WHY MINDSET IS EVERYTHING (SO LET’S GET IT IN CHECK!)

IDK about y’all, but the hibernation feels are REAL. Which means soup, snuggling & getting back into the swing of settling down with a good book. 

This week’s being High Magick by the one & only Damien Echols.

I actually started this one a few months back after we returned home from a dreamy desert weekend learning about meditation from the incredible dude himself. But as you know, we all get distracted – so the only thing that matters is eventually getting back on track. So here we are!

Now, a lot of this book primarily covers the core art & exercises surrounding what’s known as (spoiler alert) “high magick”. These are the very practices that Damien credits with manifesting his freedom from wrongfully spending almost 20 years on death row — so think less velvet capes & pulling rabbits out of hats, & more channelling/harnessing energy to cast back into the world charged with your own intent. 

Naturally there’s a lot of breath work, visualization & protection practices that go along with it too, but at its core all we’re really talking about is doing things to “shape reality & create better environments for ourselves”. Which also got me thinking about the true power of mindset. 

Especially when it comes to our everyday lives. You know, as pats of butter on this giant piece of toast we call Earth.

I think we can agree that none of us are perfect. So of COURSE we all know those moments of debilitating stress, anxiety & nights where you need to just come home for a good cry (& bottle of rosé).

Venting is good. We’re all about it. But the difference to keep in mind between blowing off steam with a good vent & heading down a potentially more detrimental path is your mindset.

Hear me out!

We are humans – not vials of arsenic or cyanide that are best kept bottled up. So because of that, it’s important to know how to process & get things off our chests. You doing you to let it all out? Great! But just make sure to alongside that, not lose sight of the bigger mental picture at hand. 

As in, getting the negativity OUT in order to make room for the ~overall~ positive mindset you aim to uphold the rest of the time.

Because if you don’t, that low energy WILL consume you.

Seriously – the mind is a crazy powerful thing. And while we are human & can’t practice stoicism around the clock like a regular Marcus Aurelius, striving to maintain a positive-forward mentality truly makes a real-deal difference. Think about it, would you want to sit around & stew in a hot tub full of gunk? NO. Gross. Of course not.

So that’s the same thing as choosing to stay in a low-vibe mental state! It doesn’t do any good – & for some, can be the very thing that breaks them.

Everyone has bad days. Especially when it involves making a trip to Trader Joe’s only to find they’re only out of the four exact ingredients you need for what feels like the tenth time in a row (!!!). But if in the big scheme of things you’re keeping your energy in check, recognizing the power of attention & making efforts to lead an overall positive-inspired existence, then you’ll know that everything – in the long run – is going to be just fine.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go charge all of our water.

((& seriously, if you need a good book to cozy up with over the holidays, High Magick is IT!!))

xxAA

(((source of feature image background: @damienechols)))

DIY CHAIN CAPE NECKLACE

Yep, you heard me right! A chain. cape. necklace.

Do tell?

Honestly, I’m still not sure if that’s technically the best way to describe it. But basically, it’s a choker & two upper arm bands attached via chain. Like magician x medieval knight, or superhero x tetherball pole – super fun, right?!

When it comes to metal, typically you think jewelry, purses, maybe a Spencer’s wallet circa 2006 if we dare flash back that far. Although the truth is, chain accessories can go SO much further than that. And not to mention, look super chic while at it.

Think paired with sleeveless top or dress to make make for a Cleopatra-inspired situation, or added to your favorite fall/winter staples for a more subtle, industrial-glam touch. Either way, there’s no denying it creates an interesting vibe to look at – plus, turns any tired-feeling outfit totally on its head.

So what more could ya want?

// WHAT YOU NEED //

+ Black elastic (1/2 inch wide)

+ 4 jump rings (15 mm)

+ Your choice of sturdy fabric for the choker

+ Curb chain (60 inches long)

+ One hook & eye closure

+ Needle & heavy-duty thread

+ Sewing pins

// STEPS //

THE ARM BANDS

++ Measure your upper arm & cut four strips of black elastic to length + one extra inch.

++ Cut two additional pieces of black elastic approximately 2 inches long.

++ Take the four elastic pieces you cut for the upper arm bands & pin the ends of each piece around one jump ring to create four individual bands.

++ Stack two of the individual bands so that the jump rings line up & pin one of the 2-inch elastic pieces around the two jump rings to connect them. Do the same for the other set.

++ Use a zig-zag stitch to secure each folded over section of elastic to create two finished upper arm bands.

