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.

Cozy Comfort with Scarves

Scarves are one of my favorite accessories. I love when the weather gets cooler because I get a whole other item of clothing to incorporate into my wardrobe. I usually knit my own scarves, and I already own too many to wear, but I could not resist buying this super-soft scarf from Gap. The fabric is irresistibly cozy, like as cozy as your favorite t-shirt, and it's wide enough to wrap up in. I bought one in an eggplant color, which is no longer available online, but they still have black, an earthy brown and a sea blue, which I might just have to buy as well.

Autumn Days and Apple Crisp

It was a chilly, rainy weekend in Seattle, providing the perfect opportunity for a meal in the crock pot and apple crisp for dessert. I combined a basic recipe from Paula Deen with the topping from Nigella Lawson's equally delicious blackberry crisp. It's a warm, comforting treat, which goes nicely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a little added sweetness.

Apple Crisp
Recipes courtesy of Paula Deen and Nigella Lawson

6 large apples (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (I recommend Granny Smith)
1/4 cup water
Juice of 1 lemon

Topping
1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup flaked almonds
1/4 cup sunflower kernels
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the apples, water and lemon juice in an 8x8-inch baking pan. Melt the butter and set aside. Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, almonds, kernels and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir the melted butter into the crisp topping and spoon on top of the fruit. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is crisp and browned.

Fashion Plates

When it comes to sets of dishes, why not collect different patterns for different occasions? And if one of those occasions happens to be a girls' night in or an afternoon tea, then by all means get yourself a set of Rosanna dishes. The charming and feminine patterns feature pastels, intricate designs, even Marie Antoinette -- who, by the way, would probably love these plates. A few of my favorite collections are Boho, La Soiree Parisienne, Red Dots and Darjeeling. Rosanna makes plates, bowls, glasses, flatware, tea sets and candlesticks, which are all perfectly suited to your stylish, girly girl activities.