A Hint of Chill in the Air...

Summer is quickly reaching it's end here in the New England states. It's been a lovely Summer. Plenty of time was spent at the beach, kayaking on the river, and running around the tennis court. There's a hint of cooler air these past few nights bringing inspiration for new designs to the shop.

• Great for all your autumn parties: Autumn Plaid Invitations by Easton Place
• Apple Kicking Cider cocktail by La Cocina Kitchen is sure to hit the spot
• Grilled Summer Squash & Peach Salad by Roost Blog looks divine
• A fire pit is sure to warm your August & September nights
• Large, billowy drapes will welcome your guests to a barn dance
• Navy, chocolate and gold can be found in Burberry's Fall 2012 lineup

What's inspiring you this month?

Thanksgiving's Almost Here!

My family does a great job of splitting up the holiday hosting duties. I happily host Thanksgiving every year. It's my favorite holiday! I've put together a couple of inspiration photos (found on Pinterest) along with the invitation I sent out and this year's menu. I'd love to hear about your Thanksgiving plans. Feel free to share in the comments.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
xoxo
-Patti

(almost) Annual Halloween Party

We moved into our current home about 10 years ago.  It was January 31 and the day was a typical cold and snowy New England Winter's day.  I had a two-year-old as well as a newborn and I knew no one in our tree lined neighborhood.  It took a good six months to really start to mingle with the neighbors, but during those six months I discovered we'd moved onto a street that had several small children and babies!  When October rolled around I decided to host a neighborhood Halloween party!  We've thrown a bash of some sort or another nearly every year since.  Occasionally we've skipped a year here and there, but basically we do our best to host something for the neighborhood kids and grown-ups.  We missed last year, so this year we're trying to make up for loss time.  Here is the invitation I designed for the big night!

Here are some photos of Halloween past...

one year hubs and I went as "Super Hero" sandwiches
(made with "Wunder Bread")

homemade skeleton costume
(white vinyl table cloth material was my friend!)

over the kitchen table

mad scientist... and the candy cabinet (if you dare!)

specimen and candles... and a few spiders

our "haunted" house

What sort of fun things will you be doing this year for Halloween?  Let me know in the comments!