TO EAT

Christmas is H.E.C.T.I.C. and when you have reached the point of baking overload, it's time to:

a. Pull out some frozen bake exchange cookies from Christmas past,

b. Open a box of chocolates that you got roped into buying for a school fundraiser, or

c. Avoid any sort of baked / uber sugary good and opt for fruit!

These little Santa Strawberry Buddies seem easy to make and half-way healthy!  Directions here.

Even Simpler and a bit Grinchier:

And for the Pièce de résistance: A Christmas fruit tree of course!  Instructions here.

TO DRINK

No one does entertaining like Martha and after 20 years of her magazine, she has put together a list of her best holiday cocktails.  2 please... or 3.

TO MAKE

It's Upcycling and the perfect hostess gift! Vintage teacups made into candles.  Directions here.

TO GIVE

FOR HIM/HER:  Christmas just isn't Christmas in my family anyway, unless the Griswolds are a part of it.  You too can gift those fabulous moose mugs that Cousin Eddie and his dickie use as a nog sipper.   Available online here.  (I was so excited, I actually just ordered some... I'm such an 80's nerd!)

For a healthy, great gift ideas, David's Tea is top of my list this year!  Look at these super cute Christmas Crackers filled with tea.  Clever!

Or better yet, all you crafters out there can pull these off and the crackee (is that a word?) can actually get a personanlized treat!  check out The Glitter Guide.

Run off those Christmas Cookies!  Here is a perfect gift for the sporty spice in your family! The Nike+ Fuel Band SE.  You can set goals and track your workouts with all the motivation you need on your wrist.  

FOR THE KIDDOS: Fitness & Fun available at Chapters.

Both of my girls have asked for one of these Nerf Rebelles at Toys R Us.  (all I can say is: poor dog!)

This Razor Crazy Cart is pricey but looks super FUN and is highly reviewed. at Toys R Us.

CARDS

We have lots of great designs this year that, lucky for us, have been flying off the shelves!  Available online at: www.flauntshop.com

Is it time to curl up on the couch with a Hot Toddy and watch Love Actually yet?  I think yes!

Happiest of holidays to all~

Shannon

BOO!

Gotta love a good "trashy" vintage Halloween card!

What's not to love about Halloween?  It's really just a big party with lots of fake blood, pumpkin guts and sugar.  Bring it!

DECOR
I tend to go a little over the top with decorations, voila my mantel:

Love this vintage inspired Halloween garland from FernEllaDesigns on Esty:

STEP AWAY BORING ORANGE PUMPKIN!  Look at these chic squashes (squashi?). You can make them too, check out the Glitter Guide.

CRAFTING

If your are feeling crafty and/or want some great on-the-cheap recycled Halloween decorations, try these votives!  Super fun for kids.  We made these on a playdate last year.  For materials and directions, check out skiptomylou.

TREATS and LIBATIONS

These little OREO-ish darlings made by Butter on Dunbar in Vancouver are perfect for Halloween parties.  Just add orange or green food colouring to the icing to ghoul it up a bit.  Thanks to the Vancouver Sun, you can make these layers of deliciousness yourself with this recipe.

For the adult Halloween party, there are some awesome red wines all done up for Halloween:

Evil, The Velvet Devil, Moon Curser, Killer Cab.

And for a perfect November 1st sugar (and wine) detox, try Kimberly Snyder's GLOWING GREEN SMOOTHIE.  They're awesome!

SPOOKY STATIONERY

We have tons of scary Halloween cards for sale in our online BOO-TIQUE!  10% off all cards until October 31st at FLAUNT SHOP!

Have a great time Trick-or-treating!

Boo, 

Shannon

Will leave you with a Halloween flashback!

Me and my big bro Steve clownin' around circa 1980.