Things That Make Me Smile: Down to Ride Till the Very End

Here are a few things that are making me smile today:

I'm super excited about the Leopard + Lace Poshmark Party that I am co-hosting tonight.

Will You be joining in? Dooo it...

I am stoked for my Halloween costume, fingers crossed it all comes together in time...

Just a little hint... (more hints on my Facebook Wall).

And since I love having costume changes and rocking more then one costume, last night's movie sparked a new costume idea and um well, obsession.

After watching Bonnie & Clyde I am currently on a last-minute search for a handsome fellow to be my Clyde, because I'm almost certain I was made to be Bonnie.

They were bad asshes who took the wrong route, but they knew were more then their small towns boxed them in to be.

Lastly I have some of the BEST blog friends, loyal readers and cheerleaders.

This morning I received an email that brought me to TEARS:

I LOVE YOUR BLOG! YOU REALLY MAKE MY DAY BRIGHTER

I just want to let you know that when I checked your blog post from yesterday it really struck a chord with what's going on in my life right now..My sister's best friend was just diagnosed with breast cancer.. for the 2nd time..and we keep talking about positive thinking ..and health is the one thing I think is really easy to take for granted and get caught up in the everyday details of life..but then all of that seems like nothing when your health is compromised..anyways..i shared your blog posting about J brand and thinking positive and life is all about how you react to the situation, etc.. with my sister, my cousin and her best friend through facebook messaging..My sister in fact lives up in San Francisco and I told her she should start reading your blog b/c I'm sure she would recognize some of the places you do your posts at.. (I live in San Diego)..

Anyways..just wanted to let you know that you made a positive difference in my day/week- (I read your blog daily) and keep doing what you are doing! :) Hope you have a great week!

-Katie

p.s. next time I'm in San Fran and if you are free I'd love to meet up for coffee or something :) Not sure when that would be though!

I can't imagine a bigger compliment then to receive such kind words from someone I've never met, and I also can't imagine being diagnosed with breast cancer not just once, but twice.

That's a hand no one should be dealt and my thoughts go out to Katie & her sister, as well as her sister's friend and family.

Honestly, my thoughts are also with ANYONE who has been dealt a hand no one wishes for. Being positive and keeping yourself happy isn't easy, especially when you've got reason to be anything but.

I am more then touched that my words could brighten up someone's day and I'm BLESSED to have Katie's words brighten my day!!!

See the power of positive energy? It makes people HAPPY!! It makes YOU happy.

Why would you ever waste your time being negative? Well, I know I'm one HAPPY FREAK!

{freaking happy at the san francisco blue grass festival}

"Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be..."

DIY: I Should Have left My Phone at Home, Cuz This is a Diaster! {Lady Gaga DIY Costume}

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I love a holiday that requires costumes and who doesn't love the candy? Plus the Giants are on so it's a win/win situation all the way around. When I saw this outfit in the Lady Gaga/Beyonce Telephone video I had to recreate. And I think I did pretty good job. Did I mention I only spent about $15?

Inspiration:
Lady Gaga Telephone Headpiece

Lady AmAm


$1.00 Gloves

Wax Paper and Contact Paper for the Dress.

$2 Salvation Army Phone wrapped and Glue Gunned with a $4 Halloween store wig.

Ta da!
My Lady Gaga Telephone hat costume

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

DIY: Stunning With my Love Glue Gunning {Lady Gaga DIY Costume}

Last Halloween I made a last minute DIY Lady Gaga costume so this year I knew I had to do the same. Her outfits are out there and ridiculous it's hard for me not to want to attempt to make them. This costume cost under $15 to make and took only about a half hour to put together So if you're looking for something to wear to those parties tonight this is a quick and easy costume.
I for one will be wearing Giants gear tonight.

Necessary items for multiple Lady Gaga costumes:

Inspiration: Cigarette Glasses from the Telephone Video.

First turn on some Lady Gaga tunes to pump you up.

Materials needed:
Sunglasses (the flatter the better), Glue gun, 3 packs of fake cigarettes.

Start glue gunning.



Add a $10 Halloween Chain, Leggings and Tube Top.

Gaga ooh la la

Halloween Party: Tricks, Treats and Eats

Pumpkin PANDA-Monium 2010 Menu:
Martha Stewart's Decomposed Salad
Amber's Butternut Swamp Soup
Andi and Mom's Spidey Webbies
Dad's Deviled Eggs
Rena's Black Widow Potato Bites
Jen's Pumpkin Muffins
Vanessa's Moldy Gucamole
and
Sue and Besty's
Fall Festive Fruits and Cheese {zombie} Plate

Libations:
Bloody Marys
Blood Orange Mimosas
{both offered in Virgin Varieties as well}
Pumpkin Lager
Apple Cider

Desserts:
Olga & Olga
Mud Pie and Key Slime Pie

Martha's Decomposed Salad
A keeper for sure!

Amber's Butternut Swamp Soup

Mom and Andi's Spidey Webbies

Ghoulish Chips and Salsa from Whole Foods.

Dad's Deviled Eggs
and
Rena's Black Widow Potato {Caviar} Bites

Jen's Pumpkin Cupcakes

What is on you Halloween menu? I love new ideas!

DIY: Last Minute Lady Gaga Costume

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I am not planning to dress up, nor do I have plans to, but that didn't stop me from making a costume this year. From what I gather Lady Gaga is the costume to be this year. But making a pantless leotard just didn't sound fun, instead I went with one of her wild MTV VMA's outfits for my under $10, less then a hour to make costume. Here it is in case you need a last minute costume idea for your Halloween parties. This project entertained me on Friday night for sure and I'm sure these pictures will entertain you as well. Gaga sure is wild!
This outfit was too weird I just had to recreate!






I am still laughing that I made this costume and posted it! LOL! Now all you need is a someone in leotard with booty shaking moves (Beyonce). A girl in a ball gown with a shocked look on her face (Taylor Swift). And a guy with sunglasses, a microphone and a sign on his shirt that reads "I'ma gonna let you finish". Then you'll have the whole 2009 VMA crowd! Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Boofest 2009

Our day started at the pumpkin patch and ended with glowing pumpkins. Throughout the day pumpkins were carved, food was eaten and awards were given. The food seemed to be missed by the camera but the menu included bloody marys, deviled eggs and I scream sandwiches. My playlist and decorations completed the ambiance of the party.
The pumpkin patch where the fun began.
Gourds brought by my Uncle and were grown in his friends garden! These were amazing.
This pumpkin was also grown in his garden and required the sawzall to come out.
My uncle free handed this!
Awards for the pumpkins.



All lit up.

Pumpkin Party Preperation

Every year my family and I got to our local pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins to carve. Today I spent the day preparing for my pumpkin carving party. I started my day my craft bibles Martha Stewart October issues. Then I picked up tons of flowers and local food the farmers market. And now I am putting together a play list and putting a menu together. I love party planning!

I love stealing ideas from Martha.


Then I picked up tons of flowers and local food from the farmers market.
I filled the House with local flowers. The pops of orange everywhere made me feel so Karen!



My hutch is all ready for the party. Complete with pumpkins, flowers, Witch cook brew books and Erlenmeyer flasks (A Martha idea.)

A nod to my favorite witches. Samantha Stevens from Bewitched and the 3 witches from MacBeth. (I am aware the apostrophe is in the wrong place but when I put it on the outside of the "s" it made the number 30 small like the s....sigh)
Erlenmeyer flasks that will be used for drinks tomorrow. An idea from Martha's 2008 October issue.

Getting Batty!!
My itunes playlist thus far. Any spooky Halloween song suggestions would be great! All Pictures can be clicked on and enlarged.