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  • Outdoor Halloween Party Ideas for a Spooktacular Weekend

    Outdoor Halloween parties will be popping up everywhere – from backyards to front porches, from tree lawns to patios. This Halloween weekend, you can take advantage of all of your most bewitching ideas and outdoor spaces, allowing you, your family, and your friends to have a safe and ghoulishly fabulous celebration. Are you ready to have some Spooktacular fun? Read on as we reveal our favorite outdoor Halloween party ideas.

    Haunting Outdoor Movies and Football

    What do you do when the desire for Halloween fun lands in the middle of Sunday football? Choose Halloween party ideas that celebrate both. Remember all those movies you streamed outdoors during the summer? Make a plan to stream football on your backyard fence, garage wall, or sheet screen (or flat-screen TV) while guests nosh on delicious Halloween-themed nibbles. Then, when the games are over, you can screen classic Halloween titles, from It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to old episodes of The X-Files or the original, 1922 Nosferatu. 

    Fun-Filled Family Party Games

    One of the most popular Halloween songs of all time is Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett. It’s no surprise that it is also the name of a much-loved children’s game and one of Real Simple’s favorite games for all ages, from the very young to the young-at-heart. The idea behind this outdoor Halloween party game is simple: Fill balloons with water and spread them out on the ground. When you yell ‘go’ (and the music starts playing), contestants stomp and burst as many balloons as they can either until the song is done or all the balloons have been squashed. You can keep score and offer prizes for the most balloons stomped, or you can play for the joy of it. You can use the balloons you have in your craft bins already or buy ones that are orange and black or printed with a Halloween theme. Don’t forget to have towels ready for when the game is finished and the happy participants are soaked.

    Len Saunders, exercise physiologist, tells Real Simple that he is also a fan of the Scarecrow Race to get the whole family involved in Halloween activities. The only tools necessary are old clothes and pieces of newspaper. Clothes that would form an outfit are placed on the ground with newspaper off to their side (a set for each player). When you yell ‘start,’ everyone races to their assigned clothing and newspaper pile. As Saunders explains to the Magazine, “‘[they] crumple up the newspapers and start to stuff the paper into the clothes.’” When the game is done, you have several fantastic-looking scarecrows.  

    Other Halloween party game ideas that are good for all ages include the Spider Web game (using string tied to trees and bushes), Guess the Number of Candies in a Jar, and Guess the Spooky Theme Song.

    “How To Host A Murder Mystery” Halloween Event

    What could be better than hosting a murder mystery event by candlelight in your backyard? Whether you choose an upscale mystery filled with champagne cocktails and glam costumes or a mystery of your own devising that closely mirrors the levity and zany creep factor of Clue, your Halloween party will be remembered for years. 

     Bewitching Bite-Sized Appetizers

    Jalapeño poppers are a welcome addition to any football party, so it’s a given that the Mummy Jalapeño Poppers from Rachael Ray In Season are the perfect idea that appeals to both football fans and Halloween revelers. Bake and prep take less than 30 minutes, and the results are a delicious yet spooky delight.  

    How does a savory popper complete with sword skewer sound as a Halloween party appetizer for your adult guests? Martha Stewart Living’s Prosciutto-Wrapped Fig Hearts recipe adds just the right sense of the macabre while also being delicious. Surprisingly easy to make, the Magazine explains that “[dried] figs get stuffed with tangy goat cheese, then wrapped in rich prosciutto for a very adult Halloween bite.” Yum!  

    Do you want to add something seasonally appropriate, healthy, and ideal for vegan guests? You’ll love including Food & Wine’s pumpkin hummus, pita chips, and crudités to your table. It takes only 15 minutes to make, but it offers a deliciously healthy alternative that all of your party guests can savor.  

    Spooky and Delicious Desserts

    No Halloween party is complete without decadent treats. One of Martha Stewart Living’s much-loved Halloween dessert ideas is the Devil’s Inferno Cake. Why? The Magazine explains: “[It’s] a dessert that’s also a party centerpiece … [a] truly devilish take on devil’s food cake.” Picture the sugar flames jumping from the top of this incredibly rich creation as your guests take in all the goodies that await them. Every ghost and ghoul at the party is sure to be wowed!  

    Do you love mud pies? If so, you’ll love the ‘I Scream’ Graveyard Pie that is also one of Martha Stewart Living’s favorites. The tiny cookie “tombstones” and skull candies make this dessert a Halloween winner. It’s also a great way to use extra Halloween candy (like those mini Mounds bars).  

    Vampire bites when they are in the form of indulgent brownies are always welcome. Martha Stewart Living’s Scaredy-Cat Brownies are a wonder for anyone who loves chocolate and a hint of mint. What’s the other reason they are a Halloween party tradition? The Magazine raves: “They’re easy for kids to decorate too (which saves you some pre-party prep time!).”  

    Are you searching for something quick and colorful? Rachael Ray In Season adores Frankenstein Cookies. If you have the time to make the basic sugar cookie, go for it. But if you don’t, the recipe works just as well using store-bought sugar cookie dough. Then it’s just a matter of baking them up with some green food coloring and decorating them with melted chocolate. Part of the fun is creating unique faces, and the kids will love giving you a hand.  

