Bay Area Haunted Houses

I'm not your typical girl.. Take me to a haunted house where people chase me with knives and chainsaws.. and I might just want to marry you. 

I LOVE Halloween and everything that goes along with it... Still haven't figured out my costume for this year. Last year I went as a modern day Dorothy, with Maddie being the best Toto ever!! 

My 2015 costume

Even though, I haven't landed on a costume- I will share with you this year's best Bay Area events for all things spooky.

Haunted Houses

California's Great America- Halloween Haunt

San Francisco Dungeon 

Freak Fest 12

Blind Scream Haunted House

Nightmare Island

Fear Overload Scream Park

Hell in the Armory

Halloween Parties 

San Francisco W Hotel- get tickets

Haunted Hotel

Titanic Masquerade Halloween Party Cruise

Drop Dead Party @ Charlies LG

Trick or Treat Party @ Glasshouse

Pumpkin Patches for the babes

Clancy's Pumpkin Patch

Eastside Pumpkin Farm

Sausalito Dog costume contest

Spear Family Farms

Perry Organic Pumpkin Farm

Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Patch

Spina Farms

Happy Halloween!!

xo, ciao

Holiday Gift Guide (the adventurer)

You know that person in your life who is always out trying a new hobby and hanging with new friends or instagraming the latest food craze... well, this gift guide is for them. Make them believe that you spent all year finding the perfect gift for them, when all you had to do was check the blog.

Happy Shopping, ciao xx

Garmin multifunction watch $300 :: Foam roller $65 :: Burton Snowboard $700 

GoPro HERO 4 $500 :: Picnic Pack $90 :: Road Biking Book $10 :: California Beaches Book $15

Blackburn Bike Lights $60 :: Swiss Army Knife $50 :: Clubmaster sunglasses $150

Chrome Industries messenger bag $160 :: Vans $60 :: City Posters $22

Bloody Brownies

I made something yummy over the weekend. I was test driving a Halloween recipe that I want to have for my party at work. . 

I thought they were delicious, especially with a little vanilia frozen yogurt on top.

 I was flipping through Emilys blog and saw the recipe there. But it originally came from here...

Usually when I'm making a recipe for the first time- I try not to tweak the ingredients list too much... for fear that they won't turn out well. This time around the only changes I made was the use of whole wheat flour and low fat cream cheese.

 Nobody even cared or asked about a difference in taste, winner winner!!

I love when I can substitue healthy iems to make a recipe even better. I give these Bloody Brownies two very enthusiastic thumbs up and I hope you enjoy them for all your Halloween spookiness too.

Valentines [for her]

Just in case you weren't sure what to pick up for your lady this Valentines day, I have pulled a few things that are sure to make any woman swoon. Check out my pics below. <3

dogeared "sparkle heart" necklace $62
macoron soap set $14
red velvet coffee $9
"live a life you love" book $15
marc jacobs perfume- daisy $75
bando heart clips $20
xoxo post-its $4
baseball tee $50
heart sunnies $16
nars lipstick $26
cooking classes $80
kate spade "knot" ring $48

Valentines [for him]

I feel like Valentines day, is a woman's holiday. But it doesn't mean you can't pamper your man with some treats and sweet lovin'. Check out my pics for the perfect Valentines gifts for your guy. <3

neck heater/massager $25

iPhone case/charger $100

leatherman keychain $30

detail kit $280

table tennis set $20

Garmin Forerunner $299

NYE [look your best]

Trying to put together an amazing New Years Eve outfit can be tough and frustrating with all the trends out there right now. However, I feel like if you choose something short and sparkly, you can't go wrong.

an eye catching top 

party ready pants

swoon worthy satchel

hawt heels 

glam earrings

my NYE outfit

wishlist II The Manly Man

1. // lantern chandelier $ varies on style
2. // beer making kit $50
3. // cocktail shaker $28
4. // globe bar $200
5. // go pro camera $400
6. // jacket $149
7. // GPS watch $400
8. // verticle turntable $60
9. // 14 in 1 hammer tool $13
10. // bike helmet $40
11. // star spangled spatula $48
12. // man cave book $10
13. // eat like a man book $22
14. // grilling salts $10
15. // zombie print 
16. // black watch $95
17. // raybans $120

wishlist II The Environmentalist

herb garden $40
recycled wood air plant frame $25
spoon notes $15
om yoga tank $28
sparitual nail set $23
glass water bottle $20
loofah $4
eco smart yoga mat $16
cardboard lamp  $prices range on design
newspaper shoes $75
reusable utensils $12
banana paper journal $7
origins gift set $25
duct tape wallet $22

wishlist II World Traveler

1. // chalkboard globe $100
2. // St Judes charity ornament $15
3. // eiffel tower bookends $30
4. // travel kit $19
5. // travel journal $19
6. // gentleman's grooming kit $49
7. // Jo Malone travel candle kit $100
8. // travel wallet $250
9. // dress shirt//pant travel bags $15 each
10. // Lumix GF5 $399
11. // pack this notepad $8
12. // the big travel book $30

wishlist II Mr. Metro

1. // whiskey stones $21
2. // shoe shine kit $13
3. // exposed clock $140
4. // Human's of New York book $18
5. // art cube $23
6. // briefcase $325
7. // beats by dr. dre headphones $250
8. // leather longwing shoes $90
9. // card holder $50
10. //denim skinny neck tie $38
11. // whiskey soap $12
12. //hooded jacket $54
13. // iPad air $499

wishlist II The Entertainer

1. // knife set $42
2. // elephant pillow $198
3. // chandelier $3300
4. // watercolor lamp shade $98
5. // glitter servingwear $34- $78
6. // owl wine opener $28
7. // west coasters $36
8. // paper straws $8
9. // ecosphere $58
10. // firepit $69
11. // S'mores Kit $13
12. // stainless steel cocktail glasses $15
13. // deer head $60
14. // shot glasses $13

The Holiday Wishlist

For the second year in a row… my blog will be featuring, all December long- 

The Holiday Wishlist.

