I'm blue

happy halloween!

so if you caught my previous post with the clues, you might have/probably guessed that this year I was an Avatar. well, technically I was a Na-vi, but I don't want to sound like a complete dork.

I was having trouble coming up with an affordable costume idea, and my friend Ciara asked if I wanted to be an Avatar character with her. I freaking love that movie, so of course I accepted the challenge. a couple jars of body paint and one trip to Primark later, and this is what I came up with!

these things always end up looking better in your head... but after 3+ hours of braiding my own hair and painting myself blue with tiny sponges I wasn't exactly patient enough to do detailed makeup work. 

hubs and I went to a Halloween party at a friend's house, which was hella fun. and there were some great costumes! absolutely everyone was dressed up. a few were kind of Britain-specific so you may have to google some names if you're really that curious. 

my camera died pretty early on in the evening, but I still snagged a few top snaps!

my Avatar buddy, Ciara (who obviously was a little more patient with her makeup application...)

Kaitlin as Medusa, Brandon as Frankie Cocozza, and Julia as Wally (what the British call Waldo). there were more than a few photos with this Where's Wally theme, and I find them hilarious. 

the Dude abides.

Phillip (Donncha) and Terrence (Ian) from South Park

a witch (Cheryl), the dude (Niall), and an Avatar. where's Wally? (this Wally is Kelly!)

Helen and Sarah as Jedward 

a shark attack(Duncan), rag doll (Nicki), loofa (Zoe haha), and a pirate (Grace)!

several cool cats and one British costume I don't even know (Donncha's bro)... also, where's Wally??

Frankie and Edward Ciderhands; HIMYM reference, anyone? (Tighearnach. yeah that's his name. try and pronounce that, North Americans.)

me and the lovely boys from Dragon Ball Z (Amon) and Jersey Shore (Billy) 

it was great fun. can't wait to see everyone else's costumes once we all recover from the craziness of Halloweekend. (yes, I coined that. did I? maybe not. I could have though.)

thanks October, it's been a slice. 

xo

playing: the Monster Mash

whoooo are you?

can you guess what I was for halloween?
...
you'll find out later!
what are you guys being/were you?

orange is young, full of daring

after the randomness of yesterday's post, I thought I'd get back to regularly scheduled programming with the beginning of Halloween weekend.

I do happen to be working all weekend (boy oh boy), but I figured I could still get in the spirit and do a little pumpkin-carving and creepy-movie-watching.
here are some before and after (and during) photos of our jack-o-lantern!

dress- mango // tights- american apparel // shoes- miz mooz // scarf- pseudio

there you have it! a Sarah King original design. 

I rather like him. 

I pointed out to Brando that this is, to my knowledge and recollection, my first pumpkin carving. next year we're going to do one each. my friend Greg and I once found a book about crazy cool jack-o-lanterns and the things can get pretty creative. 

oh, and my dress is perfect for this season. it's black cats on orange circles, so it kinda looks like they're sitting on pumpkins! I love this dress and the lighting wasn't very good for pictures, so I will definitely be wearing it again soon. 

happy weekending! 

love love. 

playing: foreplay/long time- boston

ok, I'm going to do something that I've never done here before.
rant.

I rant a lot in real life. I like to yell and laugh at the same time, whilst making what some might consider a witty observation. I consider myself somewhat of a more hormonal, less political, lady Rick Mercer.

I usually don't put these thoughts into writing because the humour doesn't really come across and I tend to curse. but I will make a special exception for a topic that has ticked me off on several occasions.

if you would like the go on reading this, please forgive the mild language. there. you have been warned.

purple rain

I am digging purple lately. not exactly a fall colour, but I feel it brightens up the grey I'm surrounded by. I like the contrast.

this new dress from work pretty much encompasses my favourite outfit features right now. easy-breezy dress, classic shape, black + jewel tones. I like looking like a cupcake princess.

remember those? the little dolls with the cupcake hats, and you could flip their dress up and turn them into a cupcake. they were stylish chicas.

(also just realizing now that of you don't know what I'm talking about they sound kind of creepy.)

dress- new look // tights- american apparel // wedges- miz moos fr. Twisted Sisters

we had a rare moment of sunshine here today, so I took advantage, and also some pictures... something about sunshine makes me want to be productive. there are days when I'm tired and lazy and I prefer rainy grey afternoons spent curled up on the couch, but once it a while a boost of vitamin d really gets me motivated.

today, for instance, I actually cleaned the apartment (whilst air-guitaring to Boston; multi-tasking!), did laundry, had TWO skype dates, and got all caught up on Walking Dead.

