Let FabuLyss fall festivities begin!

We are officially in Oktoberfest, and what a boo-tiful month it will be. I love summer, but I love fall even more! There’s nothing better than wearing jeans, a new sweater, and walking through Central Park as the leaves start to change colors.

How do you celebrate fall? Have you gone apple- or pumpkin-picking? I will be taking my boys to the family-owned and operated apple orchard, Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, located in North Salem, in Westchester County. Harvest Moon hosts a Fall Festival every weekend until Halloween with live music, pumpkins, bounce houses, hayrides, face painting, DeLysscious freshly made apple cider doughnuts, and wine tasting for the parents!

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard [130 Hardscrabble Rd. in North Salem, NY, (914) 485–1210, www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com].

Of course, Halloween is right around the corner. Did you pick out your FabuLyssly creative costume yet?

Looking for something FabuLyss to do on Halloween? The DivaMoms Annual Spooktacular will be taking place at Dylan’s Candy Bar on Friday, Oct. 30 from 10 am to noon. Cupcake decorating, monster mash dancing, costume contest, candy fun, games, and much more. Perfect for babies ages 6 month to 3 years of age.

Dylan’s Candy Bar [1011 Third Ave. between E. 60th and E. 61st streets in Lenox Hill, (646) 735–0078].

If you’re in the mood for a fun treat this Halloween, check out MarthaStewart.com for “great-tasting, ghoulish-looking cupcakes that are a wickedly easy treat for a party!” (www.marthastewart.com/316456/wicked-witch-cupcakes).

Lyss Stern is the founder of DivaLysscious Moms (www.divamoms.com).

Martha Stewart wicked witch cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

24 brown mini M&Ms plus more for filling (optional)

Hershey’s Chocolate Cupcakes

Dirty Green Simple Buttercream (See below)

12 chocolate sugar cones

1 pound black licorice laces, cut into 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch and 2-inch lengths

12 candy corns

DIRECTIONS: Using a melon baller, scoop out the center of each cupcake, and fill with mini M&Ms, if desired.

Cover the tops of each cupcake with a generous mound (about 1/3 cup) of buttercream. Insert one candy corn into each cupcake to form a nose. Using brown mini M&Ms, insert two into each cupcake to form eyes. Place two short lengths of licorice above the eyes to form eyebrows for the witch. Place the shorter licorice lengths above the eyebrows to form bangs. Place an inverted cone on top of bangs, pressing gently into buttercream to adhere. Place the longer licorice lengths under the cone hat to form the hair.

Dirty Green Simple Buttercream

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 pounds (6 sticks) butter, softened

1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

Red and green food coloring

DIRECTIONS: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt. Begin beating on low speed, increasing to high for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Using food coloring, tint the icing dirty green.

Academics West

Academics West is an accredited high-support college preparatory school designed to meet the academic and social-emotional goals of its students. Our unique model allows for each student to benefit from a customized educational experience to ensure they are acquiring the skills necessary to navigate their post-secondary lives whether they attend college or pursue another path to future success. Students can select different tracks to construct the most beneficial program to suit their needs and goals. Unlike conventional education, this innovative model enables students to prepare for an ever-changing world that requires young people to have advanced executive functioning, interpersonal and leadership skills to become independent and resilient adults. &nbsp;

Appletree ABA

Appletree ABA is committed to providing effective high-quality and compassionate ABA therapy services to individuals with Autism and their families. We do this by utilizing evidence-based practices, collaboration with families and professionals, and an individualized approach tailored to promote meaningful change. Home-Based Services: Home programs are focused on increasing the skills necessary to participate in the home and community. School-Based Services: School-Based Services Appletree ABA offers school-district consultation and training. Center-Based Services: Coming soon!

Comprehend The Mind

Comprehend The Mind is a diagnostic and treatment center for neuropsychological, psychiatric, and educational difficulties. Led by Dr. Sanam Hafeez, the New York City based psychology practice specializes in providing solutions for common Learning Disabilities such as Dyslexia and Math Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD), Autism, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar disorder, executive and memory, and other developmental delays.&nbsp; We can help students with disabilities receive accommodations such as extended time, separate testing location and waivers for certain requirements in class and on standardized examinations such as the SATs, ACTs, GREs, LSATs, MCATs, GMATs, the Bar examination, CPA exam, and other such standardized tests.