'The Best of Martha Stewart Halloween Handbook' The PumpkinLady's Review

Cover-  Martha as the Spellbinding Sorceress....very gold, but pretty. Botox was probably used in the making of Martha Stewart, but on page 33, there is a glimpse of her age showing through, which was a little refreshing.  I wish I had the time to get all done up for Halloween, prepare for trick or treat, run the home haunt, and look fabulous.  I really need a gay BFF to dress me while I'm doing the last minute preparations, or Martha's staff.

Chapter 1- Calling All Creatures- This covers all the pretty photos of porches that are so simple, elegant, yet detailed.  The spider web porch caught my eye since they actually included a spider plant on the banister, which if you see my porch/house, it always covered in spider plants and every window at the end of summer has a glass of growing babies. I loved the Green Birds of Prey house with it's cracked glowing eggs. If I had more windows, this would be a great solution to this years low matinence Halloween. Covering the basics of home decor she gives you the basics on cheesecloth drapings, paper silhouettes for around the house (I'm a fan!), shrunken apple head, and those damn cheesecloth stiff ghosts that have annoyed me for every special magazine and show she has done.  I'm not sure why they bother me, could be cause I'm going to make them someday with my kids and then never be able to throw them out!

Chapter 2- Casting Characters- Starts off with the cover of Martha, a Harlequin Fairy Godmother (little to long of a title for me), a couple cute sidenotes of 'Bad Things' - spiderweb shawl and a batty headband which are great and easy for something simple and quick.  The Wandering Mummy is awful cute and something I could do on my husband. (For one moment I wished I could be pregnant for Halloween and be a Mummy alongside him.  Last time I bought everything and wound up in the hospital.)  The Spider Baby and Mom is damn tempting since I will be getting my skirt from Grandin Road. The Deep Sea Jellyfish is also very clever- but should be done with clear pink in my opinion. The only other of notable mention is the Little Lambs (only because I want to steal their beautiful eyes with a melon baller) and The Knight and (baby) Dragon. 

Chapter 3- Tempting Tresspassers- Covers your basic treat bags that we've seen online, magazines, and on her show.  The only think I liked were the mache bat pinata and the cat candy holder.

Chapter 4- Summoning Pumpkins- Yes, painting a pumpkin black is clever and cute and will look cool. The pumpkin cooler is a great idea for parties and wedding receptions. And of course, having a pumpkin graveyard would be beautiful if done right, and if you were really, really ambitious.

Chapter 5- Serving Unsavories- Drinks that look great and food that doesn't.  I still like the spiderweb eggs. I'm sure this year they will go over well with all the recalls...

Did I mention there are only two advertisements.  One for Grandin Road and the other is the back cover for JoAnn fabrics.  I was just there the other day and was surprised that they had MS  supplies and craft kits since it's usually Michaels Crafts. 

So, overall a repeat of things past, and seem to be all availible online, but still nice to have all wrapped up in one book.  I could have done with a little less costume and food and more design ideas, but that is what Martha Stewart.com is for right?

I do need to look through one more time, but I saw nothing with glitter....

It's HERE!!!

With a cover price of $9.95 this better be good!   I haven't gone through it yet, but I will later tonight when the house calms down.  It better be worth going out to the grocery in my 'day pajamas' and no makeup after a day of vigorous Martha style cleaning of my house! Review to come along with this years Better Homes and Gardens Halloween magazine, Disney's Family Fun Halloween Special Edition Mag, and the Betty Crocker Halloween Food and Parties Mag (also doubles for Thanksgiving!).

I do have to add that last years review of the MS magazine was said best by my ex on his LJ.
"This year: paint it green, add glitter. There I've saved you the $5.99 you would have spent on the Martha Stewart Halloween issue."  But it's still in my Halloween magazine file folder.....

9 months pregnant with 2 weeks (or less) to go!

Well, here I am kids.  This was taken hours before I swelled up to the point my shoes no longer fit and my wedding ring turned my finger blue.  (I head to the Dr. in the morning, so no worries).  I have been cleaning my house like crazy.  Some call it nesting, I call it I've waited too long and it was too hot and humid to think about!  So now we are counting down the days til little no name comes out.   I've done well this time with only gaining 25lbs (no including whatever water I'm retaining this weekend) vs the 70lbs last time, but I also started this time with 25 more than last time.  I managed to miss having gestational diabetes, and the severe back pain like last time.  I also am not as excited as I was the first time.  My facebook status's are all about how I've wanted to not be pregnant since I was 6 weeks! I have no patience with anything, and I'm a very moody person right now.  I feel bad for those around me since the only peace offering I will accept is Ben & Jerry's Fudge Brownie ice cream.

I'm also wanting this kid to get out so I can start Halloween planning/buying, but I have family from out of town coming in next weekend.  I've checked a few stores, picked up a few magazines....but that's for next time!

My Halloween Radar is off......

I have a keen ability around the end of July, August, and of course September, to find the one and only Halloween decoration, magazine or prop in any store that I am in.  I can find pumpkin orange in a heartbeart. My husband is finally getting used to walking with me and turning around realizing I've spotted something four aisles back and he has been talking to himself since then. Poor guy had to learn that the Halloween season starts in late July and lasts until one week after when everything is 75% off and that it is my job during this time to find everything that fits our themes, at the best price possible or that I must examine said items until I've figured out how to recreate it. 

Well, this year, along with being 9 months pregnant, just as the magazines are coming out, internet stores are gearing up, and I can't wait for back to school to be done, my radar is thrown.  All thanks to my hometown football team, The Bengals.  Why, oh why, do they have to wear orange and black, and not just any orange, but pumpkin/Halloween orange???  I went to our local grocery, and there was orange and black everywhere, in particular one aisle....I totally thought it was their first Halloween display...but NOOOOO...it's for football.  Pre-season even.  I've been bomb-barded by the Bengals in the past few years, more people around here where Bengals garb, that every Sunday I'm overloaded with trying to see if they are wearing Halloween shirts.  I see yard decorations, but alas, it's Bengals.  I get supporting your team, but it's gone into overload here.  Or could it be because the season is getting a slow start?  Or that I am impatiently trying to get all my Halloween shopping done before the new pumpkin gets here?  Any which way it goes, retail stores are deceiving me with their black and orange and need to stop it!!!!

Oh Grandin Road, How I Love Thee.

Grandin Road has their new Halloween items up and I'm mildly amused.  But since I really can't/won't have time or energy for a costume this year, I'm making it public that my husband must order this for me for Halloween!!!!

I'm craving pumpkin pie

My mother in-law mentioned a  Pumpkin Shortage?  I did not believe her....and now, well, all this eight months pregnant lady wants, is a pumpkin pie with an inch thick layer of cool whip....I must go raid my cupboard to see if there is a can in there...