31 Days of Spooky Movies - Beetlejuice (1988) PG

 Hey there princess!

The 1988 film Beetlejuice has become synonymous with Spooky Season, and I love the opportunity to rewatch it each year. The costumes, hair, acting, and premise are all incredibly over the top - which is a pro in my book!

In the film, a married couple perish in a car crash and are stuck haunting their old house. When new (rather annoying) residents move in, the couple do their best to scare them away but in the process attract the attention of another zany and dangerous spirit - Beetlejuice. 

The movie is full of stars from top to bottom and was directed by Tim Burton. I will say that while a lot of the movie is really fun, there are some darker elements, just so that you know in advance if you’re planning on watching with family.

The music for this film is also iconic, and if you’re one for creating Halloween playlists, there are several options here that would be great including the original score by Danny Elfman and Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O” and “Jump in the Line.”

My personal note for the day is that there are tons of ways to add a little spookiness to your family’s day! This morning, I made Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls and added some autumn sprinkles to the top for a little fun. It made my kids feel special, and it set our day off on a fun and fanciful tone. 

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Young Frankenstein (1974) PG

 Hey there princess!

This movie is such a classic and is absolutely hilarious. You don’t need to have seen the original Universal Frankenstein movie to understand the references here, and if you’ve been thinking about sitting down to watch this but just haven’t gotten around to it - watch it! This would be such a fun, relaxed movie to watch during a Halloween party and I think there are absolutely tons of things you could do on theme. I have always thought Mel Brooks was such an incredible director, and the actors in this movie are all such stars!

Gene Wilder is phenomenal in this zany role! He is so wonderfully expressive and fun and takes himself so perfectly seriously. Also - the hair is phenomenal.

Everything wraps up with a musical number, which is my favorite way to conclude any movie.

The cast in this is incredible, and the writing is so above anything that is out these days. For those not in the know, Mel Brooks (the director, who also turned 100 this year) is the genius who gave us Spaceballs, Blazing Saddles, The Producers and Robin Hood Men in Tights. The comedy is spot-on and the story sticks with you!

On a more personal note, please enjoy my invitation to my annual Halloween party from 2024. I just did some calligraphy on orange craft paper and then burned the edges. They were so fun to pass out, and I had a blast celebrating my favorite season with my family.

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Halloweentown (1998)

 Hey there princess!

What would October be without a viewing of Halloweentown (1998). This is such a classic from my childhood and while it is very goofy - that is kind of the whole point of Halloween anyway so we may as well have some fun with it. Plus, it has Debbie Reynolds! Debbie Reynolds! What an icon. 

The story follows three siblings who find out that their grandmother is a witch. They set out together to her magical hometown to save the residents from evil forces set on taking over the world. Time for a thirteen year old and her two younger siblings to step up to the task!

I remember them playing this on the Disney Channel all through October when I was growing up, and I always loved watching it. Plus, the two main characters from the second movie ( I think there are four in total) ended up married in real life, which is super cute!

For my real-life spooky update, please enjoy Skellerina! I spent four years working for Houston Ballet, and I (with lots of help) made Skellerina using craft supplies from Hobby Lobby so that I could have a spooky ballerina at my desk during October. Big shout out to my mom who made the tutu and bow for me using tulle since I couldn’t figure it out! 

Store-bought decorations are very cool, but there is something special about adding your own personal touch. Bling it up! Add a bow! 

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Rebecca (1940)

 Hey there princess!

It doesn’t even need to be spooky season for me to be completely obsessed with this movie. Rebecca (1940) is a year-round favorite of mine, inspired by the 1938 book of the same title by Daphne du Maurier.  This movie has everything: phenomenal sets, exquisite costumes, terrific actors, and Alfred Hitchcock as director. What more could you want?

The story follows a young woman as she embarks on the near-impossible task of becoming second-wife to her husband after his previous wife’s death (under mysterious circumstances) the year prior. She goes from being a paid companion to being immersed in a life of opulence and wealth, and struggles to find her footing along the way. 

This movie is such a classic and I highly recommend both it and the book it was inspired by. I am such a huge fan of Hitchcock’s work, and this has always been my favorite film of his (even if he stated not loving it too much).

To help keep things spooky at my house, here are some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins I made! They turned out delicious (I just used a box recipe from HEB) and put them in these cute cupcake liners with little bats that my mom gave me! They turned out so sweet and they were the perfect on-the-go breakfast for my family.

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - The Haunted Mansion (2003) PG

 Hey there princess!

Today’s movie is a nostalgic one for me - The Haunted Mansion (2003). Now, is this the highest quality movie ever? No. Does it make me feel super nostalgic for one of my favorite Disney rides? Absolutely.

This movie was made during a time in Disney history where they were making all of the rides into feature films. Not all of them can be cinematic genius (Pirates of the Caribbean, 2003) and thankfully they weren’t all nightmare fuel (County Bears, 2002). I would rate The Haunted Mansion somewhere right there in the middle - full of ride references with some decent laughs in between.

Now, I know Disney did another Haunted Mansion movie in 2023 that was a little more horror-leaning but we aren’t going to talk about that here. We are going to pretend it didn’t happen. Hushhhh.

One of my favorite things about the 2003 Haunted Mansion movie is how incredible the sets were. This is such a beautifully done movie, and it looks (to my biased imagination) like if the house from Pollyanna became haunted by some silly spooks. 

I have dreams of this house. I dream about the library, the dining room, and the expansive grounds with private mausoleum access. What more could a girl want?

If you have any interest in the Haunted Mansion attraction, I would highly recommend this movie!

