My children (and myself) are so excited for October, our favorite month!  We're all looking forward to apple picking, the pumpkin farm, leaf piles, cooler weather, and of course everything related to Halloween! 

The boys LOVE decorating for Halloween!  Recently my oldest asked if we could have a tree for Halloween like we do for Christmas as he saw one in Target or somewhere...clever idea I thought, hang some white ghosts from it, candy, witches, orange lights, lots of fun for the kids to decorate and create festive Halloween ornaments!  I loved the idea and here's a great site that has the perfect tree! 

A Black Tiger Tree with orange lights from Treetopia!  If you plan on having a Halloween party or love to go all out decorating for this fun "holiday" like we do, how awesome would this tree look in your home all decorated with ghosts and goblins OR make it a harvest theme! 

It's been crazy here in the South lately, and from what I'm hearing, we're the only ones having such a crisis with the gas shortage.  My light came on today and none of the gas stations around have gas...I guess I'll worry about that tonight.  So, it got me thinking, what can I do to save gas AND/OR should I trade in my Jeep for a "greener" car?

MSN.com had just the article I was looking for.  "Top 10 Green Car Upgrades, tips to make your car greener and save some dough."
Here it is, consolidated:
1.  Easy on the Throttle (we've all heard that one before)
2.  Trading pounds for gallons, lighter cars get better fuel economy
3.  Sun block, sun reflectors will keep cabin temperature down while the car is parked, easing the load on the AC when you return
4.  Better Breathing, spending a minute on cabin air quality can save gas and protect your lungs from airborne gunk: Interior cabin air filters
5.  Tune-up, obviously this works
6.  High-MPG tires, another no-brainer is tire inflation
7.  Veggie Out, biodiesel
8.  Solarize your roof, solar Electric Vehicles manufactures solar panel systems that can be installed on the roof of your hybrid
9.  Plug In, the Escape Hybrid pictured above can be plugged into a home socket
10.  The Un-Car, car-sharing companies such as Zipcar let you have a car only when you need one

As each woman grows older and more mature, she should "embrace change naturally".  First there's puberty, your crazy and wild 20s, your empowering 30s, your "OH MY GOD I'M 40s, your Look How Fabulous I Look 50s, (menopause sneaks in there somewhere), and so on...  Each milestone, each YEAR, is different and exciting for each individual woman and thank goodness there are products out there to keep us all stay healthy and happy as we age.

Right here on The Winning Pitch you can find Emerita natural wellness products, geared towards women over 40.  Skin care, health supplements, sexual vitality, and menopause, all natural products to help with the transition of aging and to keep you feeling as beautiful as ever!

We have a fabulous little giveaway for you today!  An Emerita skin care product valued at $30!  Leave us a comment on being fabulous over 40!  What's your secret!  (Contest ends in one week)  Good luck!

I spent a few hours yesterday afternoon with many local Southern Women at the Southern Women's Show here in Charlotte, NC.  It was a terrific way to spend a girls day; shopping, free food samples, facials, browsing for gift ideas, checking out all the new products for women, their homes, and their families. (They even had a teeth whiting booth, a 15 min. session for your pearly whites, how clever!)

One of my favorite shops of the day, a local Charlottean, ButiBag.  Nicole Williams, owner and designer, offers beautiful products for the modern, stylish woman.  The Bundle from ButiBag is perfect for any woman, not just us Southern ones. "Bundle" whatever you want into a beautifully designed little bag.  Toilettes,  accessories,  kiddie supplies, etc..., this trendy carry-all is perfect for traveling, to keep in the car or at home, what woman doesn't need another storage bag?!

The first thing everyone tells me now that we have a new nanny at our house is to install a "Nanny Cam".  I wish I lived back in the good old days when spying on your child's caregiver was never even a thought!  This day and age though it's a requirement!  So, needless to say, I'm in the market for a hidden camera system to monitor my children and their nanny throughout the day. 

BrickHouse Security had me sitting in awe last night as I scrolled through the options...cameras hidden in alarm clocks, plants, air fresheners, books, DVD players, teddy bears, art work, and so on!  Sneaky!  I like it!  Expensive yes, but can you really put a price on your child's safety and well being?

I guess I also need to look into purchasing the BrickHouse child Locator device since my 2 yr old has turned into a wonderer!  There's so many gizmos and gadgets out there, is it all worth it?  Give me some feedback...anyone out there have hidden cameras in their home, does it help give you piece of mind?

It's back to the corporate life for me after a nice long maternity leave!  And what a perfect time of year to return, best time for shopping.  My previous professional wardrobe is, how should I put it gently, a bit snug after baby boy #3 so I have the pleasure of updating my Fall wardrobe! 

