It's Halloween Party Time!

I know the kids love Halloween and things have been "scary" busy around the house getting ready for our "Haunted Handley Halloween" kid's party this weekend! I didn't want to spend a ton of money, so as usual...you know me...I got creative!

Here, have a looksy...if you dare!!!!! 

Enter at your own risk! Well, not really! I do have to keep things tame for the little ones, so my rule is no gore and blood! So it's creepy - especially at night with the pumpkins, grave yard, and porch light up- but not soooo scary! Don't you love Mommy spider hanging out and waiting for her prey! 

Going more with a "Goth" theme in the house, I used spiders, skulls, and  a spooky pumpkin to set the mood. In the evening it looks most ominous with the candles lit and the pumpkin greeting you! 

Here's a cool trick! I took a simple platter  and used a dry erase maker to write my Halloween message! Easy peasy!

Spooky Mantel!

 

Spider Webs, scary pictures, and old books are are all you need to create a haunted moment! Oh, add in the skulls and spiders and your set!

The Dining Room!

An inexpensive bag of spider web goes a long way to create the mood!

Again sticking with the Goth theme, I used candelabra, skulls, and spiders with webbing to create the effect. I love using plastic black chargers and witches cauldrons as my serve ware - it's cheap! 

We will be stirring up some witches brew,  edible broom sticks, and other frightful bites at the party. Most all the recipe ideas came from Better Homes and Gardens website, check it out they have tons of ideas! 

Table is set! Here's our menu:

Goodies are out and ready for Goblins!

Eyeball and Slime Punch! Sprite and green fruit punch

Witch Hats - Hershey's Kiss, icing, and Fudge Stripes

Pillsbury Monster Cookies! Cookies, icing, marshmallows and assorted candies.

Broomstick Bites! Pretzels, sliced cheese and stems of chives

Fingers and Blood dip - okay, it's Pillsbury bread sticks with 1/4 of a pepperoni on the tip with marinara dip!

Here's another trick for your treats!

I love dry erase markers! This will be perfect for our finger bread sticks and marinara!

I didn't have Halloween themed serve ware, so using my white serving pieces, a dry erase maker, and some spider web ribbon - I used the heck out of this stuff! - and turned it into what I needed! 

One More cheap "Trick"!

I also used the ribbon to wrap my plain white candles and candle holders around the house! Easy and inexpensive!

I won't be able to burn these because the ribbon is flammable - just use the LED tea lights inside the candle!

I hope I've inspired you and your next Halloween gathering! Remember it doesn't take a ton of money, when you have your creativity in hand! Happy Halloween!!!!

Creating Fall

Quick, Easy, and Inexpensive Fall Decorating! 

I love this time of year...I think it really is my favorite! The colors of the leaves, cooler weather, and yes, call me crazy, but football, too! Maybe, it's the tailgating! 

I love being able to transform my home from the cool tones of summer to the warm and cozy tones of fall to put me in the mood. From seashells and sand to pumpkins and leaves!

Soooo, we had our first blast of cool weather and that's exactly what I did! I'll show you how simple and inexpensive it was to make the transformation.

Please ignore the light switch! (Sometimes builder's really annoy me!)  Okay, back to fall decorating. Here in the foyer I gathered three gourd candles from Pottery Barn (from a few years back) and I simply tuck the fall picks into the sides. I added a small bunch of leaves and pine cones to the top.  Orange tapers and a beautiful metal plate add to the feeling I'm going for! Gourds can be found anywhere for $5 to $10 and the fall picks can be as cheap as $2.50 at your craft stores. I buy a bunch and use them around the house.


I love to make these fall sprays, they also make great hostess gifts for fall parties. To make a fall spray, get a bunch of fall grasses from the dried flower section of your craft store and leave the rubber band on it. Then tuck in your fall picks of berries and leaves. Then tie it with a ribbon to hide the rubber band...easy peasy! I didn't even have to glue it! I use these on tables, counters, or mantels for decoration. Just about anywhere you want a splash of fall foliage. 

I love this easy trick to transform your plain glass hurricanes in to beautiful fall candle holders. Just use burlap and cut it into a 4" strip and wrap it around and secure with hot glue. Then tie a ribbon around it and tuck in a beautiful fall leaf. Finish it off by gluing on a couple of acorns. 

In the kitchen I just tucked a fall pick into the tray that I use at the coffee area and added this beautiful copper wine bucket. I love the idea of using copper elements in the fall...it adds so much warmth!

The upstairs family room gets a dose of cozy!

I think my favorite combo this year is the blue and orange combo. So using stuff I already had, I transformed the room from summer to fall by changing out a few key elements. I changed out the pillows...obviously...but pulled in a few other accessories.

Key elements to make a cozy room: Plush pillows, soft throws, candles, mix in a few warm hues, and add natural textures.

I am truly one of those people who has to change things around every-so-often to keep things interesting. Transforming your home from a spring/summer look to a fall/winter look is the best way to do it! 

Next week, using cheap and easy "tricks", my house gets "treated" to a spooky Halloween look! Come back and check it out! Thanks for visiting!