...okay, that last one may not seem productive to some of you, but it was really fun! that show is amazing.

I also pre-emptively bought chocolate chip cookies, cause I knew I'd be wanting them later. I was right.

lots of love + cookies!
♥

playing: peace of mind- boston

ps. ever start to notice/HATE how weird your hands look in pictures? erm.

be somebody else...

my "let's do fun autumn stuff and take pictures of it!" plans keep getting rained out. every time I plan to go somewhere or to take outfit photos the weather makes it impossible. how do you people keep up a blog in bad weather??

anyway, Halloween is creeping ever closer and my costume is slowly coming together. not telling what it is yet! looks like I'll only get to dress up once this year, which is a change. but I have been thinking a lot about some easy costumes one might put together at the last minute.

Halloween can be hard on the wallet if you plan elaborate costumes, or if you just go with buying one (I prefer putting one together; much more fun and interesting). but there are simple costumes you can throw together out of stuff you would already find in your closet! or stuff you can at least wear again and won't spend years collecting dust in the back of your closet.

here are some of my ideas for easy, reusable costumes!

I watched 500 Days of Summer again the other night, and I just love her to pieces. it's not the most recognizable or elaborate costume, but it's a costume nonetheless! you'll need:

1. a pretty, pale blue dress (etsy)

2. matching hair bows (shopbop)

3. false lashes- it's all about Summer's eyes! (mac)

4. girly flats (modcloth)

probably the most stylish of all villains, Cruella is easily recognizable with the help of a little spray hair dye. and I personally haven't seen anyone dressed up as her in a bagillion years, so it's not overdone. you'll need:

1. a slinky black dress (asos)

2. a fur coat- which happens to be so chic right now (topshop)

3. long red gloves (any costume shop)

4. red pointy pumps 

5. hair dye

I love dressing up as literary characters, even if no one gets it! but I'm sure someone will guess that you're this childhood favourite. you'll need:

1. a sweet boater hat (etsy)

2. a blue swing coat- some pictures look more like a dress, but coats are great for cold Halloween nights (etsy)

3. a white peter pan collar (topshop)

4. a red ascot/bow/ribbon

5. ankle socks (american apparel)

6. black t-straps or mary janes (modcloth)

7. white gloves

how much do I love Mary Poppins? a lot. you'll need:

1. a white button-down blouse (etsy)

2. a longer black skirt (american apparel)

3. a grey/blue cropped blazer (etsy)

4. a black hat- add fake flowers yourself! (modcloth)

5. a red bow tie (american apparel)

6. a petticoat- for fun! (etsy)

7. black oxford heels (ruche)

bonus: carry an umbrella!

probably my strangest concoction, but it's fun and dramatic and people may not know who you are, but they will know you are in costume. (maybe...) you'll need:

1, 2, + 5. a crapload of necklaces featuring beads, lace, and cameo charms. chokers are a must. (modcloth + etsy)

3. Victorian booties, of course (modcloth)

4. a lacy black&white dress (modcloth)

6. some sort of Victorian head dress- a crown works too, obviously (etsy)

7. a black velvet bolero (etsy)

these are all just off the top of my head. I'm sure you could come up with a million costume ideas based on items you find in your own wardrobe. add a couple accessories, maybe some creative make-up, and you've got a Halloween costume you won't want to throw away. 

you might even use this as an excuse to finally buy that certain coat or dress you've had your eye on... which is okay too. 

xo!

playing: I put a spell on you- Bette Midler 

photographs & falling leaves

hi lovelies!

I've been away from the blogosphere from a couple of days, but never fear! I have some fun autumn-y things planned for the remainder of October. the first is my official "yay it's autumn let's play with leaves" post for this year... which is happening right now.

Brando & me finally got to spend a day off together (first one in two weeks!yikes). but the most adventurous thing we did was take advantage of the decent weather- aka the lack of rain- and walk to the park. it was fun though, and we met lots of friendly puppies who wanted tummy rubs and ear scratches! cuteness overload. 

and it was lovely for picture-taking, which is why you are currently being bombarded by this photographic overload... 

I hope you like them!

dress- primark (gift) // cableknit cardigan- american apparel // tights- we love colors // scarf- gift // shoes- new look // belt- modcloth

all in all it was a pretty fun day; breakfast in bed (being married is cool), CSI reruns, chocolate muffins, puppies in the park. it's nice to have an actual weekend off for a change, AND I have tomorrow free too! two days in a row. I'm pumped. hopefully the depressing Scottish weather doesn't *ahem* rain on my parade... 

here's to a happy weekend!

cheers. 

xo

playing: the remainder- death cab for cutie