Tag: Halloween

• DIY Halloween Costumes

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on November 11, 2020

  Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Halloween. October is the superior of all months, fall is the only worth while season, and autumn changing leaves quite literally give me life. I also adore black cats, pumpkins taste like cake when cooked right, and corn mazes make me feel like an explorer.

  However, all that said I don’t typically love to dress up. I don’t love parties, I don’t love the attention wearing a costume brings, and I get an odd anxiety when I’m one of the only people in a room who is not in costume. Like when I am working somewhere that advocates for Halloween participation.

  

  I recently and somewhat unexpectedly got a job at REI. I have always wanted to work for REI, and when I saw the store in my town was hiring I decided why not. I needed something to do while I figure out what’s next for me, and traveling isn’t an option right now, so I’m currently getting paid to research about my hobbies.

  Every job I have worked in the past has encouraged employees to dress up for Halloween, but REI decided to take it one step further and encouraged us to dress up for Halloween…for an entire week. I initially thought I would sit out on this game of participation, but when more and more people were dressing up I decided I needed to play too.

  Especially when there were such awesome prizes at stake…

  

  Participation alone earned you an extra 10% off coupon. As an employee I get 30% off, and with this coupon I can get 40% off most anything in the store. I have my eye on a Yakima FullBack that I’d save $100 on with this coupon! Then there were the prizes for the best costumes: a full paid day off work, a half paid day off work, a $25 TJ’s gift card, and two $25 Starbucks gift cards.

  Game on REI, I’m in.

  Now, I am a frugal human. I always have been and likely always will be. So I knew spending a lot of money on a costume wasn’t going to happen. I also didn’t want something uncomfortable or high maintenance as I was going to be working 8 hours in whatever I chose to wear. I decided on two costumes for the week, one to wear on Halloween, and one to wear the day before.

  First up…the Domino.

  

  This was by far one of the easiest last minute costume I could have possibly chosen. I spent a whopping $4.17 to make this costume, and I will 100% be doing this again. I went to Michaels and bought white felt with a sticky backing, cut circles using a standard masking tape roll as my template, and slapped them onto some already owned black clothing.

  And of course the mask, don’t forget the mask.

  

  This costume was fun, easy, and most of all COMFORTABLE. I accepted my first extra 10% off coupon after a full day of work, and made my way home to make costume number two. My choice for the next costume I wore on Halloween was a bit of a surprise, not only for myself, but for my family.

  I chose the scariest costume I could have possibly worn – my real life phobia on my back and on my head. I bought brown craft paper, masking tape, yellow ribbon, a headband, yellow cotton balls, and superglue. I then made myself into a human snail. Oh, and don’t forget the Saran Wrap slime trail.

  

  I have a legitimate fear of slugs and snails, stemming back to my childhood (if you follow me on Instagram, you likely read my more detailed caption regarding this phobia), but when I saw an adorable little girl donning this creative DIY costume I knew it would be the perfect fit.

  This costume took me a couple of hours to make and all together cost me about $8-$10 (I spent more on the supplies, but I still have a ton of left over tape and ribbon accounting for less on the actual costume cost.) I had a great laugh putting this all together, but if I’m being honest the antennas freaked me out a bit.

  Old fears die hard.

  

  As proud as I was of this creative project, I only managed to wear this for 2 hours at work. The backpack shell hurt my shoulders and upper back more than I expected, and I decided to take it off. I was also quite warm with the thick sweater and the extra baggage made me uncomfortable.

  This costume is a good option for a quick night of trick or treating, or perhaps a very short Halloween party, but definitely not for a full day of work. Carrying your home on your back ain’t easy! Ultimately this snail costume won me fourth place, and a $25 Starbucks gift card.

  I just can’t seem to escape Starbucks.

  

  While I originally didn’t plan to participate, REI dulcified dressing up by offering prizes, and at the end of the day it was a lot of fun. Winning a gift card was just an added perk. As for the new job, I have no idea how long I’ll be with REI, but I know it’s a great “right now” job for me.

  I welcome a company who respects their employees and encourages them to get outside.

  

  Q: Did you do anything for Halloween this year? With Covid it never truly felt like Halloween, even with these costumes.

