Outdoor Halloween Decor

There is a local street that goes out all for Halloween.  We mean all out.  The displays are certainly not your average pumpkin and scarecrow in your front yard.  Here are some fun and inspiring images from their website.  Happy Halloween friends!

Spooky royalty.

 

Yep, that's a "ghost ship" in someone's front yard.

 A scary soiree.

 

{Party Decor} Geometric Details

If you are looking to add a modern feel to a party, add some geometric details. We are in love with them.  Be sure to check out the details on how to make your own geometric runner from Hank & Hunt.

1.Love vs. Design 2.Hank & Hunt
3.Melangerie Inc. 4. Little Sooti

{Weekend Notes} More Halloween Fun

This weekend we will be enjoying some more Halloween festivities.  There is a street in our hometown that is amazingly decorated for Halloween.  We along with many many others will gawk at the creations that the proud homeowners have worked so hard on.  There will also be a little Halloween parade that we will be attending.  Yep, lots and lots more spooky fun to be had.  Maybe we'll fit in another doughnut or two.  Have a fun filled weekend!

{Party Palette} Fall Foliage

Who doesn't love the colors of fall leaves?  It's Mother Nature's last hooray before winter takes over. 

Vintage Buttercup//Mod Cloth//Terrain
Elizabeth Anne Designs//roncm3

Halloween Treat Bag DIY

My daughter's class will soon be having their Halloween party.  I usually put together a little treat bag for all of her classmates, but I didn't want to get the usual printed store bought treat bag.  Inspired by my daughter's witch costume, here's what I made with the everyday paper lunch bag.

Paper-Sparrow by Andrea Lauren

Right now woodland creatures are all the rage and we especially love little  foxes.  We recently stumbled across these fun and creative designs from Paper-Sparrow by Andrea Lauren that incorporate this adorable trend.  Andrea Lauren is a muscian and artist who works primarily in watercolor, gouache and pen.  Please hop over to her shop to check out more of her fabulous work. 



"Sweet Dreams Fox"

 

This poster would be super adorable in a child's room.

 

"Fantastic Foxes" poster

 

Wedding Foxes Card



This Weekend - Get in the Halloween Spirit

This weekend we are taking my daughters to the Zoo Boo.  Dara started this tradition with my oldest daughter Ellie and we are happy have my youngest daughter Amelia join in.  My girls will enjoy plenty or sugary treats and some fun activities while all dressed up in their Halloween costumes.  It's so wonderful to get some use out of those costumes other than just on Halloween itself.  Have a delightful weekend friends!

Raven Halloween Party Inspiration

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

A Halloween party inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" would be fabulously creepy. 

Pottery Barn//Tom Banwell//inhabit//The Nest UK //Still River Press

Sweet of the Week: Frankenweenie Cake by Sprinkle Bakes

Heather from Sprinkle Bakes has a wonderful blog that documents all of her creative confections.  This artist, turned baker and blogger is now an author too.  Check out her new book "Sprinkle Bakes".  Today we are featuring her Frankenweenie "Sparky" Cake.  Please be sure to hop on over to her blog to see all the details of this amazing cake, including the bright lime green inside of the sweet treat. 

{Party Palette} Yellow + Green

 We like the combination of yellow and green, that occurs naturally for fall.  The pop of yellow is a nice contrast to the dark green.   

Enjoy Events Co.// Heal's
Emerson Fry NYC//Waiting on Martha//Sweet Nature Designs


 

{This Weekend} Celebrations

This weekend we will be celebrating Dara's boyfriend, Paul, who now is an official full time officer of the law.  We're so happy for him as he has worked hard and has gone through many obstacles to get to this point in his life.  Dara and Paul are also going to attend yet another wedding, this time locally.  So it is yet another weekend full of celebrations.  As always, we hope you have a splendid weekend too.

Halloween Party Invitations

 Are you thinking about having a grownup Halloween party?  Check out these wickedly wonderful Halloween party invitations. 

Embellished Paper

 

Little Bliss Designs

Eliza K Prints

 



digibuddha Paperie


Elleol Designs


Pumpkin Decorating Idea

Inspired by yesterday's post, we thought decorating a pumpkin with buttons would be easy and cute.  Try the simple project for yourself. 

