This month's chocolate dessert is Candy Corn Boo Bark, perfect for Halloween!  I used this super easy recipe to make this boo bark.  Instead of regular candy corn, I used s'mores candy corn.  Yum!

Happy Halloween!

It was several months ago when I told my mom "I think we're going to dress Katherine up like a Rockford Peach for Halloween."  Before I could even start planning the outfit, my mom had found and purchased the Rockford Peach patches on Etsy. 

I had been dreaming up Katherine's first Halloween costume in my head since....well, probably since I took my first pregnancy test.  Jason and I went back and forth about what she would be for her first Halloween.  I saw a picture of a toddler's Rockford Peach costume on Pinterest, and the idea was born.  My mom located the patches for the shirt and hat and bought them immediately.

With a picture of the actual uniform saved on my phone, I headed to Hobby Lobby for the rest of the costume.  I'm not sure who was more obsessed with "historical accuracy," me or Jason. 

I bought a solid pink onesie and sewed the patches and buttons on.  I sewed the "R" patch on the red hat.  When I couldn't find tall red socks for a baby, I bought white ones and dyed them red.  I even made her a red belt.  By the way, there is a reason babies don't wear belts.  No waist line, and she kept trying to get it in her mouth. 

I went to three different fabric stores before finding the perfect shade of pink in a jersey knit fabric to match her onesie.  The last piece of the costume was the skirt.  It wasn't until I was actually putting the whole outfit on her that I realized what a kick-butt costume I had put together. 



I was overwhelmed by the sweet comments I received on Facebook after posting Katherine's picture Sunday night. 

Katherine seemed to like her costume too.  I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.  Too many times I try something I saw on Pinterest and it turns into an absolute fail. 

First Halloween costume, nailed it. 

"There's no crying.  There's no crying in baseball."

We kicked off my birthday week with our annual birthday trip to Sephora on Friday.  Every year on my birthday, we go to Sephora where I pick up a birthday treat.  One year, is was Chanel Chance (my favorite perfume of all time).  Another year I got Marc Jacobs Lola perfume, and another I got Marc Jacobs Daisy (I love all things Marc Jacobs.  No seriously.  I love him.  I'm obsessed really.)  Each year I use my "beauty insider" card to get my free birthday samples and whatever free samples I've racked up with my points.  I don't get to shop there very often so on my annual birthday trip, I always cash in my points.  I'm too impatient to save them up anyway. 

This year, my Sephora birthday treat was the much coveted Urban Decay Naked Basics palette.  I've literally had it picked out for months.  I went back and forth deciding between the Naked Basics palette and Naked 2.  When it came down to it, I don't wear that much make-up anymore.  So buying a palette with twelve eye shadows wasn't really necessary.  So I bought the smaller (and cheaper) Naked Basics.  I was not disappointed.  I love it.  So worth it.  Happy birthday to me! 

In addition to my Naked Basics, I got my birthday "gift" which included a sample size of Benefit They're Real mascara and Watt's Up skin highlighter.  I love them.  You win Sephora.  I'll probably buy the actual size product when my samples run out.  I'll have to start saving now.  They're expensive.   

I also got Formula X nail polish with my beauty insider points.  I'm excited to use it.  I.  Love.  Sephora.   

The birthday week kick-off continued into the afternoon with a much needed mani-pedi. 

I spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with the family.  We finally visited the newly opened Andy's Frozen Custard.  Jason and I would go to Andy's almost every week when I was in college in Springfield.  I was so excited to have one in St. Louis!

On Sunday, I put the finishing touches on Katherine's Halloween costume.  More on that later.  I'll have to say, I think I "knocked it out of the park."  Happy Halloween Week!

I love holidays.  I've mentioned this many times before, but Halloween is my favorite holiday.  I love Halloween for many reasons.  It's in the fall.  It's scary.  (I love all things scary.  I'm a little weird like that.)  Most importantly, I love Halloween because it's my birthday.  True story.

I also love decorating for holidays, and doing so on a budget.  Almost every piece I have came from Dollar Tree or I bought it at Target during their after season clearance sale.  You can absolutely decorate on a budget and have it still look like a million bucks.  Here's a look at our Halloween decorations this year: 

{I made this print myself and printed it Walgreen's.  I found the candle holders at Target.}

{The bird and skull came from Dollar Tree.  The owl and green bottle came from a vintage shop.}

{I found these great spider web candles at Target.  LOVE them.}

{The vase, tiny skulls, and black roses ALL came from Dollar Tree.}

{I bought the vintage "Happy Halloween" pumpkin at Vintage Market Days and I got the paper garland from MailboxHappiness.}

{I got a really good deal on this decoration!}

{More Dollar Tree finds.}

{Paper garland from Target.}

{I bought these sweater pillows from Annie Laurie's.}

Along with the Dollar Tree and Target finds, I added old glass bottles and dishes that I already had and covered them in fake spider webs (also found at Dollar Tree).  I pretty much cover the entire house in fake spider webs, much to Jason's dismay.  Decorating on a budget is easy when you know  where to shop and learn to use things you already own.  Helpful Hint:  Hobby Lobby has great deals on Halloween decorations, and they even put their Halloween items on sale early in the season! Happy One Week Until Halloween!

