Spooky Little Halloween

Valoween Recipe: Layered Love Spell Latte

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This content originally appeared in the 2023 Valoween Zine.

It’s natural this time of year to think about romantic love, but this recipe is perfect for adding a little self-love to your day as well. (And is how I used it!)

I wouldn’t label myself a witch, but in recent years I’ve definitely become more interested in how to add a little magic into my daily life. I’m exploring this by learning the magical properties of everyday ingredients, which is where this simple layered latte came from!

Cinnamon has a wide range of magical uses. When it comes to love, it’s associated with lust. It’s also used for healing and as protection from negative energies. Vanilla, meanwhile, is most often used in spells for love and friendship. It calms and strengthens, and it also brings luck.

In this recipe, we add a bit of both to simple syrup for flavor and magical properties, then top it with pink-frothed milk for a fun layering effect. Bonus points for a little extra magic: instead of food coloring, the pink milk gets its color from beet juice, which is an aphrodisiac.

It’s also the perfect complement to these planchette sandwich cookies.

Layered Love Spell Latte

Infuse your morning coffee with a little color and a lot of magic.

Servings 1 drink

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1-2 vanilla bean pods
1-2 cinnamon sticks

Layered Latte

3 oz espresso or strong coffee
1-2 Tbsp simple syrup
1/2 cup milk of your choice
1-2 Tbsp beet juice for color

Instructions

To Make Simple Syrup

Combine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves.
Place on stove over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Allow to boil for 5 minutes. Turn off heat, and drop in vanilla bean pods and cinnamon sticks.
Steep for 10-15 minutes, then remove vanilla pods and cinnamon sticks. Allow syrup to cool to room temp.
Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

To Make Layered Latte

Brew espresso or coffee.
Stir 1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon vanilla simple syrup into coffee.
Combine 1/2 cup of milk of your choice with 1-2 tablespoons of beet juice. (This is for color. The small amount of juice shouldn’t affect the taste.)
Froth milk mixture.
Pour coffee into a cup, then slowly pour the frothed milk on top for a layering effect.
When ready to drink, stir to combine, and enjoy your love spell latte!

Looking for more Valoween treats?

Check out these blog posts for more recipes:

The post Valoween Recipe: Layered Love Spell Latte appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.

Valoween Recipe: Planchette Sandwich Cookies

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This content originally appeared in the 2023 Valoween Zine.

If you’ve ever seen or used a spirit or talking board, then you’ve used a planchette. Today they have a clear eye near the point of the heart so letters and numbers can be seen below on the board.

But once upon a time planchettes (French for “little plank”) had an actual writing device attached to them. Users placed their hands on the planchette, but instead of following what was spelled on the board, the planchette would move so the pen or pencil would drag across paper to reveal the spirits’ message.

Why a heart? Research turned up no good answers, but my best guess would be the heart shape naturally lends itself to placing a writing device at the point and fingertips on the curves.

To be clear, planchettes aren’t used for fortune-telling, just communicating with ghosts. But their use was popularized in the Victorian era, and I find them fascinating…so planchette cookies using a family favorite recipe was a must for me this Valoween.

Planchette Sandwich Cookies

This light and airy cream wafer cookie is a holiday fave adapted for a Valoween spin.

Prep Time 1 15

Servings 1 dozen

Ingredients

Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup whipping cream
2 cups flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar used to coat cookies

Filling

1/4 cup butter softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar sifted
1 tsp vanilla
food coloring optional

Instructions

Mix butter, cream, and flour thoroughly. Chill one hour.
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured board.
Cut cookies using heart-shaped cookie cutter. Use small circle cookie cutter to cut out planchette eye on half the cookies.
Transfer to plate or bowl heavily sprinkled with sugar. Coat both sides of the unbaked cookie with sugar.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and prick 3-4 times with a fork.
Bake based on size of cookie until slightly puffy (not browned). For smaller cookies, bake 7-9 minutes. For larger cookies, bake 10-12 minutes.
To make filling, combine all ingredients. Add a few drops of food coloring, if desired. (You could also add flavoring, like almond extract, if desired.)
When cooled, use knife to spread filling on a heart-shaped cookie. Top with cookie with planchette eye cut out.

Notes

Store in the fridge for up to two weeks or freezer for up to one month.

