my goals

I started work on one of my 4 Simple Goals recently and this is the result.

 

 A past peak but still pretty fall day.

 

I'm trying to learn how to use the digital SLR. I know absolutely nothing about photography other than composition, so trying to remember different settings and all that can be a bit overwhelming but I am committed to making a real effort here. My first instinct is always to use Hipstamatic, but hopefully this will become a viable option at some point.

 

Smells like winter

This is what my home smells like right now, and I love it. Really love it. Like can't stop taking deep sniffs and making myself lightheaded love it.

Now I have a couple of confessions to make about home fragrances.

1) I used to buy candles, light them once so it looked like I used them, but not really burn them. I didn't want to use them up because it felt wasteful and for some reason I thought it appropriate to buy candles as decoration only. I have since come to the realization (I'm pretty sure the mister played a part in this) that it might be better to actually use them. Until they're gone. And it isn't wasting them, it's using them for their intended purpose which is quite the opposite of wasting. And also, I'm not allowed to buy new candles until I use up some of the old ones.

2) I insist on using seasonally appropriate fragrances in the house. Candles, hand soaps, well even lotions (I understand I am straying a bit from home fragrance, but you get the drift) are all time sensitive. I cannot use summer fragrances in the winter or winter fragrances in the summer (the exceptions being vanilla and apple, which are good year round. There might be more but that's all I can think of right now.) It is a momentous occasion for my senses when it is time to switch scents for the season. Which is why I am so enjoying the Spice candle I just started on last week. Mmmmmmmm. It gets me all excited for the coming holidays.

Also, as an added bonus, the need for two collections of scents means I can accumulate twice as many candles, hand soaps, and lotions. It's not a trick, it's essential. (come on people, back me up here. The mister is still coming around to this idea.)

Swoon

Gifted Magazine from Creature Comforts is pure magic. I couldn't even imagine cramming more things I love in one little space, but there it is. You will find gift ideas, inspiration, DIY projects, and freebies. And it's pretty. Oh so pretty. Go on now, check it out!

Oh, and did I mention it's November? I had to pause when writing the date today and just let it sink in for a minute. November.

Waddya talkin'

The mister and I wandered around a thrift store for about an hour yesterday waiting for sufficient inspiration to strike. What started it was this fabulous Oleg Cassini jacket we found, and there we had it: Babs and Merve. I played bingo and he liked bowling.. We both got some high waisted and *ahem* full seated jeans, Chris threw on a bunch of my cheap jewelry and I tried to channel the Coffee Talk lady with my makeup. As you can see, a good time was had. We were a little slow on the uptake (coming up with, buying, and assembling costumes a mere hours before the party) but I am so glad we decided to dress up this year! :)

And now I have to decide if we should buy candy. I haven't had trick or treat-ers anywhere I have lived in the last 13 years but we will be home and I plan to light the jack-o-lanterns and I'd hate to have to ignore children at the door. And anyway I could really go for some Nerds about now...

Costumed

I know it's not quite Halloween, but I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that will be celebrating tonight. So in honor of the first time in about a decade that I have dressed up for Halloween, here are some of the cutest kids in costumes I have seen.

Have a fun (and safe!) weekend everybody!

the great pumpkin massacre

My friends, this pumpkin was solid through and through. I worked up a sweat just trying to get the lid off, and broke the stem in the process. And not only was there plenty of filling, but it was hard! Like, none of that just reach in with your hands and scoop some out business, that would have gotten me nowhere. This thing required knives and spoons. It was not messing around. 

The mister had his own unique issues with his pumpkin though. It was quite certainly the juiciest pumpkin I have ever seen in my life. As in each scoop of guts came out dripping, and he had to use a paper towel several times to sop up the soup at the bottom of the pumpkin. It was crazy.

I know I should have cleaned him up a little bit for his close-up, but I kind of couldn't resist. What is really amazing about these shots is that there is no candle inside. The contrast in colors and the regular overhead light made him glow quite perfectly.

Ok, ok enough of my little pumpkin, here are all of his friends.

And the process.

So there, proof that I am doing everything in my power to remain on the holiday at hand.

 How is your Halloween so far?

with which to cuddle

shop dirtsa via Lovely Little Things (they're only $18 each!)

Precious Knits via Unruly Things

If you're not quite ready for Christmas talk, look away

Me, I'm pretty much ready. I'm a total sucker for everything Christmas related. I absolutely love holiday decorating. Trees, wreathes, boxes and bows, snowflakes and reindeer. Love it. And while I readily admit that it is a bit early to be focusing on these things, an email from West Elm this morning got me a little warm and fuzzy inside.

Yes, yes yes. I will take one of each. Please and thank you. (Would you hold it against me if I tried to copy them and make my own? Because I want to set up an elf factory and start cranking these out, like, yesterday.)

See them all here.

Darn it, Martha!

Leave it to Martha Stewart to give me a serious case of pumpkin envy. I happen to have one of those lovely blue green pumpkins (look there, I'm already inferior, I don't even know the name of the pumpkin) and I just love these lace inspired creations. I'm tempted, but I think I've got something else up my sleeve. We'll see.

Check out more pumpkin awesomeness here.

250!

Today marks my 250th post! That's a lot of posts, my friends. That's a lot of inspiration. I have to say it hasn't been an easy task posting something every single day, and of course I admit that I haven't been perfect. But I'm trying, and I'm pushing myself, and that's kind of the point. So thank you for reading, and it would be just lovely if you would pass the love around to friends, post it on your own blog (or facebook or twitter or what have you) and encourage my little blog to grow.

Thank you!