It's time to do the monster mash and sneak a few treats from the boys' candy stash!! Halloween is here!!! 

Hi, my name is Courtney and I have a major case of OCD.

 My heart wants needs to soak every ounce of the Christmas magic so there is no time to waste in this household!!! Check back on Monday as I kick off some merriment on the blog!

Hope you all have a great Halloween! XO

Friends, our family just came back from the sweetest time away. We rented a cottage near lake Michigan and it was worth every penny. I cannot wait to share more soon... 

But today I am excited to share a new series!!

I dont know about you, but for me there is something so timeless about a handwritten note. All fans of snail mail say "I" (!!!). Consider this new series, "Warmly, C" my letter to you about all the things I am currently loving, dreaming about, disliking, frustrated with, and inspired by. Happy mail day, ya'll. 

Dear Young Living lengthening mascara, you have wowed me. I cannot believe there is a product out there that actually does what it says (lengthen the heck out of my eyelashes without clumping) while providing nourishment to my lashes (looking at you lavender oil). 

Dear Fannie Mae, whoever you are, your Smore's Snack Mix has been a dangerously delicious late-night treat. Costco please keep restocking this one!

Dear little Peter, I cannot get enough of you singing the Bluey theme song. Dance your little heart out boy.

Dear election, you've been rough. You put the word "united" in United States on trial every 4 years. This post from Val Woerner, regarding the election, has been SO good to refocus my mind on what's true. 

Dear cozy nights on the patio, I love you I love you I love you. Holding on to these nights until its too dang cold. 

Dear trick or treating, lets have great weather this year, ok? Do it for the kids. 

Dear self, put praise on your lips even when you don't feel like it. Don't wait for thanksgiving to be grateful. This moment-by-moment shift will awaken your heart to the good right in front of you. 

Dear Anthropologie, you're giving me the all the fuzzy, warm holiday CHEER vibes with your new holiday collection. Currently admiring these cute Christmas in the city plates + mugs, this festive garland, and this dish towel that even Peter would love because he's every dog's #1 fan! 

 You're probably thinking... woah pump the breaks Court, it is not even November yet. And I am happy to share that is exactly the point. Christmas comes fast every single year. We enjoy the beauty of autumn and bam! By November/December I feel like I am scrambling to consider what to gift others. 

Are you a last minute shopper? Have you always wanted to give gifts that are unique to the receiver, but those ideas magically fly out of your head? I hear you! I've been that person! In my opinion, the best gifts are the ones that someone has mentioned in the past, forgets about, only to find that the giver did not forget at all. You, my friend, can be that type of gift giver this year. 

The best way I have found to track gift ideas is on my phone in the notes section. I break my notes into categories so that I can easily access them. Now the fun part is to keep your radar open to when your loved ones mention something they wish they had throughout the year. Simply type out the persons name in your note and add below it the gift idea. Make it into a checklist so you can easily mark it as "purchased" once you begin to shop ideas from your list. 

This also works for planning ideas for yourself! Make a "Me" section and add to your wish list of things you'd love to receive. You will never draw a blank again when people ask you what's on your wish list, because you legitimately have a wish list. ;) This also is a blessing for my budgeters out there. Say you don't have the means to purchase that item you've been eyeing. Now you can easily remember what you've been saving up for! 

Can't wait to hear how this blesses you and your people as you set out to be a top-secret-gift-giver. 

Friends, wow. Y’all know how to celebrate!!! Thank you for the love you've shown me and this space! I don’t take this lightly when I say I’m honored to be a moment of your time as you spend it here with me. With that let's jump into ways we look forward to celebrating the fall season.

October in Michigan is a real gem. In fact I’m convinced no one does apple orchards like Michigan. Homemade, warm, cinnamon-sugar cider donuts are my favorite part of the experience. 

 A way we plan to savor all the season has to offer is making a list of ideas we want to be intentional about (like those donuts I mentioned..very intentional about those). Sure you can write these down on a sticky note, but I like to spice things up... 

Say hey to our October bucket list! Every bit purposeful for the heart and lovely to the eye.

Since this year has looked different in every possible way we will make a plan B for trick-or-treating in case it's cancelled. Otherwise we are going full speed ahead with our fall favorites!

Can't wait to cross these off throughout the month, but also reminding myself that the best moments are when I am simply present. 

Feel free to use the blank printable below and write in your own bucket list items to remind you/your crew of the fun things you want to enjoy this fall season. You can also save it to your phone, add text to the picture, and then set the edited image as your phone's lock screen.

Here's to savoring all that fall has to offer!

Do tell: What's on your bucket list?! What are your go-to fall/Halloween movies? 

Oh hi, October. I really do adore you. The welcoming of a brisk morning followed by the warmth of the midday sun. Colors streaming across the skyline like a grand finale of fireworks. The beauty begs me to slow down. To ponder. 

Writing goals this year just feels foolish. But when I remember the heart behind them, that small things will lead to beautiful growth in time, I really do believe its worth it to be intentional in the thick of it. 

October Goals