Saturday Meanderings

Is anyone else in awe that is it already November? Actually this week went by so quickly~so much so that I thought it was Tuesday when in actuality it was Friday. I feel like I want to slam on the brakes of life. You, too? My goal this week is to breathe deeply, go for daily walks and take some time for myself. It’s that time again for Saturday Meanderings, where we chat about all good things this week.

Fall colors in the Arizona mountains

Spontaneity

Last Friday afternoon, on a whim, I decide to drive up to the mountains with our cat, Donovan, to meet up with my husband. Donovan does not like to be in the car and finally settles down after an hour of yowling. But he loves exploring the cabin and has free rein of the place other than our bedroom.

Donovan, not a happy camper

Even though I was born and raised in Connecticut, I am no longer used to cold weather. Boy, it was so cold both inside and outside our cabin (at least for me). However, how fun to wear warm sweaters and coats again!

It is so quiet in the mountains this time of year and it truly feels like the end of fall and the beginning of winter. I am able to do a fun little cocktail photo shoot among the turning leaves in the forest. Later, my husband and I sit there with a drink for just a few minutes, but scampered inside because it was so cold and windy! But what a gift to be there for a few days keeping warm by the fire.

Halloween

Mr. Bones in my unfinished rocking chair

Did you have a fun Halloween? So many Halloween events took place over the weekend so I’m not even sure how many children celebrated Halloween on the actual date? Since we live on a busy road that is not well-lit, we try not to encourage children to cross the street to our home (no sidewalks on our side).

Making Breadstick “fingers”

So trick or treaters are few and far between. For quite a few years now, we tend to host a rather elaborate Halloween dinner party. But after being away for the weekend, last minute invites go out on Monday for a very spontaneous Halloween cocktail party on our back terrace on Tuesday.

Halloween charcuterie board

Fortunately we have a group of friends who always respond to our last minute events! A few hors d’oeuvres and fun cocktails make for a fun evening. What a blessing to have such nice friends and neighbors.

Getting Candle Wax off of Linens

Halloween table runner

I did write a post about this (you can see it here), but after our impromptu Halloween gathering, there is residual candle wax on my table runner. This week I posted an Instagram reel on how to remove it. This technique really works. With the holidays coming there will be more opportunities for candle wax to mar your table linens so check it out. Also if you are on Instagram, would love for you to follow me @lifeatbellaterra.

Inspiration from the Internet

Sean Symington

I know very little about interior designers but I am intrigued by Sean Symington. He seems rather young (don’t they all?) and even though he started his interior design firm in 2019, it appears he is very successful.

Sean Symington

However, I do like his classic yet refreshed approach. If you love traditional style, pretty fabrics, and gorgeous wallpaper, check him out here.

Sean Symington

Adorable Cottage

Though I am not ready for Christmas decor, it is a treat to see my friend’s (Kim from Shiplap and Shells) waterfront cottage.

Shiplap and Shells

Kim shares 21 Quick and Simple Cottage Christmas Decor Ideas to Try. This may be the inspiration I need to decorate the guest cottage this Christmas….

Thanksgiving Desserts

Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse is sharing all sorts of ideas for Thanksgiving desserts. In her post, she has 6 Mouthwatering Thanksgiving Pie Recipes (plus much, much more). Rachel is a dynamo and I am always so impressed at how much great information she shares.

Cranberry Dump Pie

Need Help with Interior Design?

My friend, Andrea from Design Morsels provides a WEALTH of information on interior design tips and tricks. Not sure what size chandelier to put over your dining room table? Need help choosing a color palette? Ask Andrea.

Choosing a color palette

For those of you who remember Hints from Heloise, Andrea is just that but all things interior design. She is my go to when I am feeling overwhelmed or not sure what design direction to take. Bookmark her website or better yet, follow Andrea!

Mary’s Must Haves

During the week, these items come to mind as ones I appreciate (use often) and highly recommend.

These interior night lights illuminate and provide a safe path around the house after dark. Recently, after taking a pretty good spill outside, in the dark, I am hyper aware of not wanting to fall again. Eufy night lights are low profile, attractive, turn on automatically and provide a nice, warm light. Once the sun is up, the lights turn off.

