1. Celebrate Halloween! Parties, movies, decor and more!
2. Have a weekend getaway with one of my best girlfriends
3. Listen to as much of my Fall Feels Spotify playlist as possible
4. Check out some stand-up comedy
5. See the leaves...take more walks in the park
6. Add a few fall home decor pieces to my collection
7. Take our annual Steelers away trip
8. Get a hair cut...it's way too long
9. Fall cleaning...declutter, sell and donate
10. Get a few work projects kicked off
Now Playing: "Sweet Thing" by Van Morrison
*One of my all-time favorites.
Shopping for fall and Halloween decor is one of the things I look forward to most about this time of year! I spent a couple days traipsing around a few of my favorite haunts looking for new treasures to add to my collection. I had never been inside a Kirkland's store before but was impressed with quite a few of their seasonal selections including a stunning black and white 'Boo' pillar set. The shopping in Pittsburgh seems to be improving every year and it's getting overwhelming with all of the wonderful choices. I still appreciate my thrifted finds and upcycled crafts more than anything you could discover being mass-produced on the market today, but I can never resist a gorgeous velvet pumpkin, charming throw pillow or adorable country primitive black cat. Enjoy and please subscribe to my YouTube channel!
I feel the desire to share one of my favorite live music recordings. I stumbled across this video very accidentally several years ago, never having heard of the band prior to its discovery. Since then, the performance has stuck with me. Around this time every year, with the autumnal energy thick and the veils between the worlds thinning, I often find myself watching it again and again...
"Shivers Down My Spine" Live in Seattle circa 2010
What did you dress as for Halloween last year? I actually think that last year I didn't dress up. I just went to a haunted house and the bar on Halloween. It was a cold, rainy, nasty night. The year before that I was a deer because I love the makeup and wearing faux fur. What is your favorite Fall food? Candy. Any candy. Do you have any Fall traditions? Every year I go away in the Fall for a Steelers away game. We're going to Miami this time. Do you have any Halloween traditions? Not really. Every year is a bit different. I just know that I always like to buy new decorations to add to my collection. What music do you like to listen to during Fall? Here is my Fall Feels playlist to keep it literal. I tend to go for softer, slower, deeper music in the fall. Acoustic, alternative rock, Americana... with elements of dark, gothic undertones. Timber Timbre, Nick Cave, The Cure, Jeff Buckley, Mazzy Star, The National, Radiohead, Ray LaMontagne to name just a few... Favorite spooky movie? Hocus Pocus is my favorite Halloween movie. But spooky? Maybe Let the Right One In S’mores or pumpkin pie?S'mores Hot chocolate or warm apple cider? Neither. I don't like warm beverages. I'll take a cold Oktoberfest beer, though. Do you like Pumpkin Spice Lattes? No way! I don't even drink regular coffee. Yuck. What is your favorite day of the year? Christmas What would your familiar be, if you had one? I do and she's a shih tzu and her name is Ireland Pearl. I also love cats. Someday I'm going to have a black kitty and name him Thackery Binx. What is the story behind your URL? I came up with something that incorporated my name (Roman) and the most common font that was in use when I first started to use the internet in the 90s. I figured that blogs were the modern day newspapers so I visually laid out my site to mimic that look. The content is basically what's 'new' with 'Roman' (myself) in these current 'times'. As a side note, before I bought this domain several years ago, I believe that it was owned by a Baltimore band. I still occasionally get visitors who are looking for their music. If you're one of them, check out some of my Spotify playlists. They're not on any of them but there's about a million other songs to listen to. What is the best thing about your town during Fall? The stunning foliage is incredible in this part of the country. I read that Pennsylvania has the longest season of anywhere in the world. Of course football in western PA is unrivaled. Do you step on crunchy leaves just to hear their crunchy awesomeness? Yes. Do you like going to the pumpkin patch? Yep. It's fun to ride the tractor and choose a pumpkin shape that speaks to you. Do you go hiking through the woods during Fall season? No but that sounds like it would be a good time. I love the Laurel Highlands. Where do you buy your Fall candles? I'm not choosy. I think most candles are severely overpriced considering they don't last long. I try to repurpose the jars to get more value for my money spent. I have candles from the dollar and craft stores, some from independent labels, randoms from the discount stores, others from