Pumpkin Carving Party

We hosted a pumpkin carving party! I happily stayed up until 2 a.m. one night to make trophies for our carvers. This consisted of breaking down Dollar Store skeletons and hot gluing them back into new, and sometimes fierce, positions - some with added accessories too. Their stand? Dominos. Categories ranged from best in show to most spirited. 

Bentley was ready to party once he was in his pumpkin shirt. 

We served a variety of fall beers and treats including a delicious corn dip. 

Lovely tulips from Cara. 

Carving away...

We lit the pumpkins and trophies were given. Jen won best in show with pumpkin pie. 

Jen also won most clever, Nick - sexiest, Elle - most original, Stephanie - cutest, Laura - spookiest, Cara - diva, Amy, Laura and Ryan - happiest, Kat and Adam - most elaborate, and Chris and May won most spirited (most traditional and funniest were also categories). 

We stopped for a quick fall foliage photo shoot and continued to carve... 

All of this carving made for some very cool pumpkins. 

Hank and I carved the Old Well. This party certainly made Sunday grand, and you can read even more about it over at one of my coolest (and most stylish) friend Elle's blog. 

Creativity

Let's go back to that mention of creativity at the fair. In the midst of construction, an N.C. State student had a vision, and they turned construction barrels into art - this art. 

The student created a barrel monster couple - there is actually a Mr. to this Mrs. While this happened back in 2009, it was so fun to see Mrs. Barrel Monster on display at the fair.

State Fair - Take Two

There is a lovely side...

There are apple fritters, live music, lush gardens and an abundance of creativity.

{state fair - take one}

Happy Halloween

Love, Three Pumpkins

Home Happenings

Christmas will be here shortly, so I said yes to adding a new decoration to our home.

A holiday ginger jar pillow with neon pink poms from Furbish Studio. It's got spirit.

Historic Oakwood Cemetery Tour

In the spirit of October, I attended a flashlight cemetery tour. It had a Carolina twist where I learned all about those people who have walked the same brick paths I have. 

The cemetery was beautiful, and it was a unique night walking from luminary to luminary with only our flashlights to light the way. My favorite moment was when we sang the Carolina fight song while learning about the person who wrote those very words. 

It's delightful to know there are people who care enough to keep each person's story alive. One interesting plot we came across was Elizabeth Edwards and her son. It was lovely, and it was nice to hear how much she cared and how often she would visit to read to her son.

State Fair - Take One

This fair night was spent with friends, fried food and fun. We ate many treats including deep fried girl scout cookies - the samoas were quite spectacular. We watched the precious piglets race and rode sacks down a rainbow slide. It was all a fantastic colorfully fried dream.

{state fair - take two}

Happy Birthday, Mom

What a fabulous birthday weekend - we topped off celebrating my mom with lunch at Crossroads Restaurant at The Carolina Inn, and well, that place is just fabulous. Love!

Smile Friday

I'm all booked and heading back to Orlando for Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2013. It's me and my mom for a mother/daughter weekend, and I'm pumped. The training began last week, and I'm hopeful this is the prelude to my first full marathon in fall 2013.

Hi, Nice Space!

Hi, Nice Space! showcases real people who have a really eye-catching space. I'm not going to say much about each space beyond that I loved it as soon as I walked in, and that's why it's made its way here for our viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

{Nicely done sitting and entertaining space by fellow GetLit lady, Mary Elizabeth.}

Olive Outfits

This past Saturday our neighborhood held a fall fest with Oktoberfest beer, cotton candy, live music, a cornhole tournament, etc. I got to rock my favorite style outfit of the season:

Poncho with scarf, leggings and boots. I would like this poncho in all colors, please.

Lazy Saturday

We enjoyed a spot of laziness on Saturday afternoon with a bit of backyard hammocking.

A Dollop of Carolina

Carolina gifts, cake, cookies and flowers make for a very spirited week.

Spotted: Bentley as Dog of the Week

Bentley got Dog of the Week at daycare. Oddly enough, we found out after he ate his bed. 

This one photo on the poster they made for him made Hank and I laugh out loud. Crazy guy!

Home Happenings

{scalloped magazine rack}

{fresh flowers in the sitting area}

{chalkboard ready for Halloween}

A Tablescape for a Pumpkin Head

We're all ready around these parts for the Halloween holiday ahead. 

Happy Monday!

Wrightsville Beach

Weekend Getaway

The weekend prior to this past one illustrated reason number 23,423,487 why I love North Carolina. We enjoyed 80 degree weather at the beach in October. Hank and I planned a lovely weekend away in Wrightsville Beach - one of my absolute favorite places. 

We arrived to the beach just in time for an early lunch. We wanted somewhere right on the water, so we headed to Oceanic. Oceanic has typical beach fare, but I will say their drinks are tall, their fried shrimp only lightly breaded and their crab cake sandwich mostly crab. 

We spent the afternoon sunning away, and we actually got a little burnt. 

Once the afternoon sun faded, we walked up to Robert's Grocery to grab snacks. While you can buy Robert's Chicken Salad and Pimento Cheese at other locations for less, I've only seen his Low-Fat Chicken Salad and Monterrey Jack Pimento Cheese at his store, so I think it's worth the little extra to directly support local business (and your tastebuds). Robert has you covered with Wheat Thins too so it's certainly a one-stop shop right on the beach. 

We shopped at Hallelu, snacked and relaxed before walking up to Tower 7 for the evening.

We had a great night, and enjoyed a nice walk on the beach the next morning. 

We brunched at Sweet & Savory Cafe before hitting the road back home on Sunday. Every time I come to Wrightsville Beach, I leave with a list of all I still want to do next time.