You Asked For It: NYE Pizazz

Hi!
It's crazay last minutes, I know, but I am going to a wedding on NYE.  It's a big, fancy affair and I want to look spectacular!  It's gotta be a dress, though.  Any suggestions?

Ooh, girl you are cutting it close.  BUT.  I can totes help you.  I love flashy, NYE weddings and am totes jellz that you'll be attending one.  Here's what I found ( I looked all ovah the place for a range of price points and stores, in case you are in a weird area with no dress shops.)

First up is the Project Alabama Goldleaf Cocktail Dress.  I found this at Anthro.  Killah.  It's a bit pricey at $258, but it's cramazing!

Next, we have a shift with a kick!  From White House Black Market, this is easily in my top five.  Super cute, super chic and it looks super comfy.  It's also a nice length (I'm tired of super short, you know).  It's also a more modest $130.

I'm kind of living for this silk chiffon number from French Connection.  Great color, great cut and easy to dress up.  You can snag this at Nordstrom for $268. 

I feel like I like this dress from Topshop because of the Peter Pan collar.  Right?  It's 35" from shoulder to hem, so it might be a schoch short, but I see lots of potential.  It's $92.  It can't be wrong...

I found this Eliza J dress at Von Maur.  I kind of love it.  I think it's because of the color...and the jazzicle.  It's only $158 and I like that.

I couldn't help myself, I just had to throw more sequins at you.  So sue me.  Uh.  Muh.  GUD.  I am DYING over this French Connection dress in tribal teal (they're words, not mine).  So delish.  It's also our priciest piece at $298, but it is totally worth the coin, my friend.  Just look at it.

There, doll.  I hope I've given you enough to get you started.  You have a little time, so go.  Browse.  Whatever you choose will be magniff and I'm sure you'll blow their minds (within reason, of course.).
Kisses,
E

My New Favorite Bevvie Recipe

So, I love the holidays, it's no secret.  I love holiday parties even more.  This is my favorite thing right now:

{Champagne Jell-O Shots}

1 package Jell-O (I've used strawberry and white grape.  Both are amazing!  I find it's mostly a matter of taste)
1 C hot water
1 C Champagne or Sparkling Wine (Astis and Proseccos are my fave)
Decorating sugars or similar edible flair

1.  Bring water to boil.
2.  Mix Jell-O with water and stir until dissolved (approx 2 min.).
3.  Let cool to room temp.
4. Pour into ice cube tray or other mold (I used silicone hearts. Nauseatingly cute.)
5. Let that shizz chill in your fridge.
6. Once firm, dip mold in hot water for 5-ish seconds.  Use knife to free the edges.
7. Invert over tray or bowl.  Arrange.
8. Do beautiful things with your sugars, Sugar.

Enjoy!

Original recipe here.  I fiddled with the recipe a bit, cause I wanted some extra cuteness.

Photo: martha stewart

Technoluxe: Wedding App Round Up

It's been awhile since I featured a piece of the latest wedding technology here on Goldiblog, and I'll tell you why.  While I can see a use for this stuff (especially given my proclivity to remain in complete control of every situation), I think sometimes things like this can encourage couples to stay within the neatly outlined boxes that define our expectations for The Perfect Wedding.  I guess I've always imagined Goldiluxe couples to be a bit more daring and imaginative than that.

That said, I've gotten a lot of requests for app advice for iPad/iPhone.  So, like the faithful little blogger I am, I've collected some of the best the App Store has to offer...starting with some of my favorites.

1.  iWedding Deluxe-The Wedding Planner:  From Serendipity App Company, this is the most comprehensive wedding app I've seen.  It's got the basics like: seating arrangement, budgeting info, contact information, and venue information.  However, in what I think is a HUGE bonus, it's chock full of extras that can help you locate local vendors, manage guest list info and store inspirational photos.  For me, the icing on the cake is the countdown feature that allows you to stay on track as the big day approaches. At $5.99, the thing is basically a steal.

