Hattie Sparks: October 2011

10.24.2011

last week a few of us got together for a yummy fall meal

and some pumpkin decorating & carving

for mine i used some great martha stewart paint colors:

black beetle, cloud, yellow gold, and gold & silver liquid gilding

a few furniture tacks

plus a little sponge painting

and...voila!

unique pumpkins that will last until well after halloween.

check them out, plus a few more snaps from the evening

pile of pumpkins

the coolest stuff ever

prep pumpkins with gesso for a smooth painting surface

ghost pumpkins!

base coats done

bourbon-pumpkin milkshakes

cheers to fall!

"trick"

paleo pumpkin muffins

martha stewart satin finish paint in "cloud" + furniture tacks

jenn's creepy mask pumpkin...looked so awesome!

mel's "treat"

the finished product!

oh hi

martha stewart glossy finish paint in "black beetle" + metallic finish paint in "yellow gold"

a Who Dat pumpkin

what do you prefer...decorating or carving?

xoxo

pure awesomeness

ryan adams + emmylou harris + a live performance of "oh my sweet carolina"...

just incredible.

10.21.2011

although i love new orleans

and feel grateful to live in a city i enjoy so much

texas is my home

and holds my heart.

there really is no place like it.

looking forward to a weekend back in the lone star state with the Mr. and some great friends

xoxo

10.17.2011

anyone who knows me well has witnessed my complete addiction to magazines

i used to get so excited on the first day of each month

because that meant loading up on a fresh stack of glossy mags in the checkout line.

the best part was hunkering down for hours and getting lost in page upon page of gorgeous photos
oh, and reading the articles...of course.

if you could have told me there was anything better
than flipping through the september issue of 'vogue'

or diving in to a great 'vanity fair' article while surrounded by piles and piles of fluffy pillows

(with a box fan on high, pointed directly at your face, and maybe a glass of wine...)

...then i might've handed over my stack and sworn off the things altogether.

with all that said, you might be surprised to learn that while i have not completely abandoned
the printed variety, internet magazines have taken the top spot as diversion of choice lately.
with incredible photographs, layouts, and content, these publications are an equal,
and far less costly subsitute.

if you don't believe me,
take a look at three of my current favorites.
the best part is, they can still be read the old-fashioned way:
in bed, with a box fan and a glass of wine.

Lonny

Lonny is like that awesome friend of yours who can wear stripes, hot pink, and leopard print
all at the same time, and still look amazing. This interiors/lifestyle magazine is full of all things beautiful and eclectic and is basically what the inside of my brain looks like on any given day.
To say I'm enamored would be an understatement.

Matchbook

Matchbook is a little like Lonny's tomboy younger sister, who still appreciates a good pair of flats and a nice shade of red lipstick. Think Kate Spade-meets-LL Bean-meets-J.Crew.
Or just see for yourself.

Julep

Last, but certainly not least, Julep. This publication is dedicated to the modern Southern lifestyle
and covers everything from regional craft beers to New Orleans Fashion Week. The photography is stunning, and the articles substantial and informative.
(Sidenote--my friend Christy, of Slow Southern Style is a contributor in the Summer & Fall 2011 issues so everyone should immediately stop what you're doing and go read her articles.)
If you want a big dose of Southern goodness, Julep does not disappoint.

when it comes to magazines...are you an old fashioned page-flipper,
or do you prefer to click your way through your monthly mags?

xoxo

adventure is the best way to learn

10.12.2011

i don't want to say too much

because the ball is rolling at a very, very slow pace

but there is a project brewing in my heart and in my mind

and is on the not too terribly far away horizon

as scary as it might be,

i need to follow my passion, leave my comfort zone, and work like there is no tomorrow

but it will happen

i've been finding the best motivations on pinterest every day

and tucking them back into my memory for when i'll need them most

xoxo

"fall" is here

10.10.2011

this time of year in far-off, distant places like

colorado, montana, vermont, and maine

the leaves are turning, fireplaces are stacked high with freshly cut logs

and a welcome chill is in the air.

but here in louisiana, the temperature is hovering around 85

and we're still drinking iced coffees instead of hot.

that doesn't mean we can't get excited about "fall"

which for us is kind of a pretend season, since it stays warm up until thanksgiving

and then..all of a sudden...it's 20 degrees and you're digging in the back of your closet

for your patagonia fleece and woolen scarf.

the cold in louisiana, new orleans specifically, is unlike any other i have ever felt.

it gets into your bones and doesn't leave until the thermometer climbs back to 60.

so, however far-off it may seem, you must be prepared for this "season" sandwiched between summer and spring, or it will sneak up and shock you with a chill that will make you wish you had thrown a cardigan over that t-shirt and jeans.

my own personal preparation for the pseudo-season involved tackling the ever-looming task of cleaning out the closet and making room for some new cooler-weather pieces

and fall-inspired choices.

throw in a bunch of autumn-hued blooms, good books, and a woodsy-scented candle

and i might be tricked into stoking up a fire in our fireplace once the temp drops to 70.

some of my picks: