3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

Well it wouldn't be Halloween if we didn't have our annual pumpkin carving contest. This Halloween seemed like such a blur. I had to cancel our Halloween party because of our stupid mold situation {it's spreading, it's gross, and the walls are going to come down..literally!}. I didn't even dress up, which is really sad for someone who loves this holiday. But at least, at least, we had our annual contest! It made me feel like we were able to celebrate a little bit!
 sneak peek at my cat pumpkin
 sneak peek at Matthew's crazy monster pumpkin
Lit up, at night. My Dad's is the bottom left. Can you guess what his is? It rhymes with schmirate! 

Do you guys have a favorite? I'm thinking it was Matthew's year to win for sure!

How was your Halloween? Did you dress up? Trick or treat? Carve pumpkins? Throw a Halloween party? 
I need to live vicariously through you guys, ok? Next year will be better, I swear!


xox
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you can see photos from our previous carving competitions here and here!

see me too


anjoperfeito

I don't really care if anyone sees this or not, it's not really the kind of thing to get published. I just had to say it- I'm in love. That's it, just love! And he doesn't know, and he can't know. The consequences our relationship would create I'm savy enough to understand, and God knows what he thinks of me day to day since I'm so much younger and dumber, but I don't care. I'm past caring. Every little ambiguous feeling of doubt that hung around, that still has reason to hang around, is slowly being dismantled because I realize the truth. Ego rem intellecto. If I could scream it on rooftops I would. And I want him to know because if he points out one more guy or girl that I should date I think it might come out anyway.

I want you. It is you! and I think it's only ever going to be you. Not in that 'I'll never find anyone else' sort of way, but I'll never find anyone as interesting, intelligent, witty, funny and perfect for me again. Sometimes I just stare in wonder, and you see it, and look at me like I'm crazy. But you don't understand how crazy I am for you. No one knows. No one needs to know. I'm up and I'm down and in and out and I've realized I don't want it any other way. It's you. It's always been you. I loved you before I knew you. Yes, it happens, even if we're not together.

This isn't a good story, you're just that person I talk to and can't touch. The one who I'll either marry or think about when I'm marrying someone else. I don't necessarily know what true love is, but you've got the rhythm that matches mine. Turn around one day and let me know if you see me too.

recipe: Halloween Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing

yay Happy Halloween! 
I hope you all are having a spooky and fun Monday! I wanted to share these AHmazing cupcakes that I made over the weekend! They are chocolate peanut butter goodness and they're so good it should be bad, but it's not {just don't read the ingredients}! All my fellow pb&chocolate lovers must try this recipe and let me know what you think!


Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing by Ina Garten {recipe here}

Ingredients

  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup good cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing, recipe follows
  • Chopped salted peanuts, to decorate, optional {I chose Halloween themed sprinkles!} 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 2 sugars on high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. Lower the speed to medium, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. On low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture alternately in thirds to the mixer bowl, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until blended. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula to be sure it's completely blended.
Divide the batter among the cupcake pans (1 rounded standard ice cream scoop per cup is the right amount). Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from the pans, and allow to cool completely before frosting.
Frost each cupcake with Peanut Butter Icing and sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if desired.
Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
Place the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.
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I had to top them with some Halloween themed sprinkles too! It seemed only right :)
Have a great Halloween everyone! Who dressed up as what? Share please!!
xox

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wearing an appropriately designed DOTS shirt!

1946 WL Flathead For Sale

A Real nice 1946 WL Flathead harley up for sale it has a nice rebuilt motor and transmission. The bike starts and runs nice, It has a nice original frame with original gas tank, and aluminum heads. With a little bit of magic this little scotter could be real nice. Email me or call if interested.







Levi's + Lucky Mag + M Loves M

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to go to the Levi's store on Rodeo Drive and check out, as well as get fitted for, their Curve ID collection. The concept is that it's about shape, not size. It was so weird to see this measuring contraption they used but I was amazed at how accurately my fit, well, fit! It was such a fun event put on my Lucky Magazine and I loved seeing some of my blogging friends, and making new ones!

 getting my Curve ID fit!
 catching up with the beautiful Beth Jones
Rebecca, Beth, Neekoh and I showing off our picks!

