Halloween Cocktails

Increase the spook in your Halloween party with these creepy cocktails!

"Swamp Sangria"

Ingredients:

Serves 12
5 lady apples
1 bunch (about 8 ounces) green seedless grapes
1 bunch (about 8 ounces) red seedless grapes
2 bottles dry white wine, chilled
2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
6 tablespoons poire William (pear-flavored eau-de-vie)

Directions:

1. Put apples and grapes into an ice-filled punch bowl. Pour in wine, cider, and poire William. Gently stir.

Bubbling Cocktail (pictured above)

1. In a glass measuring cup, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 cup sugar. Stir until sugar has dissolved; refrigerate until cool.

2. Puree 2 cups packed mint leaves (1 small bunch) with 1/4 cup cooled syrup in a blender. Add 6 peeled, quartered kiwis, and blend until just smooth. Add remaining syrup.

3. Pour through a cheesecloth-lined fine sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Stir in ice and 1 liter sparkling water or club soda. (For a cocktail version, add 1 cup vodka.) Pour into flasks, and serve with straws. Makes 8 drinks.

You can also go for the always classic "Bloody Mary."

Halloween!

Another great Halloween table accessory is glassware filled with candy corn.

We choose to fill a martini glass with candy corn and used this as one of our table displays (pictured above). Do you have any Halloween decorating tips? Share your ideas with us under "comments."

Halloween Party/Decoration Ideas

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays because of the sweet treats and decorations!

We are loving Martha Stewart's Halloween decoration ideas this year - check them out below!

A pumpkin cooler (Pictured above):

Choose a large wide pumpkin and cut off the top third with a serrated knife

Scrape out the pulp and seeds

Line the gourd with a glass or plastic bowl to prevent it from becoming water-logged

Finish by filling the bowl with ice and bottled drinks

Apple Votives (Pictured above):

(Every apple will float differently, so see how they balance in water before marking their topsides with a dot)
1. Place the tea light over the dot, and trace around its circumference with a paring knife, inserting the knife vertically as deep as the tea light is tall.
2. Set aside the light, cut the circle into sections, and scoop them out with a spoon.
3. Squeeze lemon juice onto the cut surface to keep the apple from turning brown, and insert a tea light. Repeat with remaining apples.

METRO - New Orleans

We encourage you to learn more about Domestic Violence and the Metropolitan Center for Women & Children in New Orleans (METRO)!

"Exorcise Your Ex" helped to raise $5,000 for METRO! Click here to learn more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The picture above is Ex-cessories Gal Allison with our METRO representative. Looking to get involved? E-mail us at info@excessories.com and we will help you.

Sweet Halloween Treat

Delicious, easy, and homemade Halloween treats are rice krispy treats!

We whipped up a batch Sunday afternoon and added a piece of candy corn to the top of each square for a decorative touch (pictured above). Great for a Halloween party or to bring into your office.

More Party Pictures!

Take a look at some additional pictures from "Exorcise Your Ex" at Cure in New Orleans. Photographs are courtesy of Will Crocker Photography. 

Party Pictures!

If you were

unable to join us last Thursday at "Exorcise Your Ex," please take a look at the wonderful party pictures (courtesy of Will Crocker Photography). Check back tomorrow morning for more pictures from "Exorcise Your Ex" at Cure in New Orleans. 

Don't forget to enter our Obit Writing Contest! The winner will receive a signed copy of Relationship Obits by Kathleen Horan. E-mail all obits and questions to info@excessories.com. 

Apple Unveils New iMac

The greatly anticipated new iMac is finally here! 

Click here to watch the informational video to learn more about the new iMac. 

Are you a Mac or PC?

The Ex-cessories Gals Take:

Allison is a PC

Elizabeth is a MAC

Let us know if you are a Mac or PC and what you think of each under "comments."

New Coke Mini

Coke launches new 90-calorie mini can.

The new 7.5 oz. mini can containing 90 calories will be released in select East Coast cities this December, with a nationwide rollout set for 2010. 

“As the world’s largest beverage company, we take seriously the need to help consumers balance calories consumed with calories expended,” said Sandy Douglas, president, Coca-Cola North America. “The Coca-Cola mini can innovation reinforces the Company’s support for healthy, active lifestyles.”

This announcement is coming on the heels of the company's move to put calorie information of the front of all its packaging. They've also partnered with Healthy Weight Commitment, a group of retailers and food manufacturers committed to reducing obesity in America. 

Coca-cola will also be offering the mini cans in Sprite, Fanta Orange, Cherry Coca-Cola, and Barq's Root Beer. 

Will you pick up a mini? 

The Ex-cessories Gals Take:

Allison - Never drink soda.

Elizabeth - I gave up soda cold turkey, which was extremely difficult.  If it wasn't for that, I would be all over this product! I was a huge Diet Coke fan. 

We both think that the mini packaging is sleek. 

Write Your Own Relationship Obit Contest

Ex-cessories.com encourages you to enter our "Write Your Own Relationship Obit Contest."

