Monday, November 11, 2013

HAPPY *cough* MONDAY!

Please excuse my absence over the last week or so.... it seems that the Manor has been struck with a nasty case of the Black Plague..... and not as much fun as you would think.

But no worries.... I'll be up and around in a few more days, and back to business!

Have a BOO-tiful day!


Thursday, October 31, 2013

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


 
Well, over the last few months, it sure felt like this day was NEVER gonna get here! But we made it!

Happy Halloween to all my Halloweenies! I know you're busy flying around trying to get the last of the cobwebs in place, cleaning the dungeon while the cauldrons are simmering, and putting the finishing touches on the devilishly good
boo-fet.... but I don't want you to forget why we do all this.... to have fun!

So I'm putting one of my magic spells on you, to have a fabulous, fun, and festive Halloween! No need to fret, I'm sure what you've done is perfect... and if it's not.... you're the only one who knows! So enjoy!

Be sure to send me any pictures that you may want to share, and have a FAB-BOO-LOUS, safe and Happy Halloween!

And remember ....only 365 more days until we have to be ready for next year!

Or.... maybe over the last few months we've turned you into a true Halloweenie.... and in that case.... you've learned to live Halloween every day of the year!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

VINTAGE FINDS!

You know my love of all things Halloween started at a very young age. And when I see things like this, I just get absolutely giddy!

I've managed to find a few vintage goodies from my youth, while I was out perusing the vintage and thrift stores this weekend.....

They were all treasured things to me, and I can't believe I found them! I must have listened to this record album over nine thousand and ninety nine times!! And I'm sure I still remember every word by heart..... I'm so glad the Count and I have that vintage stereo to listen to it!

This old plastic lamp was one of my favorites, and it used to sit in the front window of the house I grew up in, all through the month of October!

And the Fireside Book of Ghost Stories! What an amazing find!!! I read this book so much, that I remember being soooooo disappointed when it actually fell apart.... and I had to throw it away.

What great additions to my collection.....

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

MONSTER SHELLS


Monster Mouths Photo

Looking for more ways to get those little goblins of yours, to gobble down a healthy dinner? The key is to make it tasty and fun.

Not only are these yummy monster heads are great for dinner, after a busy night of Trick or Treating....  but they're also a great goblin-pleaser, any night of the year!

INGREDIENTS
1teaspoon vegetable oil
1medium onion, chopped
4slices bacon, chopped
1pound ground beef
2medium plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2teaspoon salt
1/4teaspoon black pepper
4slices American cheese, chopped
1/2(12-ounce) package jumbo pasta shells (about 18 shells), cooked and drained
Baby carrots, olives, red bell pepper, small pickles and cheese slices for decoration.
 PREPARATION
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 13X9-inch baking dish. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bacon; cook until onion is tender. Add beef; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Stir in tomatoes, cheese, salt and black pepper. Spoon mixture into cooked shells; place in prepared baking dish.
  2. Cut carrots into very thin strips. Cut small slit in each olive; poke one end of thin carrot strip into each olive for "eye." Cut red bell pepper into fang shapes. Slice pickle lengthwise to make tongue shape. Cut cheese slice into zig-zag pattern for teeth.
  3. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until hot; remove from oven. Decorate as desired with olive and carrot eyes, bell pepper fangs, pickle tongue and cheese teeth. Serve immediately.
 For more recipe ideas, check out the TLC Cooking page!

Monday, October 28, 2013

PARTY CHECKLIST!

This is the busiest week around the Manor, and I'm sure it is for you too! So here's a few pre-party checklists to help you breeze through your week. Hop on the old broomstick and let's get going....

Food and Drink

Candy and loot bags.
Set out glass jars loaded with different types of candies and mini scoops, and let guests fill their own goodie bags to take home. Go to candywarehouse.com to stock up on a variety of treats, from gross gummy body parts (feet, ears, and eyeballs) to classics like Pixy Stix and Bazooka.

Punch bowl.
No Halloween party would be complete without a spooky punch. Serve one that’s blood-red, ghoulish green, putrid purple, orange, or black and use dry ice to create an eerie mist.

Napkins, plates, utensils, and tablecloths.
Keep a stash of these essentials in colors and patterns that match your scheme. A festive covering will make your everyday tables party-ready in an instant. PartyCity.com has a wide selection of Halloween-themed goods, along with supplies in basic colors.

