Come on in, my pretties

Trick or Treat

Make it sweet

I'm bracing for 3 days of parades, parties and candy coated fun. Wishing you a very happy Halloween, from our home to yours!

Company's Coming

My dad is arriving tomorrow from Dallas....so I'm getting the table set for a fall feast. 

I chose flower arrangements with magnolia leaves, berries, purple calla lilies and light green hydrangeas to play off the dark brown of my Spode Woodland dishes.

Rattan chargers on white placemats add some contrast. Little white pumpkins scattered about.

I've already done test runs on two of my favorite fall recipes....Barfoot Contessa's apple crisp and Martha Stewart's acorn squash with gruyere.

Now, I just need to make sure the sheets are clean and I'm ready for company! The first of 4 sets of house guests between now and New Years!!

How do you prepare for house guests?

All That Glitters

With temperatures dropping, I'm looking for some warmth. 

A touch of gold adds shine, sparkle and a little warmth to interiors. 

Everyone Counts

My son received this book, by Kathryn Otoshi, for his birthday. He loves it so much, we read it nearly every night at bedtime. And you know what? I don't mind at all. In fact, I think it's one of the best children's books I've ever read.

Here's an excerpt...

Don't worry. The story has a wonderful ending and provides an opportunity to talk with your children about that hot topic, bullying. In a way they can understand what it looks like....and with tools on how to stand up to it.

One has won 10 awards, including the E.B. White Read Aloud Honor and the Teachers' Choice Award and introduces concepts that include: acceptance, tolerance, what it means to stand up, make a difference and count!

Which then led me to her new release, Zero.

Zero admires other numbers who can count. She wants to count, too and wonders how a number worth nothing becomes something. Zero is the story of her search to find value in herself and in others.

If you have a young child or need a gift for a child...this is it! 

Don't we all just want to have meaning and to count?

HB Home Collection debuts at High Point

From all reports, High Point was the place to be this month. Amazing designers, bloggers and buyers all buzzing around. One of the highly anticipated furniture line debuts was by HB Home in collaboration with The Kindle Furniture Company.

I've been a fan of HB Home for the past few years, ever since they arrived in Greenwich. Their selection of furniture and accessories has that hint of glamour and sophistication I was looking for to spice up my interiors. 

If you weren't able to make it High Point, here's a glimpse of the new HB Home Collection.

The new HB Home Collection was designed by founders, Pat Healing and Dan Barsanti, and initially will include 23 pieces. Cabinets, dining room, occassional tables and upholstery will all be represented.

The Collection is based on the use of classic forms that are tried and true, with a twist. I'm particularly drawn to the light fixture above, their take on the chinese lantern but much more substantial. The size can be customized to fit any space.

Now, those of you outside the Northeast will be able to enjoy the same timeless sophistication HB Home has been offering in their 4 design boutiques. Keep your eye out for this new line!

Wouldn't we all love a little more glamour in our lives?

Friday Flowers-Todd Fiscus

Todd Fiscus, whose firm did the flowers for my mother's 70th birthday party, is a fixture on the Dallas event scene. You can find him currently in the November issue of Southern Living, setting a Thanksgiving table with a dramatic black-and-lavender color scheme. Probably not what you were expecting.

Todd suggests adding black for big impact. 

Use a black place mat, napkin and charger, but lighten the look with a white dinner plate. For a more traditional Thanksgiving color, try linens in chocolate brown.

Todd's number one holiday tip:

"Stress less about the details, and put more energy into the people".

So, who are you entertaining for Thanksgiving?

Pick Your Poison

Vampires everywhere will kill for a sip of this Bloody Red Mary, made all the more scary by it's oozing, bloody rim. This is just one of the frighteningly delicious Halloween libations cooked up by noted lifestyle expert, Colleen Mullaney.

No tricks here...read on to find your favorite tempting treat!

Children of all ages will enjoy this bubbling, non-alcoholic Creepy Crawly Concoction.

The Dark & Stormy is one killer cocktail.

Don't poke out an eye after ingesting the Skeleton Sangria.

Goblins of all ages will love the Ghoulish Grape Soda

Even The Morticia seems extra wicked with a rim of black sugar. Look out Gomez!

Grab a broom and stir up some Witch's Potion.

Be ready to spill your guts after sipping The Confession. Speaking of....Colleen confessed to me that she's knee deep in glue and pom-poms for her next book, Pre-K Parties, due out in Spring!!

To see more of Colleen's creepy concoctions, visit iVillage, where you'll find all the recipes, or click on the drink names above. 

So, tell me...what is your poison? Don't worry, I won't bite!

images courtesy of iVillage and Colleen Mullaney

photography by: Jack Deutsch