Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Hope you have a
 SPOOK-TACULAR 
day, m'dears!


Sadly slacking on the costumes this year
due to my busy schedule and solitary lifestyle.
Here's some of the recent years' costumes to celebrate!
(And this song is fitting for the post, because I'm pretty much a freaking She Wolf.)

"I like turtles."


"I'm on a Boat" and Gaga.


Sarah Palin at her finest.
"I can see Russia from my house!"


She was a big hit.
(Considering we spent that Halloween in very conservative Nashville.)

Cannot wait to have a little nugget to dress up next year!
My mind is literally exploding with ideas!
Read:  Poor baby.

A little scary sentiment to send you on you way...


Touche.
Hope your holiday is full of lots of trick'or'treats!

~photos by b & image via pinterest~

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sunday stress relievers

Trying to calm my stressed out mind,
after a long day of work,
and on the eve of yet another 50-ish hour week of NP residency...


The tips seem to focus on resting/sleeping.
So I think I'll start with that...
after I force myself to work on this presentation.
Bugggh.
3 more weeks.


Yes I can, yes I can, yes I can...

~Images via bits of truth~

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Florals and stripes

I am loving all things florals and stripes.
Solo or in combo.

Cases in point...









Throw in a little leopard and leather?
Don't mind if I do.

~Images via elements of style, Lucy Laught, madewell,  pinterest & anthropologie~

Friday, October 28, 2011

Happy Friday!


After an enthralling cardiac conference,
I'm driving up north to spend Friday night and Saturday with the huzz.
A romantic dinner and some serious house hunting are in the works.
It's supposed to be sunny before turning into a cold (almost) November rain,
so my lonely drive will only partially suck.
Tune of the day,
perfect for the kind of reflection that only driving on an open road can bring...


Hope you do something "adventurous" with those someones you love this weekend!

~Image via coco+kelley~

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Halloween Party, Part Deux


I think either of these yummy cocktails would be a great addition
to any Halloween celebration.




Even virgin drinks, like limeade,
would be super fun in special drinking vessels such as these:


I am also loving these fun Halloween products from Olive & Cocoa!
They would make great Halloween hostess gifts.




And to round out your holiday party, 
here's a taste of some of my favorite tracks off my Halloween Party playlist.
(I can't give away all  my secrets.)


The lyrics to this one are freaking insane.
Google it.
  • Witchy Woman (The Eagles)
  • Bad Things (Jace Everett, a.k.a. True Blood theme song)
  • Somebody's Watching Me (Rockwell)
  • Lotion (Greenskeepers, a.k.a. song from Silence of the Lambs)
  • I Want Candy (Bow Wow Wow)
  • Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater)
  • Thriller (Michael Jackson)
  • Spooky (Dusty Springfield)
  • Black Magic Woman (Santana)
  • She Wolf (Shakira)
Happy Halloween Partying!

~Images via Martha Stewart & Olive and Cocoa~

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A Martha Stewart Halloween

Loving these ideas for Halloween home decor and party fun,
by none other than the DIY guru herself.
First, a little scary curb appeal to kick things off...



A unique pumpkin carving display...


Or, make it super unique by carving squash!
(Although, kudos to whoever on Martha's team did this,
considering I find cutting a butternut in half to be difficult and dangerous.)


A cheap, yet absolutely adorable idea - balloons!
Classic orange and black jack-o-lanterns...


But I especially love these aliens!
Made with glow sticks inside white balloons.


A creepy centerpiece.


Fun candy pails made out of painted mason jars.


A paper rat infestation.  Yikes!


Or how about some spooky, flickering shadows to set the mood?


Can't decide which idea I like best.
But I do know it makes me want to throw a Halloween party
and get my craft on, Martha-style,
ASAP.

~Images via Martha Stewart & madebygirl~

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tory Burch

So last week, I had two near-fall incidents.
One on my way to the garage.
(It was raining.  And 6am.  Excusable.)
And two, the far  more embarrassing incident...
I was running late, so I was racing into Dunkin' Donuts to get a free coffee
when I slipped and did a lunging half-splits right outside their door...
in front of many business-clad men and women.
Nothing like the sight of a pregnant lady busting her shit as she's running into a donut shop.
A freaking donut shop!
Woof.  I don't even like donuts.
But I'm sure it looked like I just had  to have one.
Mortified.

