Dear God, we are about to head into the very last weekend before Halloween! How did that happen? I haven't finished my Christmas shopping, yet!
Seriously, though, it may seem like it's too late to put together a fantastic costume for any last-minute parties you may be planning to attend. I assure you...
...yeah, it is. But there's still plenty of time to throw together a half-way decent ensemble. Below, I've come up with four low-to-no cost, practically zero-effort, toss together in no time costume ideas. They're not great, but hey, desperate times and all that. So, without further ado, here are my 2013 suggestions.
1. Melissa McCarthy Elle Cover
This cover has caused a bit of an uproar recently, concerning body issues in Hollywood and in the fashion industry. McCarthy, herself, has defended the photo, and even admitted that she's the one who picked the coat, so I'm all for letting the offense over this photo drop. That said, one thing about this photo is undeniable: she looks freaking hawt. I mean, wowzers! Honestly, between the gorgeous subject, stunning photography, and public drama, this shot could very well become iconic. Plus, it's the easiest Halloween costume since the t-shirt that says, "This IS My Halloween Costume". All you need is smokin' hot makeup, drop earrings, a black dress, heels, your winter coat (or one from the local thrift shop), and a metric ton of hairspray. This costume also gets bonus points for being wearable away from the party, as well.
2. Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead
I happened to run across this little gem at the Halloween store, and had a minor conniption fit at the $29.99 price tag. I'm sorry, but if you want to dress as Daryl Dixon, you don't need to buy a pre-made costume. Heck, I could put together a feminine version with stuff out of my closet. All you need (male or female) is a brown, green, or white tank top, some old jeans, boots (if you've got them. Dark sneakers would work in a pinch), and, well, a lot of dirt. If you want, you can always mix up a tiny batch of fake blood to smear on your face and body. Now, if you want an ear necklace, you're on your own. (Spirit Halloween does sell one...ew...)
3. Rejected Angel Vessel from Supernatural
This is, by far, the easiest costume. I can't find a decent photo online, but if you're a fan, you know what I'm talking about (and if you're not a fan...A) why not? and B) why would you want a costume from it?). Wear whatever clothing you want. Be comfy. Be cute. Be sexy. Be whatever. It's the makeup that makes this costume. Do your normal makeup, but skip the eyes. Then, use black greasepaint to black-out your eyes, like you would if you were going to put on a superhero mask. Lastly, using either fake blood or, as a last resort, lipstick, add blood dripping from the eyes. Done.
*BONUS: You could add the greasepaint and blood to nostril and mouth areas to go as a fresh walker from this season of The Walking Dead.
4. Ridiculously Photogenic Running Back
This is more for the guys, but ladies can feel free to give it a go. I don't know if you've heard about this viral photo, but it's adorable. A football player for Notre Dame lost his helmet during a recent game, and finished the play before stopping to put it back on. In the short time he was sans chapeau, a photographer snapped this pic that looks like an ad in a catalog. I think it's the little half smile that sends it over the top. Anyway, if you're in a bind and happen to have a football jersey lying around, dab a little greasepaint under the eyes, toussle your hair, and go be your ridiculously photogenic self.
Have a great weekend, guys!
Showing posts with label The Walking Dead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Walking Dead. Show all posts
Friday, October 25, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Walking With the Dead: Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights!
*Editor's Note: This is part one of a two-part post. Here is the overview and review. The next post will have all of the pretty pictures.
I know, I know. It's a third of the way through October, and I haven't started my Halloween posts (for reals, anyway). I have a good excuse! I've been out of town at Universal Studios Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights. Then, when I got back to town, I realized how loved and needed I am at work, and have been swamped trying to play catch-up. Anyhoo, I thought I'd give you lovelies a rundown of the event, and maybe even share some pics of the behind-the-scenes tour Thomas and I took.
***WARNING! If you are planning to go to HHN and don't want to be spoiled, STOP READING NOW!***
Alrighty, now that's out of the way, let's have some fun!
So...I'm a wimp. I didn't sleep for three nights after watching The Woman In Black, and the bride on The Haunted Mansion ride gives me the heebie jeebies. I am a grade-A, number-one, yellow-bellied, scaredy-cat wuss. Our trip to Halloween Horror Nights actually came about, oddly enough, because I'm too chicken to go to Halloween Horror Nights. Really.
See, for the past few years, Thomas and I have trekked down to Orlando for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It's sweet. There's trick-or-treating. Small children come dressed as dwarves, Muppets, and KISS (seriously. I love those parents). The scariest thing in the park is the Headless Horseman, and last year he fell off his horse. This is my kind of Halloween, and it also happens to be more Thomas's speed. He's not really into the hard scares, either.
Again, I know, I know. Cue the record scratch. This is probably disappointing to a lot of folks, considering we make movies like Night of the Krampus. We can dish out the scares, but we can't take 'em. I'm sorry.
Anyway, every year, we go to the Disney party at night, and hit the Universal parks during the day. And every year, we find ourselves spending those days wandering amidst the un-hideable decorations, awestruck at the design and production values. And every year, we contemplate sucking it up and getting passes for the event. And every year, we chicken out.
It's the haunted houses, man. I just can't do haunted houses. Being confined in a dark space, smack in the middle of a crowd, with scary-looking people (or even normal-looking people, if we're being totally honest) jumping out and screaming at me tends to send me crying toward the nearest exit. Panic attacks ensue. It's less than fun, and the thought of spending a lot of money to not have fun doesn't appeal to me. I just want to see the pretty (creepy) decorations!
