Halloween Home Decor 2023!

 As is probably already well known if you have followed me for any amount of time now, I LOVE Halloween! Every year I can't wait for fall and the spooky decor to come out. Every year is a little different from the last and new pieces are added to old favorites. So here is this year's home decor overview. The full tour is located on my channel, where I mistakenly jumped ahead a year and called it 2024 (oooopppsss!!!!).

So come along with me to explore my decor and get some ideas for your own!

As I have been doing for the last several years now, I make use of the dying plants in the flowerbeds by adding some tombstones and a skeleton into the garden before I trim everything back entirely for the winter.

I stayed simple in the rest of the kitchen only adding a few touches like this sign and pumpkin on a candle holder so the kitchen would also stay functional.

In the dining room I tried to go for a theme of a Witch setting up to hold a buffet. I used tarnished good silver pieces and added some haunting touches to accomplish this. 

This year Michael's had so many new pieces but I was especially drawn to this Edgar Allen Poe piece of art. You may remember in past years I had done a Raven theme in the dining room. This year, I decided to move this into the living room.

Upstairs in the bathroom, I used my adorable skeleton bathing in a cauldron on a tray along side my modern version of potion bottles (retinol serums).

Another new find this year was this amazing masked bust from Home Goods (TJMaxx). I think she will be perfect at Carnivale as well.

For more details and a full tour visit my channel and watch the tour. How did you decorate this year to haunt your home? What new pieces did you find? Make sure to hit subscribe to be alerted of new posts and comment below.

October Landscapes

 I, by far think that October has to be my absolute favorite month of the year! Is there honestly anything better than the changing colors of the leaves, the crisp morning air, and the seasonal joy that comes with fall?

I love to bring those warm colors of nature inside as well... 

I also love to mimic nature into my external displays as well. Mums are a must in the garden as s adding the warmth of lighting such as this copper lantern.

Let's not forget the warmth in adding boots and cozy sweaters into our wardrobes as well....(but that will be a whole other post)

October Bucket List:

• Visit a pumpkin patch.
• Take a scenic trip or drive.
• Bake a seasonal sweet like pumpkin bread or pie.

Comment below: How are you embracing the coming of fall this month? Do you decorate with the seasons?

Preppy Style Icons

Preppy style is so classic because it is based on timeless and classic pieces. These pieces are often made from high-quality materials and construction, which means they can last for years. Preppy style is also versatile, meaning that it can be dressed up or down for any occasion.

Here are some of the reasons why preppy style is so classic:

• It is timeless. Preppy style is based on classic pieces that never go out of fashion. These pieces can be worn for years to come without looking dated.
• It is versatile. Preppy style is versatile enough to be dressed up or down for any occasion. This makes it a great choice for people who want to look stylish without having to change their entire wardrobe every time they go out.
• It is well-made. Preppy style is often made from high-quality materials and construction. This means that the pieces can last for years, even with regular wear and tear.
• It is comfortable. Preppy style is often comfortable to wear. This is because the pieces are often made from natural fabrics like cotton and wool.
• It is stylish. Preppy style is stylish and sophisticated. This makes it a great choice for people who want to look their best without being too flashy.

If you are looking for a classic and timeless style that is both stylish and comfortable, then preppy style is a great option.

 There are many classic preppy style icons, but some of the most well-known include:

• John F. Kennedy: The former president was known for his classic preppy style, which often featured button-down shirts, chinos, and loafers.

• Jackie Kennedy Onassis: The former first lady was also a style icon, and her preppy style was often inspired by her European travels.

• Audrey Hepburn: The actress was known for her timeless style, which often featured classic pieces like pearls and tweed.

• Kate Middleton: The Duchess of Cambridge is a modern-day preppy style icon, and her wardrobe often features classic pieces like shift dresses and tailored coats.

• Blake Lively: The actress is known for her preppy style, which often features classic pieces like button-down shirts and chinos.

These are just a few of the many classic preppy style icons. With their timeless style, they continue to inspire people all over the world.

Comment below: What s your preppy style and who are your icons?

