Another Halloween has come and gone. I just can’t believe it!

We hosted a Halloween party on Sunday night and invited our friends from our Sunday school class and their children. This was really the first time that all of the kids in our Sunday school class have been able to just hang out, so I was really excited about that. I wanted our party to be low-key and kid-friendly, but also have lots of yummy food for the parents.

We ended up having about 20 adults and 9 kids in our tiny house on Sunday evening. It was a crowd, but we love having people in our home!

Nina and I both hosted parties this weekend and I have had so much fun brainstorming with her every day for the past couple of months as we discussed our party plans. Her party was truly Spooktacular!

After church on Sunday morning, I started cooking and didn’t stop until the doorbell rang and our first guests arrived. I had to dash up to our bedroom to throw some clothes on– and I totally forgot to check myself in the mirror before running back downstairs to greet our friends. That’s just how it is sometimes. Details and plans don’t end up happening because you run out of time or realize that on the big to-do list for the party, something’s gotta go.

For me this year, it was our balloons. I ordered these precious giant black and white polka dot balloons from Shop Sweet Lulu. I blew up the first balloon with my helium tank that I bought and it filled up with air, but the balloon didn’t rise. The same thing happened to my second giant balloon. The third one rose to the ceiling, but I needed to have three of them. I ended up just saying “forget it” and threw the blown up balloons into our guest bedroom to hide! Something had to go!

The menu ended up being really delicious! I made Mummy Dogs, chili, Creepy Chocolate Pretzels (with candy corn), Witches Hats cookies, cupcakes and Crunchy Batwings (a recipe that Nina sent me). We also had four different flavors of popcorn from Cromer’s, a local party store that has the “guaranteed worst in town” boiled peanuts. And they have the best popcorn. This season they have some autumn spice popcorn that is truly to die for.

There were so many things I completely forgot to get pictures of, but that’s what happens when you’re having a great time!

Details:

The super sweet girls at Sweet Birdie’s Nest created the adorable printables and they were such a hit. Their creativity always amazes me and I love having their little details at our parties.

I was able to use so many things that I already had around the house for the party.

I had a bunch of serving pieces that were wedding gifts and all of the orange buckets were from Hudson’s first birthday party.

I used my three Willow House Savannah Beverage Servers for the drinks, my Willow House Nola Party Bucket and stand for the ice and bottled waters, and my Willow House Hemingway Hurricane vases for the centerpieces. I filled my apothecary jars with yellow, orange, black and white candies. I bought fun black and white fabric and pom pom trim at Hobby Lobby and my sweet mom stitched the trim onto it for me.

The striped straws, popcorn paper cones and balloons (not pictured) were from Shop Sweet Lulu.

I found tons of great little Halloween accessories at Hobby Lobby when they had all of their Halloween decorations at 40% off. Love that Hobby Lobby!

Then last night, we had a fun night with family just doing a little low-key trick-or-treating. I got both boys in their costumes (a fireman and a dalmatian) and finally got a picture of the two of them together. It only took 5 and a half months!

TC’s mom and dad came over to have leftover chili with us and we took Hudson and Hayes to our next door neighbors’ houses so Hudson could say “trick or treat” and get a few pieces of candy. Our neighbors know him, so we didn’t feel too bad when they said, “you can have two pieces” and then Hudson replied with, “can I have 3 chocolates?” Ha! He’s such a negotiator!

He loves wearing his fireman costume and Hayes, bless his heart, is so laid back that he just didn’t seem to mind a bit that his mommy dressed him up like a little dalmatian.

I think Halloween is so much fun for little kids and getting them dressed up and talking about pumpkins and the color orange is just so much fun! (It’s a big deal for me to even utter the word “orange.” It’s a forbidden color and forbidden word in Gamecock country. So I take advantage of the excuse to wear orange in October!)

We love a holiday and love an excuse to spend time with friends and family to celebrate something, no matter if we’re celebrating the fact that it’s Thursday or an actual holiday. I hope you and your family had a very happy Halloween and are enjoying this fall season.

(Make sure you read all the way to the end for a coupon code!)

Y’all! I have been keeping a little secret from you.

Hayes in his Lulu McGee “Friendly Ghost Onesie”

My sweet friend, Blair, has been working away to start up this amazing company. Blair is a great friend of mine that I actually met through blogging. I started reading her blog three years ago and then we finally met one day in Charlotte. Then we both went to BlogHer in New York and roomed together (with two other fabulous ladies). And now she’s one of my favorite people in the world.