THE CHOKER

++ Measure your neck & cut a 2.5 inch-wide strip of your choker fabric to length + one extra inch for the seam allowance.

++ Fold your strip of fabric in half the long way (AKA hot dog style) so that the right sides are together & pin it.

++ Sew a straight stitch across the width of the fabric at each end & flip the strip right sides out.

++ Make sure all of the extra fabric is tucked in & sew a straight topstitch along the right side of the fabric to create a clean-edged choker band. Then, topstitch the other side to finish it off.

++ Finally, hand-sew a hook & eye to each end & double-check that it still fits your neck.

TO FINISH

++ Cut your curb chain in half to make two 30-inch pieces & hand-sew one end of one chain to the inside of the choker left of the hook & eye, then one end of the other chain to the right of the hook & eye.

++ Take the other ends of each chain and hand-sew one to each arm band. Done & done!

xxAA

7 LEGIT LIFE LESSONS WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM MILLION DOLLAR LISTING: NEW YORK

It’s funny how inspiration can always strike when we least expect it.

Like when standing in line for coffee, watching that movie your best friend dragged you into – or even stumbling into a seemingly superficial Bravo show only to quickly learn it’s the BEST THING EVER.

Ok, maybe not the best ever, BUT either way there’s no denying my newfound obsession with Million Dollar Listing: New York.

Look at them acting so serious…HA ((Image Source))

Now – when we’re talking about a show that follows some of the top dogs of NYC slinging more than a billion dollars’ worth of high-brow real estate each year, you picture a bunch of ultra-suave, iconically sophisticated & undoubtably egotistical yuppies, right? Which…yes, there is some of that. But, there’s also the fact that at the same time, they’re just as big of freak flag flying oddballs as the rest of us!

(Except for Steve- he’s pretty genuinely suave & cool. I mean, have you seen that hair?) 

Seriously. They’re quirky. They have weird senses of humor. They do hilariously outrageous things that put themselves on the spot to be judged by some of New York’s most elite – it’s amazing. And while the claws no doubt come out at times (hello, it wouldn’t be Bravo without it), they for the most part seem like fun, go-lucky dudes that clearly know their stuff.

Which A) instantly won me over, & also B) led to realizing just how many honestly legit life lessons are ingrained into the show as well! I know, I know, it’s Bravo – who would have ever thought? But jokes aside, after eight real-deal seasons these guys have dished some seriously superb advice.

So I figured it was about time for it to be shared & screamed about from the rooftops! Shall we?

#1: NOT WASTING TIME ON PEOPLE WHO AREN’T WORTH IT

In the confines of a career, this little jewel is ALWAYS much easier said than done. Regardless of the industry, it’s guaranteed that at times you’ll have to deal with people you would sometimes just rather not. But whether it’s working your way up to a place of getting to pick & choose your clients/long-term projects, or work aside- just carrying the same principle over to your personal life, this is one of the most basic of basic yet hardest to implement philosophies out there. 

The fact is, there are tons of people on this big blue ball that simply aren’t worth your time, energy & love. So being able to recognize psychic vampires/all of the other low-energy peeps that harsh your mellow more than they raise it, & figure out how to most effectively (& practically) minimize their place in your life is a game changer.

Even when it’s an $18 million Central Park South penthouse on the line.

#2: HAVING GENUINE PURPOSE MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE

No matter if that purpose means a family, a creative drive or passion projects that you hope can have a positive impact one day – they all make for a way different, more meaningful life than those solely rooted in chasing money &/or soulless career advancement. 

This we very much saw with the heart-felt (& still hilariously insane) season 8 finale recapping that almost all of the star cast members are now fathers of at least one baby. At the end of the day, when you have something larger & genuinely important that’s driving your urge to be successful – beyond the mere idea of that on-paper success itself – it makes for lightyear’s more enjoyment of that success when it happens. As well as a way more fulfilling journey to get there. 

#3: CONFIDENCE CAN BE YOUR GREATEST SUPERPOWER

Fake it ’til you make it! As you can imagine, that’s a huge staple of how these guys climbed their way up the ladder. 

Although, there’s always a line to be drawn, nonetheless. It’s not about lying in every facet of life all the time, but just knowing the power that lies in presenting yourself well. Along with that, there’s also forcing yourself to jump into the life path you want (rather than waiting until you feel “ready” – because spoiler: you probably never will); having a knack for learning on the spot; and above all- not being afraid of (or derailed by) failure. 

