Pumpkin Carving Birthday Party!

There were pumpkins to paint (or carve.)

There were surprise balls. (I'll share my how to with you soon!)

There were decorations. (I made this Happy Birthday sign myself- see my instructions on how to make your own here.)
There were cupcakes- I never even want to LOOK at a cupcake ever again. (Or at least till the next party!) I used the easy how to in this book and used their suggestion of adding a cup of canned pumpkin to a regular yellow cake mix to give it extra flavor. We also served ginger snaps, apple cider, pumpkin seeds and popcorn. My lovely friends and family all pitched in and brought tons of delicious autumn-y things to share as well.

And there were costumes! Chicken, meet Kangaroo. Kangaroo, meet Chicken.

Have you been to any fun fall parties lately?

Pumpkin Party Favors

This year, I'll have the pleasure of celebrating my birthday in Minnesota with my family and lots of dear old friends. Instead of a million separate birthday dinners, I thought it would be fun to throw one giant bash. I've rented a rec center and started menu planning with my mum (Butterbeer will be served in honor of Mr. Harry Potter and thanks to the no booze rule of the public park service!) I'm also planning to have everyone carve or paint a pumpkin.

I found these great miniature faux pumpkins on super clearance after Thanksgiving last year, and I thought they would make fun party favors. I painted little eyes and mouths on them with acrylic paint and now I can't stop smiling every time I pass them. Aren't they funny?

Do you carve a pumpkin every year? I heard there might be a pumpkin shortage this year because of all the severe weather in the northeast. So get yours early!

Beautfiul Animal Masks for Halloween: An Antidote to "The Sexy Blank"

Have you started thinking about Halloween yet? I am planning an elaborate Flamingo Costume which I won't get to wear. I'll be attending my best friend's Zombie Bride themed Bachelorette Party. (We've all found old wedding gowns to douse with fake blood and the Maid of Honor is doing all our zombie make up. Then we're going to hit the town looking for BRAINS. And cocktails. And fun.)

But if you are on the lookout for a beautiful costume,I've just stumbled across Sundries and Plunder which specializes in beautifully crafted leather masks of animals and birds.

White Swan Mask from SundriesandPlunder

Eric and I have an ongoing joke that ladies have only one option for Halloween. We call it "The Sexy Blank" because you can be anything, as long as it's sexy. Sexy Mouse. Sexy Maid. Sexy Nurse. Sexy Witch. That's really the most important requirement in mass produced costumes for grown women. Ugh.

I like these as an alternative. You could wear a pretty outfit and an extraordinary mask and be completely in the spirit of the holiday.

Owl Masks by SundriesandPlunder

Cardinal Mask from SundriesandPlunder

Are you planning on dressing up this year? Decorating the house? Carving a pumpkin?