Trick...

With Halloween just around the corner, I started thinking about how everyone seems to favor the Treat half of the festivities over the Trick. Then I remembered…candy corn, chocolate bars, caramel apples, tootsie pops, starbursts –my sweet tooth and I get it.

While ding-dong ditching and practical jokes might not strike your fancy, I have a few expert tricks to help you stun and scare even the harshest of critics (including yourself). After trying out these spookily useful tricks for fashion, decorating, entertaining, parenting, positive thinking, acing that interview, and faking a clean house, I dare you not to reconsider the Trick portion of Halloween this year. Happy Halloween!

From Left to Right: Glamour, Elle Decor, Elle, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Vneyworld.com, & Parenting.com

• Interior Designer Tricks of the Trade: Creating Character (Elle Decor) 

• 14 Sneaky Style Tricks to Steal From Some of Our Favorite Fashion Bloggers (Glamour) 

• 10 Tricks for Easy Entertaining (Martha Stewart)

• 13 Discipline Tricks from Teachers (Parenting.com) 

• Tricks to Positive Thinking (Livestrong)

• How to Ace Your Job Interview: 88 Surefire Tips and Tricks (Oedb.org) 

• How to Fake a Clean House (Real Simple)

• 25 Unexpected Uses for Beauty, Fashion, and Household Items (Elle)

ENTERTAINMENT - Paula Deen, Y'all!

Last night, I enjoyed a mouthwateringly delicious slice of ‘Merriment’ served up with a heap of buttery goodness when I met the Queen of Southern Cooking, the one and only, Paula Deen, y’all!

With her spirited laughter, gracious warmth, and southern charm, Paula Deen exudes merriment to the benefit of everyone around her. She greeted me with a “Hey Darlin’” as I approached the signing table and continued to bestow compliments throughout our short encounter. I could definitely learn a thing or two about how to make others feel special from Paula (my personal challenge for this week).

My snapshot of Paula with her hubby, Michael

The book signing was for Paula’s new cookbook, PAULA DEEN’S Southern Cooking BIBLE. Packed with more than 300 recipes for classic southern dishes, I cannot wait to practice my cooking skills on her divine dips, dumplin’s, and decadent desserts.

My mother and grandmothers are experts at so many of these classic southern staples, so as I flip through the pages, I feel like I’m at home learning how to master a potato salad or a banana pudding from my own family members. That’s the amazing thing about Paula Deen; she instantly feels like family with a twinkling of her eyes. Merry cookin’, y’all!

Image via abcnews

Image of the Barnes & Noble at The Americana (event site) via barnesandnoble.com

INTERIOR DECORATING/HOME - New Saarinen-Style Table!

I have a confession. After almost a full year living in our California apartment, my husband and I just ordered our dining table this past Saturday. I could defend our lackadaisical attitude toward decorating by sharing the disastrous details of our trip to a disorganized Santa Monica furniture chain or by claiming financial sensibility, but I’ll spare you the excuses and half-truths.

Now, after months of meals at the coffee table (I cook about 5 nights a week, making our lack of a table even more pathetic), we will actually face one another while dining in our home! Plus, we can finally host one of those dinner parties I’m always raving about. We chose this Saarinen-style white dining table.

Though often paired with modern chairs and clean lines, I prefer mixing it with plush fabrics, cozy details, and traditional chairs reupholstered with cheerful fabric (similar to photos 1, 2, 4, and 6 below). While the table is on its way, we’re still on the hunt for an affordable settee/loveseat/bench, two chairs, and stylish fabric. I also want to create a wall of art/photos (similar to photos 1 and 6) for less - preferably, much less!

I will keep you updated each step of our Dining Nook Design Challenge! Feel free to send me your design ideas, frugal finds, or inspirational photos to help out with the project, and you just may see your input posted here!  

From Left to Right: Southern Living, Mattersofstyleblog.com, interiorphilosophy.blogspot.com, splenderosa.blogspot.com, thedecorologist.com, littlegreenotebook.blogspot.com, cococozy.com, & chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com

KIDS - Baby Shower Ideas

Here are two adorable Baby Shower Themes that I'm loving right now. Merry planning!

Bow-Tie/Tie Baby Shower

Images via karaspartyideas.blogspot.com & thelovelycupboard.com (second to last)

Alphabet/Book Baby Shower

From Left to Right: Cakeeventsblog.com; Martha Stewart; Pinterest; thelovelycupboard.com; Martha Stewart; and Bump Smitten 

WEDDINGS/EVENTS - Snippet & Ink Inspiration Boards!

If you’re planning an upcoming wedding, event, or seasonal party, you should check out the Inspiration Boards from Snippet & Ink! Striking and imaginative, they will definitely awaken your own creativity and add some merriment to your middle-of-the-week doldrums. 

GOLD AND MOODY BLUE

ELEGANT AUTUMN PICNIC

QUOTH THE RAVEN

All images via Snippet & Ink

INTERIOR DECORATING/HOME - Dream Powder Rooms

A little-known fact is that my favorite room from my childhood home also happens to be the smallest one in the entire house. Tucked-away beneath the stairs and often confused for a coat closet, the powder room continues to charm me with its ability to create a clandestine world of glamour within its minute space. 

From Left to Right: House Beautiful, Paloma81.blogspot.com, Houzz.com, Elle Decor, Coco Cozy, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Thedecorista.tumblr.com, & House Beautiful

Growing up, if I ever felt really drab, I could always count on the mirror underneath the stairs to make me feel better about myself. I’m not sure if it was the peachy/pink walls reflecting into the mirror, the sophisticated gold details beaming around me, or the reassurance of the tight-knit quarters, but I always felt like I glowed in that powder room. I could look pale, chubby-cheeked, and ordinary in my mirror, but the second I stepped into that powder room, I felt as if its radiance and elegance rubbed off on me.

In more practical terms, powder rooms are great to have when you’re entertaining guests or need an extra bathroom without the expense or hassle of another full bath. Location-wise, they also tend to be near an entrance or exit, making them more convenient stops than the full baths. From a sentimental perspective, powder rooms can and should add beauty and a bit of whimsy to your house. Checking your makeup before a special date or practicing your big speech in the mirror, you should feel like anything’s possible. Even if it is only a little corner of the world, it’s your little corner, and that’s no small thing.