Happy Halloween!

I spent most of my day in a stone yard. Unfortunately, not the spooky kind, but the necessary kind where big slabs of stone end up as countertops. Not the most fun way to spend this holiday, but we're in the final phase of selections for this project. Now that was scary!


Get out the drill! This was my go to design for years, since carving pumpkins is not something I'm any good at doing.
I should have made a snowman from Saturday's little storm and just topped it with a pumpkin head!



Of course, if you're really feeling lazy or the weekend got away from you, like mine did, just add a mask.
You can see the whole masquerade party here!



Dashed into Target for treats and spotted this, very funny!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Masquerade Party!

For whatever reason, I have a facination with masks and add to my growing collection all the time. Imagine how fun it would be to have a bloggers masquerade party?

If your carving skills, like mine, are not the sharpest give your pumpkins a mask instead. Scary simple!!!

Masks are also a great idea if your short on time....




I've been working myself to the bone.

 

Happy Halloween!!!

Cinematic Fright!

Every Halloween we would begin the festivities with a time honored ritual.  We cloaked ourselves in theatrical attire and headed out into the darkness in search of coveted concoctions needed to sustain us until Thanksgiving. Along the way, we bumped into friends who appeared deathly and comical. When we began to struggle under the weight of heavy bags, we'd stumble home weary with tales of scary characters and places. Once safely inside, squeals of delight could be heard as bags were emptied across the table for inspection and strategic trading. A feast of skeletons, eyeballs, worms and other prized gifts concluded the evening. Then it was off to bed for the once little goblins with high hopes they would drift off into a restful slumber, free of tummy aches and ghostly dreams.

In more recent years at the A&A house, after the night's final tricks & treats are dispensed, we gather together for a more chilling form of entertainment. With only the glow of flickering flames from the fireplace, we settle in for cinematic fright. We watch and wait for something to happen to someone on the screen. It always does on All Hallows Eve.

A list to lure you into the spirit.....

Lady In White
This movie takes place in 1962 and  Lukas Haas, of "Witness" fame, plays the main character.  Most people have never heard of this movie. We stumbled upon it more than a decade ago. It has a Halloween theme, plenty of suspense, and depending on your age, could feel quite nostalgic. The very end is a bit hokey, but the rest of the movie makes up for it. Not for young children!

Hocus Pocus
The perfect family movie to get you in the mood for trick or treating! Parts may be scary or confusing for very young children. A super fun story about 3 witches that spans 300 hundred years. It's from Disney and the sets are truly fantastic!

Sleepy Hollow
Classic. One of our favorites! For teens and adults only.  Johnny Depp is Ichibod Crane. Treat!

What Lies Beneath
This movie is not Halloween related, but the backdrop is full of autumn scenery. The third star of this movie is the home. The interiors are beautiful and even though this came out in 2000, don't appear remotely dated. The bathroom, in particular, is fantastic! Stars Michelle Pheiffer and Harrison Ford. Treats for everyone!

The Others
If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it! It's not about Halloween, but a truly eerie movie.  A very big trick awaits you in a perfectly orchestrated surprise ending!!!

What are your chilling favorites?

Halloween Decorating

Just the mere mention of these two words would have many running scared. Generally, I think the perception is that Halloween decor is tacky. And often what we see displayed in stores only confirms this fact. However, if you scout beyond the typical discount store, I think the choices have improved greatly and hopefully our perceptions as well.



My spider web convex mirror makes a most suitable backdrop!






A mini skeleton rests in the coffin.

 
Even though my kids are teenagers, I still make the effort to do some sort of Halloween decorating. I think they would be a bit disappointed if I didn't and I know I would miss it too! My assortment is mostly of the vintage reproduction variety mixed with some glittered, beaded and jeweled favorites. Toss in a few fresh pumpkins and a dose of humor and I'm done.




I borrowed one of my husband's vintage French newspapers for this display.

 


White pumpkins, feathers and mice greet visitors.



A trip down memory lane....



 Halloween 2002. My goblins with friends on our front steps.



All of these decorations I've had for quite awhile except for the tea towels! Thanks to an Etsy introduction from my bloggy friend Kat at Low Tide High Style, they arrived Saturday!



Old Spool Embroidery provided bewitching elegance in the kitchen.





What's brewing in spooky decor at your house?



Trick or Treat?


Sources:
Vintage pumpkin heads: Mesmeralda's
Beaded pumpkins & garland: Crate & Barrel
Velvet mice: Pottery Barn
Silk frames with taffeta ribbon: Savvy Home & Garden
Candlesticks & bronze glittered candles: Villeroy & Boch
Acanthus leaf vessel: Pear Tree Cottage

Tea towels: Oldspoolembroidery.etsy.com

All photos courtesy of A&A