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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Fall, Shay ·

Shay’s Pajama Party: October with Andrea!


It’s time for another Pajama Party with me and a fabulous co-host.  This month is all about Halloween (food, crafts, decorations, and more!)…so, I had to pick the perfect co-host!

It’s Andrea from Never Say Never (her family blog) and Slightly Askew Designs (her design blog).
A little background on Andrea…first and foremost, she is one of my very best friends.  She is this super energized mom of three kiddos, teaches junior high math (yuck!) during the day and has a creative and fabulous design blog that she does at night and on the weekends.  She is the creative force behind every single thing I do.  My blog designs, Andrea.  All of my graphics, Andrea.  My Christmas cards, Andrea.  Every birthday or party invite, Andrea.  My stationary, Andrea.  She is pretty much my full-time employee (on top of those other jobs she has!).  
But…here are a few other facts about Andrea that you just might not know…
1. Her son Luke is marrying Kensington.  They discuss it all the time.  They act like it isn’t even a big deal.  They’ve already named their future poodle together.  It’s hilarious!
2. She is the BEST person when it comes to layering style!  The very best.  Andrea is layered to perfection whether it’s January or July…this chick can layer by the pool people!  She’s a layering genius!
3. When she’s pregnant, she’s super fiesty.  Watch out!  You do not mess with fiesty Andrea!
4. She is the only other person I know that pretends it’s fall with me during the summer.  On a really hot and miserable day, we will both sit at home in the A/C with our sweats on, our fall candles lit, me drinking coffee and her drinking tea, pretending it’s really fall outside (and not 110 degrees!).
5. She is the Queen of Halloween!

And because of Fact #5, she is the PERFECT co-host this month!

Take a look at Andrea’s family in Halloween costumes past…

She doesn’t just dress up her kids…no way!  Andrea and her sweet husband Dave dress up too.  They’ve been everything from a family of hot dogs, burgers and condiments to the Wizard of Oz cast (I mean, seriously…look at what a trooper Dave is?!?!).  They go over the top!
And look at these sweet Halloween pics from when our kiddos were babies.  Look how little Kensington is in both pictures!!  (And yes, that’s Ebby Lee in the second picture standing next to Luke!).

And here are a few pics from the Shull family’s previous Halloweens.

So, we’re in our pjs, hanging out and talking Halloween…here’s what we’re saying…

What are our kids going to be for Halloween this year?
Me: Kensington is going to be a witch (because she basically just wants to walk around with a broom) and Smith is going to be Iron Man.  Again.

Andrea: We’re going to be a family of bees.

(This is why you don’t even try and compete with Andrea…my kids are a random mess and her entire family is going to be dressed as bees!)


When I press her for more family costume ideas, Andrea turns to Pinterest for some inspiration…

…seriously, what did we do before Pinterest???

What are our favorite Halloween traditions with our families?
Me: I love making Halloween treats with my kids in the kitchen and then taking them trick or treating around our neighborhood!

Andrea: I
love it all!  Love decorating, dressing
up, trick-or-treating, etc. But I think my favorite tradition is our Bible
Fellowship group’s harvest party.  I love
seeing the kiddos in their costumes, getting to hang out with all my besties
and of course, getting to sample AMAZING crock pot soups and chilis.

Do we eat dinner before or after trick or treating?
Me: We always eat either chili or soup before we head out…and then we come back and fill up on candy!

Andrea: We
usually get home from school, play for a while and eat dinner.  After dinner, we get dressed and ready to
trick-or-treat!


What are some Halloween traditions you have with your family?
Me: The kids get their Halloween pjs each year on the day we decorate the house for fall (end of August).  They wear those jammies every night :).  We also eat off of Pottery Barn’s cute little Halloween plates, we carve pumpkins, we take walks at night and look at everyone’s Jack-o-lanterns and we make lots of yummy treats.

Andrea: Throughout
October we carve pumpkins, do Halloween crafts, eat on our special Halloween
plates all month, and visit the pumpkin patch. 
On Halloween morning, I usually do something fun for breakfast like
chocolate chip pancakes and after trick-or-treating we watch The Great Pumpkin
Charlie Brown.

