Happy Halloween!

I'm going to a Costume Party tonight at my office (REALLY excited, we always have the best work parties) and I'm STILL trying to decide what to dress up as.

Here are my options (all of which were chosen because I pretty much have everything I need already in my closet):

A Bandit

Bonnie (will only work if G will be Clyde)

June Carter-Cash (again, way cuter if G will be Johnny)

What are your thoughts??? Which one should I BEEEE?!

Back in Action... Almost

Image from Where the Sidewalk Begins via Pink Wallpaper

Fully charged computer battery? Check!

Thanks for sending my cord so quickly, Mamacita!

I don't know if it's the cooler fall weather or what, but I have been MAJORly struck with the nesting/organizing/home improvement bug.

Here is a list of things I'd like to do in the upcoming weekend...

- Wipe down the chalkboard wall in the kitchen to make room for the Thanksgiving Dinner Attack Plan
- Take inventory of my vintage fabric stash and decide what I'd like to use to sew some new cloth napkins
- Edit the last of the Eve fashion show pictures for The Concrete Catwalk
- Write some DIY posts that I've been meaning to share
- Try on, photograph, and then alter a huge batch of thrifted vintage finds! Don't worry, I'll share pictures!

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately with traveling and hosting events and life in general, so I'm looking forward to a chance to catch up and then get ahead on some things. Thanks for hanging in there while I get my act together on the blog-front!

LOOVE YOOOU!

Fam Jam

Image from Nellie Loves Vintage, One of my new favorite KC blogs




I'm home after a whirlwind trip to Arizona to see my family, and I can't help feeling absolutely exhausted. It was gloriously warm and sunny, and we filled it to the brim with birthday shopping, dining al fresco, high school football, walks with the dog and Dad, and lots and lots of quality family time.

Posting may be light this week as I catch up at work (but mainly because I'm a space cadet and left my computer cord at my parents house)... but I will be back on track after this weekend!

Black as Soot

As I start to think about decorating for the holidays, my starting point always happens to be our mantel and hearth.

This framed fireplace painted black has me swooning... and wondering how much trouble I'd be in if I actually went for the same look in our living room. Our walls our quite dark, but I think it'd look smashing.

Honey? Whaddya think?

*Can't remember where I snagged this image from, but if you happen to know, please share so I can give proper credit!

Bandit

I've had all kinds of ideas of what I'd like to be for Halloween this year, but when I saw this photo... It made me think that maybe I should be a bandit.

*Via A Beautiful Mess, originally from here.

I love October!

My carving masterpiece from this weekend... Isn't she lovely?

Makes me smile everytime I see her.

Pumpkin carving, hot apple cider, chilly mornings, costume parties, trick or treat candy, changing leaves and crock pot dinners!

What is your favorite thing about this month?

Omelle

Ready for some Friday eye-candy?


BAM!

and another one.... BAM!

Take THAT!

Hiiiiiiiiiieeeee-YA!

Whew... gorgeously exhausting, right? I can honestly say that I don't think that I've ever seen more beautiful shoes in my entire life.

They are all from Omelle, and from this point forward, I hereby promise to stop deleting their adorably titled "Footnotes" newsletter before ogling the contents first. Just because I don't even come close to being able to afford a pair, doesn't mean I can't dream!

Which one of the shoes pictured is your fave? C'mon! Dream a little with me! It's Friday!

The Perfect Hair-To

Good morning!

I must cut to the chase, because what I have to say is VERY important.



Are you ready?


I have found a foolproof and easy-as-pie way to make my never-curly-but-sometimes-a-little-bent-looking-naturally-weird-hair look like it has natural and low-maintenance curls.

I know, I had a few tears of joy, too.

On the days that I actually want to wear my hair curly, I have to go piece by piece all the way around my head with a straightening iron (yup, I know it seems a little counterintuitive) and using the perfect combination of pressure, time, and twist I would wave my locks, pretty much one at a time*. My hair has a decent amount of natural wave to it, but it is never consistent, and often depends on how wet it was or wasn't when I climbed into bed.