It’s gonna happen one way or another; it’s just up to you to overcome & learn from it…then go on to become one of the most successful real estate agents in Manhattan.

NBD. 

#4: NOT BEING AFRAID TO LEARN FROM THE PROS (EVEN IF YOU ARE ONE)

And on that note, there’s also being willing (& eager) to learn from those who are totally crushing at whatever you’re aspiring to in life.

Take Tyler, for example, who surprised Ryan by booking a one-on-one meeting to ask what he did to win over the $5.5 million Tribeca listing that they were both in the running for. Sure, when you’re the new (& youngest & least experienced) kid on the block, you HAVE to be prepared to take notes from the best in order to graduate from that weenie dog in the FBI vest phase; but even the most seasoned of pros also know how to set their ego/pride aside & continue to learn new things, too. 

Because really- who knows it all?

#5: BALANCE THE GAME WITH YOUR OWN CREATIVE FLAIR

When we’re talking about hugely established, major-money industries, you can’t expect to change everything overnight. There are certain status quos that reign supreme and unspoken rules/relationships that run decades deep. Like ABBA always said, it’s the name of the game. 

BUT, figuring out how to inject the classic practice with your own creativity to catch people’s attention in unique & productive ways? That can be an insanely powerful approach to get ahead while authentically setting yourself apart from the rest. Literally, just be you! There’s nothing better.

#6: KEEP ON GOING

Definitely the most cliche, but we all know cliches get such a rep for a reason.

Whenever we choose less-than-easy industries to sink out little motivated hearts into, it should never come as a surprise that things won’t *clap* be *clap* easy. If they were, everyone would do it! So it’s exceptionally important to keep in mind that the only way to guarantee you won’t ever get to where you want to be, is if you stop. 

There’s a lot to be said for tasting the other side of the coin. Because when things always just seamlessly fall into place, we not only don’t fully appreciate them, but also have a harder time springing back when the slip-ups & setbacks strike. Even when people get to the presumable “top”, pitfalls can (& do) still happen. You may get that penthouse exclusive, but if the market doesn’t have your back a year down the road, you can get fired.

Even the best of the best face moments of weakness, so rather than getting discouraged, it’s about embracing, growing stronger from & moving on from the hitches to bolster your path toward the real goal.

That is, if you really want it, of course.

#7: ROLL WITH WHERE LIFE TAKES YOU

And finally, just like we learned from Rock of Ages (the stage show, not the embarrassing movie): the dreams you come with aren’t always the dreams you leave with, but hey, they STILL ROCK! (!!!!!!)

Some people go through life with a super clear-cut vision of exactly what they want to do. And they do it. And that’s great. But plenty of others find their way with the help of a few pivotal twists & turns. Ryan Serhant moved to New York City with big dreams of being an actor. Fredrik Eklund went to school for economics & kickstarted his career by founding an Internet company (& also apparently did a little porn). Steve Gold initially chose the world of modeling over a career in finance. Luis Ortiz went to film school & directed his own short films. Tyler Whitman used to sell broadway tickets to tourists in Times Square- & not to mention, weigh almost 400 pounds.

And while it’s totally understandable to see how all of these qualities eventually translated into the great wide world of real estate, that wasn’t the given path. They made it for themselves. 

And so can the rest of us.

UGH, so there we have it! A year’s worth of TED Talk-level material thanks to the lovely lads of Bravo’s own Million Dollar Listing: New York.

For all of the craziness that plagues the airwaves of reality TV, it’s always refreshing to know there are some true gems out there. 

xxAA

((all cast images in feature image from Bravotv.com))

31 FOR 31 HORROR MOVIE MARATHON: THE RESULTS

How time flies, right?

Just when you think (hope) October would last forever, we’re already 1/6th of the way through November! You know, also known as that time of year when you blink – it’s Thanksgiving. Then walk downstairs – it’s Christmas. Lay down for a quick nap – HELLO, PRESIDENTS’ DAY MATTRESS DEALS. 

Insanity, I’m telling you.

But with the month now behind us, that also means our annual 31 for 31 horror movie fest is over. And for as tré tradge as that always is, it’s fun gathering round after the fact to debrief, reminisce and game plan for next year. Especially since this past round is going to be a pretty hard one to beat!

Between work, a little sleep and counting the days until My Chem announces their inevitable REUNION WORLD TOUR – everyone’s busy. So it’s no secret that watching 31 movies in 31 days is always a pretty tall order. But this by FAR is the best we’ve ever done! Of course, it’s not like we went in order, but any which way you put it, nothing can take away from the ghoulish gold that was this year’s selections.

