getting our ducks in a row for Blake and Lindsay's wedding weekend! 

Looking forward to said wedding SO MUCH! Can't wait to celebrate Blake and Linds and to see so many of our most favorite people in the world in one place!

Constantly burning my last Leaves (they're sold out in my store—boo!) and Cider Lane candles from Bath & Body Works. I have a slight obsession with candles.

Still coming down off the high of a very relaxing, wonderful getaway to Asheville Barry and I enjoyed last week for a CMCU board retreat. While he had work to do during the day,  I made myself more than comfortable at the Grove Park's Spa for two days. A. MA. ZING.

Being a little disappointed in what I've seen so far of the final season of Gossip Girl. I know, I know, it's a silly show to watch! But, I've been watching from the beginning, and I can't seem to stop myself.

Looking forward to the return of Top Chef, Million Dollar Decorators, and RHOA on Bravo!

Trying to rest some; this month has left all of us a little tired.

Getting excited about Halloween! Branner loved trick-or-treating last year, so I'm sure he'll have a blast this year! We're going with a big group of friends, so it should be a lot of fun!

Trying not to eat tons of the three huge bags of Halloween candy that we bought to give out. 

Enjoying all things pumpkin flavored when we get the chance: french toast, muffins, bread, lattes, oatmeal, etc., etc.

Preparing for our Christmas Card photo shoot next week. 

Waiting not so patiently for this election to be over!!!

What's currently going on at your house?

Hall Family Farm

I've already told y'all how busy this month is for us. Since the weekends between now and Halloween are filled, we went to pick out pumpkins at Hall Family Farm on Saturday evening. It was close to home, just the right size for B, and had plenty to keep him entertained. He loved picking out his pumpkin, "driving" tractors, playing in the sandbox, and checking out their huge spider! We will definitely be going back during strawberry season as well! 

The Calm Before the Storm

This week, there's not much going on around our house. B's got school (complete with a puppet performance today, which he loved), I've got some cleaning/organizing/working/exercising to do along with a little volunteering. Other than a haircut/color and a trip to the park, that's all that's on the schedule this week. The weekend's not crazy busy, either. It's nice to have a week/weekend without much going on, because starting next week, things are about to get cray around here!

Next week starts the madness that will be our October: taking dinner to friends who just had a precious baby boy, meetings, Liquor Library, a baby shower for my college BFF, a trip to Asheville for Barry and I, Christmas card/family pictures, a birthday celebration for a sweet girlfriend, the Halloween Hullaballoo at our church, then the big wedding weekend will be upon us, and after that is Halloween! WHEW! This month is really going to fly by.

I think we'd all three better rest up and dot some i's and cross some t's this weekend! I'm so glad I already got B's costume! Now, I just need to finish decorating for Fall...

Fashion Friday: Pinspiration

I'm alive over here, I promise. I'm slooooowly but surely unpacking the mountain of boxes that is in our garage. Fabrics and paint colors have been picked, deposits have been made, and decorating is well under way. We'll be going room by room, piece by piece starting with the master bedroom and den. We're talking a major overhaul here, friends. We're starting fresh. We're going to infuse our personalities into every inch of this house. This, for me, includes some kick-ass pink and leopard powder room wallpaper, but that's pretty far off, and I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I'll share pictures of our progress...eventually!

Anywho... it's Friday, which means fashion talk! Here are a few lovelies I found on Pinterest that will serve as some inspiration for me this fall.

Source: refinedstyle.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I love everything about this! Especially the fact that I have a dress and booties already in my closet (not to mention about 800 scarves) to recreate my own version!

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Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I have to say, I never thought I'd see the day where I actually would want to wear a Canadian tuxedo (as my brother calls wearing all denim), but I looooove this look!!!

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Source: fashionworship.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I have been obsessed with leather leggings for at least two years now. IF I ever get pregnant again, I have already done my research to know that there are maternity liquid/leather leggings, so, either way, I WILL wear an outfit similar to this in a few months!

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Source: mariannan.indiedays.com via Ashley on Pinterest

The Zara leather jacket I have my eye on would look amazing with an outfit like this!

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Source: judgement-is-a-bitch.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

DYING over this skirt! Must find something similar!!!

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So, we're talking booties, texture, and leather for me this Fall. What will your Fall staples be???

Happy Weekend!

XOXO

Riverbend Farm

Sorry for the picture-heavy post :)

We decided to take Branner to Riverbend Farm this year for a little pumpkin pickin'. To say he had an absolute blast would be an understatement. Between all of the tractors and animals, we left with no pumpkins. B was having entirely too much fun running around, "driving" the farm equipment and petting the animals to ride down to the pumpkin patch to choose one. What a great day!

Pumpkin Fun...In Just A Diaper

 Branner and I picked up a few decorative pumpkins and gourds during our weekly trip to the 'Teet. He loved playing with them after his nap yesterday! Welcome, Fall!

It's Fall, Y'all!

Boot and sweater weather is right around the corner(ish). Until then, here are my favorite fall obsessions:

1. Leaves Candles by Slatkin & Co. from Bath & Body Works. Have you smelled this? If not, you need to. It's a-ma-zing!

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2. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes (made with skim milk, no whip) and Caribou's Pumpkin White Chocolate Mocha (again, made a little lighter). Delish!

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3. Colored Jeans. I'm thinking red or emerald green. Still trying to find the perfect pair for purchase. These are J Brand. Totally loving them.

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4. Leopard print everything! My latest leopard purchase? These Tory Eddies. Adore. I'm treating leopard as a neutral this year!

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5. Neutral lips. Love this look!

Source: mimmist.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

6. Essie's Carry-On Fall Nail Collection. I can't wait to wear every single one of these shades-- particularly Case Study, Power Clutch and Very Structured!

What are your fall faves?

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More Fall Fashion

I have decided I also need these. I mean, hello? Teal Hunters? I can already envision my jeggings and skinnies tucked into these beautiful boots. I'm dying over the color!

Hunter High Gloss Rainboots

Switching gears completely, I die over this "jacket"...

Odille Noisette Jacket


And, this, I NEED this...

Crimped Striped Poncho


Lastly, this sweater is a must. Oh, and it's on sale!

Of-The-Ages Pullover

I think that's enough for now!