Blair and me at BlogHer 2010

And I have got to show you what she’s been up to!

She has started an online boutique called Lulu McGee! She has made the cutest shirts and onesies for Hudson and Hayes. We’ve got a Lulu school bus tee, an Elmo tee, monogrammed onesies, monogrammed polos, Halloween tees and onesies, pumpkin tees and onesies and now Thanksgiving and turkey tees and onesies! And the girl clothes she’s been working on are absolutely adorable. My friend, Callie, blogged about her girls’ Lulu McGee outfits the other day.

Lulu McGee has been so easy to work with and not just because she’s a good friend of mine. She pays the closest attention to quality, but also really values the customer and the customer’s opinion. I know she does every possible thing she can to make sure that I’m happy with what I’ve received. I know of many other mamas who have placed orders with Lulu McGee and are so happy with what they’ve received. And her prices! You can’t beat them.

Her website is finally open and ready for business!

And if you don’t see what you’re looking for on her website, then just email her at lulu@lulumcgee.com and she will help you! We have had so many chats as she searched high and low for the perfect appliques and fonts for Hudson and Hayes.

So check out her website. There are some darling things available for Thanksgiving and you should hurry up and place your order! I am obsessed with the Turkey Initial Applique Tee and the Mod Turkey Tee!

These are perfect play clothes, but they’re still personalized and so cute! Lulu McGee’s fabric choices are so great- she just has perfect taste! She uses the highest qualities tee shirts and onesies and you know that they’re going to last through many washes and stain treatments after your little one plays hard in them!

I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for her Christmas and winter collection!

Guess what! Lulu McGee is offering a discount code to all Blue-Eyed Bride readers!

BLUEEYEDBRIDE11

Receive 10% off your Lulu McGee order. This code is good until November 30.

And don’t forget to “like” Lulu McGee on Facebook!

*I was not compensated for this post. I just love Blair and I love Lulu McGee. And I know you will, too!

Many thanks to all of the October sponsors!

Read ahead to see some of my favorite products and find out about deals from each of these fabulous companies!

I have some new sponsors this month that I am super excited to tell you about!

::Polka Dot Posies::

I’m a boy mom, so I don’t buy bows, but I do love some bows on some little girls! Polka Dot Posies has the cutest and most affordable options for bows. Really, you cannot beat their prices. All of the bows and stocked and ready to ship so there’s no wait time to receive the bow.  I just think they are so cute! And, really. $4.00 for a bow? Can’t beat it. They also have hats, headbands and other accessories.

::Mary Kay Cosmetics with Jaime Nash::

::BarBelles at Home and BarBellies at Home::

This is, without a doubt, the most unique sponsor on my blog, but I am SO excited to know about the blog and what it offers.

::Bamboo Pink and Pink Peeps Place::

Okay, my friends. These sweet little hand-painted original Easter baskets from Pink Peeps Place are just the cutest things! Can you think of a better baby shower gift or Easter present for a new baby? There are adorable designs for boys and for girls.

I am so impressed with the talent Catherine has to paint these fantastic Easter baskets. And Easter baskets are a pretty big, important purchase. These are 100% original and so unique and beautiful. I just think they would make the most thoughtful gift.

But there’s more… Catherine also sells a beautiful line of jewelry called Bamboo Pink by JudeFrances. These pieces are designed by two renowned jewelry designers, but they are offered at affordable prices, so now we can all wear gorgeous jewelry! JudeFrances is known for the hoop and charm concept with their earrings and I think it is such a great look.

I am also a huge fan of the leather bracelets and the stacking rings! Hello, birthday and Christmas? Visit Catherine’s online shop for more! Or contact Catherine at bamboopink@comcast.net

::Thirty-One Gifts with Constance Cumbee-Moore::

Y’all know how much I love a good organizing tool and a great tote bag, right? Thirty-One Gifts is just the latest in amazing organizing gear.

The name is based on the Proverbs 31 woman and I think that is just so great. The company is centered around celebrating, encouraging and rewarding women. How great is that?

I have been drooling over so many of these bags and home organizing products. I love the magazine basket that you can carry from room to room. I love the thermal bags so much. We use them for Hayes’s bottles when we’re out and about and need to keep them warm.

