Tutti Fruiti Halloween

Chica Chica Boom 

Did someone say "costume party"? With Goodwill and a glue gun, I can be anybody, and considering the Old Hollywood theme at Amy's shindig, there was one clear choice – Carmen Miranda!

I truly enjoy putting together a costume. For Carmen, I made the hat, necklaces, and bracelets. 

"What would I ever do with it?" That was the question in my mind when I bought this fabulous red skirt for $4 at Goodwill earlier this year. Little did I know it would be the base for one of my favorite costumes ever.

Mae West showed up

Detail of the clasp. Early 80s dance costume maybe?

Gotta have some bling.

The original Carmen

Carmen won 2 costume prizes and is now lovingly displayed on my mannequin.

The ensemble:

Gold lame turban: Amazon $12
Fruit: Amazon $12
Red shrug: Amazon $4
Vintage style cherry bathing suit: Amazon $16
Necklace: handmade with pom poms and wooden beads from Michael's Crafts $8
Earrings: handmade $3
Orange bracelet: Community Thrift $2
Red ring: free swag from a party earlier in the year
Pave diamond ring: gift from Bestie Joelle, $3 NESAP in Hampstead, Maryland
Beaded bracelets: handmade $6
Skirt: red vintage 80s from Goodwill $4
Platform shoes: Community Thrift $3

Scenes from Halloweens past:

Courtney Love in a $5 Goodwill dress

Black Widow, $2 worth of plastic spiders

Scarlett O'Hara, a la Carol Burnett

Won the Best Costume prize that year with $7 worth of curtains and an old bridesmaid's dress

Mrs. Peacock $0 using my mother's vintage glass beads and items I've owned for years.

Zelda Fitzgerald with a $20 consignment hat and $2 pearls. That dress is older than you.

Polo anyone?

The place to be, and be seen, The Victory Cup Polo Match.

My client sponsored the Victory Cup in Charleston this year as part of their brand re-launch. While 7-day work weeks, and 14-hour days were necessary to put this event together, it was immeasurable fun along the way. 

Celebrating a big win for my client. That handsome fella is my son, who showed up to cheer us on.

Hats and dresses are the order of the day, and these ladies showed up in true Southern style.

Styling a reception table with a vintage picnic basket and parts from a classic Land Rover..

This year's event was extended to two days and included hot air balloon rides.

When the winning team parties at your tent, it is impossible to resist a little clowning around.

Many vintage and repurposed items were used to decorate our tent including: a rolling tool box turned bar cart, my parents's patio furniture, and my boudoir chair.

A daytime hat was exchanged for a night appropriate fascinator. I needed something to distract from hat hair.

The ensemble:

Day hat: handmade fascinator by Suzanne Hardie $ don't ask (insanely expensive, but worth it)
Sleeveless ruffled blouse: Salvation Army $3
Bow back skirt: Amazon $12
Evening fascinator: Amazon $12