Eufy night lights

For outside your home, especially during the darker winter months, these JackonLux Dusk to Dawn Outdoor Automatic light bulbs work very well. We have installed them on the guest cottage and pool house and it’s nice to know they go on and off automatically with sunrise and sunset.

Outdoor automatic light bulbs

I am not a fan of those harsh blue/white LED lights. These provide a nice warm white light for illumination. Well priced at $16.99 for 4 bulbs.

Colorscience Brush-on Sunscreen Mineral Powder

Protecting our skin from the sun is a smart thing to do in both the summer and winter. However, I am not a fan of greasy sunscreen, especially on my face. I’ve tried products made for the face, but for some reason putting on that extra layer of lotion escapes me.

Powdered Sunscreen

This powdered sunscreen mineral powder with an SPF 50, I use every single day because it acts like my foundation powder. I also keep one in my purse that I apply when I go on longer driving trips to protect the left side of my face. To pay $69.00 for a sunscreen seems a bit much, but the last time I bought one was in January 2023 and I am still using it. Say it lasts a full year, that’s less than $6.00 per month and approximately $0.19 a day. Well worth the price to protect your skin from damaging sun rays. See it here.

For All your Hot Beverages

Chefman Electric Glass Kettle

With the colder weather setting in, I am drinking more hot beverages~from tea to mushroom coffee to my super sleep time lattes. This electric glass kettle boils water SO quickly, faster than the stove or microwave. It has numerous safety issues such as a stay-cool handle and auto-shutoff. If you are a tea drinker, there is a bonus infuser. Great price with a 1-year warranty at $34.99. Find it here.

This Coming Week…

Veterans Day, November 11

Sunday is Daylight Savings Time so remember to change your clocks (except if you live here in Arizona where we never change time). Tuesday is Election Day~please remember your duty To VOTE. On Thursday, my son and his girlfriend are coming to town for a wedding. Our entire family will be getting together for dinner, which is very exciting! Saturday, November 11th is Veterans Day~please take time to pray and honor those veterans of the armed services who lost their lives in our country’s wars.

That’s a wrap for this Saturday’s Meanderings. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.




Saturday Meanderings

Happy Saturday, friends! It is beautiful fall weather here in Phoenix. Why we couldn’t have had this last week for the Fall Styling Workshop I do not know. Cobalt blue skies, 58 degrees at night and warm during the day. Ahhhh, finally. This is the last Saturday Meanderings in October! What? Wait? How did that happen? October is one of my favorite months and it blew by. Welcome to Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.

Dusk in the palm orchard

Post Workshop Blues

As I organize and put things away from the Fall Styling Workshop, I’m feeling a bit blue. Not sure if I’m just tired or still recuperating from my kidney stone debacle. Last week our home was filled with friends and activities. Unfortunately, I received notice of the death of a neighbor and someone at church, too. This week is very quiet~perhaps it’s just the contrast. So I am trying to do things that fill my soul and resting a bit more than usual. Do you experience a let down after a big event?

Using Vintage Items for Flower Arrangements

We have a thrift store nearby (The Assistance League Thrift Boutique) that often has fabulous items at a very low price. A few months ago, I pick up these sweet cream soup bowls. I am alway amazed at how big contemporary dishes have become with larger serving sizes.

Vintage cream soup bowl

Chloe (Celebrate and Decorate) put these bowls to good use and made 5 flower arrangements with alstroemeria, carnations, mums, roses and greens.

Pretty floral arrangement in cream soup bowl

Personally, I never thought to use these bowls in this way, but how clever! My recollection is that I spent about $2.50 per bowl. Would love to create Christmas arrangements and deliver them to all my neighbors as an attractive and affordable holiday gift.

Easy to do with wet floral foam

Face Yoga

Have you heard of face yoga?

Face yoga works by targeting individual muscles in the face, either through certain facial movements or massaging your face with your hands and fingers.

Though these exercise won’t grow back lost fat in the face—only injections or cosmetic surgery can do that—they may help to bulk up some of the muscles.

