5 Last Minute Halloween Costumes

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So you're going out tonight but have nothing to wear. 

Halloween is my favorite holiday. Favorite. It's the slightly spooky essence of October and the eerie supernatural feeling in the air. It's my favorite children's book, and it's my love for all things bigger than ourselves. Halloween is also about friends getting together, parties being planned, celebrations taking place for a time that has nothing to do with family or coming home and everything to do with fun. It's also my birthday eve and the best way to kickstart my birthday! 

Every year around August I start to dream up a costume that is cute, funny, and comfortable. I invariably discover at least 25 on Pinterest and then realize Halloweekend is only three nights long with the odd day adventure. This year, I finally invested in a tutu, so my main costume certainly centers around this, but there are easy, less intense costumes perfect for the spontaneous party or as a post-workday-hanging-at-the-house look come Monday when you have to dole out candy.

I've rounded up my favorite five below if you're in need of a great last minute costume...

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Just grab some eyeliner, to make the lines, blush up those cheeks, and stay warm in flannel! (via)

Get all wound up about how awesome Halloween is using a simple paper towel roll! (Tutorial)

All you need are colored popsicle sticks, a red balloon, and your most comfortable outfit. Yassss. (tutorial)

Paint a cute nose on yourself, slap on some animal ears (or make two top buns with a little bit of your hair to make ears) and cut out a piece of cardboard for this great look. (via)

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I was this two years ago, and all you need is a yellow dress and some green construction paper. Easy peasy! (tutorial)

+Which one do you love the most/ are you bookmarking for next year? 

Share your costume with Emily this weekend!

3 Hours of Fall Music

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Turn up the tunes and carve a pumpkin.

There is nothing like finding new music and listening to it on repeat. There's also nothing like listening to an oldie but a goodie and having it take you back to some awesome memories. I wanted the fall playlist to be a culmination of all things fall; Halloween celebrations with your closest friends, enjoying fall activities like pumpkin carving or hayrides, and any long road trips you might be taking. Enjoy! Xx. 

Have a great weekend! 

+ What song is your must-listen-to fall song? 

Tell us which song you like best on social media! 

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pretzel, Popcorn Bark

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Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pretzel, Popcorn Bark, Say What? Yes. It's happening.

Can I (Emily, here!) get a woot woot for easy, fast, and absolutely amazing recipes? This bark is going to make you want to do the happy dance. No lies. I included it in the Halloween Recipe series because a) cravings hit when handing out candy to trick-or-treaters so better entertain your tastebuds with something fabulous, b) if you're going to a party - read: not a frat party - and want something sweet & savory to bring along that's not the norm, these are perfect, and c) I'm eating this during Halloween time, and therefore it belongs in the Halloween Recipe series. Plus, if you've ever had chocolate spiders or haystacks, these taste like the deconstructed version (with an addition of popcorn of course, because really, why not?).

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This recipe brings all of the Great Vibes because it's ...

5 ingredients
ready to eat in under 30 minutes
sweet
savory
crunchy
rich
decadent
versatile

Why love bark? Sometimes yumminess doesn't have to be complicated. Chocolate bark as a base sets you up for recipe success every time. Think of the options: nuts & seeds, dried fruit, other types of chocolate, peppermint for the holidays, etc.

Ingredients & steps after the jump ... 

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Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pretzel, Popcorn Bark

Ingredients ::

+ Pretzels (gf, v)
+ Popcorn (homemade with olive oil)
+ Peanut Butter (unsalted, organic)
+ 1 bag of Chocolate Chips (gf, v)
+ Salt (Pink Himalayan Sea Salt) 

Recipe ::

  1. Make popcorn - follow instructions on the bag or microwave 2 tbsp - 1/4 cup organic popcorn kernels with 1 tbsp olive oil in a glass container with vented lid until it is more than 5 seconds between popping (about 4-5 minutes, depends on microwave; you can also do this on the stove).

  2. Melt chocolate in a bowl, in a double broiler or microwaving on high for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until all of the chips have melted.

  3. Spread melted chocolate evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicon mat.

  4. Cover with crushed pretzels & popcorn.

  5. Drizzle with peanut butter.

  6. Place in refrigerator or freezer to harden.

  7. Break into pieces, and enjoy! Xx.

Notes::

Stores well in the refrigerator or freezer. Will be more melty in a warm room.

Notice in my ingredients where I've written organic and where I've written vegan. If these things are important to you, I encourage you to do the same. Finances, availability, and personal consumer choice can impact purchase decisions. My hope is that you closely follow the recipe, but make allowances where necessary -- my feelings won't be hurt and your taste buds will still have a party. Promise!

+ What are your favorite bark toppings?

P.S. Use the hashtag #thegreatvibesguide for anything that makes you feel like doing the happy dance or expressing your imperfectly perfect self.

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P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?