 I was a Demi Curve and decided to chose a pair of flares with adorable front pockets. Stay tuned to see how I styled them! 

Have a great Halloween weekend everyone! 
Don't get tricked but eat lots of candy!
xox
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photos c/o Lucky Magazine
{ps the KK issue is really really good!}

did I miss out on you?



Intuition by Feist

What gives what helps the intuition?
I know I'll know
I won't have to be shown
The way home
And it's not about a boy
Although although

They can lead you
Break or defeat you

A destination known
Only by the one
Who's fate is overgrown
Piecemeal can break your home in half
A love is not complete with only heat

And they can tease you
Break or complete you

And it came a heat wave
A merciful save
You choose you chose
Poetry over prose
A map is more unreal than where you've been
Or how you feel
A map is more unreal than where you've been
Or how you feel
And it's impossible to tell
How important someone was
And what you might have missed out on
And how he might have changed it all
And how you might have changed it all for him
And how he might have changed it all
And how you might have changed it all for him

Did I, did I
Did I, did I
Did I, did I
Did I, did I
Did I did I miss out on you?

SOLD!! 1947 KNucklehead Project for sale!

SOLD !!! This is a start to a real nice bike, a real 1947 FL Knuckle motor that is looking for a new home. The motor needs to be assembled and put into the chopper of your dreams I have everything to make her scoot down the road contact me @ pies_sucios@hotmail.com if your interested. Love Jeremiah




stay a little longer



meuperfil3 + unknown

look book: pop of color

I can't resist a pop of color with a neutral, especially when that color is red! Oh, Red, my favorite color. I remember the days I used to question my love because I didn't own a single red item in my closet. Now there's no need as I have a red jacket, awesome red shorts, a red dress, and now a pretty red skirt! Slowly, but surely, I'm proving my love! 
blouse c/o 11 Eureka, clutch old Banana Republic {similar}, bracelets Forever 21, belt vintage, skirt c/o Chloe Loves Charlie, shoes Guess {similar pair}

Have a great day everyone!
xox
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JewelMint x Le Love Giveaway

LOVE KATE BOSWORTH XO RINGS JEWELMINT GOLD

Hey guys! I wanted to take a moment out from regular posting to do a little something fun!
I am hosting a giveaway with JEWELMINT! A lucky reader will win the lovely XO rings above ♥

JewelMint is a member only jewelry club with exclusive pieces designed by actress Kate Bosworth and her stylist, Cher Coulter. It's a great personalized way to shop for jewelry- you take a quick style quiz and then designs are chosen for you every month based on your fashion personality profile. The best part is it's super affordable! Head over to JEWELMINT to find out more and to check out all the other beautiful designs. In fact, now's the best time...

Beyond the giveaway, JEWELMINT is offering a special promo code to my readers!
New members can use the code: LELOVE to receive 50% off their first piece! (expires 11.25.11)

To enter the XO rings giveaway make sure to leave your name and email in the comments!

Good luck!

xo

giveaway: $30 to Chloe Loves Charlie- CLOSED

Today's giveaway is from Chloe Loves Charlie, an adorable online boutique with a penchant of sweet and romantic clothes. One of you can win $30 to spend however you like in their online shop! Some of my favorites are above: the Pink Pleated Shift Dress, the Silver Sequin Party Dress, and the Midnight Serenade Dress!


To Enter:
1). Must be a follower of M Loves M

For extra entries
3). Blog/tweet for extra entries!
4). Become a Facebook fan of M Loves M or follow me on Bloglovin'
5). "Like" ChloĆ© Loves Charlie on Facebook or follow them on Twitter {tweet tweet!}

I'll be picking the winner next Wednesday November 1st! Good luck!
xox 

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UPDATE: Congrats to Joanna Ruth! I'll email you with more details!

all the single ladies

atlantic monthly bolick-wide

I came across an interesting article from Atlantic Monthly that I wanted to share with you...

Recent years have seen an explosion of male joblessness and a steep decline in men’s life prospects that have disrupted the “romantic market” in ways that narrow a marriage-minded woman’s options: increasingly, her choice is between deadbeats (whose numbers are rising) and playboys (whose power is growing). But this strange state of affairs also presents an opportunity: as the economy evolves, it’s time to embrace new ideas about romance and family—and to acknowledge the end of “traditional” marriage as society’s highest ideal.
By Kate Bolick


you can read the whole article >> HERE


found via Gala Darling

looking ahead

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It’s amazing what I put the one I love through.

