LIFE & STYLE

Editor’s Picks For A Month Of Ghoulish Glee

By Griffin Miller

We’re all grownups here, right? Not necessarily adults, a less congenial word connoting sensible eating, taxes, career choices, real estate, and (occasionally) lawsuits. Grownups, on the other hand, retain a passion for video games, pranking, pizza as a food group and forever—and always—Halloween. What’s not to love about a holiday steeped in candy, costumes, and the macabre? Even if your nights of trick-or-treating are over, tossing back a mug of cider while watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show never stops being devilishly satisfying. Nor do my favorite October indulgences—fiendishly so.

GOTH ON GLASS
From Oscar Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray to Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow to Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, a unique collection of Gothic masterworks have chilled their way onto lowball glasses courtesy of Well Told Design, a company known for bar and glassware etched with geography, history, and constellations. Veering into the supernatural, Well Told’s literary line showcases iconic passages, illustrations, cover art and author signatures. Imagine toasting Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera in a glass bearing a crucial quote and familiar red rose, or watching ice melt under a sinister Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde beaker. Me? I’ll stick to a simple blood-tinged scotch served by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Info: welltolddesign.com.


BLITHE SPIRITS
Speaking of Halloween-savvy scotch, I turn your attention to a singular new premium blend from Dewar’s called Caribbean Smooth. Double-aged and finished in rum casks, this eight year-old scotch has a “flavor profile” that meshes with the season: apple, caramel and dark brown sugar. Plus a bonus of tropical fruit undertones. In terms of overall taste, I was not disappointed. And yes, it’s as smooth as its hype… maybe more so. I prefer my scotch on the rocks, but Caribbean Smooth is also a good choice for cocktails. To quote Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.” Indeed, sometimes it’s made to be sipped. As to pairing it with Halloween candy, I matched it with Mounds and Almond Joy… not bad. Info: dewars.com

NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK
Sexy and be-witching, it’s ostensibly sleepwear, but not necessarily. In slinky onyx with spaghetti straps morphing into a unexpected back design and a fashionista dip of the hem, JJwinks Room Service Maxi Nightgown could easily be a wardrobe staple for Mistress of the Night Elvira or Morticia Addams. Even me. With a non-confining, Light Hug™ bra alternative for home and slumber, the super-soft ribbed fabric is so versatile and comfy it doubles as a dress for travel, work, errands or, with a widow’s veil, steampunk jacket and lace up booties, the ultimate All Hallows Eve statement look. It comes in several colors including a striking red (aka Cranberry). Femme and fatale. Info: JJwinks.com.


MINAMALIST WITH A TWIST
Halloween soiree on your calendar? How about a wedding? An after-hour event? Brunch? Looking for cutting edge chic that packs flat and scores compliments? Then check out Nexus Mini Bag from Mary Smallwood Designs. The dimensions run 10” x 12” once you ace the elegant twist that lets you slip it on and bob for apples, conduct a séance, gesture wildly, all without dropping a beat. The luxe, pliable leather in myriad colors—including four metallic (the rose gold is to die for) – defies the bag’s practicality. Testing capacity, I popped in my phone, hand sanitizer, foldable brush, hanky, ID, credit card, cash, and sunglasses. A zippered pocket went on hold lip-gloss, mascara, compact and pen. Info: marysmallwood.com.

BOOTING UP
When it comes to picking favorites, I can’t help but circle back to things that make my life easier, cushy and, whenever possible, aesthetically pleasing. Arcopedico footwear checks off all three boxes, which explains why the company’s boots, shoes and sandals make the list on a regular basis, tantalizing me with new looks and styles. With cool weather setting in, I have turned my attention to their high boots—not thigh highs, but ones that touch the knee and rock minis, midis and jeans. (FYI: they’re also standard issue for Shakespearean breeches roles.) My latest discovery in this category is The Liana vegan boot which is—get this—machine washable. So comfortable I wear them early morn through post-theatre nights without any foot grief whatsoever. Info: arcopedicousa.com.


PLEASE TEES ME
They may not be as sweet or sparkly as gowns from the Princess Boutique, or as colorful as costumes inspired by Toy Story, but they are certainly the most iconic wearables to come out of Disney—for parents, grandparents, vintage aficionados, and seasoned Mickey devotees—since Mouseketeer ears. With an eye on Walt’s legacy, the historian Imagineers have unearthed a treasure trove of archival artwork and stories and created the Disney Backstage Collection, a one-of-a-kind monthly subscription box service. Included in each retro keepsake canister are a limited-release t-shirt, pin, story card and mystery storytelling detail (think Easter Eggs). Collectible Alert: once the window for each exclusive release is shut, the canister and its contents will be retired. Info: shopdisney.com.

PERIPHERAL VISION
A place for everything and everything in its place. Whoever came up with that tidbit of optimism hasn’t been searching for my other shoe, favorite pen and garlic press—or rummaging at the bottom of my massive handbag (probably for all of the above). And while I’ve taken advantage of drawer dividers, bins and special hangers to address home chaos, my bag remains an unbalanced balancing act with makeup and wallet under control, but charger, ear buds, and cords running amok. That is until Moral Code stepped up my game with its Roll-up Tech Kit in handcrafted leather. Three perfect pockets let me deposit my accessories with smug panache before curling the soft leather into a secure, easy-to-grab roll. Info: moralcode.com.

DREAM WEAVER
Back when I was a starving writer—and by starving I mean Ramen noodles and coffee—I had a boss who informed me she would only sleep on sheets that cost $1,500. Each. I was not amused… or impressed. Even less so today, now that my sleep scenario is spent wrapped in the soothing Supima cotton of Gryphon sheets. A far cry from a $1,500 (although I don’t recommend cutting into them for ghost costumes), Gryphon bedding is majorly soft to begin with and becomes softer with each wash. After your first indulgent Gryphon-ized night, you wake up spoiled with only the faintest memories of your pedestrian past on lesser sheets. And should you find one of Gryphon’s three distinctive fabrics effective at keeping nightmares at bay, you’re officially ready for whatever Halloween 2019 has in store. Info: gryphonhome.com.