Marvelously Mad
I’m easily scared. It might be that I stayed up late to watch Fantasy Island in the late seventies (not so good for a seven-year-old) or perhaps that my older sister once hid in the top of my closet where I would check for monsters every night (and she was laying in wait). Regardless, I’m not one for scary movies or things jumping out at me. When it comes to the most hauntingist time of the year, I’ll take the route of madness vs. horror.
When it came time to create my latest vignette in the Inspirational Parlor, I embraced my inner mad scientist and buddied up with my friend, Adam Dejarlais, who has the most tremendous store, Twelve Vultures in Minneapolis. I’ll tell you more about Adam later, but we had a lot of fun creating a creepy cocktail table together.
Kicking off our creativity, Adam assembled the most amazing cloche of crow and curiosities to launch the creation. A beautiful bird sits atop a partial skull and a tower of industrial and historic objects. I had a fun time daydreaming about what to do to build on Adam’s foundation.
One of the things that I love most about collaborating with others is that it serves as a creative springboard for me. I don’t often find myself with Atmospherist block due to the ongoing design challenges that I give myself by partnering with others. I want to honor their work and be additive. So, Adam teed me up for creative response that came to life in a haunting, musical way.
Enter ghostly player piano paper to serve as a table runner, dead and slightly scorched botanicals, drippy candles and a bubbly apothecary beverage with a creepy crawly looking floating garnish.
Let’s chat about that cocktail! I am all about easy drinks that have a memorable impact. All you need is a fabulously red bubbly, some gin, lethal poison, tiny champagne grapes and dried, sweetened hibiscus flowers (from Trader Joe’s). You can always leave out the lethal poison if that suits you and you don’t want to be found guilty of murder.
I start with the bubbly. I like to serve it in a fizz glass (up) as pictured here. I add a splash of gin and the lethal poison. Garnish the edge of the glass with some tiny champagne grapes and then savor the last step in front of your guests! When you drop the dried hibiscus into the glass, it will bubble and froth in a frothy, freaky way. The simple and effective magic of a mad scientist!
I am pictured with a brass mortal and pestle from Twelve Vultures which may or may not have contained arsenic. You make your best guess from my expression.
Entertaining, even for Halloween, can be intimidating. You can make it easy, interactive and fun with this look and cocktail recipe.
The overall moment during the photo shoot was fun and fizzy and I hope you’ll adopt an idea or two for your scary season. It was really fun to collaborate with Adam and make a curious and creepy nod to Halloween 2021.
I wish you much fear and fun as you celebrate in your own haunted house!
