My Favorite Little Things About Fall

I know, I know. I haven't been around much around in the blogger world and my posts seem to keep starting off with things like Sorry, haven't been around in a while, and I promise I will catch up soon. Who knew owning your own online business would take up so much of my time. *Insert sarcasm here* I couldn't be more thankful and grateful for all the love and support for my business and that's really the reason I am not blogging as much as usual. Between my full time job, and wanting to have somewhat of a social life, there's not much room for it. I try to keep up with my blogging friends as much as possible though! You guys are the reason I even wanted to blog in the first place! So now on to the fun stuff!

Fall weather changes are a favorite for me. Even though I live in Southern California and we don't really get the real "FALL weather," it is still my favorite time of year because of the events that follow:



1. September Football
Although I am not huge into football. Something about having your friends come over to watch the games and setting out fun snacks just warms my heart.

2. Fall Decor 
The colors of Fall are my favorite! They are so welcoming and warming. It's also fun to come up with new Fall decor that you can make yourself. I know this is taking it back to the start of my blog, but projects like this DIY Skull and pumpkin topiaries are fun to do!

3. Halloween
 The candy, the costumes, the fun! Whether you choose your own costume or you make your own, something about dressing up is so fun. Last year I shared how to make your own Pumpkin decor.

4. Pumpkin everything
I get excited every year when the PSL comes out! Because that means fall is here! I also love finding all the best pumpkin recipes like Pumpkin muffins and pumpkin roll ups!

5. Thanksgiving
The food and hanging out with family are my two favorites about Thanksgiving. Being in a food coma for a few days is so worth it when you are hanging out with loved ones.

6. Black Friday
It's been tradition now to go shopping with my in-laws on Black Friday. It's actually pretty fun, browsing around the mall, finding some great deals, and going to lunch with them. It's something I look forward to every year.

7. Christmas
Who doesn't love Christmas. I love the decor, the baking, the gathering of friends and family and of course the gift giving. I shared some unique Christmas decor and I shared one of my favorite recipes that my mom and I bake together every year and is a fan favorite. SWD has some great gifts in our shop! And we can customize ANYTHING for you at no additional cost! SWD also has baby items! So head on over to check out our products!
 
8. New Years
The celebration and start of the New Year! Plus, many get engaged on New Years! (Plus I have an engagement box for those who get engaged and it would make a great gift!)

 

#Blogtober14, Fall Fashion

Okay, I'm going to be honest right off the bat-- I am not a fashionista by any means.  Although, I'm sure you already knew that by reading this blog. Obvi I suck at fashion.
Sure I may have some "cute" tops occasionally, but the whole "trend" thing has never been my thing.  However, when I hear "fall fashion," I instantly think of the following (and that makes me smile)    :

 


















-Top 5 things I love about fall fashion-
1. Boots. (they rarely go "out of style")
2. Lots of big comfy sweaters/ jackets
3. Scarves.  (also like number uno)
4. Fall colors (Neutrals, oranges, reds)
5. Sock buns.  (Don't hate me for being l-a-z-y-- aint nobody got time for dat)

P.S. I am linking up with Helene and Tay for the #blogtober14 linkup.

 

Weekend Recap

Good morning and happy Monday!  Hope your weekend was fantastic!  I am co-hosting with Dateless in Dallas for our Weekend Recap!

On Friday the hubs and I went over to our friends house To drink, BBQ, and spa it up.  Lets just say I drank more in one night than I have in a long time.  I dominated at beer pong, which never happens.  So that was awesome because I don't even remember the last time I played.

Which is where Saturday comes in.  I felt like death all morning.  
Yeah-  don't mix beer and vodka and beer and vodka -- you're head will feel like its going to explode.  I should know better.. but hey.. it happens.  That evening we went out to dinner with hubby's boss, and because I chose not to drink I was able to drive one of his cars which was a sick Porsche Cayenne.  So of course I felt like a rock star.  I dropped the boys off at a bar and went home to sleep for about 2 hours until I got a phone call to pick them up from the usual Denny's. And you know what?  I didn't mind at all, because I knew I'd wake up on Sunday without feeling like my head was going to explode.  Boom!

Sunday we woke up and were able to get so much done around the house.. That is in between football   We took out our huge plant in the yard and replaced it with something smaller and more colorful.  I set up my fall decor and cleaned up around the living room.  Okay so they used to not have any Jimmy Johns in so cal, and the hubby found one a few months ago so of course that's where we went to lunch.   Then came back home to take some more things outta boxes.  Man is that a work in progress. We weren't in the mood to eat dinner so we opted for Golden Spoon.  They have a pumpkin pie flavor that was ridiculously good. So I guess you could say I had pumpkin pie for dinner.  Yep.. that happened.

