Halloween Costumes the MacGyver Way!

Let's face it, for some of us, putting the costume together is half the fun of Halloween. Sure, store-bought costumes are convenient, but--at least for this girl who grew up in homemade outfits--they kind of feel like cheating. Today, I thought I'd throw out some fairly cheap and easy (no, not like that!) suggestions for DIY costumes. If you have any you'd like to share, I've got a comments section for just that reason. One more thing: while I have some stores linked, most of the recommended clothing bits could easily come from a thrift store. Happy Haunting!

 

Most Popular:

Kate Middleton

 

You'll Need:

Nice Dress--blue, if you've got one

Tiara or Fascinator--I found a beautiful one at Target for at eight bucks (can't find link, but here's a photo), but here's an easy tutorial for the DIY-inclined.

Long Brown Wig (unless you have long brown hair)

Engagement Ring--this one's not exact, but it's close and it's cheap

 

Here's your chance to be a princess, minus the discomfort of an old thrift store prom dress! Not a Kate look-alike? No problem! Either don a wig, or carry around an envelope with a fancy seal and go as a wedding guest.

 

For the Couple:

Food Network Challenge

 

You'll Need:

Chef's Uniform--here's a discount place with phenomenal pricing. You can find tops and bottoms in the ten dollar range. If you want, try printing the FNC logo onto iron-on paper and embellishing your uniform.

Flair--bandannas, leis, crazy hair accessories, funky makeup, etc. Whatever you want! I saw a couple of ladies wearing tutus on one baking challenge. Kid you not.

A Partner with a good sense of humor

 

This is a fun, silly take on the couple's costume. For a little something extra, dust yourselves with baby powder "flour" and makeup "icing".

 

For the Procrastinator:

Muppet Performer

 

You'll Need:

Muppet handpuppet, or just carry around an old Tickle Me Elmo.

Normal clothes, or go all out and wear a black tee with jeans. Yeah, this one's really complicated...

 

You totally forgot you had a party tonight, or your kids are insistent that you not dress up as a parent for the third year in a row.

 

For Laughs:

Flo, the Progressive Lady

 

You'll Need:

White Polo and Slacks or Scrub Pants

White Apron--online shops start around $2, but shipping's crazy. Check a local restaurant supply store.

Iron-On Paper (for the Progressive logo)

Converse (or knock-off) Shoes

Name Tag--try these from Staples. The color is close, and they run about four bucks.

Blue Head Band

Black Eyeliner and Red Lipstick

Short Brown Wig (or your own hair)

 

This one requires a little preparation, but shouldn't be too expensive or time-consuming. Honestly, back-combing the bouffant should be the most effort involved. Also, this may be the most comfortable costume of the bunch.

 

The Classic:

The Walking Dead

 

You'll Need:

Ripped Thrift Store Clothes

Fake Blood (homemade or store-bought)

Makeup and/or Prosthetics from the local Halloween shop

Props

 

This one can be as simple or as complicated as you want. My advice: decide what your zombie did in life to get your base costume (Doctor? Lawyer? Clown?), then figure out how they *ahem* became a zombie. That'll tell you what kind of costume destruction (rips, tears, missing pieces, etc.) and how much makeup you'll need. After that, you just have to practice shambling and calling for braaaaaiiiinsss!!!!!

The Next Cake I Make Will Be Full of Rum, Thank You.

It's that time of year again! Today marks the deadline of Threadcakes '11! For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, Threadcakes is an online cake decorating competition; think: Food Network Challenge, but from the comfort of your own home, and without Kerry Vincent's precious, yet fear-inducing accent. What really makes this a fun and challenging contest, though, is the fact that each cake must be based (however loosely) on a Threadless t-shirt design of the baker's choice. Pictures are uploaded, and a panel of celebrity judges picks the winner.

I just got my pictures uploaded. The contest ends at midnight. My heart should start beating again in a few minutes.

Honestly, though, I have no delusions of ever winning this thing. In fact, Thomas and I have started referring to it as "that cake contest we lose every year". I don't say this for sympathy. I say this because I am truly in awe of some of the spectacular creations that are churned out each year. Plus, I'm only a recreational decorator. I use this contest as a learning experience. Case in point, the first year we did this, we learned to cover a cake with fondant, make gum paste figures, and pour sugar glass. Last year, we added in modeling chocolate and ganache, and this year we learned about rice krispy treat sculpting, and that we should avoid like the plague ever doing it again. (And yet, we totally will on the next cake. Probably even if we don't need to. They're yummy.)

So, in honor of all the hard working decorators who entered this year, I give you a sampling of some of my personal favorites, not already featured on other sites (that I knew of). Now, if only I could taste them...

Mr. Salad

That's not lettuce. That's actually modeling chocolate, and I am in awe. I cannot even begin to imagine how long that took the decorator.

Sushi

That is fondant made from rice, garlic-pressed into looking like rice. Easily, the cutest sushi ever.

And the Winner Is...

...Red Riding Hood. Never mess with a tiny woman. I could have told those pigs and wolf that much.

Rose Marry

How gorgeous is that painting?! And the 3D roses! It's flawless, I say. Flaw. Less.

Let's Plant

And this is mine. Well...at least we had fun. That's what matters. I do think my little dino is cute, though. And it all tasted good. And my cellphone takes lousy pictures. 

The gallery is up, and you can like, tweet, +1, and comment on all of your favorites, so show some cake decorating love!