Halloween is one of my favorite holidays (second to Xmas) and I am so excited to be spending it in Chicago! I cannot wait to see all the crazy, creative costumes people pull out this year. But I thought I would leave you with some of these great costumes via American Apparel's Costume Contest - click here to upload your own photo and/or vote on your favorite costume! (Top to bottom: Missing, Lady GaGa, Cupcake, Mr. Peanut, Soco & Lime, Allan Garner)
Homemade pasta is something I have wanted to make for a long time and finally had the opportunity to do so. I actually made the dough, meatballs and sauce on Sunday and then rolled out and cooked the pasta (and reheated the sauce and meatballs) on Monday. It made for a very easy and incredibly delicious week-day meal. Andy naturally took on the duty of rolling out and cutting the pasta, while I prepped the rest of the meal. This is a great date night dinner, interactive and not too challenging -- but I will warn you it's not the lightest of meals. I paired it with freshly steamed broccoli which added some nutrition and color to the plate and we washed it all down with Yellow Tail Cab (one of my favorite cheap red wines).
Great stuff by Heidi Merrick. She's currently offering 25-50% off clothing sale (80s Rosanna, Charolete, Pollock French Blue). 
Well I am proud to say I managed to cross off everything on my "to do" list with the exception of the vintage shop (they are unfortunately closed on Sundays here in Appleton). Andy and I started off the weekend with wine, cheese and pumpkin carving Friday night. I had picked up some cheese and was so excited to finally use the cheese board Andy made. I think it turned out great -- the perfect size for a good cheese spread!
Our pumpkins - this is all we could come up after a 5 min. brainstorm? 
Saturday Andy made this delicious and beautiful apple french toast breakfast (so pretty I needed to take a picture - I may be turning into Emily over at A Nutritionist Eats?!). Granted it would have been healthier sans Mrs Butter's Worth syrup and bacon but it was a tasty way to use up some of our apples before they went bad. 
rying to write code with the help of Jessica Hische and her Daily Drop Cap. Hey it worked!
Ahh...the weekend is here at last. I'm not sure if it was the dreary week here in WI or just a long work week, but I am sooo excited to nest this weekend. Some things on the "to-do" list:
Looking for a little food inspiration? Then you must check out Aran Goyoaga's blog Cannelle et Vanille. Her photos are wonderfully delicious. She's recently been posting seasonal recipies such as Pumpkin Hazelnut Donuts and Leek, Baby Broccoli and Smoked Salmon Herb Tart -- I cannot wait to try one of her recipes! Not satisfied yet? Hop on over to Aran's personal website to view her picture perfect portfolio.
Now THIS would make carving pumpkins much easier. I'll have to pick one up before the pumpkin carving festivities begin. $5.95 at Crate & Barrel.
Okay, so some how I have seriously become obsessed with succulents. I am considering them as a focal point to our wedding decor. Here are some of the varieties I am loving (especially love the green/yellow bouquet!) 
This is the perfect site for anyone who's started Xmas shopping. (I cringe at the thought, as I am usually one of those last minute shoppers.) But Cool Hunting's Gift Guide has definitely gotten my wheels turning! You can search by price or category. The items shown above are all under $25! (Salt & Pepper Acacia, Travel Cord Organizer, Snowballer, Stellarscope) Click here to check out other gifts under $25! 
I came across Lillian Day's photostream the other on Flickr and fell in love with her Vienna home. Her use of bright colors and attention to detail makes her house look vibrant and lived in. Check out the rest of her beautiful home here. Happy Friday!
Andy and I have had numerous conversations about what defines a "Hipster." Now, thanks to designer/illustrator Samantha Hahn I have a pretty good idea! She created this to illustration accompany "A Day in the Life of a Hipster" a la Mankind Magazine. All I need to complete my Hipster profile is PBR! Too bad I hate it and will never drink it...no matter how cool it would make me.
While doing some research for work (lucky me...I got to peruse design blogs yesterday!) I came across RedHouse. You all know my love for Scandinavian design and I was more than thrilled when I found this great Swedish/American blog. It is filled with wonderfully smart and effortless design that I cannot get enough of. Hope you enjoy!
...via Ferm Living. How great is this? Perfect for a powder room or closet. You can get samples of wallpaper for just $3. I've been meaning to order some and use it more like a poster, for wall art. Check out more of their great wallpaper here.
The perfect throw for cold weather! I have a similar one from Bath & Body Works that I adore. After a long weekend, there is nothing I enjoy more than curling up on the couch with my favorite blanket and a magazine. This one from Pottery Barn has been marked down to $70.00. It would also be a great Xmas gift for all of the early shoppers out there!
I'm not even sure how I discovered Madsen Cycles?? Although I am not a biker, I have been on the look out for a leisure bike since traveling to Copenhagen a few years ago. I love how everyone there rides around safely and without a care in the world. With a bike like this imagine all the groceries you could tote home!!image via Madsen Cycles
It is that time of year again when all of my favorite fruits and vegetables are being harvested. Every Fall I look forward to picking up squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, apples and figs to use in some of my favorite recipes. It amazes me how good a they taste when they are in season and local! LocalHarvest.org is a great way to find out about where you can get seasonal produce in your area. You can even purchase CSA meat, cheese and produce right on their website. Check it out and support your local farmers!