Looking for more Valoween treats?

Check out these blog posts for more recipes:

The post Valoween Recipe: Planchette Sandwich Cookies appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.

Join me on Patreon in the Spooky Little Clubhouse

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Now that my move and the 2023 spooky season are behind me, it’s time to refocus on some major updates I’ve been wanting to make around here.

By spring, you will have a new spookylittlehalloween.com to enjoy. My full-size magazine will become the heart of what I create, and for those who enjoy my mini-magazines throughout the year, you’ll see a little shift in content there as well. (Stepping away from strictly seasonal ideas and towards more traditional magazine content.) More on all of that soon.

To kick off these changes and rehome brand new blog content, I’ve decided to join Patreon!

To my Treats Not Tricks subscribers who have already jumped in full force to support this move—THANK YOU. You’ve already made this a success, and I appreciate you so much.

If you aren’t on my email list, here’s your chance to learn more and join us!

Why Patreon?

The easiest answer: I miss my Halloween community.

You know it. I know it. Social media has changed a LOT in the last few years. There are more sponsored posts and ads than ever and an algorithm constantly trying to outsmart what we REALLY want to see: updates from our friends.

Creating a space on Patreon is my attempt to cut through all the noise and games and connect back to one of my favorite things about Spooky Little Halloween: my community.

What you’ll find in the Spooky Little Clubhouse

The simple answer is me! Every tier will have access to day-to-day social media-style posts. These might be fave finds, peeks at projects I’m working on for the magazine, or just behind-the-scene glances at spooky places I’m visiting or events I’m attending.

One tier up, I will be creating exclusive blog-style content each month, just for you. On the first Friday of every month, I’ll share 5 fave finds from spooky small businesses that I’m loving right now. I’ll also post 1-2 seasonal DIY projects, recipes, or decor ideas that you’ll find first on Patreon.

Finally, for those in my top level, I’ll add in some downloads, discount codes for my shop, and even a little spooky mail. My Ultimate Halloween Shopping Guide will be moving exclusively to Patreon. I’ll also offer a few digital mini-mags (what you know as zines from me), occasional live events, and will bring back my Halloween card exchange!

My Patreon tiers

Candy Club—$10/month

Are you a top-tier trick-or-treater who wants access to everything? Join the Candy Club!

As a Candy Club member, you will get access to:

First Friday Finds—5 fave finds from spooky small businesses, posted the first Friday of the month
1-2 seasonal blog posts per month
Day-to-day social media-style posts + occasional live events
The Ultimate Halloween Shopping Guide (released in mid-May annually)
1-2 themed digital fun-size magazines, exclusive to Patreon
Discount code for my shop that never expires
Halloween card exchange in October

JOIN NOW

Pumpkin Club—$7/month

Love Halloween with all your guts? You’re the perfect fit for the Pumpkin Club.

As a Pumpkin Club member, you will get access to:

First Friday Finds—5 fave finds from spooky small businesses, posted the first Friday of the month
1-2 seasonal blog posts per month
Day-to-day social media-style posts + occasional live events
The Ultimate Halloween Shopping Guide (released in mid-May annually)
1-2 themed digital fun-size magazines, exclusive to Patreon

JOIN NOW

Bat Club—$4

Looking for more social and blog content? Fly on in, little bat!

As a Bat Club member, you will get access to:

First Friday Finds—5 fave finds from spooky small businesses, posted the first Friday of the month
1-2 seasonal blog posts per month
Day-to-day social media-style posts

JOIN NOW

Ghost Club—$1/month

The tier for those who just want to haunt the place and support Spooky Little Halloween.

As a Ghost Club member, you will get access to:

Day-to-day social media-style posts

JOIN NOW

Are you leaving social media?

Nope! You’ll still find me in places like Facebook and Instagram, but most of what I’ll be sharing will be website and magazine updates. If you want more of the personal posts, Patreon will be the place to find those from now on.

Will I see new content on Spooky Little Halloween still?

During Halloween season (Aug. – Oct.), absolutely! You’ll also find new-to-the-web content that was previously featured in my publications. I may also eventually share some of the blog-style content (recipes, DIYs, etc.) that Patreon gets access to, but for 2024 Patreon will remain the space where I post new blog content FIRST.

