Halloween Costume

Yes, I went as Benjamin Franklin. Yes, people thought I was Thomas Edison and/or Albert Einstein. What? I don't even. Again, one of the cheapest costumes I've done-- All I had to buy was the wig. And I won first place in the costume contest at work. Second year in a row! You can see my past Halloween costumes here and here. Did you guys dress up this year?

Film Styles: Sylvia

Movie: Sylvia (2003)

Costume Designer: Sandy Powell (Shakespeare in Love, Gangs of New York, The Aviator)

You may or may not know that I am in a total Sylvia Plath phase right now. I remember watching this film for the first time a couple years ago, and from the first scene of Sylvia riding on her bike through Cambridge, I instantly knew I was going to love it. What drew me in was her hair and wardrobe. The movie follows Plath's life from 1956 when she meets Ted Hughes at Cambridge until 1963 when she commits suicide. The thing about that's so fascinating about her clothing is that you can clearly see that her style changes depending on her mental state. When she first meets Ted and falls in love, she wears stylish dresses with beautiful silhouettes and her hair is always curled, and during their summer at the beach house, she wears sundresses and halter tops. It isn't until they move to the country and Plath starts suspecting Hughes is cheating on her that she grows her hair long and starts wearing Pendelton skirts and dark neutral colors. It isn't until she tries to reconcile with Hughes that she curls her hair, puts on makeup and wears a body-hugging dress.

It's like her clothing mimics her feelings, and isn't that exactly the same with our style in real life? That we chose a style and clothing that reflects how we feel? If I'm having an off day, I'll just throw my hair up and wear jeans and a t-shirt, whereas if I'm happy and inspired, I want to wear bright bold colors, curl my hair and wear a face full of make-up. I just love how Sandy Powell shows Plath's emotional breakdown through the clothing she puts her in and how so much of what you feel can be conveyed with what you wear.

If you haven't seen this film yet, I'd definitely recommend it. Even costumes aside, it's an interesting and heartbreaking story of a tortured soul trying to deal with both her relationship and her craft and the constant competition and inferiority she feels from her husband. Go see it! Let me know what you think!

My Halloween Costume(s)

I was so excited I got to dress up TWICE for Halloween! My work was holding a costume contest on Saturday, and then we could dress up again on Sunday since it was Halloween. I decided to bring out the big guns for the contest and dress up as Tippi Hedren from The Birds again. And good thing I did--I won first place! Then for my regular Halloween costume I dressed up as Minnie Mouse. I'm pretty sure dressing up is my favorite thing in the world (as if you didn't already know that.)

What did you guys dress up as?

Film Styles: Chocolat

Movie: Chocolat
Year: 2000
Costume Designer: Renee Ehrlich Kalfus (other movies include: What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Cider House Rules and Pay It Forward)

If I can quote I Love You, Man... Chocolat... It's a beautiful movie. It's almost impossible to watch this movie and not be craving chocolate before the end credits start rolling. My best friend used to work at See's right next to a movie theater, and she said that when this movie came out they were packed every single night after the movie let out. But what's just as sweet as all the chocolate (cheesy segway, my apologies) is all the amazing costumes.

The movie takes place in a small quiet town in the 1960's full of conservative, church-going people who wear black shoes. Vianne does not. She wears pencil skirts, and off the shoulder tops, with red shoes and belts cinching her waist. There's even a point in the movie where her daughter, Roux asks, "Why can't you wear black shoes like all the other mothers?" Vianne is a strong, independent woman whose confidence shines through her clothes. I love the colors and the silhouettes of the retro 1960's pieces. On the dvd there's a great special feature where Renee, the costume designer, discusses how she came up with the different costumes for each character. She explains that the character Josephine is first introduced as an abused wife wearing frumpy, homely looking clothes. When she finally leaves her abusive relationship and becomes more confident in herself, her clothing starts to reflect that, some outfits even channeling sex symbol, Bridgette Bardot.

It's amazing how much a costume can really make a character and reveal so much of their personality. I secretly want to be Vianne. Own my own chocolaterie in France, stand up for what I believe is right, be strong and courageous... and wear full skirts with cinch waists. Ah, a girl can dream, right?

Amelia Earhart

I honestly had such a fun time dressing up as Amelia. This has to be one of my new favorite costumes I've ever worn. It only cost me about $30 (the price of the helmet and googles) because everything else I already owned. I got so many compliments on it at work... and I loved how it sparked different conversations about people's parents living in the Amelia Earhart generation, and flying and skydiving even haha. And what's funny, is that this costume made me feel more confident and attractive than any short-skirt-fishnet-stripper-shoes-mid-driff-baring costume could have. I hope I did her justice.

So what was everyone else for halloween?! I want to see all your wonderful costumes!! If you did posts about your costume, send me the link! I hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Halloween Past

Since Halloween is only 10 days away, I thought I'd show some of my costumes from past Halloweens.
2004



My boyfriend and I decided to dress up as Britney Spears and K-Fed.My outfit was pretty simple: white tank top, cut off shorts, flip flops (because I didn't want to go barefoot), a Kabbalah bracelet (not the glow stick bracelet, the other one haha) pepsi, Marlboro lights, and some cheetos.2005My friend Emily and I dressed up as flight attendants. We got $10 for winning first place in our cosmetology school costume contest. Emily put me to shame, she wore the costume so well... I'm sad I don't have picture of the whole thing.
2006
My sister's halloween party was pirate themed, so we all dressed up like pirates. I think my favorite part of the costume was the black wig, I could get away with wearing so much makeup!
2007
I had to work this halloween so I decided to go as Indiana Jones. It was great because not only do I love Indiana Jones, but I didn't have to buy a single thing for my costume. I made it from things I already had. I wore my old work pants, old navy button up safari shirt, my brother's leather fedora and I wore my dad's binocular case so I could carry necessities.
2008

Last year was probably one of my favorite costumes eeeever! I went as Melanie Daniels from Hitchcock's The Birds. I wanted to be this ever since the year before when I watched the movie on Halloween, and was trying to think of the best way to make the costume myself when I actually came across the costume for sale! It's one of the few costumes I've actually bought, but I think it was a good investment. It was a really great conversation starter while I was at work, too. Some people got it right away and some people looked at me like I was crazy.But my favorite costume of ALL TIME was this:I dressed up as grapes when I was 6. It was my mom's idea. I already owned the purple leotard and tights, my mom sewed together the stem hat and we blew up balloons and pinned them all over. Completely homemade, and completely awesome. Come to think of it, my mom made pretty much every one of my costumes growing up:BallerinaAn angel. Look at those tin foil wings and halo! haha and look at me looking adoringly at my sister.Other homemade costumes included Miss America and a bride, but I'm too lazy to scan the pictures haha. Halloween is probably one of my favorite holidays, if not my favorite because you get to be whatever you want. Sometimes I wish I could dress in a costume everyday, but I guess that would get old after awhile, so I'll just take advantage of dressing up once a year. I'm excited for this year's costume. I'm going to be (drum roll, please)..............AMELIA EARHART!I already had everything in my closet... I only had to buy two things: the helmet and goggles, because I didn't just have those lying around, obviously. I can't wait to dress up and show you guys! What are you guys dressing up as?!