Halloween is Just Around the - BOO!

I've always been a huge fan of Halloween.   Just this afternoon I was describing costumes I wore over 15 years ago (8th grade: Grim Reaper, 10th grade: dalmation) and Abe was like "How do you remember these things?"  What makes it stick is that every costume I ever wore for Halloween was a DIY project and luckily my mom is a talented sewer and could help me realize my dreams of recreating Punky Brewster's purple vest.  I'm also lucky that my friends also all love to get in character and costume so I never had to grow out of dressing up for Halloween.

But, this year is extra exciting because it's my first Halloween as a homeowner!  You know what that means:  TRICK-OR-TREATERS!!

I'm trying to decide what kind of candy house we're going to be.  I picked up some Junior Mints today, but that's just filler candy.  What's going to be my man offering?  Kit-Kats and Almond Joy are feeling like pretty good options right now.

Colleen & Kenny Get Married!!!!!!!!!

On September 25, 2010 our little baby elephant, Colleen, married Kenny in Brooklyn, New York at My Moon.  There is only one word to describe Colleen on her wedding day:  radiant.  The couple glowed with happiness the entire weekend and you could just feel magic in the air.  It was absolutely amazing to have all our friends in one place to celebrate two people we love soooo freaking much.  Congratulations, Kluttzogs!!!

Time to get ready!

Colleen's sister & nieces -not flower girls, but Princess Assistants

The Kluttz family

So much love!!

It's ok, I know him.

Lydia & Starr

During the couple's first dance we decided to form a weird woman circle and danced around them.

I don't think it's possible to smile any harder!

What?  You've never played Blanket Bride?

Ari has a book coming out next week - make sure you buy a copy of Herding Donkeys.

Erin, get under that dress!

Starr's turn!

For all you Real Housewives of New York fans:   ever been to a wedding where Money Can't Buy You Class is played?  Watch out cause the dance floor turns into a catwalk  (and many confused people stand in a circle and watch).

Apple Picking Time

Went to Fishkill Farm this weekend and ate our way through the apple orchards.  We took home 20 lbs of Macouns, Macintoshes and Spartans, and continued to eat our way through the weekend.

Clay used to spray on the apples in lieu of pesticides.

American Gothic

If I could...just...reach...my utility belt...

Just a few more!

This dude wanted to kick my ass so hard.

Loosening Up with Chalkboard Paint

I have my handy card & photo wall and now I'm thinking about adding a chalkboard element to the wall.  We may be 30-somethings, but there's been more than one drunken night with friends when we wished we had a "quote board".  A chalkboard would be a little less dorm-like. 

I've seen some chalkboard paint projects that look pretty cool, but I'm a little scared to make such a bold move...ugh, I've gotten to be such a baby about adventurous projects now that I own and don't rent.  I need to get over it and have some fun.  If I'm still scared, I guess I could make my own chalkboard paint and keep it similar to the color on the walls.

via The Elefanta

Although, I'm not sure how I feel about chalk dust floating around the house...eh, should be fine.

DIY: Card and Photo Wall

My kitchen was totally renovated by the previous owners, all the appliances are new and shiny and I love, love, love it. The one and only downside to having a fancy stainless steel refridgerator is that it's non-magnetic, which isn't so bad because I'm enjoying my uncluttered kitchen, but I would like to display all the wedding invites, save the date cards and baby announcements that have been flooding into our mailbox this year!

My $4 solution only required picture hanging wire and eye hooks.  In 10 minutes I had a new wall display for all our cards and photos.