Japanese yoga expert Koko Hayash

I just signed up for face yoga sessions through the DailyOM called The 10-Minute Method to Naturally Tighten Your Face by Sadie Nardini. You may have to search for it as I tried linking to it and nothing happened.

Right now, I have completed 50% of the course and find myself doing weird face exercises in the shower, while I drive, etc. My face muscles are very tired upon completion of the exercise. I took a Before picture and will snap another in a month and see if there is any improvement. We can only hope.

Ginger Pear and Walnut Tart

Back in September, I shared a stunning video of Lisa from Celebrate Creativity making a ginger pear and walnut tart. Well, I made it this week and it is delicious. However, instead of using a 16″x4″ tart pan, I only have an 8″x8″ one. Since the area is the same (64″), I figure the same measurements will work. The recipe calls for 4 pears, but 2 pears will do it. In Lisa’s pictures, it appears she only uses 2 pears as well. Maybe pears are just bigger than usual.

Ginger Pear & Walnut Tart from Celebrate Creativity.

I failed to take a picture of it after baking but here’s a photo from Lisa’s blog. Once I make it again, I will add more ginger to the steeping mixture and take photos! A perfect fall dessert.

Yarn Pumpkins

Making a Yarn Pumpkin

As part of our gift bags from the Fall Styling Workshop, Chloe made these pretty yarn pumpkins. She left a few unmade and, I must say, this is a rather relaxing DIY while sitting in front of the television. I am able to make two of them this week using both a stick and old pumpkin peduncle for the stems.

Yarn pumpkin with real pumpkin stem

You can find this DIY here, at Celebrate and Decorate. Aren’t they cute?

A Fun Idea

Fun Holiday idea with books

This week I received the Garnet Hill catalogue. Check out the cover. A fun and simple idea for the holidays. I may try this in our library!

The Graphics Fairy

The Graphics Fairy is a resource for vintage images and crafty projects. Since I subscribe to their weekly email newsletter, every Friday I receive a free graphic. Here is this week’s one…so perfect for fall or Halloween.

Friday Free Graphic

Who remembers the owl theme I did last year on the outdoor stone fireplace mantel? To learn more about The Graphics Fairy or to sign up and get your free images, click here.

Halloween owl mantel

The Great British Baking Show

A new season has begun! I just love this show where bakers from all ages and backgrounds come together and B.A.K.E.!

Baking under the tent

This show inspires me to learn more about the intricacies and chemistry of pastry, bread, chocolate, cake, you name it. Plus who can resist those sweet work areas with pastel colored refrigerators and ovens. See it on Netflix.

Mary’s Must Haves

Often, I get people asking me to share my favorite, tried and true products. Or they have seen something on the blog but can’t find it at a later date. Each week I hope to produce “Mary’s Must Haves” and then create a tab at the top of the website for easy access. It will take some time to build a resource page, but I will be working on it and adding products each week.

Some of these items will have an affiliate link, others not. An affiliate link will allow me to make a few cents if you click on the link and purchase the product. This is absolutely at no cost to you, but consider it a gift to me for making your shopping experience a bit easier.

Battery Operated Milk Frother

Handheld milk frother/blender

Every day of every week I use this simple utensil to blend my Vital Proteins into my coffee or to make a cup of faux coffee (mushroom coffee). It’s only $14.99 (currently 25% off) and will froth milk, make whipped cream and easily blend any dry powder into your liquids. It works much better than a fork or whisk. Comes with a stand too. See it here.

Fresh Herbs at your Fingertips

My son and his girlfriend live in Chicago in a high rise apartment complex on the 36th floor. He loves to cook but does not have access to any outdoor or garden space. For Delaney’s birthday, I sent them this indoor hydroponic gardening system with a grow light that is small and easily fits in their living space.

AeroGarden Hydroponic growing system

They have great success growing fresh herbs all year long. Though a bit of an initial investment, think of all the money you will save not having to buy those small packets of fresh herbs at the grocery store. Would be an excellent gift for Christmas, too. It’s 43% off ~see it here.

