fall

🎃 Spooky Season 2024 👻

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The entrance to HHN Hollywood.

There are a few days until Halloween, and fall is in full swing! Not only is fall my favorite season, but it is also home to my favorite holiday. I find the rich fall colors, and being able to cozy up in a warm sweater with some hot apple cider, satisfyingly comforting. Decorations comprised of jack-o-lanterns, spiders, cobwebs, and black cats set the stage for another spooky season. Creature Features are plentiful and help put me in the Halloween spirit. This year, I went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time. Just a side note: Everything here is my own opinion and not affiliated with the event or anyone connected to it.

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Hello, fall…almost 🍁

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Image courtesy of Hannah Babiak, dreamstime.com

I somehow missed all of August. Not much happened last month. We finalized the gift drop-off route for the holidays, got to work on decorations, and finished most of the holiday gifting. Ideally that all gets done before the seasons change. Between health issues and other things, it didn’t.

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September’s End

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As the month draws to a close, I can’t help but think about how fast the year is going. It seems like only yesterday we were gearing up for summer weather. Okay, that hasn’t changed (the weather is predicted to be in the 80s-90s for the next week), but the seasons have. Summer has transitioned to autumn paving the way for chilly nights and cozy fires.

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Happy August 🌞

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Image courtesy of Stock Vault

I realize that we’re about half-way through the month. Things have been busy here. Full-time work, plus full-time carer doesn’t leave much time for room. Even the weekends are busy. Since we live with others who are not considerate when it comes to timing, certain things (i.e. laundry) cannot be done in my free time. My day starts at 6am and goes until about 1am the next day. Unfortunately, I have neglected this blog, and appreciate those of you who are still here.

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Happy September!

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Fall is just around the corner. Soon the leaves will begin to turn. What were once green leaves will alter their color to yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown. The landscape will be a kaleidoscope of cozy fall hues . The transition from the long, warm summer nights to the cooler weather that follows is a welcomed change. That being said, even though I would like to break out some clothes for the cooler weather, the summer heat hasn’t finished with us yet. It will be in the low 100s the rest of this week.

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It’s Almost Fall!

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It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over, and it’s already September.  Where did the summer go?  Where I am, it still feels like summer, which means we can still hit the beach.  At some point I will have a “What’s in My Beach Bag” post, and depending on where you are, you can prepare for the upcoming beach (or lake) weather.

I love the fall (or autumn).  While the trees don’t really change much (where I am) until around November/December, the weather cools off, and fun fall decor is in stock.  Recently, I went to Disneyland, and they had several Halloween-themed items.

Once the weather beings to cool down, we can break out the warmer clothes.  I also love the colors.  There are also fun color palettes that are released, and while I think that pretty much anything can be worn regardless of the season, there is something about a plum lip that looks extra special during the season.  Neutrals, oranges, greens, plums, etc. takes the place of the lighter summer colors.  Everything has a real warmth to it that persists through winter.  For me, fall sets the tone for the holiday season– like a kick-start to the rest of the year.

I will be having a giveaway soon, reviews, food finds, and some other fun things coming up.  

Stay beautiful!

Holidays at Roger’s Gardens

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It’s hard to believe the holidays are upon us.  Before we know it, it will be a new year!  I always try to have my holiday shopping done by August, unless I am making gifts.  I have about half of my list checked off, so I guess that’s something.  Anyway, the stores are starting to be decked out in holiday cheer.  Today, we took a trip down to Roger’s Gardens, which put me more in the holiday mood.  There was a Halloween section and a Christmas/holiday section, both of which were beautifully decorated.  There were also some interesting props, which I wouldn’t mind having if I had the space.
  

This is the doorway to the Halloween-themed area of the grounds.  How fun is it?!  It reminds me of entering a house of horrors that has a circus-type theme.  When we stepped inside, that is exactly what it was like.  A carnival of spooky decor, trinkets, Halloween-themed paper lanterns, and so much more.

 On the ceiling was a faux person being cut in two with a faux saw blade, and a phantom.ghost projection on the wall.  Perhaps they

wanted to take a hint from the American Horror Story: Freak Show.  I can’t even explain how much I love the carnival theme!  The props and way things were drawn in the room was delightful.  There were several decorations in this room that you could purchase, such as paper cut-outs, Halloween-themed snow globes, any “blood”-filled syringe pens that read, “Don’t Do Drugs”.

Here are some other photos of “shadows” in frames, a swirling deck of cards, a laboratory, and one of my favorite paper cut-outs:

One of my favorite cut-outs

Now, onto the Christmas/holiday section:
 There were so many decorated trees, and part of me wanted to take a miniature version of all of them.  There were larger ornaments, mini ornaments (like those in the photo below), designer ornaments, and retro ornaments.  They also carry a wide array of books, decorations (i.e. snow globes, candle votives, etc.), paper goods (i.e. napkins, paper plates), and so many other products. 
 
 
Here are some of the trees I was able to photograph.  Due to their height and the limited space in the rooms, some are only of sections of the trees.  I don’t remember what they were titled, but each had its own theme. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Roger’s Gardens, it is quite a pricey place.  They are also renovating part of the area, so there is less than usual.  That being said, if you’re in the Newport Beach area, it is worth going to.  Around Christmas, they add lights, outside decor, and periodically they will have a hot chocolate/coffee stand.  There are all kinds of things, from food items to outdoor furniture, and placemats to all sorts of plants (edible and non).  If you take a trip out there, let me know what you think!
Stay beautiful!