My Parents' Trip to CA Told through Pictures...

From mom showing up with goodies from CT-an array of some of my favorite mags, including In Style, which I never buy because she always gives me her scraps, I mean leftovers:) the gorgeous curtains she made for our living room, the Red Rooster cookies from my favorite bakery in Guilford-in fact, pumpkin and carrot cake cookies have already been ordered for Turkey day, hoorrayy! to my dad's silly Halloween hair he quickly put on as I picked them up at the airport, to them meeting our new pup, to their first trip to In-And-Out (a CA institution!!) to fabulous finds in Danville (the nest wire hanger is on the Christmas list), discovering that Bridges Restaurant was in fact the one in Mrs. Doubtfire and great Christmas decor in a shop that reminds me of Taken for Granite---back home in CT....to a trip to SF with the trollies, sourdough, fresh seafood lunches, Gumps, where it was so sweet watching my dad act like a little kid as he was totally in love with all of their Christmas and Holiday gear, and Chinatown deals are always incredible to farmer's market finds and a daytrip to Carmel where we ate at the Cypress Inn (a hotel dedicated esp to dogs, you know), Lou was the talk of the town as we couldn't get 3 feet without kids, women and everyone cooing and loving on him, to the beach at Carmel, Louie had to eat sand again, of course :-) to the farmer's market here in town with my dad to buy tomatoes (he didn't get any good ones in his garden this summer) to wine tastings at 3 of the 52 wineries in town to seeing Brad's grandparents and going out to Bernard's farm land to see the harvesting of cotton and having dinner at the mexican restaurant in LB that my hubby has been going to since he was a little kid....we had a wonderful time together...then Halloween came and I dressed up Lou as a little pumpkin, melt my heart....but again, time with the rents was a blast and will stand as a loving memory in my mind for a long, long time. Love~

Another Look I Heart!

{photos courtesy of lauren.conrad.com}

Lauren Conrad looks so cute in her polka dot dress! This is a perfect look and so reminiscent of my childhood :)

Cupcake Costume!

This year I dressed up Louie and me as a little surprise for dad when he came home from work, as a baby and pumpkin! There was a Halloween party for my Junior League last Friday but with my folks in town I didn't go. If I did, I would have gone as...

A CUPCAKE!

I absolutely L.O.V.E. cupcakes. I'm not sure if its their adorable packaging, fun flavors, fabulous size, wonderful decoration possibilities or what but I am obsessed and would love to support one of these lovelies for their cute and sweet reputation :-)

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Instead of the cupcake ensemble, I bought a few items at the Dollar Tree to complete my outfit-including the hair ribbons-is it weird I still would wear these ribbons in my hair out in public, even though I'm 26 years old?! haha and got Lou a pumpkin outfit! He looks like a little sweetheart in his outfit, I'm in love. I always make fun of people who dress up their dogs but I weakened and got Lou one and a red and green collar with bells for Christmas. Oh brother....

Happy Halloweenie!!

My parents have been in town for the past 5 days and it has been so refreshing to spend quality time with them. It definately has felt like home and been really nice to show my parents where the Mr. and I are living out here in CA land! They were very impressed with our place, the area, and how homey and tidy our place looks (go us yay :) ) I'm not the biggest neat freak but have been trying to find a place for every thing and keep our place very orderly compared to our last home in DC and I think I'm making good head way. Photos of our time together to come manana. {as well as of my Fall decorating accents and some of our apartment}

Halloween takes me back to my days of carving the pumpkin with mom and dad, my mom making my brother and me wonderful homemade costumes (including a dinosaur for my brother), bobbing for apples, candy filled bags and so many more fun memories on our cul-de-sac and at school. I think I was a fairy or princess more than once!

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I enjoyed watching the Royal Wedding reoccur today on the Today Show and my favorite looks were of Natalie as Pippa-they both are such gorgeous women and Giada's fun Katy Perry impersonation. I also loved Hoda and Kathy Lee-their quirky demeanors only added to the costumes too. Trick or Treat, everyone.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

I also loved Jessica Simpson's big announcement today that, "...it's true-I'm going to be a mummy!" She definitely had a fun way of breaking the news today as she dressed the part and had a cute tweet about becoming a "mummy." I have always loved her for her fashion, dumb but funny comments and enjoyed her on the Newlyweds. I hope she can put her klutzy moments aside and take her mom jeans to Goodwill as she becomes a new mommy to a beautiful little Simpson baby!

Jess with her guy, Eric, aka Larry Bird and their dog. Love the pearl leash and collar!

Halloween or Autumn Party Inspiration

With the smell of Fall in the air, the pumpkins and lanterns on the front step, pumpkin ice cream flying off the shelves at Trader Joes's and Halloween just around the corner, I've been inspired by all the creative people out there decorating their homes for the upcoming holiday and preparing for a kid or adult friendly costume party too.

My parents will be in town for the big to do so I've been doing some decorating around our apartment (pictures to come soon) and will be dressing up our little Louie but thats about it. If my parents weren't in town and I had a nice big house to doll up and go all out for... and friends who would attend (I'm new to CA and the area so I'm still working on the friends department :P)

here are some ideas I am loving for entertaining...

Decorative pieces to put throughout your home:

pumpkin votives

one of my favorite ideas, I am a lace lover for life

toile pumpkins, I think I am in heaven :)

Centerpieces:

Table settings:

Signature Drink:

apple cider punch

Dessert:

pumpkin mousse-recipe

Favor:

carmel apples dipped in all things yummy-my personal favorite!!

adorably packaged cookies-to buy here

I love this place for all of your striped straws, sweet balloons and other party needs!

Be sure to check out KAG's blog to see her Fall dinner party ideas and to get the recipe for her cocktail featured above.

{food and decor photos courtesy of Country Living.com, this site, and Good Housekeeping}