September

 September has to be my favorite month of them all....not just because it is my birthday month but it also signifies the start of fall to me! (Yes, I know it isn't officially fall until the end of the month.) When I was younger though school started back in September right after Labor Day and so began the association of September with the end of summer and beginning of fall.

I don't think it is any secret though for anyone who knows me or who has been following my blogs for a while that fall is my absolute favorite time of year though! I love the crispness in the air, the changing colors of the foliage, the warmth of a sweater or blanket pulled tight around me, the pumpkins everywhere, and the activities that come with it all too!

I ended up winning 2nd place this year on my wreath at the fair. 

As usual, I will have my annual spa day treat to myself for my birthday.

September's Bucket List:

• Celebrate me with some pampering.
• Begin to bring the fall season indoors.
• Pumpkin everything!

Comment below: What is on your September bucket list? How do you celebrate the coming of fall?

Waning Summer Months Erupt into "August" Splendor

  August to me is the end of summer. Once Labor Day rolls around next month it just becomes fall for me. The warmest days and highest humidity during the month here in Northeast Ohio reminds us that August knows it is still summer as well. It is almost as if mother nature needs to end the season on a bang. While some flowers are dying down now in the garden, like the petunias and hosta, others are just coming into their own like the hibiscus and geraniums that seem to be blooming anew again. 

August is often a bittersweet time.... it is the winding down of lazy summer afternoons, the final days of warmth and heat before the crisp autumn air arrives. The birds begin their migration by the end of the month as well. Everything just knows in nature what is right around the corner. It is a reminder to soak in as much of the sun as possible yet before the days shorten.

I continue to look at each day as a new beginning and each month as a clean slate, another chance at a new year. I will savor the fruits of the season in all their sweetness and freshness. I will embrace the summer activities this month has to offer before the days are gone.

August's Bucket List:

• Soak up as much sun and outdoor time as I can.
• Attend the county fair... and hopefully win a ribbon! 
• Enjoy a backyard cookout and look up at the stars!

Comment below: What is on your August bucket list? How do you enjoy the last days of summer?

July- A Month for Heritage!

 While July is the heart of summer and half way through the year... it is also a month of celebrations! For me these celebrations have always meant celebrating my heritage....

It's no secret that I am Italian but I also have English decent in my genes as well. The 4th of July, or Independence Day, holds a special meaning to me in celebration as well. Not only because I am an American of course, but I am also a descendant of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. On my father's side I descend from one Thomas Stone of Maryland who was on the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation and signed the Declaration of Independence, later also serving in Senate for Maryland.

Shortly after all of the picnics, parades and fireworks every year then comes the Mt. Carmel Festival and mass for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, which I have posted about many times in the past as well. With both events in the same month and marking the halfway point for the year, July truly is a month for me to celebrate my heritage and all that my family and I are.

So as the fireworks reign this month, I will be celebrating my freedoms right along with a sort of Italian "new year" rejoicing another quiet year of the volcano.  I will be waving flags this month for both sides of my heritage. 

I will look at each day as a new beginning and each month as a clean slate, another chance at a new year. I will embrace the activities of each festivity this month and all they have to offer and represent.

July's Bucket List:

• Celebrate with fireworks several times.
• Enjoy gluttonous festival and picnic foods
• Remember where I come from.... celebrate heritage!

Comment below: What is on your July bucket list? How do you celebrate summer festivities?

June- Welcome Summer!

"June is the gateway to summer, the month when the world is reborn." - Unknown

This quote is inspiring because it reminds us that June is a time of new beginnings. The weather is warm, the flowers are in bloom, and the days are long. It is a time to get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is also a time to start fresh, to set new goals, and to make new memories.

I hope this quote inspires you to make the most of June too!

With all of the flowers and wildflowers coming into bloom, I decided to go to the field across the street and cut myself a lovely wild bouquet of Sweet William. I hope to keep fresh blooms in the house for the rest of the summer now.

My June Bucket list:

• Get my garden in and enjoy being outdoors daily.
• Enjoy fresh blooms indoors daily.
• Plan a short weekend trip (I didn't get this booked last month yet)

June is also National Rose month, so I can think of no better time that to try to get to Riverside Gardens this month for an afternoon stroll. Comment below: what do you plan to do to celebrate the coming of summer this month?