Snapshots of Halloween // 2013

Hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween!

I had a fun day at preschool as a black cat. The kids liked it, and it was considerably more comfortable (and less effort!) than my evening costume! (also apparently this costume made me feel the need to take a gazillion selfies... strange, but fun when you have whiskers!) 

Jess and I are absolutely related... because she had the same idea for work! :) She's so cute!

I changed into my evening costume; Cruella DeVille! (been wanting to this costume for several years!) So proud of my DIY skills on this one you guys! Check out my tutorial here!

Kyle finished assembling his Headless Horseman costume... :) Turned out really cool huh?!

We certainly had a spook filled evening with my family, which was just right!

My sisters are so adorable and so much fun! I LOVE these girls :) Oh, and Griz got plenty of love on 'his holiday'! 

'Supermodel Documentary Hour!' (go watch Superstar if you haven't seen it, MKG for life!)

Everyone was getting a kick out of my wig... ;)

We got to spend some time with my Grandma, Sharon before she 'flew' south for the winter as well! We have so many laughs together! 

We purchased this cute little chocolatey haunted house kit from Target and had a blast decorating it! I liked having another activity to add to Halloween! Turned out pretty cute, huh? $9 well spent!

As usual, we had lots of family over, had mom's fantastic chili and chili dogs for dinner and took Olivia trick or treating. We didn't have time to carve pumpkins, make popcorn balls or caramel apples this year... but that's ok. :) Some years you just have less time! We did do a festive new dessert though! Both Olivia and Kalor (Jess's BF) LOVE brownies, so when I saw this spider brownie recipe I knew we had to make them! They turned out really cute and the brownies were SO yummy! Boxed Ghirardelli anyone?

What were you up to this Halloween? 

Any fun new or old traditions that you'd like to share?

Did you pull off a DIY costume too?

Thanks for Reading!

Alexandra 

Falling for Fall

You might remember me saying that fall is not my favorite season... but I have to admit, this year I'm falling for fall. :)

Life Starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. -F. Scott Fitzgerald

This is in our neighborhood.. we are so lucky to have such gorgeous trees!

Maybe it's the trees, maybe it's the intention of the bucket list, maybe it's Halloween, or that it's Kyle's favorite season... whatever it is, I'm having such a great season this year.

I'm hoping that this will carry over into all of my upcoming seasons. 

How is your fall going?

All for now,

Alexandra

Pre-Halloween Festivities // 2013

Here is a peek at our pre-Halloween happenings!

Kyle's annual 'How Tall This Fall?'

My pumpkin.

Our pumpkin family and someone's tail...

Duchess and her pumpkin!

Getting into the Halloween spirit! :)
My spooky clementine treats for school!

I hope that you are all having a wonderful Halloween!

More pictures coming tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!

Alexandra 

Woodland Fall Tablescape

In our old apartment there really wasn't enough room to move around let alone space to decorate. We made a small Christmas tree work but any other seasonal or holiday decor was impossible. In our new place we finally have room to decorate!

Here is our fall table.

How cute are these little critters?!?!

Fox and Squirrel figurines- Kohl's ~$20 before discount

Pumpkin - Hobby Lobby ~$15 before coupon

Table Runner- Wedding Gift, Handmade & Reversible

Napkin Rings- World Market $2.48 per pair (discontinued)

Cloth Napkins- Target, from registry. Similar here, $8.99 for 4.

It's not much, but it's festive and easy, and so far our cat hasn't tried to destroy it!

We might end up adding to the decor for November and Thanksgiving.

On another note: How awesome are these huge windows?!?

What is your favorite way to decorate for fall? 

Thank You for Reading!

Alexandra

Other Fall Posts:

My Favorite Fall Mani

Black Cat, My First Fashion Post!

Halloween Movie Night Picks, Unconventional and Conventional Choices

8 Fall Recipes I Can't Wait to Try!

8 Favorite Fall Recipes

My Favorite Fall Mani

When it comes to nails, three factors typically make up my perfect mani combination:

short nails + dark polish + glitter accent

My current favorite fall mani is no exception.

Base coat: chocolate brown (Old) (similar from Essie, here)

Glitter coat: Warm and Fozzie by OPI (old, but can still buy here!)