    Devilish Drink Ideas

    Are you stumped for new and uniquely tempting adult drink ideas for your Halloween party? Start with mixing a batch of Rachael Ray In Season’s Spicy Devil’s Brew. Poured into a salted martini glass with fresh chilis acting as horns on the rim, this brew is an enticing blend of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice cocktail, lime juice, and jalapeños. It’s almost as eye-catching as it is delicious! 

    Blood-Moon Punch is among Martha Stewart Living’s go-to Halloween libations. It looks fantastic on a drinks cart or in the center of a buffet. While it does take some preparation to properly freeze the “moon,” it is well worth the effort. This eerie, kid-friendly punch is “a fruity combination of grape juice, lime juice, seltzer water, and ginger soda, all of which add a bit of fizz to your festivities,” according to the Magazine. The candy bats floating on top make it a “next-level” Halloween party punch. Also, the Magazine reveals that it is wonderfully easy to turn it into an adults-only punch by spiking “grown-up ghouls’ glasses with an ounce (or two) of vodka.”   

    The combination of light and dark rum makes the Creepy Cocktail another favorite of the editors over at Martha Stewart Living. In addition to the rum, this cocktail features pomegranate juice, lime, and simple syrup. Black sanding sugar on the rim and the black licorice spider hanging off the glass take this tasty libation up a notch to a truly fun Halloween party drink idea.  

    More Halloween Party Ideas

    Whether you are hosting a small group of adults or a gaggle of kids, you will want the space lit up to set a festive tone and keep people safe. LED string lights look terrific when they are draped between tree branches and around porch posts. Light your walkways with pumpkins that are illuminated from the inside with votive candles. Use solar lanterns on outdoor dining tables or buffets. Luminaries made from paper lunch bags can feature cut-outs of “Boo” or images of ghosts and pumpkins, like the ones featured in Rachael Ray In Season. Even adding a glow-in-the-dark set of “tombstones” can help guide your guests toward the festivities.  

    Keep the weather in mind. If you are planning a scary outdoor movie as part of your Halloween party, think about having soft  blankets available for guests. Event planner Elisabeth Accardi suggests to Martha Stewart Living that a Halloween party is the perfect time to “set up a fire pit to provide an extra-cozy spot for conversation,” and that “if you do live in an area where temperatures have dropped significantly, add outdoor heaters that allow your guests to stay comfortable outside.”  

    Audio can make the night. Whether you want your favorite Halloween party tunes playing or have a super-creepy sound effects playlist ready to go, the right sounds can instantly elevate pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, and other family games.

    Happy Halloween!

  • Decorating with Lights for Halloween

    You are not alone if you are getting excited about decorating your home with lights and spirited displays for Halloween. From simple DIY projects to more elaborate creations, there are countless options for bringing a sense of magic, eeriness, and fun to your home on October 31st. If you are still searching for unique ideas, read on for our favorite tips for decorating with lights this Halloween.

    Decorating Eerie Paths with Lights

    If you are welcoming family, friends, and trick-or-treaters to your home for Halloween, you’ll want to highlight your walkway in some fun and eerie ways. Consider carving small pumpkins and illuminating them with battery-operated votive candles before placing them along your front walkway or on your porch steps. If you have easy access to tree branches or a porch ceiling, Martha Stewart Living loves the idea of hanging “giant gothic lanterns … vellum printed with [their] clip-art designs” for a spooky, eye-catching touch that sheds just the right amount of light on your walkway and front door. 

    Staging Ghoulish Graveyard Scenes

    Do you love setting up ghoulish Halloween yard displays when decorating with lights? Among other macabre touches, glowing tombstones are sure to get attention. Start by staging a plot of your front yard as a makeshift graveyard and set the scene with spine-chilling tombstones that beckon in the night. Martha Stewart Living offers a set of templates that will make your Halloween light display the talk of the neighborhood. How? The Magazine explains that “the ‘stones’ are gray luminarias (paper bags) stenciled with epitaphs and trimmed into shape. Lights are placed inside them so the glow appears to emanate from the underworld.”  

    Creating Silly and Scary Window Scenes

    If you are looking for something that leans toward zany rather than scary for Halloween, you’ll agree with the editors of Southern Living that Wiggly Monster window decals are perfect. They are ideal for homes that have young children or are welcoming them to the house for trick-or-treating. Southern Living raves: “They’re easy to apply to glass windows—just peel and stick—without causing any damage.” Once the decals are applied, you just need to point green, yellow, or purple light bulbs at the windows to get that supernatural glow.

    Want something scarier when decorating with green lights? Martha Stewart Living suggests using their “monstrous birds” template “drawn and cut from black plastic weed barrier” with a green backlight to create a perfectly ominous scene.  

    Jack-o’-Lantern Light Displays

    The jack-o’-lantern is part of time-honored tradition for a reason. Each creation is unique, and young kids (and not-so-young-kids) enjoy being part of the creative process. Plus, once the tea light or battery-operated votive is added, the carved display gives off a decidedly creepy and mysterious vibe. Real Simple adores the traditional carve-and-scoop method with a classic design. Of course, the jack-o’-lantern design transcends illuminated pumpkins on the porch or walkways. Real Simple also encourages using the iconic design on cupcake candles, chandelier shades, and lit bean bag tosses.

