happy halloween & weekend

(images: here & here)

We're not dressing up this year for Halloween, but I love getting inspiration from old movies (my favorite is the Lone Ranger). Our weekend plans involve pizza with friends, this cake that my sis in-law is making for my birthday (it has mascarpone & chocolate - she knows the way to my heart), and of course eating lots of candy. Hope yours is a fun one!

mock party series: halloween

I'm excited to share the first part of our little collaboration today. Andrea was so great to work with and we've created a few "mock" parties for the holidays, the first one being just in time for Halloween. We thought it would be fun to show how basic elements can be used from one party to the next by simply adding in a few festive details, and here is the first party we came up with: a classy yet casual Halloween bash. Hope you guys enjoy!



The basics for this party are plain tableware, white candlesticks, a muslin table runner, and white napkins. To make it festive for Fall/Halloween we added in tiny pumpkins with black, silver + gold accents, and a quick, easy doily garland..




For the centerpiece we filled a plain platter with white pumpkins + silver ornaments (I love using them outside of Christmas), and had favor boxes (covered in black + white fabrics) scattered around the table for guests. The menu is kept simple with bowls full of soup, and a dessert bar with fall favorites: donuts tucked in glassine bags, thinly sliced apples drizzled with caramel, and tiny cups full of caramel popcorn + candies.



And finally, all of the decorations used in this party are small items that can be sent home at the end of the night with guests. The fabric wrapped favor boxes, tiny pumpkins, packaged donuts, etc. can all double as fun favors.



Some sources:
Photography: Andrea Dozier
Tableware: white dishes - Ikea, silverware - Target
Napkins: dishtowels from Ikea
Centerpiece Platter: Pottery Barn
Table runner + favor box fabric: craft store
Favor Boxes + glassine bags: extras from my shop
Food cups, doilies, + confetti: craft store

We hope everything used here are items you already have or can obtain easily, adding in other details to make it more personal (for whatever type of party you're throwing!).

crow watches

I really like these unisex watches from CROW. They're water-resistant and come in lots of cute colors. Thinking this might end up on my Christmas list! (Do you wear a watch regularly? I've been wanting to instead of having to check my phone all the time).

(via)

it's not february, but...

(images: columbia pictures)

...Friday night instead of going out, we stayed in and watched Groundhog Day. I haven't seen it before (have you?) but it was pretty good. I must be finally catching up on my Bill Murray movies because this summer I saw The Man Who Knew Too Little for the first time too and thought it was hilarious. 90s movies are the best.

pumpkin cake & happy weekend

(image credit: andrea dozier)

I'm doing some last minute prep for a fun collaboration with Andrea. She's quite the photographer & food stylist, so we'll be styling a few mock parties, one for fall and one for Christmas (um, yeah...I'm going crazy with excitement). Above is a little preview of Andrea's work - a white pumpkin cake she made last year. Have a fun weekend!

halloween treats

(image: chelsea fuss)

This idea for making little whoopie pies for kids parties is just so cute and simple, I couldn't stand not posting it. See full article over here.

fall soup

With this chillier weather, we've been eating tons of creamy soup. It started a few weekends ago when I had the cold/flu and all I wanted was broccoli cheddar soup & bread for three days straight. Since then we've been eating it more than I'd like to admit because it's just so good.

(images: 1 martha stewart, 2 sugarcrafter)

To make a quick and easy creamy soup, I just use bases from the store (like cream of cheddar or tomato), and then toss in veggies we have on hand - broccoli, potato, onion, spinach, shredded carrot, etc. Serve with warm crusty bread for the perfect fall meal.

home inspiration: light + airy

(images: landon jacob via yhl)

Have you seen this amazing house tour over on Young House Love? It's full of so many great DIY projects and budget finds. I'm loving their airy color palette, it's so refreshing.

bits from our week & happy weekend

I hadn't planned on the vanishing act from the blog lately. I just haven't gotten around to posting anything interesting, and though our lives hardly qualify, here are a few highlights of what we've been up to...

Seeing family visiting town (and making airport runs at midnight and 5am).
Cleaning out our closets for a yard sale at my parents' this weekend.
Spotting a taco truck at our tiny farmer's market! And picking up pumpkins & cider.
Planning a fun collaboration with this talented lady.
Making a spontaneous day trip down to Indy to see our friends' first baby at the hospital last week. This was definitely the highlight - isn't she so cute?

PS. I also guest posted for Colleen this week (she just got married!). Have a great weekend.

parisian greetings

(images: blanca gomez)

I've been a little absent from blogging this week, but had to share these: Parisian greeting cards designed by Blanca Gomez for Chez Moi. I think they're genius! If only they were available to the States...

meet bailey.

Bailey is our beloved (spoiled) cat. I thought it was time to properly introduce her here, since she contributes to nearly every post by laying across the desk & keyboard. I usually employ the plucking method of typing and have to move the occasional paw or belly roll to get to certain keys.

Other facts about Bailey: we rescued her from a shelter at age 5 months, she loves meeting other people, she's obsessed with water from the faucet, and she has little concept of personal space.

cute maps

These ones are by the talented Anne Smith (as seen here).

inspired by: tiny brownstone

(images: max kim-bee)

Tiny, cute apartments like this always make me want to move to New York in a heartbeat. My husband reminds me that I wouldn't like it there because I'm paranoid about a) rodents and b) crime, but I'm pretty sure there's a reason so many people stick around. :-) I've seen this apartment on tons of blogs but I finally clicked over to read the original article recently. So inspired now.

random monday...

Had a restful weekend and even managed to finish a project that's been on my list for so long - making a custom roman shade for our kitchen sink window. It was an easy d.i.y. that involved no sewing (my kind of project. I'll share soon). For now, here are a few links to start the week:

Anna was so sweet to interview me on her blog last week.
Fallon & Timberlake doing the coolest history of rap.
Danni's super sweet wedding video.
A salted caramel and chocolate cake. oh my gosh.
French dreaming.
Jen's clever wedding shower gift (photo above).

hello, october.

(images: 1 desire to inspire, 2 elizabeth messina, 3 emma who)

It's the start of one of my favorite months, October. The month of brisk fall weather and colorful leaves. The season for apple picking & cinnamon donuts, and for decorating with pumpkins. And of course the opportunity to pull out jackets & scarves and to wear boots again. (Although, apparently it's also the season for flu & colds, because I've just come down with both. Thank goodness for soup and nice husbands! Have a happy weekend.)