the typical mall spots and even a few fancy ones that I hate to burn. My collection ranges from The Family Dollar to Diptyque. Do you enjoy carving jack-o-lanterns? No. It's too messy. But I love the look of them. What is your favorite Fall color? Burnt orange. Favorite tree? I'm not an expert but I did some research and it's looking like the Sugar Maple is predominant in western PA. Corn maze or haunted maze? A haunted corn maze, of course. If I had to choose one or the other, I'd go with the haunted variety. Are you good at carving pumpkins? I don't have much experience so I'm going to say no. Why did you start your Fall blog? My blog isn't focused primarily on Fall but I started it as an outlet for self-expression. I think it's extremely cool that I can share things with people all over the world. Even if no one ever reads my posts, it's therapeutic to write, create and inform. Do you have a ‘main blog’? Link it! This is it. I also have a tumblr but I don't use it very often. Spooky or sweet? I enjoy a mixture of both for different reasons. When it comes to Fall decor, I'm more traditional than I am spooky or sweet. I like the rustic glam look for Autumn. Do you enjoy visiting graveyards? Yes. I love to read the headstones. If I ever get a good camera, I'd love to do a project on epitaphs. What is your favorite Fall memory? There's so many. Dressing up for Halloween parties in grade school, cheering for football games in high school, homecoming dances, college parties, traveling to Salem and New Orleans for Halloween in my 20s. What was your best Fall ever? Fall 2004. My freshman year of college at WVU. Gloves or mittens? Gloves. Do you enjoy rain? Yes. I love it! As long as I don't have to drive in it. If you could spend Fall anywhere, where would you choose? Pittsburgh has spectacular Falls. Other than home, I'd like to visit New England again. I've never been to Vermont or Maine. What’s your dream Halloween outfit? I want to be Peg Bundy but I have to find an Al first, lol. I'd get the hair done to look exactly like her. My hair is tremendously thick so I know they could tease it properly to high heaven. Be honest…are you already stocking up for Fall? It's currently October and I have purchased quite a few new decorations for the season. Do you enjoy the other seasons? Yes. I like Winter for many reasons. I'm a night owl so I actually don't mind darker days. I enjoy the sports, holiday season, my birthday, Valentine's Day... Curling up by the fire and watching the snow fall is always nice. Spring is pretty because by then, I'm ready for sunlight, greenery, and fresh air. I also love thunderstorms and the temperate weather. Summer nights have a magical energy to them and people are always much more social. There's more things to do like concerts and festivals. One of the things I love about where I live is that we are fortunate enough to experience all four seasons. I think nature is perfectly balanced when it's cyclical. I could never live in a climate that is always the same. How do you plan to spend this Halloween? Despite living on a main road in the city, we get 0 trick-or-treaters. On Halloween itself, I'll probably go out to watch Monday Night Football. For the weekend leading up to Halloween, I'm not sure yet. Maybe a party, maybe the bar. What is your favorite Fall candle scent? Diptiyque Feu de Bois (wood fire), Bath & Body Works Leaves and Marshmallow Fireside. Anything pumpkin. Do you enjoy Christmas? Yes, I love just about everything surrounding the Christmas season. What is your favorite store during Fall? Michael's. I'm all about that DIY. Do you enjoy cold weather? Yes. I prefer the cold over the heat. I hate to be hot. What is your favorite Halloween candy? It's not exactly a Halloween candy but my fave is flavored Tootsie Rolls- the cherry ones, especially. What is one thing you would love to try during Fall, but haven’t yet? I'd love to go on a hot air balloon ride. I've also been wanting to visit Gettysburg and do a ghost tour. What do your friends and family think of your Fall obsession? I think most of the people in my life also love this time of the year. How could you not? Be honest…are you already planning your Fall-themed wedding? Yes. And I'm single. My parents were married in October so I always wanted to follow in their footsteps. Do you have Fall/Halloween boards on Pinterest. Link them! Of course! I have them grouped into one section. It can be found here. The original tag from the Queen of the Pumpkin Patch can be found here. Now Playing: "Depreston" by Courtney Barnett
Ever since I was a little girl, I've always been drawn to cemeteries. I remember visiting the graves of my grandparents and reading the headstones of nearby souls. The resting places of people whose lives ended decades, centuries even, before mine ever began. Seeing the burial plots of young children my own age and babies was an indelible experience.
