How to Carve a Pumpkin like a Pro!

Let me start by saying I’ve had zero training, nor would I consider myself good at art/drawing. As many of you know I love browsing Pinterest to get inspiration for easy things to make and do. I saw lots of pins of people carving pumpkins like a boss & thought to myself I’ll give it ago, sure what’s the worst that can happen?

If it turned out awful, I’d just dump it and never speak of it again. I’d be carving when the children were in bed so there’d be no witnesses to remind me of my failed attempts!

Two years ago I decided to up my game; I was carving an Elmo pumpkin while watching T.V. It just happened to be Love/Hate with the storyline about Elmo allegedly telling the authorities about Nidge. For the craic I decided to carve a little extra on my pumpkin & posted it to social media. I couldn’t believe it when I woke the next morning to see it’d taken off and was reposted across tonnes of pages including 98FM, FM104, BreakingNews.ie, I’d even made it onto “18 of the Greatest Halloween Pumpkins Ever Carved” by the Journal.ie/The Daily Edge!

I thought it was hilarious and it gave me the push to try other designs after all it didn’t turn out as bad I thought it would. It really doesn’t have to take that long to carve a pumpkin, sure who has time to be spending hours? I know with 5 little ones I certainly don’t. From experience I’ve learned a few tricks that’ll not only save you time but a whole lot of energy and your sanity. If you stick to the advice below I guarantee you’ll have a masterpiece on your hands or your money back.* *monopoly money will be given back!*

How to Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro:

Pick a fresh pumpkin with a blemish free side for carving and ensure the skin is intact with no dents or holes. Print a stencil you like from Google/Pinterest, I find the best way to do this is print screen & paste to a Word document that way you can gauge and adjust the size you need for your pumpkin.

• Silhouettes are by far the easiest and most striking images when carved.

• Wash your pumpkin before carving, I use baby wipes as I’ve no energy to fill a sink of soapy water just for a pumpkin!

• Cut off the top/lid using a knife I use a non serrated knife at a 45° angle so there is a ledge for the lid to sit on.

• Scoop out the insides using a large spoon just be careful not to scoop the flesh too close to the skin.

• Cut off the excess page from your stencil and tape to your pumpkin, ordinary tape will do. I just tape the top and leave the rest loose so I can bend it around the curvature of the pumpkin as I trace over it. 

• Otherwise you’ll spend ages getting it completely taped on.

• Trace over your stencil using a pen as a pencil can tear the page and mark the skin of your pumpkin.

• Don’t bother with those pumpkin carving kits as it’s extremely difficult to get any precise incisions with them; again I’m all about the easy life. I use little blades like a pencil with a blade as the nib, you’ll find a packet of them in Dealz for €1.49 and a packet of tiny screwdrivers same place same price.

• Remove your stencil and retrace around the pattern on your pumpkin using your blade. Tip: Hold the blade at an angle so the tip goes under the area of skin you are removing.

• If you are carving a circle for an eye hold your blade still and move the pumpkin in a circular motion.

• If you are carving a larger circle/curve move both the pumpkin and the blade as it’ll be much easier to achieve a circular cut.
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• Once you’ve gone around all areas with your blade using the smallest screwdriver peal back the skin. If it’s a large area of skin to be removes start by taking the edge up with the small screwdriver & move onto a large screwdriver pushing & swiping it from side to side lifting just the skin.

• Once carved if you have any gouges or rough looking carved areas simply smooth over with your finger, it’s very forgiving like that!

• Don’t panic, it looks much better with a light inside. I’ve often thought I’d made a mess of it only to be nicely surprised when I put in a candle.

• Use a candle, led light or even a torch for the inside. If using a candle & you want to put the lid back on you’ll need to cut a hole for a chimney in the back.

• To preserve your pumpkin spray/wash with bleach and water solution as it’s bacteria that makes them mould.

• You can rub all carved areas with Vaseline or oil to stop the air drying it out.

• If your pumpkin does start to dry out simply steep in water carved side down for anything up to 8 hours to rehydrate it.

The cheapest place I found for larger pumpkins is Supervalu Medium €1.50, Large €2.50 & Giant €3.50 each. I carved the characters from Inside Out onto tiny cooking pumpkins I bought in Tesco for 69c each. If you follow the above tips and use a silhouette stencil you’d easily have it done in 15-20 minutes or for me just in time to refill your wine glass!

Go on give it a go & please post your photos to show us how you got on. 

If you want to see some of my other creations check out my Instagram account @stonebabies, Twitter @stonetravel4, Facebook or, if you're quick I've a full How To on Snapchat today @StoneTravel!

