Halloween Party Food Ideas

I just ran across this linkup and decided I had to join. I love looking at all the festive Halloween party ideas on Pinterest and wish I could be that creative. Here's a few food ideas that I'd love to recreate someday.

Spooky Pigs in Blanket

Spiders on stuffed eggs

Eeyeball dip

Vampire Cookies

Bloody Shots

Joining Helene and Sarah for their Halloween Linkup.

What's your favorite Halloween appetizer or dessert?

Taste of Tuesday: Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs

Ingredients: 

1 Rack of  Spare Ribs (cut individually)

1 cup BBQ sauce (I like Sweet Baby Rays)
1 Tsp All Purpose Seasoning

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Directions: 

Boil the ribs in seasoned water for 45 minutes until tender.

You can use salt, pepper and any other seasonings to flavor the water in the pot.

Drain and coat with BBQ sauce.

Cook on the grill for 15-20 minutes until tender & baste with the remainder of the BBQ.

It's really that easy; just takes about 1 hour total to cook. 

Joining Jessica and Ashley for Taste of Tuesday. 

 

What your favorite BBQ recipe?

Beach Weekend Getaway

I'm so glad we were able to take advantage of the sunny/warm weather this weekend before it starts to get cold. 

My parents have been in town visiting for the past two weeks so we planned a quick weekend beach trip and rented a condo out in Cocoa Beach.

On Friday we headed out to the beach and got settled into our condo which had a decent view of the water. Later that night we went out to a Tiki bar and restaurant for some seafood and tropical drinks. 

On Saturday, Kate and her hubby met us at the resort and we had a great time walking on the beach and lounging at the pool. The weather was perfect (80's) and we enjoyed some live music on the pool deck. Fun times!

After being in the sun for several hours (and several cold beers), we all went to a Mexican restaurants with my parents for happy hour and dinner before Kate and H headed back home. 

On Sunday we walked around the Cocoa Beach Pier and then packed up and headed home. I did some last minute errands with my mom before they head back to Trinidad today. K grilled a ton of ribs for dinner and we just hung around for their last night. 

(Recipe to come soon)

I'm sad to see my parents leave today but after entertaining for 2 weeks, I'm very slightly exhausted.

Joining Sami for Weekend Shenanigans.

How was your weekend?

H54F

Thankful Friday is here! Although I had a nice week with my parents visiting. We are heading out to the beach this weekend to get one last beach day in before the cold weather comes our way.

#1: I was pleasantly surprised to find out I won Stephanie's blog giveaway from The Fusion Chronicles. She mailed out a shiny gift card to Red Lobster.

#2: My company announcemed that our Holiday party will be at Epcot this year. So excited!

#3: My new iPhone 5s arrived yesterday and I'm in love. The thing is super fast and the fingerprint feature is pretty cool.

#4: Went golfing with my team yesterday (first attempt at golf) and I wasn't too bad. Was able to hit the ball but not very far.

#5: Japananese hibachi dinner last night with the 'rents. We go there every time they visit.

Linking up with Lauren for H54F and Darcie for Five on Friday.

Any big plans for the weeked?

Beach Bathroom Redecorating

My latest home project is redecorating our guest bathroom with a beach theme. I love starfish, shells and all the colors associated with the coast or beach.

I put together a collage on Polyvore for some inspiration:

Beach Bathroom by martinis-bikinis featuring a mercury glass jar

I'm very far from being an interior designer but a girl can try. Here's my progress so far:

It's a work in progress.

Where's your favorite place to buy affordable home decor?

Time For a Redesign

Hello ladies!

So my 1 year blogiversay is coming up and I'm ready to have my little space redesigned to something that matches my vision a little better.

I need you to point me in the right direction. Who designed your blog? Who do you recommend? I'm looking for affordable, elegant, flexible, creative and can have it done in a two weeks! Yikes, I shouldn't have wait until the last minute.

Thanks so much!

Sweater Season is Here

I'm loving patterned sweaters this year and thinking of purchasing a few as we get closer to winter. Here's a few casual styles that I love for work or going out with friends.