    Spooky Porches

    In addition to the spider webs, creepy music, and haunting character displays, Better Homes & Gardens recommends raising the spooky factor with a DIY black candle urn. The project is surprisingly simple, using black “foam pipe tubes and battery-operated tea light candles.” It’s a big hit not only for its design but also because battery-operated candles offer a safer display option than open flame when decorating with lights – a critical thing to keep in mind when welcoming guests to your door for Halloween. 

    Ghostly Centerpieces

    If you want something simple when decorating with lights that still makes a statement, the Blue Neon Ghost Light from FUNPENY is bound to be a conversation starter. You can keep it in your window, set it on a nightstand, or use it as a party-table centerpiece. It has a sleek design and a pronounced glow that continues long after Halloween has faded into memory. Its style and the fact that it can be charged by battery or USB port are among the many reasons Southern Living includes it among their favorite ways to decorate this Halloween.  

    Haunted Mirrors

    For a thoroughly creepy mirror image in your entertaining space, Martha Stewart Living’s “ghost hands” mirror is a must. At the center of the startling image is a print-and-adhere template of hands seemingly pressing against the mirror’s glass in an attempt to escape. Light it from below with a simple lantern, votive, or flashlight, and watch with glee as guests jump when the light flickers and the ghostly hands come into view. 

    Spirited Wall Décor

    The editors at Southern Living know that you might want your interior décor to be in the holiday spirit, but not necessarily filled with horror and gore. The Magazine suggests that when you begin decorating with lights for Halloween, consider adding Spiderweb Lights to indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces. Affordable and engaging, “[their favorite] cheeky spiderweb has three different light modes that the kids will love to change each night.”  

    For a more ghostly effect in your entertaining space, a fake window might just do the trick. Southern Living recommends trying the Lighted Ghostly Tattered Curtain Halloween Decoration from Wayfair.com. Why does it make their “go-to” list? The Magazine explains: “This fake window with tattered curtain has an unnerving ghost shadow, and comes complete with ghostly lights and haunted house sound effects—perfect for ramping up the scare factor.”

  • The Best Patio Container Gardens Ideas

    The best patio container gardens serve as eye-catching and vital additions to your outdoor space, no matter its size. They can revitalize shaded apartment patios or bring lush privacy to sunny backyards. The key to success is knowing what plants grow best in your region and which containers will not only be visually pleasing but supportive of your chosen plants. If you are ready to get started, read on as we reveal our favorite patio container garden ideas.

     

    Choosing the Best Containers

    While you might assume that the first step is to shop for the plants you want to feature on your patio, experts argue that your first purchase should be your containers. Flora Grubb, owner of Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco, believes that because the pots, trays, wine barrels, and raised gardens are an investment, it’s best to start there and then build your patio container garden around them. She confessed to Martha Stewart Living that she leans toward big pots; “Large pots make a statement, and most plants are happier in them in the long run.” Starting big means that it is unlikely that you will have to transplant your choices into bigger containers as they thrive, and plants typically need less watering when they are housed in larger pots. 

     

    However, Grubb does have one important warning before taking those large containers home. She recommended to the Magazine that people “[take] a photo of where [they] want to set containers and [bring] it to the nursery.” You’ll want a sense of scale so that you don’t completely overwhelm your patio space.

     

    Next, get an idea of what your climate zone is before you take out your credit card. While you might love that gorgeous indigo ceramic planter or classic terracotta container to be an anchor for your patio garden, they may not last long in regions that experience long winters. Ceramic, clay, and terracotta can crack because the water inside the pots can freeze and expand. If you want to take the chance, be sure that the pot has ample drainage holes and is kept off the ground in winter. Of course, if you have the space, simply bringing them inside and keeping your plants thriving under grow lights is also an option until spring rolls around again. 

    Succulent Container Garden Ideas

    Unless your patio is enclosed and climate-controlled, you will have to make some decisions about which plants to include in your container garden based on your region’s weather. For example, areas in the southwest can experience scorching summers and drought conditions. Succulents do exceedingly well, and the pros at Southern Living have their favorites. The Magazine is a fan of designing patio container gardens with at least one long-leaved blue agave standing on its own. As they explain, a “succulent garden is a perfect example of having individual plantings in single containers, allowing each to reflect its unique leaf shape and form complemented by the architecture of the container.”  

     

    Bring on the Herbs

    Is your goal to create a container garden that is a match for your culinary skills? You can opt for single containers of various depths to grow the perfect herb container garden or choose a large planter and fill it with complementary plantings. While individual planters will allow you to grow herbs with significantly different water and sunlight needs, a single planter can be both dramatic and perfectly pragmatic. The trick to single planters is to choose herbs that don’t steal soil minerals from each other but rather work in harmony.

     

    The editors at Southern Living applaud planting “fragrant rosemary, basil, and lemon grass, [which] accent soft blue plumbago in [a] tabletop setup.” The lemon grass takes center stage in this arrangement as it grows the tallest, with flowering plumbago added around it. Rosemary and basil take the outermost position, “alternating the two if you wish or placing them on opposite sides of the container.” This addition to your patio is ideal when placed on an outdoor dining table. Not only can you clip herbs for cooking, but your guests will get to enjoy a unique and fragrant centerpiece. 

