Recipe: Witch's Brew Cocktail

Witch's Brew Cocktail

This spooky twist on a classic Sazerac includes a spidery looking star anise.

Ingredients:

3 oz. Gin

3/4 oz. Green Chartreuse 

1/4 oz. Fernet 

Star Anise

Combine the gin, chartreuse and fernet over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a star anise.

Serves one.

We Recommend: Favorite Scary Movies

If you prefer to spend your Halloween night on the couch with a bowl full of your favorite treats, rather than out party hopping, here are our favorite scary movies to keep the evening festive and creepy:

The Witches (1990) - This movie haunted our childhood.  The Roald Dahl book was scary on its own, but this film version made the witches terrifyingly real.  The painting at the beginning, that the witch traps the child into, is still nightmare inducing.

The Others (2001) - This Nicole Kidman vehicle is intensely creepy and worth watching again, even if you already know how it turns out.  The pale children who can't go in sunlight due to their skin condition, the mist and fog filled island, and the big old house are all classic horror done well.

Let the Right One In (2008) - The Swedish version of this vampire story is dark (literally, Scandinavia doesn't see much light mid-winter) and builds well on the mythology of vampires, while never feeling over the top or cheesy.

The Shining (1980) - This Jack Nicholson-starring horror movie, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, is a classic for a reason.  The hotel, the ghosts, the alcoholism, and the family strife are all disturbing in their own ways.

Ringu (1998) - The Japanese original (the US version, The Ring, is also pretty scary) has an austerity and a coldness that makes it especially unnerving, and guaranteed to stay with you for days - if not years.

Psycho (1960) - The classic Hitchcock horror movie, this film is high camp with a level of melodrama that makes it almost comedic.  Many film historians have now unearthed evidence that that's how the great director intended it to be viewed.

The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders

As you know by now, we are huge Wes Anderson fans. 

Last weekend SNL did the perfect spoof of what a horror movie directed by Anderson might look like. 

In case you missed it, may we present 'The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders':

Happy Halloween!

Scent of the Month

This month's scent is Penhaligon's Malabah - "inspired by an imaginary journey along the East Indian spice route. The opening notes of citrus, green coriander and smoky earl grey tea give way to a heart of sublime rose, ginger and aromatic spices. The soft base introduces orris, sweet musks and amber."

Clockwise from top left: lipstick, ring, dress, booties, tights, handbag, necklace, scent

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

In case you're still not sure what to dress up as this Halloween, 

we suggest the following options, which can easily be thrown together 

last minute with things you already own.

The Seasons

This can either be a group costume, or you can pick your favorite.
We put together makeup looks for each one, taking into account seasonal color palates.
It would be easy to add accessories from the garden, such as autumn leaves or fresh flowers
in your hair. For spring we suggest wearing all pastels or florals (a huge trend lately, so hopefully
you have some in your closet). A summer outfit could consist of neon colored clothes
(also so trendy). For fall, deep jewel tones work well (we love crimson). And for winter
we love head to toe white or black (and fur, if possible). If you're feeling especially ambitious,
plan on costume changes throughout the night, cycling through all 4 seasons.

Gemstones

This also could be a group costume, but stands well on its own. For this we suggest
dressing head to toe in one color palette (purple for amethyst, white for diamond,
red for ruby, blue for sapphire). Extra points if your makeup and/or manicure matches.
If you have colored rhinestones or beads, adding them randomly for
sparkle really accentuates the costume.

Rock Star

This is an easy costume to throw together. Your rock star look will vary
depending on who your favorite band is, but we love classic black jeans/leather pants,
tee shirt, leather jacket, boots, heavy eyeliner and lots of layered jewelry.
Wearing your favorite band's concert tee as part of your costume helps convey the message
as well. One of our favorite fashion icons, Kate Moss, is great at rocking this look.

Incredible Shrinking Woman/50 ft. Woman
Most effective if you are very tall or very short. Depending on which of the
 two you choose, bring shoes with varied heel height to either grow or shrink
over the course of the Halloween party.

Hitchcock Heroine

As you might have noted from our recent posts, we are huge Hitchcock fans.
Pick your personal favorite and add a prop to make your choice more obvious
(a phone for 'Dial M for Murder', a fake Bird for 'The Birds',
a small bouquet of flowers for 'Vertigo').

Fashion Inspiration: Hitchcock Heroines Edition - Grace Kelly in Dial M for Murder

Grace Kelly as Margot Mary Wendice

Clockwise from top left: necklace, earrings, dress, lipstick, heels, clutch

Song of the Week

Velvet Underground - Venus in Furs

R.I.P. Lou Reed

Interior Design Inspiration: Downtown LA Loft

Clockwise from top left: barstool, lamp, statue, candleholders, sofa, screen, rug, bookcase, table

Recipe: Goat Cheese, Watermelon, Fig & Beet Salad

Ingredients:
1/2 seedless watermelon
3 large beets
8 figs
1 oz goat cheese
1/2 c crumbled feta
Dressing:
4 T extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

Roast the beets in the oven (wrapped in tinfoil with butter, olive oil, salt and pepper at 375 for one hour) and let cool. Cut into cubes.

Cut up the watermelon and figs into small chunks.

For the dressing, whisk the olive oil and vinegar together with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Add the beets to the watermelon and figs. Crumble the goat cheese and feta and add to the salad. Add the dressing and mix well.

Can't Wait For: Isabel Marant for H&M

There are so many high-low designer collaborations these days that it's hard to get too excited about all of them.  But ever since we heard that Isabel Marant was doing a line for H&M, we have been hoping that this is one we could be genuinely in love with.  Now that early reviews are out, all signs point to yes, we can.  The quality is said to be a step up from the typical collabs, which often use cheaper fabrics and trimmings to cut corners, and the collection is extensive and full of beautiful, signature pieces.  Now we just have to wait until November 14th to snag our new fall wardrobes.

The Night Tour at Alcatraz

We recently went on the Alcatraz at Night tour, something we've heard heaps of praise about for some time now. We've been before during the day, but the night version was a spooky start to Halloween celebrations. We would recommend the trip, and the audio tour, which really adds to the ambiance.

Leaving the city on the ferry at dusk

Sunset behind the golden gate bridge

Approaching the island

Disembarking - grafitti is still visible from the Native American occupation

The morgue

The cellblocks

A cell with standard issue items

Solitary

The library

Some of the cells as they might have been decorated 

The control room

The guard uniform

A model of the island

A spooky hand print

One of the decoy heads from the only escape that may have been successful

The operating instructions and lever for the cell doors

The dining hall and kitchen. 

Gas canisters in the ceiling ensured the inmates behaved.

The x-ray development room

The hospital wing

The operating room - definitely the creepiest spot on the tour

The lighthouse

City lights on the sail back

Full moon over the water