Forever 21 Crewnecks & Scoopnecks · Forever 21 Sweaters

Most of these sweaters are from Forever 21 but Express.com has 40% off sweaters going on now.

Where do you shop for affordable but cute sweaters?

Weekend with Family

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was pretty low key and relaxing ~ much needed.

~ On Friday we picked up my parents from the airport & took them out for dinner & drinks.

~ On Saturday, I went to the gym quickly while my mom shopped and then I met up with her to do some shopping too. Found some pretty blouses on sale for upcoming work events.

~ My in-laws came in town Saturday evening so both families could see eachother. We went out for Italian dinner at Carrabas (one of my favorite restaurants)

~ Later hung out by the fire at home with K, my parents and some wine. 

~ Sunday morning, we did some errands and then went out to lunch with both parents. 

~ I attempted to decorate for Halloween. And by decorate, I mean just put these 3 things by the front door.

~ Sunday evening was spent grilling out and watching football.

Joinging Sami for Weekend Shenanigans.

How was your weekend?

Finally Fall in Sunny Florida

The weekend is finally here! I'm excited to have my parents visiting this weekend so we'll be entertaining and taking them around Central FL.

1. Love my new blouse from Express. I wore it out to the Special Olympics Benefit last weekend. Express seriously has the best sales and if you're signed up for their mailing list, they send out a ton of coupons.

2. The weather is starting to cool down and finally feels somewhat like fall here in Florida. Sad summer is over but excited to use our fire-pit more often and pull out those cute sweaters that have been in hiding.

3. Yummy Chicken Stirfry dinner made by yours truly. Not to be confused with the Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe I shared earlier this week.

4. Have you tried UFO Pumpkin beer? So delicious! I love this beer and Shocktop's Pumpkin Wheat because neither of them are too sweet.

5. Sephora has the Beauty Fall Special going on this week. Simply enter your email address and take a tumble to find out if you win free samples, free shipping or 10% of your next purchase. I won free shipping which I'm waiting to use on payday ;-)

Joining Lauren for High Five For Friday.

What Fall shopping deals/specials are you digging?

Things I Love About Fall

 Honestly, the thing I'm loving the most this year is the pumpkin beer. Lush? Maybe ;-)

Cute Scarves and Boots

Costume parties
Guess who I went as for Halloween one year?

Giving out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Does that sound creepy? I honestly like doing this just to meet new people in the neighborhood and chat with our neighbors. The kids costumes are cute too.

Hanging out and drinking wine by the firepit

Thanksgiving!
Family and endless desserts.

Funny Halloween Costumes

 

What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year?

Becoming a Martini Connoisseur

I'm far from being a connoisseur but I do love to drink them. Now I just need to master the art of making them at home instead a paying $10+ for a martini when I go out.

My personal favorite are dirty martinis (vodka, not gin) with blue cheese stuffed olives so that's my recipe for today. Here's what we're gonna need to become a martini connoisseur:

Dirty Vodka Martini w/ Blue Cheese Olives

Vodka of choice:
Grey goose is the best in my opinion but I'm often stuck buying slightly cheaper brands so whatever fits your budget.  We'll need 3 oz of vodka per martini.

Dry Vermouth:
Only need a splash or about 1 oz per martini.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives:
These can actually be purchased in liquor stores or you can make your own by stuffing queen size olives with blue cheese crumbles. Will also need about 1/2 oz olive juice per martini.

Shaker:
 Fill shaker half way with ice and shake all liquid ingredients well. A variety of shakers can be found at Amazon such as this one:  Premium Cocktail Shaker Set - 24 oz Stainless Steel 

Martini glasses: 
Serve in cute martini glasses & garnish with blue cheese olives.

I have this set at home and, for $9.99 from Amazon, you can't go wrong. (It makes you feel drunk just looking at the glasses) Kidding. But seriously, they're really cute and durable glasses.

Libbey 4-Piece Z-Stem Martini Set

 Hopefully it turns out looking something like this:

Cheers!