Happy Halloween

     Yes, our Mother dressed us.  Wishing everyone out there a safe, sugar filled, and very fun Halloween!

LLLove,
Jen & Jess

How to Spend Halloween at Home

     If Halloween snuck up on you this year, and you don't have any plans, or you just feel like staying in, try these ideas to make your night-in way more fun than a night out!
     If you live in a residential neighborhood, passing out candy to the local kids might be entertainment enough!  For the rest of us apartment dwellers, we have to find our own entertainment.  

STEP 1: Make sure you have lots of candy...even if you are not expecting trick-or-treaters. ;) If you feel particularly food crafty, try these easy Halloween treats...

Photos from here, here, and here.

STEP 2: Rent a Halloween movie.  There are plenty of scary movies out there, but if you're a big scaredy-cat like I am, there is always my favorite Halloween movie...

STEP 3: Put on something comfy for your movie night in.  Pretty much wear whatever you want (it's your house), sweats, PJs, and if you want a costume when trick-or-treaters come knockin' put on your choice of animal ears...the worlds oldest costume copout.  

These ears brought to you by Heart and Sew.

If you have a fireplace, light it. If you have hot apple cider, drink it.  If you have someone to snuggle, hold them tight.

Happy Halloween!

LLLove,
Jen & Jess

DIY Halloween Party Poppers

     I wanted to make a cute halloween gift for some friends, so I decided to make "Party Poppers!"  These are also great to put at place settings for a dinner party or any event!  These ones do not actually "pop" when they're opened, but they are still a lot of fun to tear apart, cost practically nothing, and are really easy to make! Surprise your friends with a candy treat!

What you will need . . .

Materials:

- Kraft stuffing (I used kraft and white)

- Candy (and/or little toys like bouncy balls or spider rings)

- 3 "Trick or Treat" labels (I printed these up on my computer)

- Scissors

- Double-sided tape

- Black and White striped bakers twine

- 3 cardboard toilet paper rolls

- 1 piece of orange tissue paper

1. Cut out a piece of tissue paper, and place a piece of double-sided tape on the bottom of the tissue paper (as indicated in the picture).

2. Place another piece of double-sided tape on the top of the tissue paper (as indicated in the picture). Next, place the toilet paper roll on the bottom piece of double-sided tape.

3. Roll the toilet paper roll upwards until the roll is completely covered in tissue paper and the tape is secure.

4. Using the bakers twine, tie one side of the popper with a bow.

5. Fill the popper with kraft stuffing and candy.

6. Tie the other end of the popper with bakers twine.

7. Take your "Trick or Treat" label and stick two pieces of double-sided tape on the back (as indicated in the picture).

8. Secure your label, and your popper is ready for the party!

Happy Halloween Eve!


LLLove,
Jess

DIY Painted Chevron Pumpkins

     

     Some of my friends and I got together and instead of carving pumpkins, we painted them!  I've always carved pumpkins in the past but it was fun to try something different this year!  And the pumpkins will last longer, so you can enjoy them even more!

- I painted the pumpkins with white acrylic paint.
- Then I made a chevron pattern using painters tape.
- Next, I spray painted the larger pumpkin black, and painted "Boo!" on the smaller pumpkin.
- Then I peeled off the tape, to reveal the chevron pattern.  

     The tape tore off pieces of paint and I actually liked the distressed look, so I continued the look by pulling tape off parts of the entire pumpkin. And did the same to the small pumpkin I painted "Boo!" on. It was a lovely example of making mistakes beautiful!


LLLove,
Jess

Words to Live By

{image via here}

     In this season of "trick or treats" I encourage you to treat yourself! Life can be hard, your boss can be the devil (or just dresses up like one for Halloween), and taking time to acknowledge the people around you that love and support you and acknowledge all the blessings you have make for a happy and healthy life!  If it's going out for ice cream, going for a walk, seeing a movie with friends, buying new shoes (I want all of the above, but let's not get greedy Jess) take time to be good to yourself and appreciate the beautiful world around you and the people in it!

LLLove,
Jess

Fall Favorites: Boots, Scarves, & Jackets

     Now that it's finally starting to feel like Fall (especially in Southern California) we can finally break out the boots, scarves, and jackets that have been patiently waiting for us!  Here are some of our favorites for Fall...

TOMS high heel boots

$89 - toms.com

BCBGeneration suede boots

$149 - bcbg.com

Tory burch boots

$395 - toryburch.com

KORS Michael Kors michael kors boots

$375 - piperlime.gap.com

Wallis tan boots

$105 - wallisfashion.com

Hunter black boots

$230 - johnlewis.com

Steve Madden leather boots

$169 - appareladdiction.com

Le Silla leather boots

$1,030 - stylebop.com (OK, way too expensive, but how could we leave them out?)

BCBG Max Azria black booties

$325 - heels.com

Alexander wang

$395 - colette.fr

Becksöndergaard cotton scarve

$40 - the-dressingroom.com

Hollister Co hollister co

$25 - hollisterco.com

Hollister Co hollister co

$25 - hollisterco.com

H M knit infinity scarve

$13 - hm.com

Bruuns Bazaar wool shawl

$125 - bruunsbazaar.com

Rebecca Taylor leopard print scarve

$135 - rebeccataylor.com

Becksöndergaard summer scarve

$105 - glassworks-studios.com

Oasis twill jacket

$40 - oasis-stores.com

Yellow coat

$32 - efoxcity.com

Jane Norman white coat

$105 - janenorman.co.uk

Wool coat

$89 - choies.com

     Now don't you feel all warm and cozy inside?  We do too! ;)

LLLove,

Jen & Jess

1940's Wedding Inspiration

     One of our fabulous readers asked us to put together some inspiration boards for a 1940's themed Wedding.  The couple chose to get married the same day the bride's Grandparents did in the 1940's, and she wants to honor them in her Wedding. First of all we love a vintage feel to anything, especially when there is such a beautiful significance to it!  Here are a few different themes you can tie the 1940's into, hope you enjoy!

