Friday, October 28, 2011
Halloween Costumes Through The Years
In honor of Halloween, here are some costumes I have done the past few years. As a bonus, I've added Chloe's costumes because who can't resist a cute dog in a costume?
I was Red Riding Hood in college, my friends Stephanie and Jackie were boxers!
In 2007 I was a Sailor Girl.
In 2008, I was Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd. This was also mine and Gary's first Halloween together, he was Sweeney Todd.
In 2009, I went for an Alice in Wonderland theme. I was the Queen of Hearts one night and then Gary and I were Alice and the Mad Hatter the second night.
In 2010 I channeled my inner rockstar by being Ke$ha.
This year I was a unicorn for my first costume, I'm pictured with Melissa and Stephanie who were a gypsy and the party police!
For my second costume, I was bit and transformed into a vampire!
Chloe's Costumes
In 2009, Chloe was a buzzing bumble bee.
In 2010 Chloe was an appealing banana.
This year Chloe is just a squirrel looking for a nut!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
DIY Halloween Costume Ideas: Unicorn
I've always loved unicorns. The Last Unicorn used to be one of my favorite movies when I was younger. Last year I decided that I really wanted to try and do a unicorn costume this year. I figured I could put something together on my own if I could just find a headband with a horn on it. I actually think I found a "how to" in a magazine to make your own horn but I misplaced the pages I cut out. Luckily, Hot Topic had a decent collection of "costume kits" this year which come with accessories and they had a unicorn kit! The kit included a headband with a horn and ears, a tail and rainbow wrist cuffs. The headband had rainbow ribbons and a rainbow bow was on the tail. I also found a unicorn kit at Spirit Halloween but it was all white. I liked the rainbow accents on the Hot Topic one and also the fact that the tail had silver glitter in it so I went with that one. This basic accessory kit was a great way to start the costume and it was easy from there.
The Goal: A Unicorn
Supplies Needed:
Horn - I used a headband that had a horn and ears from a unicorn kit, you could potentially make your own using paper to make a cone and painting it
Tail - I also used a costume kit for this but you could easily make your own out of fake fur fabric or an idea I had before I found the kit was to make one out of colorful yarn
White outfit - White shorts/skirt/pants/leggings/tights and a white top or a white dress - glitter/sequince/sparkles are encouraged, I went with white shorts and a white sequin tank top
Accessories - leg warmers, wrist cuffs, ribbons or colored extensions in your hair make nice final touches, my accessory kit came with rainbow wrist cuffs, the headband had rainbow ribbons on it and I purchased some white and silver glitter furry leg warmers which were perfect, I also wore silver sequin flip flops
While I used the accessory kit, this costume would still be pretty easy to put together yourself without it. I loved the leg warmers, I thought they were a perfect addition to the costume and really pulled it together from head to toe. The Hot Topic unicorn kit was perfect because the tail matched the leg warmers with the silver sparkles and the rainbow accents with the ribbons, in the ears and on the wrist cuffs were a great way to step away from too much white. I actually owned the white shorts and tank top so there was no extra cost there. I didn't have much time to get ready because I did this costume on a busy day but I probably would have tried to do something rainbow with my nails and maybe painted a rainbow or star on my cheek with more time. I definitely think I'll do this costume again sometime, maybe change up the actual outfit but re-use the accessories.
The Goal: A Unicorn
Horn - I used a headband that had a horn and ears from a unicorn kit, you could potentially make your own using paper to make a cone and painting it
Tail - I also used a costume kit for this but you could easily make your own out of fake fur fabric or an idea I had before I found the kit was to make one out of colorful yarn
White outfit - White shorts/skirt/pants/leggings/tights and a white top or a white dress - glitter/sequince/sparkles are encouraged, I went with white shorts and a white sequin tank top
Accessories - leg warmers, wrist cuffs, ribbons or colored extensions in your hair make nice final touches, my accessory kit came with rainbow wrist cuffs, the headband had rainbow ribbons on it and I purchased some white and silver glitter furry leg warmers which were perfect, I also wore silver sequin flip flops
While I used the accessory kit, this costume would still be pretty easy to put together yourself without it. I loved the leg warmers, I thought they were a perfect addition to the costume and really pulled it together from head to toe. The Hot Topic unicorn kit was perfect because the tail matched the leg warmers with the silver sparkles and the rainbow accents with the ribbons, in the ears and on the wrist cuffs were a great way to step away from too much white. I actually owned the white shorts and tank top so there was no extra cost there. I didn't have much time to get ready because I did this costume on a busy day but I probably would have tried to do something rainbow with my nails and maybe painted a rainbow or star on my cheek with more time. I definitely think I'll do this costume again sometime, maybe change up the actual outfit but re-use the accessories.
Texts from Darrell: Business With Penguins
So when we arrived at the National Harbor for Das Best Oktoberfest, Darrell disappeared for a bit. Just as we are wondering where he went, I receive a text.
Sep 24, 2011 10:03 AM
B back in 10, important business to attend to, lol
Me: What business haha
A penguin stole all my change and i want it back!!!!
Sep 24, 2011 10:03 AM
B back in 10, important business to attend to, lol
Me: What business haha
A penguin stole all my change and i want it back!!!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Halloween Treats
Halloween Treats
Ingredients:
Bag of mini pretzels
Bag of Hershey's Hugs (can use kisses too but I think the hugs look better for Halloween)
Bag of candy corn
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees (I did my first batch at this temperature and they got a little over-done, I ended up knocking it down to 300 degrees for the second two batches and that worked better for me)
Step 2: Line a baking sheet with tin foil
Step 3: Lay out mini pretzels on baking sheet, as many as you can fit.
Step 4: Unwrap hugs and place one hug on top of each pretzel
Step 5: Place baking sheet in oven for 2-3 minutes (no longer!), hugs should be shiny
Step 6: Press a candy corn on top of each hug, leave out to cool for hours.
Simple and delicious! Make as many as you would like. I made as many as I could using one bag of Hugs. There are way more pretzels and candy corn in a bag than the hugs. I was able to get the pretzels and candy corn at the dollar store so not only is this delicious and easy, it's cheap too! I had a little trouble finding Hugs (could only find kisses at Walgreens) so they were a little pricey because I got them at Wal-Mart. I think they were $4 and something change but were on sale for $3 something. Make sure to let them cool long enough, if you try to pick them up when they're not completely cool, you'll loose half the hug on the tray.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
DIY Halloween Couples Costume Ideas: Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett
One of the first real "dates" I can remember Gary and I going on was to see Sweeney Todd in theaters. We both fell in love with the movie and decided that the following Halloween, that was going to be our first couples costume. We met around Halloween in 2007 and the movie came out shortly after that so we had a whole year to wait. Luckily we were still together a year later so I knew we had to do the costumes! We were definitely going for the Tim Burton version of the characters, portrayed by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in the movie. For Sweeney Todd, we didn't really do a "DIY." We were able to find a costume and decided to just get that along with a wig. We added a a few of our own touches however. You could easily DIY though by raiding your closet, your dad's or with some clothes from Goodwill. For Mrs. Lovett however, I could only find an "old London" version of the costume and I wanted to do the "Tim Burton" version. I believe there is a costume out now that is more her style but I'm glad I was able to create it myself, gave me the chance to be more unique with it.
