THIS IS HALLOWEEN - ( AND XIMENA'S HOUSE COLORS)

END OF SUMMER - ALREADY?

Mr B and I were talking about our Summer. Actually he said "What Summer?" - and it's true

it has completely escaped us this year...

It started with the slab leaks (2 of them)

waaaaay back in November of 2013.

With the flooring already torn up, the second one did little damage

more inconvenience than anything

but it delayed us so completely that the architect had to make revisions to the plans...

new laws...

and now the contractor is delayed because he had to take another job in the interim...

Then in June in the middle of doing a wedding for the most darling couple (can't wait to see the photos)

I ended up in the hospital with blood clot

kinda scary...

Mr. B. won't let me out of his sight - (like if he can see me, then nothing bad can happen...adorable)

but in all seriousness recovery is taking a lot longer than I ever realized...

Then my dear, sweet, 97 year old mother passed away

and the funeral will officially end our Summer.

If I can quote Mr. B again, "I don't ever want to repeat this Summer!"

Ever.

Yeah.

On a good note...

My son graduated college, AND started a new fabulous job in the Bay area.

So proud of him!

I needed a distraction, so I

hobbled through Rogers Gardens Halloween display.

RG can pick up my spirits any time of the year,

but seeing their Halloween display is one of my favorites.

Don't expect to see stuff lined up on shelves like Target or Michaels -

at Rogers Gardens, Halloween retail is theater.

[I took way too many photographs...

so, I'm breaking them up into two posts ]

PART I

There is always a theme - this year it is "Hauntingly Beautiful"

It was full of gold damask draperies and accents

and lots of skulls... so fun!

the chandeliers and spot lighting set everything aglow

( I love skellies and skulls at Halloween!)

It's impossible to see everything in one trip.

My dress form, Matilda, needs some of these...

Super cute paper medallions. Matilda would love them!

The wall of transforming photographs - where they go from normal to creepy - was pretty cool

especially if you walk from left to right in front of them and watch them all turn into monsters...

the whole wall of them....

(wanted to take the clock home, but didn't think I could sneak it out in my purse..)

These would look adorable on the front porch, lighted at night.

Folk artist Vergie Lightfoot, creates these cute creepy pumpkins with the realistic eyes....

but at this boutique, it was the skellies and skulls that ruled

softly lit by dozens of chandeliers

glittering pumpkins, crystal cobwebs, and even sparkling rats...

Gotta get me some of those glasses!

Halloween will be chaos at my house this year.

Inside will be a construction zone.

so the plan is to just decorate the front door, patio and walkway.

I have 3 new skellies still tucked in their boxes that I'd love to use somewhere

plus the cutie I found at RG...(show you my treasure in the next post)

stay tuned for more photos....

I still want to find a little 2-3 foot articulated skeleton so I can make this wreath...

I think I need it for my door..

or maybe just a skull and a few bones will do?

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QUESTION FROM A READER:

Would you be able to help me by giving me ideas of colors to paint the exterior of my house? I am a single mom and I started to save money to paint it. When I bought it in 2011 I knew it would need to be painted soon.

Thank you very much.

Ximena Fernandez

Bend, Oregon

Ximena,

I think we need to make a good contrast color statement on this home, because the beige isn't doing a thing for it, right now. Its a little to 'fleshy' looking. I'd go with a grayed down color - or a gray - and provide plenty of contrast with fresh white trim which will brighten and lift your home - especially around the windows - reflecting a little more light inside. Oregon - famous for its overcast and rainy days - needs a little more contrast in color to keep from looking bland. Bring in a black or near black color for accents if you have them - and add a bold bright door. Who can have the blues with a bright colored door? Here are some color suggestions: (I generally recommend Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams - but if you can't find them in your location most hardware stores can color match them.)

Try: Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers

Try: Benjamin Moore - Amherst Gray

Try: Benjamin Moore, Chelsea Gray

In the beige tones - make sure there is a healthy helping of gray so that it doesn't turn fleshy looking, and maintains that calm, soothing, sophistication.