Happy Halloween!

I loved Halloween growing up.  It was fun to pick out a costume, decorate the house with fall decor, and carve pumpkins.  The best part was going out in the neighborhood and getting as much candy as possible.  When we would get home we laid all our candy out, did some trading amongst each other, and then my mom would make us bag it all up.  We each put our name on {our} bag and put it in the freezer.  After Halloween we were only allowed one piece a day (and that was in our lunch).  I remember coming home from school and sneaking a few pieces out of the freezer.  It was horrible at the time to have to put it all away, but in the end it turned out okay because we had candy that lasted us for months.

Last Day

One of my favorite things to do in Portland is attend local {Farmer's Markets}.  This weekend is the last weekend most of them will be going on.  Many of them go through the month of October... due to change in weather.  I am disappointed to see them dissolve because I enjoy being outdoors with other Portland shoppers and also love the fresh produce, flowers, and art that the markets carry.  The produce to amazing with such a large selection of items to choose from.  I am sad to see all of the local markets disappear for the coming months but look forward to next Spring when they arrive again.

CANDY PICKS

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN CANDY?

FREE TIME

I am finished up with coaching Cross Country.  I am disappointed the season is over; however, I am excited about the next step I will embark on.  I look forward to having some free time and unexhausting days.  I always enjoy being apart of something and staying busy but this is a great time of year to relax and enjoy the wonderful fall-winter season {indoors}.

keep me warm {please}

SCARF: an accessory to add color, style, and fashion to an outfit; to keep a person warm while bearing the cold.

 

 

 

Check out more scarves and warps at Nordstroms.

cookie contest

My mom and I just entered into a cookie contest, and I am so thrilled!  My mom works at Central Catholic High and they are hosting a cookie contest with three different categories.  Even though neither of us bake we have decided to take on the challenge.  Baking has never turned out well in my kitchen, however, I think with a few trials we may get one that turns out perfect.

The first trial happened last night and they WORKED!  The dough held wonderfully, the cookies did not spread while baking, and the bottoms did not burn.  It was so exciting to have the first trial work.  One more trial and they should be flawless and right on.  We have till mid-November to have perfection!

Childhood Shows

Top {FIVE} favorite television shows growing up.

No Rest (Sunday)

I am exhausted.  Looking forward to a night of good rest (and a busy week ahead). 

[work] spaces and places

we all have {to do} list's.... a place as perfect as on of these makes it easy to accomplish those little tasks from the never ending lists.

morning with James

I got to start my morning with James.  He is growing up so fast and everyday I spend with him his special.  He is almost four months old.  Getting to spend time with him means so much to me and I look forward to every opportunity.

Go DUCKS!!

The Oregon Ducks are playing in a big game tonight!!!  I am excited to watch them play hard and work those Bruins at Autzen!  It's going to be a great game!

i want to be here.

No Carve Pumpkins

Not really in to carving pumpkins?  Hate cleaning out a pumpkins?  No creativity?  Try one of these no-carve pumpkin ideas.  They are super cute.  What a perfect center piece for your table or an adorable mantel display.  

I found some great tips and ideas on a variety of websites.  Painting, wrapping with ribbon or paper, and applying glitter can help create a haunted pumpkin without the mess.

Check out some of these websites for great ideas:

Good Housekeeping

Better Homes and Garden

Real Simple

HG

Fall Soup

Fall time always calls for a delicious warm soup made with fresh fall produce.  I had some free time on my Sunday so I wanted to make a leafy, vegetable soup.  I added fall produce and kale and created a yummy, warm soup.

Vegetable and Kale Soup

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tsp olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 quart chicken broth

2 cans diced tomatoes (with juice)

2 cans kidney beans, rinsed

3 carrots, chopped

2 zucchini, chopped

4-5 cups broccoli florets

3 cups kale, chopped

1 tbsp oregon

1 tbps galic powder

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Heat soup pot with oil, add onions and garlic, stirring until onions are soft.  Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and carrots. Stir everything together and add oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  Reduce heat to low, add zucchini, broccoli, and kale and simmer for 40 minutes.  Add extra seasoning depending on taste.  Serve with a warm loaf of bread.