So, wonderful man that he is, Thomas did some research and found out that the park hosts Behind the Screams tours. These are lights-on, actor-free, guided tours of the haunted houses. You get to see all of the artistry that goes into the houses without getting the you-know-what frightened out of you. We signed up for an afternoon tour of An American Werewolf in London, The Cabin In the Woods, and La Llorona (morning tours visited three differing houses) the day they became available.
And then insanity set in.
After all, if we were going to see the houses, then it seemed a shame to miss out on the rest of the decorations. Plus, there was a Bill & Ted show and a tribute to Rocky Horror (which I detest, but it was a live musical performance, so I had to go). We could suck it up. We could just stay out of the houses and ride some rides and see some shows, right? It'll be fun!
Oy, vey...
I have no pictures of the actual event. I was too busy trying to avoid The Walking Dead walkers that had taken over the park, and really, it was just too dark. We did walk through most of the "Scare Zones" while it was still light out, just to see what was there, and kind of test out how well we thought we'd handle them at night.
We avoided those suckers like the plague.
I still got swarmed by about a dozen zombies.
Thomas still regrets not having the video camera rolling.
If you're planning to go this year, here's a lily-livered rundown of what's what:
Scare Zones
Atlanta: This takes place on New York Street. It's supposed to smell of death, but I only smelled concessions, so I guess that'll depend on how you feel about the park's food offerings. There are a number of walkers to contend with, but there's also a tank (!!) and some pretty cool theatrics, with ordinary people being turned into zombies.
The Farm: Herschel's barn is ablaze! Supposedly, if you walk through the barn you'll see a bunch of walkers, including the infamous "well walker". I wouldn't know... I did get into a stare-down with the cutest little "scareactor" walker, though. It was still daylight, so I didn't scream or throw-up on her, and her makeup looked amazing.
The Woodlands: This is another that we took in during the day. Michonne's zombie buddies hang out in there and look pretty cool. There's also supposed to be a deer walker, but he was off, so I only saw the deer. The "bicycle girl" zombie is also on display...just not while we were there.
Camp: The RV and some tents are set up in a very small area that feels like walker central. At night, projections on the tents make it look like zombies are eating the campers inside. You really can't avoid this zone, either. It's the only unavoidable zone, though, and it is very small.
The Highway: Yeah...we just flat-out skipped this one. From what I could see, abandoned cars and a school bus are around the Disaster attraction. We had no reason to go down that way, and no desire to get attacked.
The Van: This is a roving scare zone. It's a van full of walkers that, more or less, randomly appears, lets loose its cargo, and then gathers them all back and moves on. It's terrifying.
Clear: Technically, this one has the fewest walkers, and those are impaled on scaffolding and easy to spot. The entire street (over by Terminator) has grafitti projections to match the ones in the episode that the zone was based on. The only time that it really becomes frightening is when the *&$#@ van comes through and dumps a ton of walkers and they decide you look nice and weak and swarm you, causing you to scream and your husband to laugh and try to lure more over. *ahem* The walkers are effective.
*Word of warning: As the night wears on, and guests become tired and/or drunk, it becomes more and more difficult to tell guest from walker. Just sayin'...
Shows
Bill & Ted: In a word: Excellent!!! This is a rip-roaring, high-energy, ridiculously funny, musical treat. Nothing in pop culture is sacred. This is PG-13, however, and definitely raunchy. Someone brought a small child who was seated next to me, and I felt more than a little awkward at moments, so bear that in mind if you have kiddos.
Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute: Meh. The performances are fantastic, but if you're not a die-hard fan, you can probably skip this. Several people walked out of the performance I caught. Also: You will get wet. If you are a fan, you're going to love it. Gorgeous costumes, wonderful singers, and lots of audience interaction.
Concessions
Drinks: We ate at the Simpson's food court, so I can't rate the event fare, but I did order a drink in a souvenier glass from one of the bar carts. The glass is heavy plastic with a light-up element in the bottom, and worth the ten bucks I paid for it, including the drink. I ordered a mixed drink (from a very limited bar) of cherry vodka and cola. It tasted incredible, but it was very weak. For me, that was perfect, but if you're looking for a buzz, this isn't it.
Shots: I didn't get one, but I had to ask. There are "nurses" roaming the park with "blood bags" of jell-o shots. They're vodka, peach schnappes, and cherry jell-o. I kind of regret not trying one.
Overall
I loved it, and really hope to go back next year. Maybe I'll be a little braver by then.
Next Post: The House Tour!
I know, I know. It's a third of the way through October, and I haven't started my Halloween posts (for reals, anyway). I have a good excuse! I've been out of town at Universal Studios Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights. Then, when I got back to town, I realized how loved and needed I am at work, and have been swamped trying to play catch-up. Anyhoo, I thought I'd give you lovelies a rundown of the event, and maybe even share some pics of the behind-the-scenes tour Thomas and I took.
***WARNING! If you are planning to go to HHN and don't want to be spoiled, STOP READING NOW!***
Alrighty, now that's out of the way, let's have some fun!
So...I'm a wimp. I didn't sleep for three nights after watching The Woman In Black, and the bride on The Haunted Mansion ride gives me the heebie jeebies. I am a grade-A, number-one, yellow-bellied, scaredy-cat wuss. Our trip to Halloween Horror Nights actually came about, oddly enough, because I'm too chicken to go to Halloween Horror Nights. Really.
See, for the past few years, Thomas and I have trekked down to Orlando for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It's sweet. There's trick-or-treating. Small children come dressed as dwarves, Muppets, and KISS (seriously. I love those parents). The scariest thing in the park is the Headless Horseman, and last year he fell off his horse. This is my kind of Halloween, and it also happens to be more Thomas's speed. He's not really into the hard scares, either.