Want into the Spooky Little Clubhouse?

You can join now and find new content already waiting for you! I’m looking forward to building this space with you in 2024, sharing new content in a more personal way, and reconnecting with you guys.

The post Join me on Patreon in the Spooky Little Clubhouse appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.

Krampus Coaster Craft

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

I received compensation in return for creating this craft project. This post also contains affiliate links. See my disclaimer for more.

I love that the scariest Christmas creature (and there are several of them!) keeps getting more popular year after year with Halloween lovers—so popular that my friends over at Spooky Cat Press have dedicated an entire line of products to him!

And sure, I could have sent all my friends Krampus cards…but why not turn them into a small gift they can use year after year? In this post, you’ll find a DIY for how to turn cards into coasters, like these Krampus ones.

While it does require a few special items, it’s a very easy and quick craft that I will definitely be repeating. Use it with regular greeting cards, Halloween cards you love, creepy holiday cards, or even spooky season photos!

Krampus Coaster Craft

Supplies:

4-8 greeting cards from Spooky Cat Press (what I used)
One-piece wide-mouth Mason jar lids (what I used)
Pencil
Scissors
EasyCast Clear Epoxy (what I used, enough for 8 coasters)
Plastic cups (disposable, 2)
Stir stick (1-2, use something disposable like a popsicle stick)
Scrapbooking adhesive tape
Flat tray (like an old cookie sheet)
Wax paper

Notes: Make sure you search the exact phrase “one-piece wide-mouth Mason jar lids” to find the correct ones. Two-piece lids won’t work for this. You’ll also prefer wide-mouth lids to accommodate glasses better, I promise.

I had trouble finding the epoxy kit at local craft stores, so I ended up ordering mine online.

Instructions:

1. Take one of your Mason jar lids and place it on top of the greeting card image you want on the coaster. Trace around the edge of the Mason jar lid with your pencil, then cut out the circle. Repeat until you have all your coaster images.

2. Using the scrapbooking adhesive tape, draw an X on the back of your coaster images, then place face-up in the Mason jar lid. Press into place. The adhesive will help hold them in place and keep the epoxy from getting under the paper. This style of adhesive also works better than glue since it won’t create bumps under the paper.

3. Place a sheet of wax paper onto your flat tray, then place your prepped Mason jar lids on top. Once you add the epoxy, you’ll want to let these sit on a flat, protected surface for at least 24 hours.

4. From here, you’ll want to follow the instructions in your epoxy kit. For the brand I recommended, you mix even parts of the two liquids together in a plastic cup and stir with a stir stick for two minutes. Then transfer liquid to a clean plastic cup and mix for another minute. Pour immediately into your Mason jar lids—just enough to coat should be fine (about 1/8-1/4 inch).

5. Set the tray on a flat surface and allow the epoxy to cure for 24-72 hours. (The longer the better!)

Helpful tips: Since you have to pour quickly with the epoxy mixture, I went back and tilted all my coasters to make sure the paper was fully coated. I also tapped a few of them with bubbles to make those rise to the surface. I had no issues with bubbles being trapped in the final product after it cured.

The epoxy kit I recommended was enough to make 8 coasters. If you want to make more than that, you’ll need to buy a larger kit or multiple kits.

The one-piece wide-mouth Mason jar lids come in LOTS of colors, so if red isn’t your thing shop around for other color options. I would stick to metal ones for this craft, however.

Looking for more spooky holiday crafts?

Here are a few posts you might enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, Spooky Little Halloween will earn a small commission for the referral at no cost to you. Read more about affiliates & disclaimers here. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The post Krampus Coaster Craft appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.

Happy Halloween! Here Are 31 Ways to Celebrate

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This post was originally published in October 2016 and last updated in October 2023. It contains affiliate links. See the end of this post and/or my disclaimer for more. All October posts are part of the Countdown to Halloween!

People always assume Halloween itself is the day I go all out, do something big…and they’re always asking what I’m planning.

To be honest, I prefer October 31st to be a quiet day to myself where I can just soak in the final day of spooky season before we start another countdown.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have ideas for activities!

If you’re still looking for a few ways to celebrate Halloween, you’re in luck. Today, I have a list of 31 suggestions just for you.

