Pumpkin Inspiration

I love fall so much!  By this time of year I am so done with summer and the heat.  Bring on comfy sweaters, lattes, fires, and snuggling up with a good book!  Also, bring on the pumpkin!  I have lots of cute pumpkins all over our house and my favorite new fall fixture is my pumpkin spice candle from Target...it just smells like fall.  I love Starbucks' pumpkin bread and my mom's pumpkin chocolate chip cookies this time of year.  I have noticed a lot of items popping up lately that have been inspired by the pumpkin.  What a wonderful way to bring fall to any type of event. 

[Pumpkin wedding cake]

[Tote bag in "pumpkin" from Ballard Designs]

[Bridal bouquet via The Knot.  Made up of pin cushion proteas, doublt tulips and orchids]

["Doris" Apron from Crate & Barrel, $26.95]

[Oven Mit and Potholder Set by Crate & Barrel in Rust, $12.95]

[Plaid Scarf $12.50 and Pullover Hoodie, $10.00 from Old Navy]

Kristen & Justin's Engagement Pics

I am so excited to share these engagement pictures with you today.  Kristen is one of my sorority sisters from college.  She and her fiance, Justin are getting married in Dallas, TX in March 2010.  Shaun Menary did their engagement pictures at the W Hotel in Dallas (where their reception will be held)!  These pictures are simply stunning and my favorite e-pics that I have seen lately.  Congratulations Kristen and Justin! 

Vera Bradley Fall/Winter Patterns

Three new Vera Bradley patterns were announced just last week!  Which one is your favorite? 

Symphony in Hue "Clutch"

Imperial Toile "Messenger"

Paprika "Weekender"

My new favorite pattern that came out late summer 09 is:

Pirouette Notecube

Also new at Vera Bradley is gift wrapping accesories!  They have wrapping paper, gift tags, gift bags and wine wraps.  How cute would it be to have your wrapping paper match the gift inside!

Wine Wraps, $15.00

Gift Bag (large) $7.00

Pear Inspiration

I am obsessed with pears!  I can't get enough of them.  Here are a few items on my wish list...

Orla Kiely Shoulder Bag

Clock from Ballard Designs, $99.00

Doorstop by Ballard Designs, $24.00

Tote Bag from Ballard Designs, $20.00

Orla Kiely Umbrella

Set of 3 Assorted Decorative Pears from Crate and Barrel, $11.85

Pear Timer from Bed Bath and Beyond, $3.95

Pear-Shaped Cheese Board and with Knives and Cork from Bed Bath and Beyond, $39.99

And here are some of the items that I have and love!

Orla Kiely for Target Dish Towel

Orla Kiely for Target Canister

Ashley and I felt inspired last week when we visited a great hotel for a conference...look at the great use of pears to liven up the lobby!

Hope you have a Happy Monday!

Fall TV Shows!

Who is excited about all of the new shows? What are your favorites? Not that I have room on my DVR for anymore (and yes Ashley, I learned how to use it finally)! Here are some of my faves so far that I think are worth giving a try:

From top to bottom:
Giuliana and Bill - Tuesdays, The Style Network
Private Practice, Thursdays, ABC
The City - Tuesdays, MTV
90210 - Tuesdays, CW
One Tree Hill - Mondays, CW
Modern Family - Wednesdays, ABC
Melrose Place - Tuesdays, CW
Glee - Wednesdays, Fox  ** My favorite!

The Burger Club

Visit #2 - Smash Burger

The Burger Club hit the town again two Fridays ago to try out another burger place and to celebrate Ashley's birthday!  Since we have noticed Smash Burgers popping up all around Houston we thought it was necessary for us to educate ourselves on what this place was all about...

We learned that it is called Smash Burger because they literally smash the meat up while cooking it.  Fun!  I liked the simplistic menu...you can get different types of burgers and different types of fries-pretty basic!

They offer Smash Fries which are french fries with a garlic seasoning, onion strings (Bob's fave) and Veggie Frites (vegtable sticks with olive oil and seasoning on them for the health conscious consumer)...we tried them all of course!  

All in all: great burger, okay fries, boring atmosphere, but cool baskets.  To me it felt like a typical chain restaurant - good food and service, but not enough character.  I think my fellow burger club members agree...