Grim Grinning Ghosts

Ok, so Christmas is everyone's favorite holiday but I have to say Halloween is right up there for me.  I love, love, love it.  The costumes, candy, chilled nights, that little bit of fear going out trick or treating on your own for the firs time...there's nothing like it!  I still get excited every year.  

I had plans this year to dress up with my darling friend Blake and hit the town but sadly, I got sick yesterday.  I'm so sad that I don't get to go out there and enjoy one of my favorite holidays but I think Mac may come over tonight and watch scary movies with me so at least it still feels spooky!

Have a great Hallowe'en and remember, the Great Pumpkin is watching. 

Two Years With Mac

Well, Mac and I met two years ago today.  We celebrate the day that we met not the "first date" because that's kind of a hard thing for us to determine.  The night we met was a type of blind date set up by my friend Abbey and since then Mac and I haven't stopped seeing each other, so we count that night as our first date.  

The 2009 picture above is from that first night and the 2010 is from our first anniversary dinner.  We've had a lot come our way since that first night, a lot of changes...but I'm glad we're both still here two years later.  I know two years really isn't that long as far as relationships go but I'm glad he hasn't ditched me yet ;)

October Weekends-Oktoberfest

The chicken dance!

Has anyone ever been to an Oktoberfest?  This year was my first and it was quite an experience.  We got there early...then drove back to Huntington Beach because I forgot the tickets,thank you Mac for not murdering me, then arrived back in Torrance right on time.  

The music was amazing, the beer lines weren't too long and it wasn't too crowded...yet.  About an hour later the place was packed and having snagged a big table early our group made a lot of new friends. I have to say though the crowd made the experience, everyone singing and doing the chicken dance.  It was so much fun!  

Downside, opening a port-o-potty full of vomit.  Didn't need that.  But now I know, if ya gotta go...hold it, lesson learned. 

This is what happens when Mac sticks a pretzel in my face and probably why I can't stop craving them now. 

Mac and I acting like dorks and my cousin and his beautiful girl.

October Weekends-Scottish Games

Wow, I just realized what a slacker I've been about posting our wonderful weekend photos.  So here are a few from the Scottish Games, Oktoberfest to follow.  

I don't know if I've mentioned it but my mom is Scottish (born near Glasgow) so every year we go to the Scottish games in Ventura.  It is such a fun day out.  We meet for breakfast in the morning, walk down to the grounds to see the games, listen to bag pipes, and of course I never turn down event that involves beer and fresh chips.  

The caber toss, say what you will about men in skirts but there is nothing girlie about this. 

My brothers and I.  True 75 degrees and palm trees isn't too authentic but I know some of my family in Scotland can't wait to come out and visit.

Apple Pie With White Cheddar Crust

Well, this weekend I finally took the time to make my apple pie...and it was so happy tasting!  I decided to spice it up a little bit by making a white cheddar crust similar to this recipe and it was divine.  At first as the crust was browning you could smell the cheesy buttery goodness then the cinnamon apple smell came in, let me tell you there was a happy little parting going on in that oven.  

I soaked my apples in cinnamon and whiskey over night, which tasted great but made them a little softer then I wanted.  All in all, despite the mess I made making it, it was time well spent. Sorry there aren't any "during" pictures but my hands were way to floury to be near the camera.  

 Love the darker flecks that the cheese gave it.

Get Happy!

Just a little pick me up to boost your day.  This photo just makes me smile.  If I had the wall space this would be hanging in my living room right now.  Have a great day and have fun!

Mac and Shadow Cat

I don't think I've told you about Mac's cat Shadow yet, but as you can see there is a close bond.  These are the pictures I received this evening at work with the caption "We keep it classy around here, even on casual Fridays..."  One of the perks of working at home I guess. 


And this is what I came home to about a month ago when I told Mac we were holding interviews at work.  

 

Dinner

In case you were wondering what I want for dinner tonite, because I know you all were, I am craving homemade soft pretzels and beer.  Doesn't that sound wonderful?  A nice fire going, pretzels fresh out of the oven and pumpkin beer.  Might just have to do this tonite depending on how much traffic I face getting to Mac's.  I blame it all on Oktoberfest last weekend, I can't get this idea out of my head!

Dream Halloween Costumes

I am lusting after these costumes, beautiful, sexy, spooky, and elegant...craving these!  One of my ideas this year was to do a kind of dark ballerina with a long tulle skirt and a corset that my friend Blake gave me.  Then I found these, and now I will not be satisfied.  

They remind me a bit of the witch pin-ups from yesterday which is the look I was originally searching for. Now if someone could just throw a masked Halloween ball I might be justified in buying one of these.   

witch costume, feather corset, broom

Vintage Halloween Inspiration

As some of you know I have a love for vintage pin-ups and looking for this print I came across some really fun pin-ups at The Selvedge Yard.  How cute are some of these?  Getting some great costume and party ideas! 

I'd love to expand on this for a "photo booth" at a Halloween party. 

Mac And Pumpkins

 

I have a question, is it ever too early for pumpkins?  I have been dying to go get a pumpkin, carve it up, and watch it go.  However, some people out there are saying it's too soon and the pumpkin is just going to rot.  To which I say, that's when you get more pumpkins!  

I took these pictures last year of Mac at what Orange County calls a pumpkin patch and they make me smile.  Two things I love, Mac and autumn together.  We're planning a trip to Cambria at the end of the month to visit my family and go to a real pumpkin patch, but I don't know if I can wait...I may have to get one this weekend.  Thank God I found a man who will put up with all my pumpkin craziness!

