I would have to say that for the most part I am a holiday traditionalist. I am not one to start celebrating Christmas as soon as the decorations come out (in August) but after last year when we had 5 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas I have felt the need to start getting into the holiday spirit a little earlier this year. So as yesterday marked the 30 day countdown to Christmas I figured that it was finally time to start integrating a little Christmas into my life. 

So to help get you (and me!) into the Christmas spirit I have asked my friend Taylor, who knows more about music and loves everything about it more than anyone I know, to put together a fun playlist to kickoff the holiday season. Here are his top ten songs that you can't miss listening to this season... (Thanks Taylor!)

1. Grave Robber - "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"

2. Sufjan Stevens - Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!

3. The Almost - Little Drummer Boy

4. MxPx - Auld Lang Syne

5. August Burns Red - Frosty the Snowman

6. Relient K - I'm Gettin' Nuttin' For Christmas

7. Bad Religion - Angels We Have Heard on High

8. Dustin Kensrue - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

9. mewithoutYou - a Stick, a Carrot, a String

10. Weezer - The First Noel

Let the Christmas Countdown Begin! Only 29 more days till Christmas! For more holiday playlist cheer check out my holiday playlist that I put together last year.

What is your favorite way to get into the holiday spirit? Also if you have any topics you would like to see me post about this holiday season leave those ideas in the comments section below!

xoxo
Megan

For more holiday cheer check out these posts...

Halloween is almost here so before you fill up on too much candy indulge in some spooky ear candy. Today I have put together a list of 10 spooktacular Halloween tunes that you can listen to while you are getting ready for a Halloween party or to play on loop while you hand out candy to all the trick-or-treaters that come by. You won't want to be caught dead without this great Halloween playlist!

1. Thriller by Michael Jackson

2. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.

3. Monster by Lady Gaga

4. I Put a Spell On You by Bette Midler from Hocus Pocus

5. Highway to Hell by ACDC

6. Disturbia by Rihanna

7. Superstition by Stevie Wonder

8. Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

9. Men in Black by Will Smith

10. Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers

Only 2 more days until Halloween! What is your favorite Halloween song to listen to?

xoxo
Megan

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With just over two weeks let it is time to start decorating for Halloween! Of course you already have your pumpkin carved and on display, and if not there is still plenty of time to host a fun pumpkin carving party night for you and your friends. Once you get your pumpkin carved there is still so many great ways that you can decorate for the holidays and be ready to host a spooktacular Halloween party. Here are ten great ways to celebrate and decorate for Halloween, DIY style of course!

1. Chevron Halloween Wreath. The perfect preppy Halloween decoration and blogger Tatertots & Jello provides an easy DIY tutorial on how you can make your own.
2. Creepy Spider Straws. Ever wonder what to do with all those spider rings? Here is the perfect party craft for them! Turn your party straws into creepy, crawly decorations by gluing the rings onto the straws.
3. Halloween Front Porch Arrows. This adorable DIY from The Happy Scraps lets you get as creative as you want and perfect for your front yard or a potted display you can place at your door.
4. Felt Halloween Pillows. Don’t leave your couch empty this Halloween holiday season. Halloween party guests will love to cuddle with these soft DIY felt pillows from I Dig Pinterest.
5. Halloween Burlap Banner. Just like the candy corn banner I shared with you, this “BOO” banner from blogger R & R Workshop is the perfect Halloween decoration idea to enjoy the entire month.
6. Ghouls and Ghost Glasses. Vinyl decals work wonders as you can add the vinyl faces to your normal glassware and then remove it after Halloween. Groopdealz has a great offer today on Halloween vinyl decals so you can stock up today!
7. Halloween Letters. Create your own Halloween letters to display with glitter, scrapbook paper, paint or ribbon. Then hang your letters on your wall with small nails or strung together for your door.
8. Floating Witch Hats. With some invisible thread, thumbtacks, and witch hats you can create your own floating hats to hang up this all Hallows Eve. Make sure you also have a place for the flying broom sticks!
9. Hanging Spider Balloons. The night of your Halloween bash create your own hanging spider balloons, like these from Studio DIY, to cover the ceiling. For those friends who may be terrified of spider just give them a heads up that they aren’t real.
10. Spooky Bottle Labels and Coasters. You can’t get much better than these free party printables from My Own Labels to turn all your bottles into spooky potions. Be careful what you drink!