Halloween Classic vs. Remake: Dawn of the Dead!

Dawn of the Dead (1978)


Directed in 1978 by horror legend George A. Romero, this spawned it all, from Dead Rising to The Walking Dead. 

The thing I noticed while watching this was that while it’s undoubtedly a classic and fantastic film, it’s not so much a zombie horror as much as a plain survival movie. You could replace the zombies with most anything and it would be the same movie, even a bit more tense because the zombies weren’t that dangerous.





Dawn of the Dead (2004)


This remake of zombie master George A. Romero’s 1978 film is Snyder's directorial debut, with Guardians of the Galaxy's James Gunn as producer. 

After an over-night zombie apocalypse, a group of survivors lock themselves in a shopping mall to keep safe from the things and to figure out how they’re going to escape to safety. Great characters, incredibly stressful scenes and blood and gore that still look good make this a fantastic remake – exactly how they should be done. Just make sure to stay for the credits, the film continues through them.

Original vs. Remake: Overall, I think for the intents of a Halloween movie the remake is better. The original is very philosophical about killing zombies and more meta in people losing their minds – what The Walking Dead TV show should be – but in the remake it’s all the most tense and horror-like parts shoved together with an hour of exposition shaved off. Because of the better characters, more stressful scenes and the danger of the zombies, the remake takes it.

Winner: Remake.

Halloween Classic vs. Remake: Fright Night!

Fright Night (1985)

Directed in 1985 by Tom Holland, the original FRIGHT NIGHT is almost totally different from the remake.

 The characters are a lot better, with Chris Sarandon as a much better brooding and subtle vampire than Colin Farrel’s plain guy who happens to be a vampire. Evil Ed is also incredible, a brilliant turn by Stephen Geoffreys and fantastic special effects that more than hold up today make him one of my favourite things in anything EVER.

Fright Night Remake (2011)

The FRIGHT NIGHT remake is a 3D-focused modern re-telling by Craig Gillespie. Way back in 2011 we saw this at Moviefest (RIP) and I can remember really enjoying it. 

It has Colin Farrell as a badass vampire with a bad accent hunting the main character, and David Tennant at his best as Peter Vincent magician and vampire lore master – a rip of real magician Criss Angel. Entertaining, cheesy and sometimes funny, the only let down is the AWFUL 3D CGI blood and gore that has NOT aged well and ruins some great scenes; but if you can get past that it’s well worth a watch.

Original vs. Remake: The original is more sexual, has better music/atmosphere, and is overall vastly superior in nearly every way - except for David Tennant’s Peter Vincent and the insanity of the final fight. While the remake is entertaining enough, the original might be my favourite vampire movie ever.

Winner: Original.

Halloween Costumes and Treats that Won’t Make Your Bank Manager Scream!

Fellow parents would agree that Halloween can cost a fortune, the total cost of costumes and treats really can make your purse scream but to you know what? Like everything else it really doesn’t have to. A little preparation will see you and your ghouls having a fangtastic Halloween. I’ve already shown you how to make awesome Halloween costumes for boys Here. This week I’ve interrupted Tuesday’s Travels to let you know how to make scary as hell costumes for girls.

Luxury Penthouse Living in The Clarence Hotel, Dublin!

I would never tire of waking up to this view of the heart of Dublin.

I know we usually bring you the best ways to see a city or a country on a budget but I thought, occasionally, you might like to see the splurges too. Have you ever wondered what was housed in that bright green penthouse on top of one of Dublin's top hotels, The Clarence? Well wonder no more!

Sue & I were lucky enough to spend a night in room 501 at The Clarence Hotel recently. I say lucky, as when we were checking in we were advised that the Penthouse was available that night & asked would we like a complimentary upgrade. Who says no to that?! 

Keep scrolling & we’ll give you a sneak peek at the luxury that awaits you in the penthouse suite. Unfortunately we can’t show you all of our photos but we’ll certainly give you a flavour of our night between Bono’s sheets!! Disclaimer: Bono wasn’t actually there at the same time we were otherwise that would have been just downright awkward - I mean the three of us wearing shades indoors? Catastrophe. 

Horns - Movie Review

Who's In It? 

Juno Temple, Max Minghella, Joe Anderson and Daniel Radcliffe



What's It About? 

Ig Perrish wakes up one morning after being blackout drunk to find himself wanted for the murder of his girlfriend, he then proclaims that if he did it let the Devil curse him, as luck would have it, this leads him starting to sprout horns the very next day.

Any Good? 

I could put good money in any betting establishment that this film will tank totally at the cinema, but make millions on download or DVD (What year is it?!) sales. It's a cult classic in every right, it has the premise, the great soundtrack and the effects, but most of all, it's just the mess you've come to know as a cult film.

