The Worst Witch

Ok, loves, so I like to tell it like it is. I like my truth served straight up, hardcore, direct and to the point. Pulling punches? No, not I.

So, when I say I'm a true-blue, die-hard, faithful fan of {The Worst Witch}, you know which side of the broomstick I'm coming from. {I'm keepin' it real.} Friends and family have heard me yell on my spooky soap box about the eeeeerily similarities between this classic tale...and one that just so happened to take the world by wizardry storm.

Now that my thoughts have gone somewhat "live" - I'm not in the bidness for stirring up a cauldron of trouble. No "popular" author needs to come knocking on my door because I am about to throw some shade. I'm simply going to state several hypotheses so you can realize just how mighty Mildred Hubble's shenanigans can be as an influential story line.

Will I name that other series? Nope. I'll let you figure it out, my sweeties. If I "spell" it out, things could get a bit "Harry" - so I'll just highlight my favorite parts of TWW, and leave it at that. So, here we go...

Let's dial it back to 1986. Me and Sheesh were young little Switches {Sister Witches! lol} with a love for the big H combo: Halloween...and HBO. CoCo and Big M. always let us tune in for a show. When we stumbled upon {The Worst Witch}, we were immediately entranced.

• Young gal
• Witch academy
• A castle
• Accents!
• A duel
• A principal
• Flying lessons
• A Halloween Celebration 
• Animal sidekick
• Potions
• Magic
• A rival
• BFFs
• A scary-mean teacher
• Girl turns into a pig

Babies' First Scary Movie

We were such weird kids. We should have been watching Romper Room {whatevs...they never said my name}, crafting, coloring, having sibling fights... but instead, we'd live to see TWW's name flash across TV Guide.

I digress.

Just a lil click on the pic counts as the vote!
Smooches!

We didn't know it at the time, but this movie was based off a series of children's books... written and illustrated... by Jill Murphy. The first book was published in 1974. {AHEM. 1974!!!!!!} The movie starred Fairuza Balk ya'll. As in...NANCY...from The Craft! Miz Balk played Mildred - goofy young girl at a witch academy/ keeps messing things up/ the principal's mean sister wants to destroy the school/there's a Halloween party lingering in the distance/ magic is everywhere....and TIM CURRY is the freakin' Grand Wizard.

You guys.

TIM CURRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you heard this storyline recently? Hmm. Let's not deny the giant orange and black elephant in the room! Stand up for #MildredHubbleAwareness #Word

You standin' yet?

Happy Birthday GOGO

BIG DAY! Huge! I started a new job.

Whattttt????? That's right, kiddos! I've been hinting at some big changes over the past week or so...and this was it!

But, today's not about the jobby job...it's about my mother-in-law. She's celebrating a BIG birthday! I won't tell you how old she is though, because a good daughter-in-law will only tell you she's celebrating the anniversary of one of her 29ths.

I'm in a lil excited whirlwind today, and I'd love to write more, but I'm a wee bit sleepy. Since we're still in the midst of Halloween-a-palooza, I'm going to time stamp this post and get back to ya in a jiffy with an ode to the MIL. Check back for all the deets on how this lovely lady gave {The Hubs} an endearing Halloween upbringing.

For now, here's a pic to serve as a prelude to the tribute! Miz Halloween Queen {of the Midwest}...waiting proudly for a parade with her boys and a homemade spaceship.

She's out of this world!

More soon!

A Candy Buffet for a Halloween Par-tay

Candy Buffets?
Whaddaya say?

Last year, we threw together a Halloween Party for some of our fab friends at the last minute. They were sweet enough to stop by and humor us for a few hours. {Love dem!} They sure were good sports to support their loony friends and their mission to paint the world orange and black! We lucked out with some INCREDIBLE fall weather. It landed in the super high 70s. WHAT?!! We're not sure what we did to deserve that lil slice 'o luck, but we are definitely still thankful for that treat.

One of the Twinados' first requests for their besties was...{CANDY}...and lots of it. {Ask, and you shall receive, pretty pumpkins!}

Here's how to toss together a {Candy Buffet} in a jiffy...

• The lil monsters will love a short table.
• Toss over an orange linen if you're willing and able.
• Buy plastic Dollar Store bowls for the day.
• Don't forget Party City scoops in silver or grey.
• Buy a 5x7 for the table name.
• Put some quirky titles in mini frames.
• Need a pennant? Target is your place.
• Add in a ghost decoration with a goofy face.

