I could live here...

...except that it's entirely computer generated.  :(

Will there be a Martha Stewart Halloween magazine in 2013?

All signs point to "yes!"  From June 16, 2013:

"To follow Martha Stewart, even briefly, is a test of endurance. On a recent afternoon, Ms. Stewart wrapped up posing for a photo shoot for Martha Stewart Halloween magazine at her company’s Manhattan headquarters, as makeup artists briskly wiped glitter off her cheeks and disassembled her fairy-godmother bouffant. She hopped off her makeup chair and sprinted into the neighboring studio to check on a Martha Stewart Weddings cover photo shoot featuring $50 million worth of engagement rings. "

Yes, I know new ideas are getting harder and harder to come by, and the last MS Halloween mag (in 2011) was mostly a re-run of previous magazine articles/ideas, but I get excited to get that new mag in my hand every year.  Last year was just saddening.  I couldn't believe they couldn't come up with something new to justify another magazine, but it gave me hope that this year would have plenty of new ideas.  We'll just have to see if the MS minions have been hard at work for the last two years.  Regardless, I'll probably buy the 2013 edition anyway.  I'm a sucker for a Halloween mag.

Grandin Road Halloween!

First of all, I love the Grandin Road Halloween preview videos!  They do an amazing job on atmosphere and getting you in the mood to haunt--of course, by this time, I'm already in the mood to haunt.

Second, the videos help me pretend that all my guests will come in fabulously appropriate costumes.  For me, the holiday is about being scary, not slutty or funny or distasteful.  I can only hope that someday, all my guests will pander to my whims.  Three years ago,  I had a Yoshi and a D*ck in a Box (NSFW).  I had specified to come in a scary costume, preferably something with a vintage feel, and even gave a link to what I was hoping for.  I said I wanted a Halloween party like adults celebrated before it became all commercial and geared for children.  Okay, it was probably commercial then, too, but not like it is now.

Anyway, once again Grandin Road has a few must-haves, but I'll wait for the 50% off emails to arrive.  What?  You didn't know they do that?  Oh, but they do!  Last year I got the 6' and 5' tall mummies and Venetian Victoria for half-off.  I got something else on sale, too, but just what escapes me just now.  So sign up for their emails!  Right now, if you take a survey, you get 20% off your first order, but it's only good through August 7--not nearly enough off or nearly enough time to ponder your first purchase.  At least, not for me.

My Refrigerator

This is my refrigerator (notice the Frigidaire in the upper left corner).  These are foam stickers I got from Michael's about three years ago.  I put them on and my husband wanted to know if I planned to take them down after Halloween.  Why would I take them down?  And that explains the three years later.  :)

Olia Pishchanska

 

This is one of my favorite images, made by Olia Pishchanska.  Check out more of her work here.

I do love me some Meatyard

I think this one is my favorite.

Love the vacant eyes...

How freaky is this peeling paint?

This one is nightmare-worthy.

 

Technically, I don't know if ALL of these are the work of Ralph Eugene Meatyard.  Some I know are definitely, but others I can't guarantee, so if anyone knows that they are the work of someone else, please let me know.  Basically, I was Googling him for weird images to print for last year's Halloween party and these are some that I downloaded.

 

Anyway, I absolutely love this man's work.  I just find his images to be captivating.  I plan on doing an homage to him this fall.  He's so inspirational to me!

 

You can look into him further here.

 

Oh, and I'd like to point out that he was from Normal, Illinois.  How fabulous is it that his work is so non-normal?  And "Meatyard"?  That name rocks.

 

Many other people have been inspired by his work as well.  Here's one I also love:

 

By Andrew Hyslop



Weird stuff I've found on the internet...

Just a few weird photos I've found perusing the internet.  Sorry I have no one attribute them to.

Last year's decorations...

Catching up on posts...

 

 

 

 

After last Halloween's party, for SO many reasons, I just didn't get around to posting any photos or blogging about the party.  However, I'm in revved-up Halloween mode so I'm going to try to play a little catch-up now.  These photos are of the cake I had a friend make.  Isn't it cool?  I also had two dozen cupcakes, and then a guest brought a Cold Stone Creamery cake, so this one didn't even get cut two days later.  Not that I'm complaining; I LIVE for cake with buttercream icing!