Halloween Decor on a Dime: Progress

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! It’s been a busy week, but I managed to add a little something to the dia de los muertos altar. I was inspired by this pin, and I’m really loving the punch of color.  I’m hoping that slow and steady wins the Halloween decorating race because I am moving at a glacial pace.

Pom pom garland.

Pom pom garland.

Here’s to hoping!

Have a great weekend!

xo

Life in Photos: Weekend Fun

It’s a beautiful, sunny fall day here in the PNW. On this busy Wednesday, I wanted to take a moment to look back on what a lovely weekend I had. It’s important to remember the positive things when struggling with a stressful day.

I did a little post workday retail therapy on Friday and found these beauties for $15!

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I love you, Target!

I started a new book this weekend, and it is a great read so far. This was recommended by a friend,  and I found it at a thrift store…win!

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Started it on Friday night and I’m almost done.

Amidst the Halloween shopping, we needed a little pick me up.

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Lattes and caramel wafers on my bestie date.

Some friends had an extra ticket to the WHL Silvertips game, so we picked up an extra ticket on-line and enjoyed some hockey on Saturday night. It was so fast-paced, and the crowd was awesome. We will definitely be going to some more hockey games.

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My first hockey game. Go Silvertips!

Sunday morning was devoted to a friend’s birthday celebration, so we made the (20 minute) journey into Seattle for a delicious brunch, hot coffee, and a cocktail (or two, or three).

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Sunday morning brunch view. We got to celebrate a very dear friend, so fun!

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Cocktails at brunch…grapefruity goodness.

I hope you have fond weekend memories too. We’re halfway there, Happy Wednesday!

xo

Halloween Decor on a Dime

Halloween is right around the corner and we are pleased to be hosting a party, as this is one of our favorite holidays. It may seem odd that I love Halloween so much because I’m a pansy when it comes to all things scary, BUT there is something about the fall weather, dressing up in costume and the use of dry ice to make a normal punch bowl transform into a witch’s cauldron.  I have always had a love/hate relationship with those pop up Halloween stores because the employees would be dressed up in scary costumes, and the decorations made noises and popped out at you as you passed. Despite my fear (and constant mental reminders that it’s all fake), I loved going to pick out my costume. Once we had the costume, the countdown began. I used to love getting into costume and cruising the neighborhood for candy, and it wasn’t all about the candy but more about being out with friends and my little sister. We would get home with rosy cheeks from the cold and change into pj’s–while still donning at least one costume accessory–and go through our loot. We would carefully choose our favorites for immediate enjoyment, and then mom would put a piece or two into lunches for weeks…that was awesome. There is something magical about Halloween and it has not faded for me, not one bit.

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Me as a cheerleader, 1988.

A couple things have changed over time, but I think these changes are for the best. #1, I love to DIY, my decorations and costumes (yay, no more scary Halloween store experiences!). #2, I have traded in trick-or-treating for party hosting, and I absolutely love having a full house and entertaining for friends. This party falls on El Dia de los Muertos, so I am going to put a Day of the Dead spin on everything. Keep that in mind as you peruse my décor ideas.

On Saturday I was able to combine some favorites; a bestie, shopping, aaaand Halloween. To prepare for my party décor shopping, I pulled out my old Halloween decorations to see which ones would return to their former glory. Here’s what we have that fits the bill.

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Then I checked out Pinterest for inspiration, check out my board.

I narrowed it down to my favorite ideas and happily hit The Dollar Tree and Party City, with my bestie in tow. I am a firm believer in making the most with what you have, so a large portion of the décor will be DIY based on what I have, or on what we bought for cheap. Here’s what we picked up.

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PROGRESS:

  • I have reused some skulls and added faux flowers.
  • I have added some spider webs to our art wall– fun fact; all of these works of art were painted by my dad.

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More photos to come as this Halloween / Day of the Dead Wonderland comes to together.

Happy Monday!

xo

Life in Photos: Finally Friday

The weekend is so close, I can taste it. I have a day date with one of my most favorite people in the world tomorrow. I have a birthday brunch for a beautiful friend on Sunday. I have two days to recharge my batteries, slow down a bit and enjoy the people I love.

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Happy Friday everyone!

What are you most looking forward to this weekend?

Fall Shopping Wish List: Jackets & Cardigans

Everywhere I look, I’m seeing military, oversized cardigans, and leather, and I want in on this.

I have one military jacket, in a washed down medium brown twill, and it is probably about 4 years old from Old Navy. It has held up beautifully and I wear it A LOT. I’d love to bring in another military jacket in a true army green, with a little different styling to mix it up a bit. This military jacket fits the bill.  To continue with the military theme, I have my eye on this vest. I have seen the vest styled like below, but layered over something more femme like a lightweight dress and cardigan with ankle booties, so cute.

