From Kids to Adults, Fun Ways to Celebrate Halloween This Year

Halloween is just around the corner, do you know what you are dressing up as yet? I know my daughter has a few ideas of what she wants to be this year but as I’m sure many of you know, Halloween isn’t just a holiday for kids. Whether you dress up alongside your kid to take them trick-or-treating or you and your significant other put on a ‘couples costume’ like bacon and eggs and head to the neighborhood Halloween party, this is a fun holiday for all involved. So I thought it might be appropriate to pull together some ideas for Halloween parties of all ages. Below are suggestions for kid games, adult games and some fun food recipes sure to please any little monster or big monster that night.

For the Kids –

 Pin the BOO on the Ghost – Who doesn’t love a rendition of pin the tail on the donkey? Have your kids help paint a ghost on a piece of black paper and cut out little boo speaking bubbles, see who can get that ghost saying boo!

Witch Pitch – Go to your local Halloween or Party store and pick up small witch caldrons, anywhere from 6-12 of them. Then, have your kids pick out some of their favorite candy to act as the tossing instrument and let them pitch away.

Donut Chomp – I think this could be an adult game as well because everyone loves a good VooDoo donut! Hang donuts from strings and have people, with their hands behind their backs, try to get a bite or two of those delicious doughnuts.

 Ghost Races – Get out those extra pillowcases you never use and have your kids help you paint or draw ghost and monster faces on them. Then on your mark, get set, go! Have all the kids jumping in their own little ghost or goblin racing across your yard.

For the Adults –

 Halloween Feel Box – Gross out your guests with this touch and squeal game. Fill a box with items such as peeled grapes, little smokies and cooked spaghetti noodles to see if your guests can figure out what the items are or just make them say ew!

Candy Corn Relay – Let your inner child out again with this game where no hands are used, only a spoon in your mouth, to move candy from one bowl to another.

Candy Jar Estimation – Fill up a giant candy jar with some of your favorite sweets and have your guest guess how many candy pieces are in the container, winner gets to keep the candy for themselves.

Pumpkin Bocce – This is exactly what it sounds like, a new twist on a classic game. Everyone will be supplied with small pumpkins that they will toss at a large pumpkin. And the best part? Everyone can take home their pumpkins as party favors at the end of the game.

Tasty Treats –

 Because there are so many yummy recipes out there, I am sharing a few links of some of the websites I have found to have some of the best treats for Halloween parties:

http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/halloween-desserts-treats-recipes/view-all

http://www.allyou.com/food/treats/halloween-treats-kids/view-all

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/halloween-recipes.page-2.html

http://family.disney.com/halloween-recipes

Hope you and your family have a fun and safe Halloween this year! I know my daughter, husband and I are planning on having a ghoulish-good time.

Wear Pink in October to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

You may have noticed a lot of pink ribbons lately hanging at local businesses, on people’s t-shirts or stuck on the back of a passing Subaru. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Out of every 8 women born into the United States, 1 will have breast cancer at some point in their life. With the right precautions and yearly check-ups with a doctor, many women can survive breast cancer if it is found and treated. The best way to be checked for breast cancer is to schedule a yearly mammogram. Once women reach 40, most doctors recommend they start getting their yearly mammogram.  If you are not sure of when you should start being tested, talk to your doctor or nurse to figure out when is the right time to begin screening.

As a woman, I think it is very important to get involved to bring awareness of this disease to other women in my life. For October, and all year round, make sure to encourage those women in your life to get checked and support your friends and family who may have the disease. Below is breast cancer screening recommendations as found on the Susan G. Komen website, one of the leading breast cancer fundraising organizations in the country:

1. Know your risk:

- Talk to your family to learn about your family health history

- Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened:

- Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk

- Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk

- Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40

3. Know what is normal for you and see your health care provider right away if you notice breast changes:

- Lump, hard knot or thickening

- Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening

- Change in the size or shape of the breast

- Dimpling or puckering of the skin

- Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple

- Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast

- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly

- New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

- Maintain a healthy weight

- Add exercise into your routine

- Limit alcohol intake

Below is a list of activities this month around Denver that you and your family can get involved in to help support and invest in science to find cures.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer – Oct. 11th Greenwood Village, CO - Join the American Cancer Society in making strides against breast cancer. This yearly event is described as a celebration of survivorship and an occasion to express hope and offer support on finding cures.

