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It's finally October!! Yay!! This last quarter of the year is by far my favorite. Yes, we're swamped with work but around all that are the holidays beginning with one of my top favorites, Halloween!
I'm not quite sure why I like Halloween so much (tied or equal to Christmas) but I love the dressing up and the kids who trick or treat and the pumpkins and that cinnamon-y smell at the grocery store. YUM!
Halloween is thought to have originated from a Celtic holiday, Samhain, where people would light bonfires and dress up in costumes to ward off ghosts.
However, according to Wikipedia, Halloween is a contraction of All Hallow's Eve. This time of year is dedicated via the liturgical calendar to a remembrance of the dead including 'saints, martyrs and all the faithfully departed'.
My personal love for Halloween is rooted more in the costumes and the Fall, which has always been my favorite time of year. Granted, here in the desert, we rarely get those crisp fall mornings and few trees have changing leaves, but still, the days are shorter and it feels like fall at night.
This year, like last, we are going to Hollywood for Halloween. Have you ever been? Talk about fun! Wow! We have a room again on Santa Monica Blvd, smack in the middle of the street party.
Honestly, the costumes are fabulous (actual pictures from last year are sprinkled throughout this newsletter) and see if you can tell which ones are real girls or not! (mostly not ha!) And that's the fun of it. For a few hours you get to be someone else, throw your inhibitions to the wind and just have fun.
By the way, the Jack in the Beanstalk is a man on stilts with his head peeking out of the castle so he looks like a giant. I wish you could have seen this in person! So many clever ideas!
The boyfriend and I like Steampunk -- do you know Steampunk? Steampunk is related to science fiction and is based on historical characters with an emphasis on mechanical or steam related industrial aesthetics. Think Mad Max and you'll get the idea.
Last year we went as a Steampunk Sheriff and Saloon girl and the costumes were amazing (all self-made). We hired someone to do our makeup and while we weren't 100% satisfied with it (why a blue beard? Because the makeup artist couldn't find brown or black at the last minute) we still had so much fun.
We must have been stopped to have our picture taken at least two dozen times! And likewise we took tons of pictures too.
This year we're doing Steampunk again. Dan's still a Western theme because he loves that but we've ditched the vest for a John Wayne-esque bib shirt, we're adding Etsy made Steampunk spurs and twinkling lights down the sides of his pants and around the brim of his hat.
For me, my Steampunk idea of choice is based on a Moulin Rough inspired Circus Ringmaster. And we'll do our own makeup this year so we'll see how that turns out!
You know, taking time out to play and have fun is what life is all about. We start planning our costumes as soon as the current Halloween is over too so we are focused on this holiday year 'round.
What do you do to celebrate Halloween? Do you go to any of the Palm Springs events? There are several including
>> BB Ingle's Halloween Party Bash at the Hard Rock Hotel on Oct 28th -- Click Here
>> Arenas Road Halloween Costume Contest on Oct 29th -- Click Here
These are just three of the most popular events but there are likely many more including Halloween light displays around town.
Find your 'inner kid' and dress up! Find a party or have one of your own. There's still time to plan... Happy Halloween!
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If you're planning a party and need help with supplies or setup, catering or an extra pair of hands, now is the time to contact us! These resources are scarce and they book up fast! It's not too soon to plan for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah so give us a call for all your party needs. 760.898.9604 or email us.
Please let us know how we can help!
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Costume Hints and Tips
I've been making Halloween costumes for grownups ever since the 1980's when we had costume contests at work. When it comes to planning your Halloween costumes, there are some things to take into consideration so you can enjoy your event. In no particular order, here are our best hints and tips for Costume planning:
If you're going to be doing a lot of walking like we do in Hollywood, or if you're just planning to be standing at a cocktail party -- be sure to wear comfortable shoes! Now is not the time to break out your "once-in-a-while but I wanted to look trashy" 6-inch heels! Also, consider how far you're going to have to walk to get to the venue. We stay right there in the heart of it so all we have to do is walk out the front door, but most people have to park blocks away and hike in. And in our case, there are very few places to sit down so comfort is key!
--Number 2 - Biological Breaks!
I know this is a delicate topic, but no matter who you are or what you dress like, you will need to go to the bathroom at some point in the evening - especially if you're drinking! So be sure to wear something with an eye toward easy-on/easy off/easy back on wear and especially something you can do by yourself. That way you won't have to end your evening early!
--Number 3 - Remember you may have to transport your costume!
Make sure any accessories or parts of your costumer fit in your car! Elaborate costumes like these two from Titanic are simply breathtaking (and looked much more incredible in person!) but that's a LOT of work and the icebergs couldn't have been all that easy to get to the event. We saw people who wore cat-like leotards, hightop sneakers, cat ears and some whiskers who looked totally appropriate and were far more comfortable with little in the way of bulky accessories.