 

2.  Plan Your Wedding with Mindy Weiss:  This app comes to us from one of the coolest chicks in the biz.  Mindy Weiss is one of the most sought after wedding planners and lifestyle experts evah.  She's been planning amazing events for all our favorite A-listers, including Ellen DeGeneres, Gwen Stefani, and Heidi Klum.  Without sacrificing utility (you know, guests, vendors and budgets) this app puts the user in touch with the latest in wedding trends, including videos from Mindy herself.  For me this app is a little frillier and has a decidedly celeb-centric feel, but it's perfect for the dreamier among us.  You can find this on the App Store for a cool $7.99.  I think it's more than worth it for everything it does.

 3.  Wedding Budget:  This app from Sevenlogics, Inc. is the first free app on our list.  I think this one gets overlooked a bit because, let's face it, we want one app that does everything.  Wedding Budget just isn't that app.  It is the app for people who have prioritized staying on budget above everything else (which should probably be everybody...).  Using this app, you will be able to break your budget into components (flowers, attire, venue...you get the idea).  From there it will tell you how much money you have left, when payments are due and remind you how much your willing to spend on each category.

4.  WeddingScan:  This Organi Studios app is new to me, but as soon as I saw it, I was a big fan.  Basically, WeddingScan creates a custom registry by allowing couples to scan any item's barcode in any store.  The app uploads all the product information to the couple's WeddingScan.com registry.  No barcode?  No problem.  The app also allows you to take pictures and include descriptions.  Your guests then go to the website to purchase.  Multiple stores, one registry, one place for guests.  Easy peasy.  Currently, this app comes in at $2.99.

5.  Fun Wedding:  This little app from Intellegence, Inc. has been generating a lot of buzz lately.  Designed to be a reference tool, Fun Wedding allows users to keep track of their "must play" and "do not play" lists.  The idea is that with access to over 2 million song titles, broken up into 19 unique charts (eg. father/daughter, mother/son, first dance...etc.) keeping the dance floor packed will be a snap.  The major criticism I've seen is that because you can't preview songs you don't already know, the app loses a little in translation.  But, for those of us that are in love with lists, $0.99 is a small price to pay for piece of mind.  I can also imagine that this app would make communicating with your DJ much, much easier.

6.  Evernote:  Can I just say how ding dang much I LOVE Evernote. I just can't believe it's free! I was skeptical at first as I am of anything that promises to be my organizational savior, but this really is the shizz, so take a big whiff.  The website sums it up better than I ever could: "Capture anything.  Access anywhere.  Find things fast.".  Pretty brill, wouldn't you say!

 

7.  Pinterest: I really didn't think I could get away without mentioning Pinterest.  To be honest with you, I feel like I waited my whole life for Pinterest and now that I have it, I'll never let it go.  That's how fabulous it is.  By creating virtual pinboards, users can "pin" and organize inspirational photos.  The app (available for both iOS and Android) expands on this idea by incorporating your phone's camera.  Snap the things you love for your wedding and upload them to your board.  BRILL.  I find Pinterest most useful when trying to edit myself.  I am an artist at heart, so it's easy for me to get bogged down in the concept.  Pinterest allows me to cut through the bullshet and get to the point. 

 

There you have it.  Seven of my favorites.  Feel free to add to this list in the comments.

Kisses,

E

You Asked For It: You Say Vintage, I Say Retro

When I saw this in my mailbox, I just had to post it here. 

Hey, G!
Great blog!  I have a question for you though.  What's the difference between vintage and retro?  I see the terms LITERALLY everywhere and I think they're being used interchangeably.  I want to know what I'm getting.  Halp!

You are absolutely right.  These terms are TOTES misused in the age of the blogosphere, and let me tell you, it is making me nuts.  It's one of my five biggest pet peeves.  So, today, I'll set the record straight.  I'm also going to add 'antique' in here, too, because people don't seem to know when to use that, either.

