Costumes...

I've always LOVED Halloween.
Dressing up, candy, parties, who doesn't love it! 

You start as a child wanting to be your favorite character...

Or for me, some awkward flower, WHAT?!&#*$!

I was trying to be original and creative and well the pic tells it all! 

(thanks mom for assisting me in my creativity all those years and even today!) 

As a teen and into my 20s I wanted to be something scary or a group costume and then it was all about being something sexy.

 Halloween 2008

I had more fun with Shane's costume this year than I did my own.

Last year we were newlyweds so with our RAD last name, I came up with...

 

 The Balls 2009

Who would have thought we'd run into a large penis (one we even knew) that night?

Now I just want to be something cute and comfy that doesn't show my hu-ha!

After lots of deliberation, we came up with Tennis Pros.

Pics of the final product to come!  

Boo,

S

They say it's her birthday...

 There's no better way to celebrate than 

Susie Cakes Cupcakes!
Holly Yummo Batman!!
But more important than the delectable treats is the reason we're indulging...

Happy Birthday to my best friend, most beautiful and incredible woman I know, MY MOMMA!
See below.

 

I only grow closer and more fond of you each year (day) that passes.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being YOU!

I can only hope that I am half the mother and wife you are in my lifetime. 

 May this year be filled with all you wish for and more!

XO, 

S&S 

(Shane loves and wishes you a Happy Birthday too!)

P.S. Scorpios Rule!

B

Love this time of year!

Mini pumpkies and Volcano Candles, oh my! 

I love everything mini! 

And everything that smells delicious. 
Volcano candles are our favorite! 

We light them all year, but I love the red in the fall and around the holidays.  

They come in a variety of colors and can containers and can be found at Anthropologie, they make the PERFECT gift!

One haunted mansion, an owl (or peep) and scary black kitties (that resemble skulls). 

Hey, we tried!

Great weekend filled with good friends, pumpkin carving, pumpkin ale, pumpkin pie, and house heating. 

Next stop the Magic Castle this Saturday!

So excited, now for finding a costume. 

XO, 

S

Carlin vs. Lopez

This post is for my hubby!
See it was our first Christmas together,  I bought George Lopez tickets for Shane.  I was so excited.  We were going to see George, his favorite comedian.  I bought them and made adorable stockings for his entire family filled with thoughtful fun.  Shane opened his last and there were the tickets.  I was so excited and yet he seemed less than over joyed.  I just figured he liked em, but wasn't going to properly thank me until the show.

A few months pass and it was time to get dressed up and ready for the George show at the Nokia theater. We arrived and noticed an interesting crowd to say the least.  We were definitely the minority, but still I thought nothing of it, even when we got to our seats next to a guy sporting a tear drop tatoo on his face (don't people get those in prison).

The show started and I turned to Shane and said, "you actually like this?"  It took him a minute and he said, "did you mean to buy me George Carlin tickets?"  Oops!  We stayed for part of the show and ended up going out for drinks and laughing about it. 
The saddest part of the story is that George Carlin died a few months later and I was never able to take him to a live show. Sad face.

vs. 

This Guy!

I mean there really is NO comparison!

Cheers to silly mishaps that make you laugh years later. 
Don't think I'll ever live this one down. 

TGIF. 

XO, 

S

Brazilian Blowout vs. a Good Ol Blow Dry

Meet my T3, one of my very best friends!

 

  vs. 

The ever popular Brazilian Blowout!

So my T3 and I go back a little over a year and what I can tell you is that this blow dryer ROCKS. I was a little skeptical about the pink when I got it, but it's grown on me!  It's light weight and powerful.  I may be crazy, but I also don't think it damages my hair much less than previous blow dryers.

In the competition between the brazilian blowout vs. a Good Ol Blow Dry, the blow dry wins!  It's more work, but here's why. 

Ya see, I was expecting to have longer lasting results from the braz blow.  I got it a few months ago and it lasted couple, maybe a few weeks.  Not going to lie, it was amazing at first, I barely had to blow dry my hair and didn't need to use a brush at all.  I could use my fingers to straighten it (Note: I have kinky/curly/kinda frizzy hair naturally).  My hair has completely returned back to it's original texture and state, which stinks, but is good to know.

I've been back to drying out the moisture on low and using a round brush to get the straightness I desire.  For the price and the length of time it lasts, I don't think I will do it again.  HOWEVER, I've heard the one with Formaldehyde lasts a lot longer, but I can't bring myself to put burn chemicals into my hair.  No thank you. 

That's my take. 

Happy Hair Day! 