Again, I know, I know. Cue the record scratch. This is probably disappointing to a lot of folks, considering we make movies like Night of the Krampus. We can dish out the scares, but we can't take 'em. I'm sorry.
Anyway, every year, we go to the Disney party at night, and hit the Universal parks during the day. And every year, we find ourselves spending those days wandering amidst the un-hideable decorations, awestruck at the design and production values. And every year, we contemplate sucking it up and getting passes for the event. And every year, we chicken out.
It's the haunted houses, man. I just can't do haunted houses. Being confined in a dark space, smack in the middle of a crowd, with scary-looking people (or even normal-looking people, if we're being totally honest) jumping out and screaming at me tends to send me crying toward the nearest exit. Panic attacks ensue. It's less than fun, and the thought of spending a lot of money to not have fun doesn't appeal to me. I just want to see the pretty (creepy) decorations!
So, wonderful man that he is, Thomas did some research and found out that the park hosts Behind the Screams tours. These are lights-on, actor-free, guided tours of the haunted houses. You get to see all of the artistry that goes into the houses without getting the you-know-what frightened out of you. We signed up for an afternoon tour of An American Werewolf in London, The Cabin In the Woods, and La Llorona (morning tours visited three differing houses) the day they became available.
And then insanity set in.
After all, if we were going to see the houses, then it seemed a shame to miss out on the rest of the decorations. Plus, there was a Bill & Ted show and a tribute to Rocky Horror (which I detest, but it was a live musical performance, so I had to go). We could suck it up. We could just stay out of the houses and ride some rides and see some shows, right? It'll be fun!
Oy, vey...
I have no pictures of the actual event. I was too busy trying to avoid The Walking Dead walkers that had taken over the park, and really, it was just too dark. We did walk through most of the "Scare Zones" while it was still light out, just to see what was there, and kind of test out how well we thought we'd handle them at night.
We avoided those suckers like the plague.
I still got swarmed by about a dozen zombies.
Thomas still regrets not having the video camera rolling.
If you're planning to go this year, here's a lily-livered rundown of what's what:
Scare Zones
Atlanta: This takes place on New York Street. It's supposed to smell of death, but I only smelled concessions, so I guess that'll depend on how you feel about the park's food offerings. There are a number of walkers to contend with, but there's also a tank (!!) and some pretty cool theatrics, with ordinary people being turned into zombies.
The Farm: Herschel's barn is ablaze! Supposedly, if you walk through the barn you'll see a bunch of walkers, including the infamous "well walker". I wouldn't know... I did get into a stare-down with the cutest little "scareactor" walker, though. It was still daylight, so I didn't scream or throw-up on her, and her makeup looked amazing.
The Woodlands: This is another that we took in during the day. Michonne's zombie buddies hang out in there and look pretty cool. There's also supposed to be a deer walker, but he was off, so I only saw the deer. The "bicycle girl" zombie is also on display...just not while we were there.
Camp: The RV and some tents are set up in a very small area that feels like walker central. At night, projections on the tents make it look like zombies are eating the campers inside. You really can't avoid this zone, either. It's the only unavoidable zone, though, and it is very small.
The Highway: Yeah...we just flat-out skipped this one. From what I could see, abandoned cars and a school bus are around the Disaster attraction. We had no reason to go down that way, and no desire to get attacked.
The Van: This is a roving scare zone. It's a van full of walkers that, more or less, randomly appears, lets loose its cargo, and then gathers them all back and moves on. It's terrifying.
Clear: Technically, this one has the fewest walkers, and those are impaled on scaffolding and easy to spot. The entire street (over by Terminator) has grafitti projections to match the ones in the episode that the zone was based on. The only time that it really becomes frightening is when the *&$#@ van comes through and dumps a ton of walkers and they decide you look nice and weak and swarm you, causing you to scream and your husband to laugh and try to lure more over. *ahem* The walkers are effective.
*Word of warning: As the night wears on, and guests become tired and/or drunk, it becomes more and more difficult to tell guest from walker. Just sayin'...
Shows
Bill & Ted: In a word: Excellent!!! This is a rip-roaring, high-energy, ridiculously funny, musical treat. Nothing in pop culture is sacred. This is PG-13, however, and definitely raunchy. Someone brought a small child who was seated next to me, and I felt more than a little awkward at moments, so bear that in mind if you have kiddos.
Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute: Meh. The performances are fantastic, but if you're not a die-hard fan, you can probably skip this. Several people walked out of the performance I caught. Also: You will get wet. If you are a fan, you're going to love it. Gorgeous costumes, wonderful singers, and lots of audience interaction.
Concessions
Drinks: We ate at the Simpson's food court, so I can't rate the event fare, but I did order a drink in a souvenier glass from one of the bar carts. The glass is heavy plastic with a light-up element in the bottom, and worth the ten bucks I paid for it, including the drink. I ordered a mixed drink (from a very limited bar) of cherry vodka and cola. It tasted incredible, but it was very weak. For me, that was perfect, but if you're looking for a buzz, this isn't it.
Shots: I didn't get one, but I had to ask. There are "nurses" roaming the park with "blood bags" of jell-o shots. They're vodka, peach schnappes, and cherry jell-o. I kind of regret not trying one.
Overall
I loved it, and really hope to go back next year. Maybe I'll be a little braver by then.
Next Post: The House Tour!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
I Do Believe In Spooks, I Do, I Do, I Do!!!!!!!
