Samhain

Samhain, a Celtic holiday celebrated centuries before Christianity eradicated the Pagan religions, is the orgin of what is now called Halloween. It is the last harvest festival of the year and a night when it's said the veil between the worlds is thin. It is a night to honor our ancestors and the soul of the departed, and historically was celebrated with bonfires and jack-o-lanterns to light the darkness for any wandering spirits. Leave an apple outside and light a candle in the window to guide spirits on their journey. raise a glass to those who have moved on between veils and drink to their life, and meeting them again in the next cycle of life.

Here is a fun Samhain spell I found, along with some gorgeous photos from Cherry Blossom Girl befitting the holiday.

Be unafraid of Shadows dark

And to their whispers

Do Not Hark

Unfriendly words

You do Not hear

No worry, trouble

Loss or Fear

No Shadow falls

Upon your Heart

We Stand Together

Though Apart.

We Stand Together

Ever Winning

All our spells

Together Spinning

For Every End

A New Beginning

Wealthy, Healthy,

Happy, Free

If this your Will

So Mote It Be!

{photo credit: cherry blossom girl}

Pin-up girl costume

As Halloween draws near, I'm scrambling to pull together all the pieces of my costume. I hardly ever opt for a "scary" costume because all the makeup, faux blood and gore tend to get uncomfortable after an hour. I have always admired the "Rockabilly" look inspired by the pin-up girls of the '30s and '40s. Here are some photos that I am using as inspiration for my "pin-up" girl costume. After all, I think the best part of Halloween is being someone else for just one night...

{photo credit}

Eco-lifestyle: Acme Party Box

I have mentioned biodegradable party plates and cups here in the past, but Acme Party Box is a wonderful resource for chic, no-fuss party planning. The company is based in San Francisco and specializes in high-quality sustainable products. The concept is a convenient one-stop party supplies shop with everything you might need delivered in a box to your front door.

There are various packages to select for adults which include stylish biodegradable Wasara tableware, bamboo flatware and fun bunting created by local artisans.

There are also adorable packages available for children's parties like this Circus Party Box.

And of course, some fun decorations in honor of Halloween.

Lifelong Cinderella: The perfect Fall ensemble

I often play a game called the perfect outfit. Since I was a young girl, I've always liked to thumb through magazines and find the one perfect ensemble that I would wear as my uniform. The only requirements: every piece must be both beautiful and comfortable. It changes all the time, but right now this graceful ensemble featured in a photo shoot by Steep Street would be it.

The elements: a long flowy dress, a luxurious cardigan, hopelessly chic brown boots and a snuggly knit beanie. Yes, I know that dress looks a lot like a wedding dress... and here is where my Lifelong Cinderella comes in. I believe it is very chic to wear a long dress outside of the confines of a wedding - the maxi dress is living proof! Whether you dress it up or dress it down, a dress with fluid lines can be a very feminine or bohemian look. In this instance, the cardigan and the boots toughen it up so it isn't too sweet. Perfection!

A good reason to elope

"Fewer couples tying the knot"
September 29, 2010

Hitwise Intelligence - Heather Dougherty - North America:

New data from the US Census Bureau cites that the percentage of young adults (ages 25 to 34) who have never married has been on a steady rise over the past decade, from 35% in 2000 to 44% in 2008. The same number increased again in 2009 to 46%, passing up the percentage of married young adults at 45% for the first time. While there may be a lot of various factors leading to this shift, one possible driver is the poor economy coupled with the high cost of weddings. We also see this same trend around age within our data at Hitwise, where the share of visits to the Weddings category from visitors between the ages of 25 to 34 declined to 21% for the 4 weeks ending September 25, 2010 from 26% on year ago. Interestingly, the age group that increased the most during the same time frame was 18-24, rather than from visitors over 35 that may be marrying later.

{photo credit}

This would be the perfect time to book a romantic winter elopement!

www.flutterevents.com

Intimate wedding idea

Here is a lovely idea for the back of a wedding program. It's a thoughtful touch that can really enhance the charm of in an intimate wedding and makes a fun keepsake for guests.

{photo credit}

How would yours read in pictures?

The day we met:

Our first date:

The first I love you:

Our first trip:

She said "yes":

Elopement gowns by Saja

These filmy, ethereal dresses by Saja are what I imagine Flutter's brides would wear... each one is simple, elegant and flattering for any body-type.

Does anyone know where you can find them in California?!

Healthy Beauty: True Food Kitchen

Dr. Andrew Weil is one of my heros, whose health philosophy is best summarized by the following quote:

His book Eight Weeks to Optimum Health is my bible, and adheres to healthy habits including these highlights:

1. Buying fresh flowers for your home and work space every week

2. Walking outdoors for 45 minutes a day

3. Using virgin olive oil instead of cooking oil

4. Drinking green tea religiously

5. Eliminating processed foods and fast food from diet, and replacing with fresh food, herbs for flavor, butter instead of margarine and lots of beans and sweet potatoes for protein

6. Red wine and cheese are okay daily in small portions (YAY!! This one is my favorite)

7. Avoiding negative influences including horror movies and the news (However, this is no excuse not to vote it is a national responsibility to keep our politicians honest)

8. Avoid white flour and eat more grains such as brown rice and bulgar wheat

9. Eat foods rich in Omega 3s and antioxidants such as salmon and broccoli every week

10. Avoid polluted air or at least minimize exposure by having a home air filter

I highly recommend picking up his book below for more information.

I recently dined at his new restaurant in Newport Beach, which is a certified green restaurant. The dishes we sampled included Chicken Panang Curry, Organic Ricotta Lasagna, Halibut Tacos and Lemon Olive Oil Cake, all of which were healthy and guilt-free

Here is a Dr. Weil's food pyramid which I nabbed from the True Food website.

Back in the saddle

This summer brought me the rare freedom to travel and explore my lovely home state of California. The economy is challenging for everyone, and travel can be expensive. But if you embrace the power of the roadtrip, it's truly amazing to discover so many beautiful and inspiring places close to home. Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Murphy, Lodi, San Francisco and Venice Beach are just some of the places I've had the good fortune to explore in the last few months. I took a break from blogging to seize the opportunity for adventure, reorganize Flutter and reevaluate life itself. I will relay more details of my adventures, but to start with, here are some photos of my most recent trip to the pumpkin patch. Happy Fall!