Halloween Started off with a Scare

I had a little scare this morning, I have a bad case of dietcocaphobia with a side of bacophobia. Never heard of it? It is a fear of running out of Diet Coke and bacon. In my house this is a reason to be afraid, very afraid. Especially since the kids are out of school today. Thankfully, after totally panicking and a near meltdown, I went back through the fridge and found one last cold Diet Coke behind some very old orange juice. The can was a little sticky but caffeine addicts can't be picky.
Now the Halloween festivities can begin..pumpkin carving, candy shopping...and of course trick or treating. Hope you have a great night!!

I Wonder and a Winner

Do you ever wonder where people get their energy and decision making skills?


See this? Well Sarah from La Maison Boheme saw Jamie's fabulous painted wall and decided to try it herself.

Jamie's wall at the new Furbish.
Pretty great isn't it? I saw it too and loved it. Thought it would be great for my entrance hall since I can't seem to commit to anything. It would be easy and cheap and when I change my mind, no big deal. So I will now think about this for months. But not Sarah...

She saw it one day and painted it the next. Can you imagine? And it looks amazing. See more pictures here.

Now the winner of the $75 gift card form Novica is...

Kim from A Pile of Style!! Be sure to stop by her blog and say hi!! And Kim, let us know what you buy with your gift card!!

Driftwood...

Found these for cheap... I am painting them in hopes they will look more like...

These. O.K. so they are not a perfect match, but with some glossy white paint I think they will look great. Or at least better, right now they are a color I call smoka from too much cigarette smoke. What do you think? Are they worth the effort?

Shop with Me

Do you love to shop?

Like different and unique clothing, jewelry and accessories?

Want to go shopping with me? I have some good news for you! November 1st I am starting a new blog, Blue Hydrangea Bazaar, where I will be selling some of my favorite finds: some vintage, some new, some hand made. I am so excited but have lots to do before next week. What do you think? Ready for a shopping spree?

(Blogger is having a problem with the comment section. If you have had trouble leaving a comment recently I have changed my commenting format and hopefully fixed the problem. Because of the confusion I am extending my Novica giveaway until Wednesday. You can enter the contest here)

Don't Forget...

Have you heard of Novica? They are one of the leading fair trade artisan websites that works with National Geographic to give artists from around the world access to the world market. They have an amazing selection of gifts, jewelry, clothing and home decor. They were nice enough to offer me a gift card to review one of their items of my choice AND they are offering a gift card to one of my readers. Yep, $75 to spend anyway you want!! The only problem it is hard to decide what to order!! It took me days.

Loving this leather wrap bracelet..

What about a wool scarf

Or a wool poncho

Maybe something for your better half...aren't you loving these elephant cuff links?

They have such a great selection of accessories including this belt that I ordered. Cute isn't it?

Loving what you see? They also have a home party division - Check it out: Novica Live.

For a chance to win the Novica $75 gift certificate just leave a comment and tell me what you like. For a second chance to win, become a follower of my blog. That's it...easy as can be! Winner will be announced on Wednesday October 26th.

Random Thoughts on the Sartorialist

Love this look!! And what about that tattoo on her arm-can you read it? I can't. I used to write important info on my arm with a Sharpie when I went for long bike rides by myself. "If found call Bill xxx-xxxx" Thankfully, no one ever had to pull me out of a ditch and use this info.

What about this? Bag lady or fab lady? I am going with fabulous. What about you?

Pictures here

Ancient Chinese Secret

On my way to the mtns. last week I made a quick stop in Charlotte. I was just there long enough for a spin through Anthropologie, a quick bite to eat and a visit to Dr. Joe. I would tell you his whole name, but I don't know it. I'm not sure anyone knows it. Now I need you to be open and go out on a limb with me here...Dr. Joe is a reflexologist.

He rubbed my feet and told me my whole medical history. I am not even kidding. It was unbelievable. He said I was in excellent health, for my age. Sure I have some minor issues, who doesn't, but my over all health is good. What shocked me was his ability to rub my feet and tell me every medical complaint I have. I have to say I am usually pretty traditional, but I found this fascinating. He didn't get one thing wrong. Sometimes it's good to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.

So what about you? Have you gone the alternative medicine route?