It is a collection of various gift ideas for that tricky person on your shopping list.

For Women // The Girly Girl // Miss Casual Chic // The Environmentalist

For Men // The Manly Man // Mr. Metro // The Gadget Guy

For Both // The Entertainer // The World Traveler //

And of course--Your Mom (the hardest!!)

Check back all month long for your ultimate shopping list filled with ideas for that special someone.

xo

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

The idea of hosting Thanksgiving can be a bit intimidating, even for someone who hosts on the regular. You want your guests to feel a relaxed and inviting vibe when they enter. You want your home to feel cozy and properly dressed for the occasion. And you want to stun everyone with your meal and table settings. So I pulled some looks, that differ from the traditional spread, that I think will WOW your guests.

Spooky Inspiration

Brainstorming a really good Halloween costume can be hard. You don't want one of those generic bag costumes (or maybe you do, I don't judge) I have been stalking the pinterest site for some good inspiration.. and I think I found some. Head over to my Halloween Pinterest Board for more ideas, but here are a few of my favorites that I have found. I still can't 100% decide on one..

Skeleton

Homeless Bums

Crazy Cat Lady

Cereal Killer

Comic Book Character

I just really love the makeup

Daria and Jane

Apple vs Android

Dion and Cher

make it work

 Dealing with a new space is stressful enough, let alone the fact that I won't have a closet. And if you have been following me for a while, you know I have a bit of a clothes// shoes// purse addiction (a healthy one) But luckily, thanks to Pinterest, my creative juices have been flowing and I'm not that scared to try and build my own closet. These are some of my pins that have been helping me plan lately. Hope they bring some decorating inspiration to you too!

street art

What if i started painting...

suited up

With my vacation right around the corner, I thought it would be a perfect time to pull some swimwear inspiration for my suitcase. I am horrible at making decisions and can't pick just one... A one piece is great for beach play, a triangle 2 piece is great for tanning and a bandeau looks great paired with any Caftan.

what is your favorite?

pineapple suit $95

paisley suit $19

screenprint sunset suit $25

moroccan print suit $144

studded peach suit $32

floral suit $48

abstract suit $106

yep, in my white tee

I think that a white tee can be your best friend. 

Just look at all the different looks you can create with this versatile little item. grunge, classic, girly, flirty, fierce, relaxed. When you have somewhere to go and you feel like you have nothing to wear. My best style advice is to pull out old faithful and accessorize your look, then the rest of your look falls into place.. pants, shoes and bag... hawt.

give thanks & give back

my two Snowflakes that I'm sending in for the students at the new school

Lets take a moment to reflect and remember the 26 lives that were lost at Sandy Hook.
Especially, right now- it's so close to the Holidays. I don’t know about you but I want to help, but I can’t send money like a normal Red Cross donation- because they don’t need money… they need life.

We need to help the children of the world because these ridiculous massacres are getting to frequent. I don’t know if that will be stricter gun laws, changes to media and television programming or a better understanding of mental sickness. But we need to figure it out..

I read this article the other day and I knew I had found a little answer. It’s called the

26 Acts of Kindness

and it is in memory of the 26 lives that were lost in Newtown.

It can be as simple as opening a door for someone, making a donation, or my personal favorite… Someone called into the local Newtown Starbucks and gave their credit card number to pay for the next 100 customers’ orders. That is HUGE!!

As a special treat when the children return to Sandy Hook after their break, the National Parent Teacher Association wants them to be greeted with a Winter Wonderland theme. They’re asking to please cut out some paper snowflakes and send them to the address below so that the school can be covered with them. The snowflakes are due by January 12^th … so get cutting J

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12. Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

 26 Acts of Kindness page on Facebook.
or on Twitter- #26ActsOfKindness

As for the 26 acts of kindness, you should invest in humanity and kindness this Holiday Season

Give Back!! xo

Holiday Wish List :: Host & Hostess

With the Holidays here, I'm almost positive you will be invited {at least once } to a Holiday gathering. I never like to come empty handed to a party- either I bring a dish to share or a gift for the Host! Enter my holiday gift guide for the perfect Host or Hostess gift.  I'm sure you can find something to give, or even love yourself... plus almost every online store is offering free shipping now!!

Happy Shopping <3

1. Pure Black Coffee $30 :: 2. Popcorn Machine $48 :: 3. Wine Decanter $80 :: 4. Glass Cocktail Shaker $39 :: 5. Pineapple Jewel Box  $30 :: 6. Indoor Bocce Set $75 :: 7.Speakeasy Serving Tray  $69 :: 8. Marble Cheese Tray $40 :: 9. Apples to Apples Game $20 :: 10. Sees Candy $20 :: 11. Z Gallerie Candles  $20 each :: 12. Bulldog Bottle Stopper $16 :: 13. Cheese Gift Box $90