Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to throw out a great big "HAPPY HALLOWEEN!" to everyone in blog world. I hope everyone has a thrilling, fun and safe Halloween weekend.

I love to hear about Halloween costumes...is anyone going as anything really cool? Funny? Crazy? Scary?

If I was going to dress up this year, I would probably be Pam from The Office. She has an awesome name and the fiance of my dreams...lucky girl.

I'm heading up to Milwaukee after work today, so I won't be around to say too much this weekend. But I'm so glad the week is over and I'm very happy to report that my mood has vastly improved. Yay!

Have fun everyone! See you on Sunday when I post again. :)

Crispy crunchy deliciousness

In keeping with my fall favorites, it's about time I talked about another one of my seasonal must-haves...Honeycrisp Apples. They are the sweetest, tartest, tangiest, juiciest, crunchiest, crispiest, most delicious apples ever made...or grown.

As I mentioned before, I eat an apple every single day. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe in the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." I've been doing this apple thing for over a year and so far, the saying has been almost completely true. I've only been sick once over the year and it was a cold that lasted two days. Maybe it has nothing to do with the apples, but I'm not going to stop eating them in order to find out.

So before I was introduced to the phenomenal HoneyCrisp apple, I was all about Gala apples. I thought they were the absolute best. I never was a fan of those regular old apples like Jonathan and Red Delicious...I only like the "fancy" ones like Gala and Pink Lady and Fuji. And Galas were my go-to fruit until that fateful day last fall when I stumbled upon the Honeycrisp display at Dominick's.

Naturally, I was drawn to the name. To me, names and packaging are the biggest sellers. If it has a fun name or comes in a really cool box, I'll get it. So I saw the name Honeycrisp paired with its pink-ish green skin and I immediately picked up a couple. I brought one to work the very next day and my life was changed forever.

As I took that first bite I realized that no other apple would ever be good enough compared to this perfect fruit. It was so crisp and juicy, it was almost like candy. I can't even describe how good it was...I don't think any words would do it justice. I immediately went back to the store and stocked up on Honeycrisps. "Apple time" became my favorite part of the day—a moment of sweet perfection in the middle of a hectic work day.

And then fall ended. And Honeycrisps were nowhere to be found. Trust me, I looked. I went to grocery stores throughout the city, but the apple season had ended and I was out of luck.

So all I could do was wait...and wait...and tolerate Galas once again.

And now Honeycrisps are back and better than ever. I stock up on them every week and still eat one every single day. I'm glad I know to savor them this year and enjoy them while they last. Because life without Honeycrisps is a little less sweet.

It's a Starbucks miracle

I'd like a tall, nonfat, no whip, pumpkin spice latte, please.

Meet the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL). Hands down, best drink ever made. And the fact that it's seasonal makes it even more appealing (if that's even possible). Sometimes I get a grande, sometimes I splurge on whip, but no matter how I order it, it's always amazing.

With an aromatic pumpkin flavor and a hint of nutmeg, it's the perfect hot drink for a chilly fall day. It smells like fall, it tastes like fall...it's basically fall in a cup. And I could probably drink one every single day.

They're around from the beginning of September until the holiday season. And even then, though they might not be listed on the menu, they're still available. That's good to know when you get sick of the holiday flavors...there's only so many peppermint mochas you can have a year.

When they came back to stores this September, I had forgotten about them. Caught up in the joys of summer and the frustration of moving, I wasn't even thinking about my seasonal favorite. When I walked into Starbucks that early September morning and saw the sign marking the glorious return of the PSL, I literally "whooped" out loud with delight. I don't think I've ever "whooped" about anything, but I was THAT excited. People gave me funny looks, but I just grinned from ear to ear and ordered a grande.

Later that day, one of my coworkers enthusiastically announced to everyone that PSLs were back. I stood up in my cube and yelled "WOOOHOOO PSL!". (What can I say, I get really excited). She shared my excitement and before I knew it, we had started Pumpkin Spice Latte Day. Every Friday morning, after our daily status meeting, we go down to the Starbucks in our building and order our PSLs just the way we like them. It's a small celebration of our favorite beverage, but it's just enough to keep us excited all week long. Of course we could go any other day during the week, but I have to try to practice a little self control.

And now writing this post really makes me want a PSL. Friday seems so far away...

Writing by Candlelight

This time of year marks the return of one of my favorite things: the Harvest candle by Yankee Candle Co. The rest of the year, I could care less about candles. Sure I buy them, but after a day or two, they sit on a shelf or table and collect dust. Maybe it's that I'm terrified of fire or the fact that I am super sensitive to scents, but candles aren't really my thing.

Until October rolls around.

If this season had a copyrighted scent, Harvest would be it. It seems to combine all the wonderful crisp smells that linger in the air around now. Fresh apples, fallen leaves, the seasons changing, the spice of cider...they're all there in that bright orange candle.

My Mom has always been really into Yankee Candles and Harvest has always been her favorite. Ever since I was in grade school, she's had it in our house. As a kid I failed to appreciate it, but as I've gotten older I've reflected on all the things it reminds me of...carving pumpkins with my Dad, snuggling up with my dogs during Fall Break, getting ready for the big Thanksgiving Day meal...and now it smells like home to me. Not "home" as in my teeny tiny working girl apartment, but I mean my parent's house, which will always be home to me.

And of course, the sights, smells and sounds of fall remind me that it's only a few short weeks until my ABSOLUTE favorite time of year...Christmas. But that, I'm sure, will take up many posts in the near future. I believe I could write an entire blog based solely on my love for the movie Elf.

So yes, go out and get yourself a Harvest candle. It might change your life...or at least the smell of your apartment. Happy Fall, everyone!