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Top 12 Halloween Games!

We all know kids love games, but Halloween games? They’ll love you for putting these games together for their crew! Squeeze in some fun playtime before heading out into the neighborhood to trick-or-treat. The best part? These games are easy enough to make in the comfort of your own home!

 

1. Eyeball Hunt:

Think along the lines of an Easter egg hunt and have the kiddos collect as many googly eyes hidden around the backyard as they can! Turn up the intensity by timing the eyeball hunt to see who can snatch the most for even more fun! Click here for the DIY instructions!

 

2. Pumpkin Patch Stomp

Fill orange balloons with candy, or other treats. Trick-or-treaters can then clobber the “pumpkin patch” in your backyard to claim each prize inside! Click here for the DIY instructions!

 

3. Skeleton Scavenger Hunt

How fun were scavenger hunts back in college? We thought it would be fun to make one for the kids for a bit of Halloween fun! Grab a few plastic skeletons from your local dollar store, snap the pieces apart and create a scavenger hunt for the kids and their friends on your street! Click here for the DIY instructions!

4. Jack Stack

Split the little ones into teams and have them race to complete this puzzle crafted from disposable orange cups. Click here for the instructions

5. Autumn Tick Tack Toe

Use mini pumpkins as the pieces (one color for Xs and another for the Os) for this spirited take on the classic kid’s game. Get the tutorial here

6. Feed the Monster

This one is easy to make and so much fun to play! A win-win as the monster doubles as a winning Halloween decoration. Click here to get the tutorial!

7. Poke-A-Pumpkin

Poke the pumpkin to get a special surprise! Click here for the DIY instructions!

8. Pumpkin Toss

The best part about this easy-to-assemble competition? It’s edible, too! Click here for the tutorial

9. Halloween Mini Piñata

Substitute the one big Piñata for these smaller, personal ones! That way, every kid can pull their own string and collect their own candy without any fuss! Click here for DIY instructions

10. Ghost and Pumpkin Bowling

Sacrifice a few toilet paper rolls or white paper cups to convert into ghoulish bowling pins. Cut the stem off a pumpkin and you’re all set with the perfect festive ball! Click here for the tutorial

11. Halloween Bean Bag Toss

 Source a few pieces of leftover wood to DIY this fa-boo-lous yard game, complete with pumpkin and ghost-shaped bean bags. Click here for the tutorial

12. Pumpkin Chunkin’

Rather than tossing real pumpkins, cover toilet paper rolls in orange felt for a much lighter (and cleaner) prop! Click here for the tutorial

 

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Home Tips: 14 Fall Harvest Decorating Ideas for Your Home

When summer fades, many of us are ready to welcome the fall season. Pumpkins, gourds and other decorative squashed are in abundance this time of year! Why not use them as inspiration for your fall harvest decorating project? Browse our best fall harvest decorating ideas over the years – they’re made to last from the first changing of leaves through the Thanksgiving feast.

  1. Wheat Wreath with Wooden Beads

A wreath is a lovely way to welcome guests into your home. This wild wonder owes its elegant good looks to the natural materials that embellish its standard straw base. We added wheat stalks laced with wooden beads and sculptural bleached seedpods.

 

  1. Corn Husk Garlands

At the front door, visitors to your home will marvel at this outdoor display. Decorative Indian corn is a farm-stand staple at this time of year and can be used in all manner of home décor projects: dye them, bath style, in a rainbow of dye colors or braid the husks to create a seasonal garland that drapes around your doorway.

  1. Pear “Welcome” Display

Once inside, guests will be greeted with a friendly, fragrant greeting using the season’s abundant Forelles and Anjous pears. Simply arrange seven pears on a mantel. Then, with a fine-tipped washable marker, write letters on the front of each pear. Press whole cloves into the flesh along the lines and the sweet aroma will be as welcoming as the message itself.