Hair Care

With the weather changing with drier winter conditions, it’s important to pamper your hair. Mine is fine, straight and can be limp and dull without the right products. I am one of those people that doesn’t spend a lot of money on clothing or jewelry, but I do invest in my hair products. Think of it as a good return each and every time you look into the mirror.

Oribe Shampoo for Magnificent Volume

Oribe has several different types of shampoo based on your type of hair. Personally I use two kinds~Oribe for Magnificent Volume (makes my fine hair look like much more hair). I also use the conditioner for Magnificent Volume.

Conditioner for Magnificent Volume

The second product is Oribe for Beautiful Color (which I use right after seeing my hair stylist).

Each shampoo has an accompanying conditioner. Amazon sells the one for Beautiful color as a bundle. These products seem to last a long time as you only need a small amount to get suds.

Oribe for Beautiful Color shampoo/conditioner bundle

Oribe has shampoo and conditioner for gray/silver hair too. The travel sizes are perfect when you are on the road.

Great style done by Roscoe at Pucci Salon

With the holidays coming and wanting to look your best, you may want to try these products. I am overdue for a great haircut, but if you are like me and invest in a good stylist, it makes sense to use the right products too.

Well, that’s a wrap. Enjoy these last few days of October. Next time we chat will be another new month. Thanks for checking in.




Some of My Favorite Autumn Images

Greetings from the Orlando Airport! Even though it is early October, it is still hot and humid here in this part of Florida. With a long wait until my flight to Phoenix departs, I am at the Admiral’s Club overlooking the tarmac with multiple planes coming and going under the heavy and moody Florida sky. So what better way to get into the Fall/Autumn mood than sharing some of my favorite images of the season.

Pinterest~Front Porches

Image: Southern Living

I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. For me, once I get on their platform, it tends to be a bit of a rabbit hole. However, you can find SO many ideas and tips that the love part outweighs the other. If you don’t follow me on Pinterest, consider doing so as I have over 200 images saved in my “Everything Fall and Autumn” folder (@lifeatbellaterra).

Image: Southern Living

I love looking at other peoples’ homes and can’t get enough ideas from some of these exterior front door shots. There are so many ways to gussy up your front entrance in the fall. The added bonus is that I keep my fall decor up until Thanksgiving (unlike most bloggers who are already onto Christmas).

Image: Martha Stewart

With that strong pop of color from the red chrysanthemums, isn’t this entrance just magical? The corn stalks perfectly draws your eye right up to the front door.

Pinterest~Food

With Halloween occurring this month, there are many ways to theme your snack boards or charcuterie trays with some spooky touches.

Image: mary.e.sargant

A simple spider web design onto of your dip or guacamole, can transform a typical snack tray to something spectacular. For more seasonal trays, click here.

Image: thebakermama.com

Fall is the time of year to enjoy seasonal squashes~like this Maple Pecan Roast Acorn Squash.

Image: closetcooking.com

After a long and hot summer, I love turning on the oven and filling the kitchen with wonderful cooking and baking smells. It’s time to prepare roasts and use seasonal ingredients in abundance such as apples and apple cider. I always find great recipes from Tieghan from Half Baked Harvest like this Fall Harvest Cider Roasted Chicken with Walnut Goat Cheese and Grapes.

Image: Half Bake Harvest

Do you have a favorite fall recipe? My recipe for Apple Cider Donuts is our way to celebrate the start of fall. Baked and full of apple cider goodness, these are always a special treat on the weekends.

Apple Cider Donut recipe

Favorite Autumn Photos

It’s hard to believe I took this photo on my old iPhone during a morning walk in Simsbury, Connecticut in 2019. It is not enhanced~ just plain old gorgeous fall colors!

A morning walk in Simsbury, Connecticut

On that same trip we toured many towns in New England, which allows me to capture all these seasonal photos.

Covered Bridge in Litchfield, Connecticut
Bike riding in Old Saybrook

Poland is on the travel bucket list, and look how magical this park is in the fall in Lodz, Poland.

Park Staromiejski, in Lodz, Poland

The link to this photo doesn’t work, but this is a classic, autumn photo I’ve seen many times on the internet.