     

    Real Simple also favors the idea of incorporating herbs into the best container gardens; “water-loving basil and curly parsley make good partners, whereas rosemary, sage, and oregano all prefer a slightly drier environment.” Just be sure that their containers have excellent drainage, and if they are exposed to intense sun and heat, as they would be in certain Southwestern or Southern states, be sure that they don’t dry out in their containers. 

    Grow Thriving Vegetable Gardens

    Vegetables are also a terrific option for container gardens – you just have to adjust your planting schedule to a time that is best for your climate zone. For example, if you live in Southern California, and you want to grow vegetables from seeds in your container garden, vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, and sugar snap peas can be planted in September, but orange and red sweet peppers are best planted from December through March because the intense sun and heat in SoCal will burn the pepper plants before they have a chance to flower when grown on an outdoor patio. Martha Stewart Living recommends choosing vegetables that not only don’t sap each other’s nutrients but fit well in the same pots. As the Magazine explains: “Plants that hang over the side will leave room for plants that require more pot area, like leafy greens.”


    Stage Your Fruiting Plants

    You might be surprised to hear that there is a wide variety of fruiting plants, shrubs, and dwarf trees that can be grown in large pots on your balcony. These plants can serve as visual anchors when surrounded by smaller plants and often showcase fantastically colorful blooms before fruiting. Remember that half wine barrel planter that caught your eye? While it will require considerable planting mix, the half wine barrel could be an appealing planter for Meyer lemon trees, dwarf avocado trees, or blackberry bushes.

    Tomatoes are a delight, but they do require room for their deep roots and additional support (such as a trellis), as well as access to bees to produce the maximum quantities of fruit. If you have your heart set on growing tomatoes, a raised garden planter is your best bet. 

     

    Add Vibrant Annuals

    The best patio container gardens can offer you a colorful retreat. It is one of the reasons why Southern Living loves including vibrant annuals in its designs. Does your patio feature a trellis or pergola? Southern Living suggests dressing the base with containers of petunias. The Magazine’s advice: “If you choose white petunia, its fragrance will be intoxicating, while if surfinias enhance your garden, you’ll be amazed when they bloom all along their stems.” 

    Define Your Patio With Ornamental Grasses

    If your patio isn’t already defined by a pergola or other framing architecture, you may want to consider creating definition with the addition of strategically placed containers. Real Simple enjoys the idea of separating your patio from your yard with a thriving container garden, whether you opt for rectangular planters or many individual pots. One of their favorite container garden ideas involves the planting of ornamental grass because no matter where it is employed, “matching pots planted with ornamental grass lend drama.”

     

    Hang Baskets With Cascading Plants

    Adding hanging baskets from patio columns or pergola beams can lend a sense of privacy and definition to your outdoor space. Hanging planters are among Martha Stewart Living’s favorite container garden ideas because of the variety of growing options they present. The Magazine recommends lining a basket with “with canna or hosta leaves” and then planting “sun-loving Calibrachoa, and [enjoying] the sight of them brimming out of a better-looking basket.” 

     

    Meanwhile, Southern Living embraces the idea that the best patio container gardens might be going modern with hanging fiberclay planters filled with succulents and purple fan flower. Why the fan flower? The Magazine explains that the “fan flower is unique because all its blossoms have their segments on one side.” The boldly colored flowers thrive in the more tropical climates in the South, where they can flourish throughout the year.

  • Have a Hauntingly Good Halloween

    Let’s get spooky and crafty! Below are a ton of fun Halloween recipes, critter-approved craft ideas, and of course, tons of clever costume ideas. 

    Halloween Recipes for All Creatures

    • Grab your spoons and get ready for delicious soup. Try this incredible pumpkin ginger soup or this curried coconut pumpkin soup recipe.  
    • This pumpkin bread recipe will result in one spectacular loaf that friends and neighbors will love.   
    • These spider deviled eggs are just as cute and creepy as they are yummy.           
    • It’s safe to say everyone loves pizza. Add a fun twist this Halloween by using each pepperoni as the center or body of a spider. Then place leftover red sauce into a piping bag and draw eight legs on each pepperoni side. Create a non-meat-lovers pizza that will be so good that people will not be able to take their eyes, or hands, off it. Start by placing slices of mozzarella around the pizza. Cut olives into slices and put a slice in the middle of each mozzarella to form the pupil. Then pipe red sauce around the olive to create a bloodshot look. 
    • This tombstone taco dip is to die for. Get ready for tortilla tombstones and refried bean dirt. 
    • For a healthy, spooky snack, grab a few apples and a jar of peanut butter. Take a green apple and a few strawberries and cut them into slices. Take a slice of apple and carefully cut out a sliver in the middle to resemble an open mouth. Shmear peanut butter in the sliver (the mouth) and place a thin slice of a strawberry sticking out of the bottom to create the tongue. Use sunflower seeds to make rows of teeth and place two candy eyes on top.

