Confession time: I’ve never bought a Halloween costume. Even when I was little, my mother labored over my corduroy purple mouse (complete with tail) costume and last year I grabbed a vintage prom dress, a dead flower corsage, a tarnished tiara and fake blood to transform into a vampire prom queen. Every year, Martha Stewart comes out with dozens of easy-to-make (even no sew!) costumes that always impress me. And isn’t all that creative work half the fun? The over-priced, costumes-in-a-bag that are mass produced always look cheap and fit about as well as a garbage bag. I’d much rather spend a rainy afternoon (or two or three) laboring over something amazing that no one else will show up in than be one of several sexy police ladies hovering around the punch bowl. So how about it, fellow homemade Halloweenies: what was your best DIY Halloween costume? –Katie D.

We’re in luck. Not only does Herman Miller make some of our favorite designs, but they’re also giving them away for at limited time at our favorite price: free. Right now, the company is celebrating great design with its Design for You contest. Simply submit your e-mail address once to be entered to win the weekly prizes and the grand prize: one of five artist-painted Eames Rockers. Here’s how it works: Through November 2, a weekly prize will be unlocked and awarded to one lucky winner if the sign-up goal is reached for the period. If the goal isn’t met, that week’s prize won’t be given away. Because participation is key, they’re sweetening the pot with an Aeron Chair destined for the contestant who recruits the most friends and family members to join. Like what you see? Click here to win this week’s prize: a Herman Miller Leaf Light! –Sarah C.

I love it when an unexpected new catalog arrives in my mailbox, especially when it’s one that contains things I’d actually consider owning. One such discovery is At West End. Their most recent edition was chock full of rustic and recycled decor, from beautiful teak credenzas to hanging bottle trees. But I was most impressed by the sizable collection of cute holiday decor. “Spooky Jack” (pictured above) is a neutral terracotta jack o’ lantern that I can just see hanging out with real pumpkins and gourds on our front porch. These felted harvest gourds would be a perfect fit interspersed with mercury class votives on the Thanksgiving table. And for Christmas, I’m loving the beachy whitewash driftwood garland and these colorful, vintage-inspired lawn ornaments. See all this and so much more festive holiday goodness at their site, where they’re offering $5 shipping for any order, any size! –Megan B.

We love muffins at Shelterrific (remember our wheat-free persimmon date almond muffins? And our favorite apple cinnamon ones?) and last week I stumbled on another recipe to add to our growing list of breakfast goodies! These pecan cornmeal muffins are exactly what I imagine they’d serve at a cozy bed and breakfast in New Hampshire. Perfect for the cool weather, they’re almost scone-like and have just the right amount of richness. You have my permission to eat them right away- they’re best right out of the oven. Pour a cup of tea and indulge in one of these autumnal goodies after the jump. –Katie D. (more…)

How jazzed was I to spot the deliciously mid-mod Anholt safety ashtray on Sunday’s episode of Mad Men (during Betty’s interrogation scene)? Pretty psyched, let me tell you! The Anholt safety ashtray was designed in 1941 to prevent cigarette-induced infernos. Anholt, A Denver-based company, made their ashtrays originally out of genuine Coors porcelain in a basic round form with raised “teeth” to hold the cigarettes in place. The freeform or “boomerang” design dates to the 1960’s (obviously), and was produced in both porcelain and melamine. I scored my lovely orange melmac “Anholt freeform” scavenging through my grandmother’s garage, but they are incredibly easy to find in a rainbow of vintage shades — Ebay, for example, has a huge range of options ranging from $5- $30! –Megan B.

I can’t explain it, but ever since spring, I’ve been obsessed with barley twist tables. Side tables, coffee tables, sofa tables, gateleg dining tables — it really doesn’t matter — I want one. The only problem has been finding a table that hits the sweet spot for patina, size and price. Ebay has more than a few but the ones with more intricate stretchers and no pie crust edges are all more than I really want to spend. Until I find one, I’ll hang on to this Tommy Smythe photo for inspiration. — Sarah L.

image from Canadian House and Home

Not only is our current storm door one of the most hideous available in recent years (That horrible scalloped edge!) it’s too small for the door opening, the bottom of the screen is busted through, and, most insultingly of all, when our house was painted by the previous owner, they just went ahead and sprayed the white metal door the same tan, matte color as the rest of the house. But while my reasons for needing a new door are plenty, my choices, not so much. The doors at Home Depot are serviceable but boring. Lowe’s isn’t much better, though they do carry some old fashioned wooden screen doors. They may not block the chill (not that our scalloped horror has been) but I just like the look of retro screen doors better. Check out these fab metal screen door inserts from Moon Shine Lamp & Shade and Hip Haven, $250 (just for the insert, not for the door). It might fit a vintage-style aluminum door from Columbia Royal Aluminum, $135 according to this post at No Pattern Required. I also found Garden Woodworks, a Seattle company that will custom make and ship you a wooden door wherever you are in the States, starting at around $300. Will a storm door make a big difference in our utility bills? (It hovers in the 50s for most of the year here.) If I go for efficiency, must I sacrifice style? — Mary T.

Photos via Garden Woodworks

I’ve tried a lot of hummingbird feeders over the years. Mostly, they just seemed to attract ants and wasps. So when the Hummzinger was recommended as easy to clean and great at keeping pests away, I was dubious, however, after a full season of use, no ants, no wasps and no complaints. Although it’s a little late to be putting a new feeder out — the last of the hummingbirds will depart the Midwest and East Coast by mid October — if you’re quick you can send them on their way an extra burst of energy. It’s better for the birds if you make your own solution with no added dye or honey. Just dissolve one part sugar to four parts water (a quarter cup of sugar to one cup water leaves just a little left over) on the stove. There’s no need to bring it to a boil or use distilled water. Just stir until you can no longer see sugar, then let cool and fill. — Sarah L.

Last week, Erica P. shared her recipe for spinach and caramelized onion tart from Posit Science’s ThinkFood Cookbook. We sent you over to their site to browse the recipes and asked for your favorites for a chance to win your very own copy. Well, the random number generator has spoken. Congratulations, Misty! You’re our winner! To claim your prize, send an e-mail with your mailing address to Erica@shelterrific.com and we’ll have your cookbook postmarked in no time! For more food for thought, stop by Posit Science where a new recipe will be revealed weekly.

Lately, I’ve had magazines on the mind. First, it was the launch of Rue and redesign of Lonny. Then came the discovery of Anthology, and today, while searching for more DIY Halloween inspiration, I stumbled upon this enchanting “White Halloween” spread in Sweet Paul Magazine. The fall issue launched September 19, and between the apple recipe roundup (baked apples? I think so!), one pot wonders and woodland picnic ideas, you won’t find a shorter route to that toasty fall feeling. – Sarah C.