The Goal:
Supplies Needed: Sweeney Todd:
Black or gray pants, pinstripe if possible
A vest
A white long sleeve top, loose sleeves if possible
A scarf/handkerchief for around the neck
Black fingerless gloves
A black and white wig or colored hair spray
Fake blood to splatter on shirt
Bloody towel and razor props
As I stated above, we just purchased a Sweeney Todd costume. But you could also put something similar together yourself using old clothes you own or hit up a thrift store. I believe the shirt that came with the costume already had blood splattered on the sleeve but if you're doing it yourself, make sure to get artistic with the fake blood! I added the bloody towel (just took a white hand towel and doused it in fake blood) tucked into the belt on his hip and the fingerless black gloves. We also purchased a Sweeney Todd wig but if you're doing it yourself, spray paint the hair black and add a white stripe and make the hair look messy and wild. I wasn't able to find a prop razor, I found one online but it was sold out until after Halloween so we got a real one at an antique store. Obviously we were only able to use that for pictures, it wouldn't have been appropriate to bring out to a bar since it could be considered a weapon! He just wore basic black lace up shoes to complete the look.
Supplies Needed: Mrs. Lovett
Long black skirt and lacy top/corset or a long lacy dress
Lacy black gloves
Black pointy shoes
Meat pie and cleaver props
Mrs. Lovett is a pretty simple costume to put together. I already owned a long black skirt that I thought would be perfect so I started there. I went to Hot Topic for a lacy corset to pair with it. Something red/black would have been perfect but I fell in love with this beautiful teal colored one so I went with that. I also got a pair of black and white striped socks that I thought would look cute with the outfit, you could only see them if I hiked the skirt up though! Around the time I did this costume, these black, lace up heels were very popular. I think they are very ugly but fit perfectly with the costume. Luckily since they are popular at the time they were everywhere and I was able to find an affordable pair at Wal-mart. As I mentioned above, the only costume I could find for her was an "old London version." While that costume wasn't what I was looking for, I was able to purchase the accessory pack for that costume which included a plastic meat cleaver with blood on it and a meat pie with eyeballs and fingers in it. These accessories along with the accessory of a boyfriend dressed as Sweeney Todd were perfect! I think a guy could pull off Sweeney Todd alone but Mrs. Lovett definitely is better suited with a Sweeney Todd. We got so many compliments on our costumes as a couple! Messy hair is another component of Mrs. Lovett but unfortunately I had just gotten a cute, short haircut right before this so I just put it up in a clip. A fun accessory I added at the end was a meat cleaver necklace that I also found at Hot Topic.
The Goal:
Supplies Needed: Sweeney Todd:
Black or gray pants, pinstripe if possible
A vest
A white long sleeve top, loose sleeves if possible
A scarf/handkerchief for around the neck
Black fingerless gloves
A black and white wig or colored hair spray
Fake blood to splatter on shirt
Bloody towel and razor props
As I stated above, we just purchased a Sweeney Todd costume. But you could also put something similar together yourself using old clothes you own or hit up a thrift store. I believe the shirt that came with the costume already had blood splattered on the sleeve but if you're doing it yourself, make sure to get artistic with the fake blood! I added the bloody towel (just took a white hand towel and doused it in fake blood) tucked into the belt on his hip and the fingerless black gloves. We also purchased a Sweeney Todd wig but if you're doing it yourself, spray paint the hair black and add a white stripe and make the hair look messy and wild. I wasn't able to find a prop razor, I found one online but it was sold out until after Halloween so we got a real one at an antique store. Obviously we were only able to use that for pictures, it wouldn't have been appropriate to bring out to a bar since it could be considered a weapon! He just wore basic black lace up shoes to complete the look.
Supplies Needed: Mrs. Lovett
Long black skirt and lacy top/corset or a long lacy dress
Lacy black gloves
Black pointy shoes
Meat pie and cleaver props
Mrs. Lovett is a pretty simple costume to put together. I already owned a long black skirt that I thought would be perfect so I started there. I went to Hot Topic for a lacy corset to pair with it. Something red/black would have been perfect but I fell in love with this beautiful teal colored one so I went with that. I also got a pair of black and white striped socks that I thought would look cute with the outfit, you could only see them if I hiked the skirt up though! Around the time I did this costume, these black, lace up heels were very popular. I think they are very ugly but fit perfectly with the costume. Luckily since they are popular at the time they were everywhere and I was able to find an affordable pair at Wal-mart. As I mentioned above, the only costume I could find for her was an "old London version." While that costume wasn't what I was looking for, I was able to purchase the accessory pack for that costume which included a plastic meat cleaver with blood on it and a meat pie with eyeballs and fingers in it. These accessories along with the accessory of a boyfriend dressed as Sweeney Todd were perfect! I think a guy could pull off Sweeney Todd alone but Mrs. Lovett definitely is better suited with a Sweeney Todd. We got so many compliments on our costumes as a couple! Messy hair is another component of Mrs. Lovett but unfortunately I had just gotten a cute, short haircut right before this so I just put it up in a clip. A fun accessory I added at the end was a meat cleaver necklace that I also found at Hot Topic.
Halloween Tricks and Treats
There are unlimited possibilities when it comes to finding fun ways to celebrate and be themed for Halloween. Here are a few fun ideas to help make the month of October full of fun tricks and treats.
Coming up with the perfect Halloween costume:
One of the first things that should cross your mind when you think of Halloween is, what am I going to dress up as this year? This process can be as difficult or as simple as you make it! Sometimes you might have an idea of what you want to be, then all you have to do is think of ideas to complete the look whether it's finding a pre-packaged costume and accessorizing it or creating your own costume all together! If you don't have a clue what you want to do or where to begin, fear not. All it takes is a little research. When you have some free time, google "Halloween costume ideas" or browse websites like "buycostumes.com" and "partycity.com" Even if you don't find a costume you like, browsing costume ideas can get your creative juices flowing and might help you come up with something great. You can also browse local Halloween stores, check out spaces that you know stores have recently closed (did you have a local Borders?) There's most likely a temporary Halloween store in it's space. You can also check out chain stores like Walmart and Target, they usually have cheaper versions of popular costume ideas. Hot Topic and Spencers at your local mall will also have a lot of costume options. If you don't have the time to do all this browsing, just think of things you like such as your favorite movie or tv show, maybe there's a character from one of those that would be fun to be! Or maybe you have a favorite singer that you've always wanted to channel your inner diva by being. You get where I'm going with this. See some DIY Costume Ideas I've come up with in the past: Dr. Zoidberg and Ke$ha
Decorating your home:
A fun way to celebrate Halloween all month long is to decorate your house or apartment. You can get as crazy and all out as you want or you can add a few tasteful items for something more subtle. In the future when I have a house, I'd love to go all out but for now, with my small apartment, I go for just a few things. Like many others in my generation, I fell to the beanie babie phase. Once they got "phased" out, I gave most of mine away, mostly just keeping the Holiday ones for decorating. I have a ghost, bat and pumpkin that I set out every October. I also have a Halloween themed bowl that can be filled with candy. Aside from that I really don't have much else. I have been getting a lot of ideas from Pinterest for fun craft and decorating ideas and hope to implement some either this year or next. I try to wait until a holiday is over and stock up on themed decorations once they are on sale. I just haven't gotten much Halloween stuff yet. I also like to carve a pumpkin to decorate the door step, but that will be next!
