No, this isn't my audition for the new Courtney Cox series, it's my Halloween costume! This predatory pencil skirt doesn't see nearly enough action, and my cougar crush on Finn from Glee shows no signs of abating, so what better get-up than the original cougar MILF, Mrs. Robinson? I learned several important lessons while assembling this costume: 1) Very fine, very straight hair does not a bouffant make 2) Press-on nail glue is no joke 3) It is way too easy to find a sheer leopard print blouse at Goodwill.
And, it's been ages since I posted a recipe--but it wouldn't be Halloween without some sweet indulgence! These monster cookies are not only aptly named, they're also way more satisfying than those fun-sized Snickers you've been sneaking from the candy dish at work. Think chocolate chips and M&M's studding a moist, craggy bedrock of oats, peanut butter, and brown sugar goodness. Honestly, I wouldn't bother turning on the oven, 'cause the dough is Just. That. Good.
Do you have any grand or ghoulish plans for the Halloween? Tomorrow the Huz and I are doing Habitat for Humanity--it's my first time and I'm super excited, though I think I'll leave the leopard skirt and highball at home...Have a smashing weekend everyone!
Monster Cookies (recipe courtesy of 'Baked: New Frontiers in Baking' by Matt Lewis)
5 3/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup cold butter, cut into cubes
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
5 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups creamy peanut butter (NOT the natural kind!)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup M&M's (bonus points if you used the Halloween theme colored ones!)
In a large bowl, combine flour, soda, salt and oats. In the bowl of an electric mixer cream butter until smooth and pale. Beat in sugars until just incorporated. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add vanilla, corn syrup and peanut butter and mix until smooth. Stir in oat mixture in three additions, then fold in chocolate chips and candies. Refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight. When ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop generously sized balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-15 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool. Enjoy!
Best. Costume. Ever.
Posted by: Maggie | October 30, 2009 at 07:01 AM
ha! awesome costume!!! happy halloween!!
Posted by: Chelsea | October 30, 2009 at 07:19 AM
oh my god, in LOVE with this, anne!!!!!
Posted by: joanna goddard | October 30, 2009 at 07:25 AM
I love it! (I have a wee crush on Finn too, but the actor is actually like 28--so don't feel guilty.) My BF and I are going as Kanye and Taylor Swift.
Posted by: Designers' Brew | October 30, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Great costume!
Just think of all the inappropriate things you can say to people all night!
I agree, Best. Costume. Ever.
Posted by: abigail | October 30, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Great cougar costume!! Enjoy your weekend.
I am being 2 things: tonight for a friend's bday/Halloween party- football girl. Tomorrow night for my future step sister in law's bachelorette party- group of us are being Robert Palmer "Addicted to Love" back up dancers!
Posted by: Jaime | October 30, 2009 at 07:49 AM
great costume. I love your series of poses.
Posted by: Rachel | October 30, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Utterly fantastic.
Also - Finn from Glee is so cute it make my head hurt.
Posted by: evencleveland | October 30, 2009 at 08:03 AM
stunning costume, Anne! I can see you managed to get under the character's skin! have a lovely spooky weekend!
Posted by: caroline - patagonia gifts | October 30, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Monster cookies are truly my favorite cookie!! Aren't they just the best??
Also, the yellow sideboard featured yesterday from Ikea is simply stunning. I love everything about it!!
Posted by: AEOT | October 30, 2009 at 08:46 AM
wickedly funny, the press on nail glue comment. i cannot imagine! love the milf costume and hoping you have fun with it this weekend. i'm desperate to relax and carve my pumpkin and perhaps bake something, even though i do not bake or cook for that matter. :) enjoy!
Posted by: robin pulsifer | October 30, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Genius costume!!
Those cookies sure look yummy!
Posted by: Alexis | October 30, 2009 at 08:56 AM
The costume is great! and the cookies, look so good! Have fun at Habitat for Humanity - I really want to do that too! :)
Posted by: cathi | October 30, 2009 at 09:22 AM
You are too funny. LOVE the costume. Happy Halloween, Mrs. Robinson!
P.S. Thank you for sending my Linda+Harriet goodies, as well as the extras! You are too kind. Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Joanna | October 30, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Awesome costume, Anne! Love the press-on nails!
Posted by: Lilah | October 30, 2009 at 09:33 AM
anne, this is amazing! your outfit, the photos, everything.
happy halloween!
xo
Posted by: {this is glamorous} | October 30, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Oh my gosh, Anne, you crack me up! That is fabulous.
Also, I just decided I'm making those cookies today. I have most of the ingredients already, and my sweet tooth is desperate for something tasty. =)
Posted by: Kristy | October 30, 2009 at 09:53 AM
Fabulous! Go get 'em, cougar!
Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Jessica | October 30, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Forget Finn. If I were 17 (or even 27) again, I'd be all about Noah.
Posted by: Laura | October 30, 2009 at 10:48 AM
You are so cute!
Posted by: Lecia | October 30, 2009 at 11:25 AM
I am going straight out to shop for these ingredients! Ireland will love them! Gorgeous blog btw :)
Posted by: sorcha | October 30, 2009 at 11:35 AM
What an exquisite and enterprising poseuse you are! A big round of applause from the rowdy rows at the back where I hang out.
Posted by: pretty far west | October 30, 2009 at 01:29 PM
you look fabulous! what a great costume! and those cookies do look pretty amazing, I have to say. maybe I'll bake those this weekend instead of the cupcakes I was planning....
oh, and have fun at Habitat for Humanity! I volunteered one Saturday in college (it was on the same day the families got their keys... it was so exciting to see that!), but since then I have written many stories o H4H too (we recently had a 3-home development in my town). It's such a great organization.
happy halloween and happy weekend!
Posted by: Carissa | October 30, 2009 at 03:00 PM
you look gorgeous! this is such a great idea!
Posted by: maureen | October 30, 2009 at 06:33 PM
major cougar crush on finn from glee too.
love it!!!
Posted by: my favorite and my best | October 30, 2009 at 07:28 PM