happy halloween

I am not a huge halloween person, however, on our street it becomes a very enjoyable evening of socializing with neighbors, handy out hoards of candy and seeing what jokes the kids will come up with this year (in St.Louis its customary to tell a joke in order to earn your candy - a tradition I had never heard of before moving here). I am going to make jalapeno sweet potato chicken chili from pinch of yum, hopefully not eat too much candy and maybe even convince Jeff to carve our pumpkin.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy halloween! 

1. etched pumpkins via Martha Stewart  2. flame pumpkins via Better Homes and Gardens  3. mason jar pumpkin via HGTV Gardens  4. alligator pumpkin via Martha Stewart  5. skeleton pumpkin via Country Living  6. celestial pumpkins via Martha Stewart  7. porcupine pumpkins via Martha Stewart

And for a less tasteful carving.... 

source unknown

hudson's bay company

My parent's are wanting to do a little sprucing up of our northern Michigan home and asked me to pull together some ideas for the living room. Our home is used primarily as a ski house, however, it is not a cabin or A-frame chalet. In thinking about what direction to go in, I immediately thought of the iconic Hudson's Bay point pattern. It is rustic while not being overly woodsy and works well in all seasons (second homes in northern Michigan tend to be very summery or very wintery).

For those who are perhaps unfamiliar with Hudson's Bay point pattern, it is trademarked under the historic Hudson's Bay Company and is distributed by Woolrich. The blankets are 100% wool and made in England. The origin of the blankets date back to the late 1700s when they were used as a form of currency in trading between trappers and Native Americans. With such history it is hard to go wrong with this pattern, however, I like it best when mixed with more modern elements. See below for some inspiration images. 

1. home of Mark and Linda Heister featured in Country Living  2. custom hudson bay ottoman by HomesteadSeattle via Etsy  3. room featured on The Animal Print Shop  4. hampton's beach house of Richard Christiansen via  Vogue Living   5. capote pillow shams via Woolrich  6. home of Pietsie Campbell and Stephen Hootstein via Apartment Therapy  7. via REMODELISTA

ikea shopping list

At the end of the November, we will be in Chicago for Thanksgiving and I am already plotting my IKEA shopping trip. Its probably a good thing that there is no IKEA in St.Louis as I would surely spend way too much time and money there. That being said when I do get to go to IKEA it is quite the shopping extravaganza. Below are some items I will be looking at if not purchasing for Jenn and Mike's living room as well as a few items for our house.