Also, Happy World Series Week!  GO CARDINALS!

We were dogless for almost a whole week.  We had to leave Callie and Sammie in Kennett this week.  Why? you may ask.  Well let me tell you.  Caution:  Don't read this while eating.

We made a trip to Kennett earlier this week to visit family and go pumpkin picking.  On Sunday, Callie started getting sick.  It started with stomach trouble during the day and ended up lasting through the night.  She was restless all night long, constantly getting out of bed and wanting to go outside.  Not to be too graphic, but she had explosive poop, ending in having to have a bath every time she came in from going out.  Gross. 

I wasn't too concerned at first because both dogs usually end up with some sort of stomach trouble while we're in Kennett, due to a change in diet and lots of table food.  It typically lasts about a day and then it passes.  Callie was up all night Sunday night and on Monday her stomach troubles seemed to continue.  On Monday night, in addition to Callie's messy bowels, Sammie started throwing up.  Both dogs were up all night.  It was awful.  We had decided they had just had too much to eat while in Kennett, and once we got them home and on their normal food again they would be fine.  Worst case scenario, we would take them to the vet when we got home. 

So Tuesday we loaded up the car to head home.  Sammie was in the back seat with Katherine and Callie was riding up in the front on my lap.  We thought we'd play it safe and put a towel on my lap for Callie to lay on.  Just in case.  We had probably driven 12 miles out of town in the pouring rain when we heard Sammie tossing her cookies in the backseat.  We stopped at a gas station to clean her up.  Once Sammie was cleaned up we got back in the car and started again.  We had barely pulled out onto the road when Sammie tossed her cookies again, this time on herself, the chair she was sitting in, the floor, and into the diaper bag.  We pulled off the road again, into the parking lot of a Pizza Hut.  I quickly jumped out of the car, only to land in ankle deep standing water.  My shoes were officially done.  As I was holding the umbrella for Jason while he cleaned Sammie up, Callie rolled down the passenger side window, letting rain pour into the car.  She then crawled over the center console to take a huge watery dump in the driver's seat, all while Katherine watched from her car seat.

Something was obviously wrong, and trying to deal with it in the pouring rain in the parking lot of a Pizza Hut was not working out.  I called the person who always knows what to do, Mom.  When my parents finally showed up, we were soaked and sitting in a fowl smelling car that now needed to be professionally detailed.  Jason decided it would be better to send the dogs back to Kennett with my parents, so they could get to the vet.  We also didn't want doggie sickness to get on or near our 7 month old.  My parents graciously loaded up my poor sick babies into their towel and trash bag covered truck and headed back to Kennett and we headed back north.  I felt terrible for abandoning them, but I wasn't sure how I was going to care for both of them while taking care of Katherine, all while Jason was working. 

It turns out Callie and Sammie had tummy trouble due to eating grass and probably other randomness found in the yard.  Sammie is having back issues which also contribute to her stomach aches.  They were given shots and drugs to take home.  My parents nursed them back to health all week.  On Saturday, my parents brought them up to us.  I made pumpkin shaped dog cookies for their homecoming. 
We're so happy to have them home, happy and healthy.  We're even more glad that we're not still stuck in the pouring rain outside of a Pizza Hut with two sick dogs. 

When I was in college, I worked at a pumpkin patch.  It was a fun job and I was lucky enough to get to work there with my best college friends.  For anyone who doubts that I'm an outdoorsy girl, I can say that they are right.  But for five weekends in the fall, two years in a row, I was outdoorsyish. 

When I wasn't manning the "Weinie Wagon," I was tending to the goats.  No lie.  I got to sell pumpkins all day so it was great.  Because I love all things fall and Halloween, it was a perfect job.

{Pumpkin Hollow crew circa 2004.}

So it's no surprise that when it was time to take my daughter to her first pumpkin patch, there was only one place that would do.

Once again we headed south, this time to Pumpkin Hollow in Piggott, Arkansas.  The weather was perfect and so were the pumpkins.  I'm pretty sure Katherine loved it.  She reached for the pumpkins and we even picked up a few "baby" pumpkins for her to take home. 

{Katherine's bow.}

{My scarf.}

  Melt my heart. 

{Katherine's baby pumpkins sit on the kitchen table.}

{The big pumpkins on the porch.}

There's really nothing like Arkansas pumpkins.  Ah...I love fall.

Dressing up for Halloween can sometimes be intimidating.  You want to go out, but may not want to dress too crazy.  I put together Halloween costume inspired looks last year and they seemed to be a big hit at our event at work, so I'm sharing them with you. 