• A big bowl of popcorn adds a nice salty dash.
• Candy corn adds some nice vintage sass.
• Mix up your menu with sugary fun.
• Alliteration for names...then you're almost done!
• Don't forget bags. Paper will do.
• Keep extras on hand. Go you!

Stay sweet!

Just a click on this pic counts as the vote!
Luv ya mucho!

Halloween's a HOOT!

How about we pep up this Halloween-a-palooza 2105 with a lil SPARKLE, shall we?! You down? Oh, you know I'm down, honey!

The other day, I received a surprise TREAT of All Hallows Eve treats: some {Origami Owl} spoiling. Oh my! There it was, all snuggled nicely in my mailbox inside a pretty pumpkin orange envelope and matching chic card.

This dress! #Want.

That darling Jenny-Jen.

You know who that sassyface is! That lil angel strikes again. Right in the middle of an ordinary October, Miss J brought me a smile as wide as a goofy, off-centered, 2-toothed Jack-o-Lantern! {Goodness, I feel blessed.}

The skully with the bow. I die! 

J she sent me the latest Halloween charms for my Origami locket. Have you seen these holiday cuties? Look at the details on these darlings. That witch alone makes me want to bust out some green and white striped tights! The haunted house makes me want to watch a spooky movie. The candy corn? I need a snack! {J's friend Danielle runs and O2 biz. Want to grab a few of your own? Click here for the deets!}

Just a click on this pic counts as a vote!
Smooches and thanks!

I have no words! Truly. I just sit here with an outstretched bottom lip, almost on the verge of weepy, while thinking of this lovely friend 'o mine. What a cool gal. A goldenhearted, uplifting, cheerfully cool gal.

So, today...in honor of J, I'm renaming today. It's {JENNY SUNDAY}, guys and ghouls! Let's lift up our end of the weekend ice cream bowls, scoops of buttery popcorn and glasses of yummy vino to toast to one of the world's nicest jewels. Her heart shines brighter than any diamond I've ever seen.

Cheers!

THRILLER

THRILLER.

Swoon.

Heck yes it deserves all caps. In my opinion {and, you know I'm gonna share it!}, this music video is skeleton hands down, one of the BEST videos ever created. It was like a mini movie. I couldn't look away! From the first sound of creepy breathing mixed with frog ribbits and a slow moving car...you know what's about to go down.

That first scene - the classic boy/girl love story, drop top, varsity jacket, running out of gas, NIGHT. The frightful factor builds from the first flash of Michael's smile. I'd get nervous with each step these two lovebirds would take as they walked down the moonlit path.

And when he turns into the werewolf? BAH!!!!!!!!!!!! Even today, I do that whole "I'm gonna look for a second, then look away, then look back, then look away again real quick so I don't see the whole scene" kind of move. Eeeeek! {How cute and vintage is the cinematography?!}

...then it cuts to a movie theatre. D'oh! Fooled. OR SO WE THINK!!

At 4:13, things start to get down to biz. Finally. Waiting for MJ's dance moves makes me cranky! Anyhoo. Do any of you laugh as they walk away from the movie theatre...and MJ sings to the girl? Not sure it would be as cool if anyone else was serenading a girl as she walked down the street.

Her outfit. #Gorge

Don't get me started at 6:31 - the graveyard scene with the creepster voice overhead? YIKES, man!!!!!!!!! Stay in the crypt.

But...8:32? You know every single one of you will bust out that move if someone says the word Thriller to you. Don't lie! You know you pop that shoulder with the best of em. If you had even 1 ounce of rhythm back in the 80s, you know darn well you tried some of MJ's killer moves. From the first beat of the song, you know exactly what tune it is. Even today, when I hear the first bit of the melody, I get all googly eyed.

Go on with your bad self.

10:49 - nice try, sweetheart. Run into the scariest house on the block. {She has a smart fashion sense, but oy, mama!}

Here's the house in the day light!
Visit it in Los Angeles. Click the pic for deets! 

11:57 - now, that's it. THAT'S. It. That face/scene/laugh/stance? That's a legacy right there. How wicked clever can one singer be? Bravo, Mr. Jackson. Bravo.

Keep it Thrilling, kids.

A click on the pic counts as the vote!
Love yous.

Switz's

So, today was a whirlwind kind of day {more on that later! crazy news to share!} - but I don't want to skip a day of Halloween-a-palooza 2015. SO!!!!!!...for our 9th post, I am going to highlight one of my area's oldie goldie landmarks.

