The Abstract Life

Last Minute Halloween Decor for Your Home with Yankee Candle

October 23, 2018

We a ll live busy lives. After the warm memories of summer fade you are playing catch up at the office, weekends are always filled up...

October 23, 2018

all live busy lives. After the warm memories of summer fade you are playing catch up at the office, weekends are always filled up, and the days grow shorter. Before you know it Halloween creeps up on you-and not in the fun ghoulish way. It's not too late to make your home and family spooktacular though! I've partnered with Yankee Candle to share how to incorporate low stress, last minute Halloween decor into your home this October.

Candles

One of the simplest ways to decorate for any holiday is to buy a seasonal candle. The scent alone can make your home feel festive. I like these limited edition Halloween fragrances by Yankee Candle since they're decorated on the outside and add immediate decor. They add the perfect spooky touch to my Halloween vignettes! The two fragrances are Witches' Brew and Sweet Seduction. Witches' Brew is a spicy sweet aroma of exotic patchouli and Sweet Seduction is a sweet concoction of everything yummy—vanilla cream, luscious caramel, even a dash of rum.

Buy Your Pumpkins at the Grocery Store

I bought these mini pumpkins while I was doing my regular grocery shopping at Trader Joes. Most grocery stores have pumpkins this time of year and they can often be even cheaper than the pumpkin patches (cute as those locations are). You don't have to get the mini ones like I did; they have carving pumpkins as well. However, if your place is small these little guys are one of the easiest ways to pack a festive punch. BONUS: If you don't carve them they will last for your Thanksgiving celebrations as well.

Choose Decor Tricks that Treat

Conjure up some Halloween magic with the right mix of fright and delight with online shopping. Though it seems might seem obvious in hindsight, it can be easy to forget how simple it is to shop for seasonal decor online (Amazon, Target, World Market, etc...) and save you from physically going to the store and fighting the crowds. Some of the cheapest and quickest decor items I use are cobwebs, skulls, and rubber spiders. If you stay within a particular color palette you can ensure that all your decor will blend together-despite them being from different online shopping carts.

Incorporate Your Existing Home Decor

You don't have to completely redecorate. Just throw cobwebs over art and furniture already in your home. Grab some serving trays and style small vignettes with your favorite home pieces + candles + a some Halloween decor. These "vignettes" can have the biggest impact on styling your home for this ghoulish holiday. I like to stick to groupings of three items with three different heights for a satisfying composition.

Get the Look:

This post was made in partnership with Yankee Candle-the candles I remember my mother buying all through my childhood. The opinions and tips are my own. Thank you for helping to support the carefully selected sponsors I work with.

Where to Go This Weekend: The Slow Coast

October 19, 2018

The Slow Coast stretches along 50 miles of winding golden cliffs, dark teal water, soft sand beaches, and coastal farms between Half M...

October 19, 2018

TheSlow Coast stretches along 50 miles of winding golden cliffs, dark teal water, soft sand beaches, and coastal farms between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. While the drive alone is spectacular enough a reason to go there are so many great stops along the way for you to visit this weekend.

Pack: a beach picnic bag + blanket, jacket, comfy shoes to climb down rocks in, and water.

Davenport Beach (aka San Vicente Beach): Located on Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) directly across the street from Roadhouse Inn Restaurant and Bar. Visitors swear it's one of the best local beaches for finding sea glass.
Cabrillo Hwy and Ocean St Davenport, CA 95017 Free Parking
Abandoned Pier: Built by the Santa Cruz Portland Cement Company, this abandoned pier looks like the skeleton of beach days gone by. You can swing from the first pillar arch during low tide. Spoiler Alert: It's a dangerous doozy to climb down too though. You can only access it by climbing down a steep cliff with a rope. If you don't want to risk your life (like me) you can enjoy the view of the pier from the bluff on the left of the beach. It has beautiful views of the pier, ocean, and surrounding bluffs and a great place to catch a sunset (like these photos).
9812 Cabrillo Hwy, Davenport, CA 95017 Only Accessible During Low Tide
Whale City Bakery: This in-house boutique bakery and full espresso bar comes with patio seating with ocean views and live music several nights a week. They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
490 Highway One, Davenport, CA 95017 Open Everyday 6:30am-8:00pm
Swanton Berry Farm:
Stop by for some fresh berry pies, strawberry shortcakes, delicious hot soup, strawberry lemonade, strawberry apple cider & more! Enjoy these treats in their sheltered stand over a boardgame or a good read. If you feel like picking your own, it's $4.50/lb for 0-10 lbs and $3.50/lb for 10+ lbs. The weather is quite variable on the coast so they recommend bringing farm appropriate layers and footwear (warm grubbies and closed toed shoes - there may be mud). Organic U-Pick Strawberries ~ May- September.
25 Swanton Rd. Davenport, CA 95017 Open Everyday 8am - 7pm
Slow Coast Davenport Airstream Store: Formerly a vintage 1954 Airstream, this tiny shop is now full of local artists’ and farmers' wares and goods for you to peruse (my personal favorite is the local goat cheese). You can spot the Airstream between The Davenport Roadhouse restaurant and the Bonny Doon Winery tasting room.
450 HWY 1, Davenport, CA 95017 Open: 7 days a week weather permitting 11 to 5pm
Pescadero: Be sure to stop through the sleepy little beach town. It really shows off the charm of a small Northern California coastal village. I've already done a "Where to Go This Weekend: Pescadero, California" series on The Abstract Life, but it should still be considered for a Slow Coast stop.
Pigeon Point Light Station / Hostel:
My Aunt used to work here and it has fond memories for me as I stayed here as a child when I visited her. It's a beautiful location with views that can't be described. Lots of whale watching and wild flowers scattered everywhere. There is a museum, vista point, hostel travel lodge, and picnic area.
210 Pigeon Point Rd, Hwy 1, Pescadero, CA 94060 (P) (650) 879-2120 Hours: 8am-Sunset

Outfit of the Day: Retro Americana

October 12, 2018

I love the classic combination of red, white, and blue. The retro Americana look just always feels timeless. Today I paired my retr...

October 12, 2018

Ilove the classic combination of red, white, and blue. The retro Americana look just always feels timeless. Today I paired my retro flare leg jeans with layered tops to play with shape and balance. I feel like your top cannot be overly tight or too flowy while rocking these retro jeans. The shoes, embroidered striped buttoned down, and flare jeans are from Anthropologie (Sold Out).