A CRAFTY HALLOWEEN: DIY IDEAS

My family have never been particularly big on Halloween, especially the spooky-scary side of things. But the amount of clever, chic and downright fun DIY Halloween projects that are making the blog rounds this year may have me singing a different tune. Full of bright colors and googly eyes, it seems that these projects are pushing for a sillier version of All Hallows Eve than previously possible. Count me a fan!Here are a few of my favorite projects to help you have the most happy-goofy holiday yet.ONE | funny felt eyes from oh joyTWO | monster candy buckets from tell love and partyTHREE | pastel pun-kins from studio diyFOUR | polka pumpkins from design love festFIVE | fluffer nutter cookie pops from bakers royaleSIX | spooky spiked shirley cocktails from almost makes perfectSEVEN | a googly eyes party from oh happy dayEIGHT | ghost emoji balloons from aww, sam
Any projects I missed? Let me know in the comments! And Happy Halloween!

30 FOR 30: A MAD COOKIE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR THE AGES

Last weekend I threw a 30th birthday party. For myself. It was reasonably epic, thanks in large part to the wonderful turn out (thanks, friends!) and the super fun theme: chocolate chip cookies! And not just any chocolate chip cookies—the party was a 'March Madness' style bracket to determine the best chocolate chip cookies in New York City from among 30 contenders (get it? 30 for 30!). (I was inspired by this lovely lady.)

I ate so many cookies that I had a stomach ache for several hours afterwards. Now if that isn't the sign of a good party, I don't know what is!

In planning the fete I took the opportunity to put together a bunch of fun crafty decorations that I thought you might enjoy. After all, now that I have put the idea in your head you are totally going to go out and throw your own cookie party, right?

Click through the link to see some more photos of the fun!

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK

Have you seen the super cool home furnishings store Schoolhouse Electric Co.? I discovered them last Christmas when I bought a super cute present there for my hubby (a medal of honor! they don't seem to sell them anymore . . .).

Well I just got their new catalog in the mail and I am totally swooning. Every page is deliciously inspirational, full of cozy, eclectic yet modern spaces and lots of great furnishings. I pretty much want to buy everything and I think you might too. Check it all out here.

p.s. I am headed back from France today and can't wait to share all the details of the trip! It was so awesome. :)

HALLOWEEN WRAP UP

    
    

Are you into Halloween? A couple years ago I lived with a friend who was obsessed with Halloween—she would start crafting her costume and decorating our place weeks in advance. I loved her enthusiasm but could never manage to get my act together myself.

So here's a quick little roundup of some fun Halloween projects you could pull off in an evening.

top to bottom, left to right:

Free Halloween Printable Wrapping Paper

Trash Bag Spiderweb Decorations

"Bat Mobile" by Martha Stewart

Stitched Halloween Decorations

Funny Face Pumpkin Carving Tips

Toothy Skull Cupcake Tutorial

What will you be for Halloween this year? Do you go all out decorating or are you more of the stay at home with the lights off type of person?

GETTING SWEET & CRAFTY: VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS

The way to make a holiday feel special (especially for the DIY-crazed folks like me), is to do just a little bit more than the everyday. It doesn't have to be a big thing, but hanging up a banner or making your own card or setting out new, pretty candle can turn a "Hallmark" holiday into something more personal and special and, well, fun! So, here is a little round up of ideas to set that amorous day, February 14th, apart from the rest. Hope you like it!


one | Yrsno Candles, Ikea, $2.99
two | Crinkled Wheel Set, BHLDN, on sale 12 for $16
three | Lace Hearts Tutorial, Michelle Made Me
four | Folded Cards Tutorial, Martha Stewart*
five | Raspberry Almond Financiers, Martha Stewart*
six | Foxy Valentine Favors How-To, PaperSource
seven | Romantic Paper Hearts Garland, thePathLessTraveled, $8.50
eight | Playing Card Valentines Tutorial, Martha Stewart*







Also, don't forget to enter the Bites Dessert giveaway here! It ends today at 5pm so get in while the getting's good! 




*Did I tell you I was on the Martha Stewart Show? Check out the link (in the "Headlines" section of the sidebar ➭) to watch a clip!

'TIS (ALMOST) THE SEASON: PART TWO

This is part two of my holiday series—where I am getting myself excited about the holiday a little bit early this year because, well, why not? Here are some of my favorite garland and decoration picks.


-1- Confetti Ribbon, $24
-2- Typeface Monogram Ornaments, $8
-3- Snow Felt Garland, $38.50
-4- Glass Ball Garland, $19.95
-5- Christmas Light Garland, $15
-6- Snow Globe, $39.95
-7- Felt Garland, $19 
-8- Raffia Confetti Garland, $68
-9- Pop Up Christmas Ball, $5.99


Keep an eye out for the last holiday post next week!

TIS (ALMOST) THE SEASON: PART ONE

I know, I know. If you are anything like me, you walk into any store these days and leave incredulous that even before Halloween they have already started pushing the Christmas decorations. But since it snowed here in New York last week and since my life is crazy enough that I need to have something to daydream about, I am finally giving in this year and starting to daydream about the holidays (my hubby-to-be, who is the most Christmas-happy person I have ever met, will be ecstatic to hear this). So here is a nice round up of all the lovely ornaments I have come across, popping up in stores this week. Stay tuned next week for another holiday round up.


-1- Tinsel Orb Ornament, $14 each
-2- Candy Orb Ornament (Large), $18 each
-3- Pearly Expanse Ornament, $12 each
-4- Colored Glass Sphere Ornaments, $9 each
-5- Felt Ball Ornament, $6 each
-6- Colored Glass Sphere Ornaments, $9 each, Colored Mercury Glass Sphere Ornaments, $19 set
-7- Jack Frost Ornament Set, $38 for four
-8- Scampering Fox Ornament, $16 each
-9- Vintage Glass Narwhal Ornament, $16 each


Hope you like them! Have a great weekend!

PARTY POMS

Speaking of parties, I just discovered another amazing Etsy resource: Party Poms. This store sells countless "Party Poms" a bright flowery puff ball of tissue paper. Sold in different colors, numbers and sizes you are pretty much guaranteed to find a combination that fits your celebration. They even come with monofilament (clear fishing wire-like stuff) to hang them up right away.

Check out the rainbow goodness here.

(Thanks to Party Perfect for the heads up.)