In the five and a half years that I've been married to Thomas, some of the strangest sentences have come out of my mouth:
The oddest utterance to date, though, has to be the one that occurred over the weekend: "Yeah, we should totally do Halloween Horror Nights."
What have I done?
In my thirty-three years on this Earth, I've been in a grand total of four haunted houses (okay, seven, if you count the real ones. Oddly, two out of those three didn't bother me, and the third was more annoying than anything else, but that's another story, nevermind). Now, out of those four, one was the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. Not going to lie, it makes me nervous. I love it, but it ups the anxiety level. One was my little brother's elementary/middle school fundraiser house, where the ghouls kept yelling out, "Boo, Curt's sister! I'm going to get you, Curt's sister!"
It was truly frightening, as I'm sure you gathered.
One house was at Niagara Falls, and boasted the most polite, well-mannered Ghost Face known to man. I ran through it with my eyes closed, clutching the jacket of a friend who was nice enough to go first. The last haunted house I attempted was at Universal Studios Hollywood, and I made it almost through the foyer before having to be escorted out by the Phantom of the Opera.
What have I done?
Truth be told, I'm really looking forward to going. For the past few years, Thomas and I have done the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom (and loved it!), but only toured Universal during the day. In broad daylight, you can see some of the decorations and scenes for the Horror Nights, and they looked really cool. I was especially impressed by the Walking Dead set up last year, with a car waiting for Sophia, and an abandoned school bus. We could also see ads for the shows that only run during Horror Nights, including one featuring Bill and Ted of the excellent journey fame. This year, they've added a live Rocky Horror show to the mix. It's never been my favorite movie, but I can see where a live performance might be a hoot. On top of all that, we're both super interested in horror makeup and scenic design. Why have we not been doing Horror Nights, again? Oh, yeah...I'm a coward. That's right.
We'd decided months ago that we wanted to do the behind the scenes tour (Unmasking the Horror. I still can't link--thanks, Blogger--but you can google it) that takes you on a lights-on, actor-free tour of three houses. Little by little, though, we started talking about maybe, possibly, trying to do Horror Nights just for the shows and cool decor. We could skip the houses, since we'll already have seen two of the ones we were most interested in (our tour includes Cabin In the Woods, American Werewolf in London, and La Llorona.), and the roaming scareactors (pronounced s-characters) are mostly Walking Dead themed, so they shouldn't bother me too badly. I've dealt with more than my fair share of zombies. I think I'll be okay. (key word: think) We'll just do the shows and ride some rides, and get to see the neat scenery. Plus, I hear they have margaritas. That's always a plus.
All of this is to say that, for the next few weeks, I'll be in mental preparation mode. There will be loads of research done on the event, the movies and legends behind the houses, and all that jazz, and it's most likely going to make its way over here. I'm a novice Horror Nighter, and a wussy, scaredy cat one, at that, so if nothing else, my probably idiotic attempt at conquering my fears might prove entertaining for you guys. Happy Haunting, y'all. Wish me luck.
- "Do you think that body'll fit in the trunk?"
- "If it looks too bad, just cover it in blood."
- "I swear, I'm done with that skeleton! I'm just leaving him here!"
- "Seriously, there has got to be a price tag for that bag of limbs around here somewhere!"
The oddest utterance to date, though, has to be the one that occurred over the weekend: "Yeah, we should totally do Halloween Horror Nights."
What have I done?
In my thirty-three years on this Earth, I've been in a grand total of four haunted houses (okay, seven, if you count the real ones. Oddly, two out of those three didn't bother me, and the third was more annoying than anything else, but that's another story, nevermind). Now, out of those four, one was the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. Not going to lie, it makes me nervous. I love it, but it ups the anxiety level. One was my little brother's elementary/middle school fundraiser house, where the ghouls kept yelling out, "Boo, Curt's sister! I'm going to get you, Curt's sister!"
It was truly frightening, as I'm sure you gathered.
One house was at Niagara Falls, and boasted the most polite, well-mannered Ghost Face known to man. I ran through it with my eyes closed, clutching the jacket of a friend who was nice enough to go first. The last haunted house I attempted was at Universal Studios Hollywood, and I made it almost through the foyer before having to be escorted out by the Phantom of the Opera.
What have I done?
Truth be told, I'm really looking forward to going. For the past few years, Thomas and I have done the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom (and loved it!), but only toured Universal during the day. In broad daylight, you can see some of the decorations and scenes for the Horror Nights, and they looked really cool. I was especially impressed by the Walking Dead set up last year, with a car waiting for Sophia, and an abandoned school bus. We could also see ads for the shows that only run during Horror Nights, including one featuring Bill and Ted of the excellent journey fame. This year, they've added a live Rocky Horror show to the mix. It's never been my favorite movie, but I can see where a live performance might be a hoot. On top of all that, we're both super interested in horror makeup and scenic design. Why have we not been doing Horror Nights, again? Oh, yeah...I'm a coward. That's right.
We'd decided months ago that we wanted to do the behind the scenes tour (Unmasking the Horror. I still can't link--thanks, Blogger--but you can google it) that takes you on a lights-on, actor-free tour of three houses. Little by little, though, we started talking about maybe, possibly, trying to do Horror Nights just for the shows and cool decor. We could skip the houses, since we'll already have seen two of the ones we were most interested in (our tour includes Cabin In the Woods, American Werewolf in London, and La Llorona.), and the roaming scareactors (pronounced s-characters) are mostly Walking Dead themed, so they shouldn't bother me too badly. I've dealt with more than my fair share of zombies. I think I'll be okay. (key word: think) We'll just do the shows and ride some rides, and get to see the neat scenery. Plus, I hear they have margaritas. That's always a plus.