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Leave a comment, grab my link above, and write about your weekend!

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I decided I wanted to participate in the #Blogtober14 Challenge with Taylor & Helene!  Why not, right?
Today's prompt is.. 10 Things I Wish I Told Myself When I Started Blogging

 

I started blogging in May of 2012, exactly a year after graduating college.  I knew I wanted an outlet to showcase my design skills.  So it originally started as a way to show my art, design, and design tips.  It quickly turned to a lifestyle, recipe, fashion, design blog.  I still have DIY projects and such, but now it's an outlet to show my life and the little happenings in between.  I have learned alot in the past few years about blogging, and I still have a whole lot to learn.  It's always a learning process, and I love it.

1.  Leave comments on other blogs, and show interest in their blogs weekly. (This is how you gain followers)

2. It's not always easy, read other blogs constantly to help inspire your ideas.
3. It helps get your blog out there if you sponsor, are sponsored, or collaborate linkups with other bloggers.

4. It takes alot of patience.

5. It matters how your blog looks.  I am a designer and I still paid for someone to spruce it up.. Sometimes you just need a second opinion on things.  Think about it. Your blog is the first impression when someone clicks over to your page. Make them want to stay a while by making it look appealing.  I had Jana Tolman design mine.  She was inexpensive and rad to work with. (She also showcases the work she does, and you'll get exposure that way too!)

6. Scheduling posts every so often really makes it less stressful.


7. Adding photos helps a ton!  I noticed more viewers on my posts with photos versus without.

8.  Be you.  Don't copy other bloggers, learn from them!  Let them inspire you, but stay true to yourself. After all, there is only one of you!

9. Blogging isn't easy.  It takes time (a lot of it) and effort.

10. Have fun, and enjoy it.  You only live once.  Also-- don't be afraid to ask other bloggers to collaborate with you.  The worst they'll say is no.
 

Friday Fall Favorites

I am so ready for fall.  Here in California it's been at least 100 degrees every day.  Which is way too hot no matter what.  I'm good with anything between 70-80.  Any hotter and you've got me miserable.  So as I am sitting here rambling about how hot it is, here are some fall outfits I am swooning over and cannot wait to wear.  That is - if it ever cools down.

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Also this weekend only, get FREE shipping on all items at Lulus!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Hope you all had a fabulous Labor Day Weekend!  Today is the official day that Starbucks is selling their infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I thought it was necessary to make an entire post about it.  It really is one of my FAVORITE Starbucks drinks, and I'd drink it if they had it year round.  

Here's a few fun facts about the Pumpkin Spice Latte aka PSL: 

1.   Starbucks Has Sold 200 Million Pumpkin Spice Latte Drinks in the Past Decade 

2.  There have been over 29,000 tweets that have featured the hash tag: #pumpkinspice since August of 2012 

 3. Since its launch in 2003, Pumpkin Spice Latte has become Starbucks most successful and popular seasonal beverage.

 

What is your favorite Starbucks drink? 

Hashtag #designPSL on instagram and share your PSL or favorite Starbucks drink.

Fall Wedding Favorites

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year, when the leaves begin to show colors of orange and red tones.  Don't get me wrong, I am in love with Summer, (California girl forever) but being an artist, I have always incorporated  these colors in my work, and I always look towards these colors and this time of year for inspiration.  I wanted to have my engagement photos done in October because I knew the leaves would be changing and the colors would turn out fantastic!-- and that they sure did!

If I didn't choose to have a summer wedding, I probably would have chosen October.  There are so many great wedding ideas for fall weddings.  Here are my top 5 favorites:


 1. You can incorporate fall leaves into your table decorations.  Such a simple, inexpensive and beautiful item for decor.

 

Also a great idea is to flowers in the aisles.  A much cheaper alternative!

 

2. Your wedding photos will have gorgeous color in them.  Since brides normally wear ivory or white, having autumn leaves will really make your dress pop!

3.  You can serve a fun festive signature cocktail at your wedding: Something like a pumpkin martini!

 

4.  Your bridesmaids' dresses can be fun fall colors!

 

5. My alltime favorite:  Your wedding dress can have gorgeous lacey long sleeves.  ( I totally invisioned having a long lacey dress, but I wanted a summer wedding-- but I think they are gorgeous!!!)

 

What are some of your favorite fall wedding favorites? 


P.S.  How nice is Starbucks to do this for my Birthday?