Let’s review …

THE MOST COUNTERINTUITIVE: SAW II & III

Last year’s marathon featured the first godfather of torture porn installment: SAW. So it only made sense that we keep rolling with the pitiless punches, considering there’s a whole lot more to this series than the average public often assumes.

If you can get over the layers of notoriously gory shock value, there’s a seriously interesting message behind the premise as a whole. Sure, you have a dude talking through a little clown puppet on a tricycle – but think of him like…an ethical boogie man. Here to put you into check when (& how) you least suspect it through some pretty gnarly lessons of gratitude and perspective. Which, even though we’re still having a few nightmares about that needle pit, there’s definitely something to be said for the chill-filled thought exercise.

And also, that soundtrack.

THE GUILTY PLEASURE: HELL HOUSE, LLC II & III

Yet another rendition of the classic “found footage” style, the Hell House, LLC series is far from the most quality of cinematic experiences – but it is super, SUPER fun.

All in all where these three low-budget beauties legit differ from the block-busting franchises that came before them is cohesion. Even though the jury’s still out on whether it was all actually calculated from the start, the second and third editions convincingly build upon the debut film just as much as they do each other. Which is a relatively noble feat – especially in the world of horror.

So whenever in the mood for something fun and tense, yet ominous with a few nightmare-inducing clowns to boot, then the Hell House, LLC trilogy totally has you covered.

THE MOST UNDERRATED: TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL

They always say that horror and comedy are two sides of the same coin. So when it works it ~works~, as proven by two well-intentioned Hillbillies just trying to save some college kid lives.

Featuring all the people you always recognize but never remember from what, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil was definitely an unexpected smash hit of the roster. It’s loaded with tons of literally laugh out loud moments, plus an ending that guarantees all the feels. And also now that we think about it, basically the same life lessons you learned from the Muppets. Just with a slightly darker, more PBR-friendly backdrop. 

THE SMARTEST: SCREAM

The second after we finished the first Scream, I asked Kevin why I hadn’t seen this until NOW. His answer: you have to have seen a hefty dose of horror before fully appreciating the meta mastery of the franchise.

But seriously. Claiming its fame by reviving slasher vibes from the dead, Scream is obviously so much more than just the inspiration behind one of the best episodes of Boy Meets World ever. With an entire plot based around citing troupes of the genre that also happens to be the very world they live within, it makes for a super smart, self-aware and clever take on a sub-genre that was on a now-surprising verge of collapse.

In fact, it was SO great that we even replaced one of the originally slotted movies with Scream 2 – because love. And love to psycho, baby Timothy Olyphant.

THE MOST…JUST NO: CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST

I mean, need we say more? Within the grindhouse scene, pretty much everyone’s heard of Cannibal Holocaust in some shape or form. So for all the infamously graphic, anthro-audacity that comes along with the territory, it had to make its debut on the list at some point. And it did – and we’re over it.

Sure, deeper message totally gotten. But after about the fifth brutal animal slaying and 20-minute playing out of events that could have been condensed into about three, been there done that and now we’re happy to move on.

LASTLY, THE BIGGEST SURPRISE: ANACONDA

And not in a bad way!

All we’re saying is when would you have ever expected to see Ice Cube, J-Lo and Owen Wilson converge on the same screen? And in a snake-hunting, Amazonian-safari-cruising, thoroughly ’90s horror movie, no less.

Ahh, what a year. Now time to spill what horror flicks are running faves in your book!

xxAA 

OUIJA COOKIES & DIVINATION CHIC: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, my spooky party people.

The day has at last arrived, so clearly that means we had to do some supremely spooky baking to go along with it!

This time starring: ouija planchettes & crystal balls

You know when you’re obsessed with something, but would never actually do it? That’s how I feel about ouija boards. Obviously it’s not in a ‘wears lululemon every day yet never sets foot in a gym’ kind of way. More just like loving the look and all the old-world vibes, yet knowing it’s always best to simply NOT MESS WITH THE REALM.

With it being the end of October we’re still plowing through the 31 for 31 horror movie marathon. Which means hours of watching naive casts of characters make the absolute WORST decisions possible – including haphazardly messing with ouija boards. 

((looking at you, showboating psychic Brock Davies))

But that aside, have you ever checked them out on Etsy?? Seriously, some of them are outright works of art. And because of that, I am all about having one as decor in the house! Especially considering the rich and crazy history of spirit boards in general, it always makes for a great conversation piece. But, whatever you do…

Hide. That. Planchette. 

