Even though this is our second Halloween in Stroup Mansion, it feels like the first. We had only been in the house a little over a month last year at this time. Decorating for any holiday, even my most favorite one, just wasn’t a priority.

Halloween this year though? It feels SO exciting. I’ve been hunting for decor for months now. Living in our small apartment with tiny closets and no extra storage space meant that I basically had nothing for any holiday. I’ve been stalking the big box stores as well as thrift stores, antique malls and well, literally anywhere else that might possibly have something I like. My collection of Halloween decor is still quite small but I definitely picked up some neat pieces this year.

When I was in my early twenties I distinctly remember thinking “I wish I had kids to decorate for!” I don’t know why but I felt like I needed en excuse to celebrate big for any holiday other than Christmas. I’m so happy to have realized how dumb that was because holy smokes, this makes me so happy. Just out of frame, my dining room is still a work zone. There is drywall that needs mudded, an ugly fireplace that I need to spruce up and gosh, I hate the fabric on the chairs but every time I walk into this room I’m filled with joy.

I hope every year here Halloween can be bigger and better! I’d love to add more skeletons, more spiderwebs in here next year. I want to be able to share more than just one tiny spooky corner!

For this year though? 10/10! Would haunt!