Bright Pink October Outreach – Oct. 20th Denver CO - Bright Pink is the only national non-profit organization focused on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. Join them for their pumpkin carving outreach on Oct. 20th for an evening of sharing, friendship and discovery.

 Pink Tie Affair – Nov. 7th Denver, CO - Pink Tie Guys serve as representatives aimed at engaging men in the breast cancer movement and encouraging them to get involved any way they can. There are seven of them who represent one in seven women in Colorado will battle breast cancer within their lifetime. Come eat, dance and listen to some incredible stories on this night to help raise money for finding breast cancer cures.

Wear your pink this month, encourage the women in your life to get tested and get involved with the many breast cancer awareness activities to help support finding cures for this disease. 

Photo by pifate/iStock / Getty Images

A Few Great Places to see the Fall Colors in Colorado

I think it is safe to say that fall is here even as we continue to have some days with temperatures in the high 80’s, the cool evenings and brisk mornings are letting us know the weather is changing. And it is just the weather changing, have you looked outside lately? The trees are all starting to change colors and if you have been watching the news or looking at your social media you have probably seen many beautiful pictures of the leaves changing all over the state. Colorado is known for our beautiful Aspen trees and the changing that takes place from the end of September into early October has many people heading to the mountains to see the incredible color transformations. It isn’t too late to catch these trees that turn into blazing fields of gold and below I have compiled a list of places to go visit as well as drives to take to see some of the best colors in the area.

Jump in the Car and Drive

 1.    Trail Ridge Road – U.S. Highway 34 between Estes Park and Granby traveling through and over the Rocky Mountain National Park is one for the books. The road rises all the way to 12,183 ft and has several scenic overlooks to take in.

2.    Peak to Peak Highway – Colorado highways 119, 72 and 7 from Black Hawk to Estes Park has many spots to actually pull over and take in stunning views of the Continental Divide with several stands of colorful Aspens.

3.    Boreas Pass between Como and Breckenridge – What used to be an old railroad bed is now a dirt road that offers phenomenal sightseeing of several Aspen groves.

Get out and Experience the Colors

 1.    Gunnison – This quant place is home to Kebler Pass, which boasts the largest aspen grove in North American. Start around Ohio Creek Road which passes some unique natural landscapes, including a series of abandoned ranch buildings, and enjoy some beautiful views.

2.    Maroon Bells – The iconic Maroon Bells are two towering 14,000-ft mountains nestled into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and are some of the most photographed peaks in North America. There are hiking trails a plenty so choose any and you are sure to find yourself lost in the golden Aspens.

3.    Telluride – It is a little bit of a drive but Telluride is one of the most beautiful places in the state and the colors up there are unmatchable during the fall. Take the free gondola ride for an incredible aerial view of the yellow fields of trees spreading for miles.

 It’s not too late to go on a drive or a hike to see the changing colors of fall and better to do it sooner than later, snow is just around the corner and has already been falling in the mountains! Make sure to grab a pumpkin muffin and your favorite hot drink for the road, happy fall everyone!

Photo By @NoahBergPhotography  | Vail, CO

Everyday is better with a good cup of Joe

A wise person once said, ‘everything gets better with coffee’. I will openly admit, I am a coffee person. Starting my day with a warm latte or grabbing a cappuccino in the afternoon before a meeting are always things I look forward to. What I like even more though is finding great coffee shops around Denver to try out, meeting new coffee shop owners/employees and making new relationships along the way. 

Below are a few Denver coffee shops I have frequented and made some great connections at, make sure to stop in to each and try their amazing coffee.

Hooked on Colfax – My friends own this place so I may be biased but Hooked is a great place to escape the busy that is your day and enjoy some quality coffee. They carry a range of Colorado roasters and local companies who are committed to sourcing the best beans, ethically and sustainably. They also serve breakfast, have a stellar bakery and if you need something stronger they also offer a range of alcohol. Open from 7am-10pm daily, check them out at 3213 E. Colfax Avenue. 

Huckleberry on Larimer – This great coffee place was started inside a garage between an alley and a backyard chicken coop by two gentlemen named Mark and Koan. Today, they source coffee from the world’s best producers and honoring it through careful roasting to bring out the best taste. They have three core values, enjoy slowly, cultivate community and appreciate quality. If you find yourself near the RiNo Art District and baseball field, make sure to stop in and enjoy something delicious.

