
Halloween: 10 wicked ways to kit out your haunted house
With pumpkin season reaching a crescendo for Halloween celebrations (October 31), chances are you’re after a few spine-chilling party props to ward off evil spirits – and entertain friends and family. From decking out the house with ghoulish garlands, to casting a spell of witchcraft with candles and cushions, here’s what’s hot for a howling Halloween… 1. Black Twig Halloween Wreath with Bats, £22.49 (was £29.99), Halloween Garland Foliage Door Kit with Webbing & Hanging Bats, £52.49 (was £69.99), Ginger Ray. For a drop dead gorgeous doorscape, black twigs entwined with bats and framed by eerie foliage sets the scene for an evening of skulduggery. 2. Set of 3 Halloween Candle Lanterns, £5, (was £18), Studio. Don’t let your entrance hall be an afterthought… this terrifying trio can be styled on a staircase; otherwise place on a hallway table next to a trick or treat bucket of sweets and gruesome goodies. 3. Trick Or Treat Halloween Neon Wall Light, £59.99, Lights4fun. A standout light show is all part of the dramarama, and this neon flex features 190 orange LEDs which can be hooked up on a feature wall. Think a dedicated #halloweenbackdrop for costume parties. 4. Trick or Treat Mugs, £15 each, rest of items from a selection, Sophie Allport Whether it’s a witches brew, hauntingly good hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte, these motif mugs are the perfect prop to elevate those warming drinks. 5. Pumpkin Ramekin, Cream, £10, Pumpkin Casserole Dish, £40, Set of 3 Paper Pumpkin Decorations, £10, rest of items from a selection, Next. From Halloween chili con carne with witches fingers (chipolata sausages topped with red peppers to resemble fingernails), to mini pumpkin pies, these dishes will dress up your tablescape. 6. Curzon Table Candle Holder, £28, rest of items from a selection, Garden Trading. Sometimes it only takes a striking centrepiece to steal the show… fill a Gothic-inspired candle holder with tapered orange candles and style with Halloween cupcakes. Job done. 7. LED Halloween Garland – Black, £11.99, Halloween Checkered Pumpkin, £2.99, rest of items from a selection, The Range. A fearsome fireplace is a great styling tool, but if you don’t have one, this garish garland can be draped along a windowsill or dining table. With skeletal hands, skulls and red roses, even the grim reaper might be on the guest list. 8. Very Home Set of 3 LED Slim Wax Candles Halloween Decoration, £11.99 (was £17.99), Very. Spooktacular black candles and cobwebs go hand in hand, and these tall pillars will cast shadows over dark and moody settings. 9. Happy Halloween Cushion – Black, £8.99, Hey Boo Embroidered Cushion, £8.99, Trick or Treat Cushion – White, £7.99, rest of items from a selection, The Range. Tailor-made for humorous Halloween settings, these scatter cushions are far from sinister. 10. Very Home Set of 4 Halloween LED Pumpkin Pathfinders, £10.99 (was £19.99), Very. To complete your costume drama, let trick or treaters be guided by these pumpkin pathfinders when darkness falls… and there’s only the light of the moon. Read More Black magic: Go back to black this season with the catwalk-inspired trend How to prep your home for when the clocks go back Menopause campaigner Mariella Frostrup: ‘I look forward to a future where women gradually stop feeling so ashamed’ More girls miss school and college due to their periods than colds, survey finds More girls miss school and college due to their periods than colds, survey finds How to look after your immune system as the weather changes
1970-01-01 08:00

Japan's cabinet to approve economic package on Nov 2
TOKYO Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet is set to approve a scheduled economic stimulus package on Nov.
1970-01-01 08:00

Madonna ‘in advanced talks to headline next year’s Glastonbury!’
With her new world tour due to wrap up next April, sources say Madonna is already in serious negotiations to headline 2024’s Glastonbury festival.
1970-01-01 08:00

Austin Butler hails Tom Hardy as one of most ‘intense’ actors he’s ever seen once ‘action’ is called
Despite admitting the ‘Venom’ star was one of the friendliest people on set before cameras roll, Austin Butler has said Tom Hardy is one of the most “intense” actors he’s ever seen at work when action is called.
1970-01-01 08:00

Storm Babet: Cork homes flooded during heavy rain
Hundreds of properties are damaged by floods in the Republic of Ireland, as a rain warning for NI continues.
1970-01-01 08:00

China expected to leave benchmark loan rates unchanged at monthly fix: Reuters poll
SHANGHAI The People's Bank of China (PBOC) is widely expected to leave loan prime rates (LPR) unchanged at
1970-01-01 08:00

Turkish company Karpowership restores electricity to Guinea-Bissau capital
Turkish firm Karpowership puts the lights back on after the government partially settles a $15m debt.
1970-01-01 08:00

