Inferior Inspiration #15: Halloween food edition!

Although my (fairly minimal) Halloween decorations are up again this year, they haven't changed one bit from last year's Halloween decor post.  Writing a feature for WOW247 about the 5 best Halloween inspired sweet treats on offer in Edinburgh last week inspired me to trawl Pinterest and compile a list of the most creative and cutesy Halloween party food I could find for this year's themed blog post.

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It's pretty much unheard of for me to choose the healthy option when it comes to snacking, but I have to admit that these are some awesome looking fruits and vegetables.  At least the fruit kebabs have marshmallows on them (which, as far as I'm aware, haven't yet been classed as a fruit) along with the melon pumpkins and kiwi Frankensteins.  I also think the idea of hollowing out a pumpkin and using it to serve dip with vegetable crudités was genius and definitely worth a mention.  And I'm not sure who could really find the time to dye rice orange using carrot juice to make the jack o' lantern rice balls, but don't they look adorable?

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I think these poison toffee apples look so cool, even if their blackest black colour makes me a little bit nervous.  (If you're wondering, the secret is black food colouring, presumably in industrial quantities!)  The eerie eyeball cocktails are actually just lemonade with green sweets to give the colour and a floating eyeball cake topper, but I bet they would benefit from adding some alcohol for a 'grown up' party.  Marshmallow pops coated with festive coloured sprinkles look great and also seem pretty easy to make!

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How blooming cute are these chocolate owl cupcakes, decorated with a separated Oreo biscuit and M&Ms?  Again, they look fantastic but probably wouldn't take too long to put together, especially if you cheated and used store bought cupcakes - I promise I won't tell if you don't.  Everyone loves a donut, so who wouldn't want to include some monster donuts on their Halloween party buffet table?  Just be sure to remind everyone that the plastic vampire teeth are not edible...  Last, but certainly not least, the ingredients for spooky boo brownie bites - chocolate brownie and marshmallows - are an unbeatable combination, and these wee ghostly faces prompted screams (of delight) from me on first sight.

Sadly I won't have time to try my hand at making any of these terrifying treats for myself in the next few days, although Craig and I will be having friends round for a traditional scarefest movie marathon over the weekend.  Are you baking anything for a Halloween party this weekend?

Inferior Inspiration #9: Halloween edition!

Happy Halloween!  Even if you aren't dressing up and going out to celebrate this year, it's still fun to get in the festive spirit.  Here's some Halloween themed inspiration to put you in the mood:

1. I have a Scroobius Pip jumper in a very similar style to this Skeleton Sweater from Topshop, and it's so cosy and easy to wear.  I could see myself sporting this one all year round, but it's especially appropriate for October! (£35)

2. If you fancy a quiet one on All Hallows' Eve, you can always treat yourself to a lovely bath with the Lush Pumkin bubble bar, a nice drink and a good book. (£2.75)

3. These Topshop Halloween Nail Wraps make everyone's favourite terrifying monsters look super cute. (£6)

4. Craig and I spotted this Jack and Jones Skull Sweater for sale in USC.  It doubles up as both a Halloween sweater and a slightly morbid Christmas jumper.  Jumpers in this style are pretty unisex, and I wouldn't feel strange wearing this one.  If Craig decided to buy one, I would definitely pinch it! (£45)

5. I have a soft spot for novelty Le Creuset pieces, and this Petite Pumpkin Casserole (available at John Lewis) is adorable.  It almost inspires me to get cooking!  Almost... (£20)

6. You knew I wouldn't be able to resist including a decorative cushion, didn't you?  This embroidered skull cushion from Paperchase is cheery and creepy - what's not to love? (£22.50)

7. Another Topshop sweater, this time a cosy Knitted Pumpkin Face Jumper.  The design is almost verging on too scary for me, but I'm a self confessed wuss! (£38)

Winter woollies 2013:

Full blown winter weather is nearly here again, and I'm sure you've all heard the rumours that we're in for a cold, wet and snowy time from now on!  You might remember my winter fashion wishlist from last year (and Craig's boy version), and I've decided to keep up the tradition.  It's highly unlikely I'll be able to afford many new clothes this winter, thanks to my new measly student budget, but a girl can dream!  

1. Khaki Fur Hood Parka (New Look): I've actually already bought this parka, as I was in desperate need of a warm, casual coat.  Despite being mercilessly teased by my Dad (apparently parkas aren't cool) and looking a little bit like a long lost member of Oasis wearing it, I'm really enjoying my first parka.  I've also spotted quite a few girls wearing them, so they must be on trend this autumn and winter!  This one is quilted on the inside, which makes it so cosy, and the furry hood is nice on a cold, rainy day. (£49.99)

2. Tan Quilted Tassel Satchel (River Island): I haven't bought a classic handbag for ages - instead I'm completely obsessed with satchels.  This tan coloured satchel is pretty as well as practical, and although they aren't for everyone, personally I really like the tassels! (£35)

3. Grey Contrast Sleeve Shrunken Knitted Jumper (New Look): I'm sure I said this in last year's post, but you can't beat a nice woolly jumper on a chilly day.  The grey front panel with black sleeves makes this one look a bit like a baseball tshirt, which is a style I'm really fond of. (£14.99)

4. Brushed Checked Shirt (Miss Selfridge): I adore the ultimate and ever versatile grunge staple that is the plaid shirt.  This one is a beautiful soft blue colour (my favourite), and would look great worn on its own, or with other layers. (£29)

5. Converse All Star Hi Leather Brown Shearling Exclusive (Office): I've had my heart set on a pair of fleece lined Converse high tops for years now, but I don't know if I'll ever really be able to justify springing for them!  This leather pair look sturdier than their standard canvas counterparts, so they would have a better chance of lasting through the Scottish winter!

