*boo*

I couldn't help myself...here are Lulu the lobster and Bella the bumblebee...LOVE THEM!!!
P.S. They also have their own facebook pages...ha!
We went trick-or-treating at my parent's house...where the dogs got to run with their cousins + Cory & I were treated to homemade pumpkin cheesecake and...

..hot apple cider spiked with apple jack and a cinnamon stick..
YUM!

costume idea..

I'm not dressing up this year...but if I were, I would totally be Coraline. And I would absolutely have to buy the pattern for this doll from SewLolita on etsy to carry around with me. This is one of my favorite movies...and it has seemed appropriate to watch with all the rain lately.

*happy halloween*

..happy spooky day one and all...gorgeous pumpkins found on apt therapy..

cats & dogs...

I'm still feeling like the basset hound in the post below. I haven't had a marathon migraine like this one in a while, total misery. It continues to rain here, and while the overcast sky isn't helping to improve my mood - I am grateful for an amount of light I can tolerate today.
This is a magic fairy door...isn't that an adorable idea? And don't you love the yellow rain boots? Maybe if I had some yellow rain boots I would be more excited about the weather. Found on ohdeedoh.

And here is a cute rainy day print from Lucky Blue Bird on etsy...loving her stuff, especially the peacock feather and mixer.

yummy...

I'm a real sucker for kits. The endless possibilities, all the delectable goodies, the combination of colors...

1. 10 Things I Love kit - Red Velvet Art / Elsie
2. Housewife Paper kit - Half Caf
3. Summer Love kit - Freckled Nest
4. homemade kit - see the Housewife papers in there? *yummy*

I'm feeling...

Migraine. No fun. Walking across the room feels like my brain is bouncing around in my skull. I hate feeling like this. I've been prescribed more medications for migraines than I can even remember now...still looking for what will work for me. In the meantime, you can only find me in the most quiet and dark rooms in the house. Good night.

cozy...

Rain, rain go away...
It's getting colder outside...hot chocolate weather, and time for the slippers.
We have less daylight and a harder time getting out of bed.
But we also have soup...and dogs curled up by our feet, keeping us warm.
And I think I'll have a knitting refresher course with my mom...
and maybe even give crochet a whirl.

"c" is for cookie...

My favorite cookies to make are cut-out cookies because I love all the decorating options. I make a ton of cookies for friends and family around the holidays. Pictured above is a chocolate sugar cookie with royal icing. They have a subtle chocolate taste - almost like hot cocoa! I found the recipe here. I love the way this little purple pumpkin turned out :)

plans...

November is approaching...probably my favorite month of the year! I think Thanksgiving is the best-est holiday plus my birthday is in November! A *very important* birthday is creeping up on me, so I decided to use the Sew Grateful kit from Evalicious to document things I am thankful for this year in my life. I am hoping for a month filled with the making of happy memories, creativity & productivity, reflection, warmth and feeling thankful :)

autumn fun...

We carved pumpkins yesterday, and I baked chocolate sugar cookies for my niece and nephew to decorate. Today we made chili and cornbread muffins and did some yard work. The weather was GORGEOUS this weekend...I love autumn :)

inspiration...

click photos for links

So we didn't get the painting done last weekend. We were, in fact, house-sitting. And we had an important date with Fiesta Ranchera and some Wild Things. Very, very glad that the weekend has arrived but have LOTS to do. There are cookies to bake & decorate, pumpkins to carve, rooms to paint (see above for inspiration), Guinness chili to make & enjoy, chores & cleaning...endless list!

home again...

My teapot, my cozy little house, my kitty cat...I'm glad to be home. House-sitting is fun but by the time the week is up I am ready to be back at my own place. I did work on the wedding arch and banister at my parent's house for my sister's wedding in 2 weeks. I baked, I babysat, I watched a LOT of tube (big screen TV and 1 zillion channels). It's hard to get in a routine there...well, just not a good routine.

pretty things...

these felted wool acorns on apt therapy.

on ohdeedoh:

this little girl's room complete with teepee and doll house...absolute perfection

and this owl mobile, i do so love owls :)


elsie's beautiful ring pillow:
blue & green are my favorite!!
I think they would be gorgeous colors for a wedding

oh yum...

Doesn't this look amazing? It's a Boston cream pie cupcake from Martha. I have Martha's cookie book - think I need the cupcake one, too. I don't even own a regular cake pan - I only have the equipment for cupcakes.
And did anyone see this adorable proposal on bakerella? PRECIOUS!!!

a good day...

We had a visitor today. We baked these bite-sized pumpkin pies drizzled with melted white chocolate, from bakerella. They were really easy & scrumptious. I've been told I will be required to bring these to Thanksgiving from now on. We had a lovely Sunday!

xo

-S.

wow....

photo: warner bros

We saw the movie tonight...we absolutely loved it!
The soundtrack is divine. Amazing :)

brrrr....

It will not stop raining here....seriously, it's been raining for days, and it's cooold outside. A good night to curl up by the fire with your favorite snuggler and watch a movie. Which is what I'll be doing. I love this pin from ohhellofriend!! And these adorable robot necklaces:

My sister says this chocolate ricotta mousse is super easy & delicious - from Real Simple.
I may have to add this to my to-do list for the weekend!

play time...

that was fun...just discovered polyvore!

housesitting...

owl pumpkin from martha stewart

We are housesitting through next Thursday. It's like a giant dog reunion with Bella, Lulu, Leroy and Milo (I'll post photos soon). We get to enjoy tons of space, a big screen TV, 2 fireplaces and the most comfortable bed in the world. Lots to do, lots to do....can't wait for the weekend to start!

* paint 4(!) rooms in our house..don't worry, 2 are very small

* seal up windows - super. drafty. crappy. windows.

* do something about the backyard - maybe

* get PUMPKINS!!

* bake mini pumpkin pies drizzled with white chocolate

* babysit my sweet pea niece Addie Grace

* put the dogs in their Halloween costumes & do a photo shoot!

* watch scary movies..the Ring & Stir of Echoes

random...

pencil nub sculptures on apt therapy

I didn't win the Le Crueset giveaway, but sounds like I'll have another chance soon!
Is it Friday yet? Longest...week.....ever....so far.
It's COLD outside, felt like we went straight from summer to winter...again.
Curling up with my crime dramas and Chinese takeout tonight.
xo
Sarah

i need u...

I couldn't help but enter the giveaway on the Pioneer Woman today, seriously, how could I?
Besides a Kitchenaid mixer, there is nothing I want more for my kitchen than the set above...and it's even in the color I would choose (that happens to match my existing kitchen-look). Is it fate? We'll see...tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. pacific time.
Ah, screw it...this mixer, in lovely Martha Stewart blue, is too gorgeous to leave out of this post:

And Happy Birthday to my dear dad, pictured here with my niece Addie Grace! We celebrated with German chocolate cupcakes with caramel pecan frosting. Love you so much and hope you have a wonderful day...it's been so fun to see you as a grandfather!

xo

-S

i wanna...

bedroom makeover!!!

i love this color combo and these images, and it's boy-friendly too!

add a fresh coat of paint & some white twinkle lights, we're all set!
found: urban outfitters