I'm BAAAAaaaack! The Halloween Party, The Fall Benefit and the Big Fat Remodel. A Cautionary Tale.

Once upon a time, there was a woman who was very young at heart and naively thought that she could do anything she set her mind to ( if she was organized enough and had the proper support staff). She had a very full life with a husband and two daughters and an Australian Shepherd named Cooper and her design career, all of which she managed pretty well. So the woman thought it might be fun to co-chair the decoration committee for a benefit for 650 people scheduled for October.

October rolled around and she realized she needed to plan the Halloween Party for her 12 year old daughter which had been promised ever since her older sister had a party when she was 12. Well, one couldn't have a party unless one was moved into the semi-finished remodel of one's new kitchen and basement studio, now could one? So the big push to move in was begun.

Meanwhile, the woman's husband scheduled a business trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg for a week and a half....... That's when the nightmares began. The woman would wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat asking herself "What have I done?!? I have over committed, and I will never get it all done!" Details would race through her mind day and night: " Have I bought enough gold leafy things for the decorations? Do we have black sprinkles for the cookies? Do we have enough white spider web stuff? Who is ordering the chair ties and the VIP gifts for the benefit? What is the phone number for the hotel in Moscow? How can we fit the extra ten seats in the new restaurant design for the upcoming Team Meeting? How will I get this daughter to violin while that daughter gets to soccer practice? Why is the powder room sink leaking?". The lists went on and on.

The woman was one step away from stepping into the static on the television screen......

Well, with alot of help, the woman managed to get through the stressful weeks and has lived to tell the tale. Here are a few images to show you all a glimmer of what has been happening over the last two weeks:

The tent for the Silent Auction and Wine Tasting part of the Fall Benefit for my daughter's High School known as "Revelry".

Some examples of the decorations. The theme was "Starry, Starry Night". Very original, I know. But one must work with what one is given, mustn't one?

Table decor and flowers for the "sit down dinner" part of the event.

After the mad rush to finish the decorations for the benefit, I raced home to decorate the house for the Halloween party:

A few tombstones and pumpkins. (The tombstones were made from the Styrofoam in the box that my new West Elm Parsons table came in. We just got through putting the table together in time for the party.)

My daughter picked the perfect party planning paper: Hello Kitty.

Now I ask you, what Halloween party would be complete without Jone's Candy Corn Soda and lots of cookies with black and grey frosting? ( Small shudder here.)

Halloween slipcovers, perfect for protecting furniture from Sprite and Rainbow Sherbet punch spills. (Photo from my as yet unfinished office/studio space.)

Pumpkin carving contest. Not real sure what some of these masterpieces are all about.

Here are a few of the fab party guests!

OK....I know you have been waiting for a peek at the the remodeling progress, so I will not keep you in suspense. Although not complete ( no furniture, accessories, etc.) here are a few pics of the kitchen:

Sorry about the picture quality!

We are partially moved in, at least enough to forgo the paper plates and cups! It is almost surreal to be able to use a real stove and dishwasher again!

So this post is my "Ode" to Decorno's "Original Content" plea. Now that things have calmed down a bit, I will be back to regular postings. Thanks to all of you who have patiently hung in there with me!

AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!