I LOVE Halloween!!

My absolute FAVORITE holiday of the year is Halloween. I just love everything about it! I love that it's suddenly ok to put a graveyard in your front yard, and hang skeletons from your door. I love being able to decorate for something creepy and dark and so completely opposite from normal life. I love being scared. This year I went to three different "haunted" places around here, one of them twice. The adrenaline rush you get when something unexpected jumps out in front of you or follows behind you is worth every penny. I love dressing up. I LOVE the fact that one time a year you can be ANYTHING you want to be! And I love that this one time a year I can glue on crazy eyelashes and wear dark eye makeup and no one will say anything about it. It is just the best and I am sad that it's over for another year! Here are a few pics of the things I did this year and have done in the past to celebrate this time of year...

FOOD
Yes, I even celebrate with food. These items have become tradition for me the past few years that I hope will continue on for years to come... (Thanks Michelle for the meal in a pumpkin! I've passed it on to generations of roommates after you!)



DECORATIONS
Two years ago, in an effort to win a decorating contest, my roommates and I turned our living room into a "dungeon" using only butcher paper, paint, and luck. (I would say artistic skill, but I'm thinking luck had more to do with this.) We loved the effect so much we did it again last year. It always got a great response and it's the best idea I've had so far when it comes to decorating big on a tight budget. The exterior pictures are of my parents house this year. My favorite part was the graveyard with the red light glowing on it, casting a creepy light and shadows on the house as well.



PUMPKINS
I'm really enjoy using patterns for my pumpkin carving. It may not be creative or original, but it's a challenge for me and I enjoy the difficulty, especially when the end result is so cool!

COSTUMES
I was first a vampire a few years ago, then I switched to a witch when I bought a "genuine" witch hat from Salem, MA. This year I recycled the vampire outfit but bought teeth that actually attached to my teeth, so they were much more realistic, and much easier to talk with! And of course, my favorite part of any Halloween costume...fake lashes!