I grew up around the corner from a beautiful old cemetery that steeply overlooks the city of Pittsburgh. Memories of playing "dead" with friends when we were kids, midnight sneak outs in high school, solitude walks. I find so much solace in places like this.
As Autumn has arrived and Halloween is quickly approaching, I am in a much more macabre mood. Cemetery photography is incredibly gorgeous but I believe there isn't enough epitaph tributes online. Perhaps I'll make it one of my own projects. I scoured the web to find meaningful last words from the dearly departed. From what little results I was able to find, here are just a few epitaphs that resonated with me...
Now Playing: "Feel Real" by Deptford Goth
*Although if we're keeping it real, "Lover, You Should've Come Over" by Jeff Buckley is the ultimate cemetery song.
I absolutely adore this holiday! Not only do I get to spend Halloween in Salem, MA but it's also the 20th Anniversary of one of my favorite movies of all time, Hocus Pocus, which was set in the mystical town! I'm excited to have someone else read my Tarot cards for a change, visit a psychic, browse the New Age shops, see the gorgeous Fall foliage, tour the witch museums and explore New England! This is a trip that I've wanted to take since I was a little girl and I'm thrilled to check it off my list! :)
“For these beings, fall is ever the normal season, the only weather, there be no choice beyond. Where do they come from? The dust. Where do they go? The grave. Does blood stir their veins? No: the night wind. What ticks in their head? The worm. What speaks from their mouth? The toad. What sees from their eye? The snake. What hears with their ear? The abyss between the stars. They sift the human storm for souls, eat flesh of reason, fill tombs with sinners. They frenzy forth.... Such are the autumn people.” -Ray Bradbury 1920-2012 Now Playing: "I Summon You" by Spoon
1. Guerlain Meteorites Pearls (Rose) and Brush.
I've really been getting into the notion of quality over quantity and trying to edit down my makeup collection. I love the weight of this product. It's beautifully packaged and so well made. I could easily repurpose it for trinket storage when I'm through with the makeup or even hold onto it as a keepsake to be passed on. Guerlain is the best of the best.
2. The xx Concert Tickets at Stage AE.
I haven't seen them since Bonnaroo a few summers ago. I'm so excited! They're one of my favorite groups. Such beautiful music. They've become quite popular but if you haven't heard of them, check out "Intro", Crystalised", "Islands" or "Together."
3. MUJI Acrylic 5-Drawer Organizer.
I purchased one of these a couple years ago and really like it for storing my lip glosses. I don't really have the counter space for another one at the moment but I know around the holidays they tend to go out of stock and are slow with delivery. I bought an additional unit because my eyeliner collection has grown substantially. I want to be able to see every piece that I own. I highly recommend the MUJI drawers. They are sturdy, smooth and overall fantastic. If I ever have more space, I might invest in The Clear Cube for storing a great deal of my entire makeup collection but for now, these things are lightweight and efficient.
4. Steelers/Patriots Game Tickets.
I'm so excited to go to Boston for the first time! Per usual, Halloween weekend should be quite memorable. I look forward to our annual Steeler away trip all year long. This one will also be a blast. I haven't decided what I'm going to be yet or if I'm even going to dress up in a costume at all but I'm thrilled to finally see Salem and other parts of New England.
5. The September Issue. Vogue.
Well, technically I have a subscription so I didn't buy this at the newsstand. But every year for as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed a glass of wine (or a few) and reading this. I have a collection of September issues that I'm always looking to build upon. This year, one of my favorite actresses is on the cover, Jennifer Lawrence. I adore her real life sense of humor and loved her in Silver Linings Playbook.
6. A Blank Canvas.
As mentioned above, I've been trying to scale down a number of things in my life. One that has gotten desperately out of control is my nail polish collection. I had amassed nearly 500 bottles. I told myself I would never let it go above that number so I've donated many bottles, given some to friends and family and put others away to sell. When I get my collection whittled down to where I'm comfortable with it, I plan on painting a swatch mural. One of the reasons I love polish so much is because they remind me of miniature works of beauty. Art in a bottle. I'm very open-minded (as you'd have to be to acquire so many different colors) and love to look at all of the different shades, textures and shapes.