    • Check out these wickedly fun Halloween cupcakes that everyone will want to sink their fangs into. 
    • These spider web cookies will get you eight thumbs up. The first step is to cover a sugar cookie in white icing. Use black icing to draw a few circles that resemble a bullseye or target. Before it dries, take a toothpick and draw lines from the center of the circle outward, so it starts to look like a web. 
    • Mummy Oreo critters are a fun dessert that everyone will admire. First, dip your Oreos in white chocolate or white icing, covering the entire cookie. Then put white icing in a piping bag and going back and forth across the cookie pipe horizontal lines across, so it looks like mummy wraps. Then add two candy eyes, or you can pipe yellow eyes on yourself.

    • Dip caramel apples in the chocolate of your choice and add little candy eyes to make spooky yet scrumptious treats. Dip one apple in white chocolate to make a mummy and pipe on the eyes. To make a pumpkin keep the apple covered in caramel and use chocolate to pipe on a jack-o-lantern face. Create a Frankenstein by adding green food coloring to white chocolate and covering the entire apple. Then use dark chocolate to pipe on hair, stitches, and a face. Using caramel, attach little pretzel sticks to either side of the apple to create Frankenstein’s bolts. 
    • This boo-tiful dirt and worms cake is covered with crushed chocolate cookies and slimy, gummy worms. Your kids will love helping bake and decorate this delicious treat.   
    • You knead these spiced pumpkin doughnuts in your life. 
    • Creep it real with this tasty but gross-looking brain drink.  
    • Create spooky and sweet Halloween drinks that will raise your guests’ spirits. 

    Boo-tiful Halloween Crafts and Décor  

    • Upcycle toilet paper rolls to make a bunch of monsters. Paint a few rolls in a variety of colors and once they’re dry, draw on polka dots or scales. Create a mummy by wrapping thin strips of toilet paper around it. Paint one green and make a Frankenstein friend. Then use a black marker to draw on hair, a mouth, and stitches. Create as many as you want using items like googley eyes, glitter, tinfoil, and anything else to add some flair.

    • Use balloons to create fun floating ghosts and spooky creatures. Once the balloons are blown up, gently draw ghost faces on the white balloons, Jack-O’-Lanterns on orange balloons, or make any monster faces you want.  
    • Recycle old tissue boxes to create a merry band of mischievous monsters. Flip the empty tissue boxes upside down and paint the outside to make spooky little creatures. Paint one box green for Frankenstein, one orange for a pumpkin, and one white for a scary skeleton. Then just paint on their faces with permanent markers or paint pens. 
    • These wickedly fun witch decorations will put a spell on you and your guests.  
    • Light it up on Halloween. All you need are lanterns and black construction paper. Cut out moons, stars, bats, or any shape you want and attach them to the outside of the lanterns. Light the lanterns with battery-operated candles, and the black paper will form fun silhouettes as the light dances around the lantern. 
    •  Learn how to create Halloween decor from ordinary objects you already have at home.  
    • Use pom pom balls to make scary little spiders. For the body, glue one large black pom and one medium black pom pom together. For eyes, glue many small googley eyes to the front of the medium pom pom. To create the legs, cut black pipe cleaners into eight pieces and glue four along each side. 

    • Upcycle glass bottles to form spooky cool Halloween décor. Use different colored wax or old crayons and carefully drip wax down the top of the bottles. We recommend using black, red, and white wax. You can also drip red crayons down the sides of old white candles to give the appearance of oozing blood. 
    • Discover an assortment of Halloween wreaths that will result in a hauntingly good-looking door.  
    • Stitch together your very own Frankenstein. Since Frankenstein is a creation assembled from an assortment of humans… stick to the same approach. Each person in your family can contribute an article of clothing and stuff it with newspaper. Set up all of the limbs and pieces in a chair, so it resembles a body. For a face, decorate a pumpkin, place it on the shoulders and boom… your own personal Frankenstein. 
    • Uncover tons of frighteningly fun haunted front door ideas.  

    Clever Halloween Costumes 

    • Create an adorable sundae costume. Get a white t-shirt for vanilla ice cream and brown pants that look like a cone. Grab a white tutu that you will wear over the pants. Using various colors of construction paper, cut out a bunch of rectangles that will be your sprinkles. Glue the sprinkles onto the shirt. Glue a red pom pom ball onto a headband for the cherry on top and attach a stem cut out of paper. 
      I think we can all agree that pets in costumes are purely amazing. Check out these clever costume ideas for you and your pet.  
    • Get popping with this DIY popcorn costume. Buy a pair of red and white vertical striped bottoms to resemble the popcorn container. If you cannot find striped pants, buy red pants and use white duct tape to make the stripes. Grab an old white or light-yellow t-shirt and some white computer paper. Rip each piece of paper in half and crumple them up. Spray-paint the crumbled paper with yellow to give your popcorn some butter. Then glue the crumbled popcorn balls onto the shirt and all done. 
    • Transform your little one into an adorable yet mischievous mouse with this simple DIY mouse costume.  
    • Here are tons of easy-to-make kids costumes that you can make at home.  
    • Do the robot! Grab a small moving box for the head and one of the top four flaps off. Then cut a rectangular window for eyes on one of the sides. For the body, cut the top and bottom flaps off of a larger box. Then cut out two holes where the arms can stick out on either side. Paint the boxes silver or cover them in aluminum foil. Create robot buttons and added details by painting different colored bottle caps and gluing them on the front. You can cut out gears and other things using construction paper. Don’t forget to use straws or pipe cleaners to make its antennas. 