{Switz's}... The name alone can make any Central New Yorker weak in the knees. The charm! The coziness! The comfort! I'd say this is Hobby Lobby's Great Grammie. {Heavy on the GREAT!}

Fond this treasured pic on syracusenostalgia.com

I fondly remember CoCo + Big M. taking She She and I to Switz's during chilly October days when we were wee lil goblins. Always there to greet us at the front door was an ogre named Oscar. Although one would think this mean looking monster would creep the sheezie out of little pumpkins - the sis and I were not normal. {Not in the least!} We thought he was funny - with a hint of Fraggle Rock in him, no? A dracula in a coffin {"Count"} used to have this VIP front entrance spot, but this darlin' 14-foot friend is who we remember the most. Rumor has it that he went up on eBay and eventually held a spot in someone's backyard. I have yet to confirm this gossip...or the address of the super lucky house!

Another gem from syracusenostalgia.com!

Our fam loved to head over to this All Hallows Eve Headquarters for decorations, crafts and costumes, but looking at all of the displays was the real treat here! Looking back, the vintage vibe was OFF THE CHARTS --- although we didn't know it at the time! lol Check out one of the adorable seasonal ads. It's sure to stir up some old timey feelings.

Simple sweetness.

The Annual Coloring Contest had all the kiddos scrounging for the oranges and blacks in the crayon bin. You never knew what design was going to show up each year, but you knew you had to bring your best to try to beat out all the rest!

Syracusenostalgia.com strikes gold again!

Sadly, this sweet spot is no longer, but now lives on in treasured memory. Today, we raise our gargoyle glasses and cheers to {Switz's}. Something so fab can surely never be forgotten.

Three to the One

And, on the 8th day...
THERE WAS A GIVEAWAY!

As a thankful smooch to all of you for tuning in to {Halloween-a-palooza 2015} this month, how about we pep up the frightful fun by giving away some...

THIRTY ONE!

{The Deets}
Guess how many mini candy bars are squished inside this adorable {Oh Snap} bin, and YOU could be the lucky CoCo-Nut to take her home! The person who comes closest to the number without going over, WINS! In the event of a tie, I'll put all correct guesses into Classtools.net and our winner will be chosen at random. The contest will end on the CD Facie Page on Saturday, 10/10, at midnight. {Ohhhhh midnight! The spookiest!}

BIG squeezy weezy lovey dovey shout out to
our Spooktacular Sponsor Kell!

While you're thinking of your guess, how about I show you some bewitching beauties by Thirty One that are PERFECT for this season! Remember my darling biffie {Kell-Bell} who hosted our very FIRST giveaway? Well, that Cutie Consultant is going to share with us some goodies she has in stock for all your Gorgeous Goblins.

{Cinch Sacs}

Kell says: Tired of all those plastic bags that tear or plastic buckets that break? Carry your ghoulish goodies in style with a personalized trick-or-treat Cinch Sac bag! Your little monsters will be able to carry them right on their back as they do the mash from house to house. And best of all, they can be used year after year and personalized just for them! 

Dee says: Genius alert! Kiddos planning on a Halloween Party at school? Send their costume in one of these gems or a change of clothes. Could also be fun gifts for their favorite teachers!

Click the pic to browse  Kell's Thirty One page!

{Large Utility Tote}

Kell says: Store your Halloween decorations in style! Add a Top-a-Tote to keep everything inside securely covered and safe from spilling out! 

Dee says: If you don't own one of these life changing jewels, please get 7 immediately. Then, order another 5 just for good measure. {Put towels in these and take them to the pumpkin patch fields!}

{Littles Carry-All Caddy}

Kell says: Perfect little caddy for displaying all that candy! All the little ghosts and goblins will love picking out their treats from this terrific tote. Or, how about using it as a spooky candy dish for your home?!

Dee says: The uses for these lil guys are endless. Having a Halloween Haunt? Put your utensils and straws in a few of these. Or, line them with napkins, toss in some orange Cheetos, and park 'em on tables for centerpiece munchies.

Welp! That's about it for tonight! Contact my gal Kell at her direct link {click here!} for any 31 needs! GHOULd luck with the {Oh Snap} bin giveaway...and tell your friends! The more interest we gain for giveaways...the more YOU could win!

{...annnnd it looks like I've used up all of my exclamation points for the day.}

{Thanks to Kell for providing the Thirty One pics. Also, for Bloggy-land legalities, I must share a disclaimer that Facebook is not connected to my contest. FB is just my fave social medium with which to connect with my vivacious viewers.}