Bad Halloween costume contest

Remember those really really terrible plastic and highly flammable costumes we had as kids? The kind that was a plastic smock with a plastic mask you couldn't see out of!? Send a photo of your super bad costume and win a cool Halloween costume! (if you are picked of course) Go to Big Shiny Robot for more info.



Email your pictured to Contest@bigshinyrobot.com. Make HALLOWEEN COSTUME the subject line. The contest ends Monday September 12th, 2011.

PirateCon NYC Sept. 17 2011

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES! As the blustery winds if Hurricane Irene threaten the East coast and kick up the surf I'm reminded of a certain group of pillaging villains that relish in this inclement weather. PIRATES! ARGH! AHOY! AVAST and all that!
If you would like to indulge your bad boy/girl pirate side in a little fun I recommend and upcoming NYC event.

PIRATECON 2011
Saturday September 17 from 11:30am - 10:00pm
Drink some rum or pirate booty brew of your choice and join for fellow scallywags for a fun pub crawl in Manhattan dressed as Cap'n Hook, Smee, or a Pirate Wench.

Here are a few links with photos from last years event. They can be found at MetroMix and Village Voice.
Pirate costumes can be pretty easy. Party City always has eye patches and pirate hats on hand. Besides that guys, just put on some worn cargo shorts and a striped shirt and don't shave. Ladys, put on all your jewelry at once and get a Jolly Roger bandana. Not sure why pirates love red and white stripes, but they do. Bonus points if you can get your drunk ass parrot to stay on your shoulder the whole time.

Check out their Facebook event page for some good information.

ARGH! Follow on me twitter @kostumegirl.

Note: This is not a Kostume Kult event.

Lydia Deetz cosplay

While reading through the people I follow on Twitter (@kostumegirl) today I came across a tweet from @cosplayamerica Comic Alliance "Best Cosplay Ever (This Week) - 08.22.11" There are undoubtedly some talented costume artists featured here but I stopped an marveled at the Lydia Deetz photograph. WOW. Now this is attention to detail! Not only is Beetlejuice one of my favorite movie ever but I LOVE Lydia Deetz. People used to always say I looked like her in high school. Couldn't we all relate to the quote, "Charles: As soon as we get settled, we'll build you a dark room in the basement, okay? Lydia: My whole life is a dark room. One big dark room."? Teen angst at its finest. This costume makes me want to go home and sew!
This costume was done by a Cosplayer named Ryoko-demon.

So You Think You Can Dance costumes

I'm not ashamed to say I am a HUGE fan of So You Think You Can Dance. Great routines, amazing choreographers, unparalleled dancers, knowledgeable judges, quirky cute host Cat Deeley... There is a lot to love. I often find myself clapping for the performances alone in my bedroom (nerd alert). Of course they have the reality competition dorky rehearsal footage segments where it looks like the dance will never come together but for the most part it's all about the dances. The 7/28/11 episode in which Lady Gaga performs and 2 of 8 dancers are eliminated had a circus themed opening routine. The routine was choreographed by Tyce Diorio and featured music from the movie Water for Elephants. The routine itself did not blow me away, it was the costumes are what really caught my eye. The only photo I found doesn't really do them justice. I love the different take on circus with a little vaudeville and just a touch but not too much Cirque du Soleil. Tadd is wearing a crazy cool one piece zebra jumpsuit. which reminds me of my Sexy Unicorn leotard from Horned Ball. Couldn't find a good photo of it, but there are a lot of good shots of it during the dance. Jess is a great choice as the ringmaster and his coat is so cool. One of these days I will get around to making myself a ringmaster coat with tails! Also worth watching is the performance by The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. Their aerial tricks are out of control. Lady Gaga performs as well. How much entertainment can they pack into one episode?! Go to Hulu and watch the episode and be entertained.

August 20th: Enchantment Under the Sea Dance

From Shien Lee Creative Group and Dances of Vice:
The Enchantment Under the Sea Dance will bring you back to a decade just discovering rock and roll where you could dance the night away with your sweetheart under a tissue paper octopus.
Inspired by the dance scene in Back to the Future, this nautical-themed ball includes live music by Matthew Piazzi & the Debonairs, as well as cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

* VIP Tickets (8PM Doors): $35 Advance Tix Only [Order Here]
Includes a Jive Dance Lesson by Seiji Sato & Katie Bickert of Rebel Night NYC, Gourmet Hors d’oeuvres by Pasha Events (See Menu Below) and Punch Cocktail Hour from 8-9PM. Only 50 Available.