When I worked for a resale store, we had a "Witches Night Out" event around Halloween.  For two years in a row, I gave a "Halloween costumes as outfits" presentation.  I took popular Halloween costumes and turned them into actual outfits using clothing and accessories from the resale store I worked for.  These outfits can be put together easily by deciding on a costume, then building the outfit by shopping resale, retail, or even your own closet. 
Freddy Krueger (maybe not a popular costume, but a recognizable one)-  I paired a striped shirt with khakis and thick army boots (not pictured)
Gypsy- I used a classic off white top with a flowy skirt, wrapped a scarf around the waist, crossbody bag, long necklaces, and boots
Jessica Rabbit- I found a silky red dress, layered it with a leather jacket, evening bag, and dressy slingbacks
Genie- This outfit included a sheer black top with baggy "hammer" pants, and embellished ankle boots.  I threw a thin cardigan over it because....you know, it's October....and the top was really sheer. 

Katniss Everdeed- I used a tank top, with a leather jacket paired with hunter green pants, a crossbody bag, and thick army boots
Lady Gaga- This one was fun.  We got this awesome 80's jacket in one day and the Lady Gaga costume was born.  I used a little black dress, put the sparkle jacket over it, then added super tall heels.  I also added some sweet shades with it and a crossbody Chanel inspired bag.
Pirate-  I used a flowy white blouse, a leather vest, belt and red scarf tied around the waist, a velvet flowy skirt, bag, and tall boots.

I hope this inspires you to dress up this year.  This is a way to dress up for Halloween without actually dressing up.  You could probably wear these any day of the year.  Probably. 

In other news, Katherine is now 7 months old.  Crazy!  She noticed the sticker on her shirt this time.  From here on out, it might be interesting taking the monthly photos. 

{7 months}

{Hey!  A sticker!}

I've mentioned it before, but when it comes to wreath making I need something simple, quick, and inexpensive.  So I was pleased to see Wal-Mart had lots of Halloween accessories for less than $10.  I didn't really set out to get wreath making materials when I stopped by Wal-Mart. 

After seeing their selection of Halloween items, I immediately had a Halloween wreath design in my head.  I picked up a few things from the Halloween aisle, then headed towards the craft area for a vine wreath, then the home improvement section for some black spray paint. 


I underestimated the creepiness of spray painting a vine wreath black.  Totally Halloweeny.  I used some craft wire to attach the other items.  Super easy.  The whole project cost me $12.29.  You win this time Wal-Mart.

This weekend Katherine and I joined my mom on a whirlwind trip to Arkansas to visit family.  Katherine still had lots of family members to meet, so we packed our bags and headed south. 

For the past few years, family on my mother's side get together every fall.  I look forward to it each year because it's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and see my beautifully atypical family.  I hate that we live so far away from them. 

My mother grew up with lots of family.  She had lots of aunts and uncles and cousins.  I may not have had exactly what she had growing up, but I enjoy having all of her aunts and uncles around.  As they get older, I know it's important for me to see them as often as possible.  It breaks my heart that Katherine couldn't get to know them all, so every opportunity we have for her to see this part of the family is important. 

So off we went to the Nelson Family Reunion 2013.  All of the usual characters were there, as well as some new additions.  

{Katherine had a slight meltdown when all of the unfamiliar faces got in hers.}

{Katherine with her Mimi and Great-Granny.}

{Katherine and I with one of my favorite people in the whole world, (great) Aunt Rita.}

{All babies love Aunt Rita.  It's literally a rule.}

{We were no exception.}

{Four generations.}

{Katherine was loving being held by Mimi.}

{Cousin Connie.}

{It turns out, Granny isn't so bad after all.}

Before we knew it, it was time to go meet more family.  We left to meet my Uncle Joey and Aunt Janet.  This is how we ended up at Depot Days in downtown Newport.  

{We're legit.}

We scored an all access pass to Depot Days.  Basically we had access to air conditioning and a keg.  This is where we met up with Uncle Joey and Aunt Janet (my dad's brother and sister). 

{She made this face when I explained what a keg was.}

As luck would have it, we just so happened to be in the area where the band members playing in the festival came in to hang out.  My mom recognized this man and got his autograph.  It turns out, his name is Ace Cannon.  He plays the saxophone.   So, I spoke to Ace Cannon.  He asked if the keg by the door was what he thought it was.  I said yes.  It was a very meaningful conversation.  Nice guy. 

{Mom and Ace.}

{Mom getting her pass signed.}

{Katherine liked seeing her Uncle Joey and Aunt Janet, but wasn't crazy about her Depot Days experience.}

The next and final stop of the day was Granny Lu's.  I'm so glad she got to meet her Aunt Janet for the first time.   

{Katherine with Granny Lu and Aunt Janet.}

Katherine's first trip to Newport was a success.  It was a very, very long day from which we are still recovering, but it was absolutely worth it.  I love my family and Ace isn't so bad either.