Serving dishes.
Count your platters beforehand to make sure you have enough space for all your party treats. Make a list or label each dish with a Post-it note or masking tape to keep track of which food goes with which platter.

Beverages and cups.
If you’re serving alcoholic drinks, plan on three to four cocktails per guest for a two- to three-hour party. And don’t forget to include something alcohol-free and fun for the teetotalers and kids in your group. Make sure to have heatproof cups on hand if you’re serving anything hot, like mulled cider.

Appetizers.
Serve plenty of savory items to balance out all that Halloween sugar. For less stress, make as many items ahead of time as you can.

Desserts.
Cupcakes and cookies are easy for guests to eat and fun to decorate for Halloween (for example: cookies shaped like ghosts and cats and cupcakes topped with orange frosting or mini pumpkin candies). For even more holiday spirit, make pumpkin cupcakes and decorate them with candy corn. Or try using Halloween candy in creative ways: Serve a Twix cheesecake pie or make chocolate bark decorated with candy corn.

Setting the Scene

Carved jack-o’-lanterns.
Greet guests with a lineup of these lighted hosts on your stoop or porch.

Pumpkins and decorative gourds.
Display these in clusters around your home. Try different ways of dressing up your pumpkins—spray them with metallic paint for a golden glow or use chalkboard paint to make faces or write messages (a great project for the kids).

Fake cobwebs and spiders, paper bats, balloons, and other decorations.
Hang cobwebs and spiders in the corners of your room, let bats and banners dangle from the ceiling, and go all-out with festive or frightening décor to create the right atmosphere. Shop for supplies from OrientalTrading.com, which has a wide selection of creepy goods—bags of bones, ghosts, and tombstones. Halloween is one holiday when it’s OK to be over-the-top.

Candles.
Scatter lots of votives throughout your party and group pillars of varying heights and sizes together. Display a candelabra for dramatic flair.

Spooky music.
Put together a playful playlist of favorite songs, such as The Doors’ “People Are Strange” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” or invest in a soundtrack of creepy sound effects. Try Martha Stewart Living’s Spooky Scary Sounds (which includes knives being sharpened, thumping heartbeats, and howling winds) or Halloween Horrorscapes, which features tracks titled “Blood Hunt” and “Alone at the Cabin” (including thunder, screams, snarling monsters, and chainsaws–definitely not for the faint of heart).

Halloween movies.
Play classic horror films in the background (on mute if you don’t want the sound to be distracting) to get guests in the mood, such as Friday the 13th, The Exorcist, or, naturally, Halloween. For less frightening movies that still set the tone, try The Addams Family, Beetlejuice, or—the best feel-good Halloween flick ever—It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Costume accessories.
Whether you’re hosting a costume party or not, it’s always fun to have some extra dress-up items around. Set out some masks and wigs, plastic fangs, hats, a cape, a tiara, a feather boa—whatever suits your fancy—and let your guests get creative.

Camera.
Don’t forget to recharge your batteries and clear space on your memory card before your Halloween bash. Designate a friend or family member as the party photographer so you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

HAVE FUN.....  you did a BOO-TIFUL JOB! Enjoy!

And for more great, last minute ideas check out Real Simple!

Saturday, October 26, 2013

FLIPPING OUT!

Every Halloween Homemaker needs to have this in their kitchen! Perfect for serving and flipping those creepy crawlie cookies, bat wing pancakes, and your famous eye of newt casserole!

This scary skull-shaped turner slides easily under food.... and adds a fun, spooky touch to your meals.

I just ordered a few.... and I'm thinking they would make a really great present for any Halloweenie, on your gift list.

For purchase information, click here!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

 
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, BEETLEJUICE Part Two! Our favorite trouble-making bio-exorcist may finally be returning to the big screen!

According to news sources, everyone's favorite spooky director, (and the other love of my life...) Tim Burton, and the guy who made Batman cool, (the only Batman I really liked...) Michael Keaton, are  in talks to make the sequel officially happen! (Please don't be kidding about this one!)

It  was earlier last year when the Beetlejuice question was proposed, but our hopes were quickly crushed, when Tim ruled out the possibility of a Part Two. But now, it seems that the project has risen once again, from its development grave!

Beetlejuice made it's debut in 1988.... (I can't believe it!) 25 years ago!