Now…let’s talk about Halloween parties…Andrea is the Queen Bee (pun intended) of Halloween parties!  Take a look at a party she hosted two years ago…

…every little detail is perfect!  To see the entire post, click here and here..

I asked Andrea how she decorated her house for Halloween and she said, “over the top!”.  Yup.  She even has a black Christmas tree with Halloween ornaments…

…her house is so fun and decked out but not too scary or gory.  To see her entire house decorated for Halloween, click here.  (And to see my house decorated for fall, click here.)

And of course, it wouldn’t be one of my pj parties if we didn’t talk about food!  

Good food makes a Halloween party!  Here are some of our favorite treats to go along with your tricks…

Andrea’s Mini Pumpkin Cream Pies are so yummy!  I have been known to eat them for breakfast!
My little Oreo Pumpkins are simple to whip up and super festive for Halloween!
And if you’re looking for something savory to eat before you set out, check out these two recipes….
Andrea’s Pulled Pork is the perfect slow cooker supper to enjoy prior to trick or treating!
And my Mexican Chicken Chili will warm you up before you head out too :).
Now, at every Pajama Party, I ask my co-host the same set of questions.  To see how Kelly answered these questions last month, click here.  These are Andrea’s answers…
1. What is your favorite cosmetic?
I am SUPER low maintenance. I didn’t wear ANY makeup
until college (GASP!) and then it was mainly just mascara.  My very favorite cosmetic (and I’m not even
sure if this qualifies) is Burts Bees Lip Shimmer.  It has enough color (for me at least), feels
great and looks fantastic with a gloss over top. 
2. What is your favorite beauty product?
I am going to seem like a TOTAL dweeb when I actually
type this, but I LOVE Noxema face wash. 
I use it every night and I love the smell, feel, tingle – everything.  
3. What is your favorite TV show?
I
watch way too much TV and I watch all kinds of stuff.  I’m a big fan of the Real Housewives (of
anything!), love The Amazing Race and look forward to Scandal every week.  I “may” also be counting down the days until
the return of Downton Abbey.
4. What is your favorite vacation destination?
I LOVE cold weather destinations.  I think my favorite vacation of all time was
Banff, Alberta… but a close second was when we went to The Homestead when I was
pregnant with Mason.
5. What is your favorite pair of shoes?
  I have a thing for boots (cowboy boots,
Hunter Wellies, Uggs, etc.) and my current favorite boot are by BedStu
Cobblers.
6. What is your favorite nail polish?
This changes almost weekly, but right now my favorite
is Fall Mood by Revlon.  It’s sparkly and
goes well with the scarves and boots I’m starting to pull out of the closet.

7. What is your favorite chick-flick movie?
This is a tie between Father of the Bride and My Best
Friends Wedding… oh, and Bridget Jones Diary J
8. What is your favorite book?
This
may come as a surprise (Shay says I’m quirky – hahaha), but I love historical
fiction by Ken Follett. Pillars of the Earth and World Without were AMAZING, I
read Fall of Giants last fall and am currently in the middle of Winter of the
World.  His books are BEASTS (like 900+
pages), but are sooooooooo well written.
9. What is your favorite ice cream?
The
mint chocolate chunk from Ben and Jerrys.
10. Who would star in a movie about your life?
I’ve been told (by pretty much every middle schooler
I teach) that I look like Carly Rae Jepsen… so, based on looks, I guess it
would have to be her.  The other one I
get a lot is Zooey Deschanel.  Pretty
much anyone with long dark hair and bangs J
11. What is your least favorite household chore?
Hands down – putting away laundry.  I will wash, dry and fold clothes all day
long… but I DESPISE putting them away.
12. What is one quirky fact that most people don’t know about you?
This is a hard one because I’m a pretty open book
about my “quirkiness”… but you might not know that in Middle School I was on a
“Battle of the Books” team.  We had to
read this long list of books and then compete against other teams to answer
questions (and name the authors) about the books on the list.  It was super intense and competitive and we
won the championship battle.  I looked
for a picture of me wearing my oversized battle of the books t-shirt with the
knot on the side and AWESOME glow in the dark glitter retainer holding our book
trophy, but I couldn’t find one.  You’ll
have to just trust me that it was amazing. J
It was Andrea many, many, many years ago that convinced me to buy a pair of Ugg Boots.  She told me over and over again that they were classic and would last a lifetime.  I bought them, I wore them, I love them.  Every time, I slip my feet into those cozy boots, I think of Andrea.  
If you’ve never slipped into an Ugg Boot…you just don’t know what you’re missing.  To see these (and more) click here.
And since Andrea is such an awesome gal, she is giving away a fabulous prize on behalf of me and our other favorite friend Sheaffer…
That’s right!  Two lucky winners will receive one set each of 50 double-sided Christmas cards!  This is a HUGE prize!!!  Sheaffer and I are obsessed with her Christmas card designs and want you to have some too!  Just look…

