Ten Halloween Tricks & Treats!

Here's a round-up of my favorite Halloween Tricks & Treats--try something tasty, spooky, or fun!

1. Whip up some Autumn Punch when entertaining guests!

2. This Vampire Bite Necklace is the perfect subtle piece--it's even suitable in the workplace!

3. A Silver Bullet Necklace keeps protection from werewolves close!

4. Follow this guide to plan the perfect Halloween Cocktail Party!

5. For a weekend treat, whip up some Pumpkin Buckwheat Pancakes!

6. Coconut Oatmeal is perfect for those crisp autumn mornings--healthy & delicious!

7. Make a Spooky Halloween Wreath with items from your local thrift shop!

8. Zombify your family photos for Halloween decor with a personal touch.

9. This Hair Fastener DIY is a whimsical take on a Hitchcock classic.

10. A Jeweled Skull keeps Halloween classy, people!

If you try any of these, please let me know and share your photos! I'd love to see how they turn out!

♥ Shannon

The Windy City Dress

This week it finally feels like fall here in Southern California! Cool weather, soft layered clothing, and pumpkin spice lattes--it feels wonderful. It makes me want to curl up on the couch with a fluffy blanket and a good book.

 Outfit details: Windy City Dress by ModCloth, Mossimo heels from Target, Jones New York coat

We just moved out of the city, and for those of you not in Los Angeles, it pretty much has one season all year: warm. So I'm looking forward to seeing some leaves change color, to cupping my hands around warm drinks, and to sitting around a warm fire.

Happy Fall!

♥ Shannon

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving, or perhaps just a lovely Thursday!

I am endlessly grateful for your support and encouragement, so thank you very much.

♥ Shannon

Freebie Fav's: Thanksgiving

Here are some of my favorite freebies right now--these are perfect for Thanksgiving and the last days of fall!

1. Subway Art & a matching banner from eighteen25
2. Wine labels from Sarah Hearts (great for a hostess gift!)
3. Pretty November calendar from Creature Comforts

It has actually occurred to me just now that only my American friends celebrate Thanksgiving in November, but everyone can take a moment to reflect on gratitude. So tell me, what are you thankful for?

♥ Shannon

White Pumpkins

I love this trend. Decorating with white pumpkins is such a elegant approach.

Image Sources 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 

Wouldn't a white pumpkin vase be a pretty hostess gift?

♥ Shannon

Fall Recipe Round-Up

Happy October! I'm not going to lie, this is about when I start getting very, very excited about holidays. And while there apparently is no Autumn in Los Angeles, I will still be enjoying pumpkin until they tell me to stop!

Here are some of my favorite fall recipes from last year:

1. This dreamy pumpkin smoothie is so yummy (and perfect if you, too, are still experiencing hot weather!)

2. Warm up your mornings with yummy coconut oatmeal!

3. Buckwheat Pumpkin Pancakes topped with Agave & Earth Balance--these are seriously good.

4. Pumpkin muffins with chocolate morsels? Yes. Yes yes yes.

5. This Autumn Punch recipe is perfect for romantic dinners or visiting with friends. Enjoy!

♥ Shannon

Is it autumn yet?

Image and dress via Boden

Oh my. Nearly two months without blogging. That's what happens when you go to the mountains and start shooting films! I'll be more prompt with updates, okay?

In the meantime, will someone tell Southern California that it's supposed to be autumn weather? Not that my tall soy iced pumpkin spice latte wasn't fantastic....

♥ Shannon

Autumn Craft Link-Up

Oooooh I just love this Subway Art Table Runner from The Country Chic Cottage!!

Have you been feeling crafty? I want to see what you're working on!! Link up to any and all of your fall crafts and I'll post my favorites here on Little Luck Tree next week!
♥ Shannon

Happy November!

Can anyone believe that it is already November? Today my sister, Bonnie, and I were having a talk about how much we have to be thankful for--I plan on making this whole month one of giving thanks. I have a few tutorials planned to help you do the same! In the meantime, here is a lovely craft from V and Co:

These are wax paper and crayon leaves! I just love it! Check out the full tutorial here.

What are you thankful for today?

♥ Shannon

Top October Posts

Happy Halloween, friends! Here is a round-up of your top three favorite posts from the month:

1. Vampire Bite Necklace DIY

 2. Last year's Jack O'Lantern Inspiration

3. Halloween Wreath DIY

I love that you love my tutorials--I promise to keep them coming!

♥ Shannon

Vegan Pumpkin Recipe

Today's post is brought to you by Jade from Spirit of the People. It looks so delicious! I'll just get right to it.

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Happy Early Halloween everybody! I am so very happy that Shannon is letting me share one of my favorite pumpkin recipes - Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins! Trust me, they are fabulous!

I make these muffins all of the time. They are my go-to breakfast treat, but I especially love them around Halloween and the fall. Also, it doesn't hurt that they are so easy to make.

