Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

I cannot believe it is already October 31! How is this even possible?!

So, for Halloween I thought I would talk about Halloween here in Holland.

Funny enough The Netherlands doesn't formally celebrate Halloween on October 31st like we do. There is no formal trick or treating, dressing up in costumes, etc. We were able to find some decorations in a craft store. So this is how I decorated my table:

This is the whole table.

I started with a "bloodied" curtain I found at a craft store.

Then I flanked either end with these tomb stones.

Added a couple of candles (that can double for Christmas) and put them under some cereal boxes covered with chrome duck tape to catch drips.

Then I made the adorable orange pumpkin (so easy tutorial to come) and added a couple small white gourdes.

The wine bottle was holding M&M's but, well, with a house full of people those don't last long ;)

Last weekend when our friends were in town visiting we went off to the Keukenhof Haunted Castle. We had an absolute blast. Took us a little over an hour to get out there via transit and about 3.5 hours to get back!

The castle all lit up. The haunted parts weren't actually in here they were all through the grounds.

The scariest one for me. It was super creepy inside lol the actors they had were amazing! The kiddo and her friend went though alone and when they asked which way to go at one point they actually gave them a solid pointed finger for the direction, but when we (the older people asked) they totally screwed with us at first, it was awesome lol

About to go in, we go photo bombed by our friend and the guy just hanging around up there hahaha

Funny thing about this Haunted Castle..not so sure why I was hell bent on going. I do not like scary things. I hate scary movies, I can't even watch the Walking Dead due to nightmares! I am jumpy as all get out, but I think that is partly why I wanted to go. We had such an amazing time. Like one of my friends said, "It is amazing how much you can laugh while being so scared!" 

So this Haunted Castle only goes on for two days a year...they did a bang up job. The whole grounds were completely decorated and looked amazing. 

My only complaint was when they closed the haunted house lines at 10:30, 90 minutes before the place was supposed to close. Not sure the purpose there, I think it is a cultural thing that I will talk about in another post.

On the ride home waiting for the train. It was very chilly and windy so the girl huddled up together under our friends sweater.

So, funny story we didn't actually realize they wouldn't have extra transit going back and forth from the Keukenhof to the train stations so we were at the mercy of the evening bus schedule. Luckily they still had busses running late into the evening but boy was it an adventure figuring it all out!

Something none of us will forget though!

For tonight, one Mama from our school worked really hard to plan out a route of people who were willing to decorate their houses and hand out candy. Which is fantastic, but some of the teenagers decided to head off to Fright Night at a local amusement park. So much fun and makes it more like home for her.

I do know there are some Halloween parties happening at local clubs, but we were too lazy to put together costumes and stuff this year.

I will say it has been interesting not having the usual pomp and circumstance surrounding Halloween. This is the fist year the husband and I aren't really doing anything except for a romantic evening of couch cuddling.

How are you spending your Halloween?

Swapoween Reveal!

 

Hello, everyone! I am back to post my swapoween reveal!!! My partner was Mandy from over at Funky Frugal Mommy!!!  I had so much fun putting her package together and was so excited when her's arrived to me on Thursday! I unfortunately didn't get around to opening it until yesterday, but was so excited when I did!

Such fun accessories for dressing up!!!

Close up of my goodies. That skeleton glows in the dark, so awesome! We also now tell everyone to have a spooky day when they leave thanks to the door plaque we have hanging! 

Also I am so excited about the silly string. I always "surprise" my daughter (who's 13) with silly string...I'll randomly wake her up by spraying her with it! She saw it and was like oh my I must hide it! LOL

A close up of some of the goodies!

This is probably my single most favourite piece...a glitter skull with pink rhinestone eyes! Already planning a costume to use this next year! hahaha

Some super cool masks, some fun stickers that I'm using in my planner this upcoming week, a tattoo sleeve, and my daughter's favourite which you can't really see here are some Chupa Chyps and some orange stick on nails! Stayed tuned on instagram  where some of these goodies will be making their debut this weekend! 

Mandy really managed to put together a super fun box for my family! We love it! Make sure to go check her out and the ladies over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps, they are fantastic for putting this together!

Swapoween is here!

Before I get on with all my homemaking blabbing later this week I want to tell y'all about something I am so excited to be participating in for the first time every....

I've been following Chaotic Goddess Swaps for quite a while now, but due to summer and back to school was never really ready to "jump in"...well, I LOVE Halloween so I figure why the heck not join The Swapoween?!

I love, love, love sending and receiving goodies in the mail so I cannot wait to get my partner and get shopping!!! Also, it's not too late to join in, so if you head on over you can read all the details and get signed up if you want!

Happy Swapoween...I mean Halloween!!!

Sunday Social #7-All about fall!

1. What is your favorite fall activity?

Apple Picking and Pumpkin Picking! Last year was the first time we ever did apple picking and we had a great time. We time it at the beginning of October when we go and pick out our pumpkins for Halloween!

2. Do you follow a football team? If so, which one and why?

YES!!!

This is mine and hubby's Alma Mater. We love the knights and know that one of these days they will be a top contender football team! They are already so competitive in other sports, just need to boost that football team!

In our house we actually prefer NFL to College. We follow the Jags because they are our hometown team. We were both living in Jacksonville and in high school during the conception of the team, so they are near and dear to our hearts!

We follow these guys because my Dad went to college there and I grew up watching the Gators, the husband follows them because they are a great team and his Dad also follows them and is a huge fan.

3. What is something fun about fall in your area?

The changing of the leaves. 

Tree's by the local primary school

Orange, berry-like foliage on a hike along the sea wall.

Being able to go and hike and see all the beautiful foliage. There is also a lot of apple picking and pumpkin patches to be had if you aren't afraid of a little driving.

Trees, sun, and fog on a hike up the Grouse Grind the the Peak of Grouse Mountain.

Evergreen's at the top of Grouse. Normally you can see the whole of the city of Vancouver from here, but this is classic fall weather for Vancouver.

We love apple picking and going to the pumpkin patch at Willow View Farms. We think they have the best farm around and everyone is super friendly.

4. What are your favorite fall staple outfits?

These are my staples for fall. They can all be found on my Fall 2013 Trends board on Pinterest. 

5. What things are you looking forward to most about this coming fall season?

6. What is your favorite fall holiday? Tradition?

My favorite fall tradition is absolutely Halloween!! You can't beat getting to dress up and pretend to be your favorite character or a character from history for a night!!!
***get together a few pictures from halloween's past!

My favourite fall tradition is setting up our Christmas tree and decorating it the evening of American Thanksgiving. It is a lot of work, but is so worth it in the end!

So, that is what our fall will look like in a nutshell! This is such a fun time of year because even though the weather is changing, it is a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors and be grateful there is amazing produce to consume (and I mean real produce not that fake pumpkin crap Starbucks puts out). What are you most looking forward to this upcoming fall season?