Black magic: Go back to black this season with the catwalk-inspired trend
Trends come and go, but if you had to bet all your chips on one colour never going out of fashion, you can bank on black. And as designers ditch colour in their collections and crave the fluid, liquid lines of fashion’s darkest and most addictive shade, you can embrace mood-boosting monochrome and jet black without any fear of making a fashion faux pas – or bad buy. From a showy shoulder at Balmain – who would have thought that a PVC maxi dress could look even more sultry? …To sexy, slinky sequins at Michael Kors; tailored, long black coats (LBC) at Max Mara, Dolce & Gabbana, Victoria Beckham and Prada, black is more than a shot in the dark this season – and the devil is in the detail. To get the catwalk look, here’s what’s hot on the high street and will make a great first impression… Black blazer Call it the power blazer, Le Smoking, or straightforward tailored trouser suit, this is your wardrobe staple to look sharp. “The trouser suit is an icon of sophistication and confidence,” says Zoe de Abreu, co-founder of Ro&Zo. “A black blazer matched with trousers will be the perfect companion for all occasions, as it transcends perfectly from day to night.” For a dare-to-bare aesthetic, go topless underneath – apart from a sexy black bralette – and accessorise with a cosmic choker or pukka set of pearls. Ro&Zo Black Belted Blazer, £129; Black Pleat Detail Trousers, £109. Reiss Alia Slim Fit Single Breasted Satin Suit Blazer, £268; Alia Flared Satin Waistband Suit Trousers, £178. Showy shoulder “The off-shoulder trend takes on a new dimension this autumn, adding a feminine touch to seasonal wardrobes,” opines de Abreu. She says this trend is elegant and feminine, and can be worn in a range of textures, such as jersey, velvet and Merino wool. Moreover, baring a shoulder is very flattering – the neckline lengthens the neck, frames the face – and is a great transitional, versatile piece with a good measure of va-va-voom. Ro&Zo Black Jersey One Shoulder Top, £49; Ombre Sequin Skirt, £129. Reiss Adele Velvet Off-The-Shoulder Jumpsuit, £178. Luxe lace Ladylike lace has been reimagined with trims adorning jersey and velvet – and it’s made a beeline for the little black dress. Whether a flattering midi dress is crafted from a luxuriously soft jersey that contours your curves, “A delicate lace-tiered hem adds a dramatic finishing touch,” says Karen Peacock, chief creative officer and co-founder, Albaray. Or embellished on the neckline and hemline of velvet, sheer lace channels some vintage charm with the X-factor. In fact, if you’re feeling thrifty, be inspired by ribbon and trim shops and think about sewing a lace trim on an existing black dress for an instant update. Albaray Jersey & Lace Mix Dress, £89. LK Bennett Anouk Black Velvet And Lace Dress, £429. Sparkle Whether you go full-out sequins or dazzle in rhinestones, a sexy shimmer is where it’s at. “For autumn, sequins really capture the essence of festivity, allure and drama,” notes de Abreu. “Sequins are all about adding a touch of glamour to your look, and letting your outfit take the centre stage.” Moreover, “A flattering silhouette is created with a sequin halter top and matching flared trousers,” says Peacock. “Wear together to make a statement, or dress down and style with jeans or a simple T-shirt,” she adds. Next Flutter Sleeve Tie Waist Mini Dress, £60. Albaray Sequin Top, £69; Sequin Trousers, £99 – available mid-October. Long black coat A long black coat may not set your pulse racing, but the LBC took to the runway in its droves, with designers making it a key piece in their collections. And let’s face it, nothing looks more elegant or grown-up than wrapping yourself in wool. Just make sure it’s calf-length or longer. As Peacock puts it: “A sharply tailored black coat is a true investment piece, which is both functional and stylish.” “With the ability to style casually or formally, it will be a go-to during the colder months for years to come.” Next Belted Long Coat, Black, £62. John Lewis Hand Finished Robe Belt Wool Blend Coat Black, £159; other items from a selection Read More How to prep your home for when the clocks go back Menopause campaigner Mariella Frostrup: ‘I look forward to a future where women gradually stop feeling so ashamed’ More girls miss school and college due to their periods than colds, survey finds More girls miss school and college due to their periods than colds, survey finds How to look after your immune system as the weather changes How to protect your plants as the first frosts arrive
1970-01-01 08:00

Nokia says will cut up to 14,000 jobs
Nokia will slash up to 14,000 jobs in a major cost-cutting drive, it said in a statement on Thursday.
1970-01-01 08:00

Egypt agrees to allow first aid trucks into Gaza as it reels from hospital blast
Egypt has agreed to allow aid trucks into Gaza as anger rises globally over Israel's siege of the isolated enclave in response to the brutal, coordinated Hamas attacks nearly two weeks ago.
1970-01-01 08:00

A Startup Battles Big Oil for the $1 Trillion Future of Carbon Cleanup
Most everyone who’s committed their career to solving the climate crisis comes to the field because they have
1970-01-01 08:00

Thailand’s Spending Plans Get a Lift as Global Bond Funds Return
Foreign investors are returning to Thailand’s bonds after a rout drove yields to the highest in nine years.
1970-01-01 08:00