October 2012 | Dearest Lou

Happy Halloween!

Halloween 2010: Lady Gaga & Michael Jackson

Just making a few final touches to our 2012 costumes and waiting for Daryl to get off work so the Halloween festivities can begin!

 Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Thanksgiving Point

Over the weekend we went on a really fun family date with our very close family friends the Breinholts. Natalie had never been to a corn maze before so we decided to head on over to Thanksgiving Point since they had all sorts of fun activities for little ones and even adults! We were hoping to have our husbands ride the mechanical bull but unfortunately it cost a whopping additional $6 a piece! I forgot to bring my camera but luckily Kandice was on top of things and captured some amazing moments.
For some unusual reason Natalie favored Daryl throughout the evening and ALWAYS wanted to hold his hand, it was so cute! Kandice and I use to joke that Natalie had a crush on Daryl when she was a tiny little thing but maybe she truly does, haha.
Natalie was extremely adorable throughout the evening, I mean come on look at her little face? I can't believe she will be turning two next February, she's growing up so fast!
Daryl and I decided to play a short game of tether ball. I suck at sports and Daryl got really aggressive and before I knew it..
POOOOOOOOM! He hit me right in the face! He didn't even apologize, all he said was, "I'm glad it hit your face and not the belly." Note that he was just kidding around my husband isn't out to get me or anything :P
We had an amazing time and plan on doing another family date here in the next couple of weeks for my birthday. Be sure to stop on by Kandice's blog for more pictures (;

I love October because..

October is one of my most favorite months of the year. I love watching the season change and breathing in the cool crisp air. I'm also really excited for Halloween and spending time with close friends. Daryl and I have been working on our pretty amazing costumes..100 awesome points if you can guess what we're going to be ;P 

I asked a few of my lovely sponsors this month to introduce themselves and share something festive they've done. So I'm now going to turn the time over to them. Be sure to check out their lovely spaces they're both new mama's and have a great sense of style!

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 >>MEET ERIN FROM SIMPLY JUST LOVELY<<
I am just a simple girl who adores fashion.  I started a blog because of this passion and it has amounted to so much more.  

So let me introduce myself.  I am Erin, a craftaholic and a new momma to a beautiful baby boy named Aidan.  I blog about personal style, the world of fashion, motherhood and so much more!  Come say hi and join me on my journey as I share with you a glimpse of my life and what inspires me.

October is by far my favorite month of the year.  Besides being an October baby, I'm pretty obsessed with all things Halloween.  Pumpkin carving has become somewhat of a tradition for my fiancee and I.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so this is quite an intense activity in my house!  But one we both love.  This year, as you can see, I decided to carve the Corpse Bride, which also happens to be one of my favorite Halloween movies.  But nothing beats Hocus Pocus!!

 >>MEET SARAH FROM FRILLS FOR THRILLS<<
Hi everyone! I'm Sarah, the blogger behind Frills for Thrills. I live in Portland, OR with my husband Ian and our brand new baby boy Greyer. I'm a pastor's wife, stay-at-home mom, fashion lover, and interior decorator. I mostly post my daily outfits, but hardly ever write about fashion. I have a hard time verbalizing my thoughts, so Frills for Thrills is used mostly as a journal these days. So I hope you enjoy reading all of my jumbled thoughts on life's blessings and burdens and everything in between! Other than that I love to blog about our house that we just bought a little over a year ago. 
Like I previously mentioned, we just had an itty bitty baby boy, Greyer. So we haven't gotten out much this month. We have gone on a few walks to enjoy this beautiful fall weather before the rain comes! I absolutely LOVE the way the fall leaves hit the gray skies here. It's like they're on fire or something! 

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So go check out and follow their lovely blogs! I've absolutely adored following both of these lovely ladies pregnancy journeys and I can't wait to see their little baby boys grow up. They're going to be so stylish just like their mamas.

If you are interested in sponsoring Dearest Lou next month send me an email at dearestlou@gmail.com. I've changed the way I'm sponsoring for the months of November forward and have a lower rate next month since I will be going into labor (;

Maternity Series >> 36 weeks

Shirt: Forever 21
Undershirt: Ross
Heels: Forever 21
Lipstick: Zalan (color 107)
Bracelet: c/o OASAP (buy it here)
Leggings: c/o Sugarlips (buy it here)

Birthday Giveaway >> Dearest Lou (CLOSED)

The last giveaway is brought to you by me! I'm giving away a 300x75 ad space on my blog for the month of November! Sponsoring is a great way to gain exposure for your blog or shop.  If you have already purchased an ad spot for next month and so happen to be the lucky winner I will reimburse you (;
Contest is open internationally until November 2nd! One lucky winner will be selected and notified via email on November 3rd. Thanks friends and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Super Bonus Entry:
Post this button on your blog until November 3rd
*Remember to leave a link to your site on the rafflecopter widget*
Counts as 10 entries!


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Birthday Giveaway >> Trend Snag (CLOSED)

Sorry for not posting this yesterday, I had a really long day and totally spaced it! The sixth giveaway is brought to you by Trend Snag an exciting fun new way to purchase jewelry through live fixed price auctions of contemporary jewelry and fashion accessories.

Starting November 15th, auctions will be held bi-weekly, Monday and Thursday evenings at 8:00PM EST on their facebook page. In order to participate in the auctions all you need to do is "like" them on facebook and register with them using their "register with us" tab under their facebook page cover photo.  Trend Snag is offering one lucky Dearest Lou reader a J. Crew inspired Bubble Necklace set in any of the following colors:

Trend Snag also sent me a set in the color of my choice. I chose black because it goes with nearly everything in my closet. I absolutely love my black bubble necklace and earrings and I've worn them various times and received many complements since I received them (;
Contest is open to readers with a US or Canadian mailing address until November 2nd! One lucky winner will be selected and notified via email on November 3rd. Thanks friends and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Super Bonus Entry:
Post this button on your blog until November 3rd
*Remember to leave a link to your site on the rafflecopter widget*
Counts as 10 entries!


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Gardener Village

During the long UEA weekend, we went on a double date with my sister Tiana and her boyfriend Dakota. We headed on over to Gardener Village to see all of the festive activities going on and grab a bite to eat. I absolutely love this time of the year.

Birthday Giveaway >> INPINK (CLOSED)

The fifth giveaway is brought to you by INPINK an online jewelry company created entirely by popular demand. INPINK is offering one lucky Dearest Lou reader a $30 credit to their store. For non-winners complete with email address, INPINK will be offering a $15 credit. So if you enter with a valid email address everyone is a winner (terms and conditions listed below)!

Here are some of my favorite items:


Contest is open ONLY to readers with a US or Canadian mailing address until November 1st! One lucky winner will be selected and notified via email on November 3rd. Thanks friends and good luck!


Terms and Conditions:
You MUST leave your email address in a comment in order to qualify for the non-winner and winning prize. Store credit CANNOT be used towards nail polish. Email address will be added to INPINK mailing list for future offer communications but you can opt out at anytime. Limit ONE entry and ONE winner per individual per household. INPINK reserves the right to use multiple criteria to determine the validity of entries and winners based on this rule and reserves the right to cancel any orders deemed to be the result of duplicate entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Super Bonus Entry:
Post this button on your blog until November 3rd
*Remember to leave a link to your site on the rafflecopter widget*
Counts as 10 entries!


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Little Cottonwood Canyon

Last week I had the opportunity to spend time with my dear friend Kandice and her sweet daughter Natalie. We went venturing off to find a beautiful spot to take some memorable pictures. I'm so glad we decided to take pictures up in the canyon last week because it's now covered in snow.