Image found on Pinterest

As I wind up this wonderful trip with good girl friends, I am reminded of how life is full of blessings. Can’t wait to get home and see my family, sleep in my own bed, pet my cat, feed my chickens and reminisce about the laughter and love I experienced on this trip.

Quote: Lauren DeStefano



Saturday Meanderings

I seriously do not understand how fast August is flying by~especially these last two weeks. Happy last Saturday of August and it’s hard to believe the Labor Day weekend is next week. We are so lucky to still be enjoying the cooler mountains of Arizona and lately, I can certainly feel a touch of autumn in the air. Thanks for joining me for Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.

View on our walk

Hummingbird Frenzy

We have two hummingbird feeding stations just outside the front of the cabin. Both are filled with so many hummingbirds, dipping their beaks into the sweet nectar. It is so entertaining to watch them maneuver while batting their wings at lightning speed.

Rufous hummingbird on the right

Most of the hummingbirds I have observed are shades of blue or green, but lately, we are seeing multiple bright orange and red ones. Little did I know but they are the Rufous Hummingbird. Out of all the hummingbirds, this one migrates up to 4,000 miles (from Alaska to Mexico).

Original image: Bruce D. Taubert, Arizona Highways

Research has revealed that the area of a hummingbird’s brain related to learning and spatial memory — the hippocampus — is proportionately the largest of any bird group studied to date. Hummingbirds “brain volume” is up to five times larger than that found in songbirds, for example.

With enhanced spatial memory, the Rufous and other hummingbirds pinpoint prime locations of nectar, their main food source. Remarkably, hummingbirds can also remember feeder locations from previous years, both on their home territories and along their migratory pathways.

Photo by Daniel Roberts

Anyway, just wanted to share a little hummingbird info that I found fascinating this week. In the meantime, we are refilling our feeders almost daily and enjoying their elaborate flight displays, steep dives and territorial nature.

I hope to post a video on Instagram documenting the Rufous Hummingbird invasion~you can see it @lifeatbellaterra.

Fun Finds this week

Speaking of birds, many years ago I purchased these bird plates from Anthropologie as part of a wall grouping. When no longer needed as that, I realize how much I like these plates from their colors to their size. However, I only had 3 of them.

Additional plates from eBay

A quick visit to eBay and I find 4 more, with just the blue and yellow border. These are the perfect size for a small meal or dessert. A happy purchase.

Do you use eBay to find or sell your treasures?

A Sustainable Way to Reuse Candle Vessels

3 bags of clean candle wax

I am trying a relatively new product from a company called Siblings. According to their website, they do candle refills, not single-use vessels. Their 100% compostable bag contains everything needed to make a luxe, non-toxic candle in a vessel you already have. A candle with less waste, lighter weight and fewer emissions.

Pour wax out of 100% compostable package

Basically, you microwave the bag and pour the melted candle wax into your own vessel. No fuss, no mess! The scents I ordered are: clove lavender cedarwood, eucalyptus balsam wild berries and bergamot white rose oak moss.

I am making one candle and it is super easy. Check them out. Again, I don’t get a stipend if you buy this, but if you remember the mess with melting candle wax in a pot on the stove…you will love this!

Cute Little Painting

8″ x 10″ painting from Big Lots~$5.99

While at Big Lots, I spot this cute 8″ x 10″ painting on a wrapped canvas. The colors match one of my vintage quilts in my daughter’s room. Not sure about the black leaves as I can touch them up with a bit of green, but I will live with it for awhile. A steal at $5.99…..really!

Faux fern from Big Lots ~ $7.47

Another find from Big Lots is this faux fern with a basketweave pottery pot. I add it to the nightstand in the cabin guest bedroom~surprising how real it looks! If you missed the post this week about Reworking the Home Office to a Guest Bedroom, you can see it here.

Face Moisturizing Question

In a recent email from Costco entitled $80 OFF Moisturizer, my curiosity leads me to open the marketing piece. I am thinking…$80 off? That’s quite a savings. Then I click on the link which takes me to La Mer Creme De La Mer Moisturizing. The online price for 3.4 oz. container is $409.99; sale price (for 2 days only online) is $329.99.