All of this is to say that, for the next few weeks, I'll be in mental preparation mode. There will be loads of research done on the event, the movies and legends behind the houses, and all that jazz, and it's most likely going to make its way over here. I'm a novice Horror Nighter, and a wussy, scaredy cat one, at that, so if nothing else, my probably idiotic attempt at conquering my fears might prove entertaining for you guys. Happy Haunting, y'all. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Everything I Need To Know I Learned From The Walking Dead (SPOILERS!)
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| Photo Credit: IMDb |
SPOILERS! THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS!
If you have not caught up on the series (and I mean THE WHOLE THING), you will be spoiled! Do not continue!
Are you still here? Have you seen all three seasons? If not, STOP READING!!
I mean it.
Seriously.
Are we all good? Okay. Continue.
UNLESS YOU HAVEN'T CAUGHT UP!
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Here we go.
TOP TEN THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM WATCHING THE WALKING DEAD
Use Your Inside Voice
Want to attract walkers? Yell. That'll do it. Take a lesson from our dear, departed hitchiker buddy, and shut your trap. Otherwise, you end up lunch, and someone else ends up with your supplies.
Go Medieval On 'Em
Much like you need to be quiet when speaking, you also need to be quiet while fighting. Consider taking an archery course at the local community center, or sign up for fencing. You never know when swordplay might come in handy.
Comb Your Hair and Fix Your Makeup
Apparently, in the zombie apocalypse, razors, deodorant, toothpaste, lipgloss, shampoo, hairspray, curling irons, and a complete (and stylish) wardrobe will still be at your disposal. I've never seen anyone carry more than a small sack, so I'm guessing magic carpet bags are handed out when the plague begins. Of course, this only applies to women. Men get to wear the clothes on their backs while they slowly morph into Grizzly Adams.
Horde Tampons
Oddly enough, those don't come in the magic bag. I'm sorry, but I don't want to have to make a supply run and risk dying over panty liners. 'Nuff said.
Stay In the House, Carl
And Sophia. And Andrea. And Daryl. And...well, everyone else, at sometime or other. Wander off, and you're likely to end up left, shot, or turned. None of those options are pretty.
Listen To Your Girlfriends
If your boyfriend is so hated by all of your friends that one of them actually begs you to kill him in his sleep, perhaps you need to reevaluate your relationship. Just sayin'.
Crazy Is Subjective
What constitutes crazy in a zombie apocalypse? Seeing visions of your dead wife? How 'bout just a phone call from her? Keeping a barn full of walkers? What about just chaining your zombified kid up in the closet? Or just keeping a few heads around to decorate the aquarium? How nuts is too nuts in this new world?
It's a Small World After All
No matter which direction or how far you travel, you will always, without fail, run into everyone you've ever met. Unless you want to. Then you're up a creek.
Gasoline is EVERYWHERE!
You will never run out. Cars are everywhere, brimming with beautiful petrol to get you wherever you want to go. There is a veritable cornucopia of functioning, full, comfortable automobiles to fulfill your every need. Unless you actually need to get away in a hurry. Then you're up a creek. Again. (Also applies to ammunition.)
Think Outside of the Box
Sometimes you just need to improvise. Don't have a weapon and need to kill a walker? Grab a nearby rock and curbstomp the sucker! This show has also given me a new perspective on engagement ring shopping. *shudder*
What have you learned? Please share with the rest of the class in the comments below. You could save a life.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Renewing My Subscription to Better Tombs and Graveyards
Folks, I apologize for dropping off the map for a while. I've been fighting off an illness, and it's left me an absolute zombie--and not the cute and cuddly kind from The Night Shift. More like that bicycle torso from The Walking Dead, but with less energy, so I just sort of lay around and flail for the remote control until Thomas takes pity on me and changes the channel to something either wedding or Disney-related. I'm a mess, y'all.
Anyhoo, I did find these today, which are sort of undead and Disney-related, so score!
Disney is releasing brand-new merchandise for The Haunted Mansion!! I have no idea about store dates or prices, but I already have a few favorites picked out for jazzing up my Halloween decorations. Then again, I have a skeleton in my closet and zombie masks on my wall, so I could probably just leave them out all year and no one would think me any more strange than normal...hmm...
So, who else is excited? Let me know in the comments.
Anyhoo, I did find these today, which are sort of undead and Disney-related, so score!
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| Coasters based on the cemetery! Photo Credit (This and All): Disney Parks Blog |
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| Throw Pillow |
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| Candleholders |
Monday, October 15, 2012
Costume Creations: The Walking Dead
Last night was the third season premier of one of my favorite shows, The Walking Dead. I'll be honest; I'm not a fan of gore. I know, that's probably a shocker to most of you, since the movies I'm involved with tend to be in the horror genre, and I have a kickin' recipe for fake blood, but frankly, gore doesn't do it for me. It's not scary. It's just icky. The idea of the zombie, though, is terrifying. Just think about it: you're bee-bopping along, enjoying life with all of your loved ones and BAM! Zombie outbreak! Suddenly, there's the very real possibility that--at any moment--you could be bitten and killed, only to come back to terrorize your own family. Worse, yet, you could lose one of your loved ones, and not only have to deal with the pain of their death, but then have to put them down when they come back. No, thank you. That's horrifying! If you've never seen the show, that's really what The Walking Dead deals with. The real story lies with the survivors. Their fear, resolve, and guilt make for some of the best writing on television today, and the actors are more than up to the task.
