Halloween Decorations in My Dallas Apartment

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend didn’t fly by too quickly, but mine certainly did. Everyday when I get to work I’m half afraid to look at my task list. It’s usually so long! That’s why the weekends are so important to me- it’s the one time I actually have to relax and do the things I enjoy. For example, this weekend I got to spend a little time decorating my apartment for Halloween and fall! So far, I haven’t really shared much about my apartment or what I’ve done with it since moving in. Honestly, it doesn’t get much sunlight so it’s hard to photograph without the natural light. Today, I wanted to share with you a few photos I took of my apartment decor for fall!

Probably my favorite decoration I put out was this adorable frosted glass Jack O’ Lantern! I love to put a candle inside it at night and just watch it flicker, it’s so pretty! The best part is that I got it at Marshall’s for $5.99. I love a good deal, especially on something that I know I’ll be using for the next few years. My mom has so many cute decorations like this that she found randomly and they’re some of my favorite things in the world! Traditional fall decor like her’s makes me me so happy!

Okay this may be my other favorite decoration! I went to a Wine & Design class and we painted this cute “Pumpkin Spice Latte” canvas painting last year. It’s so nice to hang up during this time of the year. I love when artwork can be used to represent the seasons because it blends in so well with the rest of my home decor. Plus, I love a good pumpkin spice latte! Don’t you?

Another little art project I completed a few weeks ago was painting this ceramic pumpkin gold. It was a cheap project to do (under $10) and kept me busy for a good 3 hours. How chic is gold this season anyway? Adding little gold things like this pumpkin around my apartment was the perfect way to keep the aesthetic I already had but still embrace the fall season. Plus, who can say ‘no’ to a Bath and Body Works candle?

And last but not least, is my fall table centerpiece! I took a class at Michael’s Craft Store on how to create a fall centerpiece and it went really well if I do say so myself. Of course, I had lots of help from the professionals. My kitty cat, Petunia, has enjoyed trying to eat the fake berries off of the centerpiece and then bat them around the kitchen floor for me to step on. At least she’s ignored the pumpkin salt and pepper shakers my mom bought for me. Those are my favorites!

Leave me a comment with your favorite fall and halloween decorations! I love to see what other people do with their homes! Have a great Monday lovelies!

 

A Costumed Mess: Review of Victoria’s Black Swan Inn Masquerade

Happy first Monday of November! I was so excited when I woke up yesterday and saw that Starbucks has debuted their seasonal drinks for Christmas. The Starbucks red cup is back and I’m thrilled, just call me basic. I’m sure most of us were bombarded with #redcups on our Instagram feeds. Hopefully, I’m not the only one who is having trouble deciding whether they should still relish in fall leaves or dive head first into snowmen and sugar cookies. Please leave a comment so I know I’m not alone!

The Masquerade

Since Halloween is over, I thought I’d share with you my experience going to my first masquerade ball! I went to Victoria’s Black Swan Inn with my boyfriend, his sister, and her husband for a night of what we thought would be full of entertainment and spookiness. We were sadly mistaken. What could have been a great event, turned into a chaotic, wet mess.

Upon arriving at the Inn, we took a few photos outside of the mansion, which was beautifully decorated, and proceeded to the event. We had just walked up to the house when I felt a raindrop hit my shoulder. Several minutes later, the sky opened up and gave us the pleasure of a cold downpour that lasted over 2 hours. The entire event was supposed to take place out on the front lawn and no one had thought to rent a party tent in case of bad weather. A band, DJ, cash bar, and the buffet were set up near the patio and they had to quickly cover their space before everything was ruined. 

Meanwhile, all the guests stayed dry inside while watching the crazy costumes that walked through the front door. Some were very elaborate while others were bought at Party City. The 4 of us dressed up for the event in assorted costumes. My man and I went in black tie attire and wore masks we bought at Pier 1 Imports (they have a great selection of Venetian masks for under $30.) Unfortunately for me, wearing a mask while taking pictures makes my eyes look mostly shut. Embarrassing much?

After about an hour of people watching and not much else to do, we each got a glass of wine to sip since dinner wasn’t going to be served until the event planners took the initiative to set up the buffet elsewhere. Someone started playing the grand piano in the living room to add some festivity to the event because it needed it.

Cold and Hungry

The DJ set up inside the living room next to the piano and played a few Halloween classics for the hired belly dancers to dance to. After a few minutes of dancing, someone said the food was finally set up. The line for the buffet winded down the hall and through a dining room. By the time I got to the front of it the caterers had run out of food and were cooking another batch of everything. A bunch of us stood there for about 20 minutes and ate tortilla chips out of a communal bowl before the enchiladas and refried beans were served again. I’m not a Mexican food expert, but I know what tastes good and that didn’t.

