Women tend to be the center of attention on Valentine’s Day. Maybe it’s because we put more emphasis on the corny holiday, but regardless, we can’t forget about those men that give us so much joy in our lives! This Valentine’s Day, make sure you show your man how much you adore him too! After all, if it wasn’t for the wonderful men in our lives showering us with ‘surprise’ flowers, chocolates, gifts, and dinners we wouldn’t have as much to look forward to on February 14^th.

No matter if you’ve just started dating or wedding bells are in your near future, there is a special gift out there for your boy!

I Barely Know You Stage

No, a Starbucks card will not do, especially if you actually like the guy. Instead, reveal your unbeatable sense of humor with a Personalizable Beer Holster for $24.99! No, I’m not kidding. He will not only laugh his pants off, you will probably catch him using it while doing handy-work around his house, while tailgating, and maybe even at a friend’s backyard BBQ party (just bare with the embarrassment, at least he liked it!). Not to mention, if things go smoothly, you’ll have a good laugh with him every time you talk about your first Valentine’s Day together.

Honeymoon Stage

You’re in La La Land, you feel as if you’re walking on clouds, the sky is bluer than ever, and even if you got robbed at gunpoint the skip would not come out of your step. Make a point to show him how great he has made you feel over the past months with a sentimental gift. It doesn’t have to be an expensive gift. Although if you have the means, the nice watch he’s been hinting at since Christmas, when he didn’t get it, would be a great gift. Just make it personal by getting the back of it engraved with something meaningful, nothing too cheesy though. If your budget is a bit more conservative, a Photo Frame Valet for $49.99 would be perfect. This way he can (hopefully) look at a picture of the two of you every time he goes to put on the watches, cuff links, and so forth you may give him in the future.

Serious Relationship

It is hard to go wrong in this stage. Both of you are (hopefully) comfortable together and just enjoying the quietness of being in a steady, healthy relationship. At this point, you probably know him better than he knows himself, so show him. Get him that present that he would never ask for, but has always wanted. He probably can’t even tell you what his perfect gift would be. Show him what it feels like to receive one this Valentine’s Day.

-Emily Freeman

Life is uncertain so they say.  Eat desserts first.  Especially chocolate. And especially chocolate this Valentine’s Day.  Whether you’re giving or receiving, chocolate can make anyone smile.

But rather than give just the standard red heart box of chocolates (does anyone really want that anyway?) or just hitting up See’s, veer away from the typical this 14^th and grab an array of chocolate bars, from Hazelnut, to Dark Cacao, to Cherry infused from a confectionary or your local supermarket. You know what your love loves.

But instead of simply tossing them in a bag with a card, make each chocolate bar their own special card.  Cover each bar with a sweet and unique decoration.  Pick up paper, raffia, ribbons, buttons, cut-outs, stencils, ad infinitum from your local craft store.  Almost all have special Valentines themed paper, which is a great base to start from.  Or kraft paper.  Wrap the outside of the chocolate bar, so that the brand label is not longer visible, and add all your bells and whistles from there.

As always, try to keep your color palate to a maximum of four colors.  This will give your chocolate presents a more sophisticated look.

Make it even more personal with a note strip that runs down the center.

- Arianna Schioldager

As a stay at home mom, I look at my home as part of my business. I want it to be a nice place for my kids to grow and learn. I won’t lie, I enjoy decorating it and take immense pride in its appearance. On the other side of that is the fact that as a stay at home mom my family only has one income so remodeling isn’t always an option. Sometimes though, you just need a change, and I have to tell you that small changes can make a huge impact and won’t hurt your budget.  My example, I refinished our kitchen chairs. Before they were red. I liked the red, but four bright red chairs was just too much. I was looking for something more chic, slightly sophisticated.

Here is what I did. First thing was to prep the chairs. They are made of wood, oak to be exact. So I sanded the heck out of them. I used a very coarse sand paper, 50 grit I believe. The smaller the number, the more coarse it is. I used that sand paper to remove all three layers of red paint, plus two layers of primer under that. Once all the old finish was gone I went back over the entire chair with a fine grit sand paper, 220 this time. The fine sand paper smoothed everything out and made the surface perfect for painting.

