How to “Bake” Your Face

So excited to share this with you today. I have been having so much…maybe too much fun perfecting this technique on myself and others. Don’t you just love makeup and learning? I am by far not the best makeup artist out there and know that I still have so much to learn and to master. I am NOT, however, going to let that stand in my way of having fun with it and sharing it with you. I hope you like this and that you try it out sometime. Maybe for a big Valentines date maybe???Connect with me on IG (where I am most of the time) and Periscope (haven’t done it yet cuz I’m scared but I’m ON there @classycozmetics) and tell me what you think!
XOXO
Jen
Gender Reveal

Gender Reveal

I can’t tell you how nervous I was for this night. There are times that I just like being a total spotlight hog and have been since I was a kid. I love making people laugh and was always the class clown…HOWEVER, there have been a few moments in my life where I wish that NO one was looking at me and that I could just blend into the walls. One, was when I opened my LDS mission call to go out and preach the gospel. There seems to be a lot of hype of going foreign over state side and I felt very uncomfortable with people judging my reaction. I was happy to be sent anywhere but my initial reaction to reading where that would be…I just wanted it to be private. Didn’t happen btw. My mom hid it so that we could get the whole family together….sigh. The next moment was THIS one!!! I wanted to cut open a small cake just me and my boys and THEN share it with everyone else at the reveal. Kevin reeeaaaalllly didn’t want to do it that way and so we compromised. If he would leave all the colors and decor up to me for the party….then I would wait to see what we were having. He agreed so aaaaallllll thoughts of pastel blue and pink went OUT the window (thank heavens) and all the neutral deliciousness of tans, browns, whites and cream came into play. Since that will basically be the nursery, I felt good about making and buying things that I would still be able to use. Here is the inspiration pic that I found on good old Pinterest:
And this is what I came up with:
I was so in love with my husband for letting me take full creative control because I seriously was dreaming about these neutrals and wanted so badly not to use pastels. Here’s a breakdown of what I used and what I did to make it happen. I loved the banner idea so much but instead of spending a ton, I got a coupon from Michael’s and bought the banner ready made. I have made burlap banners a ton and just wanted the ease of a ready made. Super cheap with the 50% off coupon! Then I made the flowers on either end by using brown and cream coffee filters and ripped up paper from a book I frequently tear pages from lol. Got it at a second hand store and it’s been wonderful for so many projects! Instead of buying a stencil for the lettering I just made my own. I picked a font on the computer, made it large enough, then cut out the center and stipple painted onto the burlap material. It turned out great and will be hung in her room now. We framed one of her last ultrasound profile pics and had one of the boys as well. Almost everything on the table are items from around the house that just happened to fit the color scheme. We served chocolate milk and regular milk in Ikea old fashined milk jugs. I just took some doilies I had from Walmart and taped them to the front for a more delicate detail. The cookies were from Costco and the Chicken salad craisin sandwiches are from this pinned recipe (to die for!!!). The only difference is that I had run out of pecans so I used walnuts and it was still amazing! We also had white Lindt chocolate truffles and bon bons. It ws heavenly =).
I took jute twine that I already had and tied each end to the curtain rods above the windows. I then used my little boys’ blessing outfit (complete with bonnet), went out and bought little ruffle buns (kept the tag on just in case lol), socks and a onsie. Because it was winter, I felt the snowflakes were perfect and just took them from my Christmas decor and hung them. My dear friend and I have been drooling over all white nurseries and she insisted on getting me the softest stuffed animal she could find. This lil rabbit has my heart….I may keep it ha! =) This same dear friend partnered up with another gal to make these fantastic tissue poms. I am hopeless at trying to make them and they were so giving and kind to help me out!
As for the cake, there was NO one I wanted to have make it more than my darling friend Mandy from Favorite Cake Place (you can find her under that same name on IG). We talked about a ton of different options and then when the color scheme changed we just looked at the cake from the Pinterest pic. We had no idea what was really on it so we improvised. I made the topper so it would look like what I already had strung above (just drew the blessing outfit on paper) and I made the pretty lace ribbon bows using dental floss to hold them together. We pinned them in and now I will pin them to a board I have up in Sophie’s room. Soon enough, the bows and pins will hold up important reminders, like a pic of her first foot and hand prints, a lock of her hair in a baggie from her first hair cut etc. I seriously wanted to use all of these things again =). It was THE most mouth watering vanilla buttercream cake with a buttercream filling. I am dying just thinking about it!!!
And then the moment this happened. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get someone to take pictures at your gender reveal for you and to video the moment when it happened. My wonderful friend Jordan from Jordan Bree Photography (also find her on IG under that name) came and captured absolutely priceless moments. This picture is my favorite because it so perfect;y represented each of our family member’s emotions right when we found out. The boys were SO pro girl that I was trying to advocate for boys just so they wouldn’t be disappointed. But when they saw that pink frosting??? It was an explosion of excitement! As you’ll see in the video…B only wanted cake. He had been sick the whole week leading up to the party and I’m kind of a sugar beast when that happens. I ban all sugar (the little they do eat) and bust out the oils to make them better. He was so worried he wouldn’t be allowed to eat the cake that it consumed his thoughts day and night….believe me, he asked constantly so it plagued me too! It tales all of 10 seconds for him to clap politely, then take the cake from Dad’s unassuming hand to devour it before I could consent. SO funny, especially when you know the back story.