That said, the zombies do look pretty darn cool.
I was supposed to go to a pre-show Zombie Walk yesterday, but the after-vacation crud got me, and I had to stay home (we just got back from Orlando, and the land of no-internet-access, in case you were wondering where I was last week). I'm a little puffy from being sick, but figured, what the hey, I'll do my zombie makeup, anyway, and share it with you guys. The walk wasn't necessarily Walking Dead themed, but I decided to go with that look and color scheme, anyway. To keep it simple, I went for a fresh "Walker" look, so I could skip out on prosthetics or latex scarring. I wanted this to be cool, but super-easy and able to be copied with stuff from the local party or Halloween store. In fact, some of this came from E.L.F., and may already be in your stash. Here you go!
(Yay for having Thomas take the pictures with a real camera!!!)
So, these are the before shots...
Okay, kidding. Slightly. I started off by using a stippling brush to cover all areas that would not be covered by clothing (which I then forgot to put on over my tank top...oops. I said I was sick...) with the lightest cream foundation I could find. Don't forget your ears! Then, I used a flat concealer brush to pat a light grayish-blue cream makeup (mine came from the Ben Nye death wheel, which is actually really cheap and accessible online, but there are great options from party stores and Halloween pop-up shops) in the hollows of my eyes. Then, I cleaned off that brush and used it to pat a brownish-burgundy cream in the same areas, blending the two colors together to simulate bruising. Don't worry about definition, yet. Next, I went back into the blue with a foundation brush, and used that to contour my face, like I normally would with a bronzer: around the hairline, temples, cheekbones, and jawline. I also brought it down onto the neck to accentuate the natural hollows. Then, I cleaned off that brush and did the same thing with the burgundy cream and blended. To add a little color to the look and get that signature Walking Dead greenish-yellow cast, I used the foundation brush to blend a little Spring green cream makeup just onto the cheeks, almost like a blush, and also patted a little onto the eyelids. I used an Easter yellow to highlight the tops of cheekbones, forehead, nose, and chin. Basically, I made sure that every inch of skin had at least two colors blended together--the original foundation, and another color. I followed that up by grabbing a stippling sponge and dotting blue and burgundy onto random areas to simulate mottled skin. To add definition, I used a small lining brush (E.L.F.'s precision brush is fantastic for this!) to line the hollows of my eyes (and patted a little yellow on the "bags" to highlight), the eye socket, the marionette lines around my mouth, and a few expression lines on my forehead. Then, I brushed just a little more blue onto my eyebrows, the hollow over my chin, and around the marionette lines. I covered my lips with a light concealer, popped a little blue on my lower lip and pressed my lips together, then added a little burgundy to make accentuate the lines in my lips and make them appear dry and cracked. The look is set with a yellow HD powder (E.L.F., again) to keep that Walking Dead tone. For fun, I grabbed some dark, medium, and bright reds and created a wound on my neck by starting with the darkest in the center and going lighter and as I spread the colors out.
This is all about layering colors and accentuating your own lines and facial structure. If you look old, pale, and unnaturally colored, you're probably on the right track. You can add to this by using fake blood, tooth color, or prosthetic "hollows" around the eyes. Thing thing about a Walking Dead zombie that's different from, say, Night of the Living Dead, is that these "Walkers" look like real dead people. The colors aren't crazy, and the costumes are believable for the person they were. Add your own personality, but keep the look grounded in reality and you'll be fine. Happy Halloween!!
That said, the zombies do look pretty darn cool.
I was supposed to go to a pre-show Zombie Walk yesterday, but the after-vacation crud got me, and I had to stay home (we just got back from Orlando, and the land of no-internet-access, in case you were wondering where I was last week). I'm a little puffy from being sick, but figured, what the hey, I'll do my zombie makeup, anyway, and share it with you guys. The walk wasn't necessarily Walking Dead themed, but I decided to go with that look and color scheme, anyway. To keep it simple, I went for a fresh "Walker" look, so I could skip out on prosthetics or latex scarring. I wanted this to be cool, but super-easy and able to be copied with stuff from the local party or Halloween store. In fact, some of this came from E.L.F., and may already be in your stash. Here you go!
Okay, kidding. Slightly. I started off by using a stippling brush to cover all areas that would not be covered by clothing (which I then forgot to put on over my tank top...oops. I said I was sick...) with the lightest cream foundation I could find. Don't forget your ears! Then, I used a flat concealer brush to pat a light grayish-blue cream makeup (mine came from the Ben Nye death wheel, which is actually really cheap and accessible online, but there are great options from party stores and Halloween pop-up shops) in the hollows of my eyes. Then, I cleaned off that brush and used it to pat a brownish-burgundy cream in the same areas, blending the two colors together to simulate bruising. Don't worry about definition, yet. Next, I went back into the blue with a foundation brush, and used that to contour my face, like I normally would with a bronzer: around the hairline, temples, cheekbones, and jawline. I also brought it down onto the neck to accentuate the natural hollows. Then, I cleaned off that brush and did the same thing with the burgundy cream and blended. To add a little color to the look and get that signature Walking Dead greenish-yellow cast, I used the foundation brush to blend a little Spring green cream makeup just onto the cheeks, almost like a blush, and also patted a little onto the eyelids. I used an Easter yellow to highlight the tops of cheekbones, forehead, nose, and chin. Basically, I made sure that every inch of skin had at least two colors blended together--the original foundation, and another color. I followed that up by grabbing a stippling sponge and dotting blue and burgundy onto random areas to simulate mottled skin. To add definition, I used a small lining brush (E.L.F.'s precision brush is fantastic for this!) to line the hollows of my eyes (and patted a little yellow on the "bags" to highlight), the eye socket, the marionette lines around my mouth, and a few expression lines on my forehead. Then, I brushed just a little more blue onto my eyebrows, the hollow over my chin, and around the marionette lines. I covered my lips with a light concealer, popped a little blue on my lower lip and pressed my lips together, then added a little burgundy to make accentuate the lines in my lips and make them appear dry and cracked. The look is set with a yellow HD powder (E.L.F., again) to keep that Walking Dead tone. For fun, I grabbed some dark, medium, and bright reds and created a wound on my neck by starting with the darkest in the center and going lighter and as I spread the colors out.
