Trick or Eat: CNN Features My Fangtasia Feast

Click on the image for the full article by Nicole Saidi. Or click here. 

Frightfully Decadent Cupcakes

I brought these into work today.  They vanished quickly.


Devil's Food Cake mix, dark chocolate frosting, orange sprinkles from Target ($1!) Cupcake wrappers and picks from Alin Party Depot.  The Beware Sign - 99 Cent Store.

Sookie Sookie Now!

 

After decking out my dining table like the vampire club Fangtasia, I invited in some vamps, shapeshifters and even a monster from out of town.  My guests dined on bloody pecan pumpkin pancakes and spidery deviled eggs.  I served a pair of signature cocktails called the Fanglicious and Jason Stackhouse.  It’s the most fun I’ve had in the past century!

For a complete list of recipes you can check it out here on CBS!

True Blood Halloween: Fangtasia Tabletop

My Fangtasia inspired table is dark, decadent and inspired by the vampire bar from the tv show True Blood.  It's sexy and little outrageous, which is perfect for a happy haunting. 

You can learn how to make your own at CBS. Click here for the complete photo gallery and shopping list!

True Blood Halloween: Garden of Evil...Takes Root

In case you're just coming on board, I'm planting a Sookie-inspired garden for Halloween, perfect for sweet pretty faeries.  As you are lured to my front door, you're suddenly at the entry to Fangtasia, the vampire-owned club with a sexy yet dangerous vibe.

My silvered pumpkins are nestled into their beds with cabbage plants, small ferns and flowers.

The different heights and textures keep things interesting.  Can you believe this was a rock garden just a few months ago?  Upgrade.

This name of this succulent with fuschia edges is Etcheveria.  Robert & I are debating whether the name is Basque or Portuguese.  It could be both?

I've gotten a start on Fangtasia.  This is just the front door.  Wait until you see inside.

If you dare...

The Cat's Meow

I love this makeup tutorial.  I feel like doing some seriously wild makeup this year.  Last year I made mirrored Lady Gaga glasses and could barely see a thing.

Check out Lady Susu in full Gaga gear.

Planting, Painting & Partying!

I woke up bright and early to plant my faerie-inspired Halloween garden, starting with the general layout to mark where to plant.

Once I was done planting, I spraypainted the pumpkins.  The shiny silver paint dries to a nice mellow sheen.  If you try this yourself, put your car in the garage!

Check out my chipped nails.  I had less than an hour to get ready for the charity event I was hosting.

No time for a mani, so a pair of gloves were the perfect disguise.

This was my first time on a yacht!  We sailed out of Long Beach Harbor on the S.S. Majestic.

The site of the 21st annual charity fundraiser for New Image Homeless Shelter.

A quick pose with Robert as everyone took their seats. 

I was busy with emcee duties for most of the evening, but captured the pic below with my phone.

Garden of Evil

This year, I became obsessed with True Blood.  Black magic and vampires, faeries and maenads.  I found this photo a few weeks ago and I love how it's enchanting and dark.  It seems like Sookie could come traipsing through any second.

One trip to Home Depot to pick up pumpkins, plants, flowers and silver spray paint and I'm on my way to planting my haunting Garden of Eden.

 

I can't wait to get planting this weekend!

Rooftop Birthday Bash

Do you dig the getup?  The dress is from Wasteland (worn here too).  The lace is up to there, so I donned black tights, my new Louboutins and the fabric belt is borrowed from another dress.

Ok, so The London is becoming THE place for birthdays.  (Remember mine?)  This fabulous birthday bash featured fortune tellers, photo booths, and I love the signature cocktail representing each birthday girl.

I didn't drink enough Ninas (virgin margaritas), so I was relieved when the night ended at 25 Degrees.  A group of us were crammed into a booth chowing down burgers.  Sometimes, nothing beats a burger.

A Paige of Inspiration: Lovely In Lace

Lace has been around since the 14th century. It was in style when you’re great-great-great-grandmother was young and will be in style when you’re great-great-great-grandchildern are around. You can never go wrong with lace.

~Paige
click here for my blog!

"Lace - the invention of a goddess and the occupation of a queen"

Vinciolo

Green Chile & Chicken Enchiladas

I've been craving spicy comfort food and nothing beats my grandma's chicken enchiladas and green chile.

First, roast green chiles over open flame.  The skin blisters and chars, then pop them in a plastic bag to let them sweat for 15 minutes and the skins fall right off.

I browned chunks of pork loin with olive oil and salt and pepper.  Then I added one chopped onion, cooked until translucent.  Add chiles and promptly cover with 2 cups water.

Add one chopped russet potato to thicken the sauce.  Let simmer for an hour.

That's when I started my enchiladas, which are impossible to make and take photos of at the same time!  It's serious assembly line action.

Check out the green chile.  I took a potato masher and worked in the meat and potatoes for about 30 seconds.  It helps combine the potatoes with the sauce and incorporate the flavors with the meat.

Now to the enchilada sauce.  I thin it with a bit of water and heat it to a simmer.  I dip corn tortillas in this and also add some enchilada sauce to the shredded chicken to keep it moist.

These beauties are filled with chicken, chopped onions, black olives and cheese.  Cover generously with cheese so they don't dry out while cooking.  Leftover black olives make it pretty.  I cover them loosely with foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Time to eat!  As you serve, cover the enchiladas in more sauce and a dash of cilantro.  I love cilantro, so I added it to my green chile, paired with spanish rice and beans.