Certainly not one for the Ophidiophobic (people afraid of snakes, i.e. common sense)

I like this movie, for all its faults (such as a gratuitous childhood flashback that meant NOTHING AT ALL) it's cool as hell. The soundtrack suits, the dialogue is hilarious in parts, and it even gets heart-hurty at times due to the horns causing people to tell their true feelings. Some scenes are totally badass and genuinely give the feel that Ig is descending into a devil, but those are for you to enjoy.

This film is like watching a game of Cluedo, where you know that literally EVERYONE is the murderer from the start; then as the guilty flashbacks start to flow you get an idea of what happened, but still everyone did it! Then, when it ends, you just sit there and think "wait, I knew that..", it just keeps you guessing at all times.

Horns is a twisty film that will have you angry when Ig doesn't just jump on the first suspect because it's so obvious, but it happens with every character and it works pretty well. I'd say if you like things like Hellboy, Scott Pilgrim or Kevin Smith movies, this is for you; otherwise it just won't interest you at all. Even if you don't go to see this for Halloween, make sure to watch it and tell me what you think, I really liked it and dear Mammy couldn't get past the first 10 minutes.

Rating? 

Spooky Halloween Hair For Girls - A Simple How To

Who doesn’t love spending time looking at all the pretty things & genius ideas on Pinterest? I know I do. When I have the time that is. I love nothing more than looking at the photos & occasionally thinking to myself, I could give that a go. That’s where I got the idea of doing my daughters hair like spiders for Halloween. 

We shared the best places for Halloween breaks this morning and these would be ideal to pop into your bag to do your little one's hair for their kids clubs and Halloween shindigs. It’s so easy to do you won’t believe it.

Jeepers Creepers, We've Spooky Mid-Term Sleepers! The Best Halloween Fun Ireland Has To Offer

Double, Double, Toil & Trouble.......

I love Halloween especially since having little ones as I use them as an excuse to go overboard with the decorating & sweet buying/eating! While on our travels in the US we picked up lots of fantastic Halloween decorations in Wal-Mart for a few Dollars as they were so hard to get in Ireland a few years ago.

This year more than ever I’ve noticed more & more hotels & tourist boards taking advantage of the Halloween mid-term break, offering families great things to do & places to stay at great rates. I’ve compiled a list of 5 of the best; all are places we've been so I'll happily recommend. Some fun stops are guaranteed to scare you witless as they are adults only!!

The Tuesday Chattery - Your Top MUA YouTubers For Halloween Looks?

Blahhdy love me some Youtube and never more so than this time of year when the ridiculously talented makeup artists begin to upload their Halloween looks. Chances are I wouldn't be able to recreate a single one but dayum if they aren't fun to watch. 

I've linked up 3 of my faves to keep tabs on and would love to see your picks in the comments or on Twitter/FB. 

1. Siobhán from LetzMakeUp

Simply put, there's no one quite like Siobhán on the Irish beauty scene. For over 5 years she's been uploading her amazing looks to Youtube. She's one of the most down to earth 'gurus' you're likely to find, her love for the art of makeup is only matched by her natural born talent. 

Some of the most basic of makeup skills I learned from our Siobhán's vids but when it comes to her Halloween looks, I have to leave it to the expert. If she's not already a fave, prepare to up your sub list by one!

2. Julia From Julia Graf

I love everything about this girl! She's a Swiss/Canadian beauty blogger and Youtube creator that's one of the most straight talking and honest in the business. Her Halloween looks are unparalleled, with the Masquerade Mask & Harley Quinn being just two of the standouts for me. Check her out and tell me you don't love her just as much. 

3. Joanne From TheMakeupFairyPro

Another shout out for an Irish lovely, this time one of the hardest working MUA/Bloggers in the business and someone I happily call a pal. Joanne has an effortless way with makeup and always makes me want to be more adventurous in my own looks. Her Halloween vids are genius in their simplicity but the finished look is never less than flawless - that's the trademark of someone that's honed her craft through years of hands on work. Check out her channel and add her to your must watch list. I did from day one. 

I know YouTube is a vast catalogue of varied uploads and it can be very easy to miss a crazy talent, while watching your personal faves so tell us - who do you love to watch at this time of year? 

Let's Chat!

Things to Make you Go LOL, Literally - Halloween Edition!

We're back again in an effort to make you audibly laugh, LOL, if you will and this time we're doing a Halloween special, cos, ya'know. 

