I’m not a gruesome Halloween girl.  All the graveyards and skeletons kind of freak me out…just a bit.  I’m partial to decorating my house for Fall and then throwing in some Halloween touches (like cute cats, black pumpkins and white ghosts) a couple weeks out.  Well, a couple weeks out is this Saturday and I’ve scouted out some fun stuff for your house, all available locally from locally owned stores.  So, stock up on pumpkins and mums, grab some bittersweet vine, orange mums and roses, and perhaps some white cabbages from Import Flowers (see pictures at end) and then add some Halloween Decor.  When Halloween is over,  you can take your ghosts and cats away and still be left with some seasonal decor.  Be sure to see the end of this post for a fun party on Thursday, Oct 15th!

First off, these fun crows and eggs from Fabu. The eggs are $7 each and the crows are $12.  I know the pictures are terrible; they are from my iphone…..but you’ll get a good idea!

Next, check out this cute Halloween Village at The Beveled Edge. That’s my 8 year old daughter staring in amazement.

The Beveled Edge also featured all this skeleton stuff which wasn’t overly creepy to me, just fun!

Caldwell Collection has these magnificent witches, and many more, for sale. There is even a HUGE one (maybe 3 feet big?) that you could buy and just bring out each October for the next few decades!  She is fabulous.  Witches start at $95 and the huge one is just over $300.  Drop by Caldwell Collection, on Bandywood, to see them!

a la maison has lots of Halloween decor as I pointed out last week. My favorite are these pillows, black on one side and white on the other, handmade in Nashville and just $25-$30 each!  These old style jars are filled with fun witches brew ingredients for $17.95.  I hear they have some more in a similar style, made by the same person, for $25 that have candle wax dripping and more fun ingredients!  I love these….

Speaking of a la Maison, Jason Parker Counce’s handmade witches and other creations continue to be available for purchase there as well as at his booth at Gas Lamp Antiques next to the 100 Oaks Staples. His booth is at the far back of the showroom. Check out these pictures from his booth:

Custom Embroidery has some cute Halloween things as well.  They always have fun seasonal items.  They were closed when I went by, so here are some pictures from the outside looking in:

Import Flowers has some beautiful Bittersweet that they just got in on Wednesday (it’s yellow in the picture b/c it takes about 24 hours for the yellow “shell” to fall away after taking it out of the box).  I was there as they opened the box! Check out the box of bittersweet ($18 a HUGE bunch).  I love the cabbages as they last FOREVER (I got them one Thanksgiving and I still had them out at Christmas!  They will start smelling like cabbage after a few weeks though….)

*As a final little decorating touch, Lou Ferrel’s (owner Import Flowers) wife is having a “garage sale” from the trailer behind Import this Saturday.  Worth checking out if you are over there!

AND- Remember that EdgeHill Village is hosting a Halloween Block Party Thursday night, Oct 15th from 5-8!  Nest Interiors, located there, will also be hosting a Ransom+Scout handbag trunk show from 2-8.  20% off all Ransom + Scout purchases!  Feel free to go in costume:-0!  Yes, I know I put the “0″ not the “)” as in “ooohhhh, if you dare!”  Featured Band: The Young Republic.

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I just got back from a 10 day tip in the Western North Carolina mountains. For the first time ever, I added an extra bag, last minute, to our already overloaded car.  I’ll call this my Merci Beaucoup bag.  In it, I grabbed a few things from my gift closet for all those little get togethers that seem to pop up.  We counted up that we saw 45 relatives this past trip, all traveling in from TX, FL, MD, VA, TN, AL and CO. Add to that the Nashville transported West that Cashiers becomes this time of year, and you have the possibility of running into at least 100 people!  And, it’s not that a hostess gift is necessary, but I do think everyone loves a little acknowledgment, whether here in Nashville, or on vacation as an appreciation of their efforts in putting the fun evening together.  This last minute merci beaucoup bag addition was empty by the time we pulled away yesterday.  I will forever be packing one in the future.

My favorite hostess gifts to travel with overlap with some of my favorite in town gifts as well. Here are a few to stock your gift closet with.  If you don’t have a gift closet, consider purchasing a decorative chest, or small dresser to create this space in your house.