Visiting the pumpkin patch {and Carving the Fruits of your Labor}:
You may think that taking a trip to the pumpkin patch is juvenile but I guarantee you can have just as much fun visiting as you did when you were a child and you don't even have to have your own children to enjoy it. Last time I went to the pumpkin patch, I was with my boyfriend and my friends that are married. The only child with us was the one in my friend's belly and we had a blast! Pumpkin patches have all sorts of activities including hayrides and corn mazes as well as the main event, picking your own pumpkin! Once you have the perfect pumpkin, you can get creative with how you want to decorate it. You can carve it, paint it, make a display, etc. Turn the process into a date or a party! Also, if you gut your pumpkin, use the insides to make some delicious fall treats like baked pumpkin seeds.
Get a spooky nail design:
If you get a manicure or pedicure this month, get a cute Halloween design! I personally went for spider web toes and I love them! Don't feel like paying for a mani/pedi? There are lots of DIY ideas out there for cute Halloween themed nails. You could go for basic black and orange or get nail art pens to try something like spider webs, skeletons, witches hats, etc.
Have a "go to" Halloween shirt and accessories:
Aside from your costume, it's always fun to have a Halloween shirt to wear on days when you're not in costume. For example, if Halloween is on a week day and your work (or class) doesn't do costumes, you can still be "Halloween themed" with a fun Halloween shirt. You can get affordable ones at places like Old Navy, Target and Wal-mart. I used to have one that was black long sleeved and had a spiderweb on it that said "Happy Halloween." I recently got an orange t-shirt with a jack-o-lantern face on it. Wear the shirt with dress pants or a skirt and a cardigan and you have a work appropriate yet fun themed look! You can also add additional accessories like Halloween jewelry to spice up the look. I have a little cleaver knife necklace (from a Mrs. Lovett costume) and a beaded pumpkin necklace.
Get the yell scared out of you:
For some reason we all love to be scared on Halloween. Visiting a local haunted house is the perfect way to get that feeling. If you're not familiar with ones in your area, they're very easy to find. Check your local newspaper throughout the month of October, they most likely have ads, coupons or reviews for different options. Groupon is also currently featuring many deals on Halloween attractions such as haunted houses and ghost tours in the Philadelphia area so I'm sure they're doing the same in other cities.Also, pretty much every amusement park does some sort of spooky spectacular during the month of October.
Become a scream queen:
Another way to get the shivers in October is to watch a horror movie. You can check out new ones in the theater such as Paranormal Activity 3 or you can have a marathon at home with classics. There are also a lot of awesomely bad horror movies out there, do some research and add a few to your Netflix que and enjoy! Make it themed by inviting friends over and serving spooky snacks and drinks.
Do the monster mash and have a monster bash:
Halloween parties are a key ingredient to celebrating Halloween. There are tons of fun ideas out there where your beverages and snacks can double as decorations. Scour the internet for spooky cocktails and party punch ideas as well as decorate snacks and desserts. Hit up the dollar store for affordable decoration ideas. Make sure you put "costumes required" on the invitation or Facebook event!
Be crafty like a witch:
Search Pinterest and Halloween issues of your favorite magazines to find fun ideas for Halloween and fall themed crafts. Once you make them, give them as gifts or use them to decorate your home!
Fall Treats:
As you're searching those magazines for craft ideas, don't forget to cut out any delicious fall recipes you may find. There are tons of pumpkin and apple treats out there that truly help you to embrace the tastes of fall. Aside from making things yourself, keep an eye out at your local grocery store, coffee shop, restaurant and bakery for delicious new fall tastes. You can also get fun Halloween shaped things to make your everyday lunch more festive. I found these great Halloween fruit snacks at Target!
Coming up with the perfect Halloween costume:
One of the first things that should cross your mind when you think of Halloween is, what am I going to dress up as this year? This process can be as difficult or as simple as you make it! Sometimes you might have an idea of what you want to be, then all you have to do is think of ideas to complete the look whether it's finding a pre-packaged costume and accessorizing it or creating your own costume all together! If you don't have a clue what you want to do or where to begin, fear not. All it takes is a little research. When you have some free time, google "Halloween costume ideas" or browse websites like "buycostumes.com" and "partycity.com" Even if you don't find a costume you like, browsing costume ideas can get your creative juices flowing and might help you come up with something great. You can also browse local Halloween stores, check out spaces that you know stores have recently closed (did you have a local Borders?) There's most likely a temporary Halloween store in it's space. You can also check out chain stores like Walmart and Target, they usually have cheaper versions of popular costume ideas. Hot Topic and Spencers at your local mall will also have a lot of costume options. If you don't have the time to do all this browsing, just think of things you like such as your favorite movie or tv show, maybe there's a character from one of those that would be fun to be! Or maybe you have a favorite singer that you've always wanted to channel your inner diva by being. You get where I'm going with this. See some DIY Costume Ideas I've come up with in the past: Dr. Zoidberg and Ke$ha
Decorating your home:
A fun way to celebrate Halloween all month long is to decorate your house or apartment. You can get as crazy and all out as you want or you can add a few tasteful items for something more subtle. In the future when I have a house, I'd love to go all out but for now, with my small apartment, I go for just a few things. Like many others in my generation, I fell to the beanie babie phase. Once they got "phased" out, I gave most of mine away, mostly just keeping the Holiday ones for decorating. I have a ghost, bat and pumpkin that I set out every October. I also have a Halloween themed bowl that can be filled with candy. Aside from that I really don't have much else. I have been getting a lot of ideas from Pinterest for fun craft and decorating ideas and hope to implement some either this year or next. I try to wait until a holiday is over and stock up on themed decorations once they are on sale. I just haven't gotten much Halloween stuff yet. I also like to carve a pumpkin to decorate the door step, but that will be next!
Visiting the pumpkin patch {and Carving the Fruits of your Labor}:
You may think that taking a trip to the pumpkin patch is juvenile but I guarantee you can have just as much fun visiting as you did when you were a child and you don't even have to have your own children to enjoy it. Last time I went to the pumpkin patch, I was with my boyfriend and my friends that are married. The only child with us was the one in my friend's belly and we had a blast! Pumpkin patches have all sorts of activities including hayrides and corn mazes as well as the main event, picking your own pumpkin! Once you have the perfect pumpkin, you can get creative with how you want to decorate it. You can carve it, paint it, make a display, etc. Turn the process into a date or a party! Also, if you gut your pumpkin, use the insides to make some delicious fall treats like baked pumpkin seeds.