Do you think I am crazy?

You like?

Did you gasp when you saw this? I know! Me too!! I just love it!
It reminds me of my laundry room floor. Which I can't show you just yet. There's trouble in paradise.

picture from Ivy & Piper

It's beginning to look a lot like..

...Halloween at my house.

I've got all my decorations up; now I just need some chocolate eyeballs with caramel inside and I'll be happy.

Don't you just love Halloween?
Are you ready?

Dear Fall

Dear Fall,

I am sorry I didn't welcome you with open arms last month when you showed up. I like you, I really do. You have a lot going for you: sweaters, boots, fur vests, candy apples. All good stuff to be sure. It's just that you make me a little nervous. Once you arrive it means that summer is over and winter is on the way. I am scared of winter. I am scared of cold weather. So, if I seem a little hesitant, don't take it personally. Its not you. It's me.

Thanks for understanding,

Sissy

What about you? Do you love Fall? Candy apples?

pictures from J Crew & Anthropologie

Monkey See Monkey Do

I've been looking for the perfect black dress, so when I saw this on Sacramento Street I knew I had to have one.

Don't you love how slouchy it is? And you'll never, ever guess where it's from? Give up? Talbots!! No I am not kidding!! I couldn't believe it!! I put on dark glasses, a wig and went right over to the store. It is conveniently located 1/2 a mile from my house and in 6 years I have never been inside. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't scary at all. Of course, they didn't actually have the dress, so I had to order it.

I ordered it in black and it showed up on Friday and was just as good as I had hoped.

I can't wait to wear my new dress with my boots - which I am loving!! In fact, I like the dress so much, I may order it in another color...I know, crazy talk. Why don't you get one too, here. You deserve it - at least that's what I told myself. And it's on sale. Go on, be a good monkey and order one.

Favorite Things

So to follow up on my Oprah post, here are a few more of my favorite things...

Wasabi Peas..have you tried them? Super yummy!!

Four Cheese Penne Pasta Casserole
Yes, more food. These are from Jules's Casseroles

Black Bean Enchilada
A good friend of mine has started a business selling prepared food.
So easy, so good, so convenient.
I like to keep a couple in my freezer, you should too.
e-mail Julie at:
julesandcoco@ymail.com

Click on menu to enlarge

And these crazy good pencils from Iomoi found on Gen's blog.
I could write something good with these.

I've Got a Project for You

Did you see this amazing makeover from Vintage Revival? I found it on Lisa Roy's blog. I love it and this is exactly what I had in mind when I bought...

This fabulous chaise lounge. Have I done anything with it yet? Well, no. I don't seem to have the time or space for it. Do you need a project? If you live in Wilmington and are in the mood to play with some burlap straps, I am selling this chaise lounge for $25. E-mail if you are interested: siskotte@ec.rr.com. Otherwise it is going in my attic...to the abandoned furniture corner. So sad.

SOLD

My Date With Colin Firth

Did you know a lot of movies and TV shows are filmed here in Wilmington? Let's see, Sleeping With The Enemy, Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill to name a few. In fact, years ago, I had lunch with Dennis Hopper. Sort of. I sat at a table next to him as he ate his lunch, but that was good enough for me. I didn't even stare. I know better than that. So back to Colin....a couple of weeks ago a movie scout stopped by to take pictures of our house to possibly use in his next movie.

Next the director came by with his hipper than me crew and took more pictures and got my hopes all sky high, you know? I was already picking out my outfit for our first date.

I got my hair highlighted and nails done only to find out they picked another house!! Damn!! Thankfully the house is only one street over and one of my closest friends lives there. I am happy for her...really. And I walk by her house once, twice, sometimes 8-10 times a day, so I am sure I'll get to meet the King. But he needs to hurry before my roots start showing again.

Oh and Emily Blunt is also in the movie and I am sure she is lovely, but I am just not as excited about meeting her.

So, what about you? Are you a fan of Colin's?

No Way!!

Every time I see these pictures I am blown away.

The "wallpaper" was made by artist Peyton Cosell Turner

Can you tell what she used to make the designs?

Stickers? Can you imagine??
Go back and look again. Isn't it amazing!!??
Somebody has more patience than I do...and creativity and talent.