31 ways to celebrate Halloween:

Find a local ghost tour in your area—I’m betting there’s at least one that does year-round tours near you!
Start working on ideas for next year’s Halloween costume (Need ideas?)
Binge-listen to Ghouls Night In—Penny and Midge will keep you in the Halloween spirit all year long
Test a new Halloween recipe for dinner tonight
Brainstorm new Halloween decorating ideas for your home—here are 4 ways to level up
Follow @hallowwoods on Instagram for daily doses of Pumpkinhead
Create a Halloween playlist based on a theme, like all monster songs, horror punk bands, or 70s horror movie themes (or listen to one of mine!)
Carve one more jack-o-lantern, just because
And get super creative with your pumpkin carving and decorating skills by trying one of these ideas
Grab yourself a chilling Halloween accessory from Verona Black
Or add some flair to your fall jackets with these 11 Halloween lapel pins
Investigate paranormal happenings with Amanda from Spook-Eats
Bummed you didn’t go to a party this year? Host your own! I can help make planning super simple
Test out a witches brew for Halloween night (here are four of my faves)
Tune in to Dead Air for some killer Halloween tunes all October
Score a spooky candle from Greywick Lane’s collection
Make a sweet Halloween treat for your friends, family, or coworkers
Start reading “The Graveyard Queen” series by Amanda Stevens, one of my favorite local authors from Houston
Cook up a monstrously delicious dish from my friend Lori, aka Ghoul at Heart
Grab everything you need for this witch cauldron centerpiece on clearance
Find a haunted place to visit in your city (be mindful of trespassing) – haunts.com is a great resource for finding one
Stay spooky all year long with a new treat from Em & Sprout
Get in one last dose of pumpkin beer
Find a piece of vintage-inspired Halloween decor for your home
Read the story of my ghost, then share your own haunting experiences in the comments
Buy a new spooky Halloween tee to rock all year because every day is Halloween
Get Halloween Happy with Sam’s amazing YouTube channel
Listen to all 53+ hours (that’s nearly 1,000 songs) of Halloween tunes on my Ultimate Halloween Playlist
Enjoy a final dose of candy corn with one of these ideas
Browse The Spooky Vegan’s Netflix recommendations for horror movies (first place I go when I’m looking for a suggestion!)
Grab a Spooky Little Halloween card from Ghost Girl Greetings to send to your spooky bestie

Don’t forget…we celebrate October 31 year-round here on Spooky Little Halloween. The clock might strike midnight, and the calendar might change to November 1 all too soon…but I always have so much Halloween fun in store during the off-season that you won’t want to go anywhere.

Oh, and by the way…

The post Happy Halloween! Here Are 31 Ways to Celebrate appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.

Best of Spooky Little Halloween | Halloween 2023

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

All October posts are part of the Countdown to Halloween!

So today I’m checking in with the 2023 list. This season was another busy one full of travel. I got to kick things off super early with a trip to Kansas City and a cemetery photoshoot with Midge Munster and Andrew and Devin from Your Best Halloween Ever. I spent the end of September/beginning of October in Wisconsin with my parents.

And right now, I’m in the middle of a two-week trip to the East Coast with stops in Virginia and New York City to visit That Halloween Bro and @hallowwoods. More on all of that post-Halloween.

For today, let’s dig into what’s been popular on Spooky Little Halloween this season!

5 Most-Read Blog Posts for Halloween 2023

Wondering what the most popular blog posts were on Spooky Little Halloween this season? Here are my top five most-read posts. (You guys were digging in the archives this season, and I love it!)

5. Halloweenie Roast 2017 | Villain Costumes

Apparently, y’all are feeling evil this year because my friends’ villain costumes from my 2017 Halloween party made the list this year! There were so many fun and clever looks, from Lindsay’s costume contest-winning Poison Ivy to Nicole’s cat-calling look. If you need some real-life inspo for next year’s costume, check them out. READ MORE

4. Killer Halloween Party Themes

My round-up of theme ideas for Halloween parties has been a long-time fave, so it’s no surprise it’s on the list again. Halloween parties are my favorite way to recapture the spooky magic I felt as a kid trick-or-treating. If you feel the same, check out these 15 theme ideas. READ MORE