  1. Lamp Chimney and Candle Centerpiece

Many people say grace at dinner, but you’ll feel thankful well before if you prep the table with this easy yet eye-catching centerpiece. Incorporate the lamp chimneys at varying heights for a high-low look and better ease for guests to converse across the table.

 

  1. Wheat Centerpiece

Summer flowers may have wilted with the changing of seasons, but wheat stalks – with their delicate, golden form – are long lasting. Arrange an armful of tall stalks into a vase, cropping the ends and fluffing the tops, and display your glorious autumnal bouquet.

  1. Squash-and-Pumpkin Flower Arrangements

Squashes and pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes, and when paired with seasonal blooms, they add character to your table. Combine a large greenish Hubbard squash paired with bittersweet branches and a white “Baby Boo” pumpkin with bright orange mums for a unique floral display.

  1. Turnip Votives

In a season of abundance, make full use of those richly colored vegetables that flourish in the transition from autumn into winter. Amid a set of gray-washed baskets on the table, turnips – in varying sizes – can be scooped out to hold votive candles that provide a soft glow.

 

  1. Cabbage Bowls and Cups

Bring in new colors and textures to the dinner table with heads of cabbage. Hollow out whole cabbages with a paring knife and spoon and use them to hold appetizer dips. Then, wrap the remaining leaves around glasses to hold crudités, cheeses, and breadsticks.

 

  1. Sprout Napkin Ties

Small Brussels sprouts and sage leave combine to make a charming addition to each guest’s place setting. For each napkin tie, sandwich one end of a ribbon between a sprout and a pair of sage leaves. Use a sequin pin to secure, pinning through the leaves first, then the ribbon, then into the sprout. Repeat on the opposite end of the ribbon, and tie it around a napkin in a loose knot. The sage leaves aren’t just a pretty addition – they’re fragrant, too.

 

 

  1. Hanging Basket of Fall Flowers

Assorted pinecones, pods, acorns and other natural decorations all make for a wilt-proof wall hanging. Treat them with a few coats of golden yellow paint, then hot-glue them to dried twigs gathered from the yard.

 

  1. Glittered Corn Centerpiece

A few organic elements, touched with a bit of gilding, evoke fall’s abundance. For an eye-catching centerpiece, turn a glass compote into a horn of plenty with glittering Indian corn and squash.

 

  1. Tabletop Baskets

Baskets are good for more than bearing fruit! Make use of them on the dinner table as centerpieces, salt and pepper cellars, or and added touch to your guest’s place settings. For each place card, cinch a napkin with a waxed cord and tie the ends around the basket’s handle.

  1. Bar Cart

Pumpkins, gourds and another harvest bounty need not be limited to the front porch or dinner table either – try interspersing them throughout your home, as shown on this rolling bar cart. It doubles as both a way to greet your guests with cocktails and a decorative statement.

 

  1. Cornucopia

For the piece de resistance of your fall harvest décor, why not consider the universal symbol of bounty? The cornucopia, that is. This raffia cornucopia lined with a bed of dried wheat stalks holds an abundance of golden squashes, apples, and pears. This is a natural Thanksgiving decoration that radiates good fortune!

 

 

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Top 12 Halloween Desserts

Halloween is the beginning of the sweet holiday season. Whether you’re having a formal dinner party or a casual get together for this spooky October night, our list of top 12 Halloween desserts has something for everyone!

 

  1. Marshmallow Ghost Brownies

Kids will love piping the friendly marshmallow ghosts on top of these brownies! These adorable brownies will make for a delicious addition to the Halloween dessert table! Get the recipe here

 

2. Spooky Forest Pudding Cups

Chocolate trees and candy pumpkins add Halloween vibes to pudding cups. Get the recipe here

3. Cookie Skulls and Pumpkin Sugar Skulls

Don’t be intimidated by the intricate designs on these cookies—the recipe tells you simple ways to channel your inner artist.  Get the recipe here

 

4. Candy-Covered Apples

Create a bewitching version of this beloved candy-coated treat by dipping small Red Delicious apples in a bright red syrup flavored with red cinnamon candies. Get the recipe here