Now that the hard part is done (seriously, sanding the old finish off is the worst part!) I primed the chairs with a basic primer. To keep brush strokes at bay I used very thin coats and always painted with the grain of the wood. After the first layer of primer was dry I used more 220 sand paper to smooth out any brush strokes or drips that might have occurred. I repeated that entire process twice. After the third coat of primer and light sanding I used Rustoleum’s professional white spray paint. It’s about $5 a can. Each can was able to cover two chairs. And the paint is supposed to be able to handle commercial applications. When spray painting, stay at least six inches away from the chairs. Use short strokes and don’t be afraid. In between coats take a good look to make sure there are no drips. If there are you’ll need to sand again. Honestly, it doesn’t hurt to sand in between coats anyway. My chairs each had two coats of spray paint.

Then I got crazy and hand painted a paisley design on the seat. I like to live on the edge. Briefly I considered making or buying a stencil, but I sort of enjoyed the thought of the charm of hand painted details. Once they are dry you will want to put some protection on them. You can use a spray polyurethane, or my all time favorite for furniture- Minwax Finishing Wax. The wax takes an extra oomph of effort, but I think the finished product is worth it. And voila, you have completely changed the look of your kitchen chairs for roughly $20-$30 depending on what supplies you already have on hand.

-Stephanie Wright

You’ve heard of chicken soup for the soul, but what about chicken soup for the heart? A home cooked meal is one of the best gifts you can give someone. It takes time, effort, practice, and every dish turns out unique.

And since Valentines Day is creeping slowly around the corner, show your sweetie… or your best friend… or your mom… (doesn’t matter!) with a well-thought out, carefully planned meal from the heart.  Can’t cook you say?

But for the lot of us who didn’t inherit Grandma’s cooking skills, there are people who can help!

Cooking classes are just a mouse click away.  Here are a couple of classes you can take to rev up (or revamp—never too late to learn something new) your skills just in time for that special holiday.

EATZ LA:

The large kitchen and small class size (limited to 16) encourages you to awaken your inner chef.  The professional chefs help you learn the art of cooking from the first cut to the last taste. Thursday, February 7^th from 7:00-10:00PM learn how to make An Italian Affair, a delicious five-course meal, perfect for a romantic night.

Sign up soon, because spaces are sure to vanish.

612
North La Brea Ave; 310-824-3586

KTCHN 105

This is a newer spot located in the Produce District of Downtown LA.  The studio kitchen at KTCHN 105 was designed for learning, entertaining and coming together for the appreciation of food.

If waking your love up with a Valentine’s breakfast is more your speed, sign up for Kitchen 105’s Breakfast 101. You will learn how to cook eggs, cure fish, and make sauces.

Class is Wednesday, February 1^st from 6:30-10:00PM, which gives you a full two weeks time to practice making that perfect omelet.

1250 Long Beach Ave; 213-908-2646

-Arianna Schioldager

Boxed valentines may have been fine for classmates, but this February 14th, even if you don’t have ton to spend on romantic splurges, a hand-crafted Valentine is a beautiful way to show someone you care.

Here are some tips and ideas.

• You can layer, cut-out, glue and sparkle, but make it your own and it will be beloved.
• To give cards that designer feel, use only four colors and only six materials. Think of a card as an outfit. You wouldn’t wear earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, headbands, and a scarf all at once…would you?
• Decide on a style. Girly. Rustic. Sophisticated. There are a million card styles.

Browse a couple of card websites to get a good idea.  Here are two:

Not Another Knotch on My Leather Belt Card:

• Weave leather belts together to make this rugged card that your guy will love. No frills, no sparkly hearts. Simply collect old (your local thrift store is great for this) brown belts—should all be about the same color. You can braid them together, or attach them with bonded leather backing and water base glue to a thick piece of card stock. Next you’ll need an exacto knife to carve. Now, there are proper ways to cut into leather, but you aren’t trying to become a master leatherworker. You just want to carve a sweet message—a simple I love you, and the date.