I watched one (okay, ALL) of Maegan's hair tutorials several weeks ago, but hadn't got around to trying any of the techniques until this morning. If you happen to read ...love Maegan, you know that her hair (and her whole look, for that matter) is always flawless. I can't wait to try all the other videos, and even though her hair is quite a big longer than mine, I think that the looks she showcases are probably manageable for many different lengths. I personally can't wait to try the full frontal french braid, and I'm doing the afro curls look for Halloween!

I won't claim to have worked a miracle or anything, but I will say that my curls are all even, seem as though they will last all day,** and best of all - the whole thing took me way less time than usual.

You must try this yourself if you are even remotely interested in acheiving the same look! Hooray for Hair-tos and THANKS MAEGAN!

* Note: this is a description of my process on the days that I actually DO my hair... probably only once or twice a week. The rest of the time, I'm working the really messy bedhead look. Drives my mom crazy.

**I forgot to take a picture this morning... I'll try to have someone snap one at work so that I can show you the results!

LOV-ING

See snippets of things I'm LOV-ING this week!

Sparkly TOMS
Not sure if I would ever wear these, but I love them in theory!

Ecote Suede Patchwork Hobo

Studded Wrap Bracelets

Mini Round Sunnies

Alex & Ani Initial Ring

Silence & Noise Ruffle Dress

Have you seen anything special that you're loving lately?

Pomplamoose

I wasn't feeling the greatest this weekend, but it was a busy one, so I tried to catch my breath and relax on the couch when I could... one of the things that kept me entertained was watching these aDORable videos by the insanely talented Pomplamoose. I'm obsessed! I downloaded all of their songs and can't get enough.

Be sure to check out their YouTube channel for darling covers, including my fave: Beyonce's Single Ladies!!

Seriously, go watch right now!

The Jupiter Hotel

I'm finally getting a chance to post more about our great trip to Portland!

One of the things that I was most worried about was finding the right hotel. We were lucky enough to find a spot that fit our needs/budget perfectly and I must say that our stay at The Jupiter exceeded all of our expectations!

I HIGHly recommend it for accomodations in Portland... I think it was honestly part of why our trip was so fabulous, and I am so thankful that we chose to stay there!

The rooms are very reasonably priced, and the design is modern and GORGEOUS. We didn't get to see any shows because of our busy schedule, but there is amazing live entertainment at the onsite restaurant/venue, The Doug Fir.

Our room looked pretty much like the yellow and grey one above (um, hello... FAVE color combo!), and right when we walked in, I knew I had made the right choice. Might I also mention that the inside and outside of ALL the exterior doors are painted in chalkboard paint... perfect!

The staff was hip and oh-so-friendly, and the overall vibe of the entire establishment was youthful and fun. We had a great time!

I wish we could go get fun drinks and snuggle up with a bunch of friends next to that fire pit this weekend! Needless to say, we LOVED Portland and we will definitely be back... I know exactly where we'll be staying on our next visit!

Stripey

I've been OBSESSED with stripes so far this fall... I don't know what it is, but I'm having to do everything I can to try and keep myself from going overboard. (We don't want to look like a jailbird now, do we?) Here are a few of my current faves:

Lauren Conrad Striped Tee from Kohl's - $19.99

Shout-Shout from Bambako - $48

Could you not just DIE over those little buttons???

Nautical Sweater by Mirror/Dash - $48

Poe TOM'S - $54

(Ok, fine. It's herringbone, but they're really just itty-bitty stripes, right???)

Piperlime Picks, People (Plus some others...)

I've been shopping for black boots, can you tell????

Good Tuck Charm - $80

Maeko - $75

Seductive - $130
I don't know... I think it's kinda classy. ;)

Sebo - $110

Cone-heel - $89
(I know these are really similar to another pair above,
but they're a different texture... and price!)

Favorites? Thoughts? Any others that I need need NEED to know about?!

Dream Wedding Photos:

At a Zoo...





... In front of the Giraffes.

Yup, that would be them.


*Photography by Max Wanger (who else?) via A Cup of Jo

Supper Club

This cute DIY project has been posted all over blogland recently, but I just can't help sharing it here in hopes that it will encourage me to try it at my next Supper Club dinner (which I happen to be hosting at our humble abode).

They look so fun to make, and since there are only six of us, it should be a cinch!

Now all I need to do is nail down a menu....

I'm thinking something deliciously fall - Any ideas?


*Images and concept via Design*Sponge