 

5. Boo-scotti

Get some help from your kids when party prep mode is in full swing to make these boo-tifully decorated recipes. Get the recipe here

6. Frankenshake and Bride of Frankenshake

His and hers Halloween shakes (one mint, one vanilla) are made in a single batch, then dressed up for the holiday in this ultimate trick-or-treat. Get the recipe here

 

7. Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

These spider cookies are entertaining for the little ones and adults to make together! From pushing chocolate candies into warm cookies to drawing spider legs with chocolate and making silly eyes! There is plenty of fun for everyone! Get the recipe here

8. Candy Corn Pops

You either love or hate candy corn. For those of us who love candy corn, try these adorable candy corn pops.  Get the recipe here

9. Spider Bites

Three ingredients are all you need to make Sandra’s easy spider bites. The chocolate-covered pretzels are just creepy enough for young kids to enjoy. Get the recipe here

10. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin anything is a must during Halloween season. Sometimes it’s the simple desserts that are the most impressive. The flavor of these cupcakes and their minimal pumpkin décor say everything that needs to be said! Get the recipe here

11. Squirm Jello Shots

This adults-only dessert will make everyone feel like a kid again. Vodka-spiked Jell-O is filled with gummy worms, then chilled until set into one squirmy, squiggly treat! Get the recipe here

12. Spiderweb Cake

Who would think that cake and spiders could be this stylish? It’s as tasty as it is pretty with its dark-cocoa batter and orange-flavored buttercream. Get the recipe here

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Agent Story: Betty Galvan

Our very own Betty Galvan is hosting her seventh annual blood drive to honor her brother, Felipe Ramirez on behalf of the City of Hope Hospital. Felipe received blood transfusions every day for one month, due to these generous donors her brother lived a longer, healthier life. Every month, the City of Hope patients use an average of 3,200 blood products. Due to the severity of the illnesses treated at City of Hope, the patients here need more platelets than any other major hospital in Southern California. Most patients at the City of Hope are being treated for cancer and heavily rely on frequent transfusions. The goal of this blood drive is to receive 50 pints of blood by the generosity of the community. Typically, the blood drive receives 40-45 pints however, this year the organization has set the bar higher to help save more lives. Each year, the number of individuals diagnosed with cancer is rising; that is why City of Hope holds this blood drive every year to bring the community together in order to save lives, together.  Betty Galvan has been a licensed real estate agent since 2006 and joined Rodeo Realty on February 1, 2010.

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LA Eats: Best Spots for Late Night Eats

Los Angeles is filled with late night and 24-hour dining experiences that let locals stay up all night and keep the party going until breakfast or beyond. From Thai staples in the Valley to Korean comforts in Koreatown, there’s no denying the breadth and depth of late night dining in greater LA. Here now are the city’s best places to grab a bite around the clock.

1. Krua Thai Restaurant

Location: 13130 Sherman Way North Hollywood, CA 91605

This late night spot in the northern-most part of North Hollywood serves one of the best pad Thais until 3:30 a.m. every night. The menu has practically every Thai dish one could want, which works well for large groups with varying tastes.

2. Crawford’s Pass

Location: 259 N Pass Ave. Burbank, CA 91505

Crawford’s has found a home in Burbank, filled with neon lights, red leather booths, and fried chicken. Add weekend hours that stretch to 2 a.m., $3 Budweisers, and a pool table, and there’s all the makings for a great time.

3. White Horse Lounge

Location: 41 S De Lacey Ave. Pasadena, CA 91105

Old Town Pasadena’s White Horse Lounge’s menu skews Southern with gumbo, fried chicken, and jambalaya in Old Town. Until the late hours, it’s entirely possible to hear live music while sampling from White Horse’s serious whiskey and scotch selection from the U.S., Ireland, Scotland, and Japan.

