In our new modernist home, a few splashes of orange around the house and a skeleton on the front bench suffice for demonic decor.

I’ve been experimenting with deer-resistant plants in the front pots and though several perennials have given up the ghost already the nasturtiums are thriving.  Right now a strand is crawling into Mr. Bones’s mouth and should pop out of his eye socket just in time for our first batch of trick-or-treaters.  Boo-ray!

Here are some other spooky things spied this week:

Halloween Candy Exchange Rate.

5 Historical Haunted Houses to visit.

Eerie interiors.

Eau d’ Halloween.

A spooktacular alphabet.

No surprise, Elsa rules.

Squash Toast with Ricotta and Cider Vinegar.

An oldie but a goodie – teaching kids about the Day of the Dead.

And finally, for those of you who quake and tremble when facing a trip to IKEA – an IKEA Halloween.

Happy Halloween!

When we bought this house we thought it came with a built-in office desk. However, when we moved in we found that the (not built-in after all) desk was gone.  Since I’d already tossed my old (battered, ready-to-be-retired) desk, I was slightly disappointed—one more thing to buy!—but quickly realized that I could now pursue a walking/standing desk.

After doing some online research I decided to start with a “sit-stand” desk to see how much I’d really stand while working before investing in a treadmill. I then test-drove a few desks at Ergot Depot near the San Francisco Design Center. I ended up purchasing the Humanscale “Float” desk for three reasons:

• I already have a Humanscale desk chair that I love.
• I didn’t want to be dependent on the electrical component of other desks (you raise and lower the Float manually.)
• I liked the slimmer, sleeker profile of the desk.  (Form + Function!)

It took longer than expected for the desk to arrive—the company estimates three weeks, it was closer to six—but now that it’s here I’m really enjoying it. Especially if I’m doing research online, I find I don’t mind standing and I feel much better for not sitting all the time while I work.

Do you work at a standing or walking desk?  I’d be interested in hearing about your experience.

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Here are some other new things that made my life better this week.

Now that we’re settled into our new home, I’d like to have a few folks over for dinner  and incorporate some of these dinner party tips.

Joan Rivers‘s funeral request had me laughing even after she was gone.

When it comes to creative projects, are you a “leaver-outer” or a “putter-inner?”

This cross-country photo project looks like it’s worth kickstarting.

Experience the power of a bookbook.

Classes at my pool/gym were so packed this week, you’d think it was January–which made me think about this post on working out.

It’s always a delight to see the young SYTYCD competitors “float” through the summer dance competition. Now that the season’s over, it’s hard to pick a favorite routine but I couldn’t resist the sheer joy conveyed in Zack and Valerie’s stair stepping tap number.

 Happy Weekend All!