{antique}: This word should be used to describe a work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, etc. created in a former period at least 100 years prior to date of purchase.  Fun, fact: The only known exception to this rule pertains to cars.  A car is classified as an antique when it was made 25 years prior to date of purchase.  Neat, huh?

This wedding dress was crafted in 1912, and is, by definition an antique.

{vintage}:  This should be used to describe a work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, etc. created or manufactured at least 25 years prior to date of purchase. So, yes, the 80's (well, 1980-1987, at least) are finally considered vintage.  Ooh, fun fact: originally the term 'vintage' solely applied to wine.  It's since been hijacked to describe desired items as they cycle back into fashion.  So, all that clothing from the 40's and 50's hanging in your closet?  Your delicious Herman Miller chair from 1962?  That's right, it's vintage and should not be referred to as antique.

Darling vintage wedding dress from the mid-50's.

{Retro}:  According to Merriam Webster, the term 'retro' means: relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashions of the past : fashionably nostalgic or old-fashioned.  So, basically, anything new that resembles or is designed with an antique or vintage item in mind.  This can, and should be used interchangeably with 'vintage-inspired'.  While I'm at it, I think we can now agree that 'retro-inspired' isn't a thing, either.  It's either retro or it's not.

This tea length number by Oleg Cassini while retro, is neither vintage nor antique.

Okay, so unless you've been living under a rock for the last  five years (at least), you've noticed the near obsession with 'vintage weddings'.  As we now know, there is no such thing. As such, these terms are bandied about willy-nilly and have cost a lot of people a lot of money.  Do not let someone talk you into something that isn't worth the price tag. 

Kisses,
Erin

Luxe Life: Kori + David

Okay, this is a good one, y'all!  This Luxe Life submission comes to us from a high school friend of mine.  Kori was pretty much the baddest chick I knew.  She was so vibrantly, honestly herself at a time when the rest of us were just trying to fit in.  I don't have a lot of high school memories without her in them...I always admired how kind and sincere she was, even when things got shitty.  I wish I'd had the words then to tell her. 

So, she married some guy who's just as rad as she is from what I can tell.  They had this amazing wedding filled with personality and pizazz and she was nice enough to share it with us (and in her own words, no less!!)!  So here we go!

The Bride's dress was a compilation of many ideas rolled into one.  The veil was her "something borrowed. Something blue was in the form of her shoes and jewelry.  Something old was her great grandmother's
wedding ring, and a vintage petticoat found on eBay. The new items included the lace shrug and Watteau train, trimmed and created from the length of the dress itself, converting it from floor length, to tea length.

Color theme was selected via the couple's birthstones.  Sapphire blue for the bride and peridot green for the groom.  These colors are not only reflected throughout the wedding decor but in the wedding rings as well.

No live flowers were used in this wedding, but hand created paper origami ones were!  The bride spent many a winter night hand crafting her own bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets and 25 boutonnieres.  Some of the items were inspirations from DIY wedding craft books and others were found in origami tutorials
online.  Some words of advise--find a good glue that dries to paper quickly or you'll be sitting there holding your flowers together all night long.  Scrapbook paper can be found anywhere, but the bride's favorite was found at Hobby Lobby, as it was easy to fold and bend and stayed in place the best.

Instead of a typical unity candle or sand vase, the bride and groom opted for an original unity painting which the bride painted herself using acrylics.  During the wedding, they used a giant paint marker to sign their initials on a heart painted in the middle of a tree. Their painting is ceremoniously hung in their apartment living room now :)

  Another unique feature of this wedding is that there is no maid of honor, but a man of honor!  The bride's best friend from college stood up as her right hand man and her other girlfriends (one from high school, one from college, and one post college) graced her side just as loyally.

