Gretchen Rossi Gives a "Real & Raw" Look Inside Life at Home with Slade Smiley (VIDEO)
The Real Housewives of Orange County alum revealed what is "so special" about the holidays with her longtime partner.
Gretchen Rossi's longtime love, Slade Smiley, surprised her with an epic home transformation you need to see.
On October 27, The Real Housewives of Orange County alum shared an Instagram video detailing how Slade worked on an outdoor display that left her and their young daughter, Skylar Gray Smiley, in awe.
"So my sweet Hubby decided to surprise me earlier this month with these lights and I was soo excited about them!" Gretchen began in the caption of the post. "I know it’s long, but I wanted you all to see the real & raw moments of how special it was."
Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley's Halloween Home Transformation
At the beginning of the video, Gretchen documented Slade walking around on their roof seemingly working on a project or setting something up. Apparently, he was keeping the details of his project to himself with the intent of surprising Gretchen and Skylar when it was done. "What are you doing?" Gretchen asked Slade as he quipped in response, "You'll see!"
Later in the video, when it was dark outside, Slade invited Gretchen and Skylar out to see the finished product, which was an "early birthday present" for Gretchen (whose birthday is October 30). When Gretchen and her daughter walked outside to see the front of the house, they were amazed, as Slade set up new lights under parts of the roof that made the house glow in an orange haze — perfect for Halloween.
The lights, which Slade purchased via Amazon and set up all by himself, also change colors via an app on the phone. "He knows I have been wanting to have lights on the house for all the different Holidays…but I also wanted them to be invisible & not seen during off seasons," Gretchen continued in the caption of her post, also noting how the new system can play music.
"He even played me the 'Happy Birthday' song to the flashing lights…which was so sweet!" she gushed. "As many of you know the Holidays mean so very much to me and always have! It’s how I grew up, and the fact that Slade makes it just as important to him and helps make it so special for both Sky and I is just such a blessing [...] Shout out to all the men who make their women feel so loved by these acts of service."
Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley's Front Porch Decor
In addition to the new lights setup, Gretchen and Slade also outfitted their front porch with some eye-popping Halloween decorations.
"I just love this time of year & decorating my front porch for Fall!" Gretchen exclaimed in the caption of a September 26 Instagram video which revealed how she prepared her front porch for the autumn season. The area included faux pumpkins, a black lantern near the front door, fall-centric wreaths and garlands, and more.
"It takes me about two hours to do the whole thing but I enjoy this creative outlet!" she continued. "I just love decorating for the Holidays and making our home feel festive!"
