Halloween

*Image by singer Linda Wood

Happy Halloween! We've had about 7 trick or treaters so far. This is great! I hope more show up because I do not want to be tempted by all of this candy! What is your favorite Halloween treat?

Guilded

*Image via All Lacquered Up nail polish by OPI

My neighbor stopped by this morning after my run and invited me out to get my nails done. My toes definitely needed a coat of something colorful. When I spied the new collection by OPI, I knew exactly what I wanted. I layered glitter over gold on my toes and splurged for glitter on glitter on my fingers. I think that mermaids would be fans of glitter, this will make my costume even better. What is your favorite nail polish color?

Starfish

*Image & clip via Landlocked Mermaids

When I was young, one of my favorite pretend pastimes was to pretend to be a mermaid. This usually took place in the pool at the local YMCA, but I'm sure I wasn't alone in this game of pretend. This is a reason I am surprised that I have never before been a mermaid for Halloween. I guess that I can chalk that up to growing up in North Idaho, where Halloween costumes usually involved bundles and layering. Now that I am in a warmer climate, I can comfortably wear less. (Especially because the party I'm attending is two houses away...) Are you doing anything fun this weekend?

Sewing

*Image & shirt by red paper record

I will be a sewing machine now that I have all of my costume supplies. I am in charge of now not just one dog costume - but two. We're dog sitting and it would be wrong to leave out the other pooch. Plus, I have to sew my costume. I think mine will be the easiest. Oh yes, I am becoming a sewing machine. I would love a day off to craft, but I'll make due. What are you dressing up as this weekend?

Tropics

*Image by wisze

I wouldn't mind spending Christmas day on a beach like this. Too bad I am going to poke my eyeballs out while looking for vacation packages, flights and the like. There is too much information to search for and the internet feels infinite. Hopefully my search is fruitful and I find something soon, my patience is wearing thin. Any tips for finding great travel deals?

Carved

*Image & pumpkin by Trevor Jorgensen

We love our dog. We love him enough to carve him into a pumpkin. We are a bit fanatical don't you think? This is my husband's pumpkin, and needless to say - I was impressed when he produced this creation. What do you think?

Nose

*Image & cups by Fred & Friends

I have been on a mission to check out Home Goods since I knew there was a store in town. The store name is constantly popping up on blogs accompanied by great furniture finds, and better prices. Yesterday I went browsing for a mirror for my entryway. Not only did I find that, I also came home with some fun cups that will be sure to entertain us all while we carve pumpkins tomorrow. Which nose would you choose?

Booty

*Image via denimblog jeans by Joe's

What's another word for buried pirate's treasure? Yep - booty. I finally bought a new pair of jeans and this very pair is focused on the rear. They are even called the booty fit. (I've got one, they fit.) Now all I have to do is hem them correctly, not too short. I'll need another set of eyes to accomplish that task. Until then, I'll rock the cuff. Today is jeans day at work. What do you have to say about your jeans?

Squirrel

*Image & sweater via Anthropologie

Have we gone too far? Is there a nature-loving hipster who would pay almost $150 for a squirrel sweater? I can't tell if this new ironic fashion is supposed to be serious, playful, or just ridiculous. Although, if someone bought me a squirrel sweater I'd probably find a reason to wear it. Any thoughts?

Hurt

*Image by Bill Hornstein

I ran with the school running club and apparently the terrain didn't agree with me. I've been training on mostly tracks, dirt tracks and pavement. The field surrounding the school is neither and I started getting shin splints. I've never really suffered from this malady before and it's no fun. Looks like the running club is going to be a member short until after my race, there is no way I'm going to set myself up to be injured! Any helpful tips to stay healthy?

Pudding

*Image by La Tartine Gormande

Yesterday night I made pudding. The husband has been watching his calories and therefore drinking less milk. We had about a half gallon that was going to go bad any day now and I didn't want to waste it. I decided upon rice pudding, but tapioca was my next choice. The regular recipe called for 2 1/2 cups of whole milk and 2 1/2 cups of half & half. All I had was 1% so I decided to see what would happen with the substitution. After cooking down the rice and adding the milk, I was surprised to find that I couldn't taste a difference. The biggest difference was in calories, we saved over a quarter of the calories by using 1%. Guess I'll make that again. What kind of pudding is your favorite?

Shells

*Image & curtains via West Elm

In the living room, the strongest point is the painted accent wall. We were looking for curtains that wouldn't compete and this is what we decided. I like the shimmery little shells on each edge. They add a nice little sparkle. Hopefully the cat won't take to them too much either. The frost colored linen is nice too - not white, not ivory. We actually hung two panels on either side so that we could have double impact with the little shells. Not too showy, not too plain. Now I need something awesome for the kitchen. How do you feel about gilttery shells?