It’s a GIRL!!!!!!! I still can’t even fathom the fact that we are having another baby, let alone we will have a daughter. It just sounds so exciting and strange at the same time. We had guests pin on mustaches or bows for their pick of what they thought the gender would be. Kevin and I were both wearing mustaches!!! We couldn’t have been more wrong lol. In the video I thought we were going to cut the piece of cake all the way down the the base tier then lift but Kev apparently only wanted to make a small cut…..hence me being confused in the video as to what he was doing =D.
We were so excited and in shock. I just wanted to gobble him up at this point and smother him with hugs and kisses……too many witnesses ; D.
Needless to say we are SO happy to be welcoming another lil smoosh into the Springer clan and to have the new adventure of having another girl in the house. I was getting way too outnumbered =). I can’t wait to share with you all of the clothes I have already purchased and accessories she’ll wear. Oh my word it’s a girl!!!!!! Hope you enjoy the video. I think I’ve watched it 5,000 times and still cry.
XOXO
Jen
Drug Store Eyeshadow

Drug Store Eyeshadow


I used the Fergie Wet ‘n’ Wild quad in Desert Festival found here
Red Cherry Lashes found here
Eyebrows are Anastasia Dipbrow in Chocolate found here
Mac Powerpoint Pencil in Stubborn Brown found here
I am SO happy to be back and making videos!!! I think I might like doing it this way even more…shorter videos, more specific in nature and make a lot more. This first one that I filmed today was all about the eyes. I wanted to take it back to some drugstore product with this Wet ‘n’ Wild eye. I know that it will look a tooooon better with all the “pieces” put together and that’s why I am giving you pics of the end result. Trust the process ladies ; D. I did use my Red Cherry lashes from Eyelashes Unlimited (loooooove these!!!) and I feel they complimented the eye and the strong brow so well. A few tips!
Start small and build. It’s easier to add more than to start big and try to take away.These are vibrant colors and you could be crying it all off if you aren’t careful lol.
Blend blend blend! These colors are so beautiful and they compliment each other so well, just make sure to blend them. I love it when a company has taken out the guess work and have paired colors together for you.
Have fun and experiment. Try to create shapes that you feel compliment your eye instead of what someone is telling you. You can always use concealer on the outer edges to fix any mess ups, just go crazy and see what you love ; ).
Do your eyes first! These colors are pigmented and will have some fall out. It’s so much easier to get your eyes done first, brush away or clean off under your eyes then go in and do your whole face.
Have so much fun with this and follow me on IG and FB for updates on more looks, tips and tricks.
XOXO
Jen
Golden Smokey Eye