6. Knitted Skater Dress (Miss Selfridge): Although I live in skinny jeans, I love wearing nice casual dresses sometimes.  This monochrome knitted skater dress looks like it could be dressed up or down very easily, depending on the occasion.  It also looks like it would be nice and cosy!

Autumn playlist:

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I love autumn, for all the same reasons that everybody else does, really.  The weather gets cool enough for a woolly jumper now and again, but it's not too cold yet, and the sun still pokes its head out occasionally.  Trees turn golden, and the leaves are deliciously crunchy.  Tea, coffee and hot chocolate all feel warming and festive, and amazing comfort food is back on the menu.

Any autumn walk needs a fitting playlist, so here's my soundtrack to the season so far:

1. I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light by Brand New

2. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

3. Manana by Desaparecidos

4. Make It To Me by Manchester Orchestra featuring Grouplove

5. Jesus Christ by Brand New

6. 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins

7. No Cigarettes by Withered Hand

The feel of the majority of Brand New's music just screams autumn and winter to me, hence two of their songs making it onto my list!  Do you have any songs to add?  Let me know!

Winter Woollies - Boy Edition!

Seeing as my last post was quite girlie, I thought it was only fair to include any male readers I might have and get Craig to make his own autumn and winter clothes wishlist.  He is a fussy shopper, so this was quite hard work for him, but he did well in the end.  Bless!

1. Charcoal Wool Patch Peacoat by Topman - Me: 'What do you like about this jacket?'  Craig: 'What do I like about it?  [Looks panic stricken.]  It's... it's a jacket?'

2. Navy and Grey Knitted Bobble Hat by New Look - 'I just like it!  It reminds me of Home Alone.'

3. Brown Aztec Print Sweater by New Look - 'I like the print and the autumnal/wintery colour.'

4. Frampton Full Zip Hoody by Animal - 'I've always liked Animal clothing.  I think they have strong designs and the clothes are always good quality.  This isn't the kind of colour I'd normally go for, but oddly it suits the design the best.  I prefer zip up hoodies to pull over ones!'

5. Brown Poste Vibe Hiker Boots by Office - 'I like that these are boots, but look like hi-tops.'

6. Red Black Wool Skinny Peacoat by Topman - 'Wild card!  I just like this coat because it's different.  Red and black are also my favourite colours to wear.'

7. Charcoal Fairisle Knit Mitten Gloves by New Look - 'Gloves is gloves is gloves.  But I do like the design of these ones!'  (I like these too, and would probably pinch them! - Alex)

Winter Woollies:

I don't know what the weather's like where you are, but it has suddenly gotten very cold (and now rainy) around these parts.  As a result, I have been pretty much living in this woolly Primark cardigan.  I had my eye on it for a while before it actually got cold enough to justify buying it, and I love that it is a slightly alternative/punk rock take on the same old knitwear you see in the shops every autumn.  I'm hoping this is just the first of many cosy clothes purchases this season (bank balance allowing...), so here are some of ideas of what I'd like to get my hands on next!

1. Burgundy Tipped Formal Coat by George at Asda - Personally, as cringey as some people may find this revelation, I've always really liked the clothes at Asda.  Lately, I've noticed they've become a little more expensive, but the quality seems to have improved a lot as well.  I already have a shorter winter jacket that I love, but this year I'd like something that will cover me up a little more, like this smart maroon coat.

2. Sugar Red Origami Abstract Print Boots by New Look - I used to have some boots in a similar style to these, but in white (which quickly turned into a horrible muddy brown...).  It would be nice to have some comfy flat boots in a more practical colour, and I think this design would cheer up the winter months.

3. Aztec Chunky Knit Hat by George at Asda - I love the idea of woolly hats and usually end up buying them but never wearing them.  I just have too much hair to make them work!  Still, I saw this one in Asda the other day, and thought it was cute.

4. Aztec Neon Mittens by Topshop - If you haven't noticed, Aztec prints seem to still be very much in fashion this autumn and winter!  Although some of them are a little much for me, I especially like the black and white prints, and I think these mittens on a string (very practical!) are great.  There is also a matching beanie hat, if you are a successful hat wearer, unlike myself.

5. Burgundy Jumper by H&M - Sometimes you just can't beat a good cable knit jumper.

6. Dark Blue Cardigan by H&M - This is probably as loud as I would go in terms of Aztec prints, but this longer cardi looks cosy, and even has pockets for chilly hands.  The only downside is its lack of buttons.  We really need buttons on our cardigans in Scotland, H&M!

7. Arty Tan Leather Fur Cuff Boot by Miss Selfridge - I wonder where they come up with some of these product names...  Again, I had some similar boots to these a couple of years ago and I wore them to death.  Miss Selfridge seems to be the only shop still selling them in a similar style anymore, but please let me know if you have seen something like this anywhere else!

8. Patterned Jeans by H&M - Black and white Aztec patterned jeans!  To match my mittens, of course.  Skinny jeans are a staple in my wardrobe, and it would be nice to have a change from just black or blue denim.  To me, this print is a little bit Christmassy, so very winter appropriate.

9. Heart Earmuffs by Topshop - I'm debating whether or not to try out earmuffs as an alternative to hats.  I usually wear my hair up to work, and my ears have been getting pretty chilly at the bus stop!

10. Navy Military Coat by George at Asda - A slightly different style, but still a nice winter coat that would protect more of me from the cold.  The only thing putting me off this coat is the colour.  Are there still rules about wearing black and navy together, or am I just being old fashioned?