7. Shiseido Wrinkle Resist 24 Night Emulsion.
I've really been appreciating Japanese beauty products. Their quality and packaging are among the best in the world. They pay such close attention to detail. I wish I could go to one of their drug stores or spend time inside their shops. I actually got a Japanese Maybelline Hello Kitty mascara on eBay because I found it so precious. Americans can be so square when it comes to presentation. I really like Shiseido's skincare line. I still have their Future Solution cream on my wish list but for the time being, I'm trying out their Wrinkle Resist 24 range of products.
8. Urban Decay Glitter Liners.
As much as I love makeup (eyeliner in particular), I've only owned one or two glitter liners. I tried out Urban Decay's Spandex and fell in love. I picked up that along with Mullet, Midnight Cowboy and Stagedive. This is stunning for the evening!
Now Playing: "Junk of the Heart" by The Kooks
*Wish they'd come back to Pittsburgh. Luke Pritchard stole my heart.
In observance of the calendar date, here's a clip from one of my favorite horror movies, The Devil's Rejects. If you haven't seen the movie or you're not a fan of the genre, you might not want to click play. The entire film has a really strong soundtrack but the use of this song is extraordinary. It's one of the most memorable endings of any movie I've seen in recent years.
Here are some festive Halloween questions I found on YouTube. Happy Haunting!
1. Do you still Trick or Treat?
No and despite living in a fairly large neighborhood, in a nice house, on a main street, we don't even get any trick-or-treaters. Not one! That's city living for ya. Where the hood at? This year, my sister has to work on the designated trick-or-treating night, so I finally get to pass out some candy! She gets a bunch of kids at her place. My dog, Ireland, will help me pass out the treats. She's going to be either a ladybug or a witch like her Mother. I'm not dressing up ;)
2. Do you like going to haunted attractions?
Yes but when I was very little, I was terrified of haunted houses. I actually was so hysterical from one that I had to go out an emergency exit with my Mom. It was dramatic. I couldn't even get through E.T. despite always making my parents rent it from the video store (remember those places?). In high school, some guy with a chainsaw would not stop chasing me at some random haunted house. I actually ran through one of the wooden walls to get away from him- ripped a really cute pair of jeans in the process. But I love all that stuff as an adult. The Mortuary in New Orleans was my favorite traditional haunted house I've been through. It had a massive Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory room. The West Virginia State Penitentiary was the most haunted place I've ever gone to (had a really cool experience there). Rich's Fright Farm in PA also has a fantastic vibe (my cousin and I saw actual UFOs in the sky on the night we went several years back).
3. Favorite Halloween candy?
Tootsie Fruit Rolls in Cherry. If you ever go to a candy bin in October and notice all the red ones are taken, I may have been there.
4. Favorite Halloween movie? Hocus Pocus (1993).
5. Favorite scary movie? The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Scream (1996) or The Devil's Rejects (2005). I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
6. Favorite costume you ever wore as a child?
I was a mermaid inspired by Ariel (from The Little Mermaid)in Kindergarten. I won the coveted prize of "Most Beautiful Costume" as voted upon by the super cool eighth graders. I would post the picture but I can't find it. My favorite costume as an adult was freshman year of college. I went as the comic book character, Poison Ivy. It was pretty scandalous.
7. First costume you can remember wearing?
I've mentioned it once or twice before but it is perhaps my earliest memory ever. Halloween 1989. I was a pair of dice with my older sister. My Dad made the costumes. It was cute but I felt like I was being smothered and confined. I'm lucky the situation didn't leave me with a debilitating case of claustrophobia as an adult. I was a bumblebee for my first Halloween in 1986. I was only 9 months old but when I look at the picture, I feel like I remember it.
8. Favorite fall food and beverage?
Food- Apples. Beverage- Sam Adams Oktoberfest or just about any other seasonal brew! I love trying 'em all :)
9. Do you have a festive background on your phone?
I usually snap a picture of the fall foliage and set it as my background. Where I live, there are plenty of trees, hills and beautiful colors. It's other worldly during this time of year.
