The Land of the Unicorns: Easy Adult Halloween Costumes

The Land of the Unicorns: Easy Adult Halloween Costumes

This past weekend I attended my dear friends' annual Halloween party as a unicorn. This included

Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked? Updated for 2014

Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked

I've gotten a lot of traffic to this post from last year, and I thought I'd update it with some new ideas toward the bottom for those of you who are already thinking about Halloween costumes. When I was a kid, if school started and I didn't know what my costume was going to be, I would be very, very upset!
 
Today's post is a bit different than the usual. We're talking about a very specific type of clothing to put on our bodies today: costumes! I find what to wear for Halloween to be increasingly complicated: I'm past the point of "going out" like I once did to a club or dancing, but I still want a fun costume. Our neighbors throw the best Halloween party (they start decorating their home over Labor Day weekend), and, oh yeah, it's my birthday!

Via

But what to wear? Here are some of the criteria my good friend and I identified for female costumes at our current age.

1. Minimal effort. We defined this by not taking too long to make or too expensive. 
2. Something you get right away. Nothing that requires a lengthy explanation but is witty on its own.
3. Warmth. A costume should be warm enough that you won't freeze out on your porch handing out candy, walking the kids around the neighborhood, or hopping from one party to another.
1. Not slutty. Some of us (ahem, I recall making a costume with my best friend out of a single pillowcase...) fell victim to the slutty costume phase. I'm not sure if you all feel this way, but I cringe now when I see the Slutty _____ costumes (e.g., slutty cat, slutty wizard, etc). 
4. Durable. At this age, it seems that people have parties at random times within the month of October so you want a costume that either transitions into a different costumes or is durable enough for multiple parties. 
5. Makes a statement. Since we're past the slutty stage, we tend to want to make a different kind of statement: really scary, witty, or just beautiful.

Wow! Look at that list! No wonder it's so hard sometimes to figure it out.

I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments, even if they don't meet all of our silly requirements. 

Via

My Top 5 Posts of All Time

My Top 5 Posts of All Time

Recently I was checking my blog stats to see which posts have been the most popular. Since I regularly get new readers, I thought you might like to see what readers have liked (come back to, read, shared, pinned) in the past almost year of my writing this blog. Here are snippets of my Top 5 Blog Posts of all time!

1. Jeans and a T-shirt Upstyled

Today I'm talking about two of my favorite things: t-shirts and jeans! As my best friends and husband will tell you, I love t-shirts. I may have too many of them, actually, but this isn't about me! Right?

I have many clients, including Miss Mustard Seed, who are creative people who work for themselves and it makes most sense for them to dress casually and comfortably. I also have many clients who are active mothers and grandmothers, and they spend a lot of their time in casual, comfortable clothing, too. But, I think there is a way to be comfortable and wear what is actually (or essentially) a t-shirt and jeans and also reflect your personality and feel more polished. Here's how. Keep reading here.

2. The Post About Jennifer

Typically, my in-person client posts have less dramatic names, but I feel dramatic about this post and this client. Today's post is about Jennifer, my last client of 2013. If you follow me on instagram, you know that Jennifer was an incredibly special client.

To tell you about Jen, I first need to tell you that when I was driving to her house, I was more than a little worried that I was about to be kidnapped-or worse. Or at the very least punked. I take safety precautions before going into anyone's home, but on that day I had extra measures in place. You see, the email that Jennifer's husband sent to me (the day after Veterans' Day!) was, well, seemingly too-good-to-be-true. Here is an excerpt:

I am requesting a personal home and shopping experience for my wife.  She read about you on one of her favorite sites... Mrs. Mustard Seed.  Her 40th Birthday is December 9th and I am throwing her a surprise get together with a few friends on the 7th.  THE ONLY THING SHE WANTS FOR HER BIRTHDAY IS AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOU :)!

My wife is a very special person to everyone, but especially to me.  You see...I am a retired disabled vet.  I went through (and continue to suffer from) medical issues caused while serving.  Just diagnosing the issues was a long drawn out process that took years and let alone the surgeries to try and resolve them.  My wife, Jen, was by my side through it all.  I am sure you have heard stories like that before, but to be honest she was more than by my side.  She saved my life...just by being the most awesome and supportive friend I have ever had.  