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Military Jacket // Asos
Military Vest // Nordstrom

Speaking of cardigans…I LOVE this oversized striped cardigan. I would wear this over and over again. I am also pleasantly surprised that I am so into this Fair Isle sweater because it has so much color. I am in dire need of color in my wardrobe and this pop of orange is gorgeous.

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Striped Sweater // Nasty Gal
Fair Isle Sweater // Piperlime

Last but certainly not least, this faux leather moto jacket in burgundy is so rich looking. The moto jacket is totally on trend and in this color, perfect for fall. I have no leather or faux leather in my wardrobe right now and at $25, this is a definite option. I’m also very into this quilted faux leather jacket, totally chic and versatile, styled as below or layered over a dress.

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Moto Jacket // Forever 21
Quilted Jacket // H&M

Which jackets and cardigans are on your wish list right now?

Wednesday…we’re halfway there!

xo

Life in Photos: Weekend Shots

This was another fantastic weekend, slightly more low key than usual. Friday night involved 5 hours of baseball, Saturday was all about running errands and a Cheese Fest date night (read about that here), and Sunday was all about getting organized and tidy for the week. Oh and there was a little Fantasy Football win for me, no big deal.

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Friday night was game 1 of the MLB NLCS series. My husband, a huge Dodger fan, was trying to get the pups to rally. Sadly, it didn’t work.

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Oh that Mia girl, such a ham.

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Saturday morning breakfast–sautéed spinach, 2 poached eggs, croissant and a latte. Not too shabby.

Saturday outfit snap shot...what I wore for running errands. Flat booties a must.

Saturday outfit snap shot…what I wore for running errands. Flat booties a must.

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Loungin’

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Breakfast of champions…cheesecake. No judgments, please. Seriously though, River Valley Cheese knocks it out of the park.

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We came across this at Cheese Fest. What a great hostess gift, right?

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My Fantasy Football win. Glorious.

I hope you had a great weekend! Here’s to a great Tuesday everyone!

xo

Date Night: Cheese Fest

We celebrated our anniversary on Saturday night by going to the Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival. The festival featured endless cheese tasting, local beer, wine and cider. We had a great time, such a great time in fact, that I spaced on taking photos. I did snap a few but most importantly, I remembered to photograph the cheeses we purchased. I have to stress that there were a ton of delicious cheeses and we chose to buy the ones that really struck our fancy. If we could buy them all, we would have. We LOVE cheese.

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I am so excited to use the queso jalapeno in tamales! The gouda is almost completely gone already, and the blue cheese won’t last much longer. The cheesecake served us well on Sunday morning as breakfast, and I must say, with a cup of coffee, absolute perfection. Cheese fest, thank you for showing us such a good time! We can’t wait for next year!

Happy Monday!

xo

Life in Photos: Dodger & Mia FBF

Today, Seattle is a bit on the soggy side, and it’s definitely grey. I am disappointed to report that this morning I have been a little grumpy (huge understatement), but I am hitting the reset button RIGHT NOW. This is one of my most favorite pictures of Mia as a pup with her big brother Dodger. Look at how sweet they are together. My heart melts every time I look at it. I hope this Dodger & Mia Flashback Friday gives you the warm and fuzzies too.

Couch QT between pups

Couch QT between pups

Now that we are all smiling because of this cute photo, let’s celebrate Friday’s arrival! It’s been a long week and I couldn’t be happier to know that the weekend is right around the corner. I love to sleep in a little, snuggle with my hubby and pups in bed, make delicious breakfasts, and I am so excited to be celebrating my 6th wedding anniversary this weekend (more on that later).

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Have a great Friday!

xo

Fall Fashion 2013: Shop Your Closet

Okay, I know what you’re thinking…shop my own closet?…LAAAAME. I swear, it’s fun. You haven’t seen your fall clothes in months, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve forgotten all about some items. I’ve decided to show some fun looks from my closet, as it is now. I’m focusing on transition looks right now, and trying to work in some spring/summer pieces like dresses, skirts and shorts. I 100% stand by shopping your own closet, especially before big purchases. Here are my top 3 fall transition looks.

Look 1: Here I have layered a Chambray button down under a black wrap dress with knee high cognac boots.

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Chambray Button Down: Old Navy, Wrap Dress: Ross, Boots: Nordstrom Rack

Look 2: This hunter green crew neck sweater looks so rich over an ivory silk button down. Add some black shorts and leopard flats to complete the look.

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Sweater: Target, Silk Button Down: Cabi (gifted from my mama), Shorts: Old Navy, Flats: ShoeDazzle

Look 3: This striped sweater with a knee length denim skirt and oxford wedges is easy aaand pulled together. I may wear this tomorrow.

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Sweater: Thrifted and re-imagined by me, Skirt: Gifted by a friend, Wedges: Old Navy

Happy Wednesday friends!