The utility totes are great for transporting yoga gear, clean laundry, dirty laundry, beach supplies, party supplies and casseroles. You name it! I just love all of this stuff so much. I’m in serious need of a rolling duffle. For real. Am I just listing my Christmas wish list.

Check out Constance’s Thirty-One site and place an order. All you have to do is click on “Place an Order” and click on the party  under Constance’s name. And get to shopping.

::Sara Says Boutique::

I have such an adorable boutique for you all to see. Sara Says Boutique is my latest obsession in kids clothes. The boutique carries smocked, monogrammed and appliqued clothing.

My favorite thing on the website is all of the college team-inspired outfits– especially the SEC items. I found the most adorable little University of Alabama dress (if anyone needs that). And I am loving the sweet little monogrammed cardigans.

Sara Says Boutique has some great items for Christmas gifts- I love the pillows!

I have found the sweetest little rompers for Hayes. My wish list is just growing and growing. All of the items in the boutique are at a great price point and much more affordable than some of the other lines we often see in boutiques. You should all browse the website and take a look around at everything! It’s all so very cute!

::Monogram Chick::

Oh my goodness, do I love the Monogram Chick. I recently ordered that gorgeous white, waffle weave, ruffle robe with my monogram on it. I am in love. I also recently ordered the 24 oz tumbler in a great purple color with a white decal with my monogram. I have used it so much!

Monogram Chick has the most wonderful gift selections and I have gone to her website time and time again looking for the perfect gift for every occasion. Monogram Chick is an extensive selection of fabulously unique products including gifts for bridesmaids, hostesses, sorority, housewarmings, children and babies. I have gotten so many of my favorite baby gifts and personalized items for myself and my children from Sarah, the Monogram Chick. She has items for every budget and no matter your budget, your gift will be personalized and meaningful to the recipient!

::Willow House with Callie Parker::

I am obsessed with Willow House. I’d buy everything from the catalog if I could afford it. My friend, Callie, sells these gorgeous products and a few months ago I hosted a party. For hosting the party, I was able to get some gorgeous things for some fabulous prices. I stocked up on some amazing entertaining pieces. The collage above shows some of the things I have and some of the things on my wish list, including the Nola Party Bucket and the Christmas card display holder.

Have you always wanted the Savannah Beverage Server? They’re back for a limited time and at 40% off! I have three of these and love them for parties. Click here to order yours!

And visit Callie’s Harvest Sale!

If you’re interested in hosting a Willow House party or purchasing anything, contact Callie at willowhousemom@gmail.com.

::Stella & Dot::

I absolutely love Stella & Dot jewelry. I love that it is stylish and affordable. Each season, they have the greatest pieces that fit with the latest trends and I always look for something to fit every outfit. Stella & Dot offers some of the most attractive, trendy jewelry I have seen in years. I have quite a few pieces and I wear at least one thing every day. Whether you are a stay at home mom, working mom, on the go, or going out on the town Stella & Dot has just the piece for you. Check our Karah’s site and see if you find something that fits your style and your budget!

::Sweet Birdie’s Nest::

Any time someone asks me who to use for a great birthday invitation for their child or who to use to get all the extra fun birthday accessories for their party, I recommend Sweet Birdie’s Nest. Sweet Birdie’s Nest is two sisters who make sure everyone has whimsical, beautiful and personalized stationery and party invitations.  These girls create invitations and details for bridal and baby showers, Christmas cards, birth announcements, and Baptisms.  They created all of the invitations, banners, cupcake toppers, party circles, and favor tags for Hudson’s second birthday this year.

We just finished up our big Halloween party and I am so thankful to Sweet Birdie’s Nest for creating the adorable invitations and printables for the cupcake toppers, party circles, stickers and banner. Everything was so cute!

::Southern Tots::

Southern Tots has every single one of my favorite brands for kiddos. My favorite smocked and applique styles are there and Ashley also creates custom pieces for parties and occasions. They also just started doing Facebook sales on Tuesday and Thursday nights. You can always find something new for your little boy or girl when you visit www.southerntots.com!  Find them on Facebook as Southern Tots.

::Ashley Brooke Designs::

Ashley Brooke Designs is one of my absolute favorite gems that I’ve found through blogging. Her one-of-a-kind designs have found a place in our home as I’ve had stationery created for our family, for Hudson, for Hayes, given custom stationery as gifts, and used Ashley Brooke’s designs for invitations! Ashley Brooke Designs is a luxury paper company where Ashley creates hand-drawn fashion sketches from scratch.  She creates blog headers, invitations, personal stationery, announcements, and holiday cards. She works one on one with clients to design exactly what they’re looking for.  The designs are available on everything from stationery to coffee mugs to tote bags.

