Happy Halloween! pt 2

 The artichoke and the carrot.

I made the artichoke costume--in two manic afternoons--out of foam scraps from my carrot, and a few other items I already had on hand: construction paper, craft pain, yarn, and hot glue. 

The artichoke was totally free to make, and created from found materials. 

Honestly, I was a little jealous at how well it turned out and almost had Jake wear the carrot.

Happy Halloween proper! This holiday makes me especially friend-sick for my very best pals in Iowa (and one in Europe right now!), but we are making do here in Chicago.

Be safe and remember handmade costumes are always more fun and creative. Not to mention, much warmer than what's become popular for women's costumes...

PS- Check out Carissa's spot-on Peggy Bundy costume, and keep your eyes peeled for a possible Halloween update from my urinal-wearing, costume contest-winning buddy Ramona (seriously!).

Happy Halloween!

It started with a mile walk and thirty minute rush-hour train ride with this awkward box:

There were three of these:

Materials:

White Polyfoam (think: typically colorful foam found in children's craft aisles)

Two orange plastic table cloths

Leftover faux flower stems from this project

Orange permanent marker

E6000, lots of duct tape, and spray adhesive

Small amount of wire (to help hold the stems upright)

Measuring devices

Scissors

Total cost: About $15.00

 This thing is REALLY warm. I plan on being as nude as possible underneath, while still having the option to remove the costume in public and be decent.

Now, let me see YOUR costume!

Happy Halloween! Be safe and ridiculous!

Crochet Cowl

When it comes to crocheting, I am quite an amateur. Somehow I was able to wrangle up some patience and produce this cowl/hood just in time for my first Chicago winter. It took me about a week and a half of feverish labor, and almost three skeins of yarn. The yarn comes from my collection leftover from my Aunt Marlene, an avid plastic canvas crafter and acrylic yarn hoarder. In a dream world, this cowl would be made of softer, more natural fibers, but I cannot bring myself to buy yarn while Marlene's pile fails to get smaller.

Foolishly, I took photos before I trimmed the yarn tails. Forgive!

Can you guess where my color inspiration seems to come from?

Long Island: Places

The past long weekend was spent re-exploring family on my maternal side. Over four days, I saw almost the entirety of Long Island. Those who know my lack of sophistication may be surprised to see what I come from.

1. O'Hare to La Guardia    2. My Aunt Dot's in Baldwin, NY

3. Jewelry belonging to my Aunt Dot and Great Grandma (GG) Emme    4. Aunt Dot's bedroom

5. Nautical Mile in Freeport, NY    6. Visiting GG in the East Quogue Cemetary

7. GG's home in Hampton Point, where I visited twice a year when I was a tot

8. Private beach at the bay by GG's home, so many shells and horseshoe crabs collected here years ago

9. & 10. The roaring Atlantic at West Hampton Beach

11. Mussel demolition--how can you not when it's this fresh!?   12. Paper cranes at the Southampton boutiques

13. & 14. Vineyards along the North Folk Wine Trail in Patchogue and Catchogue, NY

15. Claudio's in Greenport, my Great Grandfather's favorite town watering hole   16. View from dinner at Claudio's

Halloweens Past 2

A few more costumes to whet your Halloween appetite...

The Big Day is only a week away!

Clockwise from top left: tiger ladies (2010); a jester costume on top of an Aladdin Sane costume (2007); zombie with a dislocated shoulder (2006--yikes!); square dancer with her angel (2008--handmade tiny cowboy hat and petticoat not shown).

(Some photo cred goes to buddies Jordan and Dana)

Positive Fridays 3

My notebook holds a list of affirmations that I write and revisit often. It's important to me to keep a positive attitude, but it's not always easy. My list helps. Every Friday I'll try to share one, and together maybe we can all have happy weekends and positive weeks to follow. 

Thrifted Outfit 10/14

Top: Vintage, gifted to me by a co-worker, FREE

Skirt: Super thrift score! Red vintage leather pencil skirt, $1.50

Belt: Vintage thrifted, $.75

Earring: Made by yours truly, unpolished found agate on silver chain, FREE

Shoes: Not pictured, vintage brown booties, $4.50

Approximate Total: $6.75

Museum of Science and Industry

 

  

Halloweens Past 1

In honor of my favorite holiday approaching swiftly, I'll share some of my past costumes. Some are from Halloween, some not. This year's look is coming together nicely! I can't wait to share it and wear it.

Clockwise from top left: a Pink Lady, myself as a Dia de Los Muertos sugar skull, Cher, and Larry King; angsty teen goths; unicorn; myself as Rosie the Riveter, a pretty lady, squid, and hotdog.

(Some photo cred goes to Ramona and Sonya!)

PS- I am going to New York tomorrow morning! I'll be with my mom, aunt, grandfather, and his wife to take care of some family business. It'll be my first time on a plane in over 5 years, and my first time back to New York since I was just a tot.

Fall Date

Like most of my Midwestern friends, I set out with my beau to enjoy some of fall's sights and smells over the weekend. I was itching to get out of the city and see some actual grass between buildings, so we had a little suburb date. Out to Ikea (my first time!), thrifting, a forest preserve, and a terrible comedy dinner at TGI Fridays (my last time!).

1. Tall couple.

2. The Eagle Scout identifying different leaves. Here, he says, "red oak."

3. Enjoying a good stump.

4. Always willing to carry my too big bags.

5. Dressed the same, like we always accidentally are.

6.-8. Nature made a leaf pile for us. No raking required.

9. Cliched suburban self protrait.