  • The Ultimate Fall Décor Guide

    You will fall in love with these autumn-inspired decor ideas that can transform any space. Below you will find tons of clever ideas to help you welcome fall and bring magic and coziness into any room.

    • Give a plain plastic pumpkin a makeover and rustic feel by wrapping it with yarn or twine.
    • Create a gourd-geous centerpiece by carving out a squash or gourd and turning it into a vase. Nothing is more beautiful than a DIY pumpkin planter filled with your favorite fall flowers. You can also cut the top off a faux pumpkin and add drainage holes in the bottom.

    • For a rustic finish, wrap a foam wreath in burlap. Use a hot glue gun to add burlap flowers to the wreath or any other autumn-inspired items you want.
    • Discover how to make gold-leaf pumpkins to bring a classy fall feel to your home.
    • Fill a tall glass vase with pinecones, acorns, or apples. Another great option would be to fill glass cloches of different sizes with your favorite fall items.

    • Nature truly is nurturing. Place colorful leaves in a glass frame with no back.
    • Create a leaf-shaped dish to hold jewelry, change, or your keys. Press a leaf that you like onto a rolled-out piece of clay. Using a knife, carefully trace the leaf. After you’ve outlined the leaf, slowly pull the leaf off and gently curl the sides up. Place newspaper under the edges so it holds its shape and takes the form of a dish. Once it’s dried, paint it any color you want and seal it with a gloss or matte sealer to protect the finish.
    • Learn how to bring instant coziness to your home with these farmhouse fall decor ideas.
    • Paint old mason jars or upcycled glass bottles gold and white and use them as vases.
    • Put the petal to the metal… door and learn how to make your very own stunning sunflower wreath.
    • Create a beautiful succulent pumpkin planter. Fill a hollowed-out pumpkin with fresh succulents and moss.

    • Here are tons of crafts with leaves you can try.
    • Treat yourself! Make fall candles using seasonal scents such as cinnamon, pumpkin, or apple. First, find a glass jar you want to use as the holder. Double the amount of wax you would use to fill the container and melt it in a double boiler while stirring frequently. Mix in the fragrance oil you choose and place the wick on the bottom of your jar before you slowly pour in the wax. Secure the wick while the wax hardens by placing it between two chopsticks that are balanced on the top. You can also glue cinnamon sticks onto the outside of an old candle to make your home smell incredible.
    • Check out fall door decor ideas that go beyond wreaths.
    • A few things to use as décor that have an autumn vibe include amber bottles, throw blankets, plaid pillows, and leaves spray-painted gold.
    • Uncover farmhouse mantel decor ideas that add cozy charm to your space.
    • Here are some fall plants and grasses you can place around your home:
      • Mariachi ‘Salsa’ Helenium
      • Chrysanthemums
      • Black-leaf millet grass
      • Bayberry
      • Fuzzy kangaroo paws
      • Gerbera daisies
      • Chinese lanterns

  • Healthy Family Meals to Encourage Coming Together

    If you often find yourself eating a sandwich for dinner while the rest of your family eats at other times or elsewhere, you are missing out on important bonding opportunities. When parents and kids have different schedules and tastes, it can be hard to prepare healthy family meals that everyone will show up for – and enjoy. It doesn’t have to happen every night, but making the effort at least a few times during the week can really bring families together in a good way.

    Breakfast and Lunch

    Parents Magazine points out that families who cannot come together for dinner can enjoy healthy family breakfasts and lunches. They share some easy-to-prepare recipes, like Peanutty Overnight Oats, Fruity PB&J Tortilla Pizza and Stuffed French Toast. The prep work can be done the night before, be made quickly in the a.m. and eaten during a leisurely weekend or holiday breakfast.

    One easy lunch option is soup. It can be a real super-food, is perfect for lunches and kids love it. Homemade chicken minestrone is a good choice because it is easy to make and contains high-fiber beans, high-protein chicken and tasty vegetables. Another way to sneak in some fiber is to make veggie burgers. These can be served on whole wheat buns, topped with organic cheese and served with homemade sweet potato fries and some raw sugar snap peas.

    If your kids aren’t fans of veggie burgers, Martha Stewart shares some easy recipes for chicken sandwiches that can be served hot or cold. Instead of traditional fried versions, you can try her pulled bbq chicken, grilled chicken and delicious chicken salad sandwiches. These go well with healthy soups, salads and sides of raw vegetables. Even if your family balks at swapping out fries or chips for raw veggies, hold your ground. They will probably come to love them.

    Healthy Dinners for You and Your Family

    Adults work late. Kids have sports and club meetings, and before you know it the dinner hour has passed. The first step towards planning healthy family meals is to put them on the schedule. Keep one main calendar that shows every meeting, game and appointment and schedule 90 minutes for a sit-down meal at least twice a week. Even if it doesn’t work out some weeks, keep making the effort.

    One of the cleverest ways to get the gang to the table is to have them help plan the menus. Make sure to have something in there that everyone likes, whether it be a favorite kind of fish or a fruity dessert. Try introducing something new once a week – you might be surprised to see how much everyone likes cauliflower rice, lemony salmon or kale salad.