I know brown isn't a favorite color for most.. but it's a great alternative to black when you can find it! I really love it and it goes great with the coloring of my hair. Don't be afraid of brown my friends, it can be a fantastic neutral! :)

Buying brown clothing is a whole different story... not easily done! :( Tips for finding it in the stores very very welcome!!

Looking for some fall nail color recommendations? Check out my friend Amanda's post here! :)

What is your favorite nail color for fall?

Thank you for reading!

Alexandra

Movies for an Unconventional Halloween Movie Night!

Hi there! Halloween sure is getting close!

I often like to watch movies with my sisters or my hubby around Halloween time, but sometimes it can be difficult to find a good "Halloween" movie that we can all enjoy... So this year I've come up with a list of very fun, very costume-y movies that will make your Halloween movie night unexpected, fun and scaredy cat friendly! I'm also throwing in three Halloween favorites, because I couldn't resist.

Movies for the Unconventional Halloween Movie Night!



Starting top left, left to right. 

1) Clue the Movie (1985, PG-13) - Based on the beloved board game (my favorite!) this funny and mysterious film will have you laughing and guessing who dunnit. There are alternate endings as well, so it could be different each time you watch it!

2) Edward Scissorhands (1990, PG-13) - A cult classic. I loved this movie in high school. Johnny Depp plays Edward, a boy with scissors for hands who is misunderstood when he begins life in suburbia. This movie is funny, sweet and a little sad. It's a fun unconventional choice for Halloween.

3) The Phantom of the Opera (2004, PG-13)- A musical and romantic favorite of many. This movie is a bit suspenseful and dark but not scary. It's worth watching if just for the costumes, sets and fantastic music!

4) Enchanted (2008, PG)- A Disney musical that is part cartoon, part live action. It's about a princess who falls through a magic well into the real world. She meets a man (Patrick Dempsey) and hilarity ensues as she tries to adjust to the human world. I thought this movie was pretty funny and creative. Definitely a favorite in our family of girls!

5) The Princess Bride (1987, PG)-The classic tale of lost love with many quirky characters and adventures along the way. This is a favorite even with my six-year-old sister. This one would be great for the whole family.

6) The Wizard of Oz (1939, PG) - Everyone knows the story, and no I'm not choosing this because I live in Kansas. To be honest, I don't have the attachment to this movie that so many do. But maybe it's just because every time we travel and mention we are from Kansas, people say "Oh! You're not in Kansas anymore!" It gets a little old. But all the same this movie is a classic and very costume-y. It's got fun, music, and just the right amount of fright.

7) Return to Oz (1985, PG)- A "Sequel" to the original in which Dorothy goes back to Oz. This movie is crazy. As a kid I LOVED it. It's got the craziest characters in it... which makes the adventure all the more fun. I think I am more attached to this movie from my childhood than the original!

8) Oz the Great and Powerful (2013, PG)- A prequel to the original movie. I had not seen this until just last week when we decided we might as well watch it eventually. I had a bad feeling that it was going to be a lot like the live action version of Alice in Wonderland (which I really didn't like) but it actually ended up being great! I LOVED the costumes and sets, and it was fun to get some "history" on the characters from the original. I really really want Evanora's outfits.. anyone else?? I even did a manicure inspired by her costume. Check it out! You just might like it.

+

3 Conventional Halloween Choices (because I can't help myself!)

1) Hocus Pocus (1993, PG) - DUH! If you haven't seen it you MUST!

2) Young Frankenstein (1974, PG)- A KC favorite. A comedic parody of the Classic Frankenstein story full of jokes and one-liners. 

3) Hotel Transylvania (2012, PG)- (I haven't seen this yet! But I can't wait!) About Dracula who runs a resort for monsters away from human land. When a human boy discovers the resort and falls for Dracula's daughter things get funny. (or so I'm told).

What are your favorite Unconventional and Conventional Halloween movie picks?

Thanks for Reading!

Alexandra

8 Fall Recipes I Can't Wait to Try!

I recently posted about my 8 favorite fall recipes... but I'm always searching for more! Here are 8 fall recipes from Pinterest that I can't wait to try!

