Whether going out with your little ones, enjoying a party, or staying in with the hubs, be sure to have a happy and safe Halloween this year! Also be sure to be extra careful on the roads, keeping an eye open for pedestrians. Parents are very careful with their little ones, but Halloween is enjoyed by all ages: sometimes the more mature Halloween revellers don't take as many safety precautions! ;-)
Hey Mommies and Daddies, it’s time to try for another amazing prize! Baby Nautique, one of the newest members of our LIF community, is giving away an adorable out to the winning parents! All you need to do to participate is like and share Baby Nautique’s facebook page, and then come back to the contest post, replying that you did and which outfit you would love! These adorable selections will be perfect for the busy upcoming holiday season: get a hand and a head start on your sweet baby’s wardrobe!
Note: The only sizes available now for the boy’s top are 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months. The sizes for the pants are 3-6 months, 6-12 months and 12-18 months. The girl’s dress is available in sizes 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. The hat is available in corresponding sizes
Here's your choice of prize:
This delicious ensemble for your little girl by Le Top: Fairisle Heart Sweater Dress and matching knit hat (a value of $65). This dress is just PERFECT for the holidays or Valentine’s Day.
OR
This darling outfit for your little boy by JoJo Maman Bebe: Stripe Rugby Top (with small sailboat on chest) and matching navy blue corduroy pants, lined with red and white stripes, which can be rolled up for added cuteness (a value of $72).
I love the post on here that reminds us that Halloween is for everyone. No one should ever be left out, no matter their state or age. This rings true for mom and dad, though, too. After you have performed your amazing parenting duties of making sure your little ones have had a night to remember, it’s your turn to sit back with a silly, scary movie and a treat all your own! Not a parent? So what! You should be celebrating Halloween, too! Kick back and get a little bit festive with one of these scrumptious, adult treats!
How about a Spiked Apple Cider Float?
This sinfully delicious treat will make it fun to curl up on the couch under a blanket while watching your flick. Start by making cinnamon simple syrup (and I promise it’s the most work that you’ll do for the recipe):
For the syrup you’ll need: ¼ cup water, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 cinnamon stick. Combine them all in a small saucepan, place over a medium-high heat, and cook/stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once it has, turn off the heat and let your syrup cool… not too difficult!
Now for your float! You’ll need:
-2 cups apple cider
-¼ cup cinnamon syrup that you just made
-¼ cup apple schnapps
-2 tablespoons bourbon
-5-6 scoops vanilla ice cream
First, if you want, chill your mugs in the freezer for about an hour. Then put 2 to 3 scoops of ice cream per mug. In a pitch, combine your apple cider, syrup, apple schnapps, and bourbon. Stir/shake it together well. Pour over your ice cream and enjoy!
(Image Source)
Apple cider not doing it for you? How about a Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Milkshake, instead?!
First, grab your blender and your ingredients:
-2 cups vanilla ice cream
-1/2 cup milk
-1/4 cream or half and half
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-2/3 cup pumpkin puree
-1/2 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
-½ graham cracker crumbs
-3 ounces Bourbon
-Frosting and sprinkles to rim your glasses (optional)
Simple combine all ingredients (except frosting and sprinkles) in blender and mix until smooth. Rim your glasses in frosting and then dip them in festive sprinkles. Pour and enjoy!
(Image source)
We’re almost to there! I still love getting ready for and celebrating Halloween, like a little kid (even if I inevitably never get any trick-or-treaters). I spend hours cleaning out and carving the pumpkins for both my own and my parent’s home. I thought now would be a great time to find and share some carving tips, that way we can be ready ahead of time (figuring that more people will be getting ready to carve this weekend or the beginning of next).
-First, the larger the pumpkin, the easier it is going to be to carve. Try to choose pumpkins that are not cut/dinged/or chipped, as well as pumpkins without bruising. All of the above will cause your pumpkin to rot faster.
-Consider cutting out the bottom, as well as the top of your pumpkin. This will not only make it easier to clean and carve, it will also make the pumpkin and candle more stable when you’re complete.
-When you’re scooping out and preparing your pumpkin for carving, it will also benefit you to thin out the pumpkin wall that you will put the carving into. This will make your carving more precise and clean.
-Don’t think it’s cheating it you utilize patterns! There are some absolutely amazing print out, cut out, and trace onto your pumpkin for you to have your ideal carving. If you’d rather go it your own, without professional patterns, you should still make your tracers first on paper and then transfer them onto your pumpkin. Trust me, once it’s cut into the pumpkin, there’s not going back if you don’t like it!
-Keep toothpicks around in case of mistakes. We've all accidentally taken off that tooth we left in the smiley for a toothy grin, or the curve to the eye’s pupil. With a toothpick you can quickly get it reattached. (I wish I’d thought of this trick before!)