It sure would be great to see the Deetz's and the Maitland's make a return along with that ghost with the most ..... For more on this story, click here!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

AMERICAN HORROR STORY ~ COVEN

I wanted to wait until I got a few episodes under my belt, before I posted my thoughts on the new season of American Horror Story.

Season 1 was fantastic! Love it. Season 2.... not so much. But Season 3.... I'm thinking this may be my favorite one so far.


American Horror Story: Coven tells the secret history of witches and witchcraft in America. Over three hundred years have passed since the turbulent days of Salem and those who managed to escape are now facing extinction. Mysterious attacks have been escalating against their kind and young girls are being sent away to a special school in New Orleans to learn how to protect themselves.

Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) is quite the bad ass witch.

Kathy Bates..... if she doesn't get an award for this, I'll be shocked. She's fantastic as the infamous Madame LaLaurie.

And if you don't know who that is, you may want to read up on some New Orleans history. Marie Delphine LaLaurie, more commonly known as Madame LaLaurie, was a Louisiana-born socialite and serial killer known for her involvement in the torture and murder of slaves.

Angela Bassett is an amazing Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Excellent. She's incredible.


The other characters are also pretty good. The younger cast is interesting, but not one that looks like they came straight from  Gossip _____, The _____ Dairies, or any of those other ______ shows. Come on, you know what I mean....

I think it's well written, sometimes funny, and very entertaining... so far. But let me tell you something about my luck.... If I like it... it's the kiss of death! Either it'll go down hill and get stupid, or get cancelled. (*sigh)

Loved Dexter.... over. Was a fan of Eastwick ..... gone. 666 Park Avenue.... outta here.

I just don't have any luck with tv shows. So I hope I haven't jinxed it. And if you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check out FX tonight.  American Horror Story: Coven airs at 10 P.M.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

WE'VE GONE BATTY

Look at these spooky hanging bats from HGTV! This is project is super easy, and lots of fun for the kiddos! Check it out.....

Hanging Bats

Materials Needed:

  • black craft foam
  • scissors
  • fishing line
  • googly eyes

Trace and Cut Out Bat With Bat Template

Print out the bat template attached above and fold in half, then cut out (Images 1 and 2). Use a pencil to trace the bat shape onto a piece of black craft foam then cut it out (Images 3 and 4).
View: Hanging Bats
 
View: Hanging Bats

View: Hanging Bats

View: Hanging Bats

Hanging Bats
Hanging Bats
Hanging Bats
Hanging Bats

Add Googly Eyes

Attach googly eyes to the bat's head with a dab of craft glue.

Hanging Bats

Punch Hole and Add Fishing Line

Use a hole punch to create a hole at the bottom of the bat's body for hanging (Image 1). Slide 6-12" of fishing line through the hole and knot it (Image 2). Hang your finished bats from low tree limbs or porch overhangs (Image 3).
View: Hanging BatsImage 2
View: Hanging BatsImage 3
Hanging Bats
Hanging Bats
Hanging Bats

Monday, October 21, 2013

RAT MEATLOAF.... IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER

This recipe comes from Renee at Kudos Kitchen By Renee, and I know it's one that Lily Munster would be proud to serve Herman and the whole gang!

Here's the instructions to make this amazing dinner for the family, or to serve for a sit down Halloween dinner, and it comes straight from Renee herself.....

Here's what you'll need to make this giant, meaty mammal that will creep your family and friends out for this Halloween season.

RAT-LOAF MEATLOAF                     
Serves - 8-12    Prep time: 20 minutes       Bake time: 60-90 minutes (depending on the size of your rat)
 
2 - 3 pounds of prepared meatloaf (your favorite recipe), divided in half
1 cup prepared BBQ sauce (your favorite variety)
6-8 slices string cheese
2 cups of French fried onions, divided
1-2 bread sticks from a tube of refrigerator bread sticks, as the tail (bake the rest to serve with the rat)
1 black olive, for the nose
2 whole white jarred onions, for the eyes
2 thin slices of small red potato, for the ears
6 pieces of uncooked spaghetti, for the whiskers


 
-Working on an a sheet of parchment paper , pat out half of the meatloaf mixture to form a tapered oval shape.

-Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the meatloaf, making sure to leave about a 1 1/2 inch border around the entire rat.

-Place the string cheese pieces over the BBQ sauce and top with the French fried onions.

-Working on another piece of parchment paper make another tapered oval shape, similar in size to the first one, with the remainder of the meatloaf mixture.