Golden Smokey Eye

This look may be on repeat for a few days. LOVING the golden tones and the sculpting to make me lose about five face pounds ; ).
Products used:
MAC paintpot “Rubenesque”
Urband Decay Naked Palette 2 “Half Baked”
MAC shadow in “Nylon”
MAC shadow in “Charcoal Brown”
MAC paintpot “Painterly”
MAC shadow in “Blanc Type”
MAC shadow in “Graphology”
Becca shimmering skin perfecter in “Opal”
Frankie Rose foundation in “Vintage”
Garnier Anti-Dark Under Eye Roller Ball in Light
Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Powder to “bake” under eye
Anastasia Brow Dip in “Chocolate”
Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Liner in “2L”
Cover Girl mascara
Anastasia Contour Kit Light/Medium
MAC shadow in “Omega”
MAC mineralized skin finish in “Soft & Gentle”
MAC mineralized blush in “Warm Soul”
Cherry Lashes “Demi Wispies” from Lashes Unlimited
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Double Dare”
MAC Prolongwear Lipglass in “Patience Please”
XOXO
Jen
BIG NEWS!!!

BIG NEWS!!!

Some of you have been followers for a long time. I feel that I have shared all my thoughts and feels about the last few years and how we’ve been trying to have a lil angel come down to out family. It took us about 5 years and four losses to get to where we are now and I feel like shouting for joy!!!!! I have kept it a secret for so long because I was scared of having another loss but GUYS….I am like 5 months now, 20 weeks and a day and I can’t hold it in (literally lol) anymore!!! 
I’m pregnant!!!!!
We are going to have a smooshie….and not just any smooshie. We are having a GIRL!!!!! I still am in shock and can’t quite believe the blessings we are being given. The boys are just thrilled and can’t wait to have a baby sister. We have chosen the name Sophie Rene Springer. Isn’t that the sweetest name? I am so in love with her already an talk to her often. We didn’t find out with either boy what we were having so this is all so amazing and new to know who is in there and to have girly conversations lol!
Watch, she’ll totally be a tomboy that wants nothing to do with bows, skirts or makeup….what will I have to offer her LOL??? Growing up with all boys I mostly played with all boy things. I have this darling picture of my family seated around the table for my third birthday. We are all eating cake and I am wearing my birthday present around my waist. My perfect new gun holster and pistols BUT I am sporting the cutest lil 80’s dress ha ha ha!!! I was NEVER out of a dress…in the mud, in the bedroom playing with HeMan and She-Ra (the only acceptable Barbie doll for me) and racing around the house. I sure hope she likes dressing up as much as me…..cuz her closet might already be stocked and I’m already speaking to a bow boutique to get her started on all things large in your hair LOL!!!
Guys, I am just so excited to be in this stage of life. Thanks to Dave Ramsey, we are debt free, we live in a beautiful neighborhood filled with people we love, our boys are self sufficient and becoming darling gentlemen everyday. This will be a wonderful time to welcome a newborn babe straight from Heaven. I am a little nervous seeing as how it will be about a 9 year gap between Soph and my youngest, I get really bad postpartum depression and I’m totally starting over after being out of the game so long. Have you guys ever been through any of these things? What are your thoughts? Have you tried anything that worked wonders for you with depression after a baby? Do you have a big gap with any of your kids? Pros? Cons? I need your input!!!! I love you all and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your emails and well wishes. I feel your support and it makes me truly humble and grateful!
XOXO
Jen
Metallic Lips

Metallic Lips

I have been obsessed lately with bold lips. Let’s be honest, when have I NOT enjoyed a good strong lip? lol This time it’s a touch different because I am throwing eyeshadow into the mix. Lately I have been wearing the same. exact. eyeshadow. every day! Have you been in that rut? It doesn’t look bad, I actually love it….but all the fun eyeshadows I have are practically screaming at me,”Why the JUNK did you buy me if you’re not even going to wear me???”
Well, I have decided to no longer dismiss their cries. I have found that a simple dap of a sparkly, metallic eyeshadow on the lower lip adds a TON of drama and intrigue…and I LOVE it!!! This lip has been my go to as of late. Isn’t it stunning? Its a concoction of different brands that I have grown to adore. 
First, I used Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Bachelorette” (that’s right, no liner!). Her formula is amazingly silky and then dries super matte. There’s a reason her line of makeup is the fasted growing line out there right now (it even surpassed Bare Minerals). It can be drying, as most lasting lipsticks are, but I use either olive oil or coconut oil to remove it and enjoy the moisture those products give my lips. 
I also have become a huge fan of Bite lip balm which is super thick and moisturizing.
I digress…the next step is the take Dose Of Colors Lasting Lipstick in “Berry Me” and somewhat line the lips and fill in the outer corners to deepen up “Bachelorette”. 
 WHILE IT’S STILL SOMEWHAT WET take MAC eyeshadow in “Goldmine” and dab a bit onto your lower lip. This has and will open up a whole new WORLD of possibilities!!! What color combos are you going to try? Pink, orange, the amazing new blue lippies that are out there??? Holler!!! =)
XOXO
Jen
1960’s Glam Shoot