Because when your friends get drunk at 2AM on a Saturday and decide it’d be a ~super cool~ and ~~hilarious~~ thing to play with for the ‘Gram – you’re going to regret it. The realm doesn’t mess around (!!!)

So with all of that said, we wanted to honor the ouija with a kitschy twist. Which made cookies seem the perfect answer! And since we’re rolling with the theme of divination tools that some people swear by, whereas others laugh in the face of, crystal balls felt like a totally worthy (& uber chic) pairing, too.

Check it out!

We used our same basic, no-spread sugar cookie recipe from a few weeks back…

Only this time, with slightly more jazzed up icing.

Sorry trick-or-treaters, you won’t be getting any of these gems tonight.

But to everyone nonetheless, Happy Halloween!!

xxAA

WHY WE’RE A LITTLE OBSESSED WITH ‘A LITTLE LATE WITH LILLY SINGH’

They always say, nothing good ever happens after midnight.

(or was it 2AM?)

Stores lock up, tipsy texts get sent and if you live in LA it becomes surprisingly impossible to find ANY food that doesn’t entail a drive-through (!!!). But if you own a TV, then you may or may not have discovered that each weeknight at 1:35 AM a little show called A Little Late With Lilly Singh takes the stage at NBC.

Now, if you’re as consumed with late-night programming as much as I am (ha – which is not at all), then you know how the long-running, “Big 3” network shows all have a way of blurring together. Sure sure, there are the Jimmys, there’s James, there’s Seth, there’s Stephen. But unless you’re a super fan of a particular host, each show can feel arguably…kind of the same. Mainly because late-night ~clearly~ has a format that’s been used & abused for decades.

You know the one – the monologue, the sketches, the same TV/movie stars that’ve been on a million times before & the photos/articles hand-glued onto the SAME BLACK FOAM BOARD. Yep, that format. And that same, damn foam board. 

But in the midst of the late-night boys club, we now have Lilly! Who’s primarily been making headlines as the first host of a nightly, network late-night show that’s a woman, of color & also queer. Which is great! Of course. But IMO (as well as her own) – that’s only just the start.

From the very beginning it’s been pretty obvious that she’s not afraid to spearhead a show that rages against all the rest. Which is why we’re we’re a little obsessed with this newfound misfit of late-night and had to make a whole list for all the reasons why:

1: WHERE SHE CAME FROM (& NO I DON’T JUST MEAN CANADA)

Yes, Lilly was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, but her true claim to fame is being one of the highest paid YouTubers in the entire world. And while these days it’s not like social media stars are a foreign concept in general, bringing a champion of one medium onto another is always far trickier than anyone ever wants to admit.

Even if you have a huge audience on one platform, it doesn’t mean that audience utilizes other platforms in quite the same way. So expecting that a YouTube sensation with nearly 15 million subscribers and billions of views would be a bar none hit taking over a primo late-night slot on network TV traditionally watched by people that can remember what the world was like before everyone was glued to the Internet 24/7…….*exhale* did not go without saying.

Although, Lilly seems to be doing a lot better job than what I think most YouTubers could do. Considering she has great comedic timing, slays at interviewing and has the power to connect with lit-er-a-lly any human there is.

2: BREAKING THE LATE-NIGHT MOLD (…TO AN EXTENT)

As previously mentioned, we’re still talking about NBC here. So it’s not like the show doesn’t come with a lot of the same classic late-night elements in theory. There’s the opening monologue, celebrity guests and games that sometimes were better in theory than execution, but all in all it’s done with a spin that still feels unique and refreshing.

The celebrity guests aren’t necessarily the same A-listers you see making the week-long round to every talk show on the circuit. Instead, they’re people from the acting, music and app/technology scenes that all have clear ties to the types of content that Lilly’s audience consumes. And a lot of the material is also more pop-culture driven with dashes of social commentary, rather than just droning on about the same politically charged toxicity we can’t ever seem to escape in every other facet of life.

3: PUTTING A NEW SPIN ON STAFFING UP

I went to a live taping of the show just last week, and with that stumbled upon yet another super interesting quality: how diverse the crew truly is! Equipped with a MUCH wider variety of people in terms of race, age and gender than that of the average show, A Little Late clearly made it a point to staff up with a huge array of perspective—and it definitely shows. 

