Ghosts of Halloween Past

Halloween is all about the kids now, but I'd like to revisit my favorite costumes from the past. My all time favorite was...

The beauty school drop-outs circa 2007. A lot of time went in to making those hats (that had to be carefully balanced upon the head, let me tell you!)

Outrageous dresses can be found at many junior retailers i.e. Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Joyce Leslie. We found the silver dresses first and the idea came later. Party store top hats, Dollar Store curlers and lots of silver glitter spray completed the look.

Creative makeup by MAC helped me achieve my 2008, 2009, 2010, etc. look (mainly because the "cat" outfit still fits and is comfy!)

The top came from Charlotte Russe. Tights, boots and accessories make for a festive outfit. Many accessories can be found in the kids section at Dollar Tree.

And if you don't already know. MAC cosmetics (located in my Macy's, some are freestanding) will apply your make-up for free (and a tip to the makeup artist) with a $50 purchase. By the time I stock up on eye cream, lip gloss and a tub of Embark (my signature color), I'm home free (no pun intended).

Hoping my post will give you some ideas and/or inspiration for your own costumes this year.

I'm concentrating on Brennans costume this year...looking forward to showing it off here in a couple of weeks. Thanks for visiting! xoxo Traci

Halloween around the Hutton Home ~ Part Two-ish

I needed to add something to my Halloween Mantel. So a quick and easy paper project, originally inspired by this genius.. http://www.paintedhomedesigns.com/2010/10/p-u-m-p-k-i-n-s.html#more.

Black bats quickly crafted from black leftover paper plates and doublesided tape. Just adds another dimension to our still scary (from Hurricane Irene, if you're new) home.

If it weren't for Irene leveling splitting our flagpole, I'd have nowhere to put this cutie....

Yes...those are the studs you see and luckily the other side, already painted pumpkin, works.

A couple of .84 cent banners from the Christmas Tree Shoppes, adds some height on the other side of the mantel.

I'm pretty please with this super fast addition to our holiday decorating!

Thanks for visiting! xoxo Traci

nyc

We live an hour and change south of the city and I am long overdue for a trip in. On my itinerary would be this spot Goat Town Restaurant. If only to sit in one of these SPECTACTULAR tiles booths. Love.

Images courtesy of http://goattownnyc.com. I'm pretty sure the food is spectacular as well....what a warm spot to be on a cool autumn evening.

Thanks for visiting! xoxo Traci

Island Heights {semi} Wordless Wednesday

Lazy afternoon in Island Heights...feeding ducks and watching sailboats. Just another peek back at the Summer of '11.

~Autumn Display~

A beautiful Autumn display...Once the bright orange mums bloom (never buy them in bloom!) it will be absolutely lovely from the street. (with some faux additions from the "tree")

I acquired these urns from the former homeowners and they were literally buried in a pile of dirt behind a shed in the backyard. I had scrubbed them and always planted them, but they were just....scurvy.

With a brillo and a can of black spray paint....

Voila!! Fresh new planters and what better time than now...

They just POP for the Fall/Halloween season. I am so pleased with the outcome, I am looking for other stuff to spray paint glossy black. Stay tuned....

Thank you for visiting ~ xoxox Traci

Fresh & Healthy...from Costco

We've all been at Costco, or Sam's Club, or BJ's, depending on your region during sample hour. Dips, cheeses, cakes, pizza, meatballs on a toothpick, pretzel crisps, frozen hors d'oeuvres are yours for the sampling at the end of each aisle. It's a grazers paradise. I can also say that my facebook status has a few times been.."Damn, I missed sample hour at Costco!" It makes it too easy for making poor decisions. This is just a little idea from me to you on purchasing and eating healthy from Costco.

You will need a bag of frozen tilapia filets and a frozen bag of asian stir-fry veggies. Coat the tilapia with a mixture of honey, soy sauce, chopped green onions, red paper flakes, sesame seeds and a sprinkle of garlic powder. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes easily. While the fish is baking, stir fry your frozen veggies in hot oil (I use olive) and a few spritz's of soy or teriyaki sauce until crisp cooked. And that's it...a quick, healthy meal from Costco that will save you from eating half a box of spanakopita (you know what I am talking about fellow Costco-ers!)

While not an true recipe, I am still going to link up for some recipe swaps. I gotta break out some recent Southern Living and conduct my test kitchen again. Remember this gem: http://coastalpines.blogspot.com/2011/04/bacon-herb-cupcakes-lets-eat-recipe.html.

Thank you for dropping by ~ I appreciate your visit! xoxox Traci

No Purchase Necessary...

So the Publishers Clearinghouse has sucked me in. I've been completing the entry processes for over a year now, in hopes that they will park that van in front of my house (while I unknowingly answer the door in curlers and a muu-muu) and present me with a very large cardboard check for 10 million dollars. While no purchase is necessary, multiple times per week I am forced to page down through tons of stuff & magazines to complete my entry process (anyone else?? Only me...ok). Here is a sampling of the the temptations I am offered:

There is no family more patriotic than ours, but I'm afraid this would give the kids nightmares.

A close-up of the accessories. All this could be yours for $23.96.

Who wouldn't want this in their display cabinet/curio/hutch, etc...This colorful DAGGER will run you about the same as the set above...

There was a guy I went to high school with the nickname "belt buckle", he would LOVE this.

Who needs to drop a ton of cash at Brookstone on a Tranquil Moments Sound Therapy machine/clock when you can get this for the low price of $29.96? Although, it is SO colorful, I may have trouble darkening the room...

All joking aside, if you have any of these products, I apologize. I'm just a bit more subdued when it comes to decorating and my style. Confession: I actually have purchased something from the PCH folks in hopes that it will better my chances of winning. I received 8 microfiber washcloth sized cleaning rags...for $17.96. It will be so worth it when my winning commercial is aired during the Super Bowl next year.

Thanks for dropping by xoxo Traci