Halloween Tricks & Treats: Spooky Cocktails & Chic DIY Masks

photos via Martha Stewart

Happy Halloween, my friends! 'Still haven't figured out your costume? Need a little inspiration? Here are a couple crafty DIY Halloween masks. Head over to Martha Stewart for step by step instructions on the above owl mask and bird mask.

photo via Craftzine

For a girly and glamourous DIY mask, head over to Craftzine to get the tutorial on making chic masks (like the one pictured above).

As for treats, what about a Halloween martini? Here are a few wickedly good ideas and links to the recipes.

(items listed clockwise from top)

1. Black Devil Martini

2. The Bite Me

3. Vampire's Kiss Martini

4. Candy Corn-tini

Case Study: The At Home Library & Gorgeous Book Covers

photo via Chotda on Flickr

Oh, I've been quiet, very quiet the past few days. Forgive me, but like most, the cold weather has me a bit couch-bound. I've been all about supping on beef stew, crocheting sweaters, watching old horror movies (lol, in the spirit of the Halloween season) and curling up with books!

So, for today, I thought I'd spotlight a couple inspiring at home libraries and books to add to your collection. Wow, just wow... at the above the "spectrum" library!

photo via i appreciate that

Arranged by color or not, a home library is a wonderful feature in any living room.

As for a few good looking books, well sometimes, maybe just sometimes, it's okay to judge a book by it's cover. Penguin Classics has some great collections of must-have-books that are well suited for display and for revisiting great literature. Here are a few.

Simply wonderful! The (below) Penguin Great Loves Collection are books all about love, with each cover gorgeously designed by David Pearson (only $8 each).

Another wonderful set of books are the (below) Waterstone Exclusive Penguin Hardcover Classics. Exclusively sold at Waterstone's in the UK, these covers are beautifully designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith.

Oh, and lastly, I'm dreaming of this (below) Pocket Penguins Boxed Set . Whoa, beautiful! However, it's an investment at $1885. Oh, sigh!

Kiss The Cook! Great Kitchen Gadgets For The Chef In Your Home

When it comes to stylish living, it's all in the details. Even in the kitchen, the right tools and gadgets can make the experience all the more enjoyable. Yup! Indeed, kitchen tools can be chic too! Here are a few great finds for the chef in your home.

Designed by Mark Sanders, the (below) folding cutting boards are dishwasher safe and fold into a chute to make transferring ingredients spill-free ($16 for the green small chopping board & $24 for the white large chopping board at MoMa Store).

The (below) oval oak mezzaluna and cutting board designed by Lovisa Wattman is ingenious in design! The mezzaluna and cutting board fit together perfectly ($29.95 at Burke Decor).

When it comes to cooking and baking, timing is key! Here a couple stylish timers. The stainless steel kitchen timer (below) from Fitzsu Society is sleek and chic in design ($49).

The (below) kitchen tape timer, designed by Jozeph Forakis, is a clever little gadget! Pull the ring to set the time and the tape ticks down as time passes. When there is no more tape, the timer rings ($20 at MoMa Store).

Ah, and now... for the perfectly poached eggs, check out Fusion Brand's Poachpods. Crack an egg into the FDA-approved silicone pod. Then float the egg-filled pod in boiling water. It's like a lily pad on a pond! When the egg is ready, flip the nonstick pod inside out & push out the perfectly dome shaped eggs. No more watery eggs! Sold as a set of 2, they are also dishwasher safe ($10/set at A + R Store).

For the perfectly fried egg, add a professional touch to your home-cooked egg dishes with Crate & Barrel's egg ring ($3.95 each).

Hostess With The Mostest: Fab Finds For The Oh-So-Chic Hostess

Along with the cool crisp autumn weather comes my longing for warm nights in with friends and family. I'm already planning menus for intimate dinner parties and quite excited about preparing the Thanksgiving turkey!

Today's fab finds are accessories for the oh-so-chic hostess.

(items pictured above)

1. Set of 6 rocking whisky glasses from Burke Decor ($19.95/set)

2. French Hostess Apron from Sur La Table ($39.95)

3. Three Star Apron from Anthropologie ($32)

4. Grapevine Salt Cellar & Spoon from Clay Company ($26)

5. Lotus Blossom Salt Cellar & Spoon from

Clay Company ($26)

6. Slate Cheese Board Set from Viva Terra ($59 on sale)

7. Pewter Bubble Wands from Clay Company (great for kids and gifts!) ($16 each)

8. Acrylic Ballroom Chair from Ruby Beets ($450 for two)

Global Chic at Task: The New Shop On the Block

Oh, happiness! A new shop just opened two weeks ago in Williamsburg, Brooklyn called Task. I just love that little shops like this one are popping up all over the neighborhood.

Owner, Anne Seally, refers to her shop aesthetic as elemental and minimal. I happen to think it's global chic and modern. It's a lifestyle boutique which offers clothing, home goods and paper goods. It's a great stop for gifts!

Inside you'll find all sorts of goodies. Along one side of the shop is womenswear that compliments the opposing wall which displays home furnishings like bowls, plates and pillows.

There are also stationary and paper goods from John Derian and Papaya Art.

Towards the back of the shop is a narrow hallway with wonderful soaps, printed pillows, baby onesies and bibs. It's a eclectic assortment of merchandise from design and cookbooks, lined journals in all sizes, Asian lanterns and more.

My fave? I love this this square basket set that reminds me of Moroccan leather poufs. It's sold as a set of 3 with two smaller size baskets of the same design nested inside the largest one.

Task is located at 100 N. 3rd Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11211. Store hours are Tuesdays-Sundays 12pm-8pm.

all photos in the above article © Cristina Ramirez

Design Inspiration: Headboard Ideas

O bed! O bed! Delicious Bed!

That heaven upon earth to the weary head.

-Thomas Hood

Do not underestimate the powers of a well designed and thought out bedroom! A peaceful sleep can do wonders...

Here are a few great and inspirational ideas for headboards.

Bring new life to an old headboard by covering it in fabric. Do it yourself! Patterned or solid, it's a fantastic way to spruce things up.

Photo from House To Home

Create an illusionary headboard by adorning an entire wall with wallpaper. Voila!

Photo from Skona Hem

Or hang your favorite painting above your bed.

Photo from Metropolitan Home

Photo from Nuevo Estilo

Another wonderful idea is to hang a fabric panel. Simply install a curtain rod above the head of your bed and you can even switch out the fabric and patterns at your whimsy!

Photo from British Homes & Gardens

More Chalkboard Fun: Reviving An Old Refrigerator

above photo from Country Home Living

Neat-o! Do you have an old refrigerator that works just fine, but just needs a face lift? Try a little chalkboard paint.