CLASSIC

{photos via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here}

     There is something beautiful and timeless about a white wedding.  If you look back in our history, you see that the 1940's wedding style was simplistic.  Being wartime, the 1940's were marked by rationed resources.  Deployed soldiers needed food and supplies, which meant domestic extravagance ranged from "faux pas" to "forget it." Many brides sought simplicity, and unfussy home weddings became all the rage due to little time and little money.

     We thought it would be sweet to collect types of silver dishes and vases from your extended family and use them as flower stands for the reception.  Have your something borrowed be your Grandmother's embroidered handkerchief, and walk down the aisle with it.  If it's your style, gloves were worn a lot in the 1940's.  The motto was the shorter the sleeve the longer the glove.  You could also wear your Grandmother's vintage gloves.  And if they don't fit, display them in a silver tray with some pearls and vintage perfume bottles at the guestbook table.

     If you still have your Grandparents or your Parents toasting glasses (Jen and I used our parents in both our weddings), use them for communion during the ceremony or for when you cut the cake to add a special sentimental touch.

Chic and Simple Backyard Wedding

{photos via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here}

     The 1940's were simple classic and chic. Rent vintage farmhouse tables and make table runners out of linen and lace (of course we love that idea).  Picture reclaimed wood boxes for flower holders, tea light candles in votives wrapped in twine, and grey and white striped straws sticking out of mason jars full of lemonade or ice tea.

     Make the cocktail hour a picnic with crouquet, blankets and pillows, and trays for guests to set drinks and hors d'oeuvres on.

     Instead of a cake  or dessert table, have a pie  table with a couple different options, and make the pie that you and your new groom cut be your Grandmother's favorite, in honor of her. Or if you still want a cake, have the favor for your guests be Grandmas favorite pie in mini to-go pie form.

NAVY NAUTICAL

{photos via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here}

     Was your Grandfather in the Navy? Honor him by making the theme a 1940's Navy Nautical! The "Save the Date" could be a reenactment of the classic navy "Kiss" picture with you and your fiance. And the invitations could  be classic nautical, and make the RSVP card and envelope vintage "Love letters" between you and your groom to be.  The escort cards could have a sign that reads "I found my Anchor, now find yours ..." or "Set anchor for the night ..." and every one's escort card is their name tied to an anchor on a large antique ship. 

     Swing dancing was all the rage back in the 1940's.  Hire a big band and professional swing dancers and start off the night with a lesson for your guests. And mix in some classic songs from the 1940's like "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."

     Some other fun sayings you can throw into the night are "Hello Sailor," "Anchors Aweigh," and "Ahoy."

VINTAGE NAUTICAL

{photos via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here}

     If you want some rustic romance tied into your vintage nautical theme, have muted tones and lots of texture.  We are in love with the drift wood escort cards!  And have a sign up that says "Let the wind guide you." The guestbook could be paddles for guests to sign, that you can hang in your new home.

     Have your Save the Date say "We're Tying the Knot" with a nautical knot on it, to give a little sneak peek of the theme and what's to come.

     Seat your bridesmaids and groomsmen at "The Crew" table, and the kids at the "Little Sailors" table.

     Here are some songs for cocktail hour or ideas for your first dance song: "Sail Away With Me" by David Gray, "Sail on Sailor" by The Beach Boys, and "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones. And for the last dance song play "Come Sail Away" by Styx.

NAUTICAL NOTEBOOK

{photos via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here}

    If you haven't read the book by Nicholas Sparks or seen the movie "The Notebook," it is a beautiful  love story set in the 1940's.  Add some of "The Notebook" into the theme with your engagement pictures taken on a lake, escort cards tied to a row boat, invitations that read "Every great love starts with a great story ...," and make the top of the cake two little birds with a sign that says "If you're a bird ... I'm a bird ..."

VINTAGE GLAM

{photos via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here}

     If you want a more glamorous 1940's theme, find a vintage ballroom with crystal chandeliers for the venue. Before the toasts you and your groom can pour the champagne into your champagne tower and then pass out the glasses. Have "cigarette girls" walk around and pass out candy cigarettes to guests, and hire a big brass band for the dancing.

CASABLANCA

{photos via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here}

     If you're a fan of classic movies, why not make your 1940's themed wedding a "Casablanca" theme. You can have a sign that reads "We go together like Bogart and Bergman." Make a black and white "movie trailer" as your save the date ending with "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship..." Make the escort cards be "Transit Papers" for guests, and station a Moroccan Cigar bar in the reception area.  Your first dance song could be "As Time Goes By" by Dooley Wilson, and as  guests leave have a sign that reads "Here's looking at you kid."

     We'll leave you with one last idea.  If your Grandfather was in the army or the air force, have a "Fly Away With Me" theme.  Make the wedding venue an airplane hangar, and mix in vintage planes in your decor.

     Also, a lovely way to remember those who are no longer with you for your big day is to leave empty seats in the family section during the ceremony.

{photo via here}

     Anyway you want to do it, choosing a wedding date that honors your family is a beautiful way to start your marriage and your new family!

LLLove,

Jen & Jess