Caramel Apples

this is the perfect time to make a caramel apple.... the apples are {in season and fresh}, its a perfect fall treat.  while browsing through Cupcakes and Cashmere I found these delicious, adorable, and festive caramel apples.  the recipe is basic and couldn't be more simple to make.  you can be as creative as you want, covering the outside with black and orange sprinkles, reese peanut butter m&m's, chocolate chips, or candy corn.

perfect-saturday

Today couldn't be a better Saturday.  My mom and I are taking a drive to Hood River, which we do often, to buy local and fresh produce and pick out some pumpkins to carve.  Rasmussen Farms has a great fall setting with an array of fresh produce inclulding vegetables, apples, and pears.  They also have an fantastic pumpkin patch with gorgeous, oversized pumpkins.  I am looking forward to spending the day getting prepared for the Fall season.

(FRIDAY)

Happy Friday. Enjoy your weekend.

LC + MTV + NEW REALITY

I am so excited to hear that LC will be filming a new reality show on MTV.  She has starred on Laguna Beach (like it!) and The Hills (love it!) and is now filming another (YEAH!!!).  However, this show is strictly her work life (that's what she thinks)... and "supposedly" will not reveal her personal life, including her best friend Lauren "Lo" and her boyfriend, Kyle Howard.  I am looking forward to this gossip, drama filled show.

XC MEET today

cross country meet today.  i love these days, its so exciting to watch the runners work their hearts out, run with all they have, challenge themselves, and lastly, compete!  every practice impacts a race day.  to finally get to a race day... the runners get to show off!  every opponent passed,  all personal bests, and each race completed make these meets gratifying and memorable.

Perfect!

I found this on Design Sponge and fell in love.  What could be better than this?  It has complimenting colors, perfect lighting, comfortable, and dreamy.  The perfect room to open up a door to.

new project!

today i am starting a new project in my room.  it really needs a paint job, its a brown color and often times i feel like my room is dark and uninviting.  i have been dying to change it to a light {almost white} blue. yesterday i went down to the paint store and found the perfect color, cornflower bouquet (do not let the color name foul you).

i starting painting today and excited for it to be complete.  once i finish the walls and complete my headboard i am hoping to make some new curtains, then my room will be complete!

The Patch

this time of year, {FALL}, and Halloween, bring back so many fun memories.  Going to the pumpkin patch and picking out the perfect one, designing a costume to wear on Halloween night, eating lots of candy, carving the (perfect) pumpkin, and lighting it each night till Halloween always makes this time of year enjoyable no matter how old you are.  As I get older I no longer go tricker treating but still enjoy carving a pumpkin, lighting it, and also love handing out candy to all the tricker treater.

As a family we would make a trip to the patch every year around this time of month.  Each of us searched for the best pumpkin that fit us... perfectly round, best size, and just the right length of stem.  After we each found that {perfect} pumpkin, we headed home and carved what we thought created the best [JACK-0-LANTERN].  My mom lined the floor with newspaper, we each cut open the top, my mom would clean it out, and we would create the best picture.  There were countless times we discovered we cut too far or too much.... but in the end none of that matter.  It was about the tradition of Halloween we enjoyed the most!

The Start of a New Season

Fall is officially here.  This season of changes gets me excited... the leaves are beginning to change colors, the days are getting shorter, and the air will soon feel brisk and fresh.  As much as I hate to see summer go, I always love the start of a new season.  It is exciting to prepare for a new season.  Delicious soups create a yummy kitchen aroma, warm coats and scarves come out of the closest, fresh produce is locally available, and there are tons of fall activities at hand to create a fun-filled weekend.

So Delicious

Earlier this week, I went to the store and bought some bananas, however, my mom also went the same day and bought more bananas (not knowing I already had).  We are loaded with freckled, ripe bananas but nothing to do with them.  They are {PERFECT} for some banana bread though.

I did some searching and found a few recipes that I would like to try.  Because I like to experiment, I will likely combine a couple recipes and create my very banana bread.

A (warm slice) of banana bread with a spread of butter, cream cheese, or peanut butter is the best way to start a morning or even a delicious afternoon snack.  I sometimes like toasting it to make it slightly crisp {NOT BURNT}.

latest trend

it's back in {STYLE}....

I love this one... don't you?  how great for a dining room with an accent red wall.

perfect for a simple, clean bathroom.

WALLPAPER

there are so many charming, elegant, vibrant, and glamourous prints which [adds the perfect] look to a room that is so simple.  (painting) a wall can be basic and flavorless because it is usually only one or two colors, whereas.... wallpaper can create a space that is colorful and inviting!  this is going to be a fantastic trend.... cant wait to see what people come up with.

super cute.

while browsing the internet.... i found.....

super cute, dainty

classical, simple

charming and elegant bags.  they are perfect for any occasion.  you can use them as make up bags, clutches, purses, wallets, or simply to store small miscellaneous items.  every girl needs a small tote to store important items.