All titles link to the original recipe or pin page if the link was broken. All images are from the original recipes.

1. Pumpkin French Toast 

2. Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins

3. Shepherd's Pie

4. Turkey Panini with Blue Cheese and Cranberry Apricot Chutney

5. Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

6. Fall Champagne Sangria

7. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

8. Mushroom Pasta Sauce

What are your favorite fall recipes and foods?

Thanks for reading!

Alexandra

8 Favorite Fall Recipes!

Happy Fall everyone!

The weather is starting to cool down which always makes me want to stay home, cozy up and bake!

In 2012 I tried 100 new recipes, here are my 8 favorite fall dishes from that list! Click on the title of the dish to follow the link to the recipe!

1. Apple Cranberry Pie

This pie is amazing! So simple and so delicious! A great way to eat cranberries without the SUPER tart taste!

2. Upside Down Chicken Pot Pies

Easy as can be "filling" and fluffy sheets of puff pastry! Hearty and warm for those chilly fall days!

3. Honey Peanut Butter Granola
Yummy yummy yummy! This granola is so flavorful and delicious! I have tried it several different ways and it always turns out great! Put it in a jar and you've got breakfast for 2 weeks!

4. Sausage Skillet Hash

This skillet dinner is so easy and comforting. The potatoes, spinach, sausage and sauce are so flavorful and warm. The cider vinegar gives you a little "fall" flavor while you're cooking. (and I don't even like cider vinegar!)

5. Bierocks
The ultimate Midwestern comfort food. Breaded pocket filled with hamburger, onions and cabbage. Sounds weird if you haven't had it before.. but it's amazing! This recipe feeds a crowd so consider freezing or throwing a party!

6. Pumpkin Waffles
I don't really need to say anything about this one. 
Pumpkin. Waffles.

7. Easy Cheesy Potato Soup
So So So good. Warm, cheesy.. delicious!

8. Chili Pie
Chili is one of those foods that automatically makes me think of fall. This dish is a twist on your usual chili... cheesy potato topping can't make it worse... :) 

Looking forward to re-making these recipes this fall as well as trying out a bunch of new soup recipes from Pinterest!

Have you read my fall bucket list?

What are your favorite fall recipes? I'd love to know!

Thank you for reading!

All for now,

Alexandra

Fall Bucket List 2013

Happy fall friends! 

I know it has been fall for almost a month now.. but let's be honest... the temperatures are still in the mid 80's here... it doesn't quite feel like fall yet! :)

I have started posting my yearly goals and summer bucket lists here, and thought doing every season might be fun and help keep me from looking too far ahead (ahem, Christmas anyone..?). 

Plus, I'm not going to lie... I'm not much of a fall girl. Don't get me wrong: it's gorgeous, the temps drop, the clothes and food are great... but it's just never been my season. But this year I am determined to make the very most of it, and fall in love with fall.

So here you have it folks, my very first Fall Bucket List!

leaf image via.

eat cider donuts from the farmer's market

watch Hotel Transylvania

get cider slushes at Reese's

visit the pumpkin patch

find a Halloween goodie to pass out at school

have a small board game night

watch Hocus Pocus

come up with some type of fall decor for our apartment

bake pumpkin bread

post my first outfit posts, with some cozy fall fashion!

make the AMAZING pumpkin waffle recipe from last year!

come up with some type of clever and original Halloween costumes & one normal one for school

go to the renaissance festival

attempt to read our palms

thrift some amazing finds

watch Clue

pick out and decorate pumpkins 

have some small dinner parties (double dates?)

play in the leaves

acquire the perfect slouchy, cozy knit scarf... and wear it daily

take pictures of the season!

come up with some type of gratitude project 

go to the Baldwin Maple Leaf Festival

try a new pie recipe

make baked goods for fall and Halloween to share at work

acquire some type of seating for our balcony for scenery watching and cuddling in the nice weather

wear my brown boots as much as possible!

have both of our families over for dinner 

cozy up with some classic novels

try 10 new soup recipes

go stargazing (with a cozy blanket)

take some cute couple-y photos

start a gratitude journal again

one last thought

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." 

-Albert Camus

What are your goals for fall?

Or your favorite fall traditions?

