results for halloween

october in review

November 2, 2014
M Loves M monthly highlights October 2014 @marmar
Hello to November! Can we all just take a second to think about how crazy it is that the holiday months are here?! I felt like it was just summer! I am so excited about November though! The weather is finally cooling down {it rained this weekend!} and I can’t wait for holiday baking and all the fun parties. October was great though and I’ll definitely miss it until next year. Matthew and I kind of had a botched Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest {we didn’t have time so just did pumpkin drawings 5 minutes before the trick-or-treaters came..so sad!}. Next year I’m hoping we can get into the spirit a little bit sooner, plan {and buy or make!} our costumes well in advance, decorate our house so it’s a little spooky, go to a pumpkin patch and carve those darn pumpkins! Here are some highlights though from October 2014:
  • used up the last of our apple picking bounty with an apple galette!
  • Had a fun little day in San Diego with Matthew’s family. We went to Little Italy and got a yummy lunch from NaPizza!
  • Shot a really fun shoot with Who What Wear. I should be able to share photos within the next few weeks!
  • Checked out the new Plan Check in Downtown Los Angeles. Such a fun date night with my love!
  • Shot something special with one of my favorite jewelry brands Tacori.
  • Went to the movies {it’s been months you guys!} and saw Gone Girl. Loved it!
  • Had a fun wine tasting weekend with my girls in Temecula.
  • Enjoyed a little staycation in Santa Monica! It was way too short though!
  • Didn’t have time to get my costume together for work so just added a red wig. When it doubt, add a wig!

How was your October? Are you super excited for November too? Some people say it’s their favorite month of the year!
xox

alligator dress

October 31, 2014
french connection ali gator dress on M Loves M @marmar
Hello everyone! Isn’t this reptile-print dress so pretty?! It caught my eye because of it’s unique print. I have a few leopard print dresses, but reptile? Love! It works with pretty much anything and this color green is one of my favorites. The dress has so much more detail than a typical shift dress, too, although I do love those, and it’s really well made but not crazy expensive.I paired the dress with these black heels, which I didn’t even realize had green soles until Valorie pointed it out! Let’s just pretend I planned that all along though, ok? You know I love to color coordinate!
Theory gray wool coat on M Loves M @marmar
Chloe Jade Green black sandal heels on M Loves M @marmar
Lauren Merkin Meg bag and French Connection green dress on M Loves M @marmar
fall outfit with gray coat and black sandal heels via M Loves M @marmar
green snake print shift dress via M Loves M @marmar
green snake print dress on M Loves M @marmar
green snake print dress with gold pendant necklace on M Loves M @marmar
dress French Connection {fit: TTS Size 2}, jacket Theory c/o Amazon, shoes Chloe Jade Green {size up}, bracelet LOFT, sunglasses Karen Walker Super Duper, purse Lauren Merkin, lipstick Revlon Cherries in the Snow

I got this coat from Amazon after lusting over it for weeks. The gray wool is so soft and I like how the jacket isn’t too heavy. It’s perfect for crisp days yet could be layered with sweaters, scarves and the works!

Happy Friday everyone! And I should say Happy Halloween too!! Are you doing anything fun and spooky tonight? Matthew and I still have to carve our pumpkins. It’s funny how October kinda flew by. We were all on top of fall at the beginning with our apple picking, but pumpkin picking and carving were left at the wayside. We’re planning on carving our pumpkins tonight though in between the thousands of trick-or-treaters we’re planning on getting. Our neighborhood warned us. It’s supposed to be craaaazy! Just to give you guys an idea…Matthew bought 9 {yep NINE!} bags of Halloween candy. And from where you wonder? Costco! Nine bags of Halloween candy from Costco! Let that sink in. We’re swimming in candy over here but apparently we’ll run out by 8pm..yikes! It’s going to be a crazy night!
xox
photos by Valorie Darling

pumpkin pie trifles with a gingersnap crust

October 28, 2014
pumpkin pie trifles via M Loves M @marmar
Halloween week is here! I can hardly believe it! Halloween is such a fun holiday and even though I don’t go trick or treating anymore, I love eating lots of sweets! I made these Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifles over the weekend and I think they’d be a great dessert to make for a party. Pumpkin pie gets a lot of love this time of year, but pumpkin cheesecake is just as good in my opinion! I love that this is a no-bake recipe, making is super easy to prepare ahead of time. All you need to do before serving is add some gingersnap crumbs on top. I love the combination of ginger with pumpkin. It has a good spicy & sweet element! 
gingersnap crust for pumpkin pie trifles via M Loves M @marmar
pumpkin pie trifle mixture via M Loves M @marmar
pumpkin pie trifle and whipped cream mixtures via M Loves M @marmar
making pumpkin pie trifles via M Loves M @marmar
pumpkin pie trifles via M Loves M. An easy fall dessert. @marmar
easy fall dessert pumpkin pie trifle via M Loves M @marmar

Individual Pumpkin Pie Trifles with Gingersnap Crust
makes 4 servings


INGREDIENTS
13 Gingersnap cookies, crushed into crumbs yielding about 3/4 cup
2 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
8 ounces cream cheese, completely softened {let sit out for about an hour}
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg {freshly ground if possible}
whipped cream {recipe below}

whipped cream recipe
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 Tablespoons sugar

whipped cream directions
Place the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the cream. Whisk with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, combine crumbled gingersnap cookies with melted butter. Mix so that the butter evenly coats crumbs. Divide crumb mixture amongst 4 serving glasses {I used stemless wine glasses}, pressing to form an even layer of crust.

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until it’s completely smooth. You don’t want any lumps, which is why you want to make sure it softens beforehand. Add pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, sugar and spices. Beat until creamy and then fold in half of the whipped cream. Mix gently so that no streaks remain.

To assemble desserts: Layer pumpkin mixture on top of crust with a spoon or piping tool. Follow that with a layer of whipped cream and then alternate between the two, finishing with a layer of whipped cream on the top. Store covered in the fridge until ready to serve. Top with leftover gingersnap crumbs.

*note: I made my own whipped cream but it might be easier to use whipped cream from a can because then no piping is needed and it looks extra pretty!
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Are any of you hosting a Halloween party? I love that it’s on a Friday this year! I’m going to be making up my mom’s famous chili recipe, serving it with spaghetti noodles, and finishing it with these trifles. I can’t wait!
xox