1960’s Glam Shoot

Tell me you don’t remember these from your mother. I seriously think my mom had a million patterns to make some of (what I thought at the time) cutest most fashionable clothing. I figured they would look just like the skinny minnie model wearing them. 
From an early age I knew two things:
A: I was TOTALLY born in the wrong era for my fashion tastes (give me the 30-40’s ANY day!)
B: I wanted to sew my own clothes to make exactly what I wanted no matter what the current style dictated. 
Well, sewing was cancelled out early on as I haven’t the patience nor the talent to do it, but BOY can I dream up the silhouettes I want and the textures to combine. When darling Kara contacted me from While Camden Sleeps I was super excited…albeit a bit hesitant to say yes. Anyone that knows me knows that I am only comfortable in front of the camera for candids. For silliness and laughing at the world. When you ask me to pose or be coy, serious, ANYthing involving holding still and trying to act carbon based…I freeze and look constipated (sorry TMI). Am I really alone in this??? Anyway, she is an absolutely amazing human being and is SO talented. Check out her Instagram feed to see what I mean. She can pick out the NASTIEST looking piece of clothing from a second hand store and transform it into pure perfection. I am seriously amazed at what she can do! This time, Kara’s mind had been working on a 1960’s glam idea. Of taking a few bloggers and having each of us transform into a modern Madmen dream. I was so excited to “decade hop” that I forgot all worries of posing. Ready???
 Let me introduce you to my fellow Stepford wives ; ). From left to right we have Kara, Sierra, Dani, Mackenzie and me. Our darling, spunky and all around entertaining photographer DeAnna whisked us away to the amazingly picturesque Memory Grove Park. If you live in Utah and are looking for a gorgeous place to take your next family pictures, I highly recommend it. A word of caution though…every other person on the planet will also be there. There were groups everywhere getting photos done. Bloggers, families, seniors, weddings, it was nuts but very worth it!
 So in love with the jewel tones of these dresses.
Looking fierce…unless you didn’t get the memo and decided to smile.
 This dress is everything. Want to know the funny story behind it? My niece bought it for her homecoming dress and then another just like it in ice blue. I was so gaga over both that I asked pretty please to borrow it. Just behind me in this quaint cottage, a darling wedding was taking place. Seriously, this place was hoppin! 
Planning my outfit, makeup and hair was such a fun escape that I totally want to do more eras. My good friend Aubrey was kind enough to stay after a party we threw together, to help me rat the junk out of my hair and create this awesome side ponytail. We ratted for forever then clipped the top section in the back. That way the ponytail wouldn’t weigh it down. Then I pulled hair over to the side, did a simple ponytail and wrapped hair around that. For makeup I went super classic. Black winged eyeliner and ruby red lips thanks to MAC’s Ruby Woo.
Now for some fun “behind the scenes” tidbits:
– My dress was too big so we pinned it like crazy in the back.
– Kara’s dress arrived hours before the shoot.
– For the pic above we had to wait for another group to get sone then RUN to snag it next…in heels.
– I am SO lucky, I get car sick a lot (so dumb). It got so bad that on the way Kara stopped on the side of the road and let me drive!
-It took three days and a LOT of deep conditioner to get my hair back to normal.
-This pic below was an afterthought after showing them the coat and glasses I brought…just in case HA!
I seriously loved meeting and working with all of these fantastic ladies and I want you to check them all out too! You’re welcome ; ).
Just curious. If you could pick ANY era to travel to, be it for the clothes, the events, people, whatever…which one would you choose and why?

