Halloween | Design Happens

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Faux Halloween Pumpkins: Meet Your New Best Friend

by H. Camille Smith October 10, 2012 8 Comments

When it comes to Halloween pumpkins, I think many of you out there will agree with me when I say that faux can be fabulous. Oh, I know, there are always pumpkin purists who like the squishy sensation of pumpkin innards oozing through their fingertips (You know who you are!) or prefer the look of a real pumpkin or choose real so they can roast the seeds — tasty recipe here, btw — but my personal choice is faux.

Why, you ask? Because, quite honestly, I am a project-aholic. At any given time, I have too many projects started and not enough time to finish them all, so when I buckle down and take the time to bling out a pumpkin, I want my hard work to be displayable for many years to come.

If you’re like me, our Halloween feature is hooking you up with lots of creative ideas for faux pumpkins. Here are 5 of my faves:

For a sophisticated look, add a trendy silhouette:

Coordinate your Halloween decorations to your decor by using scraps of leftover fabric for these decoupage pumpkins:

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Freebie Fridays: Win Halloween Yard Decor From Grandin Road

by Liz Gray October 5, 2012 309 Comments

Update 10/15/12: Congratulations to this month’s winner, Donna, who says she likes to make her Halloween decorations “as scary as skeletons, but my 4-year-old twins have always been around those at Halloween time so they don’t see them as scary.” Congratulations, Donna! Check back next month for another great freebie.

There are two types of Halloween folk: The ones who deck their yard out in fake blood, life-sized zombies and motion-activated vampires and the ones who stick to jolly pumpkins and mildly creepy ghosts.

Since I can’t watch a horror movie without developing a new irrational fear, you can probably guess which camp I fall into. But whether you go for the blood and guts or would rather keep it PG, you’ll love this month’s giveaway: a collection of outdoor Halloween decorations from Grandin Road.

First on the giveaway list: This creepy animated pumpkin. Sure, it looks innocent enough, but flip on the switch and it turns “evil” — complete with a diabolical laugh — when unsuspecting folks walk by.

See the Rest of the Prizes + Enter to Win

Our Favorite Fall Decorating Ideas

by H. Camille Smith October 3, 2012 6 Comments

Shorter days and a crisp chill in the air certify that summer truly has come to an end. Now’s a great time to break out the cozy throws and warm up your home’s decor with a few fall touches.

Take a cue from designer Sarah Richardson and fill vintage vases with autumn-hued flowers:

For many of us, fall also signals the beginning of the holiday entertaining season — Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations are coming up fast. Get ready for the impending arrival of holiday guests by sprucing up areas of your home where guests gather, like the foyer:

Image courtesy of Thibaut.

Daily Delight: Glass Pumpkin Patch

by Grant Dudley October 3, 2012 6 Comments

Featuring 8,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins crafted by more than 30 artisans, The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch in Palo Alto, California recently held its 17th annual fall event and sale. These glass pumpkins are perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving (yet beautiful enough to display year-round).

Glass Pumpkins

More Halloween-Inspired Ideas From Design Happens:

Halloween Cocktails: Cemetery Punch

by Abbi McCollum September 28, 2012 7 Comments

Who doesn’t love a slimy worm in their Halloween punch? This creepy drink was created for entertaining children, so the recipe doesn’t call for alcohol. But in a season ripe with tricks and treats, nothing says you can’t add a few splashes of your favorite liquor to turn this into an adults-only sip.

Cemetery Punch

Want more spooky cocktails? From a zombie gut cocktail to a bloody brain shooter, keep your guests entertained with spirited Halloween cocktails and party drinks.

Halloween Ideas: Haunt Your House

by H. Camille Smith September 26, 2012 10 Comments

Three weeks ago, I shared ideas for outdoor Halloween decorations. With just a month till the big day, it’s time to move it inside. I’ve gathered 4 spooktacular projects to get you started, and best of all these are projects you can knock out this weekend.

Get the kids to help create these cute mini bat pumpkins:

Whip up a spider web pillow: How to Make a Spider Web Pillow

Halloween Cocktails: Bloody Brain Shooters

by Abbi McCollum September 21, 2012 7 Comments

Does it get more gory than this? Impress (or disgust) your guests by serving Bloody Brain Shooters at your Halloween party this year. Channel your inner mad scientist to create this creepy-looking shooter. Add chilled vodka and lime juice to a shot glass, then use a straw to drip Irish cream on top. The acidic lime juice will cause the cream to curdle, creating realistic blobs of “brain.”

Bloody Brain Shooter

If you want to display a bit more sophistication at your haunted gathering, try the fruity version of this cocktail which can be served in a champagne glass.

The Brain Cocktail

Want more spooky cocktails? From a zombie gut cocktail to a bloody brain shooter, keep your guests entertained with spirited Halloween cocktails and party drinks.

Halloween Cocktail: Milky Way Martini

by Abbi McCollum September 14, 2012 27 Comments

What would Halloween be without candy? This Milky Way martini combines coffee liqueur, chocolate vodka and cream for an adults-only version of the classic candy bar.

Milky Way Martini

Want more spooky cocktails? From a zombie gut cocktail to a bloody brain shooter, keep your guests entertained with spirited Halloween cocktails and party drinks.

Halloween Costumes for Dogs

by H. Camille Smith September 12, 2012 14 Comments

One of the really great things about my job is the chance to preview new products before they make it to stores. Usually it’s a candle or pillow but every now and again it’s something unexpected but totally fun — like these pet costumes from Target!

While I don’t exactly plan on taking my pups trick-or-treating, I couldn’t resist dressing them up for fun. Target’s expanded their already (super!) adorable selection for 2012 so if you haven’t considered decking out your dog before – this may be the year.

Here’s my little girl, Sophie, modeling one of the new costumes that just hit the shelves. She’s a 3-year old Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle) and, as you can tell, she’s pretty jazzed to be mommy’s little piggy: Sophie in her pig Halloween costume

Not to be outdone, Madeline, my 9-year-old Bichon Frise, strutted her stuff as a cheerleader: Madeline in cheerleader costume

Halloween Cocktail: Black Devil Martini

by Abbi McCollum September 7, 2012 5 Comments

Halloween is just a few short weeks away. Now is the perfect time to start planning which libations you’ll serve on the spookiest day of the year. The Black Devil Martini has a sophisticated look that is perfect for an adults-only Halloween bash; the bright orange sugar on the rim finishes the drink with a kick of fun.

Black Devil Martini Recipe

Want more spooky cocktails? From a zombie gut cocktail to a bloody brain shooter, keep your guests entertained with spirited Halloween cocktails and party drinks.