* General Admission (9PM Doors): $20 In Advance / $25 Day of Show [Order Here] - All tickets are Will Call Only.

Hors d’oeuvres and punch cocktails served between 8-9PM for VIP Guests only.

Morningside Castle
100 Claremont Ave, NYC (Btwn W120th & 122nd St)
4 Minute Walk from the 1 Train at 116th Columbia University

Dress Code: Formal evening attire requested. No casual attire.

Upcoming Zombie Event! Vancouver Zombie Walk 2011

Vancouver: a Canadian gem with mountains, beautiful waterways, hockey and *record scratch noise* ZOMBIES?!??!


Coming up on Saturday, August 20th you too can take in all there is to see in Vancouver while staggering blank eyed propelled only by your insatiable hunger for brains at the Vancouver Zombie Walk. Meet up with your hoard at 4 PM at the Vancouver Art Gallery downtown. At 4:30 start on the route which will loop around the Vancouver Art Gallery, then turn down Robson, continuing to Denman, turning left on Denman and continuing on towards the beach, then taking a right at Davie, ending in the beach park along the seawall. At that point feel free to socialize with your fellow undead. Perhaps share new tips on how to decay slower or the best way to corner the unsuspecting living.
As with many zombie walks try to refrain from bleeding on anyone else property public or private and don't intentionally scare children and the elderly thats just a dick zombie move.

Check out more details and fun photos/videos at the official site. If you need some hints on what to wear check out my How to be a Sexy Zombie post. The great thing about zombies is they could have been ANYTHING before they were infected with The Rage Virus. Do you have last years Sexy Nurse costume collecting dust in the closet? Throw some blood on it and BAM Sexy ZOMBIE Nurse!
So get out there and creep out the living Zombies! Don't forget what vegan zombies eat..... GRAAAAAAAINS!

Group Costume Ideas for Halloween, Races, Burning Man, etc!

Group costumes get you lots of attention, are tons of fun and WIN costume contests. So gather up your buddies and use some of my group costume ideas to be the best dressed at your costume party, race or event!

Box Of Crayons This idea was brought to my attention by my good friend Anthony who did it a few years back. It was definitely a crowd pleaser. The best part of this group costume is how easy it is and the color options will never end. Take your primary colors (Red, blue, yellow), add a few complimentary colors (green, purple, pink) and don't forget the shades (white, black, grey). Assign each friend a color and send them to their closets or a thrift store to find an outfit completely in that color. I know for a fact Walmart and Michael's craft stores have solid bright colored inexpensive t-shirts. You could even take a shirt with graphics on it and turn it inside out. After you find matching shirts and pants then make pointy hats for everyone. Using craft foam from Michaels you could easily make hats or even buy those mini road cones and then spray paint them. Like I said this group costume has unlimited options for colors so if you want to go for the Crayola 64 pack, go for it!


80's Prom So easy for a group of guys and gals to head on over to the local Goodwill to find outdated formal attire or perhaps you still have some in the deep recesses of your very own closet. Think of all those unloved poofy sleeved bridesmaid dresses that need you to give them a second life! Then stop at the drug store for a can of Aquanet and a crimper. Add corsages and buteneers and Ta-Da! You are ready to dance to Flock of Seagulls and Depeche Mode all night. Don't forget to slow dance awkwardly at any party you go to. Request that they play a Richard Marx to really set the mood. Pose for ever picture in a prom photo type way.


Rockettes


Your and your friends are hot. Is a fact. You want to show off your long sexy legs in a way that will get you majorly noticed. I present to you the New York City Radio City Music Hall Rockettes!! Every girl I know who saw the Christmas Spectacular came home obsessed with forming a kick line. I believe Leg Venue sells a Santa Baby costume that will do quite nicely or you could go for the outfit from the Toy Soldier number. Remember to do your hair up the same and wear the exact same shade of lipstick. Perhaps there is a male friend of yours who would like to be Santa. Practice your kick line cause it's going to bring the house down!!

