Wow, this week has just flown by, don’t you think?!  I’m looking forward to this weekend… we’re taking a little road trip to visit my brother and cheer him on during his first half marathon!  (Hopefully it goes much better than mine did, haha.)

I’ve got some fun surprises set for the blog next week, so make sure to check back on Monday :)

Let’s kick the weekend off right with some fun links from around the web!

Obsessed with this braided updo!

Easy DIY votives…

Trav and I tried out a similar recipe this week and it was delish!  (We added bacon and grilled onions :)

Sweet doorstop.

I love when ladies post weekly pregnancy updates… so cute!

How cozy is this mug sweater?

This home would be the perfect spot for a dreamy weekend getaway…

Is it bad that I’m already reeeeeallly excited for Christmas?

Boot lust!

For more fun finds, follow me on Pinterest…

What are you up to this weekend?  Any fun plans?  Got some links of your own to share?  Comment below!

I love November 1st because it feels like the holidays are officially upon us!  Thanksgiving is my favorite— who doesn’t love an entire day of food, family, board games, and festive decor?

Travis and I have dreamed about hosting Thanksgiving, but with a large family and a series of small apartments, it hasn’t exactly been doable.  This year, with a slightly bigger place, we’re hosting a day-after Thanksgiving with our immediate families.  I look at it as a dress rehearsal for the day when we can tackle the whole shebang.

Needless to say, I’ve been scouring the web for ways to make our gathering special and these free printables from The Tomkat Studio are just the thing!

The perfect blend of elegant and rustic, I plan to dress up our table with a few of these cute details.  Up next: creating the perfect centerpiece!

Are you hosting any gatherings for the holidays this year?  How will you make your gathering look and feel extra special?  If you’re a fan of these printables too, click the link above and download away!

Happy Halloween, my sweets!  I hope you all have a fun, safe holiday…

This year, Travis and I dressed up as a spelling bee (note the letters on the tutu of my bee costume) and a spelling bee champion :)

How are you celebrating Halloween this year?  Will you dress up?  What’s your costume?  Tell me what you’re up to in the comments!

Travis and I went to a Halloween party on Saturday night and I brought pumpkin cupcakes to mark the occasion.  I was happy with how they turned out, so I thought I’d share :)

These are technically pumpkin muffins, but with the addition of homemade cream cheese frosting, they are truly decadent (and perfectly festive).  Here’s the recipe…

The Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour                                 1/2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon                                  1/3 cup water

1 tsp. baking soda                               1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. salt                                             6 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. ground ginger                            1 1/3 cup sugar

2 eggs                                                    1 cup pumpkin puree

1) Preheat oven to 350.

2) Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl and the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

3) Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet.

4) Bake for 20-24 mins.

*special trick* for extra moist muffins, place a glass dish with ~4 cups water under your muffin tin in the oven.  The water creates a more humid cooking environment and creates the perfect muffin consistency!

The Frosting

1 stick butter

1 tub whipped cream cheese (8 oz.)

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1) Melt the butter and beat into room temperature cream cheese.

2) Add vanilla.

3) Slowly incorporate powdered sugar.

4) Try not to eat it all before applying it to your cupcakes :)

This weekend promises to be very festive! There are lots of gatherings and Travis and I are excited to rock our newly-finished Halloween costumes (I’ll show you guys next week). We still haven’t carved or decorated our pumpkins yet, either, so there’s lots to be done!

Let’s kick off the weekend with some fun links from around the web…

Sneak peek of Mad Men!

Awesome decorations for a Halloween party.

Would you rock spider lashes?

A friend of mine is making these for her sister’s baby shower… so cute!

Cool fall nails.

What a fun way to plant succulents!

Fun eyelash ideas for Halloween.

On my fall wish list: a collar necklace…

Are you serious?  PECAN PIE BARS!!

Herringbone floors are my latest design obsession.

What are you up to this weekend?  Going to/hosting any Halloween parties?  What’s your costume this year?  Share in the comments!