I've been making these cupcakes for Halloween treats and school parties for years, and every time they're a little different. The basic idea is the same, it's just the icing on top varies from year to year. Sometimes I'm lazy and make do with stuff I find in the fridge or pantry. If I plan ahead and buy the appropriate ingredients they turn out better. Let's call me lazy this year.

Anyway, these cupcakes are easy to make (if you allow it to be--I'll explain) and are a huge hit with kids (and grown ups too).

First, I'm not going to pretend I'm a baker. I have strengths and baking isn't one of them. I use box cake mix (insert collective gasps). I buy ready-made frosting. It's all I can do to take the time to make the witches legs, and that part can take up to an hour--or more. BUT! It's worth it I promise.

Here's what you'll need:

1 cake mix (or homemade cake batter if you're an overachiever) and the ingredients for the mix
2 cans white frosting
powdered sugar, milk, and green food coloring for the green icing 
paper straws
black card stock
cupcake liners
glue
an oven

To make Melting Witch Cupcakes:
Assuming you have an oven, bake the cupcakes according to the recipe. Let cool.
Cut each paper straw in half. 
Using a pencil, draw witches shoes. I promise no two will look alike and that's okay. Do not obsess or agonize over this part. You will start drinking and will soon find yourself drunk. I'm serious. Draw the dumb shoes. Cut them out. Move on.
Glue your not-so-perfect shoes to the straws. Set aside to dry.
In a piping bag (or plastic baggie with corner nipped off) add white frosting. Pipe on  cupcakes after they've cooled.
In a mixing bowl add powdered sugar and a small amount of milk. You don't want the icing to be too runny, just enough runny. See, this is where a professional baker would be a good idea. I have no idea how to tell you how to do this part. You just have to figure it out. Sorry. 
Add green food coloring. Mix and voila--there's your melting witch parts.
Pour green icing over each cupcake. It's okay if the icing runs over the edge. She's a melting witch after all.
When you're ready, insert the witch's legs in the cupcakes. 
Congratulations. You're a master baker. No one can top you. Go ahead and pat yourself on the back. Ask your kids to tell you three things they love about you. Have some wine and call it a day. Happy Halloween.

It's all in the details when it comes to high end designer pieces for your home. But many times you can achieve the same look at a fraction of the cost. In our first installment of "Splurge or Save", we share some of our favorite splurges and the similar products we found at amazing savings. 

The Goldfinger Lounge Chair has been replicated by many, but the Jani Armchair from Wayfair has been the best version we've seen.

Circa Lighting has some of the best designer lighting in both table and hanging. Keeping with the same shape, the Olivia Table Lamp has a higher sheen but similar rich color. 

We used the Tremont Cocktail Table from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in a recent project and it definitely makes a statement. Smaller in scale, the Cindi Driftwood Coffee Table provides the same organic addition to your living space.

So yeah, we think the Oscarine Bar Cart from Anthropologie is pretty fabulous. But, if we'd never seen that one, we'd be snatching up the Reynaldo Cart from Wayfair in a heartbeat.

Kelly Wearstler's Forza Lantern has a ruched linen shade on a twisted metal frame. The more simple Rocco Pendant Light provides a similar soft glow with it's faux silk shade. Both come in a variety of finishes.

Y'all know we are huge fans of embroidery, and the bold pattern on the Jimena Chair from Anthropologie makes it one of our favorites. Achieve the same look with a more simple embroidery with the Linnet Chair from Grandin Road.

Sometimes you stumble upon the same item at two different places with vastly different prices. As far as we can tell, the Tufted Wild Bloom Rug from Anthropologie and the Heather Rug from Grandin Road are exactly the same. Just shows it pays to bargain hunt! 

This post contains affiliate links.

This week the team attended the Sherwin-Williams Colormix Color Forecast 2019 presentation at Dallas Market Center to get a sneak peek at what they see as the biggest color trends for 2019. As you might imagine, the color trends for home change a lot more slowly than the color trends for fashion. Remember back in the 70s when those avocado green appliances were around for FOREVER?! (The 70s are back, BTW but hopefully we learned a few lessons on colored appliances the first time around.) 
Six color stories ranging from cosmic minimalism to bold maximallism and inspired by tech, the Southwest, British libraries, Africa, natural elements and eclectic excess provide a variety of moods and colors for any project. 
​
Shapeshifter
 Inspired by the cosmos and that unique space between tech and spirituality. Clean lines, iridescent finishes and a palette of ethereal blues accented with golden yellow.

​Wanderer
Modern western palette featuring the dusty colors of the American Southwest. Worn leather, natural woods and tribal patterns. 

​Aficionado
Inspired by British libraries and menswear patterns such as plaid and paisley, this palette is a rich, elegant update of the saturated colors of the 50s-70s.

​Enthusiast
Fully embracing the "more is more" philosophy, this color palette is bold, expressive and excessive. Layered patterns as seen in designs by Gucci and Prada, animal motifs and brocades provide inspiration.

​Naturalist
The wonder of nature as both botanic and through an Art Nouveau eye provide the inspiration for this ethereal, sophisticated palette. 

​Raconteur
Inspired by African heritage and crafts, this palette tells the story of a culture through color, texture and pattern.

Do you have a favorite? Which one are you? Send us your feedback, we'd love to hear from you!

Think office spaces have to be sterile and boring? Think again! One of our recent projects was an office for a women-owned business who needed both a work space and a "living room" space for consultations and meetings. The company works a lot with women entrepreneurs so a cozy space for kicking off their shoes and discussing big ideas over a glass of wine was at the top of the wish list. The blush sofa from Article is the perfect anchor for the chic, boho conversation area, and we picked up on the blush with the chairs at the conference table. Jute poufs are perfect for putting your feet up at the end of the day, or provide extra seating for larger gatherings. We kinda want to just move right in. 

Sofa: Article
Chairs: West Elm
Rug: Wayfair
Etagere: Wayfair
Lamp: Target
Pouf: CB2
Light fixture: All Modern
Artwork: World Market & Shauna Glenn

Conference Table: All Modern
Chairs: Article
Rug: West Elm
Artwork: Home Goods (similar here)
​Hanging sculpture: CB2
Basket: World Market

Want a quick and easy update to your home that doesn't cost a fortune? Consider painting your front door a vibrant, eye-popping color. We love the rich color palettes of fall and have taken inspiration from our favorite paint resource, Sherwin Williams to create four fall front door looks that will make your house the best looking one on the street. Whether your style is modern, boho, or somewhere in between, we've paired our favorite colors with doormats, planters, house numbers and outdoor seating to create a front porch that will make your neighbors green with envy.
Pro tip: Switch out the doormat for a 2x3 outdoor rug.
Now shut that fancy front door and get outside!

Paint: Oceanside by Sherwin Williams
Outdoor Rug: Pier 1
​Metal Chair: World Market
Planter: World Market
House Numbers: Houzz

Paint: Wild Currant from Sherwin Williams
Outdoor Rug: Pier 1
Rocker: World Market
Planter: World Market
House Numbers: Houzz

Paint: Carnival by Sherwin Williams
Doormat: Pier 1
Outdoor Lounger: World Market
Planter: Pier 1
House Numbers: Houzz

Paint: Passionate Purple by Sherwin Williams
Outdoor Rug: Pier 1
Adirondack Chair: West Elm
Planter: World Market
House Numbers: Houzz

​This post contains affiliate links.