The guest book was sort of premade, and sort of hand made by the bride. It was created from one of K & Company's smashbooks. These scrapbooks are pre printed with a theme, but then it's up to the scrapbooker to fill in the rest and "smash" whatever they can into it.   A pen that doubles as a glue stick adorns the side, ready for guests to both sign a note, glue it, and smash it into the book!  It also includes sealable pockets that are perfect for wedding programs, cards, and toast speeches.

Both the bride and groom took pride in helping design the cake.  Not only did it fit the color scheme, but an inside joke as well.  The bride works for Apple computers, and both of them are avid cyclists, hence the cake topper.

To save money and be generous at the same time, the groom opted to buy his guys their shoes (Classic gray Chuck Taylors) as their gift, as well as give them comfortable footwear to stand in all day.  And let's face it,
the whole wedding was meant to be fun, a little bit trendy, and a whole lotta different a.k.a, not your typical Midwest wedding.

Other penny pinching and fun DIY projects included creating poster-sized menus to stick on the wall of the reception, a home-made photobooth which was a hit with kids and adults alike, and table centerpieces put together from glass vases from the local thrift shop.

Overall, the couple's goal was to throw a low-cost, fun, a-typical, and meaningful-to-them-wedding.  They threw out all of the expectations and chose everything from the colors, to the cake, to everything, and made sure it was significant to them, even if there was hidden meaning behind it.  Their best advice to other future wedding planners is this:  Do not be afraid to go out on a limb and be creative and do what you want to do.

Side note---None of this could have been done alone, so a special thank you goes out to the imagination and help of friends and family who all pitched in to make a very special and flawless day.

More Kori + David cuteness!  Enjoy! 





All pictures submitted were shared with permission from
Photographer Hanna Jorgensen
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Where have you been all my life?

Um, hello amazing personalized Jack Daniels labels!

These little darlings come to us from Etsy Seller, Liquid Courage.  Based in Cookeville, TN, Tyler and Amy Fisk are the husband and wife masterminds behind the cleverly named shop.  This dynamic design duo (alliteration before noon on a Monday?? Boom goes the dynamite, people.) has filled their shop with all the best stuff to doll up your booze and, let's face it, isn't that why we became adults in the first place??  To make our drinking more stylish?

Through a fancy design process (which you can read about here) they make one-of-a-kind custom labels and flasks.  Whilst perusing their website (which is super cute, by the way), I found this passage.  I really liked the message it sent and thought I'd share it with you:

          We finally decided to follow our dream of becoming entrepreneurs, pursue our passion, and determine our own future with hands on approach. We chose the path less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

Not to get all philosophical on your asses, but this simple statement of purpose is so inspiring!  It reminds me that while it's hard to make the leap into entrepreneurship and none of us really knows how it will all shake out, it is so worth the fear for the chance to do what you love every day.  I love to support small businesses like this one because not only is it the only way to snag one of a kind gear made with love but because I can give someone a little, monetary "atta boy"!

 At Liquid Courage, you will find flasks like this one (which is hilar!):

OR this one, which I think is pretty brill:

Cute, right?  I LOVE clever bridal party gifts and these have shot to the top of my list.  Just remember to make a pact to save the flasks for pictures...until after the ceremony, yes?

This one might be my fave, though (and just might end up in a certain stocking...):

I know, right?!  So magniff!  Do yourself a favor and visit Liquid Courage, either on Etsy or at their website and snap up some of this amazing stuff!  You won't be sorry!  Also, remember, dolls, it's the Holiday Season and small business owners all over the country could use your compassion. Besides, manners are always in style. 

XOXO, 
Erin

Pictures via liquid courage.  Posted with permission.

A Message From Goldiluxe: Bedazzle the Vote!

It's that time again, dolls!

First, a statement:  I just wanted to remind you all to get out there and rock that vote!  Vote, vote, vote!  Remind your friends and family!  We have the ability to participate in something that so many people all over the world are fighting and yes, dying for.  Even here, in our beautiful, wonderful country, people fought and died to give us that right.   So, let's exercise it, already!  Who's with me?

