A Life in Celebration

We moved dad into a wonderful assisted living facility on Thursday. It was a difficult decision, but I really could no longer give him all of the care he needed to keep him safe. He wasn’t really on board, but after less than a week, he has totally adapted. He has people to talk to and delicious meals that he is really enjoying! It is such a relief to know that your parent is safe AND happy!! Thank you again to each and everyone of you who reached out to me about dad!

I had an amazing few days days in Birmingham, Alabama a couple of weeks ago. . Last December I joined a marvelous organization, The Supper Club! You can read all about it right here: Lydia Menzies Celebrates. I had the opportunity to join several members of The Supper Club at Hoffman Media’s headquarters. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to listen to and speak with many of the editors of the different publications that Hoffman publishes! Read about The Supper Club and see if it might also be a good fit for you!

It has been so HOT, HOT, HOT here in central Florida! Meanwhile, I am planning and dreaming about crisp fall weather,colorful autumn leaves (things which never happen here in Florida) and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. I am pondering how I will decorate the mantel this year, what I will do on the front porch and how I may style things for Halloween. Will Halloween be classic orange and black or will I infuse color like the Barbie pink I did a couple of years ago?

Will the mantel be lush and grand like this one from last year?

OR…will I add little tidbits of fall all around the house like this?

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I am excited to be going on a Christmas Markets river cruise on the Danube this coming December and wanted to get a new carry on suitcase. I have gotten to the point where my largest suitcase is just too heavy for me manage. I decided a second carry on is the way to go! I chose a pink Nobl carry on.

No matter which way I go with my Halloween decorations, I spotted this creepy wreath at Anthropologie. It needed a tiny bit of fluffing, but looks THIS good! You will find this someplace in my home this coming spooky season! Michaels has a similar looking wreath that I went and checked out, but it cannot compare to this one!

Now…having just spent a few days in Birmingham, which is truly part of “The South,” I just have to share this book I picked up! You know, Florida is the only place where you have to go North to get to “The South.” I know you will enjoy the anecdotes in this book as much as I am!

My fellow table stylists might have noticed the white wicker pagoda in the background. I bought myself three of these in two sizes. I think I am going to also get the natural colored one. I can’t wait to style this with flowers, greenery, and adding a flameless candle to it! You can find these at The Enchanted Home. Oh, and they are NOT flimsy wicker, they are heavy duty metal!