DIY Fantasy Pumpkin Carriage

I am absolutely going to be making this fantasy pumpkin carriage for my little girl!!

This was originally posted on Hallmarkmagazine.com which has since ceased publication.

What You'll Need:

1- 12" tall pumpkin
4- 4" tall gourds
4- ornate drawer pulls
3- ornate metal belt buckles
1- ornate lamp finial
2- 1/4" dowel rods (cut to the approx. diameter of your pumpkin)
Pencil or marker
Knife
Craft glue
Heavy-gauge florist's wire
Cordless drill fitted with 1/4" bit

Instructions:

1. Trace the inside of each belt buckle onto the pumpkin and cut to create openings for two windows and a door.

2. Glue the hardware over the openings.

3. Remove or cut down the stem until it's even with the flesh of the pumpkin, and twist the finial into the top.

4. Drill a hole through the center of each gourd.

5. Insert one dowel rod into the holes of two gourds to create an axle, and secure with glue. Repeat to create a second set of wheels.

6. Finish off all four wheels by inserting a drawer pull into the outside hole of each gourd for hubcaps.

7. Line up the two sets of wheels next to each other at about the same width as your pumpkin. Then wrap wire from one dowel rod to the other to fasten the axles together and to create a webbing for the pumpkin carriage to sit on.

8. Gently place your carriage on the wire.

For illustrated instructions take a look this Pumpkinhowto.pdf

Original Source: HERE

Affogato ~ The Perfect Fall Drink

I found this yummy fall drink on one of my favorite reads; Eat, Drink, Pretty ~ and I can't wait to try making it!

Recipe & Photo Credit: Food Network

Affogato (recipe credit to Food Network)

Ingredients

1/3 cup cold whipping cream
1/2 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon espresso powder
1 pint chocolate gelato or ice cream

Directions

Using an electric mixer, beat the cream in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Cover and refrigerate the whipped cream.

Whisk the boiling water and espresso powder in a 1 cup glass measuring cup until the powder is dissolved, or use an espresso machine to make 4 shots of espresso. Scoop 1/2 cup of the gelato or ice cream into each of 4 dessert bowls or glasses. Pour 2 tablespoons or 1 shot of hot espresso over each. Top with the whipped cream and serve immediately.

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas from Country Living

Here are some creative and inspiring ways to incorporate pumpkins in your fall decor ~

all of these ideas {and photos} are courtesy of Country Living.

You can find all the instructions and templates for these projects and many others,

directly on Country Living's site.

~~~

Spell out your greeting in mini pumpkins gathered at a prominent ~ and stationary ~

location. Here, strings of Christmas~tree lights, gathered in small bunches, illuminate

each pumpkin.

What a darling idea to use small pumpkins as votive candle holders! These festive

decorations can be used to dress any autumn table, Halloween party or Thanksgiving feast!

An artificial pumpkin, a faux crow, and some fall foliage create a beautiful focal point

when on this ivy planter chandelier.

Tuck candles and small pumpkins inside glass cylinders or canning jars.

Use pumpkins to create a painted tree effect in the bookcase.

Stack tiny jack-o-lanterns on a tiered cupcake stand for a darling buffet centerpiece!

This Crescent Moon mimics the look of a Lite-Brite by punching holes and adding a

tiny string of bulbs to make it glow. Love the idea!

{REAL PARTY} A Vintage Halloween Bash in Beverly Hills

I have drooled over this Halloween Party since pictures first began surfacing last year!

This vintage Halloween bash was hosted by J.L. Designs and The Stylish Soiree in Beverly Hills, and brought together an incredibly talented team of vendors to make it all happen.

There are so many details and behind the scenes inspiration and sources on JL Designs's Blog and My Sweet and Saucy, just 2 of the vendors that collaborated and blogged about this amazing night! Be sure to stop by their blogs and read about all the amazing details.

Venue, Nature Center Courtyard in Franklin Canyon Park, Beverly Hills, Photography by Meg Perotti, Planned by Yelena Johnson, The Stylish Soiree, Floral & Event Design by Carissa Jones, JL Designs, Catering by Nathaniel Neubauer of Contemporary Catering, Photo Booth from Mint Photo Lounge, Calligraphy by Calligraphy Katrina, Entertainment: by DJ Crash, Rentals from Town & Country, Classic Party Rentals, Linens from Wildflower Linen, and Candy Bar by Special Events by Luz Pencyla.

Pink-O-Ween Glammed up Halloween Dessert Table

Congratulations to my friend, Courtney, of Pizzazzerie for having this gorgeous glammed up PINK Halloween dessert table featured on Amy Atlas Events!

From my post yesterday, you can see that I am loving the new trend in Halloween parties and decor by thinking outside the box with new color combinations! Also, Courtney's use of lots of glitter, sequins and bejeweled candles really jazzed up the decor!

Please see my original source on Amy Atlas' blog for Courtney's tips and tricks to successfully glamming up your Halloween decor!

Photography by Kristen Steele

Beautiful dessert table Courtney!

Halloween Glam Party Printables by The TomKat Studio

Hi friends! You are probably wondering if I have fallen off the face of the earth! No, I just took a little break from blogging and social networking to focus on some really exciting events and collaborations that we are working on. I'm sooo excited for some new things happening...

...and I'm sooo ready for fall, my absolute favorite time of the year!

I wanted to start up blogging again with this gorgeous Halloween Glam Printable Collection by The TomKat Studio that I have had my eye on! I just fell in love with this color palette ~

what an elegant and upscale alternative to the traditional black & orange color scheme

we usually see for Halloween decor!

This stunning styled shoot was created by Kim of The TomKat Studio and photographed by Laura Winslow. Be sure to stop by The TomKat Studio's blog to find credit and links to all the talented vendors who participated in this shoot and the inspiration behind Kim's creation!

Click HERE to go directly to The TomKat Studio's Etsy store.