 4. 101 Coffee Shop

Location: 6145 Franklin Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028

The retro-cool vibe at this Hollywood favorite might have the best late night diner food in the city. The ingredients are thoughtfully chosen and the menu looks surprisingly small for a restaurant of this kind. The breakfast items are great and so is the burger. Open until 3 a.m. daily.

5. Ruen Pair

Location: 5257 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027

This Thai Town favorite serves up tasty dishes at reasonable prices. The stewed pork leg, pad prik king (chicken preferred), turnip omelet, crispy pork belly with morning glory or broccoli, green papaya salad with raw crab, and stir-fried chicken dishes are all worth getting. Normally closed around 3 to 4 a.m. nightly.

6. Jones Hollywood

Location: 7205 California State Route 2 West Hollywood, CA 90046

Jones has one of the coolest interiors in all of LA, thanks to a rock-and-roll sensibility and plush leather banquettes that gives it that old East Coast Italian restaurant feel. The spaghetti and meatballs are a fantastic entree while the apple pie, served hot in a bubbling pool of caramel, is a legendary dessert.

10. The Original Pantry Cafe

Location: 877 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

This cash-only, tried-and-true greasy spoon grills up solid steaks and griddles ideal pancakes all day and all night. Don’t skip the fried potatoes, which are quite possibly the perfect hangover cure.

11. Izzy’s Deli

Location: 1433 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90403

The four decade-old Izzy’s in Santa Monica does classic deli fare, from heaping sandwiches to matzo ball soup, any time of day or night. Rumor has it, the owner doesn’t even bother keeping a key to the place, because the doors are never locked.

12. Mao’s Kitchen

Location: 1512 Pacific Ave. Venice, CA 90291

Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, this restaurant dedicated to the eponymous communist leader offers exactly the type of crave-able Chinese American fare everyone wants after a night on Main Street.

14. The Kettle

Location: 1138 Highland Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

After a night of drinking up and down Manhattan Beach Boulevard, one is likely to end up at The Kettle, one of the South Bay’s limited 24-hour restaurants with an extensive menu, from salads to chicken tenders to nightly meatloaf platters.

Source: LA EATER
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Out and About: Pasadena Fall 2019

 The fall season is here and that means it’s time for apple picking, pumpkin contests, and visiting a beautiful city of Pasadena! This charming city located in San Gabriel Valley has unique scenery this time of year one that all avid autumn season fans should go see!

 

Nestled in the San Gabriel mountains, Pasadena gives its local people and tourists plenty to do! From shopping on a mellow day to live shows to everything in between that this community has to offer. Tour turn of the century mansions or hike the Echo Mountain trail, spend a little time exploring an area outside your usual neck of the woods. Read below for our guide to a perfect day in Pasadena!

 

Start in the morning

Start your morning off strolling through Old Town Pasadena where you will find Southern California’s most walkable downtown district. Along Colorado Boulevard you will see historic Route 66 wherein there are homes plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars made of brick buildings. Stop by Miller Alley to wander the courtyard at One Colorado or pop into Indiana Colony for a perfect morning pick me up from Russells or a famed breakfast burrito from Lucky Boy.

Afternoon activities

Once your morning is filled up with food and fun activities, an afternoon in Eaton Canyon Falls-Pasadena’s most easygoing nature trail is the perfect lead into your afternoon. Follow the sound of running water to find your Kodak moment at the stunning waterfall.

Afterward head to Gamble House, originally built for one of the heirs of the Procter & Gamble fortune. Tours through the house range from the art glass to minute details of the home’s construction. They even have Brown Bag Tuesday where visitors can bring their own lunch for a picnic on the grounds followed by a 20-minute guided tour.

If you prefer to have nature and art all in one, Pasadena has that too at Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens. We know what you’re thinking: why would I spend my afternoon at a library of all places? Huntington is anything but just a library. The grounds include 120 acres of over a dozen different types of gardens from Tropical to Japanese. Have afternoon tea in the Rose Garden. Stroll past the Greek statues that line the precisely manicured courtyard. Spend the midday trailing through as much of the outdoor scene as your phone battery can take. One will likely not tackle all of the famed destinations in one day. But that being said, you can find art and nature equally placed throughout.

