Trick-or-Treating Tips and Tricks

                                               

1.  Trick or Treat Pail via Polka Dot Pair
2. Trick or Treat Pail via Polka Dot Pair
3. Felt Trick or Treat Bag via Kelly's Needle
4. Trick or Treat Tote via Burpie Bundles 
5. Trick or Treat Paint Bucket via Carrie's Cute Creations

Always have 1 or 2 adults present.  Don't have time to take your kids to every single house in the neighborhood?  Why not organize a relay system for adult chaperons.  Have each parent or team of parents take the group to 3 or 4 houses then trade off with another team who continues the trick-or-treating for another few houses, then trading off once more.  This allows parents to enjoy trick-or-treating with their children while also giving other parents a break to have "adult time" or prep of their own Halloween activities.  Its the best of both worlds" quality time and free babysitting!

Plan a route ahead of time and give kids a map to follow.  Make it a game; they can check off or color in the houses they have been to.  This way kids feel like they have some control over the fun and where they get to go.  Play Halloween bingo; you're squares can have things like 'a blue house,' a green pumpkin,' a jack o'lantern with round eyes,' etc.

Carry a flashlight, or even better, glow sticks.  Kids LOVE glow sticks and flashing lights.  You can easily incorporate this into their costume.  'Light sabers', 'magical glowing bracelets', and 'glowing wands' are just a few examples of how to accomplish this.  Try to stick to sidewalks!  However, some towns either do not have sidewalks, or the sidewalks themselves are not safe (ie. unstable concrete, overgrown foliage, dark corners)  If your path takes you down roads instead of sidewalks, you can sew reflective tape into their costumes to create better visibility for drivers.

Play the counting game when leaving each house.  Give each child a number and let them count off.  This works best for younger children.  As an alternative for older children, let each child create a silly word or name starting with each letter of the alphabet.  This will help you keep track of each child without creating a panic.

Wear comfortable shoes and carry a backpack with essentials.  This list is just a jumping off point to get you started:

• first aid kit
• extra shoes/socks
• baby wipes for sticky/dirty hands
• accident/emergency pants (small kids may be more focused on getting candy than letting you know they need the potty!)
• a current photo of each child (God forbid you ever need to use this, but it comes in handy when a child wonders off)
• cell phone/walkie talkie to call for reinforcements if needed
• extra candy bags (reusable grocery bags are perfect for this)

Talk to your kids about safety and obeying the law before you leave the house.  Also come up with an agreed upon candy system.  Remind your kids that you will be checking their candy before they are allowed to eat it.  Decide on an amount that you see fit for them to consume that night.  Use the rest through the week/month for rewards or a special treat for doing well in school or helping out around the house.

Do you have any helpful suggestions?  Share your ideas and help make this Halloween a safe one!

Owl'll Bet You've Never Seen This Before

This is another one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" moments.  I love decorating for Halloween but I know that Halloween isn't everyone's 'thing.'  On the other hand, this cute owl is a perfect way to decorate for Halloween without' decorating'!  Owls are so popular right now, plus its environmentally friendly, and would look great with any decor I think.  I find that the problem with a lot of trash to craft projects is that they turn out cheesy or even....tacky (the dreaded T word).  But I simply love this idea!  Its actually really creative...did I mention that I'm kicking myself for not thinking of this first?!

Originally Found on Pinterest.  Available for purchase at Etsy

Head on over to Altered Perception on Etsy and pick one up for yourself!

Petroleum Jelly: A girl's best friend

I scored big time today!  I know what a lot of you are thinking.  "Isn't that a bit too personal to share with us Audrey?!"  Well get your mind out of the gutter!  That's not the kind of score I'm talking about!

I scored big today with Freecycle.  For those of you that don't know what that is, take a look at this post I wrote a while back.

I scored 75 baby food and other misc. jars.  For those of you that don't know, this is like the holy grail for crafters.  We need places to store all of our little doodads and foofums.  So I was SO excited when I discovered that no one else had claimed them yet.  

So of course, with every glass jar you get today, these came with a layer of sticky goo on the outside from the label.  We all hate that part, don't we?  It gets all over your hands and you can never get it off and its just ugly and gross and....

Yea well, you get the point.  So I'd like to share with you the Audrey Method of Sticky Grossness Removal (patent pending...no snatching!)  

Yes you can use, rubbing alcohol or acetone nail polish removed but those contain chemicals that can harm your nails and skin.  Or you could soak your bottles over night...or for days depending on the extent of stickiness...in white vinegar but that stinks.   On top of all this, all three of these methods involve scrubbing...and then more scrubbing.  

What I discovered today is not only GOOD for your skin but also requires less scrubbing and time.  Petroleum Jelly.  That's right...I said it.  

Cover your sticky bits with petroleum jelly and let them sit for just a little bit.  Use an old cloth, preferably one with ridges (I used a scrap from an old tank top) because it helps do some of the scrubbing work for you.  Make small circular motions and "massage" the jelly into the sticky stuff.  

You'll find that the petroleum jelly cuts straight through the sticky goo.  And TA-DA!  you've got a clean bottle...well almost.  I know what your thinking..."Ok Audrey, me and my bottle are all lubed up now"  Well no fear, just dunk your bottles in some hot soapy water for a bit or even run them through the dish washer and they are ready for use.  Now as for you...you should probably take a shower or something.

A FEW MORE TIPS:

}- Make sure you don't touch your clothes while covered in jelly.  It stains!

}- Also, don't touch your face or your hair!  Although petroleum jelly is excellent for hands and lips and well...other places....it will clog the pores on your face resulting in blemishes.  If you get it in your hair, although it can be very moisturizing, it will take a few washes to come out.  NO BUENO!

}- Use a rag that you don't mind throwing away when you're done.  There is no point in keeping it now.  You'll have a hard time getting the jelly out...trust me on this one.  

}- While you're at it, dab a little on your lips and cuticles.  When you're done your lips will be kissably soft and your cuticles will have never looked better.  

}- Wear shoes!  The jelly makes the glass bottles very slippery and there is always a chance that one of those little suckers could slip right out of your hands.  Safety first.  

The fanny pack is FABULOUS again!

This Monday's Fabulous Find is Kinies Ruffled Waist Purse. My favorite is the dark gray, But check out all the other styles and colors! Now you don't have to worry about leaving your purse on the table when you go out dancing or to a party, because its part of your outfit. The straps are adjustable as well, to fit you!

P.S. Check out the hooded scarves too!

November 30: Fabulous Find

I was combing Etsy looking for Christmas presents and I found LittleMissDressUp. Fun accessories with a vintage feel. The bib necklaces are classic and trendy all at the same time making them a must have for anyone who loves vintage modern style!