 She does my cards every year!

(That’s my parents’ house!)

Her beautiful family (which now includes sweet Griffin Joy!).

And Erika’s family (which now includes my little Bowen!).
Thank you sweet Andrea for being one of my very best friends!  I am so blessed by your creativity, your kindness, your sense of humor and the fact that you are always there for me.  I can’t wait for our kiddos to marry and then we’ll be family forever.  XOXO
You can find Andrea here:
Her family blog
Her design blog
On Pinterest
On Face Book
On Instagram @andrea2220
Next month, I cozy up in my jammies to talk Thanksgiving with my favorite blue eyed bride…
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Comments

  7. Katie Paladino says

    First of all I love the pj party! So fun! I'm so glad Andrea was your pj partner today, I follow her blog too! I'm excited about the Chistmas card giveaway, they are so adorable!! What a great day to start a Friday–pjs and besties:)

  25. Cheryl says

    I am not sure where you find a black tree but that is now my quest for next year's Halloween!!!!….so cute!!!…Andrea is so creative….and Carly Rae…totally see it!!!!

  35. JDeffenbaugh says

    You both are so talented! I love every recipe I've tried of yours, and I love all the graphics Andrea does. I would love to win a set of Christmas cards! 🙂

  38. Kristen Sass says

    You girls know how to do Halloween right! I was just talking about how we need to get our pictures done for our Christmas cards this year. How great would it be to win some free cards?! Thanks for the opportunity!

  40. Kim Pintar says

    Love you both Shay and Andrea! My favorite gals to read about, get advice from and giggle with! First thing I do when my IPad comes on each day! Thank you thank you thank you!!

  48. Sharon S says

    Loved your post. My kids are grown now and I remember many October nights sewing away at their costumes. We live in the country and now get about 3 visitors on Hallowe'en so its not a big part of our lives anymore. Anyways Shay, my question is how do you feel about the Hallowe'en and Christian thing. I was not of this mind, but a few people I know will or would not let their kids go out for Hallowe'en because of this. I myself, just always separated it entirely telling my kids its just a fun holiday when you dress up and get free candy but am wondering how you deal with that aspect of it.
    Thanks.

  55. Anonymous says

    Hey Shay! Love your blog! I know you are a lover of all things Frasier and I just saw on GMA that on Monday October 21 they will do a reunion special with them. Thought I would just give you a heads up! Have a great weekend!
    Suzanne
    P.S.- Your parents Christmas card with their house looks like it is out of a magazine! So Cozy!

  59. KatyA says

    I'm loving the party table ideas (the ghost popcorn is adorable), and I just love the card designs! Creative and a math teacher- as an engineer I love it! 🙂

  61. Corinne says

    Just saying hi! I just started reading recently, and I LOVE your blog. Of course, I've also had to start following all your friends' blogs, too. I love seeing how close you all are!

  62. Corinne says

    Hi! I just started reading your blog recently, and I LOVE it! Of course, I had to start following Andrea and Erin soon afterwards, too. Ha!

    Love all the Halloween ideas and Andrea's Christmas cards. I hope I win!

  63. Anonymous says

    Hey Shay! I love your blog and I know you are a lover of all things Frasier! I saw that on Monday October 21 the cast of Frasier will be on GMA for a reunion special. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

    Suzanne

    P.S.- I love your mom's house on the Christmas card! It looks like it came out of a magazine! So cozy!

  82. Amy J says

    You both have such great ideas! I have enjoyed reading both of your blogs over the last 8 months and wish I had a group of women by me to share in faith, family and fun!

