a zombie Halloween

I really wanted to have a Fall party this year. I don't know if it's because I have my own place, or because I am married now; but I really wanted a reason to have people over. so Jordan and I decided to host a Zombie-watching Halloween party last Sunday. 

I got so excited to entertain I wanted to find cheap ways to decorate. I found this easy DIY garland and put it together in a afternoon with only spending $5.

after making a quick stop at the grocery for awesome flowers and candy, as well as yummy snacks, I headed over to Half Price Books for the Zombie entertainment. we ended up watching 28 Days Later, which was great for a Zombie movie. I purchased Dawn of the Dead as well because I am all about quality Zombie films and this one goes down as one of the best.

it was a great night with lots of fun and laughs with our friends. and in case you were wondering it was not a costume party, although one of our friends came in a cowboy hat and used the party as an excuse to wear it. 

I hope to make this a tradition, at least until we have kids, (which, Lord willing, will not be any time soon).

hope you had a great Halloween weekend!

xo

treating myself

sometimes you just need to treat yourself to something fabulous when you have had a hard day. that is what i did a few nights ago. i went straight to B& BW after a not-so-great day and picked up a citrus based face scrub from their True Blue line. it has the most amazing citrus smell and leaves my face nice and smooth. i also purchased two other mini bottles for $10 total. it was my little treat to myself and i can say that i did feel better after using it.

dates with my mom

every Saturday my mom and i go on a date. this past Saturday was no exception.
usually our date starts with a trip to Bath & Body Works to peruse their divine smelling lotions and candles. sometimes we walk away with a bag full of bottles, other times just wearing a different fragrance.

afterwards we usually make a Starbucks run, because it just across the street so naturally it's only wise. once we order one cookie and two lattes we find a quiet spot by the window and chat. with lattes still in hand we walk down the sidewalk of the shopping strip and slip into Pier One. i absolutely adore going into this store. every time it inspires me with ideas for my home. it's almost a rule never purchase anything in there, (unless it's a discounted candle). i simply love to look and imagine.

after leaving that shopping strip we sometimes drive to the mall and shop at Macy's. i receive a discount there so it's really fun to purchase sale items. afterwards we will grab the occasional pretzel at the kiosk and wonder around, peeking into boutiques.
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we end our date by coming home and admiring our goodies. after making a small snack we plop on the couch to continue talking and painting nails at the same time.

 i love Saturday dates with my mom. 

birthday weekend

this weekend was Jordan's birthday! it started with me making cinnamon rolls for breakfast before a full day at church followed by good times with family for lunch and dinner. that evening we celebrated with friends at The Fox & Hound Grille. it was a simple birthday, filled with love and people we adore.

hope you had a great weekend!

xo

an epic tale

it has been a Lord of the Rings marathon at my house this week. 

every since Jordan finished slaying orcs in the companion video game he has been wanting to relive the epic story. so we made a trip to Half Price Books and picked up the first installment for a great price (we already had the other two) and began watching the extended versions with books in hand. 

Jordan grew up with these books and i had seen the movies like every one else. but after all the hype of the movies i had not seen them again in over 5 years. it has been really fun to experience it again with Jordan. the themes and messages are just as true and compelling. 

we are half way through the saga, and it has been great to make new memories.

p.s. these are original illustrations for the film.

hope you have a great weekend!

xo

art

some amazing illustrations by the talented Kelli Murray to brighten your Monday.

Enjoy!

xo

this week

i was sick in bed with a chest cold. i can't believe it's already Saturday.

Some things i did this week::

::  finished the third book in the Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella. i don't think i will ever read another book about Becky Bloomwood. only because the main character frustrated me with her unrealistic approach to life.

::  my husband and i watched Away We Go the other night. probably the cutest movie ever.

::  i have been living off chicken noodle soup, pancakes, and cough drops.

::  my nails are Revlon Chocolate Truffle

:: completed my wish list and my Christmas list for loved ones. ( it's not it's not too early to start right?)

hope your week was full of joy!

xo

some fancy things on my mind

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2.   

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1:: i have this vision of making this swatch of fabric a fancy headboard for my bed. i got the inspiration from this picture and the fabric from this site. 

 2:: i love Vogue Magazine. i also have this guilty pleasure of looking through expensive design books and falling in love with glamours homes and gardens. 

 3:: the newest fragrance for B&BW Charmed Life. i can't wait to own this simply luxurious scent.

4:: my latest obsession, E.L.F. products. here is just a peek at their amazing colors, just hit quick view.

hope your week is going well! i am still recovering from a small cold (not fun) but had a chance to catch up on some blogs, good reads, and sleep!

xo 

the happiness list

10 things that make Kayla Sue happy

1. a warm cup of tea in the morning

2. hearing my husband tell me what color nail polish he wants me to wear

3. having a big pot of chili waiting for my husband when he comes home

3. hearing my cat snore 

4. knowing that my favorite holidays are around the corner

5. playing rummy with my husband

6. driving through falling leaves with the windows down 

7. making my apartment feel like a home

8. pumpkin anything - lattes, bread, pie, candles

9. the smell of dew in the early  morning

10. waking up and realizing that i am married to my best friend

remember happiness is a feeling, but joy lasts.

what are some things that make you happy?

going for a walk

 today was gorgeous with an unusual 77 degrees for October. it was beautiful. especially when you spend it by doing something as simple as smile at your mom's dog chewing a stick.

Happy Wednesday!

 xo

my favorite September things

time for some of my favorite things in the month of September! it was a great month for me filled with fun and family and lots of laughs. here are some products that i kept coming back to all month.

my nails didn't change much this month. i primarily rotated between Revlon Red Hot Tamale and Essie Merino Cool. 

i wore this eye shadow palette almost every day because it love it so much. it's called Forest Light by L'Oreal. the blush is from Forever 21 and called Candid Coral.

i love Bath & Body Works and i rotate my body sprays with the changing seasons. for Fall i wore Country Chic which was introduced earlier this year. it's fresh blend of floral and citrus is perfect for the ending of Summer and beginning of Fall.

i picked up some pumpkin spice tea candles and placed them in these adorable votive to make my apartment smell like fall.

i have also been drinking a lot of tea this month, especially a brand called English PG Tips. they are Jordan's favorite too. i have been cooking them in my lollipop red kettle and drinking it out of my assorted mugs. it's the best on a cool fall morning.

 i have been trying to finish this book for a while but could get past the beginning. so i finally picked it back up a few weeks ago and finished it a few days later. it's a fast, easy read and i thoroughly enjoy Kinsella's writing style; light, witty, and funny. i need to grab the next in the series soon.

Hope your Fall is off to a great start! 

What were some are your favorite things in September?

xo