I am loving the styles this year too!  Ann Taylor Loft has always been a favorite of mine, and they are not letting  me down this season either! 

They are having a fantastic Fall sale on select styles:  Buy one Top, get the 2nd 50% off...$20 off Pants...standard $6 shipping, I'm so excited!  My two favorite come back styles are plaid (for some reason I can pull plaid off, not sure if I love it but I wear it well) and the tie belt jackets (I am seeing them everywhere and I need to get one!  Our Fall weather here is still warm but my office is freezing!)
So needless to say, I know what I will be doing this weekend...shopping, and for myself for once!

With company in town this weekend, our coffee maker was working on overload.  I LOVE the smell of brewing coffee...but I don't drink coffee, ever.  But the smell, oh it's wonderful!  I visit the popular coffee shops to drink my water, eat my muffin, and soak up the smell!  Is that strange?

To satisfy this odor craving, candle companies make the exact scents I am looking for!  Yankee Candle of course has the Cafe Au Lait one which makes the entire house smell so delightful!  Reminds me of my family and friends when they visit (as they all drink coffee), so when they leave I still have a memory of them (through smell). 

As Fall approaches, my house will be filled with the smells of pumpkin pie, spiced apple, and perfectly brewed coffee...and I don't have to lift a finger in the kitchen! 

For girls night this weekend we are trying out a couple new babysitters for the 4 children that will be at my house. I realized I did not have a list of important phone numbers written anywhere...I don't even have them posted on the fridge!  They are programmed into my cell of course but I truly never even know where my cell is half the time!  And with a new nanny starting next week too, I needed to get organized and give the sitters a list of important information, what I found is perfect and was right here on The Winning Pitch!

Babysitter Memo Tiles from PlaceTile Designs, how elegant, yet reusable, and I'm saving the trees by not writing it all on paper over and over again {because of course I'll misplace the first copy if written on paper}.  Great idea!  And my sitters will feel so much more comfortable having all this information visible and up to date each time {and I'll love how classy it looks}.

PlaceTile Designs has some fabulous products.  Menu tiles, place tiles, gift sets and more!  Newest item, a PetSitter Memo Tile, how precious!  And so useful, I know many a pet parent that could use that!

As my 30th birthday looms before me, I look back on all that I have accomplished.  Career, check; husband and kids, check; a roof over our heads and food to eat, check.  I still have plenty of goals and dreams, looking forward to working on them all after 30.  (Started making my 40 things to do before turning 40 list already).

I came across this book though and boy does it make you think!  "30 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do Before Turning 30", by Siobhan Adcock,...it's sad but how many of us under 30 know how to change a flat tire or whistle with your fingers or use chop sticks (not many over 30 may know how to do those either!)  This book with show you how to master these 30 life skills...FYI, I can or have completed 24 (many not mastered) out of the 30...GO ME!

1. wrap a present 
2. start a successful fire in a fireplace, at a campsite, and in a barbecue
3. finish a piece of furniture
4. get a raise
5. order wine at a restaurant without getting stiffed
6. parallel park in three breathtakingly beautiful movements
7. dance a “slow dance” without looking like an idiot
8. use a full place setting properly, including chopsticks and Asian soup spoons
9. clean your place in under 45 minutes, when friends, relatives, or prospective lovers are coming by unexpectedly, and soon 
10. hold your liquor 
11. cure a hangover
12. do the Heimlich Maneuver
13. use a compass
14. change a flat
15. jump start a car 
16. open a champagne bottle
17. send a drink to someone’s table
18. cook one “signature meal”
19. whistle with your fingers
20. take good pictures
21. fold a fitted sheet
22. remove common stains
23. sew a button
24. carve turkey, lasagna, and birthday cake
25. hold a baby
26. change a diaper
27. keep a plant alive for more than a year 
28. make dogs and cats love you
29. help someone (an older or ill person, a woman you’re trying to impress, your mother) out of a car
30. write superior thank you notes    
 

A girlfriend of mine recently purchased a Jane Marvel Runaround bag and I've been envious of it ever since!  So, as I searched the globe (AKA the internet) for a chic and fabulous new laptop bag, Jane Marvel popped up! 

Picture my laptop bag now, it's super heavy (without the computer even in it) and super ugly (plain black, no fun).  As I return to full time corporate life in 2 weeks, my laptop bag will become a constant accessory again so I need it to be stylish, not dull and boring, as that is so not me!  And what I love the most about these Jane Marvel bags (all of them, not just the computer bags), the fabric designs.  About 10 designs to pick from for each bag, so you can truly create a bag that fits your personality and style.

They are also affordable, that's always a plus!  Not looking to spend hundreds on a new bag (whether it be a travel bag, computer bag, or just a regular purse), look no further!  Happy Birthday present to me next week...hint hint hubby!