Get a spooky nail design:
If you get a manicure or pedicure this month, get a cute Halloween design! I personally went for spider web toes and I love them! Don't feel like paying for a mani/pedi? There are lots of DIY ideas out there for cute Halloween themed nails. You could go for basic black and orange or get nail art pens to try something like spider webs, skeletons, witches hats, etc.
Have a "go to" Halloween shirt and accessories:
Aside from your costume, it's always fun to have a Halloween shirt to wear on days when you're not in costume. For example, if Halloween is on a week day and your work (or class) doesn't do costumes, you can still be "Halloween themed" with a fun Halloween shirt. You can get affordable ones at places like Old Navy, Target and Wal-mart. I used to have one that was black long sleeved and had a spiderweb on it that said "Happy Halloween." I recently got an orange t-shirt with a jack-o-lantern face on it. Wear the shirt with dress pants or a skirt and a cardigan and you have a work appropriate yet fun themed look! You can also add additional accessories like Halloween jewelry to spice up the look. I have a little cleaver knife necklace (from a Mrs. Lovett costume) and a beaded pumpkin necklace.
Get the yell scared out of you:
For some reason we all love to be scared on Halloween. Visiting a local haunted house is the perfect way to get that feeling. If you're not familiar with ones in your area, they're very easy to find. Check your local newspaper throughout the month of October, they most likely have ads, coupons or reviews for different options. Groupon is also currently featuring many deals on Halloween attractions such as haunted houses and ghost tours in the Philadelphia area so I'm sure they're doing the same in other cities.Also, pretty much every amusement park does some sort of spooky spectacular during the month of October.
Become a scream queen:
Another way to get the shivers in October is to watch a horror movie. You can check out new ones in the theater such as Paranormal Activity 3 or you can have a marathon at home with classics. There are also a lot of awesomely bad horror movies out there, do some research and add a few to your Netflix que and enjoy! Make it themed by inviting friends over and serving spooky snacks and drinks.
Do the monster mash and have a monster bash:
Halloween parties are a key ingredient to celebrating Halloween. There are tons of fun ideas out there where your beverages and snacks can double as decorations. Scour the internet for spooky cocktails and party punch ideas as well as decorate snacks and desserts. Hit up the dollar store for affordable decoration ideas. Make sure you put "costumes required" on the invitation or Facebook event!
Be crafty like a witch:
Search Pinterest and Halloween issues of your favorite magazines to find fun ideas for Halloween and fall themed crafts. Once you make them, give them as gifts or use them to decorate your home!
Fall Treats:
As you're searching those magazines for craft ideas, don't forget to cut out any delicious fall recipes you may find. There are tons of pumpkin and apple treats out there that truly help you to embrace the tastes of fall. Aside from making things yourself, keep an eye out at your local grocery store, coffee shop, restaurant and bakery for delicious new fall tastes. You can also get fun Halloween shaped things to make your everyday lunch more festive. I found these great Halloween fruit snacks at Target!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Pink-tober
If you enjoy themes as much as I do, October is probably one of your favorite months. There are so many different things to celebrate and support. October brings with it the flavors of fall at your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, bakery and grocery store which tend to feature apples and pumpkins, Oktoberfest events where you can celebrate the famous German holiday with some tasty beers, pretzels and German attire, and of course Halloween where you can get in your tricks and treats by visiting Haunted Houses, pumpkin patches, and costume parties. All of these themes and holidays have endless possibilities to what you can do to celebrate. There is one more thing October is known for that also has endless possibilities with how to participate and while the other events are all in good fun, this one actually supports a good cause.
Most people are familiar with the fact that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. You don't have to look too far to participate in different activities that help support this worthy cause. This blog would never end if I attempted to list even a portion of all the things that are out there that encourage you to think pink in October. I'm just going to share with you a few things I'm doing to get into the groove of Pink-tober.
As I mentioned above, you don't have to look too far to find ways to support breast cancer research. Most of the things I'm mentioning in this post are pink things I just happened to stumble across in my every day routines.
One of the biggest campaigns for breast cancer research in October is through the NFL. It's a perfect fit considering the NFL's season is in full swing come October. It's awesome to see these big, tough guys decked out in pink cleats, wrist bands, etc. Fans are encouraged to participate too with a ton of great pink NFL logo and team options out there at nflshop.com and at your local stores. Victoria's Secret Pink even offers a Pink shirt for your favorite team through their Pink Loves the NFL collection. I stopped by VS when I was back home visiting Virginia browsing their Virginia Tech and Redskins options (I live in PA now where there's only Eagles and Penn State stuff) when I came across a beautiful pink Skins tee. It's not something I saw online so I didn't know it existed. I'm sure your local VS has a pink tee of your favorite NFL team so ladies check it out before October is gone!
While I was home in Virginia, I also went to the Hair Cuttery to get my hair done with my mom. During October, they feature a lot of their products in special pink packaging and we were told that the cause gets 100% of the proceeds and that the company actually matches whatever the total sales are for those products. What a great way to support! You're not buying some silly wrist band for a $1 that you're never going to wear, you're actually buying products you would use anyway, and salon hair products can be pricey so you're actually donating a healthy amount of money, especially with the Hair Cuttery matching the sales! They also had these cute pink ribbon bracelets that were free with certain pink packaged products.
Another great place to support breast cancer research is at your local hangout. Drinker's West in Philadelphia does a taco of the month and their October taco is a pink ribbon taco where they are donating the proceeds to the cause. They also do a TV Cult Quizzo and they are planning a Sex and the City quizzo. They don't normally charge a cover, but are going to charge $2 and donate the money to charity. Sex and the City is a perfect fit for a pink themed quizzo!
I am a member of Betty Crocker's website and follow them on Facebook as well. They recently posted a photo of some pink chocolate chip cookies that look awesome! These are a great idea to make for a bake sale or fundraiser that supports breast cancer. Or you can just make them for fun and share them with co-workers, friends and family. You don't always have to spend money to support the cause. Sometimes helping spread the awareness is just as important!
Something I've always wanted to do in October but have never found a place to do it is to get a pink streak in my hair. I think many salons offer this and donate some of the money to the cause. With the trend of feathers in your hair, a pink feather might also be available. Check your local salons for this fun way to join the movement!
These are just a few ways to "Think Pink" this October without straying too far from your every day life. Everywhere you go this October, do your best to support this very important movement, if you see a pink display at your local salon, grocery store, etc, check it out and see what you can do to participate! Or if you want to get more involved, there are tons of charitable events leading up to the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for the Cure that happens every year mid-October. You can also do little things like adding a pink ribbon to your profile picture on Facebook, Twitter or your blog or pin an actual pink ribbon to your jacket or shirt.
