Pumpkin Free Jack-O-Lanterns

I love the magic of Halloween. The fear, the adrenaline, the wanting to experience a somewhat occult evening. I love Halloween; it's the perfect combination of:  costumes, candy, parties, candles, and mystery.

There is something so friendly about a freshly carved gruesome jack-o-lantern. His smile might be cynical, but the invitation to trick or treat is welcoming. I love the way a Jack-O-Lantern lights up the night, while still casting nervous shadows.

I live in an Apartment, and therefor get no trick-or-treaters. As much as I would love to carve a pumpkin I'm short on time, and don't really have the space. I've decided that just because I don't have the time or room for a giant Pumpkin mess does not mean that I should suffer through an unfestive Halloween.

I was at target over the weekend, and saw a few festive lights. My creative juices started flowing and I figured out a way to get the lighting of a Jack-O-Lantern sans the mess.

All You'll Need is:

Mason Jars

A Glue Gun

Colored Tissue Paper

Scissors

And A Non-Flame Candle

Decorate the Jars however you wish and enjoy, the not so spooky, illumination.

'tis the weak before hallows eve

'Tis the week before All Hallows Eve...and no creature is still; not even the dead. 

The teens, and the twenties, and perhaps even the thirties compete with flare for the crown of Costume Triumph.

The not yet grown ups; lie awake for days thinking of ways to amaze. 

Plans are devised and parties are thrown; 

With the goal to make this Halloween the most wicked yet.

Ghost of costume past; haunt the waking day. A clever costume, I beg, this way come. I need a solid idea that I haven't  already done. 

From Raggedy Ann, to the Stroke of Midnight ideas are diminishing, with the realization of unfeasible grander. 

 My mind is somewhat blank. I think, I may have had a stroke. No, I suffered a costume panic attack,  a true costume emergency.

 I questioned the seriousness of my lack of put together Halloween attire.  I wondered out loud, how I could pull of an idea so vague with less than a week to prepare.

I thank the Halloween spirits for Veda Lux, a Vintage Fashion emporium, filled to the brim with fascinating finds and the clever creations of Summer Hightower. A quick scavenge through Veda Lux proved fruitful. I found the missing gems for my conceptual costume. 

Costume related anxiety is a growing concern. I know the day of dead is fast coming our way. If you need any last minute ideas be sure to scavenge the local vintage shops in your area. 

Pre Halloween Abs

I want a flat stomach, one that is not too defined with a ripped 6 pack. I want muscles, but I want them to look soft and feminine. I want definition at my waist, and slender curvy figure. I think, that as woman, we are most beautiful when we embrace femininity. With Halloween, the sluttiest time of the year, just around the corner the push for perfect abs is heightened. 

 The male, and female bodies are built differently and fueled by different hormones. Men and women burn calories differently, and favor different muscle groups. Due to our structural differences alone, it doesn't make sense to have one strict abs routine for both woman and men. 

In the fitness world there is push towards functional training. Fitness gurus are designing programs to target key problem areas; ie, the stomach, in ways that the muscles are realistically used. When you go out dancing you don't drop to floor and do crunches. Instead you end up isolating your rib cage and moving it to the beat. 

In real life activities, most of the body's movements are done standing up. By adding a standing abs routine to your workout your body naturally has to focus to remain balanced which activates core stability. Rib cage isolation's, and standing abs target the all the major stomach muscles, increase ones balance, improve posture, and can help prevent back pain. 

To get a simple understanding of how to isolate the rib cage, follow along as one of Tracy's instructors explains the method.

Okay, so you've got is? Now you are ready to bring the abs to tempo. Get ready for a killer abs blast! 

Keep it up! You'll see wicked improvements; perfect for the haunting season.