Halloween Ideas

While I hate to toot my own horn, I do have some good Halloween costumes ideas.  Here's the bad news... my kids RARELY ever take me up on them.  One year the boys did actually go for my Ronald McDonald vs The Burger King and it was a huge success ;)  and by success I mean Burger King gave Kevin a free dinner that night and he LOVED it.

Everyone loves this picture of Caroline - I have to admit, it is hilarious

We took our youngest to 2 different Halloween stores today and while they only had 5500 different costumes, she was unable to find something that she liked.  She wants to be something "scary".  Blah.....  We ended up leaving with nothing because nothing was calling her name and I walked out 2 hours later with nothing but a bunch fake spider web decor stuck in my hair.

This is what she would like to be....

This beaut is sold out everywhere :(

Then.... I seriously had the greatest idea EVER.  CORALINE!!!  We LOVE that movie, there is a little scary to it PLUS your name is Caroline and if those aren't the best 3 reasons ever I don't know what are!!!

She said no :(

All I would have to get is a yellow rain coat, some boots, and blue wig.  I'll throw in the button eyes free of charge.

Still no....

I'm sad

Instead she wants to be this.  45 dollars for cheaply made unoriginal fun.

Maybe I'll be Coraline >:)  xo, Brie

Post Halloween Post

Just wanted to present some photographic evidence that nobody in this household went trick or treating dressed as the Nasty Banana! 

In other post Halloween news

• our two jack-o-lanterns are literally turning to soup on the front step despite this chilly weather, and also seem to be attracting nuclear dinosaur sized flies.  Must get rid of those promptly (I'll make a sticky note).

• I put on some bright purple nail polish for Halloween - it seemed like a good idea at the time but now Halloween is over and it is chipping, and I can't find polish remover.  I look like a witch in need of a manicure or a rest home.  I am also so overdue for a haircut it is really lending itself to the whole aged witch theme which works.  (sticky note:  get your darn hair cut broom hilda)

• Halloween decor remains up for a month and counting now.  I'm tired of looking at it already but seem to be lacking much needed energy required to pack this stuff up.  (sticky note:  halloween is over broom hilda,  eat an energy bar and get these decorations outta here!)

• either someone is hoarding the candy or it's almost gone.  Our community basket is in pathetic mode sporting a couple of fun sized crunch bars, a handful of peanut m&ms, and 2 million almond joys. (sticky note:  almond joys are not all that delicious) 

xo, Brie

I'm Talkin Pedicure on our Toes, Toes

You know- if I owned a black leotard and a pumpkin head I would be very happy to distribute candy to unsuspecting trick or treaters in this get up.  It's probably best for all involved parties that I don't!  Happy Halloween!  xo, Brie

Halloween Costumes

I hesitated whether or not I should share this due to its seedy underlying subliminal message but I have decided to throw caution to the wind because it's one of those stories I don't want to forget and I need it in print.

My 10 year old was browsing through one of the Halloween costume catalogs that came in the mail. He's been walking around with it in his clutch like he does every Sept/Oct as he changes his mind every other day.

His original suggestion was this

yeah RIGHT - I am not interested in raising a young Juggalo (that's a devote follower of Insane Clown Posse) even if it's only for a day.   I can't even believe this sort of thing would even appeal to him but I think they are at that weird 4th grade age where they want to be "cool" and certainly don't want to be mistaken for being a "baby".  Suspicions were confirmed when I suggested a normal clown which was met with a sneer and a "are you kidding me?"  I will take your concerns into consideration but please know, you are not being an Insane Clown.   Even your run of the mill circus clown is high on my creep meter and this guy is just off the charts.  It's a NO, end of story, moving on.

Now he's back to the catalog, intently leafing through and asks if he can be a banana.  A banana?  A somewhat odd choice but certainly an improvement over Penny Wise up there.  He tells us he has seen other bananas on Halloween and he really thinks this banana has a funny face.   Before the big reveal I really want you to know he has NO IDEA that there is anything odd about this banana costume.  The name of this costume is the Nasty Banana.......... so without further ado, I give you, the Nasty Banana

I wish you could have seen my husband's face when he showed him.  Again, an emphatic NO.  My son goes to our local catholic school and on Halloween they have a big parade in the front.  To make matters worse, because he is in 4th grade and an "older" kid, he will have a little kindergartner in tow as his buddy in the parade.  The thought of Nasty Banana parading around school escorting a little one sent me into a fit of laughter at least 3 or 4 times yesterday. 

So it's back to the drawing board - can't we go back to simpler times when being Santa and Ronald McDonald were "cool"?

Halloween

My dad used to make stained glass pieces when we were younger all the time but then gave it up for awhile.   I am SO happy he is back to it because he brought me this adorable little jack o lantern piece for Halloween!  Isn't it so cute?  The Pumpkin piece is lit up by a small light bulb in the back so it looks great both day and night.  The pumpkin is also removable so I am hoping there may be more holiday themed stained glass in my future.  I ♥ all kinds of colored glass and the fact that my dad made this makes it all the better!

Ms. C has been BEGGING me to PUH-LEASE pull out all the Halloween decor so after many hours of badgering me asking politely, I finally brought up a few boxes. I know I have at least one more down there but I don't have the energy to hunt for it just yet.

She also took it upon herself to make some scary decorations and hang them all over the front entrance.  I am expecting House Beautiful to be here any moment as I am sure they will want to do a full feature on this in their October issue. 

In other Halloween decor news....

This guy is living in my backyard.  I'm kind of horrified and fascinated all in one - this is very close to his actual size. 

and this lady is living in my hallway and won't shut up




Given the choice of the spider or the witch, I'm choosing the spider.  My poor head... xo, Brie

2 things....

First - HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!!

second - don't forget

I am beside myself excited for that extra hour of sleep :) Have fun tonight, save me your heath and twix bars! xo, Brie

Halloween on Ebay

How great is this dress for a Belle costume? It's less than 20 dollars (ok I am now seeing shipping is a wee high) but for 35 dollars this is way better than the Cinderella I picked up at Costco!! I need to get crackin on the costumes - I love Halloween but it's a lot of work :) xo, Brie

PS the brothers have agreed to be the fast food boys :) Looks like I am making a homemade Ronald McDonald (don't expect much, I am not good at making clothes) b/c it appears Ronald McDonalds on ebay are only for the wealthy ;) I refuse to pay that for a costume!

Halloween

We are tossing around some Halloween ideas as the catalogs are getting a jump start and rolling in with all kinds of scantily clad costume suggestions for my daughters - which is not going to happen.

I had a great idea tonight for the boys... check it out

this is better than Bert and Ernie!! Wouldn't you love to see these 2 at your door on Halloween? My suggestion was met with a "no way" in unison but it's only August and I'm persistent :) xo, Brie

Halloween 2008

The kids had a blast last night. I bought extra candy b/c I thought we'd really be swamped with trick or treaters being a Friday. NOT the case, maybe there were lots of Halloween parties?

We had a little ladybug, a zombie prom queen, a clone trooper (don't make the mistake I did and call him a storm trooper - he was insulted) and Harry Potter.

I am most proud of the Hedwig I made on Kev's shoulder... his nose is a cashew nut.

I liked Kay's makeup too and put some dead hydrangea blooms in her hair and made a wrist corsage out of them too.

Here's a tip if you have little ones... go to Old Navy TODAY - they have awesome costumes and I got this little ladybug last year on November 1st for 4.99!!!!!

Here is our million dollar pumpkin (before)

and after his makeover

I'm sad b/c there was not ONE Heath bar in all 4 bags. The kids hate them, but I love them :( Have a great Saturday, I'm off to vacuum approximately 2 million nerds off my family room rug!

Happy Halloween!

We have lots of Halloween Fun planned! Stay tuned for details later ;) Have fun and don't eat too many peanut butter cups! xo, Brie

PS I won't be wearing this tonight!

This is how you do Halloween

Kay was invited to a "Spooky" sleepover birthday party this weekend. I could not believe what a great job they did decorating their basement for the party! Hope the party mom didn't think I was cuckoo for having a camera on me :) but this was a photo opp if there ever was one!

THIS is how to do Halloween!

For once, it was not hard to get Ms. C out of the party. She has ZERO interest in staying for this one :D Happy Monday! xo, Brie

Monka delivers with some Vintage Halloween Pics!

Little Bo Peep and the sheep. I'm loving the mask! We went to a Halloween party in this and Keely proceeded to shed cotton balls ALL OVER the poor hosts' house! Caitlin as Minnie Mouse - Caitlin used to love to cut her own bangs with little school scissors... can you tell?
Slightly frightening.... and yes that is a feathered roach clip in my hair. Someone gave those out as BIRTHDAY PARTY FAVORS in 5th grade. I had no clue what it actually was!

Brie as the mad hatter

Keeks as the white rabbit

A chef with flour on face and recipes pinned all over the apron

Thanks Dad!! xo, Brie

Halloween Do's and Dont's

Halloween has always been one of my favorites. As a kid I would often start planning out who or what I was going to be months in advance. Our costumes were often homemade b/c back in the day to buy a costume meant to go to CVS and pick up something that looked like this...

I actually loved these old Ben Cooper vintage costumes and was the proud owner of several. Buyer beware though, those masks are fragile. Too much "pre" Halloween fun with them might mean you will not have a mask to wear on the big night!

Usually my parents made Keeks and I duo type costumes when we were little. Minnie and Mickey, Little Bo Peep and a sheep, and a coffee can and a piece of toast - ok the last one was a little weird - I think those might have been "chosen" for us b/c I don't know many 7 or 8 year olds who actually want to be a can of coffee for Halloween, but when all was said and done it was one of the cutest ever. Hey dad can you scan some of those old pics when you get a chance?!?!

When I was in 7th or 8th grade my best friend Nancy (who I have recently been reunited with on facebook!) and I dressed up like wind up dolls. We went to good will and got some poofy looking square dancing dresses. Did the rosey cheeks and big fake eyelashes and my dad made us big wind up keys made of tinfoil for our back. Super cute!

We are trying to decide what we will all be in this house for Halloween 2008. My suggestions are usually met with dirty looks or rolling eyes. In the past I have made some costumes and also embellished some store bought costumes with homemade touches. Here are a few from Halloween Past

When we peruse the online costume shops I am horrified by what I see especially for the girls/women! In the famous words of Michael Kors on Project Runway... slutty, slutty, slutty!

First up and no surprises is the French Maid. The French Maid has been s to the third power for as long as we can remember. Is anyone ever her? Honestly?

Next up we have some new "s cubed" twists on some of the classics - the look in a word? Charming!

In the mood for some sexy versions of some childhood favorites?

Minnie is that you?

Raggedy Anne has matured! No?

And last but not least.... nothing says we support our troops like this little number

Honest to goodness - the catalog calls her sexy special mission lady. Hmmmmm

I don't know if it's because it's cold here in NJ on October 31st or simply my lazy nature not feeling like working out for 8 years to prepare to squeeze into one of these or maybe I'm just shy..... but here's what I'm thinking of being this year

This shirt + this wig = one of my favorite movie characters EVER! Can you guess who it is? If you can, you have great taste in movies!

Hope your Halloween is an eleven! xo, Brie

It might also be fun to scare the bejeezus out of unsuspecting trick or treaters by opening the door wearing this..