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Here at Life of Yablon HQ, we threw caution to the wind this Halloween (!) and allowed our creativity and wild, scary urges to surface as we prepared ourselves for the fantastical world of glitter hair spray, special paints, tantalising treats and general ghoulish festivities.  I have photographed a few of our favourites:

Lyle’s vintage style, limited edition Trick or Treacle Tin which is perfect for getting into baking this Halloween! 88p per tin

our skateboarding skeleton from Sainsbury’s £10 (see my Instagram feed for full effect!)

Chanel’s le Vernis in Mysterious £18 (020 7493 3836)

The Goody Good Stuff Halloween Mix Multi Bag (Tesco) in my own jar with glow in dark stickers!

Georgiana Scott’s Halloween earrings (sterling silver with 18 carat yellow gold vermeil + Swarovski crystals) £95

We got crafty with a BIG parcel from Hobby Craft (perfect for half term!) spider £5 / hat £10

Mini plans to be a ‘punky-witch-bat’ with costume from Home Bargains £5.99 and (kid-friendly/ one wash) hair sprays from Stargazer £3 each

ps to find out what I REALLY think about Halloween, read my column in The Lady online tomorrow…

spot the rolling River Thames made from golden syrup!

I’ve spent all week (since I heard about the Biscuiteers’ window) trying to make it down to Selfridges.  And neither Mini nor I were in the least bit disappointed this morning to find this particular window (on the corner of Orchard St) of sugary gingerbread architecture.   The edible model of London’s previously (nothing to do with last night’s storm) demolished buildings took over 400 hours to design, bake and build.

gingerbread galore

In partnership with famous jelly-mongers Bompas & Parr and Lyle’s Golden Syrup, Biscuiteers were commissioned to create this installation to fill Selfridges’ main Christmas window.  It is, without doubt, worth making a trip, despite today’s high winds.

with a glimpse of REAL London outside the Selfridges window

Once inside, I found I could take better photos (as the reflection can be a slight hinderance!) before dropping down into the kitchen department to find more gingerbread inspiration as well as all the merchandise you need to create your own masterpiece.

charming scene made from Biscuiteer magic

Funnily enough, I’ve been invited to meet the team and try my hand at icing at Bisuiteers on Wednesday so I’ll pass on more compliments then.

more inspiration downstairs in the kitchen department including Nordic Ware bundt pan £35

Meanwhile, I feel a little prematurely Christmasy!

first sign of Christmas!?

spot OXO’s unique, patented ladle which catches then removes all the used grounds…

It’s Sunday morning and the storm promised by the media is swirling around.  I decide to break open the parcel from Lakeland, the latest tool from OXO and the vintage packed coffee I was sent by Harrods Foodhall.  This cafetière is designed to make the process of cleaning up after a cup of coffee an absolute breeze.   And it does.  All’s well in the world.

in goes the amazing smelling coffee

the hot water

and after 4 minutes, I plunge  – alongside some medjool dates

COMPETITION:  I have 2 such cafetières (each worth £35) to give away.  To enter, follow me on Twitter and send me a tweet telling me how you take your coffee. (I take mine black.)  The winners will be notified on Sunday 10th November 2013.

For more information about this product and the rest of OXO’s range, click here.