Halloween Night

When days grow short and nights get cold

And autumn trees turn red and gold,

Move, we may, through sun drenched days

'Midst leaves and berries and bales of hay.

In our hearts we feel the lure

Toward darkness, shivers, and things not pure,

While ghostly shadows creep slowly by,

Spying on witches and brooms that fly.

Icy fingers that grab their prey

And do bad things 'til night turns to day.

Heed this plea to stay inside.

Find covers and blankets and sheets to hide.

Slowly this night will fade to day

And fiends and monsters will crawl away.

Once a year, on this dank night,

We'll shake and shiver 'til morning light.

by Denise Cocchiaro


candle holders | skeleton jester | flatware | skeleton snack bowl | crow

Halloween at the Office

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All of the above products have net proceeds that are donated to various breast awareness organizations. If you haven't already, consider a purchase (maybe it's a holiday gift!) from a company that supports organizations that matter to you. Conscience shopping is always good shopping ;)

scarf | bra | socks | bracelet | purse | perfume | moisturizer

Easy Halloweeny - Part 4

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 c chicken stock
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can Great Northern Beans, drained
1 can diced green chilies
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
salt and pepper
shredded monterey jack cheese

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients except the beans and the cheese into a slow cooker. Cook on low for seven and a half hours. Remove the chicken and shred or chop into bite size pieces. Add the beans and the chicken back into the pot and cook for another 30 minutes. Serve, topped with cheese.

This chili is my favorite for fall, especially when it's super convenient. This crock pot recipe is a go-to during the week, but also a great option for a party because you can start it in the morning and not worry about it all day.

Easy Halloweeny - Part 3

Party punch is the way to go for festive get-togethers. For Halloween, cider is my favorite, but I typically drink it hot. This recipe would be good either way!

1 gal. apple cider
6 oz. caramel syrup
1/2 Tbsp. pumpkin spice
apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

If you fancy it cold, combine everything in a pitcher including some of the apple slices and a couple cinnamon sticks. Use the rest to dress your glasses how you like. For a hot drink, I like to put mine in the crockpot for one hour on high prior to the party, then put it on warm. Double or triple the recipe as needed.

Tailgate Season

We interrupt the regularly scheduled "Easy Halloweeny" series to provide tailgate fashion because that's how sports work in my life - always interrupting the fun things I have planned. But I'm married to a sports fanatic so we compromise. And I make sports fun by planning cute outfits and making yummy treats. Since Homecoming is coming up for us, and probably many others, today I'm sharing my tailgate style board. It's all about keeping warm in the cold air and keeping casual yet put together. Also, do you spy the repeat offenders in this board? Love making basics work in every outfit!

scarf | earrings | sweatshirt | jeans | boots | polish | lipstick

Easy Halloweeny - Part 2

Where's Waldo is an absolute classic. One year I want to have a Where's Waldo theme party and require everyone to dress like Waldo. Doesn't that sound amazing?! (just me? ok, humor me then.) Anyway, this is a super simple costume you could probably pull together with some things already in your closet. If you have the jeans and boots, you're basically halfway there. The beanie you could probably get anywhere during the fall, the glasses you can find at any party store or accessories shop. As for the sweater, I love this one because the elbows actually have hearts on them and would work well for Christmas and Valentines Day. How versatile!

sweater | hat | jeans | boots | glasses

Easy Halloweeny - Part 1

Adding googly eyes to your already awesome home decor is probably one of my favorite ways to subtly decorate for Halloween. One of my favorites that I've done multiple times is my tube of toothpaste. For some reason adding eyes just above the dispensing part is hilarious to me. I have also been known to add eyes to inanimate objects at friends houses - just to make them giggle whenever they find it.

Also, I'm loving black, white, and mixed metals lately. Anyone else?

pendant | clock | plant stand | geometric vases | perfume | mirror | bookends

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Sonaksha Iyengar is an artist and writer currently sharing 365 days of art on her instagram page. Please go give her a follow. This simple act of support will assist in raising awareness.