Am…musings

My darker, shorter ‘do and relationship status inspired my costume this year. It started with the hair, which I decided was quite Snow White like.

Ol’ Snow has a very lovely dress, but it would have required some extensive sewing … and I’m no sewer … or a purchased costume … and I’ve never been a big fan of spending a ton on a costume I’ll likely only wear once. Plus, to me a Halloween get-up should be a little more creative than something I pull out of a package … a belief I guess I learned from my parents because I recall always having cool costumes as a kid, but honestly don’t ever remember them being packaged.

After a little noodling, I decided the red headband, poisoned apple and little birdie perched on my hand would be recognizable along with an outfit I either already owned or could buy and wear again … unlike the pre-fab costume.

To complete the ensemble, a personal ad tacked to the apple to explain my “modern-day” garb and to make it a little more fun and creative …

Modern-day Snow White seeks Prince Charming
to break spell of singlehood with amazing kiss
followed by happily ever after.

Guys … dwarfs or otherwise … named Sleazy,
Sloppy, Shifty, Crazy, Pervy, Creepy or
CommitmentPhobe-y need not apply.

Happy Halloween!

Last weekend, D and I went to the Cardinals game. Saturday, I met one of his brothers and a few of his friends for the first time at the Missouri vs. Illinois Arch Rivalry Game (me and eight guys, including two of his nephews). For both occasions I was hoping to find cute team shirts so I could show my spirit and still look stylish … not a crazy request for a date or for meeting the boyfriend’s family and friends.

Yes, I admit it … I need to lose a few pounds (ok maybe more than a few … no doubt thanks in part to the pretzel fairy). And while I’m not exactly overjoyed with my body, I still like to show off my curves. Of course, there are plenty of cute, sassy sports shirts out there, but for heaven’s sake, I’m not sure who they are made for. I swear the extra large in one of the brands made exclusively for women looks like it might be a regular size medium … and cut for someone with absolutely no chest whatsoever.

Being a crafty girl, I took matters into my own hands. I tried two options … first attempting to cut a fun (but shapeless) t-shirt into something more stylish. With direction from the tattooed Kat Von D, I started slicing on an old paint-splattered shirt. With a little more practice, I think the results would have been super cute, but not really appropriate for an afternoon football game (and I wasn’t even going for the crazy backless thing in Kat’s video). I definitely want to try it again though.

Next, I headed to my local craft store for iron-on rhinestone letters (and then … even though I hate to admit it … I headed to Walmart where I found them for half the price). I used a black shirt from last season in case the results weren’t stellar. It’s not too difficult, but a little nerve wracking … so no photos of the process. But I think it turned out well …

My neighbor and friend, Marsha, has a group of girlfriends she’s known for years … some for almost four decades. They are wonderful people and have welcomed me into the mix. Last year, was the first year I was invited to Girls’ Weekend. One of the women and her husband have a really nice cabin in Sullivan, Mo. We cook dinner, drink cocktails and have fun.

Last year, I was unprepared, which is a terrible feeling for a “Martha” like me. I did take a bottle of wine for the hostess, but didn’t even think about goodies for the group. There were mini bottles of wine, candy and fuzzy socks (which when mixed with a few too many Pirates on a Diet caused an unfortunate, tailbone-bruising tumble down the steps for me … but it’s the thought that counts).

We’re headed down tomorrow, and I am ready with awesome goodies for this year …

It’s a small paint can decorated with stamped cardstock and filled with a stamped candle, candy and a bottled mojito.

I think they’ll enjoy them … and I had fun making them too.