phew!

Halloween is OVER!! I made two of the three costumes this year.
The inspiration for the owl came from alphamom.
The inspiration for the flamingo came from a friend.

Regular posting will resume tomorrow, along with some great giveaways!

I've been busy...

Making this Halloween costume for one little lady and a hot pink flamingo for the other (pictures to come).

I bookmarked the owl last year and shockingly I remembered it this year. I just finished it tonight and can't wait to try it on her in the morning!

Training for this race, which is officially upon us and I am SO not ready. What was I thinking?

Wish me luck.

And finally our first of what I am sure will be many attempts at the family picture for our Christmas card.

Wouldn't it be nice if my little lady was smiling and the husband left his gray sweater on? I think so too.

On another note, I've got some great giveaways lined up for the next few weeks!

caramel apples.

image

I've always wanted to attempt the loaded caramel apple, but it scares me. Have you done it? Tips? These instructions make it seem do-able. Maybe this will be the year I actually take the plunge and make some.

tablecloth.

I know this isn't very "fall-ish" but I've had my eye on it since my friend Natalie posted a picture of it on her table this summer. I love the rainbow colors and think it would be so fun for all those rainbow parties that are floating around… and it's on sale $29.95. but hurry, only limited quantities available.

sandwiches.

I think these sandwiches are brilliant! So cute for a party, or just to spice up lunch a bit. I can't imagine a kid wouldn't eat these.

*complete tutorial

via hip hip hooray

Halloween Town.

I am loving this simple Halloween town. The best thing about it, it's easy to make. Tutorial here.

owl cookies.

No school for us tomorrow and I know what we'll be doing. Trying out these awesome owl cookies. How cute are they? Perfect for fall entertaining/fun.

Rosanna's Owl Cookies

Ingredients:

This dough is enough to make a large batch of cookies for Halloween school parties or Halloween home parties.

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 tsp. Baking powder

1/2 tsp. Ground sea salt

1 1/2 sticks organic butter

1 1/3 cup white sugar

2 large eggs

4 tsp. vanilla

1/2 package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix the dry ingredients well in bowl. Cream the butter and add sugar to dry ingredients. Beat eggs and vanilla separately then add slowly to mixture. Blend well.

Separate the dough. Take approximately 1/3 of the dough and mix in half a package of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips. The dough will become chocolate dough and form a log. Roll the dough very quickly before the chocolate solidifies. Make sure it is a solid roll. Cover with wax paper and put in the refrigerator.

With the remaining vanilla dough (white) roll it out in a long rectangular shape, this dough will be the outer later that will encase the chocolate log. It should resemble a bulls-eye, an outer vanilla layer, with the inner chocolate roll. Wrap the log in wax paper and refrigerate until firm. Wait at least 2 hours or you can freeze the dough a head of time for up to one month.

When ready to assemble the owls place the semi-sweet chocolate chip in a small bowl for easy access. Place the cashews in another small bowl.

(If there are nut allergies you can substitute with candy corn for the nose)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease the cookie sheets with butter. Cut the logs into 1/8-slices. On the cookie sheet join the two slices together, by pinching them. Slightly pinch the two opposite sides of the rounds into pointy ear shapes. Place a chocolate chip upside down in the center of each chocolate eye. Then place the cashew embedded into the center of the two joined circles. It is now complete.

Continue the same process. Place the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees, for about 10 minutes. Watch closely until lightly browned. Remove and cool on a cookie rack.

Have a nice large tin to pack away between layers or waxed paper. Keep the tin in a cool place until Halloween or freeze the cookies a head of time. Be careful not to fill the containers too full, to avoid breaking the two halves. Serve on a shiny Black cake pedestal for a very spooky effect.

If you haven't checked out Rosanna's entire chic table top line, I would highly recommend it! I'll let you know how the recipe goes.

inspired.

Just thinking how fun it would be to plan a table scape around these place cards.

fill a tote.

Black Eiffel has been a long standing regular in my reader. Always full of inspiration and ideas, this is at the top of my list. I think it is pure genius. Wouldn't you have loved to attend this party?

no carve pumpkins.

I'm loving the no carve pumpkin ideas over at amy atlas' sweet designs blog. Check them out here.

how to fold a fitted sheet: tutorial.

Leave it to Martha Stewart to have the perfect tutorial for changing a fitted sheet. I used to crumple mine up in a ball and throw them in the linen closet so frustrated that no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get it to lay nice. Then I happened upon this tutorial and it has changed laundry day forever. I hope it works wonders for you as well.