  

  | 14 Comments Tagged Costume, DIY, Halloween, REI

• Hunter Farms, Union Washington

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on October 31, 2016

  HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I love October. October is my favorite month of the year, and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I can’t say why I love Halloween so much, I don’t even dress up (boring alert, boring alert!) but there is something about this time of year that gets my waterwheels turning!

  

  

  October is not complete without a trip to a pumpkin patch/apple orchard/corn maze or if you’re lucky a farm with everything wrapped into one. Better yet, the farm NEEDS to have multiple activities wrapped into one. Before the month came to an end I made sure to venture to Hunter Farms in Union Washington to partake in their festivities.

  

  I should have known when I drove into the mud laden parking lot that my choice of footwear was not going to be appropriate for the days adventure, but I’d have gone barefoot through those corn fields if I had to. The mud was thick and slogged, and my only words of wisdom would be: don’t wear sandals to a farm. 

  

  Let the adventure begin

  Hay Maze

  The adventure starts inside an old barn filled with holiday decor. Giant hay bails stacked upon each other make up a maze that has you winding corners and ducking under tunnels. The decorations were perfect, and the creativity was delightful.

  

  

  

  Enter if you dare is right, those tunnels were dark, and quiet. Like close your eyes and stand in the woods quiet. I bow to those small children that venture into those dark corners without a care in the world. It’s tough being an adult and having complete access to the news, or watching too many horror films.

  I’ve officially discovered a new area to add to my list of “places I don’t want to be alone at night.” 

  

  Tractor Rides

  A large farm machine known as a tractor waits outside the hay barn to take us princesses to the field in style. Heaven forbid we walk in the mud with unprepared feet.

  

  

  Going to a farm on a weekday ensures automatic VIP status, and it was just my family and I in the tractor. The bumpy road took us past old rusted trucks into miles upon miles of pumpkin littered rows. It was a fall lovers paradise.

  I seem to have done something right this month, because my karma stick has been slapping me with amazing weather. The sun was shining and only a handful of passing grey clouds washed over the sky.

  

  

  Pumpkin Patch

  I liked this pumpkin patch. Like a lot. It was nestled in the heart of quiet country and the surrounding mountains made for a serene environment. Not like hay bail tunnel quiet, but very quiet. The pumpkin patch even came equipped with a furry tour guide.

  

  

  

  Outtake – I call this pumpkin bongos.

  

  I could have stood in that field for hours. The wind was the only sound I could distinguish passing by my ears, and the quiet air gave opportunity to pause for a moment with my thoughts. No pumpkins were purchased, but walking the rows of round plump squash gave me my field fix.

  Corn Maze

  The only “negative” words I have for this farm would be regarding their corn maze. The paths were just too muddy, and many of the stalks had been trampled on. My sister referred to the brown sludge as chocolate ice cream, but I had a different brown mush in mind.

  

  I had to laugh when my sister trudged through the center of the path and completely lost her shoe. We decided to skip the rest of the maze for fear of being sucked into the brown abyss.

  

  Her shoes, but how cool are those pants?

  Other Honorable Mentions

  

  Multiple Radio Flyer wagons on steroids. Or for a giant.

  

  A giant hitchhiking Santa, because Christmas is just around the corner.

  

  10+ types of animals. These two were my favorite. Be still my heart.

  So there you have it. This farm gets a gold star. Just don’t go in the corn maze without your shucking boots.

  Q: Did you make it to a pumpkin patch before the month was up? What are your plans for Halloween?

  

  | 48 Comments Tagged Corn Maze, Fall, Halloween, Hay Maze, Pumpkin, Washington

• All Hallows’ Disney

  Posted at 10:00 AM by Brittany, on November 13, 2015

  Halloween has come and gone, but it seems fitting to share my Halloween adventures on Friday the 13th. I’d cue the spooky music, but my Halloween wasn’t spooky at all.

  

  For as long as I can remember Halloween has been one of my favorite holidays. I’m not one for dressing up, and parties aren’t my thing, but Halloween has always solidified the change of summer to fall and fall is my favorite season.

  

  

  It’s also no secret around here that I’m a big Disneyland fan, and ever since I ran my first half marathon through the park a few Septembers ago I knew I had to get back during October. It just so happened that Disney recently had a birthday too.

  Happy big 6-0 Disney. ❤

  

  

  I’ve seen the park decked out in pumpkins, but the one ride I had never experienced was the tricked out Haunted Mansion. Each year the ride shuts down during September to prepare for a Nightmare Before Christmas theme.