Kathleen Horan, author of Relationship Obits, worked with us to make "Exorcise Your Ex" a great success and we are so thankful for her participation. Horan attended "Exorcise Your Ex" to meet and greet fans, read an excerpt from her book, and reward the best obit of the night with a copy of her book. 

To reward all of the Ex-cessories.com members that couldn't make it out to the event we would like to give you the opportunity to write your own relationship obituary. Submissions will be reviewed until November 1st. The winner will receive a copy of Relationship Obits. 

Please e-mail all submission to info@excessories.com and include your contact information. Click here to gain a greater understanding of a relationship obituary.  

Sample Relationship Obituary:

Cause of Death: A 12-ounce Can of Beer

Haley and Jeff

Born: May 5, 1998

Died: January 15, 2002

He told me Coors Light was his best friend, not me. 

Tell us your relationship's name, birth date, death date, and cause of death. Simple and a fun exercise! 

Cold Weather Treat - Hot Chocolate

The weather is getting colder and it is always nice to sip on a delicious treat while you relax at home and try and warm up. 

As the weather changes we love to enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate. We don't like wasting calories, so we reach for instant fat free hot chocolate mixes. They are delicious and hit the spot! 

Try Nestle's Fat Free hot chocolate packages and top with a spoonful of mini marshmallows! 

Donate to METRO

Tonight is the benefit for the Metropolitan Center for Women & Children in New Orleans - "Exorcise Your Ex" at Cure (4905 Freret St.) 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

If you are unable to attend Exorcise Your Ex, but would like the opportunity to donate to the event, please e-mail info@excessories.com and we will make sure you get involved! From $10 to $500, every contribution matters! 

Guest Blogger - Kathleen Horan

Guest Blog by Kathleen Horan, author of Relationship Obits.

I’ve received hundreds of letters from the broken hearted and bereaved since the launch of my website relationshipobit.com and the recent publication of a book based on the site (& so much more) called "Relationship Obits...The Final Resting Place For Love Gone Wrong."

When you're a kid & you want presents, you write to Santa. When you're grown and there's a wound where your heart used to be, you write to me.

Many of the letters I get are based around a question...while no one ever asks: "How do you know if a relationship has died?"

The first thing I would recommend -once you've gotten through (most of) the five "stages of grief" (anger, fear, denial, bargaining & acceptance) - do some things that make you feel like life isn't just happening to you.

Writing is good - (especially an obituary for your dead relationship!) or anything that involves more doing and less talking. I assume you've already had endless tearful conversations with your friends over bottles of cabernet.

I know most of you are on this site because you're engaged in another helpful activity- which is clearing out the gunk from your life, anything that weighs you down and clogs your filter.
This involves getting rid of articles that reminds you of the ex -i.e.: selling jewelry from your ex. Good. Do that and use the money you’ve received to cultivate a love affair with yourself. I realize this sounds cheesy. So what, it works. Take a road trip. Purchase amazing stationary and write yourself a letter from the future, full of encouragement. You don’t need to spend a lot. It’s really about focusing on you and seeing that as the project -instead of obsessing about why love died, or the relationship failed…whatever.

Another way is to create a ritual or service that memorializes your relationship & can also provide a sense of closure. (A funkified funeral?) It can help you feel like your actively letting go/starting fresh. One woman told me that after a break up she puts the name of her ex (written down) in the freezer & it helps her picture the icing out of the old love. But just boxing up the old stuff & sealing it and putting outside your apartment with a “free” sign could work wonders too. Anything that makes you say “good riddance” and begin to allow life after relationship-death.

(Please visit Relationship Obits on Facebook or follow on Twitter! If you’d like to contact me personally –send your messages to relationshipobit@gmail.com)

Do not miss out on the opportunity to meet Kathleen Horan at "Exorcise Your Ex" this Thursday, Oct. 15th at Cure in New Orleans!

Halloween Quiz

What Type of Halloween Candy Are You? 

Take this fun quiz by marthastewart.com by clicking here. 

We were a snickers! After you take the quiz let us know what type of Halloween candy you are. Post your results under "comments." 

Sex and the City Movie Poll

Tabloids, bloggers, and fashion websites have all been giving their readers fashion and story line sneak peaks from the 2nd Sex and the City movie. 

With today's 24 hour news cycle, it is hard to keep anything under wraps or control the flow of information. We feel that the media is beginning to unveil Sex and the City 2 fashions and story lines early, which is why we eagerly await the movie premiere. We have already previewed numerous snapshots of the girls in 80's fashions as well as characters whose story lines we thought were over (example in the pictures above). 

So, do YOU think that the media's reveal of the 2nd Sex and the City movie photographs ruin the final outcome of the movie? Or do you think that regardless, the movie will still be exciting and fresh? We know that we cannot wait to see the 2nd Sex and the City movie! 

Take our poll on the right hand side of this page and let us know what you think. 

In LOVE With VINTAGE

Do you love vintage? 

Ex-cessories.com has a great selection of amazing vintage designer brand jewelry. 

Click here to check out the vintage Bulgari bracelet (pictured above). 

Click here to check out the vintage Tiffany & Co. gold chain link necklace.

Click here to check out our vintage Golden Gate Bridge charm. 