XO,
S

Don't drink and donkey?!#$@

It started out as a harmless backdrop with props to take photos with at the Kling Wedding

Add Alcohol + a bunch of hams = THIS

 Loving David in the background of this one!

 GROUP SHOT! 

One Frenchie starrin down a hula dancer riding a donkey, all while a pink cowboy husband tries to beat her with a club!

Oh me, oh my!

Great idea Jilly!

XO,
S

Fall knits...

 For all my little pumpkin heads! 

For sweet Emma Lu! 

Da Bears! 

For an expectant mommy and daddy that are Chicago Bears Fans!

Just wanted to share a few of my mom's latest fall knits!  

(don't mind my messy desk in the background)

Can't wait to see these on all the little ones they were made for. 

XO,
S

What a weekend...

Let's start with Friday... 

Here's our patient with breakfast in bed the day after surgery. 

Shane's surgery was a success!  

He was such a trooper, very tolerant of pain and getting put under (such a proud wifey). 

They didn't have to give him the "BIG WHACK" (as tall surgeon man called it).  

Instead they shaved away a lot of arthritus, spurs and some bone, which should help him gain full functionality and rid him of those awful clicking noises and uncomfort.

After some physical therapy he should be like new! 

 Friday night we enjoyed our first fire of the season 

(they may be duraflames, but it's a flame none-the-less and better than pirates of the carribean in our last place)

My loving gimp bought me these flowers which might be some of the prettiest I've ever seen! 

(courtesy of Louis at 7 Eleven on Wilshire and Barrington, serious flower man) 

It was a rather quiet uneventful weekend until Saturday.

Instead of watching SC football and eating homemade chili as I had planned,

we headed to Capture, Inc. (Shane's shop) to meet some potential buyers for a particular machine. 

Only to find out the place had been robbed the night before.
They didn't get away from much, but it was still a reality check.

Instead of resting his shoulder, we spent the day with cops going over the crime scene, changing the locks and taking all the other precautions necessary.  

Not going to lie, at times today I was excited by the situation's similarity to that of being in an episode of Law & Order and using the many forensic skills I've learned, but ultimately it was not a fun experience.

We are just thankful that everyone is safe and not too much damage was done. 

It's just another hurdle in life that we will get through together!

XO,
S & S

Shoulder Surgery Time

Time for my baby to get fixed so he no longer looks like this!  

Wishing him a speedy recovery.

It's been a tough year not being able to bowl or workout like he'd like!
I love him shoulder lump or not!  

XO, 

Turpy

Fight On!

Bummed we can't make it to a game till November, but that doesn't mean we're not watching!
(from where ever we may be)

Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Kling!

Jillian looked simply stunning in her vintage lacey dress!  

This is one of my favorite snapshots of her in the old school house at the 

Stagecoach Inn Museum (in Newbury Park) 

What a unique and PERFECT venue for a wedding!  

Nestled in a Park, this museum was so charming and just what Jillian needed to achieve hers and Corey's  dream wedding. 

With details inspired by Anthropologie, this wedding was pulled off with lots of love from family and friends. 

Above is her family's refurbished trailer (which I desperately want) which made the cutest dessert area EVER!  

 

 

This wedding was extra special to my family and I because my Barney was honored by marrying Jill & Corey.  

We danced the night away and had fun posing with a donkey and other fun props at the museum. 
Shane and I couldn't feel more blessed to have shared this special day with Jilly and Corey! 

Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness!
 

XO, 

The Balls

Fall is here...

Time for boots, sweaters, dark nail polish, football, fires, cuddling... 

and 

COMFORT FOOD!

 Eggplant Parme and Spaghetti Squash (my new obsession)

I even broke out the food processor for this one! Woohoo!!

If you see these flowers...  BUY THEM. 

(no idea what they are called, but I plan on asking at Farmers on Sunday)
They lasted over two weeks, the buds actually bloomed and they were responsible for lots of smiles!

I love fall, bring it on! 

XO

One year strong!

Happy Anniversary to the LOVE of my life! 

 

A few of our favs from our wedding day!

I can hardly believe it's been a year!

I never thought it was possible to achieve the happiness and love we have that grows each and every day!

I feel so blessed!

This short video brings it all back each time we watch

http://vimeo.com/9150153

 (Need a videoaugrapher... Ryan Southwell is the greatest! http://ryansouthwellfilms.com/ )

Times haven't been the greatest, but we were lucky enough to celebrate our anniversary on Oahu and Maui.

Smooches at sunset, a visit to the town Shane grew up in, SC games with an Ocean breeze

= Perfect Getaway

Looking forward to all the years to come!

Love,

Samantha