Before your day reaches the evening portion, be sure to make a stop at Bungalow Heaven. The singular, leafy and quiet neighborhood is comprised of over 800 homes from the Arts and Crafts movement. Bordered along Orange Grove and Washington Blvd, the mostly intact bungalows are a true showcase. Bungalow Heaven is full of astonishing craftsmanship that flowed through Pasadena during the early point of the 20th century.

 

Evening in Pasadena

Night has befallen and you have a few options to properly conclude your time in Pasadena. If time slots you, it is most recommended to take in a show at the ’20s built Pasadena Playhouse. Revived during the ’80s, the Playhouse has a profound line-up of new plays and musicals. While outdoors, the Spanish Colonial courtyard plays home to neighborhood events. Other show options in the home of the Rose Parade including taking in laughs at the famed Ice House. A comedy mainstay since 1960, the Ice House provides it, patrons, an intimate no-frills room with big-name comics and humor.

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12 Halloween Costume Ideas for the Whole Family

When trying to come up with ideas for a group Halloween costume, it is best to start with a theme! Costumes that have things in common can also work well together. The good thing is that they can be modified to fit your family size. You can easily and quickly put together a family costume with these ideas.

 

Sloth and Tree Costumes

There’s no trick-or-treater too small for Halloween. The trick to this duo? We used a baby wrap carrier to disguise a smiling little one as a sloth slinging from a tree branch. To create this costume, print the template onto 8 ½ by 11 inch paper and cut out. Use the template to cut out felt shapes, then glues the pieces together and pin them to baby’s wrap and hat. Mom can wear brown and tuck leaves in her hair.

Bluebird and Birdwatcher Costumes

As an avid birdwatcher, your little bird is never far from sight with a pair of binoculars. Other than the hat and a canteen (available at camping-suppl stores), this costume can be assembled entirely from clothes from your closet. Choose an outfit that consists of neutral, outdoorsy pieces, such as the safari-style jacket and brown pants shown, and don’t forget a pair of sensible shoes. For the bluebird costume, use our pattern and basic sewing supplies to create a pair of detachable wings.

Under-the-Sea Costumes

For a family of little ones, the ocean still holds a depth of mystery and awe. Designate one of your kids as the Mermaid, encouraging her to make her own whimsical accessories like a seashell crown and a tail of satin, tulle and metallic trim. Meanwhile, the rest of the kids can dress up as their favorite undersea creatures: a goldfish, a snappy Lobster, an eight-legged Octopus or a Jellyfish. You can even join in the fun as a scuba diver or an ever-watchful lifeguard at the shore.

Three Musketeers Costume

All for fun, fun for all! A night of trick-or-treating awaits the dashing Three Musketeers. If you’re a family of three- or have three little ones – then why not embody the legendary literary trio? Give everyone a pullover vest, a collared cape, and a Fleur-de-lis insignia – and the evening will be full of swashbuckling adventure and candy treasures.

Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf Costumes

Embrace the charm of classic storybook characters with these easy-to-make costumes for Mom and Dad or son and daughter. For her, a gown and namesake hood are cut and sewn from a length of crimson jersey and tied with a wide ribbon at the waist. For him, the dapper wolf wears a suit with a red cravat, and his fur is styled from two shaggy wigs. (To make the wolf head, cut 2 large triangular sections – as ears – from one wig and hot-glue them in place to the second wig.) Faux fangs are the only sign of his true nature.

Storm Chaser and Tornado Costumes

As siblings, they can have an admittedly stormy relationship at times, but they complement each other well as a storm chaser and tornado. A younger sister can be a great storm chaser with some hair gel and a flipped umbrella. All you need is a tornado and that’s easy enough to create with a tomato cage and tulle.