Something I've always wanted to do in October but have never found a place to do it is to get a pink streak in my hair. I think many salons offer this and donate some of the money to the cause. With the trend of feathers in your hair, a pink feather might also be available. Check your local salons for this fun way to join the movement!
These are just a few ways to "Think Pink" this October without straying too far from your every day life. Everywhere you go this October, do your best to support this very important movement, if you see a pink display at your local salon, grocery store, etc, check it out and see what you can do to participate! Or if you want to get more involved, there are tons of charitable events leading up to the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for the Cure that happens every year mid-October. You can also do little things like adding a pink ribbon to your profile picture on Facebook, Twitter or your blog or pin an actual pink ribbon to your jacket or shirt.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Fall in Love with Pumpkins 2k11
Some of you may have read my post "Fall in Love with Pumpkins" last year. I was so excited to try all of the delicious pumpkin flavored items that were out there. As fall is once again upon us, my goals haven't changed. Even more so this year than last year, I've noticed various companies and restaurants coming out with fun new pumpkin flavored items for me to try. I am of course a repeat offender with pumpkin flavored goodies that I tried last season - I already stocked up on four boxes of Pumpkin Pie Poptarts and have already had a Wawa Pumpkin Spiced Cappuccino and two Dunkin Donuts Iced Pumpkin Coffees.However, this post is to feature new items that were not featured in my blog last year. Feel free to re-visit that blog for a refresher on Pumpkin flavored choices that are out there but this one will focus on things I either didn't try last year or that are new for 2011.
Item: Pumpkin Donut
Where to find: Dunkin Donuts
I tried a few of Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin choices last year but for some reason never tried their pumpkin donut. While staying at a friend's house in Maryland, her husband went on a DD run and she asked him to get her a pumpkin donut and a coffee, sounding delicious, I asked for the same. I had no doubts that the donut would be delicious, and it of course was. I ended up going to DD again myself recently and got another one it was so good. I think the second one was even better than the first. I plan to have many more pumpkin donuts while they still have them!
Item: Eggo Pumpkin Spice Waffles
Where to find: Target or other grocery stores
I don't think I'm a big fan of frozen waffles in general but these are definitely a step up from your typical Eggo. I think regular Eggos are flavorless but these have a nice pumpkin spice flavoring to them. If you're going to go frozen waffles, I'd definitely recommend these. I had them with just syrup but I think whipped cream would be delicious on them.
Item: Pumpkin Caramel Latte Candle
Where to find: Bath and Body Works
The name of this post is "Fall in Love with Pumpkins" which means it can be anything pumpkin, doesn't necessarily have to be something you eat. This scented candle from Bath and Body Works smells absolutely delicious! I just purchased a couple mini ones which were on special 3/something but I think you can get a full sized one as well. This cute little candle can add a fall feel to any room in your house.
Item: Pumpkin Pie Shake
Where to find: Sonic Drive In
I've been seeing commercials for all of Sonic's new hot dogs, they look so tasty, I finally decided to try one. When I was looking at the menu board, I happened to notice that they had a Pumpkin Pie Shake. I, of course, had to try it! This shake was pretty much what I expected. It was a pumpkin flavored shake with graham cracker chunks (for the crust) and whipped cream on top. It was really good but I couldn't drink much of it after eating dinner, I was too full! I'd recommend getting this for a snack by itself, not at the same time as getting food or it's too much. Or you could split it with someone! The graham cracker chunks got stuck in the straw sometimes making it hard to drink but this was definitely tasty!
Item: Pumpkin Iced Chai
Where to find: Hyperion, Fredericksburg, VA
I think it's pretty much a given in this day and age to expect to find pumpkin flavored options at a coffee shop in the fall, Hyperion was no exception. For those who do not live in Fredericksburg, Hyperion is a local coffee shop downtown that is very popular. My friend and I met there for a "coffee" date and I was excited to try one of their pumpkin options. They have a chalkboard that said "It's that Pumpkin Time of Year" with a list of things to try with their pumpkin syrup. It was a warm day so I knew I wanted something cold to drink so I decided to try a pumpkin iced chai. It was quite tasty! I think their iced chai alone is delicious and to add pumpkin syrup to it could only make it better.
Item: Pumpkin Spice Bagels
Where to find: Wal-mart or other grocery stores
Last fall I discovered pumpkin cream cheese, this year, pumpkin spice bagels. Now I just need to put them together! I had a pumpkin spice bagel with regular cream cheese this morning and it was delicious! I can only imagine how good it would be if I find the pumpkin cream cheese again. Special shout out to Kim for telling me that these existed!
*UPDATE: I was able to find the Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese again with one Pumpkin Spice Bagel remaining. They tasted delicious together but the cream cheese also tastes great on plain bagels.
Item: Pumpkin SpiceMallows
Where to find: Wal-mart or other grocery stores
I love marshmallows and these pumpkin spice ones are no different. They are even shaped like pumpkins which is super cute. I just tried a few by themselves and while the bag says "Great for snacking!" I feel like their potential is meant for something bigger. They'd be great for recipes such as on top of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving or in rice krispie treats (there is a recipe on the back for those!) I can also see them being delicious in a pumpkin or white chocolate flavored hot cocoa. I'll update this accordingly if I try them on or in anything else.
Item: Little Debbie Pumpkin Muffins
Where to find: Wal-mart or other grocery stores
Last year I tried some tasty pumpkin muffins at coffee shops and convenience stores but these Little Debbie pumpkin muffins are perfect for a quick breakfast on the go from home. They come individually packaged in boxes of 6 and are quite tasty for a pre-packaged baked good. They're a little small but do the job.
Item: Pumpkin Spice Hershey's Kisses
Where to find: Target or other places that sell kisses
To be honest I wasn't sure what to expect with these. I wasn't sure if they were going to be chocolate with pumpkin filling or what. I unwrapped one to find it a light orange color. I bit into it halfway to reveal a white filing. These are honestly amazing! I feel like they had the potential to be gross but were are actually quite delicious! They're sweet with the perfect amount of pumpkin spice flavoring. And in a small kiss size, they're the perfect portion to just have 1 or 2!
Item: Little Debbie Pumpkin Delights
Where to find: Target or other grocery stores
These were definitely an impulse purchase. I did not know they existed but saw a box of them near the Halloween stuff at Target. As my mission is pumpkins in the fall, I couldn't resist. I didn't really know what to expect with these but thought they were super cute with the pumpkin shape and jack-o-lantern face. I was pleasantly surprised at how good they really were. They have the perfect pumpkin spice flavor and the name is very fitting, these little guys are quite the delight. They make a great on the go breakfast choice or just a tasty snack.
Item: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Where to find: Inside any pumpkin you purchase at your local pumpkin patch!
