beach party

Uh oh! Just a little over two weeks until we fall back.  I can't quite bear the thought of saying goodbye to daylight an hour earlier and I'm still dreaming of 9 pm dinners with the sun high in the sky.

However, if I have to eat my dinner under the setting sun, I think I'd like to do it like this...

via oh happy day

whimsical wednesdays {nesting}

I am moving to Atlanta in eight days! Now that I'm officially relocating and living by myself, in my very own, single, all mine, apartment, I've really caught the nesting bug.

The other day, I went to Anthropologie, and didn't even look at the clothes. I spent the whole time in the at home section.  My entire focus has shifted.

My budget is slightly resricted (!). Fortunately, my parents are very generously allowing me to take furniture and decor from our old house. They've basically outfitted my entire apartment with adorable items I would not have otherwise been able to afford.

Had they not so kindly gifted, I'd probably be scrambling to determine how to decorate.  If I were starting to outfit a home for the first time, I'd be lusting after some of these lovely spaces...
 
Aren't they beautiful? 

What's even more fulfilling than looking at all of these chic homes, though, is my favorite new website, Thursdays.  As one who is just starting my own place, I've become addicted to their easy recipes, crafts, and ideas.  On a shoestring budget, simple DYIs are just what I need.  

My favorite part about the site? The Thursday night dinners that served as the company's inspiration were held while the creators were in college at Indiana University.  Nothing warms my heart quite like supporting fellow Hoosiers does. 

Photos: Habitually Chic, House Beautiful, and Everything Fabulous 

Halloween!

I'm shamefully obsessed with Halloween. To the point that I find myself saying phrases like: This is my favorite holiday! (Which is not to be believed, as I make such proclamations at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, The Fourth of July, and, most often, my birthday).

In addition, in social settings, I frequently want to one-up people.  If I say, "I love Halloween" and they say, "me too!" I immediately want to find a way to prove that I, as a matter of fact, love it more.  (Unusually competitive...?)

I am also curiously drawn to Halloween decor, which is odd because (1) I hate extra clutter and (2) I don't really love autumn that much.  However, I want to light a pumpkin candle, brew some spiced cider, and throw an autumnal runner down the dining room table.
I knew I was really in trouble yesterday when I, who can barely sit through a movie, watched Hocus Pocus not once, but twice.

With such a great love for Halloween, it's not surprising that it really bothers me when companies skip right over Halloween and Thanksgiving, and head straight to Christmas.  Why are your Santas and Rudolphs out? I've barely had time to put away my birthday decorations and get out my pumpkins, and you're telling me there is no window of opportunity for a table turkey made from apples and cranberries?

However, my principles aside, I must admit that one Christmas item has caught my eye a little early: the Jingle Bell bobby pins from Kate Spade. They're so cute, and basically guaranteed to be sold out by December.  What's a girl to go? Jingle a little early? Or stick to my Halloween guns?