After we ate, the rain had mostly stopped and about 30 people stood outside and watched the fire dancers do their stunts. Most people had left by then (it was 10pm) and had gone to other parties or venues to enjoy their Halloween festivities. We left very disappointed, hungry, and wet. It would have been a great event if their had been some additional planning done and someone orchestrating the ball. Everything seemed to be communicated to guests by another guest over hearing it from the hosts and then telling everyone else.

I hope your Halloween was a little more fun (and dry) than ours was! We tried to make the best of it but when you pay $75 a ticket, you don’t expect being forced to “make the best of it.” I’d love to hear what you all did for Halloween and what you went as! Leave me a comment and follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more pictures from the event!

Audrey Hepburn Halloween Costume

For those of you who wait until the last minute to get things done (myself included), here’s a quick, easy Halloween costume you can create with things you probably already have! I love one of the first scenes in Breakfast At Tiffany’s when Holly Golightly is waking up to answer the door. Her outfit is simple: an oversized men’s oxford shirt, a sleeping mask, and purple earplugs.

Holly Golightly Costume

The oxford you probably have at home. If you can’t find an oversized one, a regular one you have hanging in your closet will work paired with dark leggings or tights. Somewhere in the depths of your jewelry box, you most likely have some purple earrings you can wear as your “earplugs.” The hardest thing to find might be that legendary sleeping mask of Holly’s. I found a few Etsy stores that sell them. If you’re short on time, go to a craft store and buy a regular plastic mask and paint it teal. Add some gold puffy paint around the edges and draw on eyelashes and eyebrows.

Holly’s Hair and Makeup

The up-do in this famous scene is a little difficult to recreate if you don’t know how to tease your hair. Here’s a tutorial I found that is similar to the hair Holly is sporting. In terms of makeup, this costume requires very little. Do your regular routine of foundation, primer, and powder then add pink blush to the apples of your cheeks. Neutral eyeshadow is all you need, but bigger eyelashes will make your eyes pop. Use lots of mascara or some good fake eyelashes. Light pink lipstick completes the look!

You might see a lot of “Audrey Hepburns” walking around in her famous little black dress, but I guarantee you no one has thought to do this famous outfit. Enjoy!

Leave me a comment with your Halloween costume idea! Follow me on Twitter for more personal and blog updates.

Easy Halloween Checklist

Halloween is this coming Saturday night and I’m so excited about it. However, I have to ask myself where did autumn go? One minute I’m hounding the Starbucks baristas about when the PSL will be available and the next minute someone else is asking about gingerbread latte season. I walked into Target today (surprise, surprise) and all the fall stuff was on clearance and employees were unpacking boxes of reindeer and LED Christmas lights. I’m a little bummed out honestly.

Anyway, since Halloween is like any other holiday that requires some preparation, I’ve created a little list to help get you through the day. By no means is it an exhaustive list (especially if you’re having a party) but there’s a few things on it that you might have forgotten. Add a comment with anything else you’d suggest!

• Pumpkin carving kit
• Assorted pumpkins
• Battery-operated lights for the pumpkins
• Candy to hand out to the neighbor kids
• Supplies for baking (sugar, sprinkles, butter etc.)
• Costume
• Accessories for costume (tail or ears, makeup, jewelry, shoes)
• Fake spiderwebs to put over the bushes outside
• Flashlights for trick-or-treating
• Uber booked for pickup after parties

Enjoy what’s left of this season! I’ll be showing you my costume later this week if all goes according to plan. My Halloween plans include a masquerade ball at a haunted inn, here’s a peek at my costume! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for blog updates!

Masquerade Balls and Red Lipstick

Does anyone have Halloween plans? Because I do, and I really want to share them with you! I can’t remember the last time I did anything for Halloween. Every time I lived in a major city during that time of the year, I was too “young” to go out and obviously too old to trick or treat, though it was suggested. This year my boyfriend and I are going out with his sister and brother-in-law for a masquerade ball at an old haunted inn in San Antonio!

What am I wearing? A floor length, black, mermaid style gown and of course, a masque. The masque I bought is actually from Pier 1 Imports. Supposedly it’s made in Venice (I have my doubts) and it only cost me $30. Not bad for something so beautiful and delicate. I like that it’s simple with only a lace pattern and a few rhinestones on it. There were so many to choose from but quite a few of them made me look like a bird, which I didn’t want.

Since I’m wearing all black, I wanted to add some color to my face so I don’t appear washed out. I’ll be wearing Nars “Cruella” on my lips. This is the best lip pencil/stick. The color stays on for several hours and is really vibrant! I’ll also be doing my nails in a red color with a gold accent on my ring finger.

To add some glam to my dress, I’m adding this Ann Taylor belt to it. The belt is stretchy and snaps in the back for comfort. Can you believe that I found it for $5? Neither can I, but I honestly did. I won’t be showing you the dress until we’ve taken some decent pictures of it, but it’s beautiful! Let me know what your Halloween plans are in a comment below!

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