  84. Kierstin middleton says

    This is so much fun! Thanks for sharing 🙂 you're such an inspiring person to me and its great to see the amazing people you surround yourself with. Great give a way!! God bless.

  89. Maggie says

    Great Halloween costumes! Would love to win the Christmas cards – I'm so last-minute when it comes to sending them out, so it would be great to get a head start! 🙂

  92. Jenna S says

    Love her cards and even if I don't win–I had already planned on ordering from her for our famiy Christmas cards anyway!

  95. cmcdonald says

    Love her Christmas cards.. She is one talented chick! Love my uggs and thanks for the decorating and tradition ideas… No kids yet, but I have a feeling this is going to be a fav holiday in the McDonald house!

  98. cmcdonald says

    Love her Christmas cards!!! She is one talented chick! I absolutely love my uggs! Thanks for the decorating tips and the insight into y'all's traditions. No kids yet, but I have a feeling this holiday will be a fave in the McDonald house one day 🙂

  99. Liz/happymommy says

    I just so love this series that you do and I loved getting to know about Andrea more! Have been following along with her blog etc… ever since you guys introduced her! She sure is crazy talented and you are so right when you say she is so good at layering…have loved her outfit posts on IG lately…so, so cute! And I am dying over those Christmas cards…seriously dying!

  106. Slightly Askew Designs says

    Best. Post. Ever. And not necessarily because it features me (hahaha), but because it's jam packed with everything I love… pajamas, Halloween, Uggs, our kiddos, dressing up, etc., etc. SO FUN! And…. since I emailed you earlier in the week our family costume has changed. We may even have two this year. 🙂 You're the best! Can't want to get started on Christmas Cards!!!

  107. Stacy says

    How exciting, I am obsessed with Christmas cards also, my oldest is 15 and I have NEVER not sent them out since kids, their faces always grace our cards!! I love Andreas designs!

  112. Anonymous says

    Hi! Andrea is so creative! I follow her on Instagram and read her blog and always wonder how she has the time to do everything she does. 🙂 Cute family, beautiful house and awesome costumes and decorations!!

    Lisa

  114. Sabrina says

    What a fun pajama party!! Except I'm in my office clothes…but it's a party in my office today!! I love Andrea's style…and I love how she is so festive!!

  122. Erin Stinson says

    Shay, you did a fantastic job, as usual on GMT! I love Andrea's designs. They are so cute and catchy. and the other day, I was just thinking about what I was going to do for a Christmas card this year so the timing is perfect!!

  125. Andrea says

    Awesome Halloween ideas! Such fun costumes and food! Aren't good girlfriends just the icing on the cake? Andrea seems amazing…I am currently having her design my blog- so excited about it!

  127. Leiah G. says

    I absolutely LOVE Andrea's designs! I would be so happy if I won Christmas cards designed by her to give out to family & friends this year!!!

  144. Aubs says

    okay first of all…i've SO missed keeping up with you and i'm excited to be able to now!!

    second ~ i've loved following Andrea's blog and instagram since finding her thru you! So sweet, cute and has the sweetest family!! (i think her mason & my dylan would get into some seriously cute trouble together!!) AND??!! My oldest did Battle of the Books a couple years ago!!! oh.my.word. Its intense! My heart was beating out of my chest while they were in the championship battle but they won!! So fun!! =)

  151. Emily W. says

    Wow. I have never before seen a Halloween tree. I'm not sure if it's genius…or something else. Regardless, your creativity is astounding. Thank you for sharing with all of us. I think you just inspired me to make some sweet treats with my little one this weekend!

  152. Emily W. says

    Wow. I have never before seen a Halloween tree. I'm not sure if it's genius…or something else. Regardless, your creativity is astounding. Thank you for sharing with all of us. I think you just inspired me to make some sweet treats with my little one this weekend!

  156. Kim R says

    From one designer to another, I always admire Andrea's designs and creativity! Thanks for having her over for a PJ party!

  157. Kim R says

    From one designer to another, I always admire Andrea's creativity and designs! Thanks for having her over for a PJ party!