Now, a caveat: I don't care who you vote for.  I really don't.  I will love you all, donkey or elephant.  But, I do care how you vote.  I want you to use that big, beautiful brain of yours.  I want you to turn off your TVs, drown out the pundits and make up your own minds.  We owe it to ourselves to make the most informed choice we can.  Isn't that what makes this country great, our right to think for ourselves?!  There is a lot at stake, darlings, and lets face it, our country needs us this year.


Now, get out and vote.  Let Washington hear that big, beautiful voice of yours!  And honey, if nothing else, I know that voting never goes out of style.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, my darlings!  I heart you more than all the fun size Butterfingers in the world.

I hope you have a wonderfully magical day!  See you right here later today for more fun!

Kisses,

E

Night on Bald Mountain by Muggorsky.  Footage from Fantasia.  Brilliant.

Tutorial: Glittered Coffin Favor Boxes

As you know, I've been working on a couple Halloween party designs for some out of area clients.  What does that mean? It just means I get to plan out a party, pack a box with the essentials (templates, suggestions, instructions, a few materials and some fully realized, handmade extras) wrap it up all cute-like and send it on it's way!

I think part of the magic of entertaining lies in the ability to take something you already have (or something you found at an incredible price) and turn it into something amazing.  So, I always make sure to pack each Goldiluxe party with beautifully stunning, budget-friendly pieces to make each one a little more spectacular (or, in this case, spooktacular).

I thought I might share one of those elements with you.  (Again, while the camera is on the fritz, you'll have to put up with phone snappies, sorry...)

You'll need:

-decorative boxes
-paint
-glitter
-mod podge (or other white glue)
-paint brush
-jazzicles, embellishments and other accoutrements


1. Paint that box!  I sprayed my boxes, but acrylic or other craft paint would work just as well. I didn't think you needed a picture of me spray painting things...but I will happy to recount my spray painting rule:  Make long, even passes with the spray, 6-10 inches from the object.  This will cut down on bubbling, uneven cover and streaking.  You may have to apply two coats...I usually do, just to be certain I've got even cover.  Set boxes aside to dry.

2. Plot it out!  While your paint dries, determine what your embellishment will be and how you will lay it out on the box.  If you aren't a big eye-baller, you may want to add the extra step of tracing the lid of your box onto craft paper.  This might aid you as you plot out your jazzicles and save you from making mistakes.

 3. Pour some glitter on it! Pour a liberal amount of Mod Podge onto a plate or other disposable surface.  Unleash the glitter.  Now, with a brush mix the glue with the glitter until you have your desired consistency.  More glitter=more shine...you get the idea.  Why the glitter/glue combo? The glue seals the glitter and prevents the dreaded glitter trail.  At this point your box might look like a hot mess, but rest assured, the Mod Podge will soon work its magic.

4.  Embellish, baby! Once your box is dry, grab your embellishments and go to town!  Although I usually don't personalize favor boxes, I was asked to enable these to double as place cards.  Our hostess wanted a less manufactured look, so I suggested cutting the edges by hand and using a paint pen to hand write the letters.  The paper featured above is part of my personal stash...I thought she'd like to use it, too!  The truth is, the possibilities are as limitless as your craft closet!

It turned out pretty cute, right?  I wish you could see them up close.  The effect is a little more subtle in person.  Next time, I think I would forgo the two-toned glitter in favor of a more fine, pitch black variety.  Our hostess LOVES them and is super excited to finish them in her own way.  I can't wait to see what she does with them!

Kisses!
E

You Asked For It: Halloween on the Interwebs

Cute pumpkin display at my local haunting grounds!

Hey G!
I know you have lots of great ideas. Do you have any sources of inspiration, like websites, where some of us can get some last minute help?

I've rounded up some of my favorite online sources of Inspiration. I hope you can find some tips and tricks to make your party utterly Spooktacular!!



