Halloween is the best. October 31 has everything going for it. First, it caps off October, the best month of the year. October begins the languid stretch into autumn in the sun sign of Libra, a mighty agreeable personality type, and the astrological profile of more than a dozen loved ones, included my mentor Ann Ratner and my dad, Rick Mapp. Libras love me and I've always loved Libras.

There is just something about the atmosphere in October, especially once the calendar creeps into mysterious Scorpio (the sexiest and most perplexing of the zodiac and - of course- my sign). The air has a quality you can't quite put your finger on. I sense it when I walk through long, late afternoon shadows, or when hazy sunlight peaks through burnt crimson leaves or when I start to notice nightfall hugging in more closely.

They say late October is when the veil between earth and the spirit world is most transparent. It makes sense. October is the only month of the year where the general public embraces the paranormal. As is the tendency with Scorpios, I'm down with the paranormal all year. But October is the only month where I speak freely about my ghost story podcast obsession. If you want to set the mood tonight, check out Jim Harold's Campfire or Anything Ghost. 

And of course, the last and most wonderful aspect about October is Halloween itself. I thoroughly appreciate the free license to throw on every funky accessory in my closet and call it a costume. Granted I don't need Halloween to excercise my sartorial freedom, but it's always nice to have a reason. 

P.S. Happy 10/31 birthday to all my Halloween boos, especially Miss Jennifer Caugh. 

Outfit details: Día de Muertos flower headband, Rickys NYC via BeautyCon (2015)Furry bolero vest, Halston Heritage (2011); Ribcage t-shirt, Charlotte Russe (2015); Gray skinny jeans, Madewell (2015); Black wedge knee boots, Nine West (2014); vintage chandelier earrings (2010)