Holly at Halloween

For those of you based on the East Coast of the US, you'll probably agree that Halloween is most likely over for us now, courtesy of Mother Nature.  However, if you're anywhere else in the World and still searching for a costume idea, then I thought I'd share my iconic New York costume concept, that I actually stole from fellow blogger Jacqueline of Je Ne Sais Quoi.

Being the unconventional Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's

You Will Need:

A white, oversized, men's shirt.

Zara £29.99

A Breakfast at Tiffany-esque sleep mask.  I purchased the below from Le Petite Coquette for $37 in New York City, but you can also find some fun other versions on etsy.

An old fashioned cigarette holder from any fancy dress store.  I paid a dollar for mine.

You could really do with some blue tassel earrings also, to act as her tassel ear plugs but I was unable to locate any.

Here I am sporting this look on Saturday night.

For further Holly Golightly inspiration take a peek at this great scene...

Happy Halloween everyone!  And for my East Coast counterparts - keep safe!

Speaking as your Starbucks Connoisseur: The Pumpkin Spice Latte

Raise your hand and say "Aye" if you've been waiting for the Pumpkin Spice Latte to arrive in the UK for as long as I have.  This autumnal flavoured drink emulates a crisp sunny day, with leaves crunching beneath your feet and New England style pumpkin displays on show, in a cup.

I first sampled this cinnamon, spice and all things nice, delight back in 2005 and have yearned for one ever since.  For those that are familiar with the drink, you may even be aware of the Facebook and Twitter campaigns that have dedicated their time to delivering this seasonal beverage to your door.  Of course it finally makes it's debut the year that I happen to be living in the US and can have one whenever I want anyway.

For those of you in the UK seemingly unaware of this new option at your local Starbucks, ensure that it is your order upon your next visit.  If October and Halloween fills you with good spirit and that cosy sensation, then this is the drink for you.  If you hate cinnamon, pumpkins and are slightly deterred by the idea of a somewhat orange coloured coffee, then steer clear.

To ELLE and Back recommends it...ICED.

Movie Monday: McNally Family Halloween Traditions

Next Monday is Halloween and in the McNally household there are three films that are ALWAYS played around this time and another that I am particularly fond of and so am throwing in the mix this year.  In preparation for this festive time I thought I'd give you a brief synopsis of each so you too can make sure they are adorning your DVD player on All Hallows Eve!

HOCUS POCUS

If you haven't seen this then you are missing out on a Disney Classic.  What better way to celebrate Halloween than with the Sanderson sisters, that's Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah-Jessica Parker).  In 1693, Salem, Massachusetts, three evil witches are preparing to suck the lives out of children to ensure their youth and allow them to live forever.  Although they manage to take the life of young Emily and turn her older brother Thackory Binx into a black cat that shall live forever, they are caught and hung.  The villagers of Salem weren't quick enough though and the Sanderson sisters managed to make one last plea to their master, the devil and place a curse on the house, promising to return when a virgin lights the black flame candle on All Hallows Eve.  1993 Max does just that and of course all hell breaks loose coupled with a fair few laughs over the sister's interpretations of modern day life.

WHAT LIES BENEATH


Albeit it's really the music that makes you jump more than anything, we've been playing this movie every Halloween since I don't even know when.  Claire Spencer (Michelle Pfeiffer) starts to see and feel some odd goings-on in her New England home after taking her daughter off to University.  Shrugging the bizarre activity off as an over active imagination and far too much time on her hands the scary happenings become more frequent and disturbing.  Husband, Norman (Harrison Ford) tries to put her mind at ease but Claire continues to delve into all sorts of possible answers and as she begins to unravel the story of her distressing past a year ago, a past she had since forgotten due to a traumatic accident, everything suddenly becomes clear.

PRACTICAL MAGIC


One of my favourite movies ever, from the music to the backdrop of the very eccentric New England home.  The Owen's women have a curse placed on the men they fall in love with by ancestor Maria, who was accused of witchcraft in the 1600's.  Whilst Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gilly (Nicole Kidman) battle with the opinions of others and their judgement over their witchy history, a sticky jam arises with an abusive boyfriend that leaves all the Owen's women in a bit of a bind.  Spellbinding story!

THE CRUCIBLE


Adapted from the Arthur Miller play based on the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials, I hold a soft spot for this due to playing Elizabeth Proctor in the school play some years ago now.  It documents the hysteria surrounding the trials and enforced by the children who began to accuse,whilst introducing Salem villagers whom were actually killed or accused at the time.  It touches on storylines however that are thought to be inaccurate and created purely for entertainment purposes.  Abigail (Winona Ryder) begins to accuse fellow town folk of Salem of witchcraft after being caught dancing naked in the woods with other young girls of Salem.  The lies spiral out of control and the girls are all mesmerised by Abigail and her accusations, part excited by the concept of being in control of the village and part fearful that they would be accused next if they rebelled.  Amongst the accused is both John (Daniel Day Lewis) and Elizabeth Proctor who were Abigail's former employers and John her ex-lover.