Martha Stewart Living

Southern Living

Better Homes and Gardens  

Offbeat Bride (They have a whole week dedicated to Halloweeny things...so much awesomeness!)

Delish

Food Network

Epicurious

CHOW  (CHOW is new to me, but super cute and totally worth the read!)

Kisses,
E

First Look: Halloween Happening

Hey gang!
As we head into our final Halloween countdown, I thought you might like a sneaky peeky at an upcoming event!  I always have so much fun designing things like this!

This little creepy crawly is another Allison Beilke for Goldiluxe Events original.  I am usually not a fan of spidies, but this guy is pretty cute.  This is just one of the fun graphic elements that will be popping up throughout the design.

 

A little snippet of my design.  It's a little different than I'm used to doing. I usually go for something a little lighter with brighter splashes of color.  This will be decidedly gothic-chic.   

I'm excited to share more with you this week!

Kisses,

E

Tutorial: Candlestick Cake Stands

Finally!! So cute!  Ooh, before I forget, you'll have to excuse the photos.  My camera was being finicky so I had to take my snappies with my phone.  That being said, here we go!

 You will need:
 - candlesticks
-  primer
 - spray paint
 - plates
 - hot glue gun & glue

1. Spray paint those 'sticks!  I've found that wooden or metal candlesticks work best, but just about anything will work.  If I make a set that need to travel, wooden candlesticks are the best bet for me.  A word on spray painting: try to make long, even passes with the spray from 6-10 inches from the object.  This will cut down on bubbling, uneven cover and streaking.  I usually use a primer, because I like my colors to be as bright and true as possible. Make sure to let the 'sticks dry between coats.

2. Prepare your plates! For this particular project, I used plastic plates.  I needed something that looks great, is lightweight and doesn't look overly formal.  Ceramic, china, and glass plates would work just as well, though.  Just make sure the weight of the plate is enough to balance out the weight of the candlestick.  Just common sense, here.  Now, I know I've said this a thousand times but once more couldn't hurt: Consider letting go of your 'matchy-matchy' spirit.  Coordinating colors and patterns will do the trick and give you the sophisticated look you're going for without looking stuffy.

3.  Glue, baby, glue!  After letting the gun warm up a bit, I usually start by putting glue into the hole of my candlestick.  It tends to level out the top of the candlestick while providing a little extra stability.  Once you've filled the center, it's time to create an evenly applied area of glue to which your plate can adhere. Center your pate above the candlestick.  Press your plate onto the glue and hold pressure for about 30 seconds.  This will help set the bond.  Let the glue dry completely before inspecting your work.  Remember to check for and remove pesky hot glue strings. 

  4.  Test it out!  Basically, you want to look for flaws.  Apply some pressure to the edges of your plate to test the glue bond.  Alternate pressure to test for weak spots.  Of course, you'll need to put something on your cake stand to gauge the overall sturdiness.  Once you're satisfied, you can always reheat your gun and use the heated metal tip to smooth out the glue. 

5.  Enjoy!  You've just made something ridiculously cute!  Gather your besties and throw some cute food on those babies.  Show off your handiwork a little bit.

Stay tuned for super cute pics of the stands as they will be featured in my next party design.

Kisses!
E

You Asked For It: Halloween Roundup #2 (and #3)

So, I’ve been a bad blogger. So, today you get a big ‘ol roundup.  I hope you’ll forgive me!
Kisses,
E

Hey there!
Your movie list is pretty awesome.  However, so many of them are so violent and scary.  Any suggestions for a tamer crowd?
Sure.  Without knowing if you need a kid-friendly list, I’ll just wing it.  Some of my favorite Halloween-appropriate movies (with a softer side) include: Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic, Shaun of the Dead (still some death, dying and zombies, but hilarious), The Worst Witch, Dead and Breakfast (this. is. hilar!) Beetlejuice, The Corpse Bride, Coraline, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow (LOVE this movie!!)