(sometimes more brazenly than others)

4: BEING 1000% UNAPOLOGETICALLY HERSELF

Boardroom-crafted personas, GOODBYE. If there’s one thing that’s glaringly obvious from the first ten seconds of ever watching Lilly it’s that, even on network TV, she is totally herself. Charismatic, loud and quirky just like the rest of us, it’s no secret why older, more traditional late-night audiences might not get her appeal whatsoever. But you know what? That’s totally okay.

There’s no way to win ‘em all these days, anyway.

(Photo by: Scott Angelheart/NBC – via Variety)

Like any new show, A Little Late certainly has a lot of room for growth. No matter what the platform, it always takes time to find your voice and carve out a vibe, so fingers crossed the suits will stand by long enough to let this show find its footing.

But needless to say it has a TON of potential, so we’re definitely excited to continue watching how it all turns out!

xxAA

P.S. Sorry for the nuclear long post – but if you’ve checked out the show, we’d love to hear your thoughts about it, too! 

DIY PUMPKITTEN SQUAD

Mmm, there’s nothing like prancing around a pumpkin patch IN 90-DEGREE WEATHER.

Ugh. Fall, it’s normally not hard to love you, so why. WHY???

Anyway – it’s crazy to think that Halloween is already just nine short days away. And if that also means you’re running out of excuses to continue putting off that annual love/hate relationship you have with carving pumpkins, then do we have a fix for you!

Now, don’t get me wrong. Pumpkin carving is cool. I mean, I never actually did it for real for real until just a few years ago, but at the same time…there’s no denying the mess. Or the smell. Or how it feels like they’ve already rotted before you even ~really~ have time to enjoy them. 

So from all of that we came up with a solution. Something cuter, cleaner & that can still be just as creepy if you get the beady eyes right: PUMPKITTENS!

A feline fierce take on classic jack-o-lantern vibes, mini pumpkitten squads are the answer to our pleas of ornamented squash vitality. Since we’re painting instead of cutting into the pumpkins, they’re guaranteed to last loads longer. PLUS, unless you’re a regular Michael Myers with knives, this method provides way more creative control with just as much customizable potential, too!

Seriously, it wasn’t until just YESTERDAY that we finally threw away the lone survivor of last year’s crop. So especially if you’re one to consider Halloween decor as just decor, then this project is totally up your alley.

// WHAT YOU NEED //

+ Mini pumpkins

+ All-purpose craft paint (black & green)

+ A very thin paintbrush 

+ A pencil 

+ Black pipe cleaners (2 per pumpkin; cut into 3.5-inch pieces)

+ Flexible black craft/jewelry wire (6 per pumpkin; cut into 1.5- to 2-inch pieces)

// STEPS //

++ Use the pencil to lightly sketch an outline of the face, including the eyes, nose & mouth.

++ With an exceptionally steady hand, first paint the green portion of the eyes. Let dry & apply a second coat.

++ Wash your brush & then paint the black portion of the eyes and outline the nose/mouth. Let dry.

++ Bend your pipe cleaners into the shape of a cat’s ear & stick them into the top of the pumpkin in an applicable, ear-like position.

++ Finally, stick half of the wire pieces on each side of the mouth & fan them out to resemble whiskers.

(NOTE: if your pumpkin(s) are unusually hard, you might need to use a toothpick, psycho ice pick or any other sharpish object to make a small, prelim puncture before sticking your pipe cleaners and/or wire into place)

And there you have it! Adorably festive (& somewhat everlasting) pumpkittens ready to usher in yet another fabulously spooky season.

Let us know how they turn out for you!

xxAA

THE OTHER F WORD, COMING-OF-AGE & WHY WE HAVE ALL THE FEELS ABOUT IT

Whenever it comes to TV & movies, I definitely have a knack for being ‘that guy’ who’s late to the party.

I mean, you keep up with your favorites & have a finger on the pulse of what’s new. Though with the ‘80s hair-level volume of content being produced nowadays – who POSSIBLY has time to hit it all?!

But that aside, the crazy thing is always when you’ve heard of something & KNOW you’re going to be all about it. Yet, it still (for whatever reason) can take you awhile to actually get around to it.

My most recent case in point: The Other F Word.

It’s also currently available on Hulu!

You’ve probably heard of or seen it by now because see above: always late to the party. BUT for those who may not be so familiar, The Other F Word is a documentary that debuted in 2011, highlighting a mind-blowing variety of punk-rock icons-turned-fathers who share their ultimate truth about what it’s like to now be the authority they built a career raging against.

And yes – it is absolutely everything you want it to be. Equal parts hilarious as it is heart-wrenching, might I add.