This recipe is a modified version of Isa Chandra Moskowitz's "The Best Pumpkin Muffins" which can be found in her cookbook Vegan with a Vengeance. She is a wizard in the kitchen! I hope that you enjoy these punkin treats as much as I do. They would be ideal for a work function or a fall brunch.

What you will need:

Dry Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups sugar (make sure the sugar is vegan)

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Wet Ingredients

1 cup pureed pumpkin

1/2 cup soy or coconut milk

1/2 cup vegetable or sunflower oil

2 tablespoons molasses

2/3 or 1 cup vegan chocolate chips, your preference (not pictured)

Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Lightly grease a twelve-muffin tin, or as I did, you can use fun, festive Halloween inspired tin liners. I spray them with oil to make sure I get the entire muffin out. I’m greedy like that.

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, soy or coconut milk, oil, and molasses. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, mix, add the chocolate chips, and then stir until they are incorporated throughout.

Fill the muffin cups two-thirds full. 

Bake for 17-20 minutes, until a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean. (Watch your muffins because you don't want to end up like me. I let mine brown a little too much.)

Voila! Happy Eating and Trick or Treating!

P.S. Shannon posted about vegan candy a little earlier in October. Well, I thought I would share one of my favorites – Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks. You can buy these at Kroger on the Halloween aisle. A bag contains Summer Strawberry and Berry Patch packs. Kids and adults will love them.

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Thank you so much for this recipe, Jade--I can't wait to use it, like, every day until June....

Make sure you visit Jade's online shoppe, Spirit of the People. I particularly like her little fish brooch!

♥ Shannon

Delicious Pumpkin Pancakes

I love pumpkin pancakes this time of year. They are so easy to make--and the beauty is that the pumpkin is what makes them vegan--use it as an egg substitute for delicious pancakes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

So here's what you do: your favorite pancake mix, but substitute 1/4 cup pumpkin for 1 egg. If the recipe calls for milk, use your favorite milk substitute (I like almond or coconut milk). Top these babies with some melted Earth Balance and a bit of Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup. Delicious!

♥ Shannon

Autumn Punch from Dancers and Dreamers

I am so excited about this post today from Hanna--not only is it beautiful, it looks absolutely delicious and perfect for fall! Enjoy!

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Hi there Little Luck Tree readers! My name is Hanna from Dancers and Dreamers and I am sponsoring Shannon's blog this month. I love sharing yummy recipes (probably because I like eating so much), so I decided to show you this one for hot punch.

As everyone knows, autumn is the time for walks outside in the crisp and cold air (the kind that makes your cheeks go red). Ever since I can remember, on special occasions, we would snuggle up with some blankets and drink something hot like this punch to get warm again once we were back at home. It is also a great drink if you have some guests coming over because it makes your home smell so delicious (and it is super-easy, too!). Even children can drink it because it is alcohol-free.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients: 1 litre grape juice, 1 litre blackcurrant juice, 1 apple, 2 oranges, sugar, cinnamon, cloves.

Chop the apple and one of the oranges into cubes. Mix the juice and the chopped fruits and flavor it with sugar, cinnamon and cloves (I added about five) to your liking. Squash the second orange and put the juice in with the other ingredients. Bring everything to a simmer (it doesn't have to boil!). Once it is hot, your punch is finished!

PS: You can also add some red wine if you want to, both versions taste delicious. Cheers!

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Thank you so much, Hanna--I simply cannot wait to try out this recipe. It seems so perfect for a Halloween Party or a Harvest Dinner, don't you think? Be sure to check out Dancers and Dreamers--Hanna has put together a fun autumn mixtape for you--and even great DIY for your mixtape cover!

♥ Shannon

Thanksgiving For Two Inspiration

Image Sources from left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Sometimes the holidays just won't be a mad affair. This year, Matt and I will be having a quiet Thanksgiving, just the two of us (and Arty). We will have dinner with each other, go for a walk, have a dessert and drinks date (I'm thinking hot chocolate and pumpkin pie!), and just enjoy the holiday being thankful for each other.

If anyone else is in the same boat, I'd love to hear your plans!

♥ Shannon

Happy Monday

I don't know about you, but I sort of consider this the last week of fall. After Thanksgiving, it will be the winter holiday season--pine trees, garlands, and boughs of holly will be taking over! It will certainly be fun, but let's not waste the rest of fall, one of my favorite times of year! Get out there and play in the colors and leaves while the weather is still calm and nice!

Here are a few fun fall-inspired images from BeautySpot to get you in the mood!

So, Happy Monday--now get out there and savor the fall!

♥ Shannon

Fall Fashion

I love the fabrics of fall. Today I wore one of my favorite dresses, and I had a little fun trying to decide which coat or sweater would best keep me warm while I wear it in the cooler weather.

 So what do you think? Grey, blue, or green?

♥ Shannon