-Once your pumpkin is cleaned and carved, soak it for about an hour in a 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water solution. When you bring it out, rub all of the inside and outside of your pumpkin, especially the cut edges, in petroleum jelly or vegetable oil. This will create a protective barrier to help prolong the life of your pumpkins. When it starts to shrivel, you can repeat the process to bring it back and prolong it again.
I was looking for a cute and healthy Halloween treat to make (and of course to share) when I came across these simple beauties: Banana Boo pops! Now, I’m a huge fan of banana anything, so this was an instant go for me. If you’re not, than this is definitely not a snack for you. Now, when looking through different recipes I actually found two different variations of this pop. So that you don’t have to search, I figured that I would just share them both!
The first, and more simple, is the banana-coconut boo pop. All you will need are bananas (each pop is half of a banana, so decide however many you would like to make), popsicle sticks, dried coconut shavings, mini chocolate chips, raisins, and either orange juice or your preferred low-fat yogurt.
First, cut your bananas in half, push Popsicle sticks into their flat ends, and put them in the freezer to freeze (about 4 hours). Now either dip them in orange juice or roll them in yogurt. Coat them thoroughly with coconut; add 2 chocolate chips for eyes and a raisin for a mouth. Place your pops back in the freezer for an additional hour or so to let them harden (to keep their decorations), and then enjoy!
The second variation is a little less healthy, but even more yummy. We’re going to keep the bananas and popsicle sticks, but we’re going to get rid of the rest and replace it with white and milk chocolate chips.
This recipe starts the same: cut your bananas in half, skewer them with popsicle sticks, and let them freeze. When they’re just about frozen, melt about a cup of white chocolate (more depending on the amount of pops you’re going to make) in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between intervals. Once melted, dip your bananas one at a time, allowing all excess chocolate to drip off. Set them on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Add chocolate chips for eyes, place them back in the freezer to re-freeze, and then enjoy!
I know that we're still getting into the swing of fall, but sometimes you need to look a little further ahead to be properly prepared. I mean, I don't know many people that wait until the last weeks before to do their holiday shopping. That doesn't give you enough time, or at least leaves you so little that you feel rushed! Not all things can be rushed, though, and that includes your holiday flowers.
Now, when I think of holiday flowers, it’s not the poinsettia that comes to mind. In my house there were always at least two pots of amaryllis bulbs going at any given time (there still are). Amaryllises are my absolute favorite flower, with their large blooms and vibrant colors. If you want one of these blooming beauties in your home this season, believe it or not, you'll want to start preparing one sooner rather than later!
(My first bloom from last season)
You always see amaryllis kits as soon as Christmas decorations start coming out, but if you wait until you decorate for Christmas you probably won't have your flowers in time! Amaryllises generally take at least 6 – 8 weeks to bloom, and can continue to bloom long after those initial buds finally open! (I started late last year, the middle of November, and my blooms lasted from late December to the beginning of February!)
To start, you’ll want to find a healthy bud and a planting system that works for you! When looking for a bulb, you’ll either want to look through boxes you’re able to open or head to a local nursery. The local nursery will actually have open boxes of bulbs for you to choose from. You’ll want to make sure that your bulb looks healthy for the best chance at success. Look for a bulb that has green showing or a stem that’s already starting to grow. If your amaryllis doesn't come with a kit, you’ll also need a clay pot and a rich, well drained potting soil.
Many kits come as just glass vases with river stones, on which the amaryllis bulb sits atop. Care for these kits is simple: fill the vase so that the water just touches the bottom of the bulb and then place your vase in the window. Fill as needed, and change water as needed if it starts to smell foul. This is how I usually grow my bulbs: it gives you a better sense of how much water your bulb needs to stay healthy, and the walls of the vase also provide stability as your stalks start to grow.
If your bulb is going into potting soil, fill your contain of choice a little more than half way with soil, place your bulb on top, and then fill the rest of the way so that at least half of the bulb is sticking out of the top. Keep a saucer at the bottom of the pot to retain excess water. You don’t need to water your new bulbs too much, even in the soil: just make sure to water it 1 to 2 times a week while it’s growing, then maybe 2 to 3 times a week while it’s blooming.
Keep your bulbs in a sunny, warm windowsill and you'll be rewarded with weeks’ worth of beautiful, holiday blooms!
(My second, super tall bloom from last season)
(My short, third bloom from last season)
One of my favorite aspects of the fall season is not only the sights, but the smells that accompany. When you think of fall, the scent of apples and spices come to mind: whether through the perfect apple pie, mulled cider, or your favorite scented candle. I also love being able to keep that sweet nostalgic scent permeating through the house for as long as possible. That’s why I love simmer pots.