  This year I decided to go ON Halloween to get the full experience.

  

  

  

  The mansion was total sensory overload. I loved it.

  

  

  The sun was hot (bizarre sensation at the end of October, my PNW brain couldn’t quite compute), but the only long line was the first ride we went on.

  

  The only mountains I conquered while in California.

  

  This post is nothing more than an excuse to share my photos, my excitement, and the joy that comes with the magic of Disney. Even the bathroom signs are fun.

  

  

  

  You risk long lines when going on a holiday, but this year I was able to check another adventure off my bucket list, which made it all worth it.

  

  Next adventure: Mickeys Halloween Party, costume and all!

  

  Q: Have you been to Disneyland around the holidays?

  

  | 48 Comments Tagged California, Disneyland, Explore, Halloween, Vacation

• Real Talk

  Posted at 7:47 AM by Brittany, on February 2, 2015

  I finally broke into the box of Halloween Joe-Joe’s I’ve been hoarding for the last four months. As I stated on my Instagram, I’m a self proclaimed minimalist. Clutter makes me anxious, and if I’m not going to “use it” then it’s time for me to “loose it.” However, there are almost always exceptions – like this box of Joe-Joe’s.

  Halloween in January never tasted so good. Real talk.

  

  I finally got a waffle maker. I’ve used it twice, and both times I got something other than waffles. What’d I do wrong? Coconut flour. I love the stuff, but it can be tricky to play with. Thankfully despite my non waffle like waffle, this mush tasted so good.

  Sometimes ugly food tastes the best. Real talk.

  

  Even the photo is ugly, ugly lighting, ugly colors, just…ugly.

  **UPDATE** I gave up on waffles for a few days and tried my hand at scones. They were PERFECT. So perfect I settled for mediocre iPhone photos.

  

  I finally found a Starbucks Reserve coffee that I love. The last five blends I’ve tried have been MUCH too bright and acidic for me. My boss bought a bag of Sulawesi Pango Pango from the roastery when we visited last week. I had three coffee tastings.

  Coffee is more fun when you talk and write about it. Real talk.

  

  Talk about fresh, roasted on 1/18 and consumed on 1/23.

  I finally made my first batch of pico de gallo. I know, I know…it took me far too long. My “dressing” of choice on all my salads/grain bowls is salsa. All the salsa. I was about to buy some locally made pico at the store when the light bulb finally went off.

  Pico so good I ate over half in one sitting. Real talk.

  

  I finally got myself a cupcake..or two. Actually my mom did. She wins everything.

  Cupcakes taste better in multiples. Real talk.

  

  I finally branched out of my ice cream bubble. 99.9378% of the time I buy ice cream I get vanilla. Why? Because it’s a universal flavor. I can pair it with any and everything. I decided to try something new and bought Almond Dream Praline Crunch.

  I took one bite and had a revelation. Pretzels + praline =  Real talk.

  

  Q: What’s your real talk moment of the week?

  

  | 65 Comments Tagged Coffee, Food, Halloween, Random, Trader Joes, Vegan

• All Hallow’s Eve

  Posted at 8:20 AM by Brittany, on October 31, 2014

  Halloween – You either love it or you hate it. I happen to love it, but not for the reasons that most people do. I associate Halloween with October, and October with fall, so when these are all wrapped together I love Halloween just by fate. I also don’t complain when there is a holiday dedicated to candy.

  I’m not one for dressing up, and parties aren’t my thing. The last Halloween party I attended was in 2009 and I was a pepper shaker. I know, I’m wild. The year after that I dressed up as my cat. Last year I wore a mask and went trick or treating. Yes, I am 25.

  

  No, not “a cat,” but “MY cat.” There is a difference. A regular cat is too cliche.

  

  Twins

  These days I stay home and try to earn the title of “best house” by giving handfuls of candy to undeserving children. Whatever it takes to get the candy out of my house. Not that I am tempted by it, we usually buy candy I don’t like anyway. Plus, Halloween candy is usually filled with milk and other junk so I don’t eat it.