3. Songs with Witchy Vibes

THE most popular playlist I’ve ever created returns to the list. That surprises me because I expected nearly everyone to take issue with how I defined “witchy” songs—it’s loose…and I will say the people of Pinterest have a LOT to say about it. You can read more in the blog and find the link to the playlist. I’m still adding to it, so there’s always something new to discover. READ MORE

2. 11 Halloween Margaritas

Who doesn’t love a good margarita? They were my favorite batch cocktails to serve at Halloweenie Roast because they were easy to customize. Check out these 11 recipes I rounded up to enjoy any time of the year. READ MORE

1. My Favorite Places to go Halloween Hunting

Halloween hunting was back in full force this year…and almost back to a normal schedule. It was nice to see things pop up in stores in July…and have Christmas hold off a bit, unlike the last 2-3 years. If you’re wondering about my fave places to look for decor, this is the post for you. READ MORE

My 5 Favorite Blog Posts of Halloween 2023

When you’re a Halloween blogger, being asked to choose your favorite post is like picking a favorite pet or child – impossible! So here are 5 of my favorite posts I wrote this Halloween season.

5. The Halloween Reading Stack

This list of books appeared in my 2022 magazine, and they’ve become some of my very favorite Halloween reads. This all-fiction list includes poetry, short stories, novellas, and novels that all take place on or around Halloween. They’re also perfect any time of year when you need the Halloween feels. READ MORE

4. Review: “Music of the Macabre”

I wanted to revisit this piece because I think it flew under the radar this year. I was introduced to George Streicher’s “Music of the Macabre”, a 10-song album he composed purely because he loves Halloween and wanted to create it. It’s all instrumental, but it’s the perfect soundtrack for a rainy afternoon or even a Halloween dinner party. READ MORE

3. Witch’s Brew Popcorn Balls

I just shared this last week to round out my leftover Halloween candy recipe series, but it’s one of my favorites. The Witch’s Brew Kit Kats go SO well with the simple popcorn ball recipe, and it’s one that’s easy to customize with your favorite candy. READ MORE

2. 60s Halloween Party Playlist

If you’ve hung around for any amount of time and heard me talk music, you know 1960s rock-n-roll is my favorite. This year, I took that love and sought out spooky tunes for this playlist. I decided to cap it at 100—yes, I really found that many spooky songs from the 60s!—and has been on repeat basically all of October. LISTEN TO IT

1. What is spooky season?

And finally, here’s a post I sat on for two years before I finally shared it. Back in 2021, I was interviewed about the origins of the phrase “spooky season” for a piece that 1. was clearly an SEO grab and 2. seemed to turn into a takedown of the Halloween community as a whole, saying we should stick to our single day and that’s it.

It pissed me off, so I wrote this rebuttal about what spooky season is and, more importantly, why it matters. I finally shared it this year and was thrilled it resonated with so many of you. READ MORE

Once again, thank you for an incredible Halloween season together!

Whether you’ve been around since the start of the blog or just found me this year, I appreciate you spending a bit of your season with me.

Don’t forget, I do Halloween all year long so if you need your daily dose of spooky stuff, spookylittlehalloween.com is the place to hang out all year! You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest.

And for a weekly Halloween treat in your inbox every Friday be sure to sign up for my email newsletter, Treats Not Tricks. I’ll also send you my free digital Halloween zine when you join!

The post Best of Spooky Little Halloween | Halloween 2023 appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.

Leftover Halloween Candy Recipe: Witch’s Brew Popcorn Balls

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This content originally appeared in the 2022 issue of Spooky Little Halloween—The Magazine. All October posts are part of the Countdown to Halloween!

Popcorn balls are a treat often associated with Halloween, but it’s a relatively modern treat. They were popularized in the 1950s when trick-or-treating as we know it now in the United States became more commonplace.

Rather than individually packaged candy, neighbors would hand out homemade treats. Popcorn balls were cost-effective and relatively easy to make (esp. this recipe with just four ingredients!), so they became a Halloween staple.

Several years ago, I shared a basic recipe for this classic, and in last year’s magazine, I decided to jazz it up by adding some chopped-up Halloween candy. The Witches Brew Kit Kat was a natural choice with its already buttery marshmallow flavor.

I think they’re a great sweet alternative if you don’t love chocolate candies too!