    Delicious Dinner Ideas

    Although many families shun meat, there are healthy ways to prepare it. Although some doctors and financial gurus suggest it would be wise to only serve it a few times a week, it can really be something to look forward to. Martha Stewart’s traditional Shepherd’s Pie uses lamb shanks instead of beef, and also incorporates creamy mashed potatoes, root vegetables and peas. Once the family gets a whiff of that in the oven, you can bet they will show up to the table. Lasagna is another favorite, and can be made with ground turkey or spinach instead of meat.

    Shrimp is also perfect for healthy family meals, because it is high in protein and healthy fats, yet low in calories as long as it is not fried. Stir-fry shrimp is quick and easy, and your helpers can chop up the veggies if they are old enough. Cut up boneless chicken also does well in stir-fry dinners. If the weather cooperates, you can thread shrimp and/or chicken on skewers, alternating them with zucchini, peppers, onions and other vegetables. After all, who doesn’t love a barbecue?

    Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

    Many children and adults have become vegetarians, and there are countless ways to prepare these kinds of healthy dinners. As an added bonus, vegetables cost less than meat, chicken and seafood – unless you shop at an artisan farmers market or high-end grocery store. This added expense isn’t really necessary, especially if you prepare rich-tasting sauces.

    Better Homes & Gardens offers a recipe for Whole Wheat Tortellini with Broccoli that has cherry tomatoes, beans and creamy cheese. Another great option is Four-Cheese Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, which is high in flavor and low in carbs. Or try the Mediterranean Kale & Cannellini Stew, which has farro, carrots, tomatoes, beans and feta cheese. Any one of these healthy and satisfying meals will encourage families to meet up at the table for dinner – or lunch.

  • Hygienic Countertop Choices for Kitchen Remodels

    Everyone loves a clean kitchen. Believe it or not, however, your kitchen countertops can be the most unclean parts of your house. It’s true: they are used to prepare raw and cooked food, they get splashed from dirty sink water and they have all manner of things dropped and spilled on them. While some of this unseen mess is harmless, common bacteria like listeria, salmonella and E. coli are not.

    You may know that a cutting board has to be cleaned after it is used to cut up raw chicken or other meat, and that dirty dish sponges can be full of unhealthy germs. Anti-bacterial sprays and thorough cleaning with soap and water all help make kitchens more hygienic, but what else can you do? A good choice is to look for kitchen countertops that are made with more hygienic materials. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, you will want to make this a priority.

    Types of Kitchen Countertops

    There are more kitchen countertop choices out there than ever, made from wood, concrete, quartz, granite and marble. Southern Living advises homeowners that it is okay to mix and match material types from an aesthetic perspective, as long as you don’t go overboard. Some are scratch-resistant, while others like laminate are not.

    Materials like granite and quartz will be more expensive, but are top-recommended materials, if your budget permits. You can cut and chop right on the surfaces of these materials, and they are heat-resistant. They are also more hygienic because they are scratch-resistant and less porous, so you will want to keep this in mind when making your selections.

    Less-Hygienic Kitchen Countertops

    Laminate countertops are versatile and inexpensive, and you can find them in countless colors and patterns. They are made from plywood or fiberboard, with a thin laminate covering. This material is more prone to scratching and heat, which makes it more susceptible to bacteria and germs.

    Another less hygienic kitchen countertop material is wood, even though it can look great in country-style kitchens. You can find countertops made of various woods, like maple, walnut and cherry, made in both small and large pieces. Although wood is eco-friendly, it can also absorb bacteria. Wood kitchen countertops (and cutting boards) should always be disinfected after coming into contact with raw meat.

    Kitchen design trends have been pointing towards stone countertops, which are stylish and modern. If you choose stone, it will have to be sealed, because it is porous. Some stone countertops also have finishes that make them non-porous but look more natural than sealants.

    Concrete kitchen countertops have also come into the spotlight, and you can find them popping up on design sites and in homes. They do not look like traditional concrete; instead, they have interesting textures and colors. If the surface has cracks and pits, though, these imperfections can encourage bacteria growth. Like the look of concrete? Be sure that the countertop is finished and sealed to make it more hygienic.

    More-Hygienic Kitchen Countertops

    Quartz kitchen countertops are also popular in modern kitchens. Quartz is made from engineered rock chips and dust that are bound with resin, and the material is non-porous. It is less expensive than granite and stone, but it has the same kind of durability and beauty.

    Granite is one of the hardest materials on the planet, and it also has a high resistance to scratches, heat and bacteria. Homeowners like granite because it has depth, rich colors and attractive patterns.  It does not necessarily require sealing, but many companies recommend doing so.

    Perhaps the most hygienic countertops are those made of stainless steel, and this is why they are found in commercial kitchens. They are manufactured in single sheets and known for their outstanding antibacterial qualities.

    How to Clean Hygienic Kitchen Countertops

    Even when the countertop material is more hygienic, it still needs to be properly cleaned. Granite countertops can be wiped down with warm soapy water or a mild bleach solution. You can remove stains with a baking soda/water paste or diluted bleach or ammonia. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers, and rinse the surface thoroughly.