Sew a Heart for Your Sweetie:

• The Hand Stitched Card Bust out your needle and thread and sew a heart. Your love will surely be impressed by your handiwork. A piece of thick, kraft-colored stock paper is good for the stitched look. You can even sew a dotted line down the spine of the card. Don’t forget: A sweet message on the inside.

-Arianna Schioldager

After this last holiday season, your bank account may be ready to retire. But just because the season for giving is over, doesn’t mean gift giving is. There are birthdays, house warming’s, weddings—you name it, if there’s an invitation, the unspoken rule of thumb is: bring a gift.

Well have no fear. Here are two unique DIY gifts that won’t cost you next years Christmas cash.

The DIY Succulent Planter

This gift is an across the board pleaser. Scour your local thrift store or flea market for an oblong planter. Something on the shallower side (about 3”) is good. Next, hit up your local Home Depot and pick out a mix of cacti and succulents. Each small succulent is under 2 dollars, and the cactus will run you about a dollar more. Depending on the length of your pot, 5 or 6 will suffice. Fill the remainder of empty space with soil and the rest is up to you. You can add a pop of color with fresh flowers. Stick these directly in the soil, with the idea that the flowers can be changed out weekly according to your giftee’s preference. Tulips are great to add some height. Wrap the outside of the planter in raffia. Add a personalized note. And you’ve got a gift that will last.

The Personalized Book

Books are expensive. But used books are not. Many local libraries have dollar book sales. Stock up on some good titles, or browse Amazon, where you can find a copy of The Beautiful and the Damned for $4.99 (awesome old cover a plus!). Next hit up your handy local thrift store again. You can find beautiful and unique silk vintage scarves for under 10 dollars. Wrap the book in the scarf. Add a note…perhaps on the inside cover.

-Arianna Schioldager

Everyone has something that they want to change, especially in the New Year—it comes with the New Year territory.  Well, starting your day off on the right foot is one sure way to leave the bad habits of 2011 behind.

Here are a few helpful AM tricks to incorporate into your rise and shine.

No more muffins… no more muffin tops. Eat a healthy and hearty breakfast. Grabbing something from the local Starbucks is convenient and usually really tasty, but a single scone has about 500 calories.  We always tell ourselves, I’ll eat healthy the rest of the day, but we rarely do.  Starting your day off by bargaining with yourself is not the right way to begin. Plus the more healthy choices you make at the start of the day, the more your body will crave them later.

Set an intention. We do it in yoga, why not in day-to-day life?  Maybe you want to be more patient.  You don’t have to meditate. It can be as simple as a 30 second exercise where you repeat the word you’d like to incorporate into your day.

If you’re an early AM exerciser, lay your workout clothes out the night before.  It’s harder to ignore something when it is staring you in the face. Or leave a set of free weights at the foot of your bed.  It’s so easy to do 3 reps of 10 squats.  It will take you under 10 minutes, and if you do it again and again, every morning those minutes add up to a very firm backside.

Don’t hit snooze.  If you’ve gotten your required 8 hours, that extra 15 minutes isn’t going to make any difference. Snoozing will ensure you start your day groggy.

-Arianna Schioldager

All around you neighbors are stringing lights and hanging wreaths on doorways. But you wouldn’t buy a pre-cooked Christmas dinner, so, if you have the time and the spirit, why not attempt to make some of your own decorative pieces? You can add your own special twists to wreaths. Fresh greenery wreaths made from pine boughs, ferns, Douglas firs, and eucalyptus sprays fill rooms (or front walk ways) with that timeless Christmas smell. You can shop for flowers and adornments at your local farmers market. Pinecones? Cinnamon sticks? Berries! Even a lavender sprig!  These are all acceptable and smell good pieces. Plus there are many eco-friendly DIY wreath making ways that leave Mother Nature feeling the holiday cheer.

Put on some carols, make some hot spiced apple cider and an afternoon of it.

Simple trick number one: If you’re really going to start from scratch and build your own wreath form (all you need is two wire coat hangers), it’s easiest to prepare the form on a table, and hang the wreath to add embellishments. It’s easier to see where you need to add, twist, or tuck, when looking at the wreath head on.  ?