How to Make Witch’s Brew Popcorn Balls

Pop microwave popcorn according to the directions, and set aside to cool.

Melt three tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. While the butter melts, unwrap 8-10 Witch’s Brew Kit Kat bars and roughly chop them into bite-size pieces. Once the butter is melted, add one cup of mini marshmallows and melt them too.

When the butter and marshmallows are smooth, turn off the heat, quickly add the popcorn, and toss using a spatula until combined. Allow mixture to cool for 3-5 minutes, then add in 1/2 cup of your candy.

Allow mixture to cool for another 3-5 minutes, then shape into 1/2 cup balls and place on parchment paper to cool. Press any remaining candy into popcorn balls for added color. Set for one hour, then enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

Popcorn balls are best consumed within a day or two of making them. Store in an air-tight container for 3-4 days.

Not a fan of Witch’s Brew Kit Kat bars? My mailing address is… But in all seriousness, you could easily swap these out for any candy bar you enjoy, like a Snickers. I also suggest giving M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces a try.

What other candies would you like to see recipes for?

Earlier this season I shared recipes for Reese’s Franken-Cups and even the always controversial candy corn.

If you’re looking for more ideas for making Halloween candy into creative recipes, check out this blog post.

The post Leftover Halloween Candy Recipe: Witch’s Brew Popcorn Balls appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.

Review: Pair Eyewear Halloween Collection

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

I received compensation and product in return for this review. This post contains affiliate links. See my disclaimer for more. All October posts are part of the Countdown to Halloween!

I sure did! As someone who has worn glasses since she was 7 years old, I remember standing in the chain eyeglass stores in the mall as a kid, marveling at all the options. I dreamed of someday being able to make my own money and buy more than one pair so I could change up my look on a whim.

Fast-forward 30 years, and that’s finally possible, thanks to companies like Pair. Not only do you get a pair of glasses—you get the opportunity to change up the design with a quick snap of the top frames!

Pair sent me a pair of prescription eyeglasses, along with three of their Halloween top frame designs, to check out this Halloween season. Keep reading for how they work + my review.

How Pair Eyewear Works

If you haven’t run across Pair before, here’s the deal: you choose a pair of base frames, which start at $60. Bases come in opaque and translucent shades from traditional solid black or tortiseshell to clear or translucent pink.

They also come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes so you can pick the frames that look the best on you. Not sure how they’ll look? Use the virtual try-on function, which accesses your computer’s camera. Follow the prompts to “try on” different frames. You can even change the frame color or take a photo to save.

Once you’ve selected a frame, you’ll be walked through the process of selecting lenses, including any upgrades you might want to make. You will need a current prescription and your pupillary distance (PD) for this part. If you don’t know your PD, don’t worry—the Pair website has an online measuring tool you can use.

Then the fun part: selecting top frames! As shown above, these are made for the specific frames you select.

The top corners of your eyeglasses are magnetic, and the top frames have a small magnet in the same spot to attach. Once they snap on, they stay in place so you can wear your custom design all day long. Switching your design is as simple as removing one top frame and snapping on the next. (They do even stack on top of each other, but I wouldn’t recommend wearing them this way.)

Is Pair Eyewear Worth It?

My short review: if you are looking for some custom eyeglasses for a bit of fun with your Halloween outfits or even a costume, YES! They are absolutely worth it.

What I Liked:

I’ve been impressed by the quality of the frames themselves. I opted for crystal clear Quinn frames, and they are SOLID. I’m not worried about breaking them if I drop them or if I’m a little rough on them. (Because it happens!) I also like that despite opting for the clear frames, the magnets blend into the design when you don’t have the top frames on. I could wear them as-is all year long.

I was also impressed with the quality of the top frames and, honestly, how well they stay on. At first glance for a long-time glasses wearer, this design idea sounded like a hassle, but once they’re snapped on, the top frames stay in place even when taking your glasses on and off.

Last, I really appreciated the wide variety of designs available in their Halloween collection this year. It ranged from simple, like the black and orange plaid I chose, to colorful patterns, like the bats. It made choosing options that fit my personality and style easy.