My earliest memories are of sweet smelling simmer pots on the stove of my favorite next door neighbor. They take a little bit of conscious effort, but your home and guests will thank you for it. I found a couple wonderful fall simmer pot recipes that I thought I’d share! To get your simmer pot going, fill up a small sauce pan with water and your favorite recipe from below. Bring it to a boil and let it stay there for a minute or two. Bring it back down to a simmer, and enjoy! Add more water every half hour or so as needed. WARNING: never leave pots unattended or going when not at home.
First recipe: Cinnamon sticks, Apple peels, Orange rinds, and Whole cloves
Second recipe: A few drops vanilla and Orange peels
Third recipe: 1 cup dried lavender, 1 Teaspoon anise, 1 Tablespoon nutmeg, 1 Tablespoon whole cloves, and 1 Cinnamon stick
Fourth recipe: 1/8 cup cloves, 1/8 cup allspice, and 2 cinnamon sticks
Fifth recipe: 5 bay leaves, 1 Tablespoons whole cloves, and 2 cinnamon sticks.
All recipes can be done with your crockpot, as well! Just try your hand at adding and subtracting different ingredients until you get your perfect mix!
It’s been one of those weeks: it finally feels a bit like fall again, but I’m just in an uninspired stupor. I was all amped up and seasonal ready, and then the heat came back. Wuh-wuh. Any who, I’m was looking for a little festive inspiration to get me feeling healthy and back on track…and I came upon this pumpkin face mask recipe. It sounds perfect, and I plan on trying it this weekend. I’m including it here so that you can, too!
First off, this mask is awesome because it’s high in vitamin A (great for skin healing and acne issues) and vitamin C (great for skin brightening). It also helps hydrate your skin while also helping to remove dead skin cells.
All you will need is: ¼ cup organic pumpkin puree, ½ teaspoon raw honey, and ½ tablespoon of your preferred non-dairy milk. (i.e. soy, almond, coconut.) If you are ache prone, add a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar to the mix.
Simply mix all of your ingredients together thoroughly. Apply the mask to your face (avoiding your eyes, of course), and let it set for 15 minutes or so. Gently wash away with warm water, and then moisturize as you would usually.
I just found this yumminess and had to share! Thanks to Miss Lulu's Sweet Treats I will now be craving these all day long. I will no give in, though! (Or I will probably eat the whole darn tray on my own!)
Salted Pretzel Caramel BrowniesIngredients• 1 box Betty Crocker fudge brownies (for 9x13 pan)• 2 eggs• 1/4 c. water• 2/3 c. vegetable oil• 3 cups pretzels• 1 jar caramel sauce• coarse sea saltDirectionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, or grease with cooking spray.Prepare brownie batter according to package instructions. Pour about 1/3 of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread until the bottom of the pan is evenly coated. Then add two even layers of pretzels, covering the entire surface. Carefully spoon the remaining brownie batter on top to cover the pretzels.Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the brownies comes out clean. Remove and set on a cooling rack to cool. Spoon the caramel sauce onto the top of the brownies in an even layer. (If it is too thick, spoon the sauce into a small bowl first and microwave for 30 seconds to thin.) Sprinkle the caramel with a few pinches of sea salt.Serve warm, or let cool to room temperature then serve.
I just found this on another awesome blog and needed to share! I know so many people who can't wear a lot of earrings because they're made of metal they're sensitive or allergic to (i.e. not gold or sterling silver).
Well, I just found out that if you add a little bit of vaseline on the earring hoop, or an all natural alternative that doesn't use petroleum or hydrogenated oil, you can create a protective barrier. This will let you wear those pretty dangles without suffering for it!
I also read that you can do the same with a coat for clear nail polish on the earring post: paint it, let it dry, and then wear it: but that's for a little bit braver soul. (Graphic borrowed from Todaysmama.com)
Everyone has been there before; you’re with a group of friends or coworkers and are paranoid to speak or breathe too closely to anyone. Are you far from home and any means of brushing your teeth? Freshen up your breath while also fighting the food and bacteria that cause bad breath odors in the first place. Although gum is always a simple go to choice, there are other natural means that you can use, as well.
One of your best, simple defenses against those offensive odors is drinking plenty of water. It keeps your lips, mouth and throat properly hydrated while washing away the nasty bacteria and food particles that are mostly the cause of your bad breath throughout the day. Food being stuck between your teeth isn't just annoying; it also feeds the bacteria that grow in your mouth, helping them live and reproduce more successfully. Washing it away with swigs of water will keep you feeling fresh longer.
An apple a day will not only keep the doctor away, it’ll also keep the odors and dentist away. When you munch on an apple, the fibrous flesh helps to scrub the plaque particles off of your teeth. The growing plaque not only damages your teeth, but is another contributing factor in bad breath. On top of that, crunch, fresh fruits and vegetables high in fiber also cause your mouth to generate extra saliva. Saliva, being rich in oxygen, is a natural deterrent against the odor causing bacteria in your mouth.
