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I can't figure out if this is the Paris Hilton Pumpkin or the Lindsay Lohan Pumpkin, apres too much Grey Goose and too little self-respect. Or maybe it's me, after too much Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan.

More pumpkins after the jump.

More really good Halloween food, courtesy New York Magazine.


Pumpkin Miracletini

4 parts Svedka Clementine
1 part pumpkin purée
2 parts apple cider
Pinch cinnamon

This. Is. Hysterical.

Real examples of high-fashion, low-fashion, and it-shall-go-brandless-fashion handbags that bear a striking resemblance to real Hollywood monsters.

You have to see it to believe it.

This garland is the perfect, macabre alternative to the usual fall palette of oranges, ambers and browns. Pliant, it will easily wind its way around pillars, through chandelliers or around the legs of unsuspecting victims. You could even dress it up a bit with thorn-studded coconut shells and call it "Cleopatra" (a la Morticia Adams).

I'm having a belated birthday this year. Very belated. I'm also in transition on the homefront, so it might not be all that feasible for me to have my traditional, wholly enthusastic, done-to-the-gills Halloween party. Because I couldn't get my friends and family together for a birthday party around the bonifide date (despite three tries), I've decided to take my cousin up on her offer (well, the offer was +originally+ around the actual birthday date) and have the party at her house. That takes care of the locale. And the general Halloween decor? Well, she's as mad for Halloween as I am, so her house was largely decorated with jack o' lanterns, crows and brambly branches by the end of September. Some slight additions might be needed for the vintage 1920s Halloween speakeasy theme (my inspiration theme of choice), but not many. We're about a quarter of the way there already, and we haven't even begun to brainstorm. : )

While we're still mulling over the possibilities of Halloween confections, take a look at these. New Hampshire maker L. A. Burdick has been known to serious lovers of artisanal chocolate for some time. The type of chocolate that rejects fillers and preservatives that are injected into store brands (even gourmet store brands) and make them taste like wax. Burdick only uses the freshest ingredients and it's best to eat these treats within four weeks or less.

I will admit that, although I admire the idea of that Halloween classic, the kitty litter cake, I'm not a fan. When I throw a Halloween party I put a lot of work into everything, including the food, and it would distress me that some folks would not want to partake of something that tasted good just because it looked gross. What a waste of time, food (and money) that would be.

My tastes incline to Halloween food that's spooky, but still looks edible. Also, Halloween sweets and Halloween savories that are elegant or have some charm to them, some eerie artistic quality. I've found that it's been a bit hard to track down the ideal Halloween menu, but here and there I've encountered really great ideas from very inventive people, and I'm happy to share them.