We want to do a group costume.  Any easily recognizable ideas?
Umm…off the top of my head: The cast of Clue, The Adams Family, Seven Deadly Sins (envy, greed and wrath are my favorite to personify), the cast of Anchorman, Superheroes (one year we made up our own superheroes-best group costume evah!), characters from Mad Men (or Mad Men inspired-one year Allison was a 60’s flight attendant-super cute), old timey cat burglars. I’ve got a million of ‘em.

Sexy ______ costumes? Yay or nay?
If you mean, like, sexy cop, nurse, race car driver or anything that looks like lingerie with animal ears, then nay.  I’m just not into it.  I think witty, funny, clever and cute are way sexier.  But, hey.  Who am I to smash your pumpkin?  If that’s your thing, go for it!  I just think you can probably do better.

I need party ideas?  What do you have coming up?
Well, I’ve got tutes on candlestick cake stands, simple wreath ideas, and turning household or thrift store finds into works of spooky art.  Also, some sketches from an upcoming Halloween design I’m doing.  

Things just waiting to become tutorials.  Get excited!

Throwing a dinner party.  Any weird food?
You know what looks weird? Roasted whole vegetables.  Put them all on a serving platter and they can look like they’re rotting.  Very creepy effect.  I’ve done it before and Martha has a great picture of it.  Also, squid ink pasta.  It’s black as night and tastes pretty amazing.  Roasts can be creepy if you leave them a little on the rarer side. If you like doing a menu board or sending one ahead of time, try coming up with strange names for your dishes.  This will help set the mood. Without knowing your taste preferences, I can only give vague suggestions.  I love entertaining (obvi) and when I’m in a pinch, I take a spin through Martha’s recipes. 

Where can I find kids’ costume ideas, hopefully DIY?
Pinterest, Martha Stewart, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents.  Talk to your Mom friends.  Can you arrange a swap?  Kids, treats, music and costume swap?  Instant fun. 

Do you ever think maybe you’re too into Halloween? Like maybe you should act like an adult?
Nope. Speaking of acting like an adult, I am a wife; I work a full time job, run a business and a household.  I also have a rich social life and am teaching myself Japanese. That sounds pretty adult to me.  Not to mention that part of being a happy, fulfilled adult depends on the ability to have fun.  Halloween is fun for me.  It’s fun for my readers, as well.  If you’re looking for a serious, stuffy wedding blog, I can tell you: This. isn’t. it.   Sheesh.

Do you think it’s okay to make baked goods for the trick-or-treaters?  I don’t want to give them more blocks of processed sugar.
You know, I’m not a mom, yet, but I love this.  I’d talk to some of the other neighborhood parents, if you know any of them.  See what they think.  If you don’t, this is a great way to introduce yourself.  I’d say yes, but it’s good to talk it through.  I made homemade treats one year and some moms wouldn’t let their kids take them.  I think you have to prepare yourself for that.  Also, I would suggest attaching a recipe card or a little note so Mom knows what’s in it (which is what I should’ve done). That way, if her kid has food allergies or other dietary restrictions, she has a head’s up. If you decide not to bake, try your local health food stores.  They’ll have lots of options for you that are pre-packaged and might be less risky.

Keep 'em coming, dolls!  I am having a blast answering your questions.  Just know, though, if you send me mean, snarky questions, I'm going to answer them.  Publicly.

You Asked For It: Horror Movie Repost

Ask and you shall receive!  You've been hounding asking me sweetly to re-post my horror movie list from last year.  Here it is...(originally posted on 10/21/2011)

 G:
I am throwing a Halloween party. I wish to impress my friends with my knowledge of horror movies (although they kind of terrify me).  Do you have any recommendations?