Boost your immune system while also fighting the bacteria growing in your mouth by feasting on your favorite citrus fruits. Vitamin C doesn't help all immune systems equally, apparently, because the vitamin can effectively stop the bacteria in your mouth from growing and thriving. Citrus fruits are also a triple talent in that they have neutralizing powers against “smelly foods” that are known to cause bad breath, such as onions and garlic.
Another multi-talented food is the ever popular cinnamon. Not only does this tasty spice help you control your blood sugar levels and sweet tooth, it also helps you battle the bad-breath bacteria living in your mouth. Cinnamon essential oil kills the odorous bacteria outright, which probably explains why there are so many brand of “cinnamon flavored” gum out there!
Green tea will also help wash away those bacteria, just like water will, while also helping to keep them away permanently. Flavonoids, the antioxidants that make green tea and vegetables so good for us, are also helpful to control the plaque and bacteria growth in your mouth; they prevent them from sticking to your teeth. Green tea is also effective at lowering the levels of the sulfur compounds expelled from the bacteria (the actual cause of bacterial bad-breath odors).
I figured we should start our Tuesday with a little bit of fun! We've already established that this is my favorite time of the year, but we've yet to establish how much I love Halloween…to the point that it’s a little disturbing. I've had a system for my holidays since I hit college: Halloween decorations went up September 16 (the day after my birthday) and Christmas went up November 1 (preferable with little Pilgrims under the Christmas tree). I’m not quite as crazed now that I’m out of my dorm room, but I still get that excitement for the holidays as soon as the fall chill enters the air! Now that we’re officially in October, I thought it was time to bust out a Halloween DIY!
You may have made them when you were a kid; I remember seeing them but never had the pleasure: I’m talking about Spirit jugs! You know, those cool ghosts made out of milk jugs? Now, I am the only person in my house that drinks milk, so I’m still scheming how I will get the jugs to make these, but anyone who has a couple in their recycling bin is ready to go! All you need for materials are: a couple white plastic milk jugs, permanent markers, and glow sticks or strands of white Christmas lights.
Now, this project is as easy as you would guess it to be from the materials! All you need to do is grab your milk cartons, make funny or creepy faces on them with you marker, and then add your glowing element to the inside to give your ghost life! If you’re using Christmas lights, you may want to keep your spirit jugs right on your front porch, close to the outlet. If you’re using glow sticks, your spirit can “float” around anywhere! If you’re putting your jugs out in the yard, you may want to add a hand full of rocks to your materials list to weigh it down a bit more.
The project may sound simple, but they certainly have an inspiring effect once they’re complete!
I don’t know about you, but I am absolutely rejoicing in this cooler, dry fall weather that we’re already enjoying. It’s not that I’m anti-summer, but there’s just something magical about “sweatshirt” weather. On top of that, now is also when I can get my SO out and roaming with me again. Now he is anti-summer, and we go 3—4 whole months without any fun outdoor traipsing. If you or your beau is the same way, here is a fun fall checklist for you two to complete together now that the season of colors has returned. You don't need a beau, either, to enjoy the fall: grab a friend or head out for some “me” time, instead.
First and foremost, whether you’re a huge fan or not, there’s just something inspiring about fall football; especial in person! Take advantage of this awesome weather and head to a live game. NFL tickets can be a little out of your price range, but that’s not your only option! Head over to the local high school or your own to cheer on your team under the Friday night lights. Head to your local or, again, own college and cheer on the higher level. You’ll be surprised how exhilarating it can be, even if it’s the first game you've ever sat through.
This sounds dumb and redundant, but this is me not caring! Head out and hike. I love my local nature preserve, and love the arboretum even more when I have a little bit more time. Grab your scarf, your boots, and your guy and go find some wildlife. Grab your dog and hit the trails. Collect leaves with your little ones or the little one’s you've borrowed (nieces and nephews, hopefully). It’s a cheap way to fall in love with one another and/or the season, again.
We have the best on the east coast (at least in my opinion) so you might as well take advantage of them: hit a real pumpkin patch and grab a couple winners. I may be a little prejudice because I spent about 8 fall seasons of my life in a pumpkin patch, but there’s nothing better than twisting your own off the vines. Once you have them, make a second date night out of carving them! Carved pumpkins aren't just for children. It’s amazing how pumpkins can cover the spectrum of wicked to chic: find a little inspiration and make your own “awesome.”
Lastly, find an Oktoberfest and a DD. There are so many wineries and amazing local beer breweries on the island. Let loose for at least one day this season to truly enjoy their spoils. There are some great Oktoberfests out east, as well as rocking fall festivities all season long. Grab your best friend, your guy, or your sibling and enjoy the flavors of fall.
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