November Madness

Halloween was Friday.

We carved our pumpkins the night before and had a blast.
I also just see that our balcony is really falling apart...it's okay, we will be moving again next year. Until then it better holds us. We went nontraditional and carved a Cinderella pumpkin as well. They aren't perfect, but that's what Halloween is about. It doesn't have to be perfect, it has to be fun. The imperfections make it special and unique. Cannot wait for next year's Halloween. 

Friday night we stayed in, made steaks and salad and enjoyed delicious wine. Also, I might have snuck in a few pumpkin ciders. Oh, and yes, we watched horror movies. It rained most of the time Halloween Night so I felt bad for all the trick-or-treaters that went out. We didn't get any in our area so that was good. Not that I mind, I just don't have the money for all the candy. Speaking of trick-or-treaters, we drove through an area that is pretty popular during Halloween and later on Christmas time. People go out with decorations and all, not to mention the beauty of those houses. It is the fabulous 40s in Sacramento. I found a few houses that were spectacular and I wished it wasn't raining so I could have taken more photos. I still took a couple. Cannot wait to go back and explore Winter Holiday Flair soon.

Saturday and Sunday we pretty much stayed in. Studying was number one, and laundry was on my to-do list as well. Temperatures significantly dropped as well so it was nice to stay in for once and just cuddle up with a big fuzzy blanket, and sipping on hot chocolate. November Madness began. Yes, I just made this up. I mean, can you believe we only have two more months of this year and then welcome a new one? I can't. Time has gone by too quickly and it's just incredible. So, this month will be a little crazy. Not only will I start decorating for the winter holidays, buy Christmas gifts, create a Christmas lift for myself {never done this before, so hints are greatly appreciated}, and will hopefully go to Orange County right after Thanksgiving. Yay. 

So, let this November Madness begin...we are already into day three....yipee!!!

Happy Monday!

xoxo

P.s. I linked up with Monday Morning Gossip hosted by Leeann and Kimberlee, you should, too.

Happy Halloween!

Hope you are having a fabulous day. I love Halloween.

This year I did not decorate as much as I wanted but I am still enjoying this season. Luckily, it is cooler up here and feels more like fall.  Very excited about this. Not sure what we are doing today but I know we will either go out on a date or stay in and watch horror movies and drink pumpkin ciders. No Halloween party, nothing like that. Just a very mellow day and evening.

Happy Halloween!
Have a spooky day!

Simple Life Improvements Worth Applying

The holiday season is just around the corner, can you believe it? Usually now is the time when you start thinking about new goals you can make and resolutions you can keep. It can be fun actually and you shouldn’t dread this fun time of the season. Instead of waiting until December to come up with a few life improvements you can follow through with in 2015, start making a list now. If you make small improvements daily soon enough your goals will become a habit and you’ll be ahead of the game when the New Year begins.

Quality Sleep

{via}

If you’re one of those people who only gets six or seven hours of sleep each night, seven hours of sleep is good, but eight and nine hours of sleep is even better. Sleep helps your brain function and the result of more rest is you can focus better at work. Your productivity and concentration will improve immensely as well. If you struggle with going to bed early try setting an alarm clock for yourself at night, an hour before bed time. That way you’ll know what you need to finish up in time to hit the hay at a reasonable hour.

Another way you can get more sleep is to be more productive with your time. Don’t procrastinate on projects that need completing at home and that you can start on now. Seize the day and make a list of how you can specifically accomplish your tasks step by step. Don’t over commit yourself daily; be realistic about what you have time to complete. If you stay motivated and follow through on your goals then you’ll be able to get more sleep. It is possible!

Home Improvement

{via}

If the siding on your home needs replacement consider using vinyl instead of wood. Vinyl is more durable and will withstand severe weather and sun exposure. What’s more if you desire a home upgrade vinyl comes in many styles and finishes. Today there are many trim and accent options available and a full spectrum of colors help homeowners achieve a beautiful exterior for any type of home.

Home repairs are important but are often easy to forget. Life gets in the way and you’d rather focus on other tasks that need taken care of. If you wait to long to replace siding however your home can suffer significant damage from harsh weather and sun exposure. Don’t allow this to happen and find a company that specializes in vinyl siding for a durable and trendy appearance for your home.