Now Ashley has an amazing online shop that includes beautiful stationery that is already made and ready to go. These are some of the most adorable notepads, moving announcements, thank you cards and “just because” notes I’ve seen!

Contact Ashley at info@ashleybrookedesigns.com!

::Penny Lane Designs::

Marina of Penny Lane Designs creates the best blog designs, hands down! I have used Marina from Penny Lane Designs to create my blog design twice now. When I had my original blog, she created an adorable design there, and she created the one I have now. I always recommend her to everyone because I believe she is the best of the best. She offers pre-fab layouts and custom blog headers. Each custom header is truly original and she helps your blog brand itself. I love working with her! Click here to place your order.

[Read more…]

I’ve been singing “House of the Rising Sun” all week because it was on my Pandora Halloween play list the other day. Hopefully that explains the title of my post.

Sometimes I have tons of little things I want to blog about, but they’re just short little snip-its of what’s going on. So then I have compile these hodge podge posts. But that’s alright, I guess!

1. First of all, have you downloaded the new Kelly Clarkson album? I just love her and always love her albums. I think it’s good music to just have playing on the computer while I do my work and write posts. Her voice inspires me and the music is just fantastic!

2. Oh! I got a new camera lens! It’s the Canon f/1.8 50mm lens and the price on Amazon was just fantastic! I’m taking this photography class with Brooke Turner right now and we had our fun little photo shoot with a family last night. I just love this lens! I’m really excited to have a new familiarity with my camera and have the knowledge and equipment to get some good pictures of my munchkins.

3. Our Halloween party plans are rolling along. I have a good bit of cooking and baking to do in the next couple of days, but it’s so much fun! I love transforming our house into a fun party environment. Right now, my guest bed is covered in party supplies as I wait until Sunday afternoon to set up. (P.S. Don’t ever buy anything full price at Hobby Lobby. You can always just wait and it will eventually be 40% of 50% off. Especially for seasonal decor!)

4. I have really been focusing on all of our Junior League Holiday Market decorations the past couple of days. On Wednesday, Hayes and I ran to two Hobby Lobby stores and to Carolina Pottery. He had a dirty diaper in the middle of the check out line at Hobby Lobby and started screaming while I waited to check out. I could tell that the employees were getting tired of it and you know poor Hayes just wanted to get out of there! I changed him in the back of the Suburban before loading everything up, but I couldn’t find a trash can. You know you’re a mom when you’re driving to every Hobby Lobby in town with a sleeping baby in the car seat and a stinky diaper on the seat next to you! Fun times.

5. We took the rail off of Hudson’s bed, so now we just have pillows lying on the floor next to his bed just in case he rolls off. So far that hasn’t happened. But the rail was proving to be a bigger hazard as he was scaling it right after we’d put him to bed. There were definitely a few mishaps with that. Adios, bed rail.

6. I think everyone should always keep in mind that blogging is just a glimpse into someone’s life. We don’t share everything. And we’re taking a chance to put things out there for everyone to read. I know it’s hard not to make assumptions about what you see and read, but I try to remember that I am only seeing about 8% of what a blogger’s life is like when I’m reading. I know I need to try not to be so hard on people.

7. We had Hudson’s Halloween party at school yesterday. The little 2-year-olds were so dang cute in their costumes as they ate their snacks. I am so excited about what is going on at Hudson’s school and feel so good about him being there every other day. I got a picture of him on the way to school as we were stopped at a traffic light.

8. Check this out! Do y’all know about Jesus Calling, the daily devotional book? On Monday I wrote about my need to get back into the swing of things with my quiet time. So that night, I finally sat down to do my quiet time and read my daily devotional in Jesus Calling. And this is what it said. Now, y’all, I don’t believe in coincidences. So right then, at that minute, I got up and went to lie down on the couch and just enjoyed the quiet.

9. I’m taking dinner to a new mom tonight and this is what I’m taking her: chicken tetrazzini, spinach and strawberry salad and chocolate chip cookie pie. I linked to the recipes. So “dee-wicious!” I’m excited to meet her sweet baby girl and I promise not to beg to stay for supper! I think bringing meals to new moms is one of the greatest gifts you can give her.