La Mer Costco ad

I then look at the ingredients. Not sure what Miracle Broth is, but the second ingredient is mineral oil, which is a heavily processed petroleum product. For some reason, I am under the impression that mineral oil is not something you want to use on your skin….?

Anyway, after having sticker shock about this product, both the retail and sales price, does anyone use this? Personally, I can’t imagine spending this much money on a face cream unless it’s going to get rid of all my hard earned wrinkles and spots.

Clinique Moisture Surge

Recently, I did switch my day time moisturizer to Clinique Moisture Surge and so far, I am very happy with the way it works on my skin. You can order this directly through Sephora here. However, if you look for this product on Amazon, they only have it with an SPF of 25. Not sure if it is a knock-off, but on the Clinique website they do not have Moisture Surge with an SPF of 25. Make sure you get the real thing with an SPF of 28. Cost is $48.00.

This 1.5 oz container is lasting quite a long time. I’ve been using it every morning for a few months now and only 1/4 of the jar is gone.

What type of moisturizer (day and night) do you use?

Help!

A few months ago, I posted a picture of this wonderful rocking chair given to me by my neighbor across the street. It has a wonderful history and I love the wide, comfortable seat.

A lovely rocker

I haul it up to the cabin with the intention of stripping off the yellow paint, determining the original wood and perhaps just staining and varnishing it.

Well, I start this project and what a colossal pain in the butt. There are at least 3 layers of paint and after working on it for several days, here is my progress.

A challenging project

Getting the old paint out of the decorative turns is so tedious and often times, impossible….at least so far.

Using a pick to get out the paint in the grooves

Does anyone have any great solutions to making this stripping go faster? I am using an orange gel stripper and wondering if it is just not strong enough? Dipping the entire piece into stripping solution is not an option due to the woven seat and back of the chair.

Maybe it’s best to just repaint it? Perhaps a heat gun? Would appreciate your thoughts and expertise.

From the Internet

Celebrate and Decorate

You have heard me mention Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate (such a creative and talented person!). If you are looking for a non-traditional look for Halloween, check out Chloe’s living room mantel. I love it when I see something I’ve never seen before.

Letting Go of Summer with Gratitude

I would consider myself someone who hangs onto summer for as long as I can. It’s rather easy to do when you live in Phoenix, Arizona and the heat really doesn’t seem to end until Halloween. But there is something about the ease and fluidity of days in this season, that doesn’t really happen the rest of the year.

Photo: Home with Heather

Heather from Home with Heather has a thoughtful post on Letting Go of Summer with Gratitude. If you are having reservations about saying goodbye to the summer rhythms, you may enjoy this.

Easy Sheet Pan Recipes

Harissa Chicken with Smashed Olives and Apricots~Food 52

Quite honestly, I rarely make any meal on a sheet pan. But this article from Food 52, makes a compelling argument on why one should try it. Sheet pan Harissa Chicken with Smashed Olives and Apricots, anyone? See it here.

It’s time to wish you a wonderful weekend. I am driving down to Phoenix for a few days to see my daughter(s), catch up with a doctor’s appointment and maybe a haircut. Be happy and be safe out there!




Halloween Ideas for Spook-tacular Decor

I have such fond memories of Halloween growing up in Connecticut. My mother make our costumes and decorate the lamp post on the outside walkway with corn stalks. Together we would paint pumpkins with faces and add straw hats. Across the street was a graveyard and I would run by there as fast as possible on those dark, blustery Halloween nights. Some people just don’t like Halloween, but I do. Here are decor ideas for a spook-tacular and scary holiday.

Dressed as a ghost bride, Halloween 2021

Skulls and Skeletons

It is so fun for me to look back on Halloween pictures over the years. What you will see is how I use our items in different vignettes year to year.

Here is Mr. Bones on our front porch.

Mr. Bones and his pets 2018

When we visited Old Town Alexandria, Virginia in 2020, skeletons are used in many different ways.

Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia
Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia

If you need skeletons, there is a huge selection on Amazon here.