If you will be in the New Orleans area this Thursday, stop by "Exorcise Your Ex" to get an up close and personal look at our extensive and unique collection of jewelry. We will be bringing some of our classic vintage pieces as well as some of our new inventory to our event. A great cause, great jewelry, and great people... What more can you ask for! So, mark your calendar for this Thursday, October 15th at Cure in New Orleans (6:00 to 8:00 p.m.)!

"Exorcise Your Ex" Event

Please join Ex-cessories.com, this Thursday, October 15th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cure in New Orleans for "Exorcise Your Ex."  

"Exoricse Your Ex" is a fundraiser event to benefit the Metropolitan Center for Women & Children.

October marks the official Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). This Thursday we will raise awareness about Domestic Violence and we will celebrate women. Click here to read President Obama's official proclamation regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Special Event Features Include:

* Exchange your tainted gold for $$$ with Ex-cessories.com

* Meeting Kathleen Horan, author of Relationship Obits

* Write your own obit (aka bury your ex)

* Sip creative cocktails and enjoy light appetizers

* Enter to win fabulous prizes and bid on one-of-a-kind New Orleans gifts and services 

There will be a $10 donation to METRO at the door. For directions to the venue, Cure, click here. For additional inquiries or to find out how to donate to this cause, please e-mail info@excessories.com. 

We hope to see you there! 

Halloween Jewelry

The perfect pair of earrings for the sophisticated Halloween celebrating woman - 18 karat yellow gold coral earrings for $275. 

These fabulous earrings were originally purchased in Italy and have been appraised for $450. To learn more click here. 

Pumpkin on Halloween

Do you carve pumpkins during the Halloween season?

We like to put out small pumpkins and avoid carving pumpkins because of the mess and difficulty. If you like to dress up your porch for Halloween we suggest decorating your pumpkins with markers. This way you can add color and the Halloween spirit without making a mess. 

RZP - The Rachel Zoe Project

Did you catch last night's episode of the Rachel Zoe Project? Yes, we are viewers of this show... don't judge! People love to hate things, but we are drawn in by this over-the-top reality show. 

If you are also sucked in, we would like to know... Do you think that Taylor should have gone to Paris with the Rachel Zoe team instead of Brad? 

Tell us under "comments."

We would have liked to see Taylor in Paris, but cannot picture her enjoying herself and cherishing the opportunity. 

Pet Costumes - Halloween

Halloween is only a couple of weeks away! For all of you pet lovers out there, we would like to know if you dress your pet up for Halloween?

Are you looking for pet costumes? We found some adorable ideas on marthastewart.com. 

Click here to learn how to create "The Spider," pictured above. 

If you have any pictures of your pets dressed up for Halloween, please send them in and we will post them on our blog! E-mail your pictures to info@excessories.com and expect to see them next week. 

Christian Louboutin Champagne

Christian Louboutin has launched its very own champagne line. Since Louboutin is known for their fabulous red soled shoes, the brand also launched a glass slipper to go with their new champagne. 

In partnership with Piper Heisieck, the champagne and show are available for a limited time at Colette in Paris, starting October 26. 

What do you think of Christian Louboutin doing champagne? Is this glass slipper wacky or fashionable? Let us know under "comments."

Spotted: Pet Pig

We spotted, for the 2nd time, someone's pet pig around the neighborhood where we live. Yes, a pet pig! 

The 1st time we spotted this big guy was sitting outside at a restaurant with his owner. Crazy to think a restaurant would allow a pig. Poor guy was sitting at a steak house and probably saw a family member on a plate...

The 2nd sighting was yesterday evening. The pet pig was playing on the grass with 3 dogs, one of which was a 5 pound Chihuahua. 

We cannot get over the idea of a pig as a pet. We LOVE it! What do you think of a pig as a pet? 

Excited About "Exorcise Your Ex"

We are so excited about our event on October 15th at Cure - "Exorcise Your Ex..." While Benefiting A Good Cause. 

We have had such great response to the event and have secured a TON of fabulous prizes! We would like to give our blog readers the exclusive sneak peak to some of these prizes...

A piece of jewelry from Hiller Jewelers worth $600

2 pilates classes from NOLA Pilates

$100 gift certificate to Em's Boutique

$100 gift certificate to FeBe Boutique

And MUCH more! 

Please spread the word about our event to anyone and everyone in New Orleans! 

At the event you will raise money for METRO, sip creative cocktails, bury your Ex (receive $$$ for tainted gold on the spot and write our own relationship obituary), and win a prize. We hope to see you there!  

Starbucks Via Ready Brew Product Review

Yesterday afternoon we taste tested Starbucks' new products, Via Ready Brew. 

Our review...

Delicious! However, it is supposed to be "instant" and convenient, but if you like your coffee with sugar and cream like we do, it isn't so instant. You need to have an 8 ounce cup of hot water and then all of your own coffee condiments. We would use this for an early morning at home work cup of coffee or we would grab Via when we didn't feel like running out to get coffee and just wanted something easy to make at home. Our consensus... taste is great, convenience works in specific situations, and packaging is creative. 

Have you tried Via? Let us know what you think under "comments."