 This is why I love him.

Mac just wanted to be friends...the llama did not. 

Fall In Love

This print makes my heart smile!  

Anyone have fun plans for the weekend?  Mac and I are going to Memphis for dinner tonight, Oktoberfest tomorrow, and hopefully I'll have time to make my apple pie somewhere in between.  Have a wonderful autumn weekend filled with love and crunchy leaves. 


Here's where I found the print.

Peacock Costume

I got an email yesterday from my fabulous friend Marla asking about a peacock costume, kinda vintage Vegas show girl style, I had made a few years ago and worn to West Hollywood with Blake.  She was wondering how I made it and what she could do to create her own.  These were some notes I put together for her.  Hope it gives ya some inspiration!  

 One of my favorite pictures ever.

 

I've decided to just mail the costume to Marla in NY and have her send it back after Halloween.  All she has to do is try to make the feather fan.  

A few costume tips:

1. Careful with the feather fan, super easy to run into everyone.  

2. Spirit gum is key for gluing the jewels, they were a big hit.  You can get this at most costume stores, maybe even CVS/Rite Aid this time of year. Apply the spirit gum to your skin where you want the jewel to stick and also to the back of the jewel, wait a few seconds until both are tacky to the touch then stick it on ya.  Applying it to both skin and jewel and letting it get tacky first will make it stay on soooooo much longer.  

My Oh My...Apple Pie

Guess what I've been craving and am dying to make this season?  I feel like I always overbook my weekend but I'm going to try to dedicate at least a few hours to making an apple pie.  I always end up making some kind of apple treat every autumn.  It's almost half way through October and I haven't made a pie in over a year...I need to get this together.  I have the feeling Mac wont mind having the end result around, or helping me enjoy the whiskey that doesn't make it into the pie.  

apple peeler, fall tea towel, oak spoon, emile henry pie dish-coveting this dish

Happy Wednesday!

Doesn't this look like mid century/autumn happiness.  I just want to curl up with a book, a cup of black coffee and not move for hours.  I'm loving the old brick with the little bits of color form the furniture.  Perfect cozy spot. 

DIY Chalkboard

When it came to decorating my kitchen I knew exactly what I wanted.  I wanted to keep with the black and white color scheme and add pops of my favorite blue.  I decided I wanted a big chalkboard above the stove to display my favorite recipes, take up space, and add the hint of the blue.  

Let me tell you slate chalkboards are not cheap.  So I went for the alternative, a can of chalkboard paint and an evening in the garage.  I have to say I'm so happy with the way it turned out. 

I found this frame at a thrift store.  After taking out the glass you should be able to paint the chalkboard paint on the backing.  Unfortunatly, the backing on ours was cardboard, but we did come across a peice of press board Mac's neighbors were getting rid of that worked perfectly.  

 

 

 Roll on two coats of chalkboard paint, found it at Home Depot.

I painted the frame the same color as Mac's kitchen, my favorite!

I had to trim the board down.  First Lesson, buy a frame with a real back.  Second lesson, the saw is way to awkward/heavy for me without a real work bench ... enter boyfriend. 

Rub the entire board with chalk then wipe it off with a cloth.  This keeps it from getting those ghost marks when you write.  And wiping with a paper towel will leave little white flakes everywhere, be warned. 

 All put together.

Hanging happily in my kitchen!

Wise Words From Edith Head

 
"Your dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman, but loose enough to show you're a lady."
-Edith Head

This is becoming one of my favorite quotes.  Amen Ms. Head!

Might be a good idea to have this quote in most dressing rooms.

Breakfast Of Champions

Getting ready this morning distracted by phone calls and emails I paused and thought, wait I need to eat breakfast.  I plugged in the toaster (only have one outlet in the kitchen), grabbed my wheat bread and as I was reaching for the cream cheese, thought "hell no, I know something else in my fridge with the same ingredients."  I put the bread back, unplugged the toaster, and got out my left over birthday cake, pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting.  Eggs, flour, milk, cream cheese totally the same...just slightly more calories.  I'll tell ya though, so much happier now than having my toast for breakfast.  Strong coffee and pumpkin cake, perfection!

P.S. my breakfast didn't look quite this glamorous, the frosting had stuck to the container and I had to scoop it out and schemer it across the slice, the layers did look pretty though.  

Old Rip Van Winkle Spirits Distillery aka Great Whiskey

Hold on to your boots and get ready for some smooth drinking.  A few weeks ago, out celebrating, my friends Mike introduced me to Van Winkle's 12 year aged bourbon whiskey … sweet lord that is some great sipping whiskey!  It’s been made in Kentucky the same way for four generations.  Give it a try next time you’re out, perfect to warm ya up cool autumn nights.  

October Modern Living Room

I'm not sure if I could live with walls this dark all the time, but I absolutely love the look of this room.  I've been searching for a sofa the last month or so and came across this last week.  If I could switch out color schemes by season/month this would be my October living room. 

Birthday Picnic Photos

 

(new birthday dress Mac got me)

The adventure Mac and I had planned on my birthday got postponed for a bit, but what we did instead was just as good.  For so long I’d been wanting to have a picnic in downtown Orange and it turned out to be the most relaxing birthday.  

We went to Bruxie and sat in the middle of the Orange circle drinking champagne and eating waffle sandwiches, with French macarons for dessert of course.  Then that evening we went to Steamers Jazz Club with some friends, it was absolutely perfect.   I guess sometimes things work out for the best when they don’t go according to plan.

P.S. We had a little gathering the evening before but were having so much fun we forgot to take pictures, haha.