Appropriate

*Image & stamp via Paper Source

This is a stamp I would love to have in my classroom drawer. I would love to put this down on so many pieces of student work...just for the reaction. Kids in middle school are at such an awkward stage in life that sometimes they can't help being jerks. They have no idea what a stress it puts on everyone when one adult is surrounded by hundreds of jerky, confused adolescents. How I want to be there on the day they grow up. Hopefully it's sometime this spring. How do you feel about adolescents?

Card Art

*Image via Apartment Therapy by Rifle Paper Co.

My guest room is going to be seeing plenty of use. I love the idea of using my selection of greeting cards to spruce up the space. I know I have plenty to choose from, why not use my favorite cards as art? Not something I haven't considered, just something I haven't done in my new home. Maybe I should ask for my friends to send me art in the mail. Have anything worthy of display?

Neighborhood

*Image via Anthropologie

Imagine you have a little flower shop you can walk to from your house... Anthropologie did and this is one outfit they have suggested for such a sojourn. Can Anthro please come to my neighborhood and inspire me to get in the car to drive to the grocery store? I get the idea of a glamorous life, I would love a neighborhood flower shop. Maybe I am ranting because of jealousy. Do you dress up when you go out to run errands?


p.s. I just realized that my timestamps this week have been off. I forgot to double check that they were all a.m. - Sorry for the mix up this week!

Carving

*Image by silentkate

We are making plans to host a pumpkin carving party at our house. I think that it will be a fun way to get to know my neighbors and to decorate our new house for the holiday. I am excited to have dressed up little kids on our doorstep collecting candy. I am looking forward to lighting up jack o' lanterns to adorn the front porch. Are you decorating for fall?

Free Lunch

*Image by emmaopeel

I totally scored! Now all of my lunches are free! How did this happen, you might ask? One of my co-workers is lazy enough to pay me to make lunch for him. This means that therefore all of my lunches are then free! This agreement is in my favor because it will force me to make healthy lunches for myself and get paid. Awesome. What do you think?

Alive

*Image by Stormn' Arizona

I have a confession to make. My laziness combined with the Texas heat has started to turn my green thumb black. I had a lovely Bougainvillea in a hanging basket that was scorched after I took too long to find anchors to drill into the brick. Luckily, I revived it and although the blooms are gone, the plant is not dead. I cannot let this be my new reputation in the neighborhood. I am not a plant killer. Any hot weather gardening pointers?

Crisp

*Image via Cuba Gallery

Nothing like a nice cup of tea on a crisp October morning. Happy Friday! What are your plans for the upcoming weekend?

Pleasant

*Image by Shelby Nycole

Fall is here in Texas and it is finally pleasant outside. I ran after school yesterday with the campus running club and didn't want to poke my eyes out. Mornings are a crisp 60 degrees and the highs reach into the 80s. I think this is the best part about Texas. I miss the fall colors changing, but this temperature is so nice, finally... What do you like most about the beginning of your fall?

Shark

*Image & print by Berkley Illustration!

We have already started brainstorming our Halloween costumes at my house. This year we're going with an underwater theme and I'm pretty excited. We only really have to buy a few catchy accessories and I'll make the dog's costume. I'm also excited to have trick or treaters! Good thing we have plenty of time to plan. Are you dressing up for Halloween?

Graded

*Image by raisinsawdust

Grades, grades, grades. I've been swamped getting everything checked and finalized and now they are officially turned in and done. I'm not a huge procrastinator this year, but I did take a nice nap that resulted in me staying up past my bed time. Oh report cards. Thank goodness I'm not getting one anymore.

Nine

*Image by George Schmiester

Today my running group was supposed to log 8 miles. I knew for sure I could do 6 without wanting to fall over. I hadn't really run all that much this week and have been trying to kick my butt into gear again after my Seattle trip. The weather here is finally nice for running in , still warm but not unbearable anymore. I surprised myself today when I ran the entire course (I did stop for water and street lights when I had to). The best part was, that upon my finish I learned that I didn't log 8 miles, I did a whole 9. No wonder my afternoon nap felt so good. Can you believe it?

Call

*Image & print by Raw Art Letterpress

My old phone, the one that was supposed to be replaced last year is dying again. This death seems like it will be more permanent. The screen goes black all of a sudden. Phone still works, screen does not, well not all of the time. I've got a back up for now, but honestly wouldn't mind a shiny new phone. I should take a page out of my husband's technology book and suck it up. What kind of low-tech phones would you recommend?