Halloween 2011

This was a transition year for us - our girls are definitely growing up. Neither girl had plans to go out trick or treating or with friends; it looked like they would both be here at home that night. Emily decided she would take on the task of decorating the front porch for the holiday. She wanted it to look good and spooky.

She spent a lot of time planning her look. She found some creepy fabric, cut it to fit the windows on either side of the front door, and then ripped it up to make it look old and worn.



She bought new spiderwebs to string from spot to spot, flanking both sides of the doorway. Her traditional carved jack-o-lantern was joined by numerous candles and a "lighted" cauldron to illuminate the area.

   

A skeleton on the door, the Bates Motel sign in the window, our Halloween flag and spooky music completed the atmosphere.

 

After all her hard work, Emily decided a couple of days before Halloween to go out with friends. Her costume - executed solely on her own - was very last minute, but effective. Old sheets torn into strips make a convincing mummy! She hot glued the strips onto existing pants and a shirt from another costume for ease in getting on and off. Worked beautifully!

Emily joined Elise and Sydney and they trick-or-treated in Sydney's neighborhood. The weather cooperated for once, dry with mild temps, so no coat was necessary. Certainly not always the case here in Portland, and much appreciated!



Happy Halloween, all!

ACMA Prom 2011

So, the lavender dress won, and I started on the minor alterations required. When she put the dress on for the final fitting, Sarah tucked in the straps and liked it that way. It looked lovely strapless, so we decided to have her wear it that way.

I left the dress on the sofa in the living room while I went to the fabric store to buy matching thread. I'd settled on placing two darts in the back to give the dress a snugger fit, especially now that there would be no straps holding it in place. I got home, put the darts in, and noticed a ragged-looking piece of ribbon attached to the bodice. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a (former) strap. Xeda, lover of all things ribbon-like, had apparently discovered the dress on the sofa while I was gone, and had eaten away most of the right strap! Damn cat!



Good thing Sarah had already chosen to go strapless! A couple of snips and the rest of the straps were gone completely.

At the last minute on Saturday, I realized we didn't have a silver bag for her to carry, so Emily and I went off on a purse hunt. Not only did we find a perfect clutch, but we also came across a necklace made for the occasion. Honestly, the stones were the perfect shade of lavender, and the silver chain tied in with the filigree on the dress like it was meant to be. We brought it home, where Emily found a couple of beads just the right shade and size, and, together with more silver chain, whipped up a pair of matching earrings. What a great sister!



The three of "us girls" had a great time getting Sarah ready, getting her makeup, hair, and jewelry just right. I must say, she dresses up pretty well, that daughter of mine!

     

OK, so here is the breakdown on our four-day rush to get her ready for Prom at the last minute on a budget:

• Dress: $20
• Shoes: $4
• Purse: $6
• Necklace: $10
• Ticket to Prom: $32.50
• Total cost: A real bargain!

The whole experience: Priceless!