Halloween Hostess Finds

With Halloween upon us, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite finds and some sweet treats I've come across. I hope these liven up your Halloween weekend or give you inspiration for next year.

• super-cute and creative candy corn cookies
  
• deadly and decadent pumpkin swirl brownies
  
• a ghoulish vampire kiss martini
  
• non-perishable, cuddly pumpkins
  
• candy for those sophisticated trick-or-treaters
  
• an adorable but haunted headband
  

Happy Halloween!

Sculpted Fashion

Anthropologie currently has a site section highlighting their "sculpted grace" clothing. The collection which includes skirts, jackets, tops and dresses features unique fabric details, particularly around the shoulders and neckline, that add a little pop to standard winter clothing. The designs are structured and modern, but still manage to be feminine and romantic. My favorites are this short sleeve blazer, this pleated sweater and this pencil skirt. The whole trend actually reminds me of Leanne's winning collection from Project Runway's Season 5 finale. I'm liking where fashion is headed.

Glassy Gifts

One of my favorite gift items made right here in Seattle is called a glassybaby. What exactly is a glassybaby you ask? Well, it's a charming, little candle holder that comes in just about every color imaginable. And with names like duck egg, ballet and glacier lake, you'll probably want to collect them all. Handmade through a multi-layered glass-blowing process, the glass can range from translucent to opaque, lighting up beautifully when you put a votive candle inside. The candle cups create a perfect ambiance for cozy dinners and holiday parties. They do run a bit steep, $40 a pop, but each is uniquely handmade and sort of a collector's item if you ask me. The company also does a lot of good. Each year glassybaby makes a donation to benefit local and national organizations contributing to cancer patient care and research. Talk about shining a light.

Sunday Football Food: Balsamic Chicken Drumettes

While I'm not a big sports fan (I know, I'm a bad southerner), I do enjoy the food associated with watching a game. When I tire of the standard buffalo wings, I opt for a recipe that's a little more sophisticated but equally satisfying. These slightly sweet balsamic chicken drumettes are a tasty change of pace but provide all the enjoyment (and messiness) associated with wings. I even think they are perfect for a cocktail party, provided you supply plenty of napkins.

Balsamic Chicken Drumettes
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis and the Food Network

Ingredients
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
5 sprigs of rosemary
5 garlic cloves, halved
10 to 12 chicken drumsticks
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Combine the balsamic, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, rosemary sprigs, and garlic cloves, in a large, re-sealable plastic bag. Shake and squeeze the contents of the bag to dissolve the honey and the brown sugar. Add the chicken drumsticks to the bag and seal with as little air as possible in the bag. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the chicken drumsticks on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake until the skin is caramelized and very dark in spots, about 30 to 35 minutes. Meanwhile, place the marinade in a small saucepan. Bring the marinade to a boil (in order to kill bacteria). Reduce the heat to simmer and cook over low heat until thick, about 15 minutes. Reserve. Use a pastry brush to brush some of the cooked marinade on the cooked chicken. Place the chicken on a serving platter. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and the chopped parsley.