Deluxe Toy Soldier Costume

Jazzercise Class
Remember the exercise craze that totally took over in the 80s? Well you may not be old enough but this will be a fun one. Must haves: leg warmers or scrunch socks, head bands, big hair, leotards, spandex shorts, lots of eye makeup. If it is in the budget go to American Apparel. Their spandex section is out of control. See if you can find some pink 1 lbs weights or a Thigh Master. Designate the class leader and start warming up at the party. Bonus points if you can find a pair of L.A. Gears to wear. For inspiration watch the video for Eric Prydz's song Call on Me or the SNL digital short Body Fuzion.


Mormons Guys, I haven't forgotten about you! The hottest play on Broadway these days is The Book of Mormon. Such an easy group costume and funny cause they usually do travel in packs. Get a white dress shirt, tie, dorky backpack, name tag (Brother James, Brother Thaddius) and don't forget your trusty Book of Mormon.

I hope these ideas give you inspiration to do a group costume this year. Send me some picture with your results!

Powered By Vistaprint

Cheshire Cat make up tutorial

Need some fun makeup tips so you can WOW at your next costume event? I am here to serve. Below you will find my first attempt at a makeup tutorial for Cheshire Cat face paint. Go easy on me if its not that great. I will practice others in the future.

Things you will need:
•Face Paint (I use Mehron creme face paint that comes in 1 oz tubes)
•Detail Paint Brush (I am using a Round #2 brush) if you don't have a brush you can always use Cotton Swabs (I suggest Essence Of Beauty Multi-Purpose Cotton Cosmetic Applicators available at CVS)

Things you may wish to add:
GLITTER!
Fake Eyelashes

Most everyone's mad here. -Cheshire Cat (Disney 1951)

Prepare your face! Wash, dry, moisturize, SPF, maybe a touch of concealer for blemishes *Gasp*

Start with the smile. Grab a plate to use as a palette, squeeze a small blob of the white face paint on to it. To make sure the iconic oversized smile of the Cheshire Cat is even, draw a dot at the highest point on your cheek you wish the smile to go to. Make sure those dots are even. Using your detail brush, paint a line that connects from the top of your lips to that point. Then another line from the bottom of your lips to the same point. Fill in with white.After it dries a little get a nice brush full of black face paint. Very carefully outline the smile along the top and bottom edges. Then using your reference picture of the Cheshire Cat, draw the lines for the teeth in evenly.Paint your cat nose. Mix a pink white and a touch of red and paint the tip of your nose. Next with very little paint on the brush draw some white lines horizontally on the bridge of your nose too. Using smooth strokes draw lines up the bridge of your nose in between your eyebrows. Do the same with pink color.

Well, some go this way, and some go that way. But as for me, myself, personally, I prefer the short-cut. -Cheshire Cat (Disney 1951)
Its all in the details. I added a thin black line down the underside of my nose like cats have and even painted black on the edges of my nostrils to define them more.
Whiskers & Such I used a makeup sponge to add white under my nose like a muzzle. Go to the edge of your laugh lines. Then using black, touch the tip of the brush to your skin to make whisker dots. Then draw whiskers from the dots out as long as you line on your cheeks. *Use quick strokes and don't over think it.*Haste makes waste, so I rarely hurry. But if a ferret were about to dart up my dress, I'd run. -Cheshire Cat (Burton 2010)
GLITTER! Glitter adds pizzaz and fun to any costume. Careful though it can be stubborn. If you have a big meeting the next morning you could end up with a few stray bits of glitter falling out of your hair on to the conference table. Awkward. I added pink glitter to my nose and right in between my eyes. Loose glitter needs to be applied while the face paint is still wet or with vaseline or even clear lip gloss to make it stick. I applied the glitter while my face paint was still wet using an eyeshadow brush.
Now for the FUN. Personally I believe fake eyelashes are a must for any costume. For the Cheshire cat I picked a black pair with pink feather extensions from Pop lashes. Fittingly they are called the "Wonderland" lashes! Cool!I used these Wonderland lashes on top and a pair of cheap plain black ones for the bottom that can be found at any drug store. Watch in the video how I add a thin line of glue to the lashes then wait to apply them. They stick much better that way. Hold the corners down for a few seconds and try to be patient.

After you have successfully put on your lashes use black eye liner to make dramatic cat eyes! Don't be afraid to really go for it because after all "More is More"!
When you are happy with your face, tease up your hair, grab your ears and head to the Mad Hatters for a crazy ass tea party!
Don't forget your Mad Hatter Sidekick!





Powered By Vistaprint

Massive Mad Hatter Tea Party Photos 2011

MetroMix NYC posted some fun photