HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Well, its that time of year again! I absolutely love fall and likewise one of my favorite holidays of the year is Halloween. It seems to kick off the holiday season and really gets me in the spirit for cozy nights by the fire and opening my home to friends and family. It seems the Halloween spirit came to me a little bit early this year. It all kicked off with the filming of the HGTV Halloween Block Party in early August, where I partnered with designers Mikie Russo and Eddie Ross, each transforming a home for Halloween. My theme? Hansel and Gretel!

Really wanting to transform the house and make it unlike anything anyone had seen for Halloween before, I set the stage with a spooky forest in the front yard including my custom Hansel & Gretel jack o lantern...

Being that it was August, it was extremely hot, but we all got into the spirit pretending it was fall. Next, it was on to the facade of the house...creating the perfect candy house wasn't hard to do. The trick? Cover EVERYTHING in candy! Hansel and Gretel would be lured into the witch's lair for sure if she lived in this candy house!

It turned out so well...and looked fantastic at night!

Well, if you followed the story of Hansel and Gretel at all, you know the candy facade is just that, because once inside they find they're stuck in the witch's lair!

We covered all of the walls of the home's interior with creepy corrugated paper that was the perfect back drop for the giant child's size cage!

It was such a blast! My favorite part? Meeting so many great new friends!

The last airing of the HGTV Halloween Block Party is tonight at 6 pm, so tune in! Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

NEON BABY!

I'm loving this bust! Find out why here...

ONE YEAR OF WHITE PAGES

My latest favorite thing makes the BEST gift. Check it out here.

DIY HAIR ACCESSORIES

Headbands ala Gossip Girl are so popular, but pricey! Learn how to make your own in our Idea Lounge!

HELP REMEDIES

Find out how you can help others receive medical benefits by using my latest favorite thing!

UP AND COMING ARTIST

Edward Hopper is my favorite American artist. I remember when I turned a corner in Chicago at the Art Institute Museum and saw the legendary Nighthawks for the first time, I immediately and instinctively was filled with emotion and had tears in my eyes. Art is an expression of our experience, the work of sensitivity playing out through skilled hands. Hopper's work captivates me because of the people he's painting. There is emotion and story in their face.

My design aesthetic is so vintage and eclectic that I would be proud to hang any of Hopper's pieces in my own home, and I feel the same about local emerging artist Austin Smith. This young talent is blooming into a sophisticate as his work begins to raise brows at local art walks in Belltown at Amore, and West Seattle at Funky Janes.

He started at a young age dabbling in watercolor and as he made the transition into oils, his eye has trained and his taste matured into what we are seeing currently... a fascinating collection of still life that evokes emotion beyond what you would expect!

This oil and gold leaf on canvas is so striking and rich in light and texture. My first reaction was linked to Edgar Degas. The colors are reminiscent of 1886 The Tub and are heavily connected in their impressionistic approach to style.

The subject matter of Austin's current pieces also draws upon insects, particularly wasps, fish, and humming birds in addition to some of the most gorgeous and sometimes goulish fruit that has ever been captured in oil. I am most attracted to the feeling of eeriness that pervades in many of his pieces. They lure and shock at the same time!

This apple in oil and gold leaf is making my heartbeat accelerate! I instantly see a great gilded frame surrounding this piece on my teal walls adorned with brass candlelabras and a clear acrylic sideboard table!  It's so eerie and dark, it reminds me of the painter Caravaggio, that does insane tenebrism (which is a fancy art word for contrasty darks and lights).

And just to demonstrate the bredth of emotion that Austin evokes, I have to share this amazing fantasy of freedom that these colorful birds would bring to your wall. I am addicted to BLUE -BLUE -BLUE right now and with a great royal blue velvet sofa and a sparkling crystal lamp with a modern black end table, this painting is hanging weightlessly on the wall inviting me to come and play!

Currently you can view Mr. Smith's work at Windermere Real Estate Fauntleroy, Inc. or check out his website to peek at other beauties and what's the latest on his canvas! Love your stuff Austin!

THREE FRAMES IN ONE

It can be difficult to arrange your pictures when you have a lot of small frames to deal with. That is why this frame is my new favorite thing!

DIY SKELETON

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is take long walks with my dog Zoe and look at all the wild and crazy decor people have donned for Halloween. It is such a reflection of the homeowner's creativity. Some are very status quo, and others really let their imaginations go wild. I saw this little number this weekend and was stopped in my tracks.

Seriously, how much more creative can you get? This skeleton is entirely made of plastic milk jugs and zip ties. I don't even know how one would come up with such a creative idea! I love the handle feet, the hands made from the bottom of the jug and really the sheer genius of it all. It just shows that even if you are on a budget, you can really make spectacular decorations for any holiday with items you already have! Bravo neighbor!!

WALLPAPER LOVE

Why not add a little interest to your walls by adding wallpaper to your decor? Check out my ideas here!

DIGITAL GRAFFITI

Do you want digital graffiti at your next party? Find out more about it here!

GET HITCHED, GIVE HOPE

Everyone here at KMCM loves bringing people together, especially when the celebration is helping others.  That is why I'm a big fan of the upcoming bridal show, Get Hitched, Give Hope.

Started by 8 Seattle wedding professionals, everything about this wedding show and auction raises money to "make a wish" come true for stage IV breast cancer patients. This years goal: Make 12 wishes come true by raising $50,000!

You can buy wedding photo packages, rentals, cakes and pretty much any element of your wedding knowing that the money you're spending is helping another family's wish come true...thanks to the generous donations by vendors.

Here are the details and you'll be certain to see me at the party!

What: Get Hitched, Give Hope

When: October 29th 2009

What Time: 5:30-9:30pm

Where: The Arctic Club Hotel

700 Third Ave (3rd & Cherry), Seattle, WA 98104

Tickets: Start at $25 (Swag bags available too and are INSANELY COOL!)

BUY TICKETS HERE

Why: You will truly be able to get gorgeous goods for your wedding by giving back.

Seattle's top wedding professionals have been personally invited to exhibit their services and products with one catch-- they must donate a fantastic item for our silent auction. Together with items donated by Seattle's top businesses, we will raise money for a great cause through silent auctions, raffles, and a final, show-stopping live auction. The items up for grabs are not just limited to pre-wedding prep, day-of services, and newlyweds, there are sure to be some great goods for moms, dads, grooms, and friends!!

Where does the money go?: This year, the goal is to raise $50,000 to grant wishes for stage IV breast cancer patients and their families. It can take $4000 to grant one wish for a small family of 4, let's grant 12!!

CREEPY CAKES

How cute are these creepy cupcakes?

Don't you want them at your Halloween party? Find out more about them here!

RUNWAY GARAGE SALE

It’s easy to accumulate a lot of things you no longer need and then store them in your garage. Every summer I host a garage sale, to let go of the old and release myself from clutter. This year, time has gotten away from me... it is well into October. My solution? Throw an indoor Runway Garage Sale!

Find out how here!

YUMMY HONEY

My latest favorite thing is a perfect compliment to holiday entertaining. Check it out here!

THINK PINK!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Read more about seriously stylish pink products that support a great cause here!

A STITCH IN TIME

For timeless appeal....it's a sweater clock! You can view my latest favorite thing here.