10. What are you going to dress up as this year?
I went out with friends last weekend. We didn't dress up. I did get to see the Long Island Medium which was fascinating. When I pass out candy this weekend (it was moved back because of the storm), I'll probably put on a witch's hat or Devil horns. I'll throw some simple accessories together from my stash of previous costumes. Now Playing: "White Dress" by Kanye West
I'm really loving this style. I want something similar.
Quote
I've actually never read Harry Potter or seen more than the first movie or so (and that was a long time ago). I know it's not only for children but I think I just missed the mark when it was first released. I think if/when I have kids, I'll really get into the stories. It seems like it would really be to my liking. I can appreciate this quote.
Tory Burch Robinson Middy Satchel
One of the girls I watch on YouTube recently purchased this bag. I had never seen it before and I instantly was drawn to the pattern. Her particular bag appears to have the best placement of color as every bag is slightly different. I actually don't really like any of the others I've seen. Her's seems to be exceptional. I believe the design is already sold out anyway.
Street Style.
Loving this snapshot. The cozy coat, sweater, dark slacks and damp environment makes me smile. I love the fall... only happy when it rains ;) It's nice to see someone else who wears their sunglasses even when it's not that bright outside.
Big Ben.
Again with the damp, spooky atmosphere. I can't wait to see Pittsburgh's Big Ben play in London next year! This shot is beautiful.
Comeback Sauce.
I had fried pickles for the first time this month. I have no clue what took me so long! With that delicious menu item came this southern style sauce. Click here for the recipe.
Halloween Kitten
This picture is so sweet. I imagine this cat living on a beautiful farm in New England where the fall foliage is stunning.
Romy and Michele Costumes!
LOVING this! If I was a blonde, I would have put this together years ago. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion is a favorite movie.
Hillside Home
This house in my neighborhood was recently remodeled. Something about it. Has a gorgeous view of Pittsburgh.
Bonfire
This.
Tame Impala's Lonerism
The best album of the month.
Favorite Tracks: Apocalypse Dreams, Elephant, Feels Like We Only Go Backwards, Endors Toi, Why Won't They Talk to Me?
MAC Holiday 2012 Collection
I have way too much makeup. I don't need anything more but around the holidays, MAC releases a special collection. Some years it's amazing and sometimes it falls short of expectations. I'm really liking some of the pieces for 2012.
OPI Zom-Body To Love
This blacklight nail polish is one of the most unique in my collection. I also love the way it looks in natural lighting. It appears to have a jelly consistency. Every time I look at the bottle in my stash or glance at my nails when I'm wearing it, I can't help but sing this in my head.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
I keep coming across the title of this book. I finally put it on my "to-read" list.
Next to Christmas and often times, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween is my favorite holiday! Fall is usually the most beautiful time of the year where I live. I love decorating, dressing up and getting into the spirit of things.
I think it's really cool that Halloween is unlike the rest of the holidays. It gives people a chance to get creative, let loose and touch base with a darker side of life that they perhaps don't think about often enough. I'm into everything paranormal, so I really love Halloween!
When I was younger, I was terrified of haunted houses and couldn't get through a scary movie. I was over dressing up by the time I was 10. But as I got older, I really started to get into everything Halloween-esque. As an adult, I count The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) as one of my favorite movies. I look forward to visiting the best haunted houses and creating costumes is one of my most enjoyed activities.
This year, I'm going to see the Long Island Medium and may also get a chance to visit Salem, MA- something I've wanted to do since I was young. The house pictured above is located there and was featured in Hocus Pocus. I read that it's actually a museum. Maybe I'll get to see it in person. If I dress up this year, I'll probably go with something simple. If I ever get married or find a serious boyfriend, I have about 100 couples' costume ideas that work perfectly for a redhead! Things to look forward to...
I'm living life in beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I hold a journalism degree from West Virginia University. I have worked in television news, fashion marketing, PR, and cosmetic sales. My love for writing and sharing with the world my various passions is strong. One of my many ambitions is to be published and continue creating in the fields of digital and print media, literature and film. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, reading, following Pittsburgh sports and traveling as often as possible. Some of my favorite things include beauty, style, architecture, books, tarot and astrology, thrifting and my shih-tzu, Ireland. I’m engaged to the love of my lifetimes and we look forward to starting our next chapter together. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!