This is all about layering colors and accentuating your own lines and facial structure. If you look old, pale, and unnaturally colored, you're probably on the right track. You can add to this by using fake blood, tooth color, or prosthetic "hollows" around the eyes. Thing thing about a Walking Dead zombie that's different from, say, Night of the Living Dead, is that these "Walkers" look like real dead people. The colors aren't crazy, and the costumes are believable for the person they were. Add your own personality, but keep the look grounded in reality and you'll be fine. Happy Halloween!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Just Where Do You Find Mascara In a Zombie Apocalypse?
Normally, around here we talk about how to look pretty and polished. That's all well and good, but it's not all that you can do with makeup and hair products. Sometimes, you just need to get down and dirty...you know, without the actual dirt. Ew.
I have lost count at how many zombies I've filthied up. Sure, on The Night Shift they were all cute and cuddly, but they still had to look like they'd been underground. I've given people bruises and bloody lips (and only once or twice were they real), added gaping wounds to pretty girls, and made enough blood for a bathtub dismemberment. Sometimes, folks need to look sweaty and grimy, or like they've just been pulled through the mud (or come down a chimney, but that's one for another day, I think). When you're on a set, you don't always get to be glamorous.
Now, as I've said a million times before, I'm not a pro. I've just worked with pros and paid attention. These artists, however, are pros, and do some of the best work in television. Here's a fantastic interview with the hair and makeup team from The Walking Dead. Enjoy! (Click the "These artists" link for the interview. Whoops!)
I have lost count at how many zombies I've filthied up. Sure, on The Night Shift they were all cute and cuddly, but they still had to look like they'd been underground. I've given people bruises and bloody lips (and only once or twice were they real), added gaping wounds to pretty girls, and made enough blood for a bathtub dismemberment. Sometimes, folks need to look sweaty and grimy, or like they've just been pulled through the mud (or come down a chimney, but that's one for another day, I think). When you're on a set, you don't always get to be glamorous.
Now, as I've said a million times before, I'm not a pro. I've just worked with pros and paid attention. These artists, however, are pros, and do some of the best work in television. Here's a fantastic interview with the hair and makeup team from The Walking Dead. Enjoy! (Click the "These artists" link for the interview. Whoops!)
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| Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting and all the AMC stuff written on the bottom of the picture. :) |
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Zombie Apocalypse...NOW!
I'm on a mission today. I need to find the easiest, least expensive zombie makeup imaginable. I'll probably just end up ordering some greasepaint to replace the green that I used up on The Night Shift, but a palette would be ideal. I don't want to have to keep mixing colors, if I don't have to. I just need a cheap, good palette with a decent number of applications. This isn't it:
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| Photo Credit: FX Faces |
Oh, but I want it so bad it hurts!! It's based on the palette that was custom-ordered for the original Dawn of the Dead, and it's perfect for my needs! ARGH!
Now, this is an alcohol-activated product, which can be tricky (and I have no idea how to use one, myself, for that matter. Not a pro, folks!). Another extraordinarily good option is the--unfortunately, crazy expensive--Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Case. If all else fails, some greasepaint and a little baby powder works wonders.
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| Photo Credit: Sephora |
Turns out, we may not need zombie makeup, since we might be at the very beginnings of the zombie apocalypse! Give this a read and tell me what you think in the comments. Me? I'm watching The Walking Dead for survival tips*.
*Not really. I just like the show. :)
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
In Case of Zombie Uprising...Oh, Just Shoot Me.
So...I would not fare well in a zombie apocalypse. Nope.
Let me just fill you in on my day, thus far. Last night, my darling, adorable, precious, angel of a puppy decided that sleep was for the weak and kept us up all night crying. Why was he crying, you ask? Was he sick? Was he in pain? Did he have to go to the bathroom? No, to all of those. He cried because after Thomas tucked him into his little memory foam bed in his specially-designed pup tent, and wrapped him in his very own fleece blankie, and put his most favoritest stuffed dinosaur next to him so they could cuddle, as they are wont to do...the blankie fell off. This made him slightly less comfortable than he had been, therefore, rather than burrow back down under the blankie, as he's done a million times, he decided to cry...and cry...and cry...until someone (Thomas) put the blankie back on him.
Then it fell off again. Lather, rinse, repeat. All. Night. Long.
I am sleepy.
My coffee pot, thankfully, decided to work this morning, so at least I was able to force a little caffeine down my throat while I got ready to head off to the doctor's office for my yearly checkup. I stumbled around, had difficulty standing, and basically felt and acted like I'd already turned into a "walker", but still managed to curl my hair, fix my face, and throw together a halfway decent outfit. Heck, my shoes matched each other, if not the rest of the ensemble. I takes my victories where I can gets 'em.