Lion and Gladiator Costumes

They tussle in roughhouse play as it is, so why not personify their sibling rivalry? Dress one as the stalwart gladiator and the other as a courageous lion. Construct the gladiator’s costume using hardware store supplies: museum board, a window shade, and prong fasteners. Similarly, the lion’s costume is a clever assembly of fringe garlands and a hoodie. For both, there are no sewing skills required.

 

Napoleon and Josephine Costumes

For a sibling costume that is simple, as the French say, “incroyable”, pair brother and sister together as Napoleon and Josephine. He may not have learned his French history yet, but a boy would love dressing up in Napoleon’s regalia nevertheless. And, similarly, a girl will love dressing up in Josephine’s glamorous Empire-style gown with period jewelry and a fancy updo.

 

Lamb and Chicken Costumes

This funny farm duo – a chicken and a lamb – pair up together in the cutest costume idea for siblings, cousins or even best friends. Both costumes use wearable patterns in simple soft materials to ensure that the kids feel comfortable for a night of trick-or-treating. A parent can keep a close watch over the flock as they make their rounds through the neighborhood as Old MacDonald.

Tulip and Rose Flower Costumes

A blooming crepe-paper tulip cap and rosebud headband – each in pastel hues turn a mother-daughter dup into a sprightly pair.

Superhero Costumes

Every kid is a superhero and parents can join in as well. Start with t-shirts and leggings as the base for the costume. Then add headbands and belts and other accessories to make your own unique superhero.

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10 Halloween Finger Food Recipes

Halloween is all about the eerie, scary and downright creepy. When you’re hosting a Halloween party, make a variety of sweet and savory finger foods for guests to enjoy – just be sure to get a little creative with the decorations atop these skull-tacular snacks.

Prosciutto- Wrapped Fig Hearts

Savor the taste of these rich and indulgent fig bites. They offer a sophisticated combination of tangy goat cheese, salty prosciutto, and sweet dried figs it for a Queen.

 

Wavy Grissini

Ready for a hair-raising snack? These breadsticks are nothing like the kind you’ll find at an Italian restaurant; mix the dough with black squid ink for a devilish hue and serve alongside Black-Tahini and Eggplant Dip.

 

Popcorn on the Cob

Popcorn balls are a popular snack to serve to trick or treaters. Give them a fall twist by forming the popcorn, marshmallows and colored candy into the shape of flint corn. It’s a simple, sweet treat perfect for the harvest season and just right for Halloween.

 

Crudites with Miso-Yogurt Dip

Swap out brightly colored vegetables for dark, creepy colors such as red cabbage, purple carrots, purple potatoes, and black olives. This appetizer has a seriously dark side.

 

Brain Cupcakes

This is a fun, freaky dessert that’s a Halloween must-make. Use Swiss Meringue buttercream to create the squiggles and wiggles of a brain on top of a rich chocolate cupcake.

 

Deep-Sea Specimens with Devilishly Hot Cocktail Sauce

This spooky presentation of elegant seafood looks like the crab legs and poached shrimp are coming alive right before your eyes. The spicy cocktail sauce may frighten your taste buds, but it’s so good that you won’t resist a double-dip.

 

Sweet Bones

No bones about it: These are some seriously spooky meringues. Dip in chocolate, or shape into ghosts and add chocolate chips as eyes.

 

Rest in Peas

Use Halloween-shaped cookie cutters – gravestones, bats, witch hats, skulls, and pumpkins – to create festive croutons for this most unusual dip. A creamy mixture of cooked peas mimic the appearance of graveyard grass, but tastes so much better!

 

Black-Widow Spider Bites

Real spiders would not be welcome at the Halloween celebration but this savory rendition – made with sweet potato chips, avocado, and olives – makes perfect horror d’oeuvres. Dig into this creepy crawling snack before it bites you back!

 

Caramel Apples

Caramel apples are essential to Halloween as ghosts and goblins galore. Sprinkling flaky sea salt on the rich caramel cuts the sweetness and adds a crunchy texture, making this a scary good treat.

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