DIY: Pretty Painted Pumpkins

Who said pumpkins needed to be orange.  Poppytalk shows a few ways to get creative without a knife.  Check it out here

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Spotted: Air Heads Animal Balloon Set

These animal balloons would be an adorable addition to any children's party.  I envision them tied low on the back of the children's seats at the table.  Plus they are only $14 for the set.

Wedding Paper Divas

One of my favorite things about planning weddings is looking through all the latest and greatest invitations.  The invitation is so key in setting the tone of the event.  All to often though everyone associates invitations and save the dates with weddings.  Since stationery is so key in events...I say use it for all events.  Here are a few of my favorite from Wedding Paper Divas.

This chalkboard invitation is great for setting the theme for using great chalkboard menus and signage around your party.

I love the large number style on this invite which makes me want to have a very modern and white party atmosphere with big bold pops of color and graphics.  Great for a baby shower or bridal shower.

The tree is the focal point on this stationery and makes me think of fall and all the great tablescapes you could do with tree or manzanita branches or anything that makes you think of fall.  Great for a fall foliage event as well.

It is no secret that I love me some mason jars.  My sister hosts a pumpkin and pickling party each year and this invite would be adorable.

Everyone loves to get something besides bills in the mail.  Receiving a cute invite to a stick on the fridge an anticipate the spectacular event just makes things that much more fun!

Link Love

Food + Words
It's time to break out the spiked cider!

Thrifty Decor Chick
More fun with apples.

Full Circle Foodie
Apple Cider Caramels

Pennies on a Platter
Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies

Oktoberfest

Are you wondering what to make to celebrate Oktoberfest...because I know I am.  My vote goes to these mini beer and sausage corn dogs.  Yum!  The best part is they can be made ahead and frozen for up to two weeks and then you just bake them off in the oven.  I'm going to serve mine with some authentic german mustard and and an ice cold stout.

Boardwalk Empire Inspired

The new season of Boardwalk Empire aired on Sunday and while watching I couldn't help but notice how much I was digging the whole look of the period pieces on the set.  Then lucky me CasaSugar showed how to incorporate some of the pieces into your modern day decor. 

LeatherCraft
Tufted Wing Chairs

Crosley
Candlestick phone

Aston Crystal Barware
Cut Crystal Bar Set

Restoration Hardware
Metal Filament Aged Steel Light Fixture

Spotted: Skull Candles

Check out these cool silver skull candles from Z Gallerie and you get 6 for $12.95.  These paired with some black goblets and shiny candy apples would make for a very chic Halloween tablescape.

Avocados

I love my avocados.  As a matter of fact I eat at least 2 a week...usually on top of salads.  Lately I have noticed that the little guys are worth their weight in gold.  Even though they are pricey it still hasn't made me give up my 2 a week habit.  However, it does tend to make me feel extremely guilty when my schedule goes awry and I don't end up using them. 

That's why I was so excited to see this article about how to freeze your unused portions.  There are a couple ways to do this.  You can either peel them and leave them as halves in a ziploc or you can puree them.  There is however one catch which is the freezing process changes the consistency to where you wouldn't want to eat them by themselves any longer.  But hey I could be down for a little freezer style guacamole or a nice avocado crema for my taco salad.  This is a great way to stop the guilt and it's also a good tip for when you catch a sale.

Link Love

Life's To Short To Skip Dessert
Cinnamon and Sugar Pretzels would make a yummy holiday giveaway.

Style Me Pretty
Lovely rustic table setting with fall flowers.

Damy Health
Pizza Bites made out of cauliflower!

Delish
No Carve pumpkin ideas.

Fall Desserts

If you are anything like me the minute the air starts turning crisp and cool you immediately start thinking about what you can do to make you home feel more like fall.  Well how about the delicious smells from any of these desserts from Picky Palate.

Think Garnish

The gift giving time of year is fast approaching and what better time to figure out your game plan and start stocking supplies.  This will save you money, energy and lots of  headache.  Not only does  Think Garnish have wonderful packaging options but it also has tons of great ideas.

Check out a few.

How about a giving the gift of a night off in the kitchen with a meal delivery in super cute packaging.

 Girl's Night In Pampering Package

Soup Swap

Playdough to Go

Spotted: Fantastic Unplastic Tray

Don't ask me why...but I love this new tray.  It's just like the plastic tray that store bought cookies come in but it's glass.  I love the irony of pulling out a fresh baked batch of cookies and placing them in the lovely Fantastic Unplastic Tray.  I also think this could be a very cool addition to a dessert buffet table.  What do you think?

Chocolate Pomegranate Bark

This recipe is as easy on the eyes as it is to make.  Pomegranates are cheap and plentiful this time of year and are also extremely healthy.  If you need to make a quick dessert for guests or to take to an event then this recipe is a winner.  There is also a great tutorial on how to seed a pomegranate the easy way on the site.  I just buy them already seeded from Trader Joe's...it doesn't get much easier than that.  A helpful little hint is that Trader Joe's also has the best price on large bars of chocolate.  One trip, 10 minutes to make and you have a delicious, chic looking dessert.

Link Love

Style Me Pretty
Love the look of this gold cake.

Flawed - By Grace
Chic Decor

Le Petrin
How cute...little tea bag cookies.

Creature Comforts
Snow Cone Garland.

9 Budget Friendly Wines

You know me...willing to celebrate anything and everything.  So, I decided that the new fall lineup of shows was a good enough reason to stock some red wine in the house.  I saw an article at Yum Sugar about a few budget friendly wines and that was all it took.  Now I am prepared for 9 nights of fun filled, wine drinking, tv watching  bliss.

1.      2009 Los Rocas Garnacha

2.      2011 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages (skipped this and doubled up on Garnacha)

3.      2010 Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend

4.      2010 Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo

5.      2011 Dulce Tinto Sweet Red

6.      2009 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon

7.      2010 Caricature Red Wine

8.      2010 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir

9.      2010 Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella

DIY: Wine Cork Fun

Okay, so I have a lot of wine corks and a strong love for succulents.  I think Jen CYK Photography had me in mind when she put together these teeny tiny cute magnets.  Love them and the next rainy day you better bet this hip hostess is going to go for it!

 

Back To School

You can't escape back to school at this time of year. Even if you don't have any children headed to school it is still a time of year, that if nothing else, will make you feel nostalgic.  The thrill of picking out new shiny school supplies and your new school wardrobe.  The thought that summer is on its way out and crisp cool morning air is on its way in.  I decided that I wanted to join in the fun and get something scholarly.  How about a pair of chic bookends.

CB2

Jonathan Adler

Dwell

CB2

Pottery Barn

Birthday Cake Popcorn

Do you know someone celebrating a birthday and want to do something special but don't want to bring the same old cupcakes or cookies?  Well how about birthday popcorn?  It's fun, delicious and super easy to make.  There is just a few ingredients and one of them of them is yellow cake batter...can you believe it! 

Link Love

Household Ways
This would look lovely and delicious sitting on the counter.

Cape Cod Collegiate
Love this turquoise color!

The Vintage Apple
Cute idea AND great keepsake.

Tartlette
Cauliflower Proscuitto Flatbread...yum.