Go Ahead, Make My Halloween

This past weekend couldn't have been more perfect. Our Bonfire on Friday was rained out, but we still had a fabulous time entertaining friends indoors. Saturday we partied on the edge of the action and had a totally hilarious time, everyones costumes we're great!

Someone did 'make my halloween'; the good folks over at Warner Brothers. Is anyone else as geeked out for this as I am? Harry Potter is the icing on my Halloween cake!

photo via Warner Bros.

I'll be laying low again this week, Josh leaves for training on All Hallow's Eve, so we have a week packed with relaxation! Hopefully we'll see some more snow before he heads out. Have a Boo-tiful Halloween!

Getting Ghoulish

I'm having a blast preparing for Halloween festivities this weekend, it's kept me very busy Josh and I are throwing a Halloween Bonfire on Friday, followed by Kent Halloween on Saturday. While the forecast calls for snow (yes, snow!), everyone is gathering costumes and getting ready to brave the cold.

Don't you love this pumpkin display? Eerie!

photo via Martha Stewart


I've been baking all week in preparation of the party; cowboy cookies, pumpkin pie and caramel apples are all on the menu. I can't wait to decorate my table and share photos! Until then I'll get back to cooking and costuming. Halloween awaits! Have a ghoulish week!

Tartan Tizzy

The design world is a buzz with the new Williams-Sonoma Home store opening in NYC. Over at Habitually Chic, she graciously gives us an insiders look at the Grand Opening.

Naturally I started perusing WS Home's website and I stumbled upon Tartan. I love plaid patterns and especially Tartan's which each trace back to a Scottish family.

I would love a room like this, but I don't think Josh would ever go for it.

Does anyone else ever look through catalogs and love the items being sold, but also wonder to yourself, "I love the room itself". I love the log holder and bright airy feeling, the Tartan couch doesn't feel at all stuffy.

I could however see myself using this modest application.photos via Williams-Sonoma Home

I love the shape of the couch, the contrasting pattern of the Tartan and the rug. I think this room is perfectly 'comfy chic'.

Anyway, a short post today, Josh and I are off to see a movie with friends. Have a wonderful start to your weekend!

Girl Crush

Some gals adore icons of yesteryear, some gals adore tanorexic drones with no talent, I adore the gal in Hollywood that is the epitome of quirkiness and charm: Zooey Deschanel.

Sweet with a side of sauce, Deschanel is on the cover of Nylon this month looking demure, but her interview reveals a spunky, sassy, 20-something with the world in her hands. She has a slew of new movies coming out and I cant wait to see her on the big screen; I loved her in Elf, Failure to Launch, and in The Go-Getter.


photos via Nylon

And while both my friend Kiki and the grocery store clerk mistook her for Katy Perry, I dare to say Zooey's voice is better; yes better! If you haven't heard her croon in one of her movies, or have and you loved her smooth, sultry, old-school voice then check out She & Him, her little Indie duo with M.Ward (also excellent). Their first CD Volume One has been out for a bit now and the songs are perfect for those sunny Fall drives. I love the vibe of Sentimental Heart.


Head over to Nylon to check out a behind the scenes look at her cover shoot.

Down with the Sickness

This weekend was a blast. I've caught some sort of bug, but instead of tending to my health on Saturday I celebrated our last Homecoming with Josh and friends. It was well worth it, but now I'm sicker than before.

Since I'm all cooped up, I taught myself to knit, which is turning out to be so much fun!

It's so easy to do and really relaxing; if you've never knit before, I suggest you try it.

I'll be back in full blogging force in a few days! The leaves are all falling here and it's getting to be the most beautiful time of year. Enjoy some pumpkin inspiration in the meantime, I l-o-v-e the faux bois Pumpkin!

photos via Country Living

Isn't this the sweetest?!?!

photo via Martha Stewart

Bless Your Heart

These past few debates have been pretty interesting. And don't even getting me started on the ads and what not. I'm an Obama girl myself but, as Perez said, I've "gotta give credit where credit is due".

Even I admit this makes 'Sexy Sarah' look pretty slick. Thank you Ms. and thank your son!

Let's Cuddle

I have a *minor* obsession with blankets and throws. I have about 15 of various knits, materials, and weights. I have bed throws, lap blankets, and some for outside by the fire.

Blanket via Etsy from Forest of Ice

Vintage wool throws from famed brands like Beacon and Hudson Bay can be found on Ebay or in antique stores. Etsy also has a nice selection of hand-knit throws and afghans that can become family heirlooms. Heck, you can even take a class and make one yourself!


Fall is crisp and chilly, the perfect time to add to your blanket collection and cuddle up on the couch with some of these beauties!

Chunky Hand-Knit Throw from Pottery Barn


These, also from PB, are a Soy/Cotton Blend
Love the Grays and Blues

Blankets available via Pottery Barn

For a more classic wool blanket try Pendleton,which carries Classic, Merino and Lambswool throws. I love the Merino Wool Throw in Mackeller Tartan (left) and the Pine Hill Plaid Lambswool Throw (right). Pendleton is a quality product, so expect to pay upwards of $100 for a blanket.