  Or so I thought…

  

  

  I stumbled across these two vegan friendly Halloween treats and about lost my marbles. I bought both bags. While everyone is out strolling the streets for free candy, I’ll be tucked inside my house with too much candy to handle, and a box of Halloween Joe-Joe’s I’ve been patiently waiting to open. I should probably go for a run today…

  On a somewhat related note, Halloween is the one time of year I haven’t been to Disneyland, but MUST. I missed the start of all things Halloween by ONE DAY this year!! I still got to see pumpkins everywhere, but the main Halloween celebration didn’t start until the next day. That’s OK..just another excuse to go back.

  

  Q: What’s your favorite Halloween candy? I still have a spot in my heart for the pumpkin shaped Reese’s PB cups even though I don’t eat them. 

  

  | 48 Comments Tagged Candy, Halloween, Vegan

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 10:03 AM by Brittany, on November 1, 2013

  1. This book is totally giving me a science high. With a combination of nature talk and scientific facts ABOUT nature, I get lost in the text. I even read the chapter about snails.

  

  If you’ve read my blog for a while you’ll know I have an odd fear of slugs/snails..this was a big deal to read that chapter!

  2. I was on a runners high for a solid week after my last half marathon. Thank you for all the kind comments I received on that post. I just want to say that I officially hate hornets, and I will make it my life mission to stay away from them. My stings got so itchy I wanted to GNAW my damn leg off. I have had a huge red ring of death around the entry hole for over two weeks, and I am convinced something is breeding inside my leg.

  3. Sometimes I kinda, sorta, love where I live.

  

  4. I have only run a handful of times since my race, and after a much needed break the last couple weeks I am ready to get back to a schedule. I also miss spin class..like..a lot. I ran my fastest 5K a couple days ago with a time of 26:44. That’s an 8:37 pace. I was elated.

  5. I have been doing a lot of this lately..reading WITH my coffee.

  

  A good book and a good cup of coffee. Perfect morning.

  6. I finally downloaded the new iPhone update, but only after seeing it improved picture quality. I resisted for weeks, but I am a sucker for a good photo. I need a real camera…

  7. I want this chair at my table. This chair would give me permission to eat my food as if I were a tornado. Who says only kids get special high chairs?

  

  8. I went trick or treating last night (no, I do not have kids..) The quote of the night was when asked for our ID’s and my friend said, “we’re 13….plus 13.” I died. I’ll stop when I am 30…maybe. I gave all my loot away though, no milk chocolate for me.

  9. It’s November, and Starbucks is preparing for the holidays with a super awesome sale! I got this mug I have been lusting over for only $5! I had a partner discount too, but still!

  

  10. I am so in love with fall. I just can’t get enough of the colors, the smells, and the baked goods. I know one person that doesn’t want summer to end, but she is craayyy.

  Q: What’s your confession!?

  

  | 51 Comments Tagged Fall, Half Marathon, Halloween, Nature, Reading, Running

• ‘Tis the Season

  Posted at 5:26 AM by Brittany, on October 31, 2013

  Happy Halloween everyone! In spirit of today’s holiday, I have a recipe to prepare you for the NEXT holiday! Too soon? At least I don’t have any Christmas music playing…

  It’s no secret that I love to bake. I also happen to love almost everything I bake, but I have found that my taste buds are accustomed to flavors that some people would call bland. I enjoy the flavor of plain grains and veggies, my meals don’t get extra seasonings, and I am a coffee and tea purist to the max. I don’t add cream or sugar to either.

  

  I’ve been wanting to attempt a gingerbread cookie recipe for a while now, and finally gave it a shot. As per usual I LOVED them, but I wanted to see what the civilians thought (non vegan eaters.) Most people I know are skeptical of my treats before they try them, and I get a total baking high when I introduce my friends to the better side of vegan baking.

  

  I wanted to make all these cookies into maple leaf shapes, but had too much batter and not enough patience, so I made some circular cookies as well. These are perfect for those of you that enjoy a simple cookie that’s not overpowering in the sweet department. I LOVE extra sweet treats, but these mild cookies were delicious. Perfect along side a cup of black coffee.

  Super Soft Gingerbread Cookies

  

  • 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp of a chia or flax egg (I used chia)
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup Earth Balance vegan butter
  • 3/4 cup xylitol
  • 1/4 cup raw sugar
  • 3 tblsp vanilla almond milk
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • a couple more pinches of raw sugar

  

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Combine your flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and chia or flax egg in a medium sized bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together your xylitol, sugar, coconut oil, and Earth Balance vegan butter. Then mix in the vanilla almond milk and molasses.
  4. Slowly stir in the dry ingredients until mixed
  5. Form into small balls (or shapes), sprinkle the top with sugar, and bake for 8-10 minutes.

