Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays. In addition to all the yummy food that comes with it, I'm a fan of any occasion that makes me stop and think about all the things for which I am so very thankful. This year, it's all about family. 

This year, I'm particularly thrilled because my entire (gigantic) extended family (on my mother's side) is going to be celebrating Thanksgiving together - dozens of aunts and uncles and cousins and even a few new babies that have arrived this year are all flying down to Florida, and my mother (being the saint that she is) is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for 40 people at my parents house. You heard me - 40 people. 

I'm not sure which genius on staff is responsible for this lightbulb moment, but I'm sure glad they came up with it. It's reason enough to start your holiday shopping early this year and avoid that last-minute mad dash to the mall...

Once in a while a girl has got to pamper herself. What better time than late in the year, as the impending holiday craziness looms near!

On my recent trip to Napa, I paid a visit to the Spa Villagio at the Vintage Estate in Yountville, and I can say that it was - hands down - the best spa experience I’ve ever had.

Last week, I went on the best vacation I’ve had in years. I spent four days and five nights ignoring emails, voicemail, and all work-related thoughts. I stayed in a beautiful French Country-style Inn, slept in a plush king-sized bed in a room with a fireplace and terrace, enjoyed luxurious spa treatments and Swiss-style showers, ate ridiculously good Italian and French food, and drove through the countryside visiting gorgeous vineyards and drinking the delicious product of local winemakers.

No, I didn’t just win the lottery.

I also didn’t take a long and pricey trans-Atlantic flight to Provence or Tuscany, or stay with close personal friends who own a Chateaux (none of my friends own a Chateaux, sadly). I simply planned and saved, then took myself on a blissful trip to the Napa Valley - right here in the USA. Why blog about it? Because I’m always writing here about Holidays and Celebrations, and I want to encourage my readers to actually take a holiday and celebrate something. I’m always asking friends about their travels - where they stayed, what they ate - so that when I finally take a trip to that place, I’ll be in the know. So here you go...

If you're like me, Halloween is one of those holidays that just tends to sneak up on you. Thanksgiving? Weeks of advance planning, grocery shopping, and meal-prep. Christmas? I'm already starting my gifts-to-give list. But Halloween is just one of those occasions that seems to creep up and make me exclaim - "It's already the end of October?!"

Real Simple to the rescue! Read on for last-minute DIY costume ideas, ways to celebrate without spending a dime, ideas for how to host a Pumpkin-Carving Party, and some must-see classic Halloween movies for a night in with the fam.