1) One of my favorites gifts for couples with kids, or for the young at heart, are these acrylic cups by Natural Life. For $12.50, I find them at Fabu and Katy’s Hallmark.  Don’t they just make you smile?  And they are versatile.

Captions range from Be Happy, Joy to the World, Peace and many others.  Each are wrapped four to a bundle and are ready to give just the same way they come packaged….just staple on your calling card and you are good to go!  They can be used for morning juice, toothbrush holders, or little vases stuck next to a bathroom sink.

2) Candles. Who doesn’t just love a great smelling candle?  They can be pretty pricey as well.  And no, Target’s are not as good as everything else. For a great gift try the PaddyWax Eco Candle.  Made in small batches in Georgia, these soy based candles won’t break the bank at $16.99 each. You can find these locally at All Seasons Gardening and Brewing on 8th Avenue.  They just received a shipment in featuring 12 scents.  Better yet, 3 scents are currently on sale for just $8.50. Time to stock up!  All Seasons is located across from the Habit for Humanity Store on 8th between Wedgewood and Division.

3)Kitchen Towels. While it’s hard to buy yourself a $22 Kitchen towel, this same fact means that one is always fondly received…and possibly used that night!  My favorites are made in France by Le Jacquard Francais.  Officially considered a tea towel, they are a large 31×24. You can find them locally at A La Maison on 8th Avenue (two doors down from Douglas Corner).

I hope you enjoy my favorite hostess gifts that are easy to pack.  Make yourself a Merci Beaucoup bag and you, too, can feel prepared for whatever hits your social calendar while away.

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I’ve been scouting out places to find the perfect Steeple Chase Hat or a last minute Derby Hat if you are lucky enough to be heading to KY this weekend. I have a range of $28- $378 here.  They are all great- it’s just what you want.  Your outfit can truly come alive with a splurge purchase of a hat.  Sometimes you’ve spent so much on your dress, you really just need a cute hat that does the job and then you can take it to the poolside.  But, you DO need at hat.  Have fun looking at the following hats from Jamie, Pastiche and AshBlue (who knew AshBlue sold hats???) Store addresses can be found by clicking on the store name.  If you go in, remember to tell them you read about it here, at StyleBluePrint.

First stop: Jamie.  THE place to go to drop some money on a hat that will make you hold your head high.  Wear it again to a summer mid-day wedding, graduation, or a outdoor luncheon.  Hats by  by KOKIN are scattered throughout the store and KOKIN is THE hat to have…no matter where in this entire world you live.

At Jamie: a stunner sure to wow. by Kokin, $348

At Jamie: My favorite hat of the day. by Kokin $378

At Jamie: I swore off pink a few years ago just b/c it was Paris Hilton's favorite color. This hat makes me want to embrace it again. By Kokin $328

Pastiche has a delightful range of hats to fit anyone’s budget.  There were several gals hat shopping today while I was there.  With a price range of $28-$358, you WILL find something here.  The new location is next to Firefly and shares a building with Willow Pilates.  The windows are full of Steeple Chase inspiration.

At Pastiche: I love how airy this hat is. By Almar; $125

At Pastiche: By Frank Olive, this classic hat is $298

At Pastiche: if color is your want, this is the store to hit. $28 and up

Lastly, I have some hats from AshBlue. I adore this store.  This is the best place to find that perfect unusual gift.  It also happens to carry San Diego Hat Co. hats which are my favorite pool side, ocean side, va-cay, sporting event hats!  I love these- and most fold up for easy packing!  All these hats are very reasonably priced.  Wear one to Steeple Chase and then put your ballcaps away and embrace your feminine side with one these on those bad hair days!

At Ash Blue: This hat is kinda Hippie girl meets Southern girl. I fell in love with it. They have ONE. San Diego Hat Co. $34

At Ash Blue: This hat is reversible (striped black and white on reverse side) and boasts an SPF 50. San Diego Hat Co.$45

At Ash Blue: pretty cute, huh? San Diego Hat Co. and just $32 with an SPF 50.

Happy Shopping!  Want another place to go?  Check out our post about Fabu right here.