Who said that Halloween is just for kids? From spooky cocktail parties to elegantly scary decorations, there are a number of ways to celebrate the year’s scariest season in a truly grown-up manner. Here are three Halloween decor projects that even the adults will love.

Cocktail Clip-Art Labels [Martha Stewart]
If you’re having a Halloween party for your of-age friends, they’ll certainly get a kick out of these cocktail labels. Sure, you know that your drinks are perfectly safe for human consumption, but with labels like Toxic Tonic, they might give your guests a bit of a fright.

Illuminated Pumpkin Topiary [DIY Network]
For something a bit more elegant than the usual stringy faux cobwebs, this pumpkin topiary makes a festive centerpiece on the kitchen table or mantle. Cover a few carving pumpkins with chic metallic spray paint, then drape them with beaded strands and white twinkling lights for a beautiful look that’s still a bit haunting.

Spooky Terrariums [Country Living]
Instead of filling a terrarium with plants and moss, place some spiders, dead branches, and even a creepy crow figurine inside. Place the terrariums on a shelf and you'll have a spooky decoration for a party.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/William Warby

In one of the country’s most musical cities, a great record store is imperative. End of an Ear is one such record store in the south Austin area, selling an eclectic mix of vinyl records, DVDs, and even some musical equipment in the back. The record selection includes new releases that are updated weekly, as well as old classics and even some underground gems that are hard to find at other stores.

The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, if a bit standoffish, as is to be expected from a busy record store. If you want to test out a record before purchasing it, there are a few turntables with attached headphones scattered throughout the store. Many customers also turn to End of an Ear to exchange old records or DVDs, and the shop offers generous store credit or cash for consignment items.

End of an Ear is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

End of an Ear
2209 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 462-6008
www.endofanear.com
www.yelp.com/biz/end-of-an-ear-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/lanielderts

Austin residents certainly love their bicycles, and local cyclists insist that Tsunami Cycles is one of the best shops in the city to keep those bikes in working order. Whether you’re in the market for a new bicycle or you need to pick up some parts for your current one, this well-stocked shop is the place to go.

The store itself is located conveniently on Austin’s South Congress Avenue, and it stocks a large selection of new and used bicycles and a full-service repair shop to meet any area cyclist's needs. Tsunami Cycles offers tune-ups, brake and gear adjustments, and complete building services on new bikes, and they’ll even pack your bike up and ship it anywhere in the country for just a bit more. Throw in a staff of friendly, knowledgeable employees who are anything but intimidating, and it’s easy to see why this shop is a staple of Austin's cycling scene.

Tsunami Cycles is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. The shop is closed on Tuesdays.

Tsunami Cycles
2114 1/2 S Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-9725
www.tsunamicycles.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tsunami-cycles-austin-2

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/jasonsager