Monster Mash

I've always been a big fan of Halloween. Like I've said before (and many times over) I love dressing up. But somehow, Halloween gets screwed up every year.

This year, I haven't made too big of a deal out of the whole costume thing, which is very unlike me. Even when I don't dress up, my mind is constantly clouded with thoughts of potential costumes. My main problem of late is that I can't quite seem to find my niche. I know a lot of girls say Halloween is the one day of the year you're allowed to dress like a slut, but I guess that isn't exactly my thing. Of course I don't want to look like a frumpy grandma, but I don't think wearing a glorified stripper outfit works as a costume (a little extra skin compared to a normal day is acceptable to me, but I really don't understand the girls walking around in underwear. And aren't they cold?? Maybe I'm a prude, I dunno). Also, when you go with a costume-in-a-bag ensemble, you're going to look like every other girl at the party. So this year, I have a few options that I've been trying to work through....

#1: I purchased a sailor girl costume online last year but could never bring myself to wear it. The dress itself isn't trashy but I bought it with the intention of altering it to make it more unique. I thought I would cut the one-piece dress and hem it into a top to wear tucked in to a high-waisted pencil skirt. I also swapped out the cheap, nurse-inspired sailor hat that came with the dress for one that is more captain-esque (please excuse my fashion vocabulary). This came together pretty well and reminds me of the whole vintage pin-up sailor girl icon. Something about it just isn't entirely "me" though...maybe it's treading too close to the costume-in-a-bag dilemma.

#2: I have an old ballerina skirt from a costume years ago. I can pair it with some accessories from the store to make some sort of fairy/princess/nymph costume. I would love to be an actual ballerina for Halloween but I think it's more appropriate for a casual house party. Maybe next year...

#3: Vampire Victim. This was my original idea for this year, mostly because it's simple, low key, kind of cute and, most importantly, creative. The only drawback is I don't want people to think I'm going for the whole Twilight thing (never read or seen it but from what I understand, there isn't any actual biting in it. Either way, just not what I'm going for). My take on the costume is to wear what I would normally wear to a party, exaggerate my hair (after all, it is Halloween!) maybe do a somewhat drained look on my eyes using gray eyeshadow, and lastly: the bite marks on my neck. I did a tester tonight out of boredom using whatever was in my makeup bag. This took all of 2 minutes, but naturally I would put more time into it on Halloween night.

I think I'm going to go for option #3. Any thoughts??

*Not included on the list: Lady Gaga. I was really excited to buy a wig and do this one, but then I found out it's supposed to be a really popular costume this year so I decided not to. Also, Bonnie and Clyde for me and best friend. I had the outfits down to a tee but for some reason, not this year....

Oh and does anyone know why they don't play the Monster Mash on the radio anymore??? I live for that song at this time of year!

These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New

Hello hello, everyone. I just returned from a weeklong excursion to the east coast. I stopped off in the very small town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (which I absolutely loved...farms and all) for 3 days to visit some family and then went up to New York for 5 days. NYC was absolutely wonderful, in spite of the unusually cold weather. It rained non-stop for 2 days and the rest of the time was filled with bitter wind chill and a lack of sunshine. None the less, I was able to do a lot, including but not limited to Central Park, the Met, the Highline, and basically a lot of exploring. The only thing the thing I didn't get to cross off my to-do list was Coney Island. I've been to NY many times but have always wanted to go to Coney Island...there's something about creepy carnivals/fairs that catches my interest. Unfortunately because of the rain and whack weekend train schedules, I didn't get to go.

My sister has lived in NY for almost 10 years now, so I was exposed to the some of the best places to eat. With the exception of the Shake Shack (Upper West Side location, we ate there twice and I'm craving it as I type this), the best meals I consumed were in Brooklyn (where my sister lives):

• Jolie (French restaurant with AMAZING cheese ravioli, probably my favorite meal of the trip)
• Fragole (my meal was eh but that's what I get for ordering steak at an Italian restaurant. The classic lasagna ordered by someone else at our table was really soft and gooey-- pardon my choice of words...I'm not very experienced in food critique. Nine thumbs up as Homer would say)
• Diner (in Williamsburg, not really a diner other than the space but I enjoyed a great restaurant burger here)
• Sam's (Pizzeria run by an interesting father, son and son-in-law, according to my sister. The nice son was there the day we went)

I did a massive upload on flickr. 20+ pictures. Go check it out!

Halloweentime

October is probably one of my favorite months. The summer heat finally fades into chilly nights, the ground is littered with crunchy leaves, and Halloween is just around the corner! I spend the entire year backlogging good ideas for Halloween costumes in my head. Of course when the much anticipated time comes, I forget 90% of them. And the remaining 10% are outlandish and impossible (it's my dream to be '70s era Cher! Perhaps one day...). Any suggestions?

To see what this picture should actually look like, click here.

Relaxi Cab

We went to Crystal Cove today. I wanted to make a stop motion but goofed and left my camera remote at home. I finally managed to photograph the sunset, which I've been wanting to do for awhile now. We then spent the later part of the evening playing Guitar Hero. Today was a lovely way to unwind before the weekend starts. Special thanks to Best Friend for being my model :)

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