This person went on to describe that his wife, Jennifer, is also active military. While he can no longer work, she continues to serve. He told me that they were soul mates. He told me that he wanted to have his family pool together money for me to take her personal shopping in lieu of any other gifts. He wanted to know if I would accept her as a client. Accept her!? If she was real, I would marry her! (Side note: I waived my fee and had Jen add it to her spending amount, which I only mention to tell you that Jen's response was to ask me if I would reconsider and make it a fund for another woman to get six hours with me. She's amazing.)

That is how I ended up meeting Jennifer on the weekend before Christmas. She was real, and this is how she looked when I arrived..Continue reading here.

3. Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked?

Today's post is a bit different than the usual. We're talking about a very specific type of clothing to put on our bodies today: costumes! I find what to wear for Halloween to be increasingly complicated: I'm past the point of "going out" like I once did to a club or dancing, but I still want a fun costume. Our neighbors throw the best Halloween party (they start decorating their home over Labor Day weekend), and, oh yeah, it's my birthday...Read the rest here.

4. Reader Q&A: How to Wear Jean Skirts

Earlier this week, I Kelley posted a question for me in the comments section of my post about fresh ways to wear jeans, and I loved it!

Hi! I've not been following for a real long time, and I immensely enjoy your great advice and tips.
I don't wear jeans, but I do wear jean skirts. Could you do a post on jean skirts?
Been wearing more belts, Kelley

I love this question because  I think jean skirts have the potential to be a very versatile piece of clothing for every age, but I also think they can go downhill fast. Here's why.

5. Reader Q&A: What to Wear While I'm Pregnant

Yesterday, my best friend talked about what to wear during early maternity-and beyond-from a mother's perspective. I haven't ever been pregnant (and am not currently, just in case you were curious! Did you wonder?), but I have what might be an abnormal interest in maternity fashion. I just think that pregnant women can get away with things that the rest of us can't when it comes to clothes, and I love that! And there's nothing that says that you must wear clothes from a maternity store while you're pregnant. So darlin', here' are the five questions to ask yourself. Find them here.


That's it! My Top 5 posts of all time. I notice that you all tend to like posts written in response to reader questions and posts that tell a good story like Jennifer's. So please do continue to ask me questions via email or in the comments because other women are thinking the same thing and want to hear an answer! Keep it comin'! 

 

Six New Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked

Six New Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked

A few weeks ago, my post on Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked became hugely popular. I know that this weekend lots of you are looking for costumes for the coming week, and I wanted to put in a plug for shopping your own closet for costume ideas. All of these ideas come from ModCloth's inventory, but I encourage you to take a look at your own closet for inspiration. Or, you could always buy something new in the name of a costume and wear it again later! In my mind, that's better than purchasing something you'll only wear once.

What Does a Fox Say?

For the social media maven, this hat is a simple nod to the viral video. You could fox up the rest of your outfit, too, but I like the regular clothes with this hat. It's subtle.

 

Ugly Sweater Party

Add some shiny pants, decorative earrings, a drink in your hand (bonus points for something that looks like egg nog!), and a candy cane tucked into your hair. Plus, you can wear it again to an actual ugly sweater party in a few months. Done.

Classic Tootsie Roll Commercial

I recommend this one for the single ladies because of the easy layup to the "how many licks" line that men are sure to take. Wear it over a white button-down and jeans with cowboy boots.

Little Red Riding Hood

There's nothing wrong with this classic. Might be nice for a couples costume where a friend or partner goes as a wolf. Basket not included.

Bjork's Swan Costume

Take it back to 2001 (!!) with Bjork's infamous swan costume reinterpreted. Order a size up and wear it with just tights or pair it with a tulle skirt for her frilly effect.

Grim Reaper

This is a good look for a work party, a concert, or another low-key event this time of year. Add some leather leggings and stud accessories and you're good to go. 

Happy Costuming!

All items from ModCloth. This is not a sponsored post, although they are a sponsor. Links available here.