What is your favorite way to decorate for Halloween?
xoxo
Megan

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1. Pumpkin Spices Roasted Chickpeas from Food.com
2. Baked Pumpkin Fries from Kirbie's Cravings
3. Pumpkin Mac & Cheese from 2 Wired 2 Tired
4. Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats from Essentially Eclectic
5. Pumpkin Hummus from Taste of Beirut
6. Pumpkin Pretzel Bites from Something Swanky
7. Pumpkin Marshmallows from Home Cooking Memories
8. Pumpkin Chili from Just Another Day in Paradise
9. Pumpkin Spice Popcorn from A Blossoming Life
10. Pumpkin Beer Cheese Soup from Spoon Fork Bacon

Do you have an original pumpkin themed recipe that you like to make in the fall?

xoxo
Megan

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I don't know how my days have escaped me recently but it has certainly been way too long since I last posted! This month has even crept up on me without any warning. I feel like it was just yesterday when I was planning my Labor Day weekend. So since it is October 1st there is no better time than the present to start planning some fun fall activities for the up coming month. Maybe this will help me keep track of my days a little more and not be surprised when Halloween gets here! Here are ten of my favorite reasons to party this October.

October 4th: National Taco Day. It's time for a fiesta! What is your favorite way to make a taco?
October 6th: Mad Hatter Day. Celebrate by hosting an Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party.
October 9th: Moldy Cheese Day. This is the perfect day to host a Stinky Cheese Man themed party! And for all those teachers out there theme your lesson plan around the hilarious book by Jon Scieszka & Lane  Smith.
October 17th: National Pasta Day. This would be a great theme dinner potluck night as each guest could bring their favorite pasta dish. Here is a great pasta recipe I made that you can try out. YUM!
October 21st: National Caramel Apple Day. Another great fall treat is celebrated this month, the caramel apple! Try making these pumpkin themed apples from The Cake Bar to celebrate.
October 22nd: National Nut Day. This is a fun day to celebrate. You can go a little nutty or create a fun themed menu with nutty dishes to all your guests to enjoy.
October 25th: Frankenstein Friday. Every year the last Friday before Halloween is Frankenstein Friday. This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and have a little fun with some of these Frankenstein crafts and recipes from Fun Family Crafts.
October 26th: National Pumpkin Day. There is no better time than in October to host a pumpkin party with pumpkin foods, pumpkin drinks, pumpkin carving, pumpkin crafts and pumpkin games galore!
October 30th: National Candy Corn Day. I love how this holiday candy has its own day. Do you have a great recipe or craft that uses candy corn? (card from Happy Dappy Bits)
October 31st: Halloween. What are you dressing up as this year?

What are you looking forward to celebrate this October?

xoxo
Megan

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Personally I wish summer could last all year long, but since it does not I embrace the fall season by looking forward to football games and enjoying some delicious fall foods. For me fall means that all the great pumpkin and apple flavored dishes (and the Starbucks pumpkin spiced lattes) are back again. So for today’s post I have put together a list of my ten favorite fall foods. The great part about all these delicious fall foods is that they are perfect for just about any event. From tailgating to bonfires you will be set for every fall event!

1. Acorn Squash. I love enjoying mine with a little bit of butter and brown sugar.
2. Chili Cheese Dip. This might be one of the first recipes I ever committed to memory on how to make and is the perfect appetizer for every fall event.
3. Pumpkin Bread. I love the pumpkin bread mix from Trader Joe’s and can’t wait to make my first loaf this season.
4. Sweet Potato Fries. Cover the fries with brown sugar and just thinking about them makes my mouth water! Here is a great recipe from blogger Orange Marigold to try!
5. Chicken Taco Chili. I am not a huge chili fan but I love enjoying this recipe in the fall.
6. Apple Pie Bites. When looking to make an easy pick-up-and-eat dessert this recipe, from Immaculate Baking, is perfect for the fall and will make your whole house smell amazing!
7. Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese. Set up a create-your-own grilled cheese bar for all your guests to try different cheeses and toppings in their sandwich.
8. Apple Bread. After last year’s apple picking I found this amazing recipe for apple bread and will be sure to make it again this year.
9. Apple Cider Donuts. When I go apple picking I always indulge myself with a warm apple cider donut.
10. Pumpkin Pie. You better believe when pumpkin pie is a dessert option that it is what I will be having and the recipe even comes on the side of the Libby's can! 

After making this list I am really ready for fall now! What is your favorite dish that you like to enjoy during the fall? 

xoxo
Megan

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Last month I came across a fun site, called Party Excuses, that shares with you tons of fun reasons to celebrate and host a party every day. Not that you really need an excuse to host a fun get together with your friends, but if you do this site will give you the perfect party theme! There is usually a fun food theme for the day as well as one or two other random reasons to celebrate on that day. Here are my ten favorites for the month of September, with lots of great food ones this month!

