Trick or Treat! All-Things All Hallow's Eve

Halloween happens to be my favorite holiday. It's not only my birthday, but it's my excuse to stop time and enjoy my kids, while we decorate, dash and dive into a bag of pure deliciousness. So, as you all plan your own personal parties, I thought I'd dedicate tonight's blog to all-things "All Hallow's Eve". 

PS: Apologies for the quiet blog--we've been up to our eyes in events this Fall! 

1. GIVE TO GET! FEED TRICK-OR-TREAT BAG TO BENEFIT UNICEF

 

FEED Trick or Treat Bags, Available at HSN.com for $12.95

Who needs a costume when you've got this great accessory? $3.50 from each of these limited-edition FEED Trick-or-Treat tote bags goes directly to UNICEF. Designed by Lauren Bush, each bag purchased (they’re $12.95 at HSN.com) will generate funding to help UNICEF provide one child in the developing world with an entire year’s worth of micronutrient powder.

2. LITTLE TOKYO: TEENY SUSHI ONESIE BY THE WISHING ELEPHANT

Looking for something cuter than the typical plush at the Halloween store for your tot? Check out this costume--your little roll will come with the sushi grass, wasabi and ginger accessories. Available on the Wishing Elephant's Etsy Shop for $40 (I know, a little steep, but this one's a total keepsake!), this costume can be customized to your favorite sushi. Prefer salmon? No problem. Available sizes 3 mo.-18mo. through October 21. 

3. BLACK & WHITE ARE THE NEW ORANGE PUMPKINS

Photos: Dana Gallagher, Country Living 

            

Savannah stylist Liz Demos skipped the carving knife and went straight for a paintbrush to fashion these graphic pumpkins. "With a stark black-and-white palette," Demos said of her trio of bold designs, "you can make any pattern, even creepy insects, look downright chic." Read more: Pumpkin Decorating Ideas - DIY Pumpkin Stencils - Country Living

4. OUIJA BOARD ACCESSORIES

While searching for Ouija Board placemats (they don't exist-yet!), I stumbled upon another Etsy find! A little spooky, a little chic. And only $12.00!

 

5. CANDY CORN LOLLIPOPS

Vintage Confections, Chicago-based handmade sweets shop, is featuring lots of cute candy for October 31. Think beyond the Tootsie-Roll Pop and pick up these candy corn lollipops, mustache lollies, or even candy skulls. 

Got any cute Halloween ideas? Let us know. PS: If you've got kids in need of a quick costume, check out some great ideas in this piece on Care.com that features an tips from Chandelier!

Spotlight on "Vintage Confections"

Stuffing an Easter basket or satisfying a sweet-tooth? We can hardly resist these gorgeous gems from Chicago-based Vintage Confections. 


From their mint-chocolate-chip lollipops to their whimsical candied moustaches to their series of candied birth gems, we're going crazy-for-Cocoa-Puffs over their inventive selection. They even serve up corn-syrup-free lollipops in fun flavors like citrus blossom, pomengranate, almond, clove and peppermint. I am hoping to find their rose-water marshmallows in my mother's day package (hint, hint)...We're also a big fan of their caramel collection (can you say, Lavendar Caramel!) and their monogram line which features 3" candied letters and numbers. What a great caketopper!


Right now, they're running a sweet promotion: get a free 1/4 lb. of ANY caramel of your choosing with ANY $10 order. Just put FREECARAMELS in 'notes to seller' on their Etsy shop checkout along with the caramel of your choosing. They'll include it free with your order!

Chandelier on Demand: "A Fairy Happy 1st Birthday"

Chandelier Events: Fairy 1st Birthday by chandelierevents on Polyvore.com

This week we received some fabulous requests via our Facebook fanpage! So, by popular demand, here's a little virtual party planning advice. Our first theme: well, we like to call it a 'A Fairy Happy 1st Birthday' (although this can apply to anyone who fancies the girlie side of things). This collection of items would make for a great, DIY girlie birthday bash--and yes, they're all affordable ways to add a touch of sass to your soiree. A few more tidbits:

DECORATE WITH CANDY

Nothing says "sweet" like candy! Bubblegum, lollipops, maltballs, jellybeans, conversation hearts--they all scream "little girl!". Shop online at sites like Sweetcitycandy.com. Be sure to set a candy budget, then work backwards by color or theme. Their consultants can help you get the most candy for your buck. Then display in plastic buckets, vases, pitchers, glass bowls, anything you can find in your cabinet or your local Homegoods.

SET YOUR PLAYLIST
Stock your iPod with girlie tunes by The Ting Tings, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna (Holiday!), and some Disney Radio (Miley, Selena, HSMusical, etc.). Have an iPhone or laptop handy? Create a Pandora station. For a grown-up girls night out, I recommend a "Duffy" station for tunes by Adele, Norah, Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Lily Allen, etc. Nothing like a little "Mercy"!


DRESS UP, REQUIRED
Think costumes are only appropriate for Halloween? Ask any parent, and they'll agree that their child will excitedly dash to their dress-up stash if given the opportunity to come in costume! Request costumes of their choice, or give a theme (a friend of mine threw a Pirates-and-Mermaids party). BYOC -- or Bring Your Own Costume -- makes for amazing photos and an instant activity. 


Stay tuned to Chandelier! Next, we'll address "A Big Boy Birthday Party!", a backyard BBQ, and more!

Here's a list of items pictured above:

Amazon.com: Pink #1 Jumbo Mylar Balloon Party Supplies: Toys & Games, $3.99

Pink Polka Dot Baking Cups (50) Kids birthday party supplies, 1st..., $1.82

Baby Flower Headbands, Daisy Headbands, Silk Flower Headbands, Baby...

Fancy Flours -- Inspired Baking : Baking Cups : Muffin Cup Swirl Pink, $5.25

Amazon.com: Cupcake to Go-Pink: Kitchen & Dining, $3.79