On a personal note - here are some cute photos of my family’s trip to Disneyland in 2023 where we actually got to ride on the Haunted Mansion! This was such a fun and special time, and I am so grateful that we were able to go. It was a bit daunting to wait in line in the August heat with my 1 year old, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

The line for this attraction has all kinds of cool stuff to look at, and while there wasn’t much shade, the line did move quickly. 

I love all of the details put into the architecture of the exterior of the building. Especially after visiting New Orleans a few years prior, I felt like I could appreciate all of the authentic touches.

Bonus! The ride shut down during our turn and the lights came on, so I quickly snapped a photo of my little boy with the iconic wallpaper in the background!

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) G

 Hey there princess!

Today, we are taking a look at my absolute favorite Universal Monsters Movie - Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). I was pretty young when I first watched this movie, and I remember being absolutely fascinated by the idea that deep in the jungle of South America lived a gill man who just wanted to be loved!

This movie has suspense, romance, and an abundance of costume changes - especially for a film that mostly takes place on a dingy boat. 

It’s been over 70 years since this movie was made and sure, the effects look a little hokey from time to time, but I think it’s incredible to watch when considering the tools that the filmmakers had at the time. I still hold my breath, I still feel something, and in my opinion the low-tech effects used are more impactful than some of the over-done CGI seen in some films today. The focus is on story and I love that!

What do you think? Do you think you’d fall in love with the Creature? 

For a little info on how I’m personally celebrating Halloween - here is my son’s bedroom book nook filled out with some spooky books to read before bed. These are just a few of my Halloween books, the rest are in my living room book basket (I could make a full list of my children’s Halloween books if you’re interested). Some of these books are newer, and some are from my childhood! 

I love passing down traditions, and books are a great way to do that. 

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Hocus Pocus (1993) PG

 Hey there princess!

Hocus Pocus was such a classic in my home growing up, and now that I’m a mom I love being able to share it with my own family. Hocus Pocus (1993) follows the young residents of Salem, MA as they accidentally awaken a coven of zany witches. 

This is a family-friendly movie with laughs for both kids and adults. 

For me, this movie is just classic Halloween. Strangely, it was released in the Summer of 1993, but it has stayed a fall classic in my home. Black cats, witches, cauldrons, zombies, and trick or treating - this movie has it all!

For a little something personal and fun - my local farmer’s market made Hocus Pocus macarons! These were so absolutely precious and they tasted amazing. I have always been a huge macaron lover - and it is so special to have something made so beautifully! 

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - I Married A Witch (1942)

 Hey there princess!

Halloween is my favorite time of year, and this year I wanted to post every day of October - sharing a favorite spooky movie of mine. In full transparency, I don’t watch a ton of gory movies so you’ll see things in here that for sure lean more towards the suspense genre. I will include ratings (where relevant) so that you know if this is something you’d like to watch with your family. 

I wanted to start this month off with one of my absolute favorite Halloween movies - I Married a Witch (1942).

This movie was based on the 1941 novel The Passionate Witch by Thorne Smith and follows the story of a father-daughter witch duo who were burned during the Salem Witch Trials and have returned to exact their revenge. While this sounds quite dramatic, the film is a romantic comedy and is laughs and gorgeous costuming from start to finish. 

Veronica Lake is all kinds of fabulous in this movie and you can see nods of her performance all over the television show, Bewitched. If you’re looking for something fun, funny, and in the spirit of a vintage Halloween - I think this movie is a perfect choice. I never let the season pass without watching it at least once!

In addition to sharing a favorite spooky movie each day, I wanted to share something small that I enjoyed doing either this year, or in Halloweens past. Today, I wanted to share a little piece of a Halloween brunch set-up I did two years ago for my family. The Saturday before Halloween, I had everyone over for brunch and a movie and below you’ll see my little beverage station. 

The cups are from Natalie Chang on Etsy (here) but I believe they are currently out of stock? In the drink dispenser I made POG juice (equal parts passion fruit, orange, and guava juice).

I always have so much fun sharing my favorite moments with my family - especially with spooky snacks involved. 

I would love to hear about your favorite Halloween movies!

Spook on!

October Movie and Book List

Hey there princess!
This month, I have watched a different Halloween-esque movie every day, and have also read a few chilling/thrilling books as well. Here is the list of what I watched/ read every day this month. How did you celebrate the spooky season, and what are you looking forward to the most this November?

October 1 - Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
October 2 - Dial M for Murder (1954)
October 3 - The Thing (1982)
October 4 - Rebecca (1940)
October 5 - Young Frankenstein (1974)
October 6 - The Wolf Man (1941)
October 7 - Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
October 8 - Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
October 9 - Psycho (1960)
October 10 - Them!(1954)
October 11 - Frankenstein(1931)
October 12 - American Psycho (2000)
October 13 - Creature from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
October 14 - The Invisible Man (1933)
October 15 - Cabin in the Woods (2012)
October 16 - Poltergeist (1982)
October 17 - Silence of the Lambs(1991)
October 18 - The Shining (1980)
October 19 - The Blair Witch Project (1999)
October 20 - It (1990)
October 21 - Interview with the Vampire (1994)
October 22 - Laura (1944)
October 23 - Warm Bodies (2013)
October 24 - Beetlejuice (1988)
October 25 - Death Becomes Her (1992)
October 26 - Hocus Pocus (1993)
October 27 - Halloweentown (1998)
October 28 - Dracula (1931)
October 29 - Bewitched (2005)
October 30 - Nosferatu (1922)
October 31 - Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Books I Read:

Dracula (1897)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1958)
Prom Nights from Hell (2007)
Interview with the Vampire (1976)
Rebecca (1938)

Also, if you haven't already, please check out my spooky MAC Rocky Horror line review. The video can be found *here*