-Working carefully, lift the foil and flip the meatloaf out onto the top of the guts of the bottom layer of rat.

-Carefully press the two halves of the meatloaf together so he is properly sealed.

-Carefully lift the rat onto an aluminum foil baking sheet that has been fitted with a rack.

-Place 1-2 of the bread sticks coming out from the back end of the rat and work them into place so they look like a tail. Cover the tail with aluminum foil.

-Make two indentations with you knuckle where his eyes will be and then press two whole onions into the indentations.

-Poke the potato ears into place on top of the rats head and add his olive nose to the front of his face.

-Bake the rat loaf in the preheated oven for approximately 60-90 minutes (depending on how big of a rat you've made) until he's cooked through.

-About 45 minutes before your rat is cooked thoroughly, remove the aluminum foil from the tail to allow the bread stick tail to brown. Top the rat with the remaining 1 cup French fried onions and continue to bake until he's completely cooked through.

-Remove him from the oven and add his spaghetti whiskers. *Note - I added the spaghetti whiskers in early just for photography purposes. If you bake them along with the rat, they'll burn.

 -Allow him to sit for about 10-15 minutes (covered loosely with foil) before slicing, serving and grossing out your family and friends!!!
 
 
 Thanks Renee! You've solved my "What am I going to make The Count for dinner tonight?" crisis!
 
For more awesome Halloween (and other great ones) recipes. be sure to log on to her site Kudos KitchenbyRenee.com!
 

Saturday, October 19, 2013

MADE IN THE SHADE

 
There are so many great ideas when it comes to decorating your Halloween home. I for one, look for great ideas for my everyday things around the Manor.... like pillows, chairs, oven mitts..... and how about.... Lamp Shades!?!

I love 'em! You can decorate them in so many ways, and it really changes the whole look of your room. Take this great idea from that crafty Miss Charisa, at Madtown Macs! It's an easy way to dress up your lampshades, and all you have to do is click here, for the step-by-step instructions!


When it comes to decorating your home.... every Halloween Homemaker needs to be up on the latest trends and crafty projects..... Have a great weekend!

Friday, October 18, 2013

FREEBIE FRIDAY!

Happy Friday Halloweenies! And it's another Freebie Friday..... and you're gonna love this!

This kid's party kit from Lia Griffith, is gonna make your little monster's Halloween party so much more spooktacular! Just click on the link provided and follow the instructions.....

Candy wrappers, party banners, invitations, cupcake toppers.... and more! Guaranteed to make your party planning a breeze...... Happy Freebie Friday!

 
For more cool DIY stuff, check out Lia Griffith's Handcraft Your Life website!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

QUICK COSTUME IDEAS

Yes, it's that time again, I get many requests to share my favorite "I-Need-A-Costume-In-A-Hurry" list..... once again, let's go back to the Posts of Halloween Past.....

Ok....we've all been there. We've got a Halloween party to go to, and never gave the costume a second thought. Now, everyone wants to know what your costume is gonna be. Uh-oh.

Believe it or not, with our favorite day of the year still several months away.... recently, I've been getting lots of e-mails about homemade Halloween costumes. It seems that a lot of us out there aren't real fans of the store bought costumes. And not everyone wants to be a sexy maid or devil, am I right? Or maybe you don't have a lot of spare time to sew or craft a Martha Stewart-worthy costume.

Remember when making your own costume was fun? After all...we just want to get a few oohs and aahhs when we walk in to the party.

Ok, so I'm gonna help you out. Here are my "Top 10 To-The-Rescue Costume Ideas":

Hit by Lightning
Just wear jeans and a sweatshirt. Make a with large yellow felt zigzag pinned or sewn to the back, blackened zigzag tears here and there, hair gelled to stand straight up, black burnt marks on cheeks.
Another idea: Be a “Jogger Hit By Lightning” by wearing a sweat suit or running shorts instead of jeans.

Fairy Godfather
You can buy cheap fairy wings and a wand and that’s all! Ok guys, just wear a pair of jeans, a black or white tee shirt and a baseball cap. Put on the wings and carry a cigar, and put your magic wand in your back pocket! I have to admit, The Count has used this costume a few times, and it was a hit!

Bag of Trash
This is one of the "fastest" costumes you can make in no time...and be out the door to the party. Make two leg holes is a large sized trash bag. Then step into the bag, then add balls of crumpled newspaper to hold a round shape. Make two armholes in each side and secure around the neck.