While roasted pumpkin seeds aren't a new concept, they are a tasty way to get more for your money when you're carving pumpkins for Halloween. There are tons of tasty recipes you can try out, I used a simple one I found in a magazine years ago that includes ingredients that most people have lying around their kitchen. Recipe to come soon!
Item: Market Pantry Pumpkin Cookies
Where to find: Target
I believe Market Pantry is Target's exclusive brand so to my knowledge that is the only place to get these. These are actually quite amazing. The cookies are similar to ginger snaps in texture and consistency but instead of the ginger flavor, they are pumpkin flavored! They also sell ginger ones as well. Basically they put two of the cookies together with cheesecake icing to make a cookie sandwich. These are delicious and quite addictive so beware!
Item: Rita's Pumpkin Pie Cream Ice
Where to find: Rita's
I always heard that Rita's had a pumpkin flavor but most Rita's close down at the end of the summer and by the time I'm thinking pumpkin, they're all closed. Lucky for me, I discovered that the one inside the mall is still open and when I checked to see if they had pumpkin, sure enough Pumpkin Pie was the first flavor on there. I got a kids size because Pumpkin Pie is a cream ice which are very sweet and a full size one would be a little much. One bite of this and it tasted exactly like a piece of pumpkin pie; creamy, sweet and delicious! While tasty, even a kids size was too much. I ate about half and put the other half in the freezer to share with Gary later. I might not get this again but am glad I tried it.
Item: Spicy Pumpkin Soup Mix
Where to find: World Market
Of course my mind is always on pumpkins in the fall so when I saw this soup mix, I just had to try it. All you need to add to the mix is water and heavy cream. The thing I really like about this soup is that it is spicy pumpkin which is a twist on the normal pumpkin spice or pumpkin pie flavor. Not that I'm a big fan of spicy things, but a little spiciness keeps it interesting. This soup was warm, flavorful and all around delicious. It's perfect for a cold rainy night which was what last night was when I made it. I thought the soup was perfect the way I made it but they also suggested adding a can of pumpkin to make it thicker and top it with sour cream. I think that would have been too much for me but an interesting idea to try if I ever get the mix again.
Item: Pumpkin Pie Shooters with Bourbon-Vanilla Whipped Cream
Where to find: The recipe is from tablespoon.com
I found this recipe on tablespoon.com. See the recipe and my comments here.
Item: Spa Pumpkin-Mask Recipe
Where to find: The recipe is from Cosmopolitan Magazine, you can get a pumpkin facial at many spas
I saw a lot of Groupon offers for pumpkin facials and was intrigued. While I didn't purchase one, I did come across a recipe for one in Cosmo and decided to give it a try. All you need to do is mix an egg white with half a cup of canned pumpkin which is supposed to brighten skin. You apply it to your dry face and remove after 10 minutes with a wet cloth. I don't know if my skin looks brighter but it does feel soft and refreshed.
Item: Fireside Coffee Pumpkin Pie Mocha Instant Gourmet Coffee
Where to find: My aunt purchased it at a shop in downtown Fredericksburg, I'm sure you can get it online or at other stores
While this is called instant coffee, the Pumpkin Pie Mocha is better described as a hot chocolate. My aunt tasted it at a store when we were shopping downtown and purchased it. Since I love pumpkin things, she was kind enough to share some with me. Mine was a little watered down, I think my hot water to powder ratio wasn't exactly right, but I could tell it was tasty and would have been way better if I had a little more powder or less water. This is a delicious substitute from normal hot chocolate! It's also fat free and decaf so it makes a great after dinner dessert.
Item: Pumpkin Spice Taffy
Where to find: I found this at a tea shop in downtown Fredericksburg, I'm sure many taffy companies make a pumpkin flavor so check out your local candy stores in the fall
I'm very picky with my taffy so this particular one wasn't my favorite. I think I'm a snob and love the fresh made kind that is still soft. Once it gets a little hard, it still tastes good but it's so much work to eat! Since I got this near the end of the fall season, I"m sure it was harder than it was when it first came out. The flavor was good, I just wish it were a little softer.
Item: Pumpkin Pasta Sauce and Fall Harvest Pasta
Where to find: World Market
The best way to describe this dish is interesting. The fall pasta has a hint of pumpkin and the sauce tastes exactly like pumpkin, but just pumpkin. If you notice, most pumpkin flavored things are pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice, not just plain pumpkin. This sauce might be better with a little pumpkin pie spice added or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. I added rosemary but it wasn't quite right. It's not bad but I probably wouldn't buy it again. It was fun to try though!
Item: Pumpkin Spice Coffee-Mate
Where to find: Any grocery store
I like my coffee strong and black so I normally do not bother with creamer. Of course I couldn't resist picking up a bottle of Pumpkin Spice creamer though. I have been using this in my Pumpkin Spice coffee. I think the two pair well together and if you like creamer, this is delicious. I just prefer my coffee black, plain and simple.
Item: Twinings Pumpkin Spice Chai
Where to find: Twinning's Website, stores that sell Twinings brand teas
I actually got the chance to order 3 free samples from Twinings and was able to pick 3 flavors. I of course saw the Pumpkin Spice Chai and immediately made that one of my choices. Since I only had 1, I've been saving it for the perfect moment to try. This morning just felt right. I think this chai is delicious. It has the perfect pumpkin flavoring and the right mix of spices to pair with it. I normally like my tea plain or with Splenda so I had this plain but I think if you added cream and sugar, it might have been more chai like. I will definitely look to order some of this from Twinings and experiment.
Item: Tasty Organic Pumpkin Pie Cereal Bar
Where to find: T.J. Maxx, stores where Tasty brand products are sold
I just happened to come across this box while browsing at T.J. Maxx. It was one of those situations where this box was randomly laying in the wrong spot but it immediately caught my attention with the bright orange pumpkin on the front. I like organic things and needed a quick breakfast food in my cabinet so I figured why not. These are pumpkin banana which is something new and different for me in my pumpkin quest. I wouldn't say these are the best thing in the world but they're very good for what they are. I don't think you expect an organic whole grain cereal bar to be an orgasmic experience. But for an everyday breakfast food, these are quite tasty and a new unique flavor.
Item: Pumpkin Spice Frozen Yogurt (and Pumpkin Pie a la mode)
Where to find: Crave (or various other frozen yogurt shops)
I love frozen yogurt shops that let you pick your flavors and toppings and you pay based on weight. I've tried a few different shops with this concept and for the most part I've loved them all. A new place called Crave opened up in Fredericksburg, VA this year and I've been wanting to try it but hadn't gotten a chance when I visited. Finally I made it to Crave over my holiday break and was excited to find they still had their pumpkin flavors on tap! I sampled both the Pumpkin Spice and the Pumpkin Pie a la mode. I believe the second one is just the pumpkin spice flavor swirled with vanilla. I decided to go with the straight up Pumpkin Spice because the vanilla just took away from the delicious pumpkin taste. As for toppings, it was hard to think of what would pair well with the pumpkin so I just went with a light dusting of graham cracker which ended up being perfect.