Moisturize Your Skin

{via}

It’s really easy to forget to put moisture on your skin when you’re in a hurry or it just slips your mind, but adding a quality moisturizer goes a long way. Your skin needs moisture to stay young, soft, and healthy. Especially if you live in a dry climate lotion should be applied daily all over your body. Forgetting to moisturize your skin can cause significant dryness, premature aging, and other potential skin problems. Keep your skin moist during the fall and winter and you’ll have soft glowing skin that’s healthy and beautiful. 

Guest Post Written by Sierra 

My Quick Trip to San Francisco

It was not a planned a trip, but since the city is about one hour and thirty minutes away we thought it would be fun to meet up with a mutual friend after she is done with work. We left in the morning and got there a bit before noon, bought our daily pass {because well, we don't drive in SF...I learned how to drive in San Francisco and I clearly remember how wonderful it was to drive to one-way streets and hills, but I don't want to do this if I don't need to}, and did the things we wanted to do. :) We didn't want to go to the Golden Gate Bridge even though it was a clear day. We just felt we saved this for another time. Then again, to me it is not the most sensational thing ever. Yes, you read right...blame it on me having done this so many times in the past. You get over it after many years.

I finally showed my man what public transportation is all about. I missed taking cable cars, buses, munis...oh man, it was fun...plus with a daily pass {easily purchased at Walgreens} you don't have to worry about change or cash in general.

I love hills. I love to walk up and down. You don't need a gym anymore in San Francisco. You have a natural, everyday and every moment-gym. We walked and we took public transportation. I mainly wanted to stay closer to downtown so once my friend was done with work we could meet up. It was a fun day. I wish we could have seen more or done more, but at least we got my favorite cupcakes from Kara's bakery. Their gluten free cupcakes {displayed separately on a covered tray} are delicious. It is so difficult to find moist, gluten free cupcakes that don't taste like stale bread. Even making your own is not as easy {the gf mixes help but it's not the same}, so months ago when someone suggested to try Kara's for their gf section I was sold. I will not buy anything else anymore. Their cupcakes come close to Crumbs or Sprinkles but I have to admit the ones from Kara's are better {sorry, all you Sprinkles lovers out there}.

San Francisco has always been my favorite city on the west coast. Los Angeles is number two. Granted, I lived longer in the L.A./OC area so I am a little torn there. Yet, living in the Sacramento area San Francisco is the closest I can get to a big, fun and cultural city {yes, I just wrote that down}. I cannot wait to go back. Hopefully soon.

And since I lack photos of myself...here's a photo of me while wearing my new top I got from StitchFix. Don't mind the ridiculous looking hair...I had a good hair day until this photo; I promise.

...I promise I work on my photo and posing skills, but posting this shows I am still around, and that it is indeed me writing all of this. Just saying.

Cannot wait to go back to San Francisco!!!

Have a great day,

xoxo

Fall Adventures

Happy Monday Morning!

How was your weekend? Mine was great!
 

It finally cooled down. It cooled down to a point that allowed us to do stuff outside, still wear short-sleeved shirts and all but fully let us enjoy normal fall temperatures. After all it is October for crying out loud. October should be the month when everything cools down, and I am glad this season finally got the memo. 

Friday afternoon we went to Folsom for the Night of 1000 Pumpkins and it was so much fun. Granted, I believe this is more an event for children but it is still a fun {free} event to go to and see wonderfully carved pumpkins {we definitely got some ideas in for our carving time this week}, fun costumes, hear spooky music and see the kids go wild for candy one week before Halloween. Yes, they do this every year on the Friday before Halloween.

People went really out and carved beautiful pumpkins. I am more a very ordinary girl, carving the simplest of pumpkins {or painting them}, but we saw pumpkins I don't even know how to they did it let alone how long it took them to do all this - very impressive. Also, Country Living named them #3 among the 15 Amazing Halloween Celebrations in America. 

I am so looking forward to carving our pumpkins we found a couple of weeks ago at the pumpkin patch. I don't know what or how we are going to carve ours but I can tell you it is going to be fun regardless of what we come up with. I may just carve a heart and a few scary eyes in mine. :) 

Have a great day and a fantastic early Halloween week.

xoxo

P.s. I am again linking up with Leeann and Kimberlee and their linkup Monday Morning Gossip. Feel free to join the fun and make new friends!