Color Me Happy Halloween

Boots: Simply Vera, Kohl's

Bag: Nine West, Marshalls

Sweater: ModCloth

Sweater: Bar III, Macy's

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon

Scary Skate Necklace

Shoes: Madden Girl, DSW

Headband: Lady Arya, Zulily

Pretty scary in pink and purple.

Bow: Target

The husband's handiwork.

Pumpkin: Marshalls; Cat: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Ring: PinkBopp, Etsy

Creepy cute cozy.

Tights: Marshalls; Shoes: Circus by Sam Edelman, Kohl's

No one makes a graveyard cake like Mom.

Too cool for school supplies?  Never!

How is it Halloween already?!  I don't even have anything clever to say, just this shock that the year's almost over.  Last Halloween, Char Bar had just learned to roll over, and this year I had to put the pumpkins on the mantel so she wouldn't run off with them. 

So yeah, like every other parent, I'm exhausted.  So much so that I sometimes wish I could trade all my shoes for a nap.  But I'm also -- happy.  Because that's one of the things about being busy.  The little things that used to bother you seem kind of ridiculous.  Mostly because they're replaced by big things, like trying to stop your toddler from racing across the street.  But also because being in charge of a life other than your own has a way of putting things in perspective.  

So happy Halloween.  I'm grateful that I get to spend even a little of mine with you.

And also that the husband snagged me some pumpkin M&Ms.

Wed but Undead: Bride of Frankenstein State of Mind

Cardigan: New York & Company; Skirt: Tinseltown, Macy's

Garland: Michaels

Prismatic Pumpkin Necklace

Bag: Zulily; Ring: PinkBopp, Etsy

Hair clip: Walgreens

Shoes: Madden Girl, Amazon; Socks: Amazon

Michaels

Tee, ModCloth

Sunglasses: Nordstrom Rack

I've never had strong opinions about the Bride of Frankenstein (or, more accurately, the bride of Frankenstein's monster).  Then last Christmas, I found this tee for just a few bucks at ModCloth.  Its bride is far from the frumpy lady love of the lugubrious lug.  Instead, she's a va-va-voom vixen rocking a mini dress and an insouciant expression beside the age-old challenge of trick-or-treat.  So I snapped it up and tucked it away with high hopes for Halloween.

And now it's time to bust it out in a fit of candy-colored chaos.  Styling it with patterns and accessories a-plenty was more fun -- and freeing -- than wearing a costume.  Because it's still me -- only amplified.

It's what Mary Shelley would've wanted.

Well, that and the right to own property. 

Red Poets Society and Purple Pose: A Hint of Halloween

Top: Allegra K, Amazon; Skirt: Vanilla Star, Macy's

Girly Ghost Necklace

Bag: Olivia Miller, JCPenney

Hair clip: Target

Boots: Impo, DSW

Top: Madden Girl, Macy's; Skirt: Wild Fable, Target

Stylish Skulls Necklace

Bag: Skinnydip London, Macy's

Barrettes: INC, Macy's

Shoes: Madden Girl, Kohl's; Socks: Amazon

Jacket: XOXO, JCPenney; Skirt: So, Kohl's

Glam Ghoul Necklace

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Sunglasses: Zulily

Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW

It's late October, and you know what that means: time to scare up some spooky.  And I can't do that without the ruffled, violet top I've worn for the past two Halloweens.  Part fright night, part '90s, it puts the Poe in poet's blouse.  And it looks especially bold with red -- Red Hat Society colors notwithstanding.  

Speaking of hats (and the heads that support them), I got into the spirit of things by making some skull necklaces.  Even the ghost one has a tiny skull dangling from the center if you dare to get too close.

That said, I'll be steering clear of the occult.  

Unless it comes with candy.

Squad Goals: Anchored by Burgundy

Top: Madden Girl, Kohl's

Courtly Corpse Necklace

Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Bow: Art Class, Target

Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Skirt: So, Kohl's

Boots: LC Lauren Conrad Kohl's

Sweatshirt: LC Lauren Conrad Kohl's

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon

Tights: A New Day, Target

Bag: Madden Girl, Macy's

Bows: Limited Too, Kohl's

Victorian Vibes Necklace

Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Socks: Amazon

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Anchored by the color, not Ron.  Although I like to think that my corner of the interwebs is newsworthy.  And who doesn't love a Will Ferrell reference?  That said, burgundy's intriguing because it's red with a darker backstory.  Game for the challenge of this haunting hue, I mixed it with pastels for my fits.

Because sometimes even the darkest horse needs a My Little Pony palette.