• September 19th: Talk Like a Pirate Day. Argh!! You can host your own pirate party!
  
• September 25th: One Hit Wonder Day. The perfect day to make a throwback playlist of all your favorite one hit wonders! (And maybe also look up what happened to all those people.)
  
• September 28th: Drink Beer Day. And it’s a Saturday which means football so that’s two reasons to celebrate Drink Beer Day!
  
• September 29th: National Coffee Day. Coffee themed party anyone?
  

What is your reason for partying this September?

xoxo
Megan

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This time of year is filled with tons of back to school commercials and sales getting everyone ready for the upcoming school year. Even if you are personally not headed back to the classroom that doesn't mean that you can't take part in the fun. For some back to school means that the kids are finally out of the house, others are counting down the days that they can be back with their friends in college, and then you have those who just love shopping for school supplies even when they are no longer heading back to the classroom. (The last one is me and I have to stop myself when I see back to school ads as I currently do not need anymore markers, pens, sharpies, sticky notes or anything else to fill my crafting containers.) To get you organized and ready to go back to school (or back to the office) in style I have put together a list of ten back to school essentials for you. 

1. Vinyl Stickers. Best way to stay organized? Add vinyl labels to everything!
2. Decoupage Supply Tin. Turn those simple school supply containers into personalized colorful containers with a simple DIY decoupage project.
3. Personalized Clipboard. For the girl on the go personalize your own clipboard with mod podge, scrapbook paper and ribbon.
4. Planner. Keep all your classes, appointments and parties in line with a new planner. I can’t live without my Lilly planner!
5. Decorative Ruler. Turn your basic dollar store ruler into a cute desk accessory by customizing it with cute scrapbook paper.
6. Personalized Pens & Pencils. Keep your pens and pencils from walking away by getting them personalized with your name or a cute saying.
7. Monogrammed Travel Mug. The one must-have item for those who can’t seem to function without their coffee in the morning (or other morning beverage). Marley Lilly has tons of prints to choose from!
8. Washi Tape Supplies. Add color and personalization to all your school and office supplies with washi tape.
9. Label Your Cords. At home or at school trying to remember which cord goes to what can get tiring. Organize your cords with cute labels so you never have to wonder again!
10.Personalized Note Pads. Make sure you are ready to take notes on everything with your own personalized note pads like these from b invited.

What is on your list of essentials for back to school? 

xoxo
Megan

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So yesterday I may or may not have spent a few more hours that I planned on stalking the Lilly Pulitzer online sale and didn't get around to the post. All the times I have seen their "Oh Shift!" page it really is a love hate feeling as I think that is the cutest sign ever but it means that their site is down. It is always good to be prepared though for anything to happen on an event day! Anyways, now that my orders are in and on their way to me (so excited!) I have a great post for you today. So here we go!

Last January I shared with you the top ten Pantone colors for the upcoming Spring and Summer season. Now that summer is coming to a close and fall is just around the corner it is time to update that color palette. Fall event colors and decorations will have some great rich tones to them. The familiar color of the year, Emerald, is front and center along with 9 other amazing fall colors. Your fall events will be clothed in rich and dramatic tones, perfect for any fall occasion! So without further ado, here are your top ten event colors for fall...

1. Emerald
2. Linden Green
3. Samba
4. Mykonos Blue
5. Acai
6. Deep Lichen Green
7. Turbulence
8. Koi
9. Vivacious
10. Carafe

I am just loving the acai color for fall. However, that may just be because I associate fall with football and football means JMU, but that is just me! What do you think will be your go-to color choice for your events this fall? 

xoxo
Megan

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While none of us want summer to come to an end (I'm at the front of that line!) a great end of summer beach party is the perfect way to welcome in the football, I mean fall season. Whether you live on the coast or want to host a fun beach party in your own backyard there are some essentials that you will want to put on your shopping list for this summertime party. Here are my ten essentials when it comes to hosting an end of summer beach party.

1. Ice: You can NEVER have to much ice for any party (and you might need some for #7!)
2. Tiki Torches: To light up your beach party long after the sun sets
3. Beach Balls: For games and decoration
4. Seashells: Perfect for decorating with!
5. Sunglasses: The perfect favor that all your guests can use during and after the party
6. Beach Games: Cornhole, Bocce Ball and Ladder Golf are some popular ones
7. Drink Maker: You don't just have to serve margaritas with this portable drink machine
8. Snack Foods: Just make sure that nothing you make will melt in the sun
9. Beach Music: Check out some of my favorite beach music from my beach mix
10. Beach Buckets: The perfect solution for holding food, drinks or setup for guest's trash

What is on your list of beach party essentials?

xoxo
Megan

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