Woolrich is also a classic choice for camp throws and Hudson Bay blankets.
For a more feminine touch, I love the sweetness of this Cord and Coil Throw from Anthropologie or this Pink and Brown stripped combo from Pottery Barn Teen.

Finding the perfect blanket is like finding a soulmate, once you discover it you'll never want to stop cuddling together on those cold, windy nights.

Simply Angelic

Josh received his 3rd tattoo last week as I had mentioned in a previous post. Here's a snapshot of the pretty lady.

The more I look at her the more I love her. Wells (our tattoo artist) made her curvy and voluptuous, and I personally think she has a beautiful face. I'm set to get more ink in December. Do you have tattoos?

On Target

Yesterday I ventured to Target to check out new GO International designer Jonathan Saunders. While the collection overall isn't my style, there is alot to be said for his modern take on all that is Avant-garde. His clothes push that boundary for every day wear and is most definitely the most modern GO line Target has featured. I did manage to pick up this t-shirt, which I call "Picasso Barfed On Me".


I also love this fade to black Ombre top


And I only *wish* they had this blue dress in stock

Both are available through Target for a limited time.

I also picked up a these adorable black on black, tile print desk organizers, on clearance. Go me! I can't wait to stuff all my pens and mail in them!

Now I'm off to watch the Presidential Town Hall debate and hope you'll do the same. Being an informed voter (no matter who you're for) is the only way to be!

Off With Her Head

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. Ghouls and Goblins, Witches' Brew, and Pumpkins are just my thing; and for the past 5 years I've celebrated All Hallows Eve in Kent, OH.

Practically a 3-ring circus, 10,000+ people diverge on our tiny downtown in costumes that would make Howard Stern blush. Throw in a SWAT team (yes, I said SWAT team), a college-worth of kids drunk off their arses, 18 fraternities, 11 bars and you have yourself a par-tay! Ok, so on paper it sounds like an arrest for public intoxication waiting to happen, but I promise you...it's the time of your life.

A la Mean Girls, it's an excuse for girls to dress as skanky as possible without actually becoming strippers, a mistake many make in their first few years.

But a great costume takes meticulous planning. A) You want to look good. B) You want to stay warm, it can get down into the 30's at night. and C) You wanna be something that no one else is going to be (or at least be the best of what you are).

With a million manufactured costumes, how do you ensure you'll stand out in the crowd?

I think the key is finding the right costume and dressing it to the nines. Last year, my friend Lisa and I were Pin-ups. Both our costumes were store bought, then I added ribbon, star buttons for my 'rank', a silk cord off Josh's Class A uniform, and I even borrowed the classic 'envelope' cap from one of the female cadets. We had our hair done the day of and since stockings with seams were too expensive, we drew lines up the backs of our legs with marker.

The end result was a blast! We each received a handful of compliments, which made the costume worth all the effort.

This year I'm heading my bets. I'm being Medusa and Josh is being Perseus. I'll let you look up the mythology, but in short: Medusa was the most beautiful creature, cursed by a jealous Athena. Her hair turned to snakes and any man who gazed upon her turned to stone. Perseus eventually kills Medusa, by chopping off her head.

I'm opting for a simple white, Grecian style dress, though green isn't out of the question. Some leggings underneath will ensure warmth. I'll accessorize with gold and some snake bangles I found at the local vintage store. After scouring the Internet however, I've realized this hideous thing is the only snake headpiece sold separately from a otherwise hideous costume. But of course, Martha was reading my mind when she came up with this up do' created with cheap extensions and rubber snakes. Much better, no?

(photo via Martha Stewart)

I'm super excited to put it all together and even more excited to partake in my last Kent Halloween. What costume will you be donning this Halloween?

Weekend Relaxation

Josh and I had a nice relaxing weekend. I laid off the blog for a few days (I'm having writers block, go figure). Friday, Josh got a new tattoo (pics to come later) and we spent the rest of the evening cuddling up. Saturday we went on a hunt for some antiques and a lovely dinner date.




Today, Sunday, we saw Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist which I found sweet and adorable. I'm a sucker for a movie with geeky Michael Cera and a good soundtrack. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a good laugh. Co-star Rafi Gavron is nice to look at too, as well as hilarious.

Just a short post today, lots to come this week so keep coming back!

and don't forget to check out the new Somee of the Week!

Funky Tunes

I'm loving this new song by Soft Swap (nice name, huh?) It's called Addicted to Perez and it's totally true. I love Perez, his blog, and his sass mouth! I love the line "I have to be the first to comment", because people honestly have heart attacks over commenting first! The song is funky fresh too!

Also check out SIA, she's something else and fast becoming one of my favorites. Buttons is a great song, along with her cover of RadioHead's Paranoid Android.

Just a quick post today, tonight we're having a Bonfire and friends over for dinner.
Have a fabulous evening!