Macarons were Sophia Coppola's inspiration for the color palette in Marie Antoinette.

So pretty. So petite. So perfect. Lalalalove it.

Creepy Crudite Cat

This appetizer for a Halloween party is so so easy and even more clever. Why didn't I think of it?

I suppose you wouldn't have to use black bean dip either. Any dip would do , really. I don't know which part is my favorite...the cherry tomato kneecaps, the carrot phalanges, or the green bean ribs? The only problem I can foresee is replenishment. Perhaps you would have to have 2 trays on the ready so that when one diminishes you can replace it instead of refill. That would take too long.

*via 100 percent cottam*

Meet My Mummy

If wishes were kisses...

At my house, October and Halloween would be like unto December and Christmas. A month long celebration, full of anticipation and emancipation (not really that last one but it sounded good). I'd re-dress the place in spooky spooks and freaky frights. Instead of Holiday music, I'd pull out Monster Mash and other golden oldies. I'd dress up in costume every year (oh, wait...I already do that).

I'm not one for the cutesy decorations. I try them out for size sometimes, but they just don't seem to fit. I like full moon nights with haunted mansions, wicked witches, bags of bones, ravens and owls, mummies and mice, tapered flickering candelabras, brewing cauldrons, black cats, ghastly ghosts, freakish figures, and casting spells. Nothing freaks me more than a good fright night.

There's only one place that makes this freakish fantasy of mine come true. Grandin Road has such a vast collection of All-Hallows Eve collectibles it's almost scary. You want it, they've got it. Their Halloween Haven is my go-to source of inspiration for Halloween, and it never disappoints. Someday, when I have the space and time and money, I'm gonna buy every flippin' thing in their Halloween issue. Then I'll invite all of you over for the most freakishly fantastic night of your lives.

Halloween Countdown "Don't Forget!"

An invitation is one of the most important details for any party. It sets the overall tone and expectation. Of all the Halloween invitations I've been tempted by over the years, I always come back to this one. It is the most clever and hysterical of them all. Oh, I'd just die if I received this...literally. Years ago, I remember they had a tutorial on how to make this. But now, you can just forget all that pish posh and buy 'em pre-made. Not bad.

Harvest

As soon as the pumpkins take center stage in front of the local grocery, the wheels in my brain start turning in a new direction.

Gone are the days of sunscreen, snowcones, salads, and sunglasses. All I can think about is sweaters, sweet baked treats, stormy weather, and soirees. I dust off the recipe books, pull out the sweaters, and dream up the most amazing mother loving Halloween party this side of the Mississippi. I can't help it. Something about those pumpkins really gets me going. And I don't even like pumpkin pie.

Piece of Cake

Have you ever made a grooms cake before? I hadn't either. Until a few weeks ago. But when asked to do such things, how does one say no? You don't. You grab it by the buttercream and forge full frosting ahead! It was a delightful experience (and a mighty tasty one too, I might add). One that I would take on again, provided the recipients expectations are marginally low.

Here's a list of helpful hints/life lessons learned while grooms caking:

• No matter how hard (or how many times) you try to replicate it with a homemade version, there is no substitute for store-bought-from-a-box Funfetti cake mix (grooms only request: Funfetti). There just isn't, so forget about it.
  
• Based on the above statement, you'd better not assemble that cake until the last minute (night before or later), because as any good baker could, would, and should know...those bottom box cake layers are gonna get squashed like a pancake in no time flat!


• Even if you must resort to using a box cake, there is absolutely no excuse for store bought frosting. None, I tell you...not one. Homemade it must be!


• Finding just the right color of yellow decoratifs for a grooms cake should not be left until the last minute. Or even the last week. It's hard, yo!


• Itsy bitsy yellow dots, are really just perfect little yellow spheres, ideal for rolling off of the cake and bouncing 'round the floor.


• Even if you sweep, mop, and go so far as to wipe the kitchen floor with a damp paper towel on your hands and knees, you'll still find itsy bitsy yellow dots rolling around on your kitchen floor 3 weeks later.

Lovebirds

Dear Peeps,

You are so small.

Just big enough for skewering, roasting, and toasting.
That's all.

Sunshine In My Step

Lane and Brit's wedding was a beaming ray of sunshine at twilight. Perfectly presented and truly adorable down to the tiniest detail. A warm and cozy cashmere evening, filling the yard with beauties and lovelies to behold. Here's to you, Lane & Brit. Hip hip...HOORAY (x3)!

For A Good Time, Call

15 of your closest girlfriends. Go out on the town for some late night fun. End up at a dueling piano bar. Sing along out loud. Wear feather boas. Dance on the tables (and the dueling pianos). Boo those who dare to think you are obnoxious (they're just jealous of all the fun you're having). End the night chatting on a street corner, realizing it's been far too long since you had such good, clean, sober fun. You won't regret it. I guarantee it.

'Tis The Season

I wish you could see my fridge. Literally a fabric of invitations, announcements, save the dates, and photos of lovebirds who have decided to tie the knot. I've absolutely run out of magnets and almost run out of space. Recently, we received definitely the largest and one of the loveliest invitations to date. Not just an invitation, rather a a book. About 1/4" thick and bound. With pages and everything. It arrived in a special hand made mailer. That's my laptop behind it for size reference. This one is sure to be a grand 2 day affair. I love a good party!

Start Summer Off Right

First delicioso BBQ of the season. Perfectly prepared and complemented by uniquely western Apple Beer.

And this delightful (homemade!) dessert made it oh so sweet.

Few things compare to garden fare cuisine paired with the company of old friends and lovely weather. Summer has officially arrived!

Simple Pleasures

Yesterday at Pearl River Mart (one of my NY faves for poking around), I spotted these little babies. 144 cocktail parasols for the bargain price of $3.50!!! I get the flutterbyes just thinking of all the fun I'm going to have with them.

Happy Happy Day!

Head over here to wish my dear, sweet, petite Ali the hap-hap-happiest of days. She is a treasure that I hold dear to my heart.

I am certain she will celebrate in style, with her beloved Curtis by her side.

Ali, you are more to me than simple words can express. I admire you. I cherish you. I lalalalove you so.

Here's to the hap-hap-happiest day of all!

Cheers to you!

xoxo.

Sugar High

We went to dinner at a fabulous French restaurant for Olivia's birthday. The meal was magnificent, but we couldn't contain our excitement for the dessert {we'd heard of it's existence, but needed to confirm for ourselves}. It did not disappoint. It was a giant glowing dome of sugar! Inside the dome was a delicious chocolate cake with candied kumquats and vanilla bean creme anglaise. The cake was amazing, but the glowing dome of sugar was the highlight of the meal.

Say Cheese!

This is the latest and greatest addition to my list of party essentials. PolaroidInstant Camera. It is non-stop fun times. Though it requires a minor investment, the fun lasts forever! It gives your guests a piece of the action to take home immediately and hang on the fridge. Digital is cool, but Polaroid is awesome {remember the excitement/fanning of the photo, waiting for it to develop?}. Bonus feature: everyone looks good in Polaroids. I think they are a bit more forgiving. See below for pics of last weekends Polaroids on my as yet un-wallpapered and therefore boring fridge. {I'm gonna wallpaper eventually, I just wish Nick Olsen was my BFF}.