Weekly links

My husband's birthday is Halloween. Our kids love it. (He does, too--he actually thinks all the festivities, decorations, etc. which surround the holiday are in his honor.) Thus there promises to be an abundance of sweet indulgence this weekend. Have a fun and safe one. Here are your links...

make spooky silhouette candle holders at Design Sponge

serve up some creepy cocktails at Martha Stewart

make gluten free apple brown betty at Celiac Underground

carve a tin can pumpkin at Apartment Therapy

make shrunken apple heads at Floral Showers via Curbly

turn a metal ruler into a spice rack at Old Sweet Song via Curbly

make a ballerina costume for the pooch at Craftzine

(Photo via Apartment Therapy)

Do your mother-in-law's opinions about home decor matter?

Remember last week I mentioned that I had scored two fabulous mismatched benches at the flea market? They're unique, sturdy and compliment our dining table nicely. However when my mother-in-law came over to see our new place, she remarked, "Oh. Your dining room set--isn't that something you see outdoors?" I think she had a picnic table in mind.
(Photo via Design Sponge)

A kiss is still a kiss and a house is just a house.

If living in an architect designed Hollywood Hills home that features a 65-ft infinity pool and outdoor cinema is your thing, you may want to take a peek at this one. The house also comes with a name-Skyline Residence-and a price tag of $5,995,000.

And while I was at Refinery 29...

However it appears that this faux fox stole is currently and unfortunately out of stock.

Skull earrings (Think Halloween.)

With diamonds, $1158. Without diamonds, $860. From Refinery 29.

The Sartorialist and the Flea [Market]

Living in a metropolis like Los Angeles definitely has its perks. Today street style photographer Scott Schuman from The Sartorialist (no surprise here that it's one of my fave blogs...Map That Outfit!...) will be signing his self-titled book at The Beverly Center in West Hollywood.Needless to say, I want to go. However, there appears to be another book signing today--one which unfortunately trumps yours, Scott. And that would be by Jeff Kinney (New York Times bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series). Two of my kids will be attending this highly anticipated event and I, of course, will be accompanying my children. Perhaps I'll get lucky and be able to juggle both signings...break away for a work thing...pick up Big Sis...do homework. Maybe dinner.It is becoming routine on Sunday to pay a visit to the famed flea market at Fairfax and Melrose which the LA Times notes "is great for browsing the bazaar or hunting the bizarre." My daughter and I bought dresses we absolutely adore. AND, the whole family is benefiting from my additional purchase of two gorgeous, slightly mismatched wood benches.

(Top photo via here; third and fourth photos here)

Is there a particular clothing item you always seem to be in search of?

I'm always on the lookout for a long grey sweater or shawl. This Park Vogel one is pretty perfect.

Weekly links

Finally. Weekly Links are back. (For this week anyway. Who knew moving a family of five cross country could take so much out of a girl?) Enjoy a beautiful fall weekend! Here are your links...

figure out how to decorate with the color orange at 2Modern Design Talk via Curbly

make gluten free Indian baked butternut squash at I am a Celiac (Cinnamon again.)

sew a Where The Wild Things Are hat and pattern at Instructables (The movie opens in theaters today!)

make a Tom Binns-inspired chunky necklace at ...love Maegan

transform an old raincoat into the Rainskirt at Craftzine

make your home earthquake safe at Apartment Therapy (Good idea now that I live in California.)

make a spiderweb tablecloth with eerie pom-pom spiders at Martha Stewart

And the answers to yesterday's Map That Outfit! are:
1. Paris
2. Milan
3. London
4. New York
5. Florence

(Photo via Copenhagen Cycle Chic)

Map That Outfit! (men's version)

It's been a while since we last played. The cities are: London, Paris, Florence, Milan and New York. Answers will be posted tomorrow.
Which outfit would you like to see your guy wear?

(Photos via The Sartorialist)

Gluten Free Pumpkin Cinnamon Cheesecake

I have to admit, I don't eat cheesecake. But this gorgeous gluten free dessert from Elana's Pantry does look tempting. The recipe is filled with so many healthy and nutritious ingredients...including cinnamon!

(Photo provided courtesy of elanaspantry.com)

A Romper and Two Dresses

These lovely Lewis pieces are available at Frances May. While on the subject of fashion, and out of curiosity, what is your wardrobe must-have for fall?

Fight the fat.

According to SELF Editor-in-Chief Lucy Danziger, you will lose weight if you indulge in these 8 "fat-fighting super bites" (gluten free, naturally): almonds, berries, cinnamon, mustard, oranges, soybeans, sweet potatoes and Swiss cheese. You can read more about it here.

On a separate note, what's up with this photo!?

(Photo via weheartit)

So where do YOU hang dry your articles délicats?

(First and last photos via Fashion Toast; center photo by Monica Shulman)

Let's say Grace.

(Photos via Julia via Starbucks and Jane Austen)

Lisa from Dandy Sugar: "Things I Love About LA"

As a regular reader of Absolutely Not Martha, I was more than thrilled when Jackie asked me if I would be interested in guest blogging. I get a kick out of reading her posts-it’s always fun to see the latest and greatest design and fashion finds. For a little creative inspiration, dreamy photos and maybe a bite of something yummy and gluten free, I eagerly await her collection of Weekly Links.

Jackie asked me to write about “Things I Love Best About Living in LA.” A very fitting and perfect topic for her since she recently made a huge move from the east coast to LA herself. I actually moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles about six months ago, so I’m a newbie to this huge melting pot of a city as well. There is so much to see and do in LA, it’s difficult to narrow down just a few favorites. So, here is just a very small slice of my life and experience here thus far.

Enjoy!

The sun and warmth.
Living close to Venice Beach.
Palm tree-lined streets.
The gorgeous Getty Villa, Museum and Gardens.

The Sensitive Baker – A delicious gluten free bakery in downtown Culver City.

A BIG thank you to Lisa (Dandy Sugar) for a fabulous post!

(All photos by Lisa except for Palm Trees which is via Flickr.)