Bellwether – This newly opened establishment is already making waves down on Colfax. Carrying coffee from Boxcar Roasters on tap, as well as Bulleit whiskey, this shop is a great addition to the neighborhood. Also feel like a little shopping? Make sure to check out their great brands from Ruckus to For Love and Lemons. Expect a lot of great things from this place, go check them out from 7am-7pm daily at 5126 E. Colfax Avenue.  

Black Eye Coffee – For those of you in the Highlands, my guess is you already know about this gem. Black Eye features single origin coffees that are rotated every month to give you a high standard of coffee from around the world. With a roll-up garage door to allow in the sunshine and breeze on nice days, this coffee shop also offers delicious baked goods and food throughout the day. Located at 3408 Navajo St., and opening one in Capitol Hill soon, make sure to swing in and enjoy a cup of coffee. 

Wash Perk – You guess it, this quant coffee shop is located right down the street from Washington Park. A very cozy spot with couches, eclectic décor and outside seating, this coffee shop is a favorite to many locals. Offering a wide variety of delicious drinks, it is a great spot to post up after a walk around Wash pop in at 853 E Ohio Ave.

Aviano Coffee Cherry Creek – A very trendy café with an open and modern design, expect some gourmet espresso drinks, pastries and more from this great spot in the heart of Cherry Creek. Located at 244 Detroit St, you can expect to pay a little more here but it is worth it to get an amazing cup of coffee.

If you ever want to grab a cup of coffee while in Denver and discuss real estate, feel free to give me a call or contact me via email and we can set something up. Always looking to try out new spots or introduce others to some of my favorite places around town. 

Photo By @NoahBergPhotography

A Little Meditation each Day Keeps the Stress Away

Everyone has his or her morning routines. Some people get up and head to the gym for a quick workout before heading into the office. Some people get up and sit down at their computers to answer emails and write for a few hours. Others meet up with friends for coffee and discussion before tackling their busy day.

My daily routine starts each day at 4am, yes that includes the weekends. I know, sounds a bit early for some people and that’s ok, for me, this is a time I can have to myself before getting my day going. I have found over the years that meditation works wonders for my mind and my spirit. By getting up each morning and focusing my mind and readying my person for the day ahead, I am able to tackle each day with a calm and ready demeanor. I grab a large glass of water and I do yoga or PiYo in the morning and then I always read something inspirational to help me get going for my day and then I may post something on my social media to help others feel inspired as well.  Nothing too elaborate but I make sure to stick with the same routine as it now is a habit and I look forward to it every day. I also follow a group on Facebook called Miracle Morning that is a group who takes everything based off a book by Hal Elrod. 

I know meditation can be a hard thing to start doing, we all have those racing minds especially right when we wake up in the morning. Below are some suggestions I have if you think this is something you think you would like to try out. For me, I know it has helped me to be a better wife, mother, friend and businesswoman. Starting each day by centering myself helps me center the other parts of my life.

1.    Start small, 3-5 minutes: It can be hard to sit still and let your mind rest, and trust me, 3 minutes will seem like a lot at first! But work on concentrating on your breathing and focusing your thoughts. Eventually, you will be able to meditate 20+ minutes if you so choose.

2.    Understand meditation can help with stress, irritability, anxiety and overthinking: I think every one of us suffers from one of these attributes and mediation is a healthy way to help work on controlling those.

3.    Find your own method that works for you: We are all individuals and as such we probably will have a method of mediation that feels right to us. I personally like yoga even though I know that isn’t for everyone. Try a few methods out, research different techniques and eventually with a few trials and error you will find one that works best for your mind and soul.

4.    Make sure you are comfortable: If your kids are running around, the dog is barking, and you are sitting on a hard wood floor, it will be almost impossible to meditate. Make sure to choose a quiet place as well as a comfortable place where you will not be disturbed and let everyone else in the house know that your meditation time is quiet time.

 If you are not a morning person, but rather a night person, I know many people who also find time to meditate each night to let their mind quiet for the night. Regardless if you are a morning or evening person, mediation has changed my life for the better and I would recommend it to anyone who is trying to find peace and tranquility in their personal life and professional life. 

Photo by anyaberkut/iStock / Getty Images