Monthly Archives: October 2010

i made this: madeline costume

Happy Halloween! I went as Madeline this year. It really turned out well, since it was a last minute thing. Really, I officially decided on it on Thursday, after I found a great hat. I made the costume in just a few hours. Also, this is the first ensemble I’ve ever made without a pattern.

That’s the view from my back porch. I love my home. It’s right in the heart of downtown, too. I was remarkably close to running out of fabric for this piece. Here’s a close up of the neckline/scarf.

Why, yes, I do look tired. I just woke up from a nap.

Close up of the back of the hat. It didn’t have ribbons hanging down from it, so I had to pin some on. You can tell the ribbon is made of two separate fabrics, but it still was cute.

I hope everyone has a great Halloween. I really wish I had some trick-or-treaters, but unfortunately, my neighborhood is too spooky for kids.

the balloon people

Florida’s weather has warmed up. I had to turn on my air last night. This has left me in a sour mood. Also, is anyone else stressing about Halloween costumes? I’m in a funk and need to feel inspired. Fortunately, I stumbled across these photos the other day. How cheerful.

The Balloon People

I don’t know what I excites me more: the fun of seeing a real, live balloon person [see description], the joy of potentially being the recipient of these balloons, or the courage it takes to be a balloon person.

Photos by Anton Kawaskai

more cute no-carve pumpkin ideas

In case you’re in a crunch, here’s another no-carve cutie. Halloween is less than a week away, but no worries, I still haven’t carved mine yet. Yikes. Admittedly, I’m behind this holiday season. I have some yummy treats to post (but first bake), and my costume pattern is still pinned to the fabric. Here’s hoping for some free time this week.

via AnnilyGreen

the weekender 10/22/2010

via This Mommy Loves

Good Morning. Hasn’t it been such a lovely week? I’m always in a better mood when the cats decide to cuddle with me in the morning. It’s the best way to wake up.

Right now I’m loving:

Charles Sheldon Vintage Illustrations

via Here’s Looking at Me Kid

These beautiful purses made from 50′s-era canvas mail bags.

via Forest Bound (for sale!)

This fabric slasher scarf. I’ve given up on learning how to knit and am now focusing on strictly fabric scarves.

with Tutorial via A Beautiful Mess

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I’m going on a tour of all the farms that stock our local co-op. I heard that there might be some Alpacas (in Florida?). I hope this is true. I love those things.

cute ideas: no carve pumpkins

I went to a pumpkin patch yesterday, which means it’s officially fall. Perhaps a little too ecstatically, I dragged my boyfriend through rows of pumpkins until I found the right one. I’ve debated on whether or not I should carve it, since carving is messy and it might rot soon. While I decide, here are some lovely ideas for pumpkins if you don’t want to deal with the carving mess. Now that I’m a grown up, it’s time to have grown up seasonal decorations.

1. This one is covered in fashionable tissue paper. Tutorial via The Haute Mama Fashionista
2.  Batty Painted Pumpkins via Parents.com

3. Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven Pumpkin via Mrs. B

3. Martha makes magic again with her Toadstool Gourd and Pumpkin display. There’s also a tutorial.
4. These plaid pumpkins are adorable over at Better Homes and Gardens.

Also, here are some carved ones that look like they require a lot of work. But I couldn’t leave without showing you these cuties

Porcupines! Aren’t they perfect? There’s even a tutorial, but this one seems like you have to be a pumpkin carving pro to create these.

 

sunday songs: hot chip ‘I feel better’

Do you have a Sunday ritual? For some it’s church, others brunch, but for me it’s cleaning. If my house isn’t spotless on Sunday it’s a sign of a bad week to come. I’ve been cleaning for the past four hours. The trick is to not stop. Just keep going. Don’t sit down and take a rest, or you’ll end up on that couch for the rest of the day.

Here’s what I’ve been jamming out to today.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaCZN2N6Q_I]

the weekender 10/15/10

via Epicute

Good Morning. I’ve had a great couple of weeks. How about you? This week there has been a lot of socializing, a lot of beer, a lot of decadent food, and a lot of cuddling with kittens and a good book.

I wanted to share some things that I have been adoring in the blogosphere.

Anastassia Elias has discovered a way to make left over toilet paper rolls into an artistic piece of decor. This is her Roulex line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anastassia Elias via Indie Fixx

Aren’t these lovely fiber optic lights?

via Apartment Therapy

Kiera over at A Pretty Penny did a D.I.Y. Natural Deodorant that seems pretty legit. I’ve tried quite a few handmade deodorants, but none of them seem to stick – literally. She might have figured it out with the coconut oil. She gave it a “platinum seal of approval.” I think I may try it.

via A Pretty Penny

If you’re like me and pretty much missed out on all of the important lessons of being a girl, Cubicle Chic’s d.i.y. manicure might help you out.

via Cubicle Chic

Do you like candy corn? I don’t. I think it’s disgusting, but there always seems to be a surplus of it around this time of year. Here’s an idea of what to do with that horrendous treat.

from Jamali Garden via The Coterie Blog

Also, where did candy corn get its name? It doesn’t really look or taste like corn.