What I Didn’t Like:

My only complaint? I wish the extra-wide frames offered were wider. Noting your preferred frame size and knowing your measurements is something you learn as you go with purchasing glasses online. I took a chance on the Quinn frames since they were labeled extra wide—they’re 145 mm, but 150 mm is my preferred width, making them a touch snug on my face.

Not sure what your current glasses measurement is? It’s often noted on the side of one of the arms. If you’ve ordered glasses online before, you also may be able to look up the frames for the sizing to determine if the option from Pair you’re considering is the right size for you.

Would I Recommend Them?

Yes! My one dislike isn’t enough to outweigh my love for my new Pair frames overall. I’m happy to have another pair of clear glasses in my collection, a style of frame that’s different from anything else I own, and I love that now I have Halloween glasses I can wear to conventions, in photos or videos I’m creating that I’m in, or even just when I need that little boost of Halloween serotonin.

If you’re thinking about checking them out, I would recommend them!

Ready to give Pair a try?

Head over to their website to get started, and browse the Halloween collection for top frames. (If you happen to see this post Halloween, don’t worry—the Halloween collection returns annually.)

How to Celebrate Friday the 13th

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 10:00:42 +0000

This post was originally published in November 2015 and was updated in October 2023. It contains affiliate links. See my disclaimer for more. All October posts are part of the Countdown to Halloween!

Superstitions have always been fascinating to me. I have my own: for the longest time as a child, I never stepped on cracks in the sidewalk. When it comes to football, I believe I have to wear the right combination of T-shirt and jewelry to help my team win and have to turn my drink’s label to the TV when a field goal is kicked. And I 100% believe that if I think about something (good or bad) long enough…it will eventually come to fruition. (Like saying out loud that I haven’t received a jury summons in X amount of time.)

But I’ve never really believed in the lore of Friday the 13th being an unlucky day. Go figure. I’ve let black cats cross my pass, walked under ladders, broken at least one mirror in my lifetime, and deliberately opened umbrellas indoors.

I wouldn’t call myself the luckiest girl alive, but I’m also nowhere near cursed. Instead, I look at Friday the 13th as a reason to enjoy the Halloween feels for a day.

Here are 13 ways to celebrate Friday the 13th:

1. Plan a party – for 13!

Invite 13 of your friends to come over for a night of creepy games (Ouija, anyone?), horror movies, and creepy goodies. You could always make it into a favorite horror film costume party.

2. Watch a horror movie

Alone, in the dark. The Friday the 13th series is always a good choice, but any creepy movie would do. (If you need some picks, Sarah from The Spooky Vegan has TONS on her blog!)

3. Test out a superstition or urban legend

Walk under a ladder or say “Bloody Mary” three times in the mirror, then see what happens.

4. Visited a haunted place near you

Head over to Google, pop in “most haunted place in _____” with your city or state in the blank, and see what comes up. (Just make sure you’re not visiting illegally, okay?)

5. Give away a baker’s dozen of goodies

Bake up some cupcakes, a batch of cookies, or some other treat and give them away to family, friends, or neighbors in batches of 13. There are lots of goodies over on my Halloween Recipes board on Pinterest.

6. Score an ugly slasher sweater

I’m sure in another year I’ll be burnt out on the ugly sweater trend spreading beyond the winter holidays…but for now, I’m endlessly amused that there seems to be an ugly sweater for everything. The ones over on HalloweenCostumes.com are perfect for all you horror-loving ghouls!

7. Test your luck

Outright defy the lore of Friday the 13th and test your luck! Play the lottery, grab a few friends to go gambling (if it’s legal in your state), or play a round of poker – for money – with some friends.

8. Book a hotel room on the 13th floor

Most hotels, buildings, and even planes skip the number 13. But even if there’s a jump from 12 to 14…we all know 14 is technically 13, right? Book a room on the 13th floor of a hotel and spend the night. (The Skirvin in downtown Oklahoma City would be my pick, thanks to my friend Sam’s love of it!)

9. Plan a haunted vacation

Take number 8 one step further and research some of the most haunted attractions in your country, then book a trip. (Or make plans to book it.) You’d be amazed at how many haunted vacation packages are out there, and what a fun way to keep the Halloween spirit alive throughout the year!

10. Binge-watch a creepy TV show

American Horror Story is always a great place to start. When I originally posted this, I was enjoying Scream Queens, and Supernatural has been a long-time favorite of mine – especially the early seasons. Wednesday and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina are two more faves!

