Wordsmith Wednesday: Jaunt

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.

7 Gorgeous Fall Fragrances for Your Home

I love hosting family and friends, so having a home that smells good when they walk through the front door has always been important to me. And now that we're finally in our new home, I'm especially determined to make our space smell wonderful at all times. As the season changes and we welcome cooler temperatures, I'll be switching out all of my summery candles and replacing them with fall fragrances that are warm and inviting. These were my favorites last year, but here are several new picks I look forward to trying. 

Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia

"The essence of autumn. The sensuous freshness of just-ripe pears is wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias, and mellowed by amber, patchouli and woods. Luscious and golden."

Diptyque Cannelle (Cinnamon)

"This candle recalls a warm, dry, spicy, and aromatic bark from the East."

Nest Fragrances Vanilla Orchid & Almond

"This rich fragrance combines the warm, nutty aroma of Mediterranean almond with fruity accents of peach and apple infused with white orchid, the creaminess of coconut milk, and oriental base notes of vanilla, amber, musk and patchouli."

Chandler Candle Co. Hearthside

"...a warm, spicy blend of woods, leather, and musk that will fill your home with the scents of a cozy fireside."

Côte Noire Coffee and Cream

"An intense fragrance of fresh cream and espresso with hints of nutmeg, clove and sweet vanilla. Top notes of cream, middle notes of nutmeg, rounded out with base notes of maple and coffee bean."

Illume Candles Anemone

"Citrus blossoms and crisp apple are blended with ethereal oak moss, oriental clove and a touch of patchouli."

Woodwick Candles Apple Harvest

"Rich apple cider and spices blended with crisp fall leaves and nuances of vanilla sugar."

Monday

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Friday Favorites

This is our last weekend before school starts, and I am freaking out. I can hardly believe I am the mother of a second grader! Wasn't it just the other day that she took her first wobbly little steps? Wasn't it? And now we've got school uniforms purchased and a cool "big girl" backpack with no Disney character faces featured on the outside. To commemorate the last Friday before second grade, we've got a breakfast date planned for this morning, and as a special treat, we'll get to have dessert too! She is beyond excited about that, as is my three-year old. Neither one of them will ever suspect that their mommy is quietly dying inside as she watches her two little love bugs grow up right before her eyes. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend, and God bless!

A confidence boosting bath mat.

Positano on Italy's Amalfi coast.

An adorable mermaid party that makes my inner seven-year old squeal.

Sriracha-honey grilled shrimp to replace the usual burgers or ribs we throw on the grill for Labor Day.

This letter of support to Leslie Jones, who has suffered such undeserved and unconscionable cruelty, racism, and misogyny in the last few months. 

8 Fun Ideas for a Fabulous Labor Day Party

Next weekend, the sun will set on the sweet, lazy days of summer and we will usher in fall and all its busyness with a holiday we call Labor Day. Since it's the last hurrah before we have to buckle down and get back to school, why not make it as fun as possible? Here are some super fun ways to bid farewell to summer.

Set up an outdoor movie theater in the backyard and entertain guests with a fun summer-themed flick. If you don't have a TV that you can easily move around, hang a solid white sheet up and use a projector to show the film. 

Scoop ice cream into mason jars and tie little wooden spoons to them with colorful ribbon. You can keep them in the freezer until it's time to serve, or put them in a galvanized bucket with some ice and salt (to keep the ice from melting too quickly) and your friends can grab them as they please.

Let guests get creative with a build-your-own brats or burger bar. Put out traditional condiments like ketchup, mustard, relish, and barbecue sauce, and add more fun and unconventional ingredients like a variety of salsas, sliced red jalapeños, kimchi, guacamole, blue cheese, grilled pineapple, spicy queso, maple bacon, fried onions, you name it.

Even though the idea of not wearing white after Labor Day is completely tired and dated, invite guests to wear all white to commemorate the occasion.

Pick up or make a summery piñata--think watermelon slices, pineapples, or even a colorful cocktail--fill it up with anything from candy to mini plastic bottles of booze, and let your friends go crazy on it. 

Instead of a photo booth, which limits friends to one area, fill a basket with summertime props (think oversized sun hats, those cheesy shutter shade sunglasses, beach balls, leis, and cut-outs of tropical cocktails) and let people take pics wherever they want. 

Fill up your pool with as many cute floaties as possible. No pool? Blow up a bunch of floaties and create a lounge area where your friends can relax and eat. 

Of course, create a summer-themed playlist that includes songs like Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Summer by Calvin Harris, Cruel Summer by Bananarama, and Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran.


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