From the hysterical accounts of Mark Hoppus & Fat Mike, to the heart-breaking tales of Duane Peters & Art Alexakis, let me just stress that you WILL feel all of the feels. As I still am about five solid weeks later.

But you know, that’s what’s so incredible about it. 

It’s no accident why coming-of-age has always been one of the most interesting (and hard-hitting) themes to a lot people since forever. Mainly because that long-awaited juncture where you officially cross over from youth into adulthood? It doesn’t really exist. At least, not in one fell swoop moment.

It just happens. For some, in a way that feels normal and manageably gradual. And for others, it hits like a ton of bricks.

Just like the film’s flagship anthem, Against Me!’s “I Was A Teenage Anarchist”. Which – fast forward to the other night when we got to catch the second half of their two-night concert series rocking out White Crosses and Transgender Dysphoria Blues in their entireties – of course they played. And once again, I cried. Kevin cried. The crowd cried! Because that’s what all of these feels still cause today. Just like they did when we were 16. Just like they will when we’re 60.

And just like they did when we were watching The Other F Word. All in the best way possible.

So the next time you’re in the market for something that can both uplift and pierce your soul at the stunningly same time, look no further than this hugely underrated, absolute gem of a doc. 

Just be sure to keep the tissues close by.

xxAA

Elements of feature image from Amazon

FALL’S MOST UNEXPECTED ACCESSORY: DIY GLAM BANDANAS

Ah, bandanas. Something you probably haven’t thought about since that godawful country western-themed dance in middle school – unless you’re a roadie for The Grateful Dead.

BUT now that fall temps are starting to arrive and we can actually stand to wear something around our necks without dripping in sweat, we’re proud to introduce: the glam-dana!

A great way to transition into fall, this edgy twist on the classic kerchief might just be our new obsession. And for good reason! After all…

–Basic bandanas are cheap as hell. Like, 99 cents cheap.

–They come in a surprisingly huge array of colors & prints.

–The fabric is super easy to work with (& also wash).

–You can style them in so many different ways (I’m talking from tanks to turtlenecks).

–AND they’re totally customizable to whatever vibe you’re feeling – and/or supplies you have laying around. 

Seriously, beads, trim, studs, spikes, buttons, sequins – even dye or paint if you really want to get creative. It’s one of those projects that you can invest however much (or little) time you’d like, plus truly make all your own.

So let’s dive in!

// WHAT YOU NEED //

+ A bandana

+ Bead needle & thread (double layered & knotted at the end)

+ Regular needle & thread (double layered & knotted at the end)

+ Beads (I used seed)

+ Fringe

+ Your choice of chain & studs (or whatever else you want to use for embellishment)

// STEPS //

++ First things first: rescue that bandana with an iron. You won’t get ~all~ of the creases out, but give it a valiant effort.

++ Fold the bandana in half diagonally and choose which side you want to be your main (luckily we only have to decorate the half that’s going to show).

BEADING

++ If you want to bead, that’s the first detail you should knock out (if not, just skip to the next section).

++ Once you figure out which areas you want to accent with beads, take your threaded bead needle and make your first stitch. Pull the needle though the fabric so the knot is on the non-visible side and sew a few tiny stitches, just to secure the thread. 

++ Add your beads two to three at a time onto the needle and pull them all the way down the thread so that they’re touching the fabric. Lay them down along where you want them to sit, and pull the needle down through the fabric right after the last bead to sew them into place.

++ Pull your needle back up about two to three bead’s length away from the last sewn-in bead (same premise as a back stitch), thread more beads onto the needle, put your needle back up against the last sewn-in bead and pull it down through the fabric. At this point, you should see all of the sewn beads starting to form a line.

++ Stitch by stitch, continue the beaded detail. Your S.O. might look at you like you’re a psycho for wanting to bead all of those leopard spots – but it’s totally worth it! I promise. 

OTHER EMBELLISHING

++ Measure & cut enough fringe to line the edges. Sew it on by hand or with a machine.

++ Measure, cut & hand-sew any additional decorative trim, like curb chain. 

++ Finish attaching any other final details, such as light-weight studs — and BAM! There you have a beautifully glam bandana.

// PROTIPS //

++ If you choose to bead, note that beading needles and regular sewing needles are different. Beading needles are much longer and thinner in order to go through the teeny tiny seed beads – plus the world’s worst to thread. You also can’t use thicker thread with beading needles because it won’t feed through the eye, so go with one that’s thin yet durable.