I want to know!

Thank you for reading!

Alexandra

Previous Fall/Halloween Posts:

Halloween 2012

Last Minute Costume Instruction

Halloween 2010

What happened to Halloween 2011? ;)

Mix and Match Fall Trends // 2013

I am more of a "wear what you like" kind of person. 

But I think that for me, I have the best results when I am mixing things that I love (old standbys, random pieces, vintage pieces etc) with newer trendy things. I always make a point to ONLY buy things that I love and that typically goes pretty well. 

Plus, buying a whole new wardrobe every season isn't economical for anyone. 

So, like with anything else, I have been searching the fall magazines (and pinterest!) for trends that fit my sense of style and can be mixed in with my current wardrobe.

Here are some of my favorites!

feminine paired with tough

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This combo works nicely with my natural preference for extremely feminine clothing and attraction to dark colors. It's so moody and gorgeous.. now I'm searching for a gorgeous motorcycle jacket!

dressy sweatshirts

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Sweatshirts are so cozy, I love curling up in Kyle's old hoodies and track pants... but I've always wished there were cute sweatshirts that would keep me warm while feeling polished enough to go out in public. This is the answer my friends! I love both the sparkly ones and the studded variety. Plus you can dress these up too!

old fashioned shapes

via. // via.

Old fashioned shapes are so gorgeous, defined waists, fuller skirts, they are typically more flattering than modern shapes! I find myself drawn mostly toward the silky evening wear... but it is all gorgeous! Hoping to find some more day to day pieces in my searching.

animal sweaters

via. // via.

Graphic sweaters are really popular right now, and I think I am drawn mostly to the animal variety. I've seen adorable foxes, dogs, birds etc. But my favorite is always going to be cats. :) 

mixing bright/bold colors 

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Generally I am a dark color girl; black, navy, wine, plum etc. But recently I've been adding more brights to my wardrobe to mix in with my blacks, darks and neutrals. It's going pretty well so I might end up trying this trend of pairing brights together. I especially like the fuchsia with pumpkin! I've found that teal and navy is one of my favorite combos.. even though that only includes one bright.

One magazine tip I've seen is to find a bright print that you love and take individual solid colors from that to create a pleasing combo. -Thanks Glamour!

menswear

via. // via. // via.

I have a love/hate relationship with the menswear trend. I think that it looks super cute on petite girls or girls who are super tall and thin, but for girls with curves it's often harder to pull off baggy suit pieces! I think our best bet is to pick out individual pieces to pair with girly (more flattering) items in similar tones (like image 1). Another option is to choose fitted blazers or trousers in great feminine or bold colors like the red in the middle. Above all keeping makeup and hair girly and not slacking on the accessories keeps a girl from looking too manly. 

Along the Menswear line... Oxford Flats!

(clockwise) via. // via. // via.

These are great because they are so comfy and come in every color combo imaginable. I've seen printed (floral and stripes), metallic, glittery, every neutral and bright out there. There is sure to be a pair to fit every taste!

Printed Full(er) Skirt (+ long sweater!)

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Long sweaters are in this fall. I love that they are being paired with flowy skirts! This layering is super romantic and can take on so many different feels with all of the color, texture and print varieties right now. You can easily go glam, feminine, modern or vintage just by the colors you choose! I am in love with the gold brocade skirt in the middle picture!!!

Full Skirts + Winter Whites

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White, white, white! White is a popular color for EVERYTHING this fall. I especially love these full white skirts! The shapes are on trend and they could be paired with so many things! If "white-white" doesn't flatter your skintone, opt for a cream or ivory, it achieves the same effect.

charlotte olympia kitty flats 

via.

My favorite fall trend that I would wear until I was an old cat lady.. I could go on and on .. but I'll spare you. See you in my dreams, kitty flats!

grown up polka dots

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Polka dots are still popular (yay!) Keep them in neutrals and dark colors to avoid looking like a little girl or Minnie Mouse. I LOVE this clutch!!

What are your favorite fall trends?

How are you going to work them into your existing wardrobe?

Let me know in the comments below! :)

Thanks for reading!

XO,

Alexandra

*all images via pinterest, all credit given to original sources which are linked below. all collages made by me*