October Fun

HELLOOOO OCTOBER! 

Fall is officially here, and I am officially the happiest and saddest I've ever been in Florida, all at the same time. I am loving my job and the family I work for, and this has been a super fun-filled, action-packed month so far. But I went home to the Jerz this past weekend, got to experience REAL fall weather and decor, and see all the college girls for Becca's wedding. It just made me so, so sad to live so far away. But then I came back for a Florida friend's wedding in West Palm yesterday, and it made me happy to be here again. It made me happy to not be perpetually shivering from cold... Can I be a snow bird? That would be ideal. Maybe in forty years when we're retired and hopefully rich enough to afford two homes... Hahahaha ANYWAY, here is the month in photos so far.

October 3rd. First weekend of October. I stuck on the flannel and drank a hot pumpkin spice latte because it was only 80 degrees... Kristin came over this night to play games with us. She called me crazy. I did not deny it.

It made me happy to see people in Florida getting in to the Halloween spirit!

Not as many people decorate for fall down here. Maybe because pumpkins, corn stalks, and hay bales get DISGUSTING and rotten in the Florida heat, and mums don't seem to survive here. But I've seen a few houses that are festive, and it has made me feel at home.

I cut my hair even shorter and dyed it red, because why not? It's a good color for fall, but I forgot how much it sucks to wash your hair with cold water (to prevent fading, incase you didn't know). Good thing it's still summer weather here.

Nym has taken over our couch, but ONLY on the blanket... for now.

We went to Bedner's for the Fall Festival! Jersey people: Think of it as Duffield's Fall Festival on crack. Cars are parked for a mile down the road, because it is the only place that does this kind of thing around here.  They have a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayride, and tons of food and craft vendors. We got to eat apple cider donuts!

We went with Ben, Kristin, and Chloe, exactly one year from Chloe's first pumpkin picking last year. She was a chubby little grumpy pants back then. This time, she was running all over the pumpkin patch and led us through the corn maze! She had a great time, and so did we.

And then, I was home. My mom really outdid herself with the decorations this year.

EVEN THE BATHROOM WAS DECORATED. Seriously.

Ghost blanket on the couch.

"The Raven" and Halloween tea towels. 

Haunted houses.

The foyer all decked out in autumn garland and Halloween decor.

I WAS GOING TO GET THAT FLASK. My own mother beat me to it.

My personal favorite: the haunted village :)

My sister gave this awesome sweater to me! It is my new favorite article of clothing. She also got me a book called "Goodnight Goon," which is a parody of my favorite children's book, "Goodnight Moon" lolol.

Autumn. So beautiful.

Possibly the highlight of my trip: A REAL DINER.

DO YOU SEE THE SCRAPPLE?!?!?!?

Baked goods from Linny's bakery were pretty much the only thing I ate all weekend.

We sat around the fire pit. I drank hot chocolate from my favorite mug while bundled up in a jacket and scarf... it was 50 degrees hahahahaha. I am pathetic.

AND THEN IT WAS BECCA'S WEDDING AND IT WAS AMAZING!!!! So much dancing. I'd post all the photo booth pictures, but there are 23058730485. I never considered myself a "girls girl" until this crew took me in. Yes, I feel like I was adopted by them. I had a really rough first semester of freshman year of college, and if it wasn't for them, I probably would have given up. They encouraged me to audition for the MelUDees, forced me to get out of my room, invited me to eat with them in the dining hall. I took my first shot ever (Captain Morgan) with Becca in her room hahahahaha. Nearly a decade later, we are all still friends. We live all over the east coast now: Boston, Philly, Wilmington, Baltimore, DC, West Palm. No matter how much time goes by between seeing each other or talking, it feels like no time has passed at all. I miss them more than my cats, and that says a lot.

My cousin Matt and his wife Emily came over on Saturday night, and we all ate my mom's penne alla vodka. Family and Italian food is all I hope for when I go to NJ!!!

Off to the airport on Sunday morning. Center City Philly skyline from the Walt Whitman. Look at that crisp, blue autumn sky over the industrial smokestacks. Ah, home. <3

A pumpkin spice muffin from Linny's bakery for the plane ride back to Florida. She knows the way to a basic Jersey-turned-Florida girl's heart.

As soon as I got home from the airport, I got myself ready for Charity's wedding! It was in the big glass building at the end of Clematis in West Palm. Beautiful!

They had tattoos and games and dancing and mini cupcakes, including MAPLE BACON flavor. Does it get any better than that?!

The centerpieces were so pretty, and each one was unique. Loved the decor. Pinterest perfect!

The happy couple smashing cake on each other :)

And there is October so far. With only twelve days left until Halloween, I will be putting the finishing touches on my autumn decorations and getting my costume together. Hooray!