Item: Spiced Pumpkin scent from Yankee Candle: diffuser, lip balm and tea light candles.
Where to find: Yankee Candle stores or retailers that sell Yankee Candle brand
Crave just happened to be next to the Yankee Candle store in Fredericksburg so my mom and I hit up their semi-annual clearance sale. I was pleased to find multiple items in their delicious Spiced Pumpkin scent including lip balm, a diffuser, and a package of tea light candles. This scent is perfect for fall but smells good year round!
Item: Wet Noses Organic Pumpkin Dog Treats
Where to find: World Market, or wet-noses.com
Even my adorable dog Chloe got the chance to fall in love with pumpkins. I actually read somewhere that pumpkin is good for dogs tummies. While I don't know if this is true or not, Chloe certainly enjoyed these pumpkin dog treats. They're organic and healthy so I trust putting them in my dog's system plus they smell good enough for a human to eat!
Item: Pumpkin Crunch
Where to find: World Market
This was one of my more disappointing pumpkin finds. Don't get me wrong, it's absolutely delicious, it just didn't have any pumpkin taste to it. It's a caramel corn with chocolate covered almonds and pumpkin chocolate pieces in it. The pumpkin pieces were orange but just tasted like white chocolate. Again, this is amazing tasting, just doesn't taste like pumpkins!
***This post will be updated and edited as I try new things, stay tuned! While fall is long gone, I still have a few pumpkin things I need to try so this blog isn't over quite yet!
Item: Pumpkin Donut
Where to find: Dunkin Donuts
I tried a few of Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin choices last year but for some reason never tried their pumpkin donut. While staying at a friend's house in Maryland, her husband went on a DD run and she asked him to get her a pumpkin donut and a coffee, sounding delicious, I asked for the same. I had no doubts that the donut would be delicious, and it of course was. I ended up going to DD again myself recently and got another one it was so good. I think the second one was even better than the first. I plan to have many more pumpkin donuts while they still have them!
Where to find: Target or other grocery stores
I don't think I'm a big fan of frozen waffles in general but these are definitely a step up from your typical Eggo. I think regular Eggos are flavorless but these have a nice pumpkin spice flavoring to them. If you're going to go frozen waffles, I'd definitely recommend these. I had them with just syrup but I think whipped cream would be delicious on them.
Where to find: Bath and Body Works
The name of this post is "Fall in Love with Pumpkins" which means it can be anything pumpkin, doesn't necessarily have to be something you eat. This scented candle from Bath and Body Works smells absolutely delicious! I just purchased a couple mini ones which were on special 3/something but I think you can get a full sized one as well. This cute little candle can add a fall feel to any room in your house.
Where to find: Sonic Drive In
I've been seeing commercials for all of Sonic's new hot dogs, they look so tasty, I finally decided to try one. When I was looking at the menu board, I happened to notice that they had a Pumpkin Pie Shake. I, of course, had to try it! This shake was pretty much what I expected. It was a pumpkin flavored shake with graham cracker chunks (for the crust) and whipped cream on top. It was really good but I couldn't drink much of it after eating dinner, I was too full! I'd recommend getting this for a snack by itself, not at the same time as getting food or it's too much. Or you could split it with someone! The graham cracker chunks got stuck in the straw sometimes making it hard to drink but this was definitely tasty!
Item: Pumpkin Iced Chai
Where to find: Hyperion, Fredericksburg, VA
I think it's pretty much a given in this day and age to expect to find pumpkin flavored options at a coffee shop in the fall, Hyperion was no exception. For those who do not live in Fredericksburg, Hyperion is a local coffee shop downtown that is very popular. My friend and I met there for a "coffee" date and I was excited to try one of their pumpkin options. They have a chalkboard that said "It's that Pumpkin Time of Year" with a list of things to try with their pumpkin syrup. It was a warm day so I knew I wanted something cold to drink so I decided to try a pumpkin iced chai. It was quite tasty! I think their iced chai alone is delicious and to add pumpkin syrup to it could only make it better.
Where to find: Wal-mart or other grocery stores
Last fall I discovered pumpkin cream cheese, this year, pumpkin spice bagels. Now I just need to put them together! I had a pumpkin spice bagel with regular cream cheese this morning and it was delicious! I can only imagine how good it would be if I find the pumpkin cream cheese again. Special shout out to Kim for telling me that these existed!
*UPDATE: I was able to find the Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese again with one Pumpkin Spice Bagel remaining. They tasted delicious together but the cream cheese also tastes great on plain bagels.
Where to find: Wal-mart or other grocery stores
I love marshmallows and these pumpkin spice ones are no different. They are even shaped like pumpkins which is super cute. I just tried a few by themselves and while the bag says "Great for snacking!" I feel like their potential is meant for something bigger. They'd be great for recipes such as on top of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving or in rice krispie treats (there is a recipe on the back for those!) I can also see them being delicious in a pumpkin or white chocolate flavored hot cocoa. I'll update this accordingly if I try them on or in anything else.
Where to find: Wal-mart or other grocery stores
Last year I tried some tasty pumpkin muffins at coffee shops and convenience stores but these Little Debbie pumpkin muffins are perfect for a quick breakfast on the go from home. They come individually packaged in boxes of 6 and are quite tasty for a pre-packaged baked good. They're a little small but do the job.
Item: Pumpkin Spice Hershey's Kisses
Where to find: Target or other places that sell kisses
To be honest I wasn't sure what to expect with these. I wasn't sure if they were going to be chocolate with pumpkin filling or what. I unwrapped one to find it a light orange color. I bit into it halfway to reveal a white filing. These are honestly amazing! I feel like they had the potential to be gross but were are actually quite delicious! They're sweet with the perfect amount of pumpkin spice flavoring. And in a small kiss size, they're the perfect portion to just have 1 or 2!
Where to find: Target or other grocery stores
These were definitely an impulse purchase. I did not know they existed but saw a box of them near the Halloween stuff at Target. As my mission is pumpkins in the fall, I couldn't resist. I didn't really know what to expect with these but thought they were super cute with the pumpkin shape and jack-o-lantern face. I was pleasantly surprised at how good they really were. They have the perfect pumpkin spice flavor and the name is very fitting, these little guys are quite the delight. They make a great on the go breakfast choice or just a tasty snack.
Where to find: Inside any pumpkin you purchase at your local pumpkin patch!
While roasted pumpkin seeds aren't a new concept, they are a tasty way to get more for your money when you're carving pumpkins for Halloween. There are tons of tasty recipes you can try out, I used a simple one I found in a magazine years ago that includes ingredients that most people have lying around their kitchen. Recipe to come soon!
Where to find: Target
I believe Market Pantry is Target's exclusive brand so to my knowledge that is the only place to get these. These are actually quite amazing. The cookies are similar to ginger snaps in texture and consistency but instead of the ginger flavor, they are pumpkin flavored! They also sell ginger ones as well. Basically they put two of the cookies together with cheesecake icing to make a cookie sandwich. These are delicious and quite addictive so beware!