Let me know if these have the desired effect and as ever - do share your LOL links in the comments - if they've made you LITERALLY LOL that is. Here's what's doing it for me this week:

Lush Halloween Specials 2013

Even though I was delighted to catch a sneak glimpse at Lush's Christmas offerings a couple of weeks back, my inner voice is insisting on the natural order of things so before I show you Crimbo, I have to show you Halloween. There's 3 news additions for 2013, all for pocket money prices and all coming home with me on my next trip to the bath and body emporium. 

Pumkin Bubble Bar

First up, the Pumkin Bubble Bar, which I had previously misspelled. Turns out, it's a reiteration of the limited edition Mammy's Day 'Mumkin' Bubble Bar: 

"Crumble under a running tap to turn your bath water a vivid, rusty orange colour, creating mounds of sweet scented bubbles. With ylang ylang oil and orange flower absolute to leave you feeling uplifted and refreshed. His dairy free chocolate drop eyes and little liquorice hat complete the macabre look but he still can’t help looking cute!" (Vegan)

Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb

"This strange and magnificent bath treat, named after the ruler of the Pagan Feast of Fools, features a fragrance created by Gorilla Perfumer Simon Constantine. This bomb will slowly dissolve to reveal a wine coloured centre, with the added sweetness of the world’s first fair trade vanilla absolute. This is offset by the earthy scents of black pepper and patchouli oil. Arriving for Halloween 2013, the Lord of Misrule will be gracing us with his presence until Spring 2014." (Pssst You'll see Lord of Misrule feature in Christmas sets too!)

Soot Ball Bath Bomb

"Inspired by the ‘soot gremlins’ from Hayao Miyazaki’s film Spirited Away, this spooky little guy won’t turn your bath water black but instead fill it with a radiant golden lustre to make you feel as though you’re bathing in luxurious liquid gold. The olibanum (frankincense) is known for its calming and grounding effect on the mind, whilst the burnt caramel scent of tonka absolute and earthy sandalwood oil together create a sweet, spicy fragrance that wafts through the steam." (Vegan)

I'll definitely be picking up a couple of each for the little ladies in my life but, tell me, are you tempted by Lush Halloween 2013 specials? 

You'll find all of the above on the Lush.co.uk site here, which includes The Witches' Ball and Twilight Shower Gel but, truthfully, single packaged Lush bath bombs rarely make it across the Irish Sea intact due to their delicate make up, which is grand if you're buying for yourself and chucking it straight in the bath. For gifts though, I'd advise popping into your local shop.

Halloween Nails Made Easy with ImPRESS!

Happy Halloween y'all, today I've something a little different. The very lovely Róisín over at Cuti-Clue-les has given the imPress Halloween offerings a little test run for us and is here to give us the 411 - Roll it there, Róisín! (I couldn't resist)...

Hey all,

Over the weekend I was trying out the Total Witch Limited edition imPRESS nails for Sue. Basically they are black French tips set on a web design with holographic glitter and an accent of a holographic spider on some nails.This is my first go at false nails so I was really interested to see how they would come out. It takes a fair while for me to do nail art so I thought these would be a great time-saver. Here's how I faired out with them anyway....

Each pack comes with 24 nails, a little file and prep pad (which smells a bit like those disinfectant wipes from a first aid box) I found it a bit difficult to find nails to suit my fingers. I thought they looked grand but up close there are huge gaps on each side of the nail.This may be because I have square shaped nails and the imPRESS nails have a slight curve on each the side. It meant the nails started peeling away from the nail a bit which was disappointing.

They claim to last a week but to be honest I doubt it. Mine barely lasted the day. The urge to pick them off was too strong. You do get a great sense of achievement when you pluck one off though-it's like that scene from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (it feels like your natural nail might be suction off at the same time) They do stick on well though so I think these would be amazing for those one day events that ya get suckered into attending and can't be bothered painting your nails :P You would have no bother popping them on in 5 minutes and they feel strong and sturdy on your nails.

You can cut them a bit if you feel the length is a bit much. They don't crack or chip but the little file they include in the pack is not good enough to file them all down. This also adds on a fair bit of time to the actual process. All in all though these are fairly handy to have in your stash. Definitely give them a go if you haven't already. I think you can pick some up in Penny's for around €5 too. I'd be interested to see whether they
have some nail designs coming out for Christmas! I may never post me own nail art again if they do :)

Have ye tried out the imPRESS nails pack yet?

Cuti-CLUE-les

Didn't she do a fantastic job? Thanks a million, R! Be sure to head over to her blog and check out some of her awesome hand painted nail creations, Girl's got serious talent. 

Whatever you're up to tonight, stay safe and think of the fur babies won't you. Happy Halloween, everyone!