Phoenix things-to-do: October 30 – November 1

Happy Halloween! Hope you’re all dressing up and ghouling out. Here’s a link to a huge list of Halloween events, haunted houses and more.

FRIDAY

$2 Shrimp Po’ Boys and Cheeseburger Sliders @ District American Kitchen
Celebrate District’s birthday the entire month of October with $2 po’ boys, sliders and draft beer.

District American Kitchen
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel,
320 N. Third St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-817-5400.
3 – 7 p.m.

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Sea Wolf @ Modified Arts
I’ve heard amazing things about these guys live. Go check them out tonight at Modified…which should be a comfortable temperature now that it’s cooling off outside. Can’t guarantee it’s going to smell good, though.

Modified Arts
407 E. Roosevelt
Phoenix, AZ 85004
8 p.m.
$10

Arizona Wayzgoose Letterpress Celebration @ The Paper Studio
Find letterpress equipment, do a little printing and paper-making, and shop in one of the coolest paper stores in town.

The Paper Studio
520 E. Southern Ave.
Tempe, AZ
(480) 557-5700

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Get your free black taco @ Taco Bell
Visit a Taco Bell near you after dark (between 6 p.m. and midnight) and come away with a free Black Jack Taco while supplies last.

Taco Bell (Find your nearest location)

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1st Annual Mill Avenue Halloween Music Festival @ Madcap Theater
This benefit for St. Mary’s Food Bank features local performers: Sydney Sprague, Courtney Marie Andrews, What Laura Says and more. Bring canned goods or cleaning products and receive a ticket to a raffle.

Madcap Theaters
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration @ Desert Botanical Garden
Experience interactive alters, dance, storytelling, garden exhibits and Mexican food to learn about and celebrate the Day of the Dead.

Desert Botanical Gardens
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ, 85008
(480) 941-1225
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Price included in admission to garden ($15)

Christmas with Kate

Kate Moss’s Christmas collection debuts Thursday, October 29th at Topshop online.
So far, I’m besotted with this butterfly-print kimono robe and slip. I don’t wear flimsy robes or slips, but somehow I’ve convinced myself I need them both desperately.

Shop the entire collection >>

Everything…and we mean EVERYTHING Thanksgiving

While you might be frantically assembling your Halloween costume and making mad dashes to the grocery store for trick-or-treat candy…Martha Stewart is WAY ahead of you. She’s already got her whole Thanksgiving in the bag.

Her new site, Everything Thanksgiving, just launched Monday with menu items, centerpieces and tips for your most beautiful…and time consuming…Thanksgiving EVER!

Even if you’re not turkey crazy, take a looksy at the photos. It’s hard not to get into the giving…or eating spirit.

The big 3-0

J. Crew is taking 30% off selected shoes and boots online like these Pippa ballet flats (now $98) and tortoise heels (now $140).

Is it really a coat when…

Short-sleeve coats fall into the same category as puffer vests for me, cute…but why?

Check out more short-sleeve coats on Spinning Wheels that could change my mind >>

A pop of color

I found this dress at Victoria’s Secret that reminds me of one I coveted in high school, only it was black & grey…with a pop of color.

I used to love the pop of color. And judging from the teal tights I paired with outfit, I still sort of do.

Silk & Cashmere Blouson Sweaterdress, $49
Striped Tee, $11.80
Etched Bangles, $24
Colored tights, $12.50
Ottowa Boot, $169.95
Reader Watch, $29.99

Crying fowl

I want chickens.

I love the idea of gathering my own eggs, having more little pets in the backyard. My husband, however, wants nothing to do with them. He sees them as little more than poop-making machines.

“But that poop is nutrient-rich and good for my veggies,” I tell him.

He remains unmoved.

I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous about raising chicks (apparently you can get baby chicks via mail order…ALIVE in your mailbox), and ultimately any fowl medical disorders.

After performing a couple emotionally draining goldfish euthanasia, I told my husband he needed to have an exit strategy before bringing more fish into the house.

The tank has been empty in the corner for several years now.

Such thoughts are what leave my backyard bare. But then I see a coup like the one below…and think…maybe?

I plan on attending the Permaculture Guild‘s Tour de Coops on December 5…with my husband.

I’m hoping the chickens work their wiles.

No more volunteers!

I planted seeds in my garden and was shocked and amazed to see growth in just days.

My spinach had several wide leaves, my lettuce was sprouting…all was well in my gardening world.

I tipped my hat to my Master Gardening class for teaching me to soak my seeds in a “skosh” of bleach and water before planting, and patted myself on the back for some seeds well-planted.

Then I spent some volunteer hours at another gardeners house when I saw her newly sprouted spinach.

It looked nothing like mine.

Newbie spinach looks like this:

My growth looked like this:

Then I had more random growth that looked like this:

Then I realized what was going on. My garden was sprouting volunteer plants from my compost.

My peas, beets and spinach are now growing…but so are a host of other identifiable plants.

Anyone venture any guesses as to the identity of plants 2 and 3?