Tourist
Just dig in the closet for a few things. A Hawaiian shirt or other loud clothes, camera, hat with pins all over it, maps sticking out of pockets, sunglasses. Easy. Good as a couples costume, too.

Titanic Survivor or Passenger
Pin plastic seaweed and fake aquarium plants to your clothes and wear long strands in your hair. Shred the arms and pockets of an old shirt, overlay with a shredded vest and wear over tattered trousers or a long skirt with a torn hem. Wet look fabric is a bonus. Make a long necklace or belt from a thick length of hemp rope; unravel the rope ends for best effect, and attach a toy sailboat. Hot glue polished pennies or fake gold coins (bags of gold chocolate coins are great) in strategic places. A fake fish or two sticking out of a pocket completes the ensemble.
To be a Titanic Passenger: Wear the costume described above, but add ghost or skeleton face makeup.

Miss. America
Finally! A use for those brides maids dresses! Use a old bridesmaid or formal dress, add a pair of gloves, a tiara, some over sized jewelry, and heels. For the banner, use a piece of wide ribbon, and write "Miss. America" in glitter with glue.

A Spy
For this quick Halloween costume, wear a trench coat, dark glasses and a hat pulled down over your eyes. Carry a small camera and pretend to take pictures surreptitiously. How fun and you’ll get lots of great party pictures!

The Birds
This one you might need to be a bit crafty....but not too much. Just go to your favorite thrift store, get a jacket and skirt. Then head over to the craft store and buy a few black birds. Attach the birds to the outfit with hot glue and a glue gun (or sew them on for added strength) Put on some torn nylons and a pair of pumps. Add a bird to your hair with some bobby pins and put some fake blood on your cheek, your knee and splash some on your suit! If you add a blond wig.....you could be Melanie from “The Birds”!

Pizza Delivery Driver
Wear a matching color hat and tee shirt and carry a pizza box. So easy, it’s not even funny..... If you have time, make a pizza logo out of felt for your hat and shirt, and attach with fabric glue.

Butcher
All you need for this is a few props you probably have around the house. Wear a white tee shirt and jeans, get a white apron, and splash some red paint on the apron. Carry a meat cleaver (be sure to tape off the blade with gray duct tape.... to be safe) and maybe a string of sausages around your neck. (But don’t be out too late, you might start to get smelly!)

Now that you can breathe a sigh of relief, make yourself a cup of tea and relax... we got this covered!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

LIGHT THE WAY

 
As many of you Halloweenies are aware, I love to save glass jars for projects. And here is another one of those projects....

If you're looking for a festive way to light up the walk way to your front door, I think these lighted luminaries would be perfect! With just some ModPodge, artificial (or fresh leaves that aren't too brittle) leaves, glass jars and votive candles, you make these yourself, quite easily.

First, figure out how many jars you'll need on each side of the path or walk way. Then, make sure the jars are clean (with the labels removed) and dry. Then using the ModPodge, follow the label instructions to apply the leaves, to the outside of the jar. Let dry according to the instructions.

Once the luminaries have dried completely, add the votive candles, and place on each side of the walk way.

Be sure not to leave them unattended, and keep out of reach of the little monsters!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

HAVE AN OLD FASHONED PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY!


I think one of the things that I've always loved so much about the Halloween season was that special time of year.... falling leaves, cooler weather and the Harvest Festivals! Growing up in the hills of central Pennsylvania, we really had the best Fall seasons... ever! (And trust me, there's nothing better than the smell of burning leaves and warm cider)

Every year we'd have a big hayride and go pick out pumpkins, then go back home and have a good old fashioned Pumpkin Carving Party!

It sure sounds like a good way to celebrate the Halloween season, and also a great alternative to the traditional Halloween party. Here's a few tips to help you have the best Pumpkin Carving Party ever!

Pumpkins! Have a supply on hand for your guests, or plan to head out to the local pumpkin patch to get 'em. And if you've got little ones who may not be ready to do any carving, be sure to get some mini pumpkins and lots of craft paint! Have a special designated area for little ones who will want to paint their pumpkins.

Decorations~ Think Harvest time. Hay bales, leaves and corn stalks. Cover tables with brown craft paper (for tables that you'll be using for eating, carving and painting) and throw up a few white (or orange) twinkle lights and I think you'll love the festive mood!