Honestly.

I’m so sorry, sweetheart.

I’m fine, and all of a sudden my insecurities are touched, and C the Bitch comes out to play.

And I know I’m not the first to realize that getting so near-and-dear in a relationship suddenly brings out the worst in you. Is it really the worst? Or is it that your significant other suddenly has access to your greatest hopes and fears? Oh, how often you’re split! How you throw your shoulders back, taking poised steps, oozing with appeal, and in the same day sob into your pillow and hold your middle and scorn your belly fat, completely itching to be outside of your own skin.

Now, you’ve slowly given over to letting that person in, letting him in, letting him in, ‘til all in one instant you realize he has access to your very tender heart. The inner workings of your brain are now laid open for him to dissect. And strangely, he is still there. Through all your tumultuous mood swings and honest-to-god shit.

And then you wonder (maybe YOU don’t, ye reader, but I sure do…) when the day will come that he will discover something that he actually can’t handle. Maybe the way you, American girl, twirl your pasta around your fork (instead of poshly and precisely twisting it into a spoon) will finally push him over the edge of insanity. Maybe one day the cute accent in which you pronounce the not-quite-yet familiar German vocabulary will no longer be as adorable as he thinks it is now.

Maybe one day he’ll realize that all the things from your past are always, always going to be there. Maybe not in the room, sitting haughtily on your couch and laughing as you try to have a genuine and fresh conversation. Maybe not in the field overlooking the city sunset as you whisper sweet things. But sometimes they come walking around the corner when you least expect them. Sometimes they turn up in familiar old smells and sporadic old songs and childhood rooms. And then, lady. Then you are done for. They never call and warn you of their short and slicing visit. You´ll bleed and bleed for days. Sooo slowly, that scab forms. And they laugh bitterly, those songs and smells and rooms, because they know there is nothing you can do about the surprise damage to your person. You don´t want to have to always be prepared for the storm.

And I forgot, until a few days ago, how being in a relationship means one is now responsible for how her actions and emotional release of inhibition so directly affect the mien of her companion.

I don’t like to be this way.

I’m not the vulnerable type, though I feign it quite easily. I’m open, very open! But only to a certain extent, that I can control. Love is letting go of that control and jumping off that cliff without a parachute. It’s a beautiful and terribly scary thing. He can’t promise never to hurt me. He’s human. He can’t promise never to leave~ one day, someday, maybe sooner but hopefully later, death will take both of us. He can’t promise me security and stability, though we both have dreams of what this life could be. He can promise me tomorrow as much as I can promise never to get in a car accident. Oh, but I want him here with me forever…

Why do I feel like, I am too happy? That the only reason I am happy is because it isn’t going to last?

I asked you that, the other day…and you said “shh, shhh, mein Sonnenschein. I’m looking ahead and all I know is that there’s you and me, and it’s bright and beautiful.”

Life with you will be far too short.

~C

look book: columns

I'm loving this skirt! The accordion pleats give it a slightly fancy look but I love that I can dress it down with boots and a sweater. Also wearing my pretty new David Yurman bracelet. I've never had such a fancy piece of jewelry and instead of letting it rot away in a jewelry box I'm trying to wear it as an everyday piece. Good thing it gets with mostly everything!
my two favorite everyday bracelets!
sweater J.Crew {similar sweater}, skirt Forever 21 {similar skirt}, scarf gift from godmother, boots Old Navy, bracelets David Yurman c/o the Vogue Influencer Network, gift from Matthew, rings red- thrifted and rose gold-gift from Matthew

I had such a fun weekend that it's sad to see it go! I hung out with Matthew in Malibu on Saturday for a work event and then I drove to Riverside to spend the rest of the weekend with my best friend Lizzie. We watched/fell asleep during a movie, played with her dog Talula, went home shopping {fell back in love with the amazingness of Marshalls and Cost Plus!}, and had the best all you can eat sushi experience- good sushi, $20, and I didn't get stuffed! I'm also madly in love with Lizzie's apartment and now I'm inspired to get mine together before the end of the year. We can do it!

Have a great Monday friends!
xox
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