Alas, my current flats (that I am essentially wearing everyday with the same pair of black maternity dress pants) are clearly not working for my safety.
And yes, I said MATERNITY pants.  Super gross.

I don't think Ms. Tory Burch would let me down, do you?
I still have a birthday gift card from Nordstrom's burning a whole in my wallet
and I am thinking of checking out the following pairs:




Do you own any Tory?
If so, are they pregnant-lady friendly?
Because I'm sure I'm also about to get some pedal edema in the very near future.

;)

~Images via Neiman Marcus~

Monday, October 24, 2011

Weekend recap

Another lovely wedding of two great people...


Followed by a lovely, relaxing Saturday at my parents.


Whose yard, btdubbs, (which overlooks the mighty Mississipp')
should be featured in a fall issue of Midwest Living!

After a dinner of pan-fried sunfish caught and cooked by my dad,
we had an early celebration of the hubb's birthday!
Homemade pecan pie, his favorite.


P.S.  You're never too old for trick candles. ;)


The one aspect of the weekend we'd like to forget
is that unfortunate Badger loss.
Barf.
Oven-Baked Ham Sammies
and jalapeno popper dip
may have been the only saving graces.
Sandwich recipe {HERE}.


Seriously DELICIOUS. And majorly EASY.
Not to mention small, so you can indulge in a few.
I am definitely making this one again and again.
A must try!

And now it's Monday again.
I miss my husband and family already!!
(Pregnancy hormones have made this goodbye especially tearful.)

Hope your weekend was just as fun!
5 days and counting til the next...

~Photos by b & d~

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Dueling bedrooms

Let's call this the ying and yang of master BR's.

First?
I love the masculine, clean look of this bedroom.


From the dark wood and walls, to the clear, streamlined lamps and silver frames.
And how great is that oversized mirror as a headboard!!
It makes the room look massive.
And I love how it reflects that great artwork on the opposite wall.

And here's the feminine counterpart...


I adore the contrast of that vintage crystal chandelier against the rugged brick wall.
Simple white linens and antique accents are just the icing on the cake.
Fab.

Which one's your favorite?
(Either way, sweet dreams are definitely happening in these beds.)

Disclaimer:  These photos are from my personal archives and I do not not know their source.
If you do, please let me know and I will correctly cite!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

It's a nice day for a...

...white wedding!

Back in La Crosse, WI this weekend for more nuptial celebrations!

Thanks to the hubbs, I have Vanessa Carlton still suck in my head.
Enter:  I Don't Want to Be a Bride.
(Kind of) fitting for the occasion:


I also recently came across this excerpt...

...and thought it was beautiful.

I hope my husband feels this way about me!

Happy {Love Filled} Weekend!

~Image via bits of truth~

Friday, October 21, 2011

Road trip 101

Here's what you need for a road trip with the huzz:

Party Rock Anthem.
Loud.  And on repeat:


So you can "car dance" like there's no tomorrow.
Not to mention, this will be heard at least 20 times this weekend.
And you might as well perfect your moves now.

Salt and vinegar "crisps".
Ireland vacation staples.



Haribo Gummi Bears.
Simply the best.


Good conversation.
Example:  Baby names.
Specifically ones we kind of like but would never actually name our child.
Like Gus. 
It is fun to formulate stories and situations that a guy named "Gus" would get into.


Another important road trip skill?
Having a quick hand at the automatic window.
For when "someone" gets gassy.

Finally...
Periods of silence and hand-holding
that can only be truly appreciated in the presence of good company.


Happy trails to you and yours!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Comfort food

Stuffy noses + Cold weather = Time for homemade soup and biscuits!

With some leftover sage from my herb garden,
I'm thinking of trying this combo next...

Martha Stewart's Cheddar Cheese & Sage Biscuits.
Recipe {HERE}.


Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup
via Food Network Magazine
Recipe {HERE}.


One batch of each should do me for the week!
Yes, please.

~Images via Martha Stewart and Food Network~

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Couture closets

I LOVE this idea for a lady's walk-in closet.
(And by lady, I mean a classy broad such as myself.)


Colorful shopping bags from your favorite boutiques,
framed and matted in white.


I think it looks elegant and feminine,
and really adds personality and fun to an otherwise boring closet, no?

Add this to my must-try DIY list!

~Image source:  #1 unknown, #2 la dolce vita~