Where to find: Rita's
I always heard that Rita's had a pumpkin flavor but most Rita's close down at the end of the summer and by the time I'm thinking pumpkin, they're all closed. Lucky for me, I discovered that the one inside the mall is still open and when I checked to see if they had pumpkin, sure enough Pumpkin Pie was the first flavor on there. I got a kids size because Pumpkin Pie is a cream ice which are very sweet and a full size one would be a little much. One bite of this and it tasted exactly like a piece of pumpkin pie; creamy, sweet and delicious! While tasty, even a kids size was too much. I ate about half and put the other half in the freezer to share with Gary later. I might not get this again but am glad I tried it.
Where to find: World Market
Of course my mind is always on pumpkins in the fall so when I saw this soup mix, I just had to try it. All you need to add to the mix is water and heavy cream. The thing I really like about this soup is that it is spicy pumpkin which is a twist on the normal pumpkin spice or pumpkin pie flavor. Not that I'm a big fan of spicy things, but a little spiciness keeps it interesting. This soup was warm, flavorful and all around delicious. It's perfect for a cold rainy night which was what last night was when I made it. I thought the soup was perfect the way I made it but they also suggested adding a can of pumpkin to make it thicker and top it with sour cream. I think that would have been too much for me but an interesting idea to try if I ever get the mix again.
Where to find: The recipe is from tablespoon.com
I found this recipe on tablespoon.com. See the recipe and my comments here.
Where to find: The recipe is from Cosmopolitan Magazine, you can get a pumpkin facial at many spas
I saw a lot of Groupon offers for pumpkin facials and was intrigued. While I didn't purchase one, I did come across a recipe for one in Cosmo and decided to give it a try. All you need to do is mix an egg white with half a cup of canned pumpkin which is supposed to brighten skin. You apply it to your dry face and remove after 10 minutes with a wet cloth. I don't know if my skin looks brighter but it does feel soft and refreshed.
Where to find: My aunt purchased it at a shop in downtown Fredericksburg, I'm sure you can get it online or at other stores
While this is called instant coffee, the Pumpkin Pie Mocha is better described as a hot chocolate. My aunt tasted it at a store when we were shopping downtown and purchased it. Since I love pumpkin things, she was kind enough to share some with me. Mine was a little watered down, I think my hot water to powder ratio wasn't exactly right, but I could tell it was tasty and would have been way better if I had a little more powder or less water. This is a delicious substitute from normal hot chocolate! It's also fat free and decaf so it makes a great after dinner dessert.
Where to find: I found this at a tea shop in downtown Fredericksburg, I'm sure many taffy companies make a pumpkin flavor so check out your local candy stores in the fall
I'm very picky with my taffy so this particular one wasn't my favorite. I think I'm a snob and love the fresh made kind that is still soft. Once it gets a little hard, it still tastes good but it's so much work to eat! Since I got this near the end of the fall season, I"m sure it was harder than it was when it first came out. The flavor was good, I just wish it were a little softer.
Where to find: World Market
The best way to describe this dish is interesting. The fall pasta has a hint of pumpkin and the sauce tastes exactly like pumpkin, but just pumpkin. If you notice, most pumpkin flavored things are pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice, not just plain pumpkin. This sauce might be better with a little pumpkin pie spice added or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. I added rosemary but it wasn't quite right. It's not bad but I probably wouldn't buy it again. It was fun to try though!
Where to find: Any grocery store
I like my coffee strong and black so I normally do not bother with creamer. Of course I couldn't resist picking up a bottle of Pumpkin Spice creamer though. I have been using this in my Pumpkin Spice coffee. I think the two pair well together and if you like creamer, this is delicious. I just prefer my coffee black, plain and simple.
Where to find: Twinning's Website, stores that sell Twinings brand teas
I actually got the chance to order 3 free samples from Twinings and was able to pick 3 flavors. I of course saw the Pumpkin Spice Chai and immediately made that one of my choices. Since I only had 1, I've been saving it for the perfect moment to try. This morning just felt right. I think this chai is delicious. It has the perfect pumpkin flavoring and the right mix of spices to pair with it. I normally like my tea plain or with Splenda so I had this plain but I think if you added cream and sugar, it might have been more chai like. I will definitely look to order some of this from Twinings and experiment.
Where to find: T.J. Maxx, stores where Tasty brand products are sold
I just happened to come across this box while browsing at T.J. Maxx. It was one of those situations where this box was randomly laying in the wrong spot but it immediately caught my attention with the bright orange pumpkin on the front. I like organic things and needed a quick breakfast food in my cabinet so I figured why not. These are pumpkin banana which is something new and different for me in my pumpkin quest. I wouldn't say these are the best thing in the world but they're very good for what they are. I don't think you expect an organic whole grain cereal bar to be an orgasmic experience. But for an everyday breakfast food, these are quite tasty and a new unique flavor.
Where to find: Crave (or various other frozen yogurt shops)
I love frozen yogurt shops that let you pick your flavors and toppings and you pay based on weight. I've tried a few different shops with this concept and for the most part I've loved them all. A new place called Crave opened up in Fredericksburg, VA this year and I've been wanting to try it but hadn't gotten a chance when I visited. Finally I made it to Crave over my holiday break and was excited to find they still had their pumpkin flavors on tap! I sampled both the Pumpkin Spice and the Pumpkin Pie a la mode. I believe the second one is just the pumpkin spice flavor swirled with vanilla. I decided to go with the straight up Pumpkin Spice because the vanilla just took away from the delicious pumpkin taste. As for toppings, it was hard to think of what would pair well with the pumpkin so I just went with a light dusting of graham cracker which ended up being perfect.
Where to find: Yankee Candle stores or retailers that sell Yankee Candle brand
Crave just happened to be next to the Yankee Candle store in Fredericksburg so my mom and I hit up their semi-annual clearance sale. I was pleased to find multiple items in their delicious Spiced Pumpkin scent including lip balm, a diffuser, and a package of tea light candles. This scent is perfect for fall but smells good year round!
Where to find: World Market, or wet-noses.com
Even my adorable dog Chloe got the chance to fall in love with pumpkins. I actually read somewhere that pumpkin is good for dogs tummies. While I don't know if this is true or not, Chloe certainly enjoyed these pumpkin dog treats. They're organic and healthy so I trust putting them in my dog's system plus they smell good enough for a human to eat!
Where to find: World Market
This was one of my more disappointing pumpkin finds. Don't get me wrong, it's absolutely delicious, it just didn't have any pumpkin taste to it. It's a caramel corn with chocolate covered almonds and pumpkin chocolate pieces in it. The pumpkin pieces were orange but just tasted like white chocolate. Again, this is amazing tasting, just doesn't taste like pumpkins!
***This post will be updated and edited as I try new things, stay tuned! While fall is long gone, I still have a few pumpkin things I need to try so this blog isn't over quite yet!
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