    Clean quartz countertops in much the same way, but do not use any bleach. Wipe up stains immediately, and use Windex or another surface cleaner for dried-on messes. Also avoid using anything abrasive, as it can damage the countertops. You can cut and chop on quartz or granite, but there is nothing wrong with using a good cutting board. Just remember to clean it well.

  • Ask A Pro – Top Bathroom Color Trends

    Question:

    I’m getting ready to repaint my bathroom.  What are the top color trends that will help me sell my home?

    Answer:

    Color can be fun to experiment with but don’t go crazy with extra bold color choices since you are planning to sell.

    There are a few things to consider when painting your bathroom:

    1. The overall color flow in the entire house. A house show’s best when a simple color palette is used throughout a house. The home feels larger and not so broken up when each room is a different color.
    2. What color is your bathroom tile, countertop, cabinets, faucets, woodwork, and flooring? What color will highlight these features?
    3. What style is the house and decorating style?
    4. What kind of lighting is in the bathroom as lighting changes the warmth and tone of the paint color?

    Today’s top color trends are going away from the cooler shades of gray (that have been trending for over 12 years). Homeowners are looking for warmth and coziness that comes from warmer colors used in a house. For gray tones, look for shades of light gray that have a warm yellow or red hue and not a cool blue hue. A nice greige is a good option as it bridges the gap between gray tones and beiges. Also in a bathroom, you can’t go wrong with a white paint as it can give that hi-end spa bath appearance. White will let the features of the bathroom shine so make sure everything else looks good. If you dislike white paint, go with a light color on the walls and then bring in fresh white towels and rugs with textures for a fresh, clean look. And to keep the trendy look going, add other textures such as a nubby wicker trash can and bring in a live green plant in a small basket or textural ceramic flowerpot. Bringing outside elements into the home is a trend that isn’t going away.

    Best of luck,
    Max Wilker
    Style Director
    Better Homes and Gardens Brand Licensing

  • Let’s Celebrate Labor Day

    Summer is coming to a close, so make sure you enjoy the warm weather and sunshine by celebrating Labor Day the right way. Below you will find fantastic craft and décor ideas, an assortment of scrumptious recipes, and tons of outdoor activities.

    Creative Labor Day Décor

    Get crafting and tap into your creative side with these excellent décor and outdoor design ideas.

    • It’s time to upcycle! Use old glass vases or mason jars to create starry candle holders. Place star-shaped stickers on the outside of a clear vase or mason jar and spray paint the vase with a color of your choosing. Once the paint has dried, remove the stickers and place a candle in the center of the vase. The light will shine through the stars and create a beautiful ambiance.
    • Check out these red, white, and blue decorating ideas to make your home super stylish.
    • Transform old tin cans into stylish decorative vases. Paint the outside of the cans or jars with red and blue stripes, and once it dries, you can glue white stars onto the outside. Use the cans as centerpieces and place flowers or utensils in them.
    • Turn your balcony into an outdoor oasis using these tips and tricks.
    • Create red, white, and blue band sand candles that are perfect for a patriotic centerpiece.
    • Spruce up your pillows and give your plain white pillows a facelift. Cut a star shape out of cardboard and use it as a stencil. Hold the stencil against the pillow and spray around it with red or blue fabric paint. The result will be pillows that will leave you starry-eyed.
    • Uncover how to transform your patio into an incredible gathering space.

    Delicious Recipes

    The recipes below will result in happy stomachs.

    • Grab a toothpick and get ready to enjoy these scrumptious small bites.
    • Fresh and easy to make, your guests will love this cilantro cucumber-melon salad.
    • Perfect pesto! From sun-dried tomato pesto to basil pesto, you can’t go wrong with any of the following quick and easy pesto recipes.
    • This buffalo-style spicy chicken sandwich is finger-licking good.
    • You’re bacon me crazy with this maple-bacon corn on the cob recipe.
    • These healthy labor day recipes will keep you satisfied.
    • Dig into this berry delicious and berry refreshing blueberry ice cream pie.
    • If you’re in the baking mood, try making a three-layered funfetti cake with a Labor Day twist. You will need to make three cakes that are the same size. Add red food coloring into one, blue into another, and leave the third as is. Once the cakes have all cooled, stack them together using your favorite icing. When you cut into the cake, you will have a red, white, and blue surprise!
    • If you’re feeling patriotic, this red, white, and blue tart is tasty and quick to make.
    • Cheers to an assortment of fresh garden cocktail recipes.
    • Bake a strawberry or raspberry pie, but fill about 1/4 of the pie with yummy blueberries. Cut stripes out of a pie crust and place them across about ¾ of the pie. Cut out a few stars from the remaining pie crust and place them on the blueberry section, the ¼ that doesn’t have stripes. The entire pie will resemble an American flag.

    All Around Fun Activities  

    Discover a variety of games and activities that will result in lots of fun.

  • Ask A Pro – Foundation Fundamentals

    Question:

    When painting a cinder block foundation and front steps, should the colors be the same or contrasting?

    Answer:

    ALWAYS paint them the same colour unless you are trying to draw the attention away from the home.  Neutrals like greys and tans work best on the foundation and stairs as they are not the first thing that will draw the eye.  You want to visually make them go away

    ~ Carson