This week I finished up my witch hat for a Halloween event at my work on Thursday.  I found a plain witch hat at Target and purchased accessories at other discount stores.  I put the finishing touches on my hat today.

I got to go home to Kennett for the first time since July this weekend.  I love going home this time of year.  The air is filled with the smell of cotton.  I didn't realize how much I missed seeing cotton fields everyday.  In college, my classmates in my textiles class had never even seen a cotton field.  I guess it was always something that I took for granted.

Saturday morning, my mom and I went shopping at the local shops in Kennett.  We visited the Byrd's Nest where I found a great piece to hang in my living room.  I always look for unique things to use in the living room because I'm still not finished decorating it. 

{Chic knobby hook rack from The Byrd's Nest.}

After having lunch at Paradise Donuts (another new favorite of mine), it was time for the next event of the weekend.

This weekend was our Pumpkin Hollow Reunion 2011.  Each year around this time, three former PH employees and myself get together to visit and partake in the festivities.  Saturday night we meet at Strawberry's in Holcomb and had dinner.  When it comes to barbecue, Strawberry's is a local favorite.  I always love getting to go there when I'm home.

We then went to the haunted attractions at Pumpkin Hollow where we visited "Bubba's Butcher Barn," the "Forest of Fright," and "Mad Skull Mine."  As usual we received the "RIP" treatment. 

It was nice to be in the company of old friends and to be out in the country.  I loved that at the end of the night, my shoes were filled with dirt.  I got to see the stars in the sky for the first time in months.

Because I didn't have time to get pumpkins while in Arkansas, I went to the Kirkwood Farmers Market when I got back into town. 


I'm officially ready for Halloween now that I have my pumpkins....and sugar cookies.

This will be the first of many home improvements posts.  Though I've been working on our house's interior for several weeks now, this is the first room that I feel is complete. 

{Guest bath before.}

When we moved in, the hallway bath was light pink with pastel flowers.  Since this will be the bathroom that guests use, I wanted it to be chic.  I didn't want it to be too feminine or too masculine.  After much thought and research, I decided on these colors and patterns. 

{Guest bath after.}

Jason of course thought I was crazy when I came home and painted the bathroom a bright and bold shade of green.  I think he was just mad that his "Cardinal bathroom" idea was shot down so fast. 

At first I hated the bathroom mirror, but seeing it against the green wall gives it a new shabby chic look that I now love. 

The white cabinet above the toilet came from Potentials.  I spent weeks looking for the perfect shower curtain.  I eventually ordered this own from Target's website. 

My bathroom makeover budget was $100, and I can safely say that I only went over $20 making the grand total $120.

For my mom's birthday this year, I reserved spots for us at the Lavender High Tea at Winding Brook Estate in Eureka.  Because our originally scheduled date was canceled, we rescheduled our Tea for this past weekend.

So on a beautiful morning on the first of October, my mom and I had lunch on a lavender farm.  Lunch was served in an old (yet chic) barn.  We were served our choice of tea, bread, salad, sandwiches, and desserts all made with lavender.

{Lavender & Black Currant Tea}

{Lavender Cinnamon Raisin Muffin & Herb Focaccia} {Mixed Wild Greens with Gorgonzola, Cranberries, Apricots, & Red Onion tossed in Lavender-Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette}

The main course was a plate of sandwiches including shredded pork with an apricot lavender bourbon sauce on brioche; prosciutto frontina & fig chutney on focaccia; bruschetta with goat cheese, tomato, sweet peppers, artichoke, & caramelized onions; roast turkey with brie & cranberry lavender chutney on hearty wheat bread; and Mediterranean lamb meatballs with herbs De Provence marinara sauce.  Unfortunately I ate these before I took a picture of them!

{Pumpkin Cheesecake with Apple Brandy Sauce, Lavender Chocolate Cupcake with Lavender Ganache, and Sweet Potato Mousse with Lavender Cinnamon Whipped Cream}

It was a delicious lunch.  I would really recommend this "high tea" to anyone who loves this kind of thing.  My mom seemed to really enjoy her belated birthday present.