Light the Path

Need I say more? Give trick-or-treaters a festive path to follow up to your front door. Besides, a flashlight doesn't go too well with most costumes...don't want to cramp their style.

Here is a close-up:




The tutorial can be found here.


(Images from MarthaStewart.com)

Fancy Carving

If you haven't caught on already, I'm posting all things "pumpkin carving" this week. There are just so many good ideas out there, I just couldn't leave any of them out! Follow the links in each of the headers to find all the instructions.

Celestial Pumpkins

Spider Squash


Lace-Patterned Pumpkins













Filigree Pumpkins













I hope these inspire a work of art for your front porch!

(All images from MarthaStewart.com)

Monogram your Pumpkin

I love anything monogram, and pumpkins are no exception. Find your favorite type, blow it up, print it out, and use as a stencil to carve your pumpkin. To achieve the translucent look, use a linoleum cutter (yes, just like the one found in high school art class). You can find the instructions from none other than Martha, here.

For those of you with Fall weddings, it'd be really sweet to have monogrammed pumpkins as either table decor, lining the aisle, or greeting guests at the guestbook table or entrance. You can work with your designer to bring in elements (or monograms) from your invites onto the pumpkins.

Happy Carving!

(Image from MarthaStewart.com)

What the Bedazzle are you doing to my Pumpkin?

Martha unveiled the brilliant idea of glittering pumpkins last Fall. There are many reasons why I love this idea so much! First of all, they're so pretty, they don't have to be condemmed to the front portch (actually might even play a starring role on your tabletop). Second, you don't have to carve them (but I will warn you, the glitter does tend to get messy). And last, they'll likely last you through Thanksgiving...who said your pumpkins are only for Halloween? Some aesthetic considerations to help your glittery pumpkins turn out the best: 1) use a glitter that isn't clear (Martha's crew uses glitter from Art Glitter ), 2) find pumpkins or other gourds that have good shape and character, and 3) use a variety of glitter colors. I know Martha glitters the stem, but I personally like the contrast of the glittered pumpkin with the un-glittered stem. But, thats just me. You can watch the tutorial, here.

Dress up your Cupcake

Fall gets me in the mood to bake! I literally woke up this morning thinking of different ways to decorate a pumpkin shaped sugar cookies. What can I say, I love that kind of stuff! Speaking of, aren't these cute cupcake wrappers? The invention of such a thing is entirely new to me, but what a fun way to fancy up your Halloween treats! You can find them here from Fancy Flours.

Log Bowls

These Log Bowls are like nothing I have ever seen before! The temptation would be to put something in them (actually nuts would be a bit hilarious…I’d feel like a squirrel), because, well, they’re bowls! But they are so precious just the way they are with that high-gloss finish, that I wouldn’t dare! I just love that colorful, glossy contrast against the bark. I discovered them on Design Mom’s blog when she did a post about another post she did on Cookie Magazine’s Nesting Blog, here. They are handmade by Loyal Loot Collective and local crafters, and are created out of reclaimed trees. How special is that!

Bridezilla

I thought this was a wedding great theme for a Halloween party! Well, a slightly cryptic wedding, but can’t you just imagine serving up candy insects on your fine china, or "posion" in your crystal? No? Maybe it’s just me… Well I thoroughly enjoyed the post about it at HWTM (she has more pictures there also). You can find even more details and Halloween party ideas here at BHG.

Pushing Daisies

Oh, I love this show! I mostly love the way it looks. Yes, I am one of those people who can love a bad movie only because it may have pretty costumes and imagery. Alright, so I've already gone off track! Not only is Pushing Daisies a pretty show, but the plots are whimsical, and each episode seems like a mini-movie with it's own theme, plot, and conclusion. Of course you have the common threads running through each episode...Chuck and the Pie Maker's love affair in which they can never touch. With the help of a trusty DVR, I never miss an episode (Wednesdays at 8/7 central, on ABC)! ABC has also been generous enough to post past episodes online (even Season 1), so if you want to catch up, here is your chance! By the way, I'm not sure if anyone else noticed, but I loved the mugs they used at the Pie Hole. They're white with sweet little green stripes. I'll let you know if I ever find out where to get them!

At the stroke of twelve...

When I stumbled upon this post at How About Orange, I just knew I had to share it with you! There is just something so precious and perfect about making Cinderella's carriage out of pumpkins! The original tutorial can be found at Hallmark Magazine. Just be sure you make it home by midnight!

Spun Sugar Caramel Apples

Leave it to Martha and her crew to come up with these gorgeous Spun Sugar Caramel Apples. The web-effect is so creative in all of it's "spooky elegance," but I think sans the spiders, this could be a fancy treat served even post-Fall. To be honest, I have never attempted this sweet treat because it does require sacrificing a whisk to wire-cutters, but I think it will be worth it once I get the guts to try (but will be sure to include a warning with this post if it just turns into a sticky mess). Let me know if you have any luck!

Chocolate Raspberry Martini

I'm not a huge drinker, but when something spirited can double as dessert, I'm totally game! Leave it to HWTM to hook up something sweet in her Drink of the Week, a Chocolate Raspberry Martini. Bottoms up!

(recipe from HWTM)

Chocolate Raspberry Martini
{Makes 4 to 6 dessert drinks}

Ingredients:
12 Fresh raspberries
2 ounces Chambord
4 Tablespoons Semi-Sweet Cocoa powder
8 ounces of Merlot or Cabernet

Method:
In a bowl add raspberries and ½ ounce of the Chambord. Muddle these together to ensure the two are well incorporated. Add the cocoa powder and 4 ounces of the red wine. Mix well and then strain into a small pitcher to remove the raspberry seeds. Add the additional Chambord and red wine. Pour into a mixing glass or shaker with ice and vigourously shake. Strain into martini glasses and enjoy!

As an option, rim your martini glasses with chocolate and crushed nuts. You can also dust with a little cocoa powder or add a shaving of chocolate.