planning ahead/halloween

Let's be honest, picking a Halloween costume kind of sucks.  

I'm officially too old (or perhaps too married) to be a slutty "insert profession here" a la Mean Girls.   However, unless you're taking a child trick-or-treating you can't wear anything too terribly cutesy.  I also don't have lots of money with which to purchase the perfect age-appropriate costume - see THIS gorgeous peacock costume, which would be adorable with the addition of OPAQUE BLACK TIGHTS.  

Last year I was just a cat, and Darrell was a dog.  BORING.  So I'm going to make a little more effort this year, by planning ahead.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas so far!  

My personal favorite pick?  Holly Golightly.  I have every single item in my closet (minus the cat) so it would cost $0.  Also, you just get to look really nice all evening dressed like her!  

I LOVE the minion costumes - it would perhaps require a little work & cash, finding the hats and having the shirts made, but I'm convinced you could keep it under $30.  

The pinata one is ADORABLE but I have no patience for that.  If you do, the instructions are here!  

Mary Poppins would be really cute if you had a cute date to be Bert.  Bonus points if he can tap dance!  

images via the cherry blossom girl, keiko lynn, pinterest, and camille styles

new wife life # 2

When I was little, every time the seasons changed my mother would redecorate just a bit.  In our basement, there was a cupboard filled to the brim with seasonal decor - stuff you wouldn't leave out year round, but only put on display during Christmastime, in February for Valentine's Day, or in April for Easter.  I loved this stuff - it seems as though because we didn't get to use it all the time, it was all more special.  She collected those things over the years, and has such good taste most of it still looks fresh every season.  Now that I'm sort of making my own home (well, apartment) I wanted the same kind of thing when fall came around this year.  I found a pretty cute little selection of items at inexpensive stores like Wal-Mart and Target, but these were some of my favorite finds from around the internet.   

paper garland, ouija board party invitations, halloween dish towels, owl votive holder