You can also purchase a base from your local arts and crafts store. 18” or 16” grapevine wreaths are simple and classic. Wire bases give you more creative room to work with.

What you’ll need: Gather and cut several 8” to 10” long branches/vines of greenery of your choice. Use a floral wire to secure the branches to the wire or base of your choosing. Keep adding stems until the base is the plumpness of your liking. Layer leafy parts over stems.

Now it’s simple! Pick your decorations and secure them with hot glue or floral wire. All the more special having made your own.

-Arianna Schioldager

You have slaved over Thanksgiving dinner, stuffed yourself with pumpkin pie, and broke the wishbone. Yes, the time has finally arrived.  It is okay to start putting up your Christmas decorations!

Making your own Christmas decorations is one of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit, and save some extra money to fulfill everyone’s wish lists.  Here are a few ways to start spreading the holiday cheer.

Pinecone Table Topper

Buy a garland of greenery that is long enough to run down your entire table or fireplace mantel. Collect some pinecones outside, you could even make it a fun activity with your kids, or buy a few at a garden or craft store. Then just put them along the garland. If you want to make it even more festive, lace the garland with Christmas lights or buy fake snow paint to spray on the arrangement and give it a winter wonderland feel.

Candy Garlands

Liven your holiday spirit with this sweet and simple Christmas craft. You will need wrapped, striped, peppermint candies and red and/or green ribbon. Take two of the candies and using a ribbon, tie a twisted plastic end of one to an end of the other. Continue in this pattern until you’ve reached a desired length. Hang these garlands on your tree, over the mantel, outside, on a wreath, around your stair banner, or anywhere else you please!

-Emily Freeman

Hosting a party is serious business. There are so many elements to consider- food, drinks, guests, etc.

And this is the season for hosting.  If you’re newly venturing into the hostess category, there are a few rules that every seasoned hostess knows.  The most important one—remember you’ll never throw the perfect party, so don’t try.  Something is bound to go awry, but if you don’t stress, your guests won’t stress.  You don’t need to look like chicken with her head cut-off, even if you did forget to defrost the meat.

So the first rule remains: never let them see you sweat.  By the time your guests arrive, you should be dressed, out of the kitchen, and mingling.  Introduce old friends to new friends.  Offer everyone a drink.  And move on.  You want to move around the room with grace, and don’t let any one guest occupy too much of your time.  Your guests have come to see you, so make sure you’re as available as possible for all.

Whether you are serving a formal meal or just appetizers, never under any circumstance make a negative comment about the food.  Self-deprecating behavior is not en vogue. Oh this meat is just a tad dry is never a phrase that should be uttered.  Let everyone have a good time. Don’t tell them what to think.

Even if you’re nervous, don’t drink too much.  No one likes a sloppy hostess.

Speaking of drinks, make sure to have alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.  And avoid dark drinks. Something is bound to spill, and you don’t want it to be red wine all over your white couch.

Make a play list—something that helps set the tone of your party.

And smile! Every one else is bound to follow suit!

-Arianna Schioldager

Through all the chaos of cooking, family, feasting, and cleaning we sometimes forget what Thanksgiving is really about: showing our gratitude. This holiday, why not give thanks in a simple, creative, and more permanent way? Let each of your guests write what they are thankful for either on a Thanksgiving Tree or in a Journal of Gratitude.

To make your Thanksgiving Tree, stick bare branches into a pitcher or vase filled with sand or soil. Before guests arrive, make paper ornaments. Get creative with the colors, shapes, and sizes. If you are not the artsy type, use stencils to guide your ornament designs. Then hole-punch the top of each one and string a ribbon through it. Ask each guest to write what they are thankful for, sign their name, and put the date on an ornament. Then, of course, hang it on the tree! Save each year’s ornaments as mementos. Then, you could even make a bigger tree each year and display the previous years’ ornaments alongside the new ones to make the craft even more sentimental.

A Journal of Gratitude is another great and super simple way to materialize thoughts of thanks. You can either buy a journal that is aesthetically pleasing to you or, if you have the time, go ahead and buy a plain journal and decorate the cover yourself with paper, lace, and silk cut outs. Have each of your guests write thoughts of thanks with their name and date as well. Each year you can look back at the journals and remember all that you are thankful for.

-Emily Freeman

Dressing a Thanksgiving table is equally as important as properly dressing your Thanksgiving bird.  Families flock together over this upcoming holiday and decking your table out in the finest fripperies makes the gathering that much more special.

The best way to get started is at the bottom. Literally, what kind of tablecloth should you use?  White tablecloths are traditional for formal meals, but there are no rules that you have to follow.  Just keep in mind that Thanksgiving tables tend to be rather plump with food and other adornments, so a patterned cloth can make your table look kitschy or cluttered.  If you’re setting is going to be simple, then choose something a tad more exciting. 

Also, quick tip/reminder, it’s important to protect your table. During the holidays, the more the merrier, but things tend to get spilt and glasses can leave unsightly rings on wood. Lay down a heatproof protective table pad for an extra layer of protection. 

Once you have your tablecloth picked out and laid down, here’s where the fun kicks in: flowers, adornments, place cards, cornucopia centerpieces and beyond!

Place cards: for large family gatherings, they are key. They help you avoid an awkward game of musical chairs.  For a unique and more rustic approach, run kraft paper down the center as a runner, and hand write every guests name directly on the paper.

Flowers: traditional Thanksgiving colors provide a perfect palate to pick from. Reds, oranges, and other warm/deep fall colors create a warm ambiance and feel. If you chose to continue with the more rustic theme, mason jars are great for vases.

Any way you chose to decorate will impress, but it shows if you take the extra time and care.  Everyone will surely be thankful for your thoughtful table.

-Arianna Schioldager

Do you find yourself reaching for the same Thanksgiving table settings each year to cut costs?  If you do, stop it. You can decorate your table in a new, personalized, and festive way without breaking the bank this holiday season.

HGTV shows us how we can show our gratitude this Thanksgiving on chic dinner plates! It’s easy, fun and most of all it will remind you throughout the holiday feast why we stuff our faces every last Thursday of November.

Materials

White ovenproof plates

Food and dishwasher safe ceramic paint or ceramic paint pen

Masking tape (optional)

Stencil

Pencil

1.0   liner art brush

Oven

Instructions

Trace Stencil: Wash and dry plates. Position stencil in desired location on plate and hold firmly or tape into place. Lightly trace design with a pencil

Paint Design: Using a 1.0 liner brush, fill in design with ceramic paint. Ceramic paint pens are available for those less steady with a brush. If a mistake is made, it can be washed off to start over. Once completed, allow paint to dry for 24 hours before proceeding to next step.

Bake Plates: Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake plates and cure paint. Allow plates to cool.

Tip: Design options are limitless. Paint a simple gold rim for a classic look, or monogram plates for a personalized hostess gift. You could even personalize each plate with unique statements of gratitude for individual guest this holiday season.

-Emily Freeman

If you’re new the farmer’s market scene, it can be a little intimidating.  There’s usually a fair share of vendors, people who look like they’ve been around the farmers block once or twice, and such and abundance of produce, flowers, and wares, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.

Well have no fear.  There are easy steps to ensure a smooth shopping experience.

First things first. Even if your local farmers market is on a Sunday, and that’s your day to sleep in, set an alarm.  Popular items sell out and if you beat the crowd you’ll get the best selection.

Bring cash. While some vendors may accept credit, many only take cash. Plus if you’re buying multiple items from one vendor, they make strike a deal if you’re operating cash only.

Bring a large reusable bag, or a handy pull trolly cart.  Many vendors have plastic bags, but why waste when you can reuse!

Talk a walk around the block. Peruse the whole scene before you make your first purchase. You don’t buy the cow before you taste the milk. Ask for samples. Find vendors you like and build
a relationship with them.

Ask questions.  There’s no need to pretend you’re a culinary expert. We can’t all be Alice Waters.
Seriously.  The vendors know their produce: how to grow it, pick it, and cook it.  Some may even have recipe suggestions.

Plan beforehand. You can go into sensory overload and may wind up with more than you could ever possibly use.  But try and also incorporate something new into your list.  Not
familiar with fava beans?  Never eaten a kumquat?  There’s no time like the present.

Look beyond typical produce.  The floral selections at farmers markets are always top notch and inexpensive.

And above all, enjoy yourself!

-Arianna Schioldager

Martha Stewart always knows how to keep holiday decorating simple and elegant. Flaming Foliage Candleholders are the perfect decorations to liven up your autumn decorations. They can also be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table settings!

You will need

Spray adhesive

Assorted dried leaves

Glass candleholders, 3 ½ x 6 inches

Candles

Simple Instructions

1.  Spray the backs of the leaves with the adhesive          

2. Wrap the leaves around the candleholder,   positioning them so their stems extend past the base.

3. Cut off the leaf and stem overhang at the bottom

Anna Garforth was the artist to introduce Mossenger—her street art moss graffiti mural project—to the world.  Anna began decorating public walls with green graffiti made from moss. Not only do these murals encourage artists to use completely natural and organic materials (instead of the enamel based sprays that are full of synthetics) but they are also beautiful to look at.

And as it turns out, they’re relatively easy to make. All you need are a few key ingredients, a wall that doesn’t get too much direct sunlight, and you’re good to graffiti.

Ingredients

Moss (amount varies depending on how big you want your mural to be.  Decide beforehand on an image and pick your moss accordingly)

2 tablespoons Sugar

½ cup buttermilk or one can of cheap beer

Water?(in case your mixture is too thick and needs to be watered down)

Materials

Blender

Container

Paint Brush

How to Do it

Decide on an image. Stencil or draw it freehand in chalk on your chosen wall.  Brick walls are beautiful backdrops.

Collect your moss.  Once you start searching, I guarantee you’ll find more than your fair share; it’s everywhere.

Clean the debris from the belly side of your moss.

Place moss in the blender, add your sugar, buttermilk (or beer), and blend until it is the consistency of a thick shake. If it’s too thick, add water.

Paint the mixture over your drawn image.

Save any excess in a container in the fridge.

Many recommend reapplying the moss mixture every second day, and spraying the mural
with water on the alternate day.

The moss will begin to grow on your wall after about a week.  It’s a slow growth, and takes about a month to fill in, but then again, the Sistene Chapel wasn’t painted in a day…

-Arianna Schioldager

I am crazy busy, just like you and every other person on the planet it seems.  The only way I can keep things together is by using lists.

I love lists.  I have lists of lists (no I am not kidding!)  They are just so handy.  The best thing about lists would be that they can now be put on a smartphone and taken with me every where I go.

I have apps for grocery shopping lists, gift idea lists, things that need doing (otherwise known as To Do lists).  I even have a list that details the chores around the house.  There are lots of new apps out there that do all this.  My favorite is Cozi.  It’s free.  It has all of my glorious lists.  Plus, I can sync my calendar with it so I always know when I need to be somewhere and when my husband is working, and when the kids have doctor appointments.  You name it.  I know it.  I can keep track of whats for dinner each night, my grocery lists, my to do lists, and it has a journal function.  I use that for general notes and thoughts while I am out and about.

Essentially Cozi keeps all my needed information in one place, in one app.  Instead of having three apps (A calendar, a grocery list, and a todo app)  I have one, everything is in one place.  The nice people at Cozi are not paying me for my opinion either, but their product really does just work well.

Cozi is also web based so you can access your information from any computer (or web enabled phone).  My favorite feature is that you can add profiles.  Both my husband and I can log into Cozi on the web or the mobile app, and we all see what needs doing and where we are going.

Never again will my husband feel like he has no idea about what needs doing around the house.  If he stops at the store on the way home, the list is already with him.  It is genius!

-Stephanie Wright

String gardens or kokedama- Japanese moss balls- (http://www.stringgardens.com/) have taken over the design world. Kokedama are essentially plants that are contained within a ball of peat moss and bonsai soil, and then wrapped in twine and moss.   They look fairly complicated, but like most plant projects (think terrariums) there construction is not too involved, albeit a little messy.  You can create little plant worlds and a brand new look for any room in your home.  They just need to be hung in shadier spots (not in direct sunlight) and upkeep is simple. Spray your kokedama with a spray mist bottle in the morning once a day. You

To create your own hanging kokedama garden, you’ll use a 7:3 ratio combination of peat soil and akedama, or bonsai soil.  Most of the “ingredients” will be available at any local nursery or home improvement store. 

What You’ll Need:

A tiny plant; moss can’t stand direct sunlight, so choose a shadow-loving plant. You can use anything from wheat grass to hydrangeas to kumquat trees.

Peat soil and akedama, or bonsai soil

Dry sphagnum moss, which you can find at any nursery

Regular Moss, which you can buy at any garden or hardware store

Scissors

Cotton thread

Packing string like twine or hemp

Gloves. They say it gets messy. So you might want to throw down an old sheet while you’re at it if you don’t have outdoor working space.

A jar of water

Spray mist bottle

For a great picture play-by-play hop over the Design Sponge (which is an amazing and unique resource for all you DIY fanatics) and follow their instructions.

-Arianna Schioldager

You’re not carving the David out of marble, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take your pumpkin carving seriously.  Not too seriously mind you, there’s still some trickery left to Halloween. And there’s nothing like a good pumpkin carving to get you in the spirit of the holiday.

You’ll need the proper pumpkin carving tools and if you please, stencil sets.  Most art supply and craft stores will have a varied supply.

Cut a round hole in the top.  Scoop the gunk and seeds out of the center. To really clean it out, rinse the inside out in the sink.  If you want, save your pumpkin seeds, salt them, drizzle them with a little olive oil, and throw them in the oven at 350.  They’ll be a great treat for the end of your carving session.

There are a million ways to carve a pumpkin.  The typical jack-o-lantern is still a favorite.  A grave-stove maker pumpkin is a great way to update the old gap toothed face.

If you really want to go for it, create some scarecrow pumpkins.

You can even turn your pumpkin into a candy bowl for trick-or-treaters.  Hollow out the center just the same.  Maybe carve the word “Treats” on the side (letter stencils are great for this), and fill it with assorted candy.

For those who are a little more skilled than the average carver, pick up a pottery tool kit and use either the loop tool or ribbon tool to scrape away the outside flesh of the pumpkin and create a ghoulish face.

If you want to make a night of it, throw a pumpkin carving party for your girlfriends.  Provide the wine, the treats, and the spooky décor. All your guests have to bring is a pumpkin and a Halloween spirit.

-Arianna Schioldager

If you have children, making their holiday special is important and fulfilling. But, even if you have rugrats to supervise, there is no reason why you can’t partake in a little “you” time and carve some panache pumpkins. As an adult, you have no one telling you to not use a sharp knife or limiting any other creative resources you may be inclined to use to add some flair to your carving ideas.

For a quick and easy way to make your pumpkins into chic decorations, all you need is a drill and some Christmas lights.  Carve out the inside of the pumpkin as you normally do (make sure to save the pumpkin seeds to bake into delicious and healthy snacks)! Then, drill little holes, polka dots, all over the pumpkin or in a snazzy design. Either put a small chain of Christmas lights inside the pumpkin to make the holes glow brighter or even stick each light through the hole to give the pumpkin a whole new effect.

Or, you can save the mess and carve your pumpkin from the outside! Use a linoleum cutter to gently carve your own design on the skin of the pumpkin. You can get inspiration from your own home and use motifs found in your decorations, if you want to put your pumpkin inside. If you plan to put the pumpkin outside, you can carve images from nature such as leaves or create your own abstract design. Additionally, if you want the pumpkin lit and you have the time, scoop out the inside of the pumpkin from the bottom and put your light source inside like a normal Jack-o-Lantern.

Mix in the polka dot and carved pumpkins with Jack-o-Lanterns you or your kids made to create diverse décor!

-Emily Freeman