Boys and girls of every age...

 ...Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
 
The weekend before Halloween: pumpkin carving in the warm October sun while listening to the Rocky Horror soundtrack, screening Vincent Price Classics in the garden house, and then going on a walk to admire all the decorations...

A perfect plan.

...And then this happened:

So I moved my pumpkins into my art room, played the movies on my Computer, and made cupcakes instead of going on that walk. Happy Halloween!  

And if you like Detective stories check out my annual Halloween Mystery,  it'll be updated very soon...  

Peace, Love and Pumpkins
Laura

D.I.Y: And I would have gotten away with it...

...if it hadn't been for all these amazing detectives, and their lovely sidekicks.  

It's no secret that I have a little thing for detective costumes. Throwing on a trench coat or deer stalker is always a great last minute option, but if you have a little more time on your hand, why don't you try one of these this Halloween:

Product List

1) Sherlock Holmes:  Deer stalker, cape, tweed shorts,  oxfords - done, and the shorts give the old-timy British look a sexy edge. And if that's not enough, how about dressing up as Irene Adler, the BBC version, that's one way to be the center of attention at any Halloween party. 

2) Daphne Blake (yes I do know the last names of all Scooby Doo characters...): The most important part of a Daphne costume is  good  red wig, 'cause dying your hair ginger for a Halloween costume is a stupid idea, trust me on this, I would know.  Once you have the wig, all you need is a purple dress, shoes, and headband, a green scarf, and you're good to go.  But don't get yourself kidnapped!

3) The girls of the Maltese Falcon: This look isn't really  inspired by a specific character, but I have to admit that it is how I always pictured Effie (I know it's a little glamorous, but hey it's Halloween...) So if you want to solve crimes at Spade's side then this is finally the time for the trench, add a cloche cap, some T-Strap heels and remember: You're a damned good man, sister.

Peace, Love and Pumpkins
Laura

Tag: I ♥ Fall

Believe it or not but this is actually my 100th post!  And no better way to celebrate than with the "I ♥ Fall" tag, because A) tags  are  fun and B) I love fall. So here we go...  

1. Favorite Fall lip product? 

Burberry Lip Velvet in Rose Pink - The color screams fall, and the texture is so lush it feels like your lips are actually made out of velvet. 


2. Favorite Fall Nail Polish?

OPI "Lighten up you're two pence!" - Because it reminds me of caramel apples, colorful leaves, and Jack-o' lanters.


3. Favorite Starbucks Fall Drink?

Chai Latte - technically not a fall drink, but my go to for this time of the year, and the only sweet drink I actually like.  


4. Favorite Fall Candle?


Not really a candle fan, but I do have a few "pumpkiny" ones around the house.

5. Favorite Fall Scarf or accessory?

Miss Selfridges floral skull scarf - I chose this 20 Euro alternative to my beloved McQueen scarves because it is almost impossible to make out the interesting print unless the scarf is folded out... and I love to keep people guessing.


6. Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze?


 Like I could choose just one....

7. Favorite Halloween movie?

Trick 'r Treat - The greatest Halloween movie ever made. 


8. Favorite candy to eat on Halloween?

Lindt Halloween Mix - This was hard as I'm not a candy person, but the Lindt Halloween collection is just so pretty...


9. What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

There may or may not be a red wig involved, and that's all you're getting out of me at this point...

10. What is your Favorite thing about Fall?

You mean besides Halloween? Definitely the weather, the leaves, the storms - it's the perfect season.

So what do you "heart" about fall? Let me know,  comment below!

Peace, Love and Pumpkins!

Laura 

My Day In Pictures: Pumpkin Patch

It's the most crucial shopping day of the year,  no I'm not talking about the day before Christmas when you realize that you have 2 hours before the shops close and 15 presents to buy, the day I am talking about is much more enjoyable...it's Pumpkin Patch Saturday! 

But there was also some non Halloween related shopping going on this week,  and I guess it was a very naughty purchase (considering the price tag) but...just see for yourself:

A small  Longchamp Le Pilage Cuir in burnt red (it looks much brighter here due to the flash but it's actually more of an oxblood color).  I own the large version in turquoise and since I adore it so much I wanted a smaller version for everyday in a more muted color...and isn't she just perfect? 

Peace, Love and Pumpkins
Laura

Hump Day Homework: Tales of Terror

Here's a new spooky homework assignment for you. Enjoy! ...If you dare...

Watch: The Awakening (2011)

The Awakening, starts of as a mystery, then unfolds into a drama, lingers a little in the ghost story genre before... well I don't wanna spoil it, but you're not gonna believe those twists, and I promise that you'll be on the edge of your seat the entire time - given that you don't fall off...

Read: Classic Horror Tales

From Edgar Allen Poe to H.P. Lovecraft, to Bram Stoker, and Mark Twain - there are many amazing scary short stories out there, too many to narrow it down to one collection. But don't fret, because thanks to a fantastic website that (almost) has them all, we don't have to! Check out underworldtales.com for an impressive collection of all the best classic horror tales.

Listen To: David Lynch: Crazy Clown Time

Listen To Me

If Twin Peaks and American Horror Story had a baby, and this baby would be available on iTunes, then Crazy Clown Time would be this baby.  Like all of Lynch's stuff this is a little out there, but this oddness is exactly what pulls you in and makes you want more - Especially if you can get your hands  on a vinyl copy.


Peace, Love and Pumpkins
Laura

Check, please!

