Friday, October 30, 2015

Friday's Feature: Halloween Eve

Feature:
Happy Halloween Eve, all! Is everyone excited for the holiday?? We won't be celebrating since we're 
heading out of town but we got our dressing up in last weekend and got a little festive around here on Wednesday, but more on that below… How cute are these pumpkin designs?! 


The other night we had my family over for a little Halloween dinner at our house.  Crockpot lasagna (a new recipe and coming soon!) with salad, a few appetizers and pumpkin cookies for dessert.  Lots of laughs, lots of fun and lots of eating.  A great night to "pre celebrate" this fun holiday.  A little World Series watching rounded out the night.

Baking our roll out sugar cookies in the shape of pumpkins when I asked my mom to take a picture and poof! Derek through flour right in my face as she was taking it.  I was mad, I was covered in flour, I was laughing in hysterics all at the same time.

A few festive signs and a DIY.  My mom brought a very appropriate wine choice for a Halloween dinner.  Can you see the pups smiling? They always have a blast and Stella got another chance to rock her hot dog costume.
Such an easy DIY that adds a little festive touch (well easy if your husband cuts out the inside of the pumpkin - it takes a few tries to fit the bowl shape perfectly).  Hot Beer Cheese Dip is a perfect choice to go inside the pumpkin.
We always use the same cookie dough recipe for roll out cookies (mainly for Christmas) and decided for dessert to have some pumpkins.
Pigs in a blanket, Hot Beer Cheese Dip and bruschetta for appetizers, crockpot lasagna and salad for the main course.

Other Happenings:
+ College Gameday is coming to Philadelphia this weekend - my favorite fall Saturday morning activity. The next best thing to them coming to Penn State.  We won't be around this weekend but luckily we will be here in December when they come back for the Army/Navy game.  Getting my signs for Samantha Ponder and Scout ready now.

+ I'm all about a good sale but 100% not on Thanksgiving.  Not even on Black Friday - I hate the crowds.  I do my shopping online - the cyber sales have become fabulous.  DSW is keeping their doors closed on Thanksgiving and not even opening until 6am Black Friday - I wish more sales would follow along - wasn't the whole "Black Friday" thing about getting up early to shop?  Not taking over a holiday where we give thanks?  Other stores doing the same found here

+ Speaking of that magical holiday season - the Christmas count continues this week as we are just eight weeks away from Christmas.  EIGHT.  Tis the season, I grow more and more ready by the day.

+ We've been very tuned into the World Series this week - Derek's quite the Mets fan.  I always grew up loving the Phillies and hating the Mets (him doing the opposite - makes for interesting summers) but now that it's come down to the main event, I've got no other choice but to cheer for them - support the National League and my husband.  Hopefully they can turn this thing around.

+ There's a Kate Spade Earrings giveaway going on right now - have you entered?  Don't miss out - giveaway ends Monday night at midnight.

Cheers to the Weekend!

Linking up today with the Friday linkups -

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Fall Looks

The scarves, the boots, the sweaters - this season brings some of my favorite fashion items (that I will probably be sick of come late January - and wishing for Lilly dresses and shorts).  So many items that you can mix and match.

Some of my favorite inspiration looks for the season…


Have you entered this giveaway for a pair of Kate Spade earrings yet?! Don't miss out! 

Happy TGIT!
Linking up with Thoughts for Thursday today.


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Happenings {Fall Edition} + Giveaway

It's been a little while since I've done a "happenings" post so why not in the midst of one of my favorite (and most busy) seasons...

What We've Been Up To:
Embracing all these fall activities {pumpkin picking, Halloween celebrations}, football games, wedding season, crockpot soup Sundays, lots of time spend with many groups of friends, long walks with the pup.


What I'm Loving:
Each day is pretty much fun right now (and busy!).  Fall is always our busiest season so we have fun plans ahead on the calendar for most weekends to look forward to.  The crisp temperatures are perfect for walks.  Finally having some down time is nice.  Absolutely loving everything seasonal, of course.

What We're Eating {& Drinking}:
We've been using our crockpot as much as possible - soups, casseroles, chicken dishes and tonight a first - crockpot lasagna.  We've been enjoying eating out for date nights and of course tailgate food on game days.  All of the above pairs nicely with my favorite... pinot grigio.

What I'm Wearing:
Ponchos are one of my new favorite trends - I've worn this one multiple times already.  Yesterday was the first time I slipped on a pair of tall fall boots - the temperatures have been quite chilly here this week - all changing today! I've been loving my favorite banana republic jeans (50% off), peep toe booties (similar pair) and lots of tunics (40% off).  It's slowly becoming scarf season - one of my favorite accessories (see my favorites here).

{One: floral top // booties // necklace
{Two: top
{Three:  dress // clutch // shoes (old, similar style) // bracelet // earrings}

What I'm Working On:
Christmas Everything - I go overboard every year and this year is no different.  Around October I usually catch the "Christmas bug" and start planning everything from what I want, to gifts to give, decorations for the house, Christmas plans and activities, baking - you name it and I'm probably planning it!

What I'm Watching & Reading:
I just finished up a huge binge session of Friday Night Lights (and find myself with MUCH more free time now that it's done).  In addition to the usual shows, we've been enjoying watching Blood & Oil and Quantico together.  I have a stack full of books calling my name and first up is finisihing my Princess Kate book (finally - I haven't picked it up in months!) and The Royal We... see a trend here?!

What I'm Excited About:
The holiday season, of course! I love the hustle and bustle of this time of the year.  Thanksgiving, Christmas and my birthday on the horizon.  For our first year of marriage we did both holidays with both families (we live 2.5 hours from Derek's family so we spent time in the car on each holiday too) and decided it was too much.  This year we're heading up Thanksgiving day to spend the holiday & weekend with Derek's family and staying home at Christmas to spend the holiday with mine - Lots of family and friend time upon us.  Days are never dull this time of the year and that can keep a girl excited nonstop.

{Reminiscing about… Last year - Thanksgiving, Birthday & Christmas} 

What I'm Doing This Weekend:
We're headed out for some football (not the Nittany Lions!) and a couple days of vacationing.

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month:
Next month starts this Sunday.  November starts this Sunday.  The year JUST started how is it almost over??? Anyway I'm looking forward to my husband's birthday (a big one!)my obsession my pup's very first birthday, our last tailgate and football game of the season (not looking forward to the season being over), wrapping up wedding season, Christmas shopping and looking into some new ventures.

I'm quite looking forward to our Christmas decorations as they will be up in a few weeks! We won't be around for Thanksgiving so we'll get them up a week (or earlier) before so everything is ready and festive when we get back.  The longer I can have the decorations up, the better!

Past Happenings Posts...
July Edition
February Edition

Also today, a little giveaway! Enter below for a chance to win these Kate Spade Chandelier earrings.  The giveaway runs through Monday night and a winner will be announced Tuesday morning so check back then.  Good luck! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up with  MelShay & Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday
and Jenn & Jessi for "What's Hap-pinning Wednesday"

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