We opted for a simple smiley face, but you could also try spelling the words "boo" on the pumpkin or using different colored buttons.  The possibilities are endless. Happy pumpkin decorating!

 

Sew in Love Bridal Shower Inspiration Board

These crafty party elements would work well for so many different parties including; a "sew in love" bridal shower, a "cute as a button" baby shower, first birthday or for a girls craft party.  Having guests sign a quilt square would be a great idea for either a bridal shower or a baby shower.  The embroidery hoop below is made by Lily Laughs.  We love the yarn pom pom flowers by Mason Rabbit Home, which would make lovely centerpieces.  The spools by Tuck & Bonte are a creative way to hold place cards and table number.  And no party is complete without a sweet dessert. 

 

Wedding Anniversary Weekend

Eleven years ago today I woke up to pouring rain, ate breakfast and anxiously waited to slip into my wedding dress.  I chose fall to get married because I dreamed of having outdoor photos with the beautiful backdrop of fall leaves behind me.  Sadly that day the rain never stopped, but it didn't ruin the day because no matter what I would marry the love of my life.  Pouring rain or not. 

After the wedding my husband and I went on our honeymoon, as most newly married couples too.  My husband is a teacher and couldn't take that much time off.  We made the decision to stay in Michigan and head to one of my most favorite places - Traverse City.  One of the things that I love about Michigan is how dramatically beautiful it becomes in the fall.  As we made the four hour drive to Traverse City the colors along the road grew bolder and more amazing and as we reached our destination seeing the bay and the lake made it more magical.  If you are ever in Michigan, I encourage you to visit Traverse City and the surrounding areas.  There are wineries galore and many fabulous restaurants to make any foodie happy. The picture below was taken last year during our 10th wedding anniversary, when we went back to Traverse City.  It is of Black Star Farms, a local vineyard and farm.  I love how the netting over the vines appears ghostly and of course the autumn foliage in the background. 

 

LilacPOP by Janna Bissett

I came across some industrial inspired jewelry from LilacPOP at a local craft show and purchased a necklace for Dara's birthday.  The piece simply, but beautifully had "Detroit" stamped on it.  I picked up the artist's business card to find out that she has an Etsy shop too and that on top of making jewelry, she also was an amazing photographer.  I always love supporting local artists and shops and I wanted to share her work with you.  LilacPOP by Janna Bissett offers fine art photographs printed on metallic paper.  I love the way Jana captures the beauty of local landmarks, fashion and numerous other subjects.  Please visit her shop to purchase and see some more of her fabulous work. 



DETROIT stamped necklace by Janna Bissett

Detroit Ren Cen by Janna Bissett

 

 Salon Fashion Photography by Janna Bissett

 

Figs Five Ways

Figs are a beautiful and delicious fruit.  The rich color and sweet flavor are perfect for fall.  Here are some yummy looking recipes that all have figs as an ingredient.  How interesting does a burger with brie and green figs sound.  Have a light and flavorful salad of grilled kale, beets, figs and ricotta.  The fig infused vodka looks amazing.  And don't forget to end your meal with a sour cream fig cupcake with cream cheese frosting or a fig, mascarpone and pistachio tart.  Happy cooking and happy eating!

Black Butterflies

Yay! It's the first day of October!  It's one of my favorite months because it's fall, my wedding anniversary and Halloween all wrapped into one great month.  Let's step into Halloween with some unexpected inspiration.  I found some unusual images of black butterflies that I love.  Black butterflies for Halloween, weird or wonderful?  What do you think?  I think wonderful.

Black Cloud by Carlos Amorles via Colossal

 

This installation titled Black Cloud by Carlos Amorles is amazing.  I love the way it flows through the hallway giving the viewer the sense of a confined space surrounded by these black creatures.  It feels a bit like the Alfred Hitchock's "The Birds", but with butterflies.  You could try a smaller rendition of this on the walls of your home too.  

   

via Midwest Living magazine

 

Black butterflies adorn these orange and white pumpkins and one has even found its' way onto the plate.  It's fall meets spring and light meets dark.  Well hello there Halloween.  I've been waiting for you all year.