  A few notes: I used part xylitol, and part sugar because I wanted to lessen the amount of sugar, but you can use all sugar if you want. I also ran out of coconut oil, so I used part oil and part butter, but you can use all of one or the other. I liked the combo of both.

  

  I had to…because I am 12. It is Halloween after all!

  This was my first time baking with molasses and I have to say I was scared of the smell. Thankfully it tasted nothing like it smelled, and I already have requests to bake a second batch! Oh how I love seasonal baked goods, bring on the eggnog cupcakes!

  Q: Do you like gingerbread cookies?! If you said yes, you must make these.

  

  | 39 Comments Tagged Cookies, Halloween, Recipe, Vegan

• It’s Official

  Posted at 8:21 AM by Brittany, on October 4, 2012

  As I finish out my last week at TJ’s, I have been lucky enough to be around for some of my favorite seasonal items to return. Nothing says fall like honeycrisp apples. It’s official, fall is here.

  

  Last year these apples sold for 99cents each..99cents!! That is unreal. I remember one time going to a different grocery store and paying around $3.00 for ONE!! This year, TJ’s is selling these apples for $1.19. I wish they were still 99cents..but it def beats $3.00! Even more important than these apples..are cookies. Cookies cookies cookies.

  

  I am obsessed with these cookies. Not only do I love Joe Joe’s..but anything Halloween related gets my adrenalin glands swelling with excitement. My inner 5yr old oozes for cookies with pumpkin faces. I may or may not have a box of these stashed in my locker to quell my hunger at 4am. I have worked 4am-1 all week, and then go to class tue-thurs. I will be ready for casual mornings.

  I have been doing a lot of snogging with my main man these days. Snog/study time is what I call it. I start out reading like a good student, but then become easily distracted by black fur and long whiskers.

  

  He’s so dark you can’t even tell he’s there.

  My best friend is moving about three tenths of a mile away from me this week. She used to live in the same neighborhood, but moved away when we graduated high school. I am so jazzed to have her in walking distance again for the days I become swarmed with boredom and need to laugh at funny videos online.

  

  Q: Please tell you me you go bat shit cray over honeycrisps too..?

  

  | 32 Comments Tagged Cookies, Fall, Halloween, TJ's, Trader Joes

• Brace Yourselves

  Posted at 11:33 AM by Brittany, on September 20, 2012

  

  I AM SO FREAKIN EXCITED!! Need I say more!? It’s happening folks, pumpkin is coming. I don’t think I have ever used the word folks before. Something about using it makes me feel like a mature english teacher. I am rambling..

  I purchased my FIRST pumpkin the other day. I literally squealed when I saw it, I probably would have peed had I not just emptied my bladder..too far?

  

  BABY pumpkin!!! I had to pose with it, and with other pumpkin decorations. My favorite decoration is my Mickey Mouse pumpkin head from Dland.

  

  I specifically bought this pumpkin to sit on my windowsill so I can stare at it all day. Soon I will buy a pie sized pumpkin to eat, and a large pumpkin to carve.

  

  I am so jazzed. Along with pumpkin comes..OTHER SQUASH!

  

  I am going to turn into a squash this year, you just wait and see. I want to find a vegan spag squash meal.

  Monday I did something I haven’t done in a while. I worked 4am-11:30, came home to change, got on a ferry boat, and went to Seattle to celebrate my best friends birthday.

  

  I even had a drink, WHOAAaaA there.

  

  My partying days have long been expired, so it was fun to put my party pants on and spend time with my homies. Needless to say on the 9:00 ferry ride home I passed out. It was a long day. That’s about all the wildness I can handle for now.

  Oh and lastly, I caved..and I made a Pinterest account. I made a side bar link right under my bio, or just click here. You should follow me..if you want.

  Q: WHO’S EXCITED FOR PUMPKIN!? Have I mentioned that I am excited?

  

  | 32 Comments Tagged Birthday, Halloween, Pinterest, Pumpkin, Squash, TJ's, Trader Joes

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