  170. Kim Fleming says

    WOW! I am a teacher to with four kids, and I believe all teachers have to be creative in something just to keep up with all the kids in our classes, mine is not like Andrea's so kudos to you girl. Those Halloween costumes beat my kids all over the place!!

  171. Heather says

    Cannot wait to try your Mexican Chicken Chili! Thank you so much for your yummy recipes! Love them and they make my Mr. happy!!

  172. Heather says

    Cannot wait to try your Mexican Chicken Chili! Thank you so much for your yummy recipes! Love them and they make my Mr. happy!!

  181. PaulaP says

    What a fun give-away! So great of you all to be doing this. How long have the 3 of you known each other and how did you meet?

  184. Annie Cox says

    Love Andrea's designs! I am even more excited to learn she does Christmas cards. The pajama party post is super cute and I got so many great ideas for my Halloween party next weekend.

  199. Justin & Haley says

    We are taking pictures Saturday for our Christmas cards! So exciting with our 16 month old and little boy due in January! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!!!!

  204. Leigh says

    I love all of Andrea's designs. Andrea and I have a lot in common. I love Burt's Bees lip shimmer, I still use Noxema every day and I live in boots in fall and winter. I have 2 pairs of Uggs – a tall tan pair and a short gray pair – cause a girl needs choices 🙂

  207. Emily says

    EEE! I love her designs – especially her blog designs! Always been a fan of yours and of Amber Massey's when hers was designed by Slightly Askew Designs. Andrea is so talented!

  210. Courtney says

    I've been following Andrea's blog for a while now. Thanks for introducing her to me. As a fellow teacher, I often wonder how she "does it all!" She makes us all look like slackers. Ha! I would be so thrilled to win some of her super creative Christmas cards. Thanks for the opportunity.

  214. Meredith says

    Hi, Shay! I always wait until the last minute to do my Christmas cards so if I won, it would force me to not procrastinate :). Thanks for the giveaway!

  222. Layla Weaver says

    A few things….

    I love your blog … So fun!!! I think we should be bffs even though you have a few already….sounds stalkerish, but not intentionally…I live down the road a bit from you, we could totally meet for lunch…

    I tried her whoopie pies…… Omg!!! To die for!!!

    I need Christmas cards…so pick me!

    I will mail you above mentioned Christmas card, that is if you pick me so I can have it!! Ha

    Ok thanks for reading my rambles!!

    P.s. Pick me!!! Ha 😉

  235. The Akey Family says

    I am totally inspired by Andrea and her ability to have three kids, teach and have a creative outlet. I am also a teacher of middle school and mom of three but can't seem to find time for the creative!

  236. The Akey Family says

    I am totally inspired by Andrea and her ability to have three kids, teach and have a creative outlet. I am also a teacher of middle school and mom of three but can't seem to find time for the creative!

  237. Jesse says

    I LOVE all these ideas! Growing up we just did the pumpkin carving and trick or treating, but I would love to have more traditions now that I have a little one.

  240. Nicki says

    Love these pajama party posts! And awesome giveaway, I would love to have a set of those cards!!

  241. thecaudills says

    Love the post! Andrea, I love your home decorated for Halloween! Shay, I love your fall decorations! I always look forward to reading your blog, if you lived in kentucky we would totally be Bff's! 🙂

  277. Amber Sanders says

    I love your blog posts and look forward to them coming to my inbox every afternoon. Keep up the great work and oh how I would love a beautiful set of those cards!!

  284. Lindsey Watson says

    First time commenter 🙂 I absolutely adore your blog and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Christmas cards.

  286. Bonnie M. says

    We just got our family pictures done and I would love to have nice Christmas Cards to send out with the pictures!
    Thanks!

  297. Anonymous says

    Shay, I really love following you and some of your friends blogs! You seemlikesuch a great group of friends! Love the Xmas cards too!
    Lindsey Chvosta

  298. Tiffany says

    Would love, love to win these! Her designs are so cute and we have a darling baby girl that is around her Griffin's age that is needing a cute Christmas card. =)

  300. mel @ the larson lingo says

    I think I have said this before (or maybe you have) but I am pretty sure that Andrea and I are long lost sisters. Both middle school math teachers, both have a Luke, both have 3 kids, both design cards and both love throwing parties! Love this pajama party you throw! So fun!