*Image taken from www.imdb.com

Haunting Handsoaps and other Devilish Delights from Bath and Body Works

This post was originally a "Woo hoo! Bath and Body Works now ship to the UK" post but instead it is now a "Boo hoo!  No they don't, I got it wrong, please consider shipping to the UK" post.

Yesterday whilst casually consulting the Bath and Body Works website, via Blackberry, to decipher which treats I would instruct my Las Vegas holidaying sister to bring home with her today, the website conducted itself in British pounds.  You cannot even begin to appreciate my excitement. I texted the Bestie immediately to inform her of this life altering situation but today when consulting their website on my computer I was devastated to see that they're shipping conditions are still very much the same.  I have no clue why their website when loaded onto my phone would be showing the price in pounds, even today but suffice to say I am now inconsolable.  Holly couldn't get to a store so came back from Vegas empty handed and I now have a long list of some devilish delights for the, now present, Autumnal season.

It's no secret that I love Halloween, don't believe me, see what lengths I went to last year in Some Hocus Pocus.  It is also no secret that next to luxurious, hard working beauty products, I am all about the quirk.  Eccentric packaging, cute ideas, novel products, themed treats.  You get the picture.

Here's what's featuring on my shopping list and I bid you lucky US and Canadian readers to go forth, shop, prosper and I shall live precariously through you all.  Or, if like me you're stuck in blighty then start lusting...

The Bath and Body Works pocket antibacterial gels have been a handbag staple of mine for quite some time, great for warding off those tube/subway germs and they're likely to produce a smile as well.

You can get Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Pumpkin Caramel Latte, Poison Apple, Candy Corn and more for $1.50 each or 8 for $5.

Or you could wash away your fears with this kooky and this scrummy beauty...

The Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin soap in pumpkin dispenser retails at $5 and the Caramel Apple at $5.50.

Or maybe you're more of a scented candle lover, well if that's the case, cosy up on the sofa, Gilmore Girls at the ready and start burning these...

Pumpkin Patch, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Pumpkin Caramel Latte, Leaves, Autumn and Cinnamon Sugared Donut all retail at $19.50 or 2 for $20 as well as an array of other autumnal fragrances.  I'm desperate to get my hands on Pumpkin Caramel Latte as the Spiced Pumpkin Latte's from Starbucks in the States are a favourite of mine but alas that is something else that we just aren't catered for in the UK!  I may begin campaigning for that too!

Or you could pucker up your pout with these ghoulish glosses...

Crazy for Candycorn, Wicked Witch's Kiss and Cookies and Scream all sell for $8.


The site has many more tricks and treats so make sure you take a gander over there for a spirited take on Halloween.


PS:  Bath and Body Works did use to have several stores in the UK but I think they migrated before we were ready for them (although I've always been ready).  So this is now my plea to BBW "start shipping to your UK admirers!"

PPS: Hmm, as this post went to print (digitally of course) the BBW website is now showing UK prices on the computer as well but still no confirmation that they will ship here yet.  Bank cards at the ready my loves, I think it could be in the stars!

Some Hocus Pocus!

There are certain seasonal events which make me wish I lived in the States.  They really seem to go to town with their decorations and festive attitude.  Halloween is a prime example. I love it.  Ever since my mum bought home some Halloween decorations from a trip to the US, back when I was about 12/13, Halloween has been a major deal in my house.  Every year I buy a few extra decorations, replenish the black and orange candles and cook an autumnal themed meal.  This year was no different...

I hollowed out three pumpkins and looked for inspiration from Martha Stewart.  My favourite is the one in the middle, which is Martha's "haunted graveyard" jack o'lantern.  Instead of cutting into the skin like the other two, I drew the outline of the picture and then scraped at the skin, so that when a candle is placed inside it looks like this...

I also further decorated the inside of our house, although I focus mainly on our dining room, which you'll understand why just shortly...

For the autumnal feast, I made spiced pumpkin soup with toasted garlic pumpkin seeds, using the insides of two of my pumpkins, a sausage casserole and then these ghoulish treats...

These were Devils Food Cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery cookbook iced with vanilla buttercream, which I dyed with green food colouring.  The haunting cupcake toppers were purchased from Waitrose.  We finished the night with a showing of none other than our favourite Halloween themed film Hocus Pocus, which is made all the more apt by the fact that we have our very own black cat.

I was absolutely devastated that I discovered these gorgeous looking scrubs and creams, from Haus of Gloi too late to order in time for Halloween but still intend to give them a whirl soon.  For a full review check out The Gloss Goss which is where I initially found out about them!