Fawn Ill Fated and A Giveaway

Oh my word…can you believe it? An actual tutorial!!! Hope you guys enjoy this. I am still super new at trying to do all this FX makeup but I am having so much fun!!! =) There is a contest I am throwing on IG if you want to enter. The winner will get a $50 gift card to Sephora! Want to win? Head on over to Instagram and find me at @classycozmetics to see official rules. Good luck!!!
Book Club: Murder On the Orient Express

Book Club: Murder On the Orient Express

(our costumes were from Archive Costumes at Hale Theatre in Orem UT)
HOW can I even begin to put down in electrical ink here the amount of blood sweat and tears that went into my first hosting event for book club? I just…can’t even. But also how fun and rewarding it was to have everyone there having a good time? AMAZING!!! I think I shall put it out in two parts and this will be the first. How I decorated the house. What pieces I chose, what things I steered clear of etc.
First things first. I loooove to read. I got my love of reading from my sweet dad and I will thank him every day for it. I love getting lost in a story and feeling engulfed by it. It becomes an experience. I’ve decided that’s why I love Disneyland so much. It’s made from the whispers of stories. It was a larger than life idea. You get swept away in it because it surrounds you with every detail necessary to make it that experience you came for. Everything you see, hear, smell, encounter is meant to transport you away to a different place. 
Month after month in this book club is a new adventure, a new story, a new event and I can’t even tell you how blessed I feel having met all the members. They have become true friends and blessings in my life. Even so, I was veeeeeery nervous to host. Being who I am and loving Mr. Disney for who he was, I wanted to create an experience that would do, in some small way, what Disneyland does by sweeping you away. I decided since my month was October, my book was the wonderful Agatha Christie’s “Murder On the Orient Express”, that I would do a murder mystery and that my house would become a true haunted mansion (as Disney style as I could).  It took a good two months to write it and to transform our home. First on the list was the general story of the home and mystery. The home was old, fallen into repair and the last know living occupants lived centuries ago. Family photos would be in a home so it was decided that we needed some family pictures. I went to the AMAZING Kris at Hale Theatre Archive Costumes and told her my idea. Her and her staff was incredible at coming up with THE most perfect costumes for us!!!  It was so wonderful for all involved that no one had to smile or open their eyes more etc. It was THE easiest family photo EvEr!!!! =D
My Darlings
 Love the use of the local cemetery.
Doesn’t he look dapper….and yet melancholy all at the same time? lol
Now ONTO decor!!!!!
Next Kevin and I had to talk budget for the upcoming soiree. Gotta be Dave Ramsey about it right? RIGHT! We decided to split it up between two paychecks. I first went around the house and thought of what Mr. Disney would do or did do when he was creating his mansion. I wrote, I sketched, I talked to myself. Then I went out and priced out and hunted for everything I had in my head or had seen on Pinterest.
Skeletons, potion bottles, pictures, clocks, rats, candelabras, vintage looking platters and dishes, candles and LOTS of webbing!!! What I wanted to steer clear from was anything that actually said “Happy Halloween” or any type of Halloween greeting. That was hard because there are so many cute things out there (and I own a ton) but I couldn’t use them. If it doesn’t have that kind of stuff in Walt’s mansion, then it wouldn’t be here in the Springer Manor lol.
 I had Kevin add hooks the either side of the front door and we hung these amazing lanterns (battery operated) from Michaels.
Photo by Summer Nicole Photography
 I set up “scenes” everywhere in the house and after I felt they were just perfect, I cobwebbed the JUNK out of them! I called many neighbors and asked to use their flameless candles. That saved me a LOT of money and they were given back in a great amount of time for them to still use them for their own Halloween decorating.
Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

You can find soooooooo many things at second hand stores! Some of my absolute favs came from there including this old book and clock. I also found some amazing dishes which are further down in the post. I already owned black feathers and I divided them up and put them in already established flower arrangements. Remember the whole point is to take what you already have and spookify it a bit. I wanted my mansion to have been from a long time ago so investing in a few candelabras was a must…..just don’t mind the electric lamp in the same pic LOL! This candelabra was purchased at Hobby Lobby.