--Number 4 - Consider where or how you'll carry your phone and money
Sometimes we tend to go overboard with cutesy accessories like wands or whips or lamps (Statue of Liberty anyone?) or something we have to carry, but then where will you hold your phone? What about cash? It's not wise to carry a lot and you want to be sure you can't get pickpocketed so plan your costume with these ideas in mind. Also, don't forget to have a full charge for your cellphone - you'll need it!
--Number 5 - What's the weather?
This could easily fall under the comfort tip but make sure you check the weather forecast, especially if your event is outside. Will your costume be too hot or too cold? What if it rains? Will your makeup run? Or will your costume wilt? Will your costume become diaphanous (see through) if it's backlit or wet? Um, we speak from experience here!
If you follow these five tips you'll be able to enjoy your Halloween event in comfort and with little thought to anything else. Just have fun! And remember, homemade costumes are far more fun to look at than rented costumes so be creative!
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Pumpkins Anyone?
Fall has some of the best ever desserts including a plethora of pumpkin spiced recipes. I love caramel apples but they are difficult to eat (especially if you have any dental issues) and the ratio of caramel to apple is a little on the thin side.
Enter an idea I found at domesticallyblissful.com She makes caramel apple lollipops! Really? C'mon, what a great idea! The trick is to cut them into slices thicker than the lollipop sticks, dip them in melted chocolate, freeze them, then dip or drizzle caramel, white chocolate, sprinkles -- pretty much any of the caramel apple designs we've all seen and drooled over.
From my own experience in working with chocolate and caramel, it is wise to freeze between dips or drizzles so one doesn't melt the other and the caramel should cool and thicken slightly.
For the full recipe and directions, click here
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Taking Your Business to the Next Level...
If you've been in business for a while, then it might be time to take it to the next level but do you know what steps to take? Do you know what things make the biggest impact? If not, then please join us for "Live with Leslie" at 3pm PST tomorrow!
Our topic is
4 Steps to Boost Your Business.
In this session
we will share with you those things necessary to elevate your company to one that is more credible, more valuable and more professional. Our show goes live on the Concierge Business Solutions® Facebook page.
Every week we give you tips you can use right now for building your business or solving problems. Don't forget, an investment in continuing education is the best investment you can make! And a great way to spend a quick 30 minutes (isn't it time for a break at that time of day anyway?)
Other October topics include:
--The 6 Tools Every Business Needs
--Mistakes all Business Owners Make
Plan to join us and put "Live with Leslie" on your calendar right now! Or go to the Concierge Business Solutions® Facebook page and click on Events. Say YES!
The Concierge Business Solutions® Facebook page can be found here.
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We only have one thing to fear; fear itself......and spiders hahaha. That was a little Halloween humor. Personally I love spiders, creepy crawlies, amphibians and reptiles. (I know, I'm weird.)
As I approach the big 6-0 (which is also in this last quarter of the year) the biggest thing I notice is how darn fast the time flies -- and given I sell time for a living, it needs not be so darn fleeting!
The holidays come faster and faster and are gone in a flash. With no small kids of my own at home, there is the temptation to skip it. But don't.
Part of what keeps us young and healthy and happy are those celebrations. Anticipation in the form of being antsy for holidays slows time down (yes it does!) and putting out a jack-o-lantern or some Halloween decorations just makes you smile.
I swear I feel happier if I make the time to decorate. So as we move into this last quarter of the year, let's start with Halloween, move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas or Hannukah or whatever your family celebrates.
Let's make it the best holiday season ever! Invite friends for a potluck. Play Cards Against Humanity or some other game. Have a cocktail party. Celebrate living!
Until next time, remember: When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween!
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Leslie Spoor
Executive Errands®
CL#944447
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Leslie is a consultant, mentor and author helping small business owners around the globe. She is founder and CEO of two successful companies, Concierge Business Solutions® and Executive Errands®. In addition to her wide selection of training videos and webinars, documentation and forms, Leslie also is the creator of a data collections software system, Essential Elements™ and a Six DVD educational series, How to Start Your Own Business with Leslie Spoor©, available on her website. To work with Leslie or for more information, please visit her website or contact her at Lspoor@executive-errands.com
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For a list of our most popular services, please see our brochure here:
Last year, after traveling to Cuba (another beautiful country!), I wrote a travel guide! To download our
American in Cuba e-book travel guide, please
click here.
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This documentation, including sample applications herein, is provided for informational purposes only, and Executive Errands® makes no warranties, either expressly or implied, as to this documentation or its efficacies. Information in this documentation, including any URL and other Internet Web site references, is subject to change without notice. The entire risk of the use or the results of the use of this documentation remains with the user. This documentation is copyrighted by Spoor Enterprises Inc, DBA Executive Errands®, 2017.
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