Menu~ Grill hot dogs, make deviled eggs, cheese fondue dip, and don't forget the staples of any Harvest festival.... apples and pumpkins! Apple cider, apple crumbcake, pumpkin cupcakes even carmel apples! And a guarenteed party favorite... be sure to roast some pumpkin seeds!

Now that I've given you the ideas, don't forget to send out party invitations. And if you log on to Familycrafts.com you can print them off yourself.

Happy Party Planning!

Monday, October 14, 2013

CANDY CAKE

Has this ever happened to you????? You found a cool project, but you're not sure how to do it. What do you do? You call on the Queen, that's what you do....

A fellow Halloweenie found this cool picture on Pinterest, but no instructions on how to make it. So she wanted to know how I would do it, if I wanted to make this Candy Cake. Well, here's what I'd do....

I'd start off with a vanilla or chocolate cake (make it yourself or store bought would work too) and start unwrapping a bunch of KitKat candy bars! Be sure you have enough candy bars to go the whole way around the cake. Also, make sure they reach all the way to the top of the cake. (Even a little taller, would be best) Carefully, break off each piece of the candy bar, and press lightly into the icing, to help them stay secure.

Then take some wide satin ribbon (the brown looks nice, but I think I'd use black and orange... of course!) and wrap around the cake, with about a 1/4 of an inch longer, to secure the ends with a dab of hot glue. Then attach the bow in the front with another dab of hot glue.

Now, for the top, get a few bags of Reese's Pieces and pour over the top. Spread out evenly.

Stand back and look how pretty...... But that's just how I would do it..... Pretty good, right?

Saturday, October 12, 2013

MAKE A ZOMBIE SCARECROW!

Yes, you too can make this little zombie cutie to add that something special, to your Halloween yard decorations!

All you need, is one of those cheapie scarecrows that you can find at your favorite craft store, 2 bamboo skewers, an exacto knife, and some red and black acrylic paint.

First, take the bamboo skewers, (with the pointed end going into the body) and slide one in each arm of the scarecrow, and push the pointed end into the body of the scarecrow, to make the arms stretch out, like a zombie pose. Then break off the end of the skewer, so it's the same length as the scarecrows straw hands. (Save the broken pieces, if you want to make a scary scarecrow)

Next, take the scarecrow and cut a few slices in the face and body, with an exacto knife. Then in the slices, dab with the red acrylic paint, making some smears and splatter. Be sure to add some splatter to the clothes and straw hands as well, to add to the effect.

Then, using the black acrylic paint, make scars and smears on the face of the scarecrow, and some splatter on the clothes, as well.

You can make him as gory or as cute as you want. I of course.... went for the creepy factor, and added the ends from the broken bamboo skewers, in the heart and the head..... just for effect!

How cute is this guy?

Friday, October 11, 2013

DINNER IS SERVED

So I've been looking for some new dinnerware for the Annual All Hollows Eve Dinner at The Manor, and as I was flying around the www, I came across this little gem....

Rialto Dinnerware

 
Solid white dinnerware is no longer the top choice of those who treat entertaining as a second job. This season, black and white dinnerware the way to go. The contrast is more dramatic than solid white and designers have taken advantage of this by using less traditional patterns. The Rialto Dinnerware collection is black and white Limoges porcelain with elegant, geometric patterns that are similar to those mosaic tiles found in Spain. Each piece of the set, including the cup/saucer pair, is sold in sets of four with the exception of the chargers, which are sold individually. All are available at Neiman Marcus.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

PRETTY CRAFTY PUMPKINS

You know when my little monsters were tiny monsters, we used to do all kinds of crazy things with pumpkins.... we've painted them, covered them in construction paper, plastic spiders and mice, glitter..... and even macaroni! But let me tell you.... you can't get any easier than this!

If you're looking for a pumpkin project to do with the kids, but you're not real crazy about using a knife to cut out and carve them, this is the project for you!

All you do is take your clean pumpkin, cut up pieces of masking tape, stick them on your pumpkin. Then spray paint (I think GLOSS would look best for this project) the pumpkin black. Let dry according to the label instructions, then peel off the masking tape.

Not only could you do a cool mosaic pattern, but you could make a funny Jack O' Lantern face, or a cut out letters to say BOO or TRICK OR TREAT!.... and the best part.....

Everyone will Ohhhhh and Aaaaahhhhh at your amazing craftiness!