This old sconce was another second hand store find. I polished it up, had the hubs mount it on a wall and I purchased these candles from the dollar store (two for $1). I just made sure to light them beforehand and create all the wax drippings before putting them in. Although there were candles lit everywhere the night of the party, these bad boys could have been bumped so easily so I left them unlit (plus there were cobwebs everywhere). The fly came in a pack at the dollar store with ants and beetles =).
More second hand finds (love Savers!!!) I took a bag of clothes to this store and it got me a percentage off of my whole purchase. These platters were divine (want to go and find more) the tiered candy holder was only $3 and my FAV of the bunch was this food warmer. It was raised up and had a spot for a candle to go underneath to keep the food warm. We put mashed potatoes in it and this is now going to be a staple for Halloween, Thanksgiving AND Christmas time!!!

Can I please tell you how much I love this old fashioned phone? AND the fact that it was $14.99 at Walmart!!!!! Sure anytime you touch it, there is a cheesy haunting voice threatening you but hey…just don’t touch!!! =)

This guy, named Skully by the boys, was purchased at Walmart and promptly the hubs made an amazing noose and hun from the chandelier. We also bought flicker bulbs for this light piece as well as any other light fixture in the house. It totally created amazing ambiance. Side note….I had decided to paint the whole interior of the house a different color, can you tell? No more of the glazed faux finish but now it is a grey with taupe undertones. I am bidding out the ceilings being painted cream so that’s why the walls and ceiling clash….badly LOL!
Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

These goblets were purchased a few years ago from the dollar store. I had wanted to make single serving trifles for another party I had done. I was serving dinner for about 26 this time so I went on down to the dollar store to buy more. These bad boys are awesome and have now become our normal drinking glasses. VERY durable and a great shape! I went to my local drugstore and asked to buy the baby syringes. Was able to get the for 10 cents a piece and bought the Skinny’s brand of Italian syrup flavoring at a local store since it was $2 cheaper than the Torani brand. I filled each syringe, put it in a half cup of Sprite and placed jugs of orange juice around the tables to complete the “Bloody Mary” drink. I had four long tables to decorate and set. I used white table cloths on some and white sheets on the others, purchased black cheesecloth, spider rings, doilies, and fake bugs from the dollar store, porcelain bones from Kneaders bakery and purple chargers from Michael’s.

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

 I already had 8 chargers to start with and they were having a huge sale so I cleaned them out of all the purple they had! I ripped up white cheese cloth and used them for napkins so it looked a bit more spooky, cut the spider rings in the back and attached them like so. I bought these black petals at Walmart and had some ravens from last Halloween plus a few from friends.

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

I took various jars (mason, spaghetti, vases) and filled them with black beans and some with navy beans, added moss from the dollar store then a candle. There were two candle setting per table and they looked SO amazing in the dark all lit up. I will say though…dollar store candles really do have short lives so if your party will be a few hours, I suggest investing in more expensive ones……one may have gotten down to the moss and caught on fire….just a little bit. No houses, or tablescapes were harmed during the party. The guests were okay too ;). Also to add to the ambiance, I played the spooky organ music you hear in the haunted mansion at Diz plus many other eerie organ music pieces from our speakers above the kitchen cabinetry. It filled the whole house and was perfect!

Believe it or not but these spooky characters came from the dollar store as well!  They were the kind that looked normal and then when you passed, turned into something else. How much more Disney Haunted Mansion can you get??? We already had pictures in these pretty frames so we just borrowed them and put these two on the side wall of the stairs. Now that we have, we are totally wanting to make a picture collage on that slanted wall. I’m so excited!
 
Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

 This was mine and Kev’s favorite family picture that we had taken in the cemetery so he did a little Photoshop magic on it and I took it to my friends at Costco. They were able to blow this bad boy up to a 24×36 poster for only $15.99!!!! This frame usually has a large painting in it so we also “borrowed” it and this whole thing came to be 3x4ft. We decided…since it was kind of hard to get it in there that we would keep this up till the end of Christmas time. It looks like a Christmas Carol too right? RIGHT? lol

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

The food setup was wonderful and everyone brought the yummiest things ever! For a menu and recipes, you can go this my Pinterest board. The kitchen countertops were filled with yummies and people were able to grab their plates, start on the left, walk all the way around the outer countertops then ended grabbing things on the island then back to their seats. I was very happy with the flow, especially because most people came in rented costumes which meant large ballgowns.