When I was five I had a little tartan cap that my neighbor brought me home from a Scotland trip, then during a grungy phase in my teens I rediscovered the pattern,  but during the last few years it's only been present in my wardrobe in the form of Christmas pajamas - but that is about to change:

Product List

My favorite? The ASOS dress! The low cut back, the bow, the leather...  I can honestly say that I've never been that in love with a dress. I almost didn't get it though, because it probably is the only ASOS thing that actually runs small, and when I returned it the size I needed was out of stock... But then two days and one online shopping miracle later it was back, and now it's finally mine:

And doesn't it remind you of this gorgeous Alaxander McQueen number that was everywhere last year? Now I only need Emma's jacket, and Chloe's booties ...and well Eddie if that's possible.

source

Peace, Love, and Pumpkins
Laura

Introducing: Nova Check Nerd

So I changed the blog's name, and not entirely voluntarily.  Why? Well let me break it down for you:

1) Spelling Errors!  Try  typing the "The Corinthian Column” on an iPad and you'll see what I mean, as much as I loved the name, that was inspired by my love for the Weetzie Bat stories, I always regretted that I didn't chose something a little simpler.

2) Tumblr, my Tumblr is starting to get quite popular, and I wanted the blogs to be linked - not only through actual links, but also through a common name.

3) Content: This blog started as an experiment, a mix of random posts, but over the course of the last few months it has found a direction, its niche - and “Nova Check Nerd“ is simply the more fitting name for this direction.  I feel like this name describes me -  as well as the blog - perfectly.  And having the word "Nerd" in the title also kinda justifies me venturing away from the fashion world every once in a while...

I was afraid that changing the name would lead to a decrease in traffic, but the name change actually seems to be doing the blog rather good, and is a nice excuse for new business cards. So please just bookmark the new URL, subscribe if you haven't already (by email, or join site), and enjoy this week's Hump Day Homework!

xoxo

Peace, Love and Pumpkins 

Laura

Hump Day Homework: Haunted!

It's no surprise that this week's Hump Day Homework assignment is on the scary side, but while I usually tend to go for the serial killer it's a little more haunting this time...

Watch: House on Haunted Hill (1959)

House on Haunted Hill is perfect to get you into that Halloween mood. For me  it's a tradition to screen this while decorating the house. Which is a shame, because it's too great to be treated as background noise. It may actually be the best haunted house murder mystery ever made, don't write it off based on the lack of CGI animaton, the story, characters, atmosphere, and - obviously - Vincent Price, make more than up for it.

Read: James Robert Parish: "The Hollywood Book of Death"

Read Me

The only thing I love more than ghost stories and murder mysteries are ghost stories and murder mysteries that are actually true.  This book is a collection of reports about the often very bizarre and puzzling deaths of over a 125 American movie and TV stars. Yes it's morbid, and weird, and definitely a strange book to have on your coffee table, but it is also the most fascinating book I own. 

Listen To:  The Hawk in Paris: "Freaks"

Listen to Me

All you Pretty Little Liars fans already know this as Mona's theme song. It's fun, catchy, and has just the right amount of creepiness to be the perfect soundtrack for any Halloween montage (yes I think of real life in terms of movie montages...)

Peace, Love and Pumpkins
Laura

Pumpkin Spice ...not really that nice.

Here is a confession: me the self-proclaimed autumn manic who lives for Halloween, cozy sweaters and boots doesn't like Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Okay, so it might have something to do with the fact that I usually take my coffee like Agent Dale Cooper: as black as midnight on a moonless night...

I've never been one to enjoy these fancy - or dare I say girly - drinks. But it seems like Pumpkin Spice Lattes have become a bigger part of fall than colorful leaves and crisp air, heck people even say that  fall doesn't even begin until Starbucks starts serving them...

Last year I pretty much talked myself into liking them (I wanted to be part of  the movement!), and it actually worked for a while, but liking and enjoying are two very different things...

So what is a fall-fan who doesn't enjoy this thing, that is supposed to be the true essence of fall, to do? Find an alternative of course!  

I recently discovered pumpkin honey, and besides coming in the most perfect and radiant shade of orange it actually does serve as an amazing sweetener, that can give a cup of coffee the pumpkin flavor without overpowering it, and if you wanna go crazy stir it in your milk before foaming it - et voilà orange pumpkin milk! And the very best, it's also so much cheaper (and healthier) than that Starbucks stuff...

Peace, Love, and Sunshine
Laura

These Boots Are Made for Walking

Nothing is more essential for fall than the perfect pair of flat boots, rubber or leather, brown or black, or even in bright colors or patterns.  So here are a couple of my favorites:

Product List (Polyvore)

Nothing beats a classic riding boot. No matter if on the chic side as the chocolate version by Tory Burch, or a little  more rough around the edges like the cognag Sam Edelman boots, there is almost nothing that doesn't go with them, and even the simplest of outfits can look like a million dollars if paired with a good pair of boots. 

Wellies,  on the other hand, are something to have fun with.  The bows on the Ted Baker boots will add a girly touch to anything, while still looking classy. And the quilted Sperry boots are maybe the best practical thing I've seen all year, especially the lace-up ones... 

Peace, Love and Stormy Weather

Laura

Where have I been?

I'm sorry for the massive lack of updates lately. I was doing so well, but  then life happened...

All in all September  has been a wild mix of everything, from very good  to very bad, but it's finally October, and that hopefully means nothing but scary movies, pumpkin patches, and boots!

So to kick off my favorite month of the year I'll leave you with a preview of my Halloween costume (extra points if you can guess what it is) and the promise of many exciting posts to come....

Peace, Love and Sunshine

Laura  

...and stop by at my Tumblr for the best October mood board you'll ever find, and check out this if you're in the mood for a little mystery....