++ When beading straighter designs, you can sew more beads at a time. For curvier details that need greater accuracy (i.e. our beautiful leopard spots) you have to stick with one to three beads at a time. 

++ It’s easiest to dump your beads into a shallow container and stick your needle into the pile to catch them instead of hand-threading each bead onto the needle.

++ When hand sewing any other details onto your presentation side of the bandana, also be careful not to accidentally sew the two sides together! Speaking as someone who this mistake the first time…ugh.

Infinity scarves, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Because this chic, post-summer staple is most def here to stay.

Let us know how they turn out for you!

xxAA

SPOOKY-SWEET BAT SUGAR COOKIES

OCTOBER HAS LANDED – in case you hadn’t heard.

Meaning it’s time for fuzzy blankets, scary movies and the two official food groups of fall: soup and cookies! (though not always in that order)

But if there’s anything I’ve learned from cookie baking so far, it’s that a stand mixer is not only chic but a total game-changer…and our oven is utter trash.

TRASH, I SAY

I know there’s plenty of you guys out there that still rent, too. Which is fine and all – except when you get stuck with a 30-year-old oven. And I’m NOT talking about the type that’s so well made it lasts forever.

Alas, this snuggly baking season I knew something had to be done. We’ve had enough of toying with temperature and guessing how much extra time to tack onto recipes. So in true Alton Brown fashion, we finally rigged up a probe thermometer to take charge of the heat before us.

And luckily, it worked! So say hello to fall and the fun Halloween-themed recipes that come along with it. Starting with some ultra glam, amazingly cute, bat-shaped sugar cookies!

Let’s be real, bats are the true self-care icons. Avoiding daylight and hugging themselves as they sleep – I mean, talk about serious #goals. So to kick off this year’s festivities, we’re embracing that spooky sentiment AND exploring a simpler alternative to those expertly iced cookies you see all over Instagram.

Which mark my words, we’re totally working up to. But in the meantime, just making the most of sanding sugar and micro-sprinkles that still can elevate the aesthetic – no Amber Spiegel skills required.

Shall we?

// THE COOKIES //

++ Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt together in a medium mixing bowl.

++ Throw the softened butter and sugar into the bowl of your stand mixer with its paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high for 3 to 5 minutes until pale, light and super fluffy (all of the air will make for incredibly soft, pillowy cookies).

++ Add the beaten egg/milk and vanilla extract to the butter/sugar and mix for another minute on medium-high.

++ Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix on a slow speed JUST until combined into a smooth dough (you do NOT want to over-mix here – unless you love tough cookies and hate fun).

++ Throw down a piece of lightly floured parchment paper and spoon half of the dough onto it. Form it into a ball and ((g e n t l y)) roll it out to a 1/4-inch thickness. Set aside.

++ Do the same thing with the other half of dough, sandwich a piece of plastic between the two, wrap it all in plastic and stick into the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 to 2 hours (& up to two days, so I’m told).

++ Once you’re ready to bake it up, preheat your oven to 350℉ and remove the two sheets of dough from the fridge.

++ Line some room-temp baking sheets with more parchment paper (time to buy stock in Reynolds?) and begin cutting your bats. If the dough sticks to the cutter, ~~carefully~~ push the shape onto the baking sheet. If it stays on the parchment paper, use a spatula to transfer it to the sheet.

++ Make sure the cookies are placed an inch or two from one another (even though they won’t spread) and bake each sheet one at a time for 9 to 11 minutes until the bats start to lightly brown around the edges (seriously, it’s WAY better to under-bake than over-bake them).

++ Remove sheet from the oven and throw in the next round. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the sheet, then use a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack for the ~full~ cool ahead of icing.

// THE ICING // 

PSA in advance: consistency is EVERYTHING

++ Add the powdered sugar, meringue powder and water to a medium mixing bowl and whisk by hand for about 5 minutes. (NOTE: plenty of people use a mixer for this. I personally like to do it by hand – not only for the workout – but because it gives you way more control over the sometimes-tricky consistency.)

++ Test the consistency of your icing, which when lifted up should drizzle back down and smooth out within 10 seconds. If too thick, add a touch (and I mean t o u c h) more water. If too thin, add some additional sugar. 

++ Load the icing into a squeeze bottle or piping bag and ice the completely cooled cookies all over.

++ Figure out your color combos of sanding sugar and sprinkle accordingly while the icing is still wet. 

++ Let dry & ENJOY!

Consider this the first of many more spooky sweets to come. Until then…

xxAA