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

 Lights on. For candle stick holders I used little glass milk jugs, syrup jars, mason jars and actual candlestick holders.

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography
Like I said, the real candles looked amazing all lit at night. The flameless were handy but nothing compared to the real thing. 

 This was the apothecary I created above our microwave. The “spider legs” in the jar (black licorice) is about 7 years old…I know. I keep using it for decor then storing it away on a plastic bag for next year. With that many preservatives, you can. I always add moss to the bottom of the jar before I put them in then a sprinkling over it all for texture. The black speckled jars are from Michaels, the owl is a friends but I loved it so much I went to Gordman’s and bought my own. The various poisons and bottles were made using upcycled medicine, soda and syrup bottles. The skin lotion was purchased at Kneader’s Bakery, the skull is Walmart.

 Never want to neglect the top of the cabinetry. I already had quite a few skulls (Walgreens, Michael’s and Walmart) but wanted to get a few more to fill more jars since I would be decorating the whole house. This other glass container I had already purchased from Tuesday Morning and put a dollar store rat inside. These candle sticks and large apothecary jar came from a store (Robert’s) closing down so the candlesticks were each a dime, the jar was $10. I put some extra black cheese cloth over the lamp when it was time so it didn’t glow so bright. I lit these candles just for the pic. I would neeeeever suggest having them lit for too long so close to your clashing paint ceiling lol.

 These cups I bought at Walmart for water, used a sharpie for the eyes and just taped the junk out of them. Afterward, I had no fingerprints…

This idea I saw on Pinterest and was truly a nod to Walt’s Haunted Mansion (I tried like crazy to get the portraits that stretch but no luck). This is an actual picture off the internet of Madame Leota, put in a craft bowl upside down with black tulle behind her. I wanted to stick an ipod in there and have her speaking but she was right next to my youngest who had a speaking part =).

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

 Here he is in all his glory. He was our haunted bellhop LOL! He stood in front of my husband’s office, which we turned into an elevator, and said,”Going up? Going down? Oh, I’m sorry, the car is full…you’ll have to wait for another.” He was perfect as all the ladies entered!!! We taped white dollar store tableclothes to the back of the french doors, made a dial to go above and laid a low lamp behind the doors on the floor to look like a car had just started going down. I used a tupperware dish for his had, ribbon and an old Jedi costume. I spray painted large buttons I had in gold and sewed them on…don’t look too closely, I’m NOT a seamstress!!!

My husband was a genius to make this but then I got a hold of it…..and totally made the numbers uneven ha! I was in such a rush that I just needed to get it up. He hung his head in his hands and just shook his head. Hee hee!!!

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

 Outside we had to fashion a murder scene so it was the dollar store AGAIN for the win with these keep out streamers and my handsome oldest being our deputy. He was good enough to work the crowd control and usher everyone in the house. My husband was kind enough to chalk outline where the body was….he was so impressed with his skill, I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was supposed to be a girl LOL!!!

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography

 Now this is the photobooth I made for the book we read, “Murder On the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie. The haunted elevator was opened at the end of our discussion to allow everyone to get their photo taken. I adorned the shelves with things from the book. A button, a call rope, a train, a clock set to the time of death, a monogrammed handkerchief etc. The bookshelves are very close together so I decided to put these green striped curtains on a shower rod and just place the rod on top of the two bookshelves. It was perfect and the fabric jut hung to the floor. I bought a black sheet and draped it over my husbands office chair and voila! Instant photobooth. I canNOT tell you how great all these gals were and how in character they were. So excited to share how I put the whole murder mystery together and the characters I made up. Hope you enjoyed this and if you have any questions, please ask! =) Happy Haunting! And ps, since I already had someone text me asking. I spent a total of $260 on everything including the food I prepared for the event.

Photo by Summer Nicole Photography