Halloween on The Hill

On a dark and stormy night a group of friends gathered for a Halloween Party and were never heard from again...these photos are all that were left behind..........Happy Halloween.......

Costume photos via Karen A. Chase. Check out her Halloween blog post here. Spooky filters via Snapseed.

Apple Pie



{ The finished product was so pretty I almost hated slicing it }


I should start out by saying I've been making this apple pie for a while, like 10 years. The recipe, which you can find here, has become like an old pair of shoes that are so comfortable you can't throw them away. Don't worry this pie tastes better than old shoes. I also have some great memories of making this pie.

There was the first time I made it when I was probably 22........

The only thing I had ever baked in my life was pre-made Toll House cookies. I thought this was the next logical step. It turned out ok but I was so worried about making it perfect that the process was very stressful.

Then there was the time it never made it to the oven........

I was at a friend's house and the finished pie was on a tray. I asked my friend to pass me the pie so I could put it in the oven and literally watched in horror as she swung the tray around and the pie slid off  onto the ground. Time stopped and the whole episode happened in slow motion.

Then there have been the multiple times I have made it with my best friend {M}.........

We add wine and gossip to the recipe. Good times xo

{ Cold ingredients make the best pies so I refrigerate my flour and freeze my butter }

{ A recent apple-picking trip was the catalyst for this latest incarnation }

{ I use this recipe for the crust }

{ I like to add brown sugar as well as granulated and cinnamon for the filling }

{ I wish I had smell-o-vision for this photo }

{ Let it sit for at least an hour before you enjoy a slice }

Costume Cozy

Costume Cozy by austenhillrichmond featuring stella & dot jewelry

My Halloween Party this weekend was a smashing success, no pumpkin {pun} intended. Bad joke, sorry. I'll share some pictures on Wednesday. Everyone on the East Coast is bracing for "Frankenstorm" so I've been getting my house ready and crossing my fingers.

The temperature has dropped ahead of the storm and I've been thinking of cozy sweaters and hot cider all day. I found some adorable, and might I add affordable, sweaters from Target that you can shop below. To keep a cozy look like this polished, I like to pair it with over-sized costume jewelry so be sure to check out some of my favorite pieces as well. Everyone stay safe this week!

Pumpkin Chic

{ Designs that work for Halloween and Thanksgiving }

I love decorating my house with pumpkins on Halloween because they're beautiful and spooky at the same time. Here are some designs that definitely take things up a notch. I hope you'll try a few this year!

{ A spooky front door }

{ I love these painted and jeweled versions }

{ Dramatic Effect }

Halloween Movie Night

{ THANK YOU! I thought I was the only one who thought this! }

After all the candy has been given away I love to curl up on my couch, make some popcorn, and watch my favorite scary movies on Halloween. I know what frightens me but I was interested to see what other people's favorites were. The results of my informal poll are below. What are your favorite scary movies? 

The one that gets me every time is The Lady in White. It's not really that good of a movie and the special effects are laughable, but every time I watch it I transform into the 10 year old who saw it for the first time at a sleepover. There are certain parts where I still cover my eyes and to this day I cannot listen to Bing Crosby's version of Did You Ever See A Dream Walking without freaking out {hard to explain you just have to see the movie}. So why do I watch it every year? Because sometimes it's just fun to be scared. 

{ The Classics }

{ Horror That We Love }

{ My Personal Favorites }