Six Spooky Fun Finds

Happy Halloween Weekend!  I'm a bit late getting all the decorations up, but always love going through my box of Halloween items and of course finding a couple new things to add to the collection!  Here's what's happening at my house this year:

New find!  I always dread a trip to Big Lots just due to the lines and crowded aisles, but as I was there picking up some storage containers I browsed through their piles of Halloween bins and found these great tarantula tea light holders!  They had me at glitter & sparkle!

Great gift I received last year - Skull & crossbones candles.  The middle is hollowed out so you drop in a tea light for a spooky glow that never melts away!

My tried & true Halloween costume!  Sparkly kitten ears...How can you go wrong?!

These chocolates are amazing!  Love the detail & honestly too good to even want to try and take a bite. 

Creepy Crawly ribbon to adorn some very special Halloween treats!

New addition to the front door succulent wreath...  Compared to some of the spiders I've come across in the garden, this one is not too off base!

Have a safe, spook-tabulous weekend everyone!

Feeling Gilty

Who doesn't love getting packages in the mail?  Especially when it's a fabulous Trina Turk handbag purchased through Gilt Group.  Gilt is a fantastic site for all things fashionable - includes items for women, men, home, travel and many more.  I have been a member for a year or so (it's free to sign up!) and always a constant browser, but never seemed to log on in time to secure the item I wanted before it was sold out... This time I was ready!!  Take a look at my new favorite bag below and then go browsing on Gilt - They have so much fun stuff - you're sure to feel a little Gilty yourself!

Black Patton leather trim, nautical rope and gold grommet details - How could I ask for more...

And then I looked inside... SWOON!  Hot pink fabric lining the inside and signature Trina Turk mod-tiled zipper tassels!!  This is pure quality craftsmanship.

Even my handsome Trooper-Boy got into the excitement!  His favorite part of the new handbag was the box it came in (which was really cool packaging BTW).

Classic, Hearty Chili

Nothing beats a nice, hearty bowl of chili.  My favorite, classic recipe comes from The Better Homes & Gardens cookbook (full recipe here) for an easy, stove top chili that can be ready in about 90 min.  I have been perfecting it over the years and have added a few ingredients along the way.  Today I made it with a lean, ground sirloin as the recipe calls for, but have also gone with ground turkey and loved it... The husband insists it's best with "real meat".  Another great option is to go vegetarian and add in zucchini, butternut squash, carrots & cauliflower.

Gotta love the toppings!!  Do a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese and some tasty green onion.  I am also a big fan of Oyster crackers... Yes, many calories will be added with these embellishments... Don't forget a nice, cold beverage!

There are many great items that go in this chili like the rich, red diced tomatoes and kidney beans shown above, but I do add a few more ingredients.  In addition to the recipe, add in a can of black beans, sweet crisp corn and a couple extra cloves of chopped garlic.  I also tend to go a little heavy handed on the chili seasoning, basil and a couple extra dashes of sea salt. 

Simmer on low heat for about 45 min.  I have found that the flavors pop out more if you give it some time on the stove.  And the next day... Even better!  I always make a double batch - it's too good!

What's your favorite Fall recipe?

Four Fall Finds

I am taking in all the season has to offer (have you noticed how much I LOVE Fall?) with a few new finds and a couple others I enjoy around this time each year...

I love spiced, hot apple cider - it's a mixture of all the scents of the season.  A new discovery is the delicious Jack 'O Lantern cookies filled with vanilla bean cream from Trader Joe's - Great combo!

Another new find - This fun, Fall leaf pumpkin from an amazing store in Manhattan Beach - Growing Wild.  It's impossible to go in there and leave empty handed!

Old is new again!!  I haven't seem these BCBG heels in forever!  Perfect timing - The gold leaf detail must be paraded around this season.

The big, old Oak Tree perfectly shading the backyard is dropping acorns like crazy!  The squirrels are loving it.