pumpkin chocoloate chip squares + halloween costume

happy day after halloween (a.k.a november 1st).  if you haven't overdosed on sugar yet, i'm here to help with some pumpkin chocolate chip squares!  but first, my halloween costume:

am i the only person who saw frankenweenie?  cause NO ONE knew what i was dressed as.  it was kinda depressing, especially with all the work i put into carlos' costume!  whatever, on to the treats!  these are perfect for curing depression caused by no one knowing your halloween costume. 

pumpkin chocolate chip squares modified from this recipe
12-24 squares, depending on the size

ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon all spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree - i made my own but you can use canned... i guess
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

step 1: preheat oven to 350.  butter and flour a 9"x13" pan.

step 2: combine flour through salt in a medium size bowl and set aside.

step 3: combine butter and sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer.  once combined, add egg and vanilla extract.  mix till combined.

step 4: add the pumpkin puree and combine using an electric mixer.  the recipe i used warned not to worry if the mixture looks curdled, but i didn't think it looked curdled.  maybe if you used canned pumpkin.

step 5: fold in chocolate chips.  spread out the batter evenly in the pan.  bake for 35-40 mins.  let cool and cut.

these are a great treat to bring to work or a party, and pretty easy to whip up!  i've actually already made two batches to take to work.  next up with my pumpkin puree will be a savory dish.  whats your favorite way to eat pumpkin? 

off to see the wizard...

with my little dog toto! 

as promised, my halloween costume:

free people dress - i've entered a costume contest on chictopia, i'd love for you to vote for me!  thanks!

tonight we will carve pumpkins and watch scary movies.  carving pumpkins on halloween is kinda a tradition for boyfriend and i.  we won't be handing out any candy though, living in the back house means no one comes to the door.  hope everyone has a happy halloween!

and don't forget to vote for me!  today is the last day! 

diy - dorothy's ruby slippers

halloween is tomorrow, and even though i'm too old to go trick or treating i still get a kick out of dressing up and deciding who i'm going to be for a night!  as a kid my mom would usually make my costume - we would go to the fabric store and pick a pattern & fabric - so it seems pretty normal to make my costume rather than buy one.  only i don't really have the time to put in to making an elaborate costume, so i like to try to use my own clothes.  this year it came down to minnie mouse (polka dot dress) or dorothy (blue gingham dress).  i finally decided on dorothy, since i can incorporate carlos into the costume!

there was just one thing i needed:  the ruby slippers.  obviously a diy project!

materials:

pumps

glue

glitter

sandpaper

paint brush

step 1: sand down the pumps - since i am using a patent leather pump i sanded them down a bit before applying the glue & glitter.  if i had suede pumps i could probably have skipped this step. 

step 2: mix glue & glitter - i got the best coverage when the mixture was pretty thick. 

step 3: apply the glue & glitter mixture with the paint brush.  don't put it on too thick or it will drip and look gross!  let it dry.

step 4: inspect for missed spots when the first coat is completely dry.

step 5: apply the second coat.  let dry. 

and then - ruby slippers:

i'm pretty happy with how the shoes turned out.  i even had people asking me where i had bought them!  check out my post tomorrow for the full costume.  happy halloween!

p.s. the jw hulme facebook contest ends halloween night, please vote for me!

midnight in paris

memorial day was like any other day off for me - house cleaning mostly (blah), but i did take a break to go see woody allen's new film, midnight in paris.

i'll skip the synopsis and try not to spoil any of the film for those who haven't seen it.  i really enjoyed the film and there were so many aspects that i loved.  the location - paris, france - so beautiful.  the opening lines of the film are about how beautiful the city is, and how amazing would paris have been in the 1920s?  the lead character, gil (owen wilson), is a writer with nostalgia for the 1920s and is visiting paris with his fiance and her parents.  i definitely could identify with gil's nostalgia for the past.  the world is such a different place from what it was 100 years ago, it would be such a different experience to live in different age.  but i'm sure plenty of people from the past felt the same way.   

of course, i couldn't get through the film without noticing the fashion!  there were some really great costumes in the film, and i really loved all the 1920s attire - espcially the dresses worn by marion cotillard's character, adriana!

1. perfect details art deco earrings (similar) 2. beaded flapper dress 3. t-strap court shoe 4. vintage 1920s kiss lock purse  

rachel mcadam's character, inez, was pretty annoying, but i do have to say she had some pretty cute outfits for roaming around the city of lights.

1.platinum tweed jacket (similar) 2. ak anne klein round case leather watch  3. hive & honey lunah wedge
4.  mid - rise cigarette leg in dark vintage 5. hi-low square top  6. plaited shopper 7. rope belt,

so yes, check out the film, check out the fashion, get inspired to re-read some hemingway!

they tell me you are a man with true grit

the christmas eve tradition for my mom, sister and i is going to a movie, this year we went to see true grit. as soon as i saw the trailer for true grit a few months back, i knew i had to see it. as expected, the cohen brothers did not disappoint. the film was amazing, the acting was brillant. hailee steinfield as mattie ross was amazing and she is only 14 years old! of course, jeff bridges was brilliant (as usual) as well as matt damon and josh brolin.

the costumes were designed by mary zophres, who has worked on many of the cohen brothers films. you can read an article about the costumes here.

the film is filled with amazing hats, coats, boots, belts and gloves. the film takes place during the 1870's, and is probably one of my favorite costume periods.

love this jacket with the belt!

my favorite was definitely mattie ross' hat and braids. i've already worn braids a few times since i saw the film.

i'm a little disappointed that i didn't find out that the costumes were on display at the archlight in hollywood. i can't seem to figure out if the display is still up or not, but if it is i would totally see true grit again. it is definitely my favorite film i saw this year.

black swan costumes

went to see black swan last night with some friends and the bf at the laemmle in pasadena. the movie was... strange. scary at some parts, funny at others and left me thinking "what happened? i don't get it." i was entertained though, so the movie served its purpose.

what i did notice was the costumes, so obviously i got home and did some research. i found out that the costumes were a collaboration between costume designer amy westcott and rodarte (how did i miss that news?).

i also really liked all the practice costumes. there was one really great grey knit that natalie portman wore, but unfortunately i couldn't find a picture. all the leg warmers, tu-tus and leotards make me wanna start doing ballet (or just dress like i do).