7 Quick Takes: Halloween re-cap, Apple Muffins and more

Hello Friends!  It's been a while, I know.

But here I am, with some Quick Takes!  (Don't forget to join the rest of the party over at Jen's!)

1. 
Halloween Re-Cap. I know I know, I am like a month and a half late, but I just had to share.  

Don't mind my dirty mirror.
I figured this was the one and only year we could do something funny for Halloween instead of the princess / pink attire.  How cute is she.

If you missed it on Instagram, I let everyone know that 60 seconds after this photo she spit up allllllll over me. Like, had to change my clothes, all over me. 

Like, had to wash my face, all over me.

2.
On Wednesday Mia and I went over to our friends Sharon and Ava's house to celebrate Ava's first birthday!  It was a super cute party, themed "Oh the Places You Will Go!" We even had a little photo sesh (typical mommy group activity) that looked a little like this..

(Up up and away, get it?)
You can't really tell in this photo, but there were a few (unnamed) babies who were not so happy with their (unnamed) mothers.  

They'll love us later for it though. Or, (still) think we're crazy. Either one.  

3. 
I love baking in the fall and holiday season, and found a super easy Apple Muffin recipe from a cool blogger over at Wee Eats.  It even called for applesauce instead of all that slicing and dicing and peeling I was imagining.  I, for once in my life, had every single ingredient already in my pantry!  And I bet you will too.

I subbed out (because I am a subbing snob) about half the flour for oats and flax, and it still turned out awesome.  Now go check out Natalie's recipe!

4.
Speaking of sweets, you ever have those friends that peer pressure you into stuff?  Well at Ava's birthday party I got roped into a "sugar detox" that I had no intention of joining.  5 days with no sugar.  Why? I don't know.  I'm a people pleaser.

Glad I made these muffins!! :)  "Detox" starts Monday, sharp.

5. 
My husband came home from work the other day with a present.  A random, awesome, present.
Check'em out:

L-O-V-E them.  And yes, I bust out in a rap when I put them on. You would too.

6.
One more recipe link. I just can't get enough!

I made this recipe a few Sundays ago from RealSimple.com and am still thinking about it.  SOO good.  Beef stew, made in my crock pot.

Image from realsimple.com

I have never made beef stew before, and I must admit...I nailed it. So easy, so good.  I subbed (see quick take #4)  sweet potatoes for the regular ones, and again - so good.


7. 
I heard a news story out of Phoenix yesterday that made me take more seriously my hair cutting skillz.

A quick background- when Joel and I got married almost two years ago, we decided I would learn how to cut his hair to save money.  I am now quite the profesh, if I do say so myself.

Fast forward to the news story - in summary, a guy put on craigslist that he wanted to hire somebody to kill his grandfather (I know, terrrible right?), and for payment he would give him an ipad, an ipod, and a year's worth of free hair cuts. (!!!!)

On a lighter note, I had no idea hair cuts were so valuable!  I am now trying to come up with the perfect house-cleaning-lady barter system.

As long as she has the exact same hair cut as my husband, anyway. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!