11. Subscribe to a scary podcast

When I originally shared this post, Lore was having its moment. And though it’s now defunct, I also still love The Halloween Haunt for tons of creepy history, stories.

12. Enjoy a creepy dinner & cocktail

While I don’t enjoy being grossed out by Halloween foods, you might. I’ve got tons of food ideas and cocktail picks saved for you on Pinterest. Happy browsing!

13. Read a classic scary story

Whether it’s a classic like Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” or, one of my childhood favorites, “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” series, there’s nothing quite as terrifying to me as an extra creepy book.

How do you celebrate Friday the 13th?

I’d love to hear your best suggestions too! Share them below in the comments.

The post How to Celebrate Friday the 13th appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.

My Favorite Halloween Things | 2023

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclaimer. All October posts are part of the Countdown to Halloween!

Since 2020, I’ve been putting this list together. In 2021, it landed in the first issue of the magazine and has become a regular feature. I love using it as a place to highlight some of the small businesses I’ve shopped with during the year.

This year’s list is a fun one, from leaning into my bag obsession to a killer tarot deck that might not be on your radar. If you’re looking to shop small and spooky all year long, here are 10 items I think you might love + where to find them.

My Favorite Halloween Things | 2023

Pumpkin Witch Wallet | Backstitch Bruja

I’ve been on the hunt for a perfect Halloween wallet, and I found it at Backstitch Bruja’s booth at Preserve Halloween Festival last November. Cute design, perfect size, and it holds a ton of items. SHOP

Halloween Midi Dress | Darling Ghoul Studio

This long-sleeved dress is so comfy and cozy, and I love the classic Halloween colors. The hardest part of picking your own will be narrowing down your fave design and colorway—they’re all SO cute! GET IT HERE

15” Ghostie and Sock Plushie | Elle’s Ghosties

I share a lot of Elle’s artwork in my stories on Instagram, especially her ghost with a little sock, so I just about died and RAN to purchase this plushie when it was released. The perfect addition to my new home library! It’s currently sold out, but there are lots of other ghostly goodies available in her Etsy store. SHOP

Spooky Stamps Tote Bag | Lydia Jean’s Little Ghost Shack

Another artist I’m obsessed with! Lydia Jean’s work is spooky cute and unique. This tote has become my go-to for taking zine orders to the post office. GET IT HERE

Hand-Painted Flying Witch Handbag | My Eclectic Mind

My jaw dropped the first time I saw Heather’s work. So beautiful! And a hand-painted bag was something I hadn’t seen in the Halloween space before. Well worth the investment for something no one else will have! GET IT HERE

Candy Corn Wool Felted Ghost | Needle Ghosts

After eyeing Needle Ghosts’ work on Instagram for months, I finally adopted my own ghost from their shop. This candy corn-lovin’ ghostie is the perfect addition to my new office shelves. GET IT HERE

Trick-or-Treating Creature Art Print | Olivia Faust Art

If you’re looking for feminine Halloween art, you’ve got to check out Olivia Faust! I love the unique size of this Creature piece and though it is currently sold out, all of her work is stunning—perfect for you pastel-lovin’ spooky ghouls. SHOP

Pumpkin Handbag | Petricoffin

I definitely have a weakness for handbags, and honestly…Petricoffin is hands-down my favorite these days. I have three, and the quality is absolutely killer. The bags, made from marine or upholstery vinyl, are uber soft and hold up well. It’s best to follow Petricoffin on Instagram for shop updates. SHOP

Seasonal Greeting Cards | Spooky Cat Press

A fave spot for cards right now, you’ll find something spooky for every single holiday at Spooky Cat Press. Many designs have coordinated gift wrap or art prints—be sure to check out the 5 for $25 deal! SHOP

The Spooky Tarot | The Spooky King

There is no shortage of Halloween tarot decks available, but this one from Ryan Caskey, aka The Spooky King, doesn’t get nearly enough love. Find it in his Etsy shop! GET IT HERE

Which item is your favorite?

Share it in the comments, or share an item you’re loving right now!

Enjoyed this list? You might enjoy my past favorite things lists as well:

The post My Favorite Halloween Things | 2023 appeared first on Spooky Little Halloween.