Anyhoo, I got the dog situated for the day, took care of the parakeet, and somehow managed to arrive at the doc's office early. Not just "on time", but actually a few minutes ahead of schedule. However, I picked a busy morning in the middle of flu season, so I didn't get to see the doc for quite a while. No matter. I didn't let it bother me in the least. I calmly contacted my office to let them know I'd be a little late, and when the doc (God bless her, she's slammed and still the sweetest lady ever) took my blood pressure, I was A-OK.
When I left the office, I decided to grab lunch at my favorite little deli (which is in my building), so I headed straight to work. I was cool. I was calm. I was collected. I was the walrus (coo-coo-kachoo)...
...then I nearly wrecked the car because I saw a spider crawl on the window. For about a mile and a half, I drove with both feet together for fear the evil spider might get me. Each time he popped out of his hiding place, I jumped, forcing both feet onto the pedal, and causing the wheel to jerk in whichever direction my body spasmed. It's a freaking miracle of Biblical proportions I didn't hit anyone. I ended up pulling over into a gas station and scouring the car for that little multi-legged so-and-so. I never did find him. He's still there, and I have to get home somehow. I'm hoping the heat from the inside of the car will fry him.
So, yeah. I can handle sleep deprivation, scheduling, stress, and all kinds of pressure, but the eensy-weensy spider scares the bejeesus out of me. In the event of a zombie uprising, do us all a favor and put me down. That is all.
Oh--no, it's not! Thomas found these, so for your viewing pleasure, here is a collection of some of the web's very best The Walking Dead memes. Please note: the language is on the salty side, so it may not be totally safe for work. They are pretty darn funny, though.
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| Seriously. |
Then it fell off again. Lather, rinse, repeat. All. Night. Long.
I am sleepy.
My coffee pot, thankfully, decided to work this morning, so at least I was able to force a little caffeine down my throat while I got ready to head off to the doctor's office for my yearly checkup. I stumbled around, had difficulty standing, and basically felt and acted like I'd already turned into a "walker", but still managed to curl my hair, fix my face, and throw together a halfway decent outfit. Heck, my shoes matched each other, if not the rest of the ensemble. I takes my victories where I can gets 'em.
Anyhoo, I got the dog situated for the day, took care of the parakeet, and somehow managed to arrive at the doc's office early. Not just "on time", but actually a few minutes ahead of schedule. However, I picked a busy morning in the middle of flu season, so I didn't get to see the doc for quite a while. No matter. I didn't let it bother me in the least. I calmly contacted my office to let them know I'd be a little late, and when the doc (God bless her, she's slammed and still the sweetest lady ever) took my blood pressure, I was A-OK.
When I left the office, I decided to grab lunch at my favorite little deli (which is in my building), so I headed straight to work. I was cool. I was calm. I was collected. I was the walrus (coo-coo-kachoo)...
...then I nearly wrecked the car because I saw a spider crawl on the window. For about a mile and a half, I drove with both feet together for fear the evil spider might get me. Each time he popped out of his hiding place, I jumped, forcing both feet onto the pedal, and causing the wheel to jerk in whichever direction my body spasmed. It's a freaking miracle of Biblical proportions I didn't hit anyone. I ended up pulling over into a gas station and scouring the car for that little multi-legged so-and-so. I never did find him. He's still there, and I have to get home somehow. I'm hoping the heat from the inside of the car will fry him.
So, yeah. I can handle sleep deprivation, scheduling, stress, and all kinds of pressure, but the eensy-weensy spider scares the bejeesus out of me. In the event of a zombie uprising, do us all a favor and put me down. That is all.
Oh--no, it's not! Thomas found these, so for your viewing pleasure, here is a collection of some of the web's very best The Walking Dead memes. Please note: the language is on the salty side, so it may not be totally safe for work. They are pretty darn funny, though.
Monday, October 17, 2011
This'll Teach Those Trick-Or-Treaters!
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| Photo Credit (All): Urban Collector |
Last night was the Season 2 premiere of one of my favorite shows, The Walking Dead. Forget the thrills and chills; I'm in this for the makeup. Seriously, I find myself picking my jaw up off the ground constantly during this show. Thomas laughs at me, because some...thing...will appear on screen, and I'm sitting on the couch, half covering my eyes, and half breathing, "Oh, my God, that's gorgeous!!" These creatures are works of art, and having applied simple prosthetics, myself (I'm, by no means, a pro), I tip my hat to the artists who put together these horrific zombies each episode.
This is a great show. If you haven't had a chance to watch it, I highly suggest renting the first season. TWD is not only visually stunning, but it's one of those shows that elevates the bar with its superb writing, top-notch acting, and brilliant pacing. Of course, it's from AMC, the home of Mad Men, so what do you expect? On top of that, new showrunner, Greg Nicotero, is a living legend in the special effects makeup field, which was a genius move, in my opinion.
This is a show that was tailor-made for the Halloween season. Anyone who's ever had trouble coming up with a decent costume need only watch a few minutes for more inspiration than they ever hoped. However, if you're looking for something a little more complex, grotesque, or just plain cool, check out these amazing Walking Dead masks and prosthetics, available at your local Halloween store. Prices vary, but these were in the $8-$12 range at Urban Collector.Now, I am not going to tell you these are easy to apply. I'd suggest getting a friend to help, and maybe practicing a time or two before the big night. Also, I don't know how much liquid latex and spirit gum (if any) comes with the mask, so pick up an extra bottle of each when you check out. Trust me, you'll go through the latex. Seriously, though, I've looked at a lot of prosthetics lately, and for the money and accessibility, you won't find anything anywhere near this amazing. Have fun scaring the children!
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