Why, yes.  Yes I do have some opinions.  Although, I cannot tell you how hard it was to narrow down my list.  For instance, I thought I might get started by writing down all the scary movies I've ever seen...well, after about 90 minutes, I was up to about 125.  Then came the categories...oy.


For the purpose of your list, I've chosen twelve of my favorites (regardless of genre) and left (most) of my movie snobiness geekiness commentary out of it.  I will warn you, though.  I'm a fan of originals.  I'd stay away from the remakes...except for Halloween.  Rob Zombie's remakes are sure to scare the pants off your guests.

And away we go:

The Omen (1976.  Trust me.  Skip the 2006 remake.  It's caca.)
Rosemary's Baby (1968-Mia Farrow at her finest)
Friday the 13th (1980.  Again, skip the remake.)
Nightmare on Elm Street (1984...Johnny Depp is totally in it.)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005 Superb movie.  I was totally terrified after this came out)
The Shining (1980)
Night of the Living Dead (1968- I am a HUGE Romero fan and a zombie purist.  This film started it all, by the way)
Children of the Corn (1984)
The Exorcist (1973. "Your mother sucks ** in hell!"-Classic.)
Halloween (really, either the original or the Zombie remake-both are outstanding)
Sleepaway Camp (1983)
High Tension (2003 I'd watch it with the subtitles if I were you, it loses a lot in dubbing)

And a little bonus (and one of my all-time, fave horror films) number 13.  Has a spooky ring to it, huh?

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974.  It's a classic, I'm tellin' ya.  Totes awesome.  Totes scary.)

Have fun, dolls!

Am I missing anything?  Leave it in the comments!

EDIT for 2012: Let the Right One In (Swedish, 2008), The Last House on the Left (1972), Cat People (1942)

Horrorween: Your Source For Fright

If you know me well (or, if you read this blog last October), you know I am a huge horror movie buff.  I just can’t get enough.  I love that every October we pay a little homage to fright.  In fact, some of my fondest Halloween memories include snuggling up with blankets and settling in for a night of terror.  Last year, I released a list of some of my favorites and a lot of you have asked how you can get your share of fright.  I thought I might share my yearly sources of gore.  

 Turner Classic Movies Introduction to Horror: Wednesdays in October

So, if you aren’t familiar with TCM, it’s pretty great.  It’s definitely the best channel for classic films.  I recently filled my DVR with their tribute to Marilyn Monroe.  Well, in October the station gets even better.  Every Wednesday, TCM shows classic horror films.  Now when I say classic, I mean 1969 and older.  Amazing stuff.  Last year introduced me to The Hands of Orlac (1925), a fab German silent film in which an experimental graft gives an injured pianist the hands of a murderer.  The cinematography is amazeballs and the music is even better.  This year, some of the highlights include: The Mummy (1932), Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) and The Mark of the Vampire (1935).  Frankly, there are far too many amazing movies to list, including The Devil’s Bride (1968), a film I’ve never seen.  

 AMC Fear Fest: October 13-31

This is a little more mainstream, I think, and therefore caterers to a more contemporary horror enthusiast. In other words, it’s a great place to see 1970 and newer titles.   I have seem some really amazing movies on Fear Fest, including a lot of movies my Mom wouldn’t let me watch when I was a child.  Although the lineup is chock-full of repeats, they’ve got some really great titles this year.  Personally, I’m looking forward to: Hotel Hell, The Brain Eaters, The Dark Half and Corridors of Blood.  I also intend to enjoy some of my all time favorite films, including: Bride of Frankenstein, Friday the 13^th, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Puppet Master and Halloween.  They’ve also got a ton of Stephen King on the line up, which is always a good thing.  

Oh, speaking of AMC, I want to remind you that the new season of Walking Dead starts. next. week.  Icoulddie!

You know, all this terrifying awesomeness should be inspiring you to plan a Fright Fest of your own.  Pick a night, grab some friends, snacks, festive drinks and settle in for fear.  Nothin’ to it!  

All photos via their networks.