We have an assortment of skulls that are easy to place just about anywhere. Often, I use these for the centerpiece at the dinner table, or to fill in the mantel or entry display.

Skulls in the centerpiece

Gravestones

Gravestones are always appropriate and some have unique sayings too. If you have been to the Haunted Mansion at Disney, you can see many with a sense of humor.

Halloween 2018

Vintage Apothecary Bottles

Halloween conjures up images of a mad scientist in his laboratory with potions in apothecary bottles. If you have any leftover bottles, you can apply vintage bottle labels to create your own chemistry lab. Check out these labels on Amazon.

How to make vintage bottle labels. Vintage Amber bottles with distressed faux vintage bottle label.

My friend, Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse has a DIY on how to make vintage bottle labels with free printable labels online. Whether your bottles are clear, green or brown, an old label will certainly give them character and the right vibe for Halloween. Here is a link to Rachel’s post .

From Bottle Your Brand

Some online labels are already old looking like the ones here.

Old bottles, in various sizes, can be used in various ways~on a mantel or as a centerpiece for a Halloween party.

A Shower Curtain

Did you know there are Halloween-themed shower curtains? Check out the one in the background of my friend’s dinner party. It is hung in front of a window, which gives it an eery, lighted feeling.

Elegant and scary dinner party Celebrate and Decorate

This full moon with gothic gates is the perfect backdrop to our ghostly dinner party.

Ghostly sisters

Last year, my sweet blogging friends got together in Florida and put on this elegant, yet scary dinner party. Chloe, from Celebrate and Decorate is responsible for all the special touches of this gorgeous table. You can see more details about this here and here.

Below, the moon gothic haunted house and courtyard shower curtain is only $21.99 here. It makes the perfect backdrop for picture taking or just hanging over a window. You can actually use it in the bathroom too~

For more examples of what is available, click here.

Crows, Rats, Black Cats and Spiders

In everyday life, I think big black crows are just plain scary. We have an automated one that is motion activated so when you walk by it makes a loud CAW with its red blinking eyes.

We also have a box of crows, owls and cats that have realistic black feathers/fur. Perching them in light fixtures or on a mantel or table, adds a bit of spook to your home. Here’s a link to some of these feathered friends.

Black cat decoration

An affordable way to turn up the creep factor is to add black stock paper rats. You can order them here.

Black stock paper rats

I am not a fan of spiders, but how impressive are these arachnids! The entire front of this brownstone is covered in webs, spiders and skeletons. I love how the residents of Old Town, Alexandria go all out on their exterior decorations. It certainly made my morning walks quite fun.

Lots of spiders in Old Town, Alexandria, VA

Mantel Decor

Each year I try to change up the dining room mantel for Halloween. When we entertain for Halloween, our guests generally pass through the dining room on the way to the kitchen. Therefore, it makes sense to decorate this one, vs. the other mantels in the house.

In 2018, the mantel is blatantly spooky.

Dining room mantel 2018

However, this year, it is a bit more subtle with colors of pink, pale blue, black with skull heads. I placed an early order of this garland from Grandinroad’s Halloween catalog. So happy I did because it appears to be sold out now. Here is their website. They have amazing Halloween items.

Skull garland from Grandinroad catalog
This year’s dining room mantel

Witches Hats and Brooms

How cute are these witches broomsticks from Jennifer at the Cottage on Bunker Hill? You can find broomsticks online or I believe these are from Trader Joes.

Cottage on Bunker Hill

I’ve always wanted to decorate with lots of black witches hats, but have never done so. I just ordered 12 hats from Etsy so let’s see where that takes us this year!

For years, I have a set of glass witches that have an LED battery operated light. They glow eerily at night and I think they are more sweet, than scary. I have no idea where I purchased them, but cherish them year after year.

Set of glass witches

Well, if you decorate for Halloween, I hope this post is an inspiring one. Just writing it has me thinking about how I will change things up a bit this year. We will more than likely have a dinner party, as we don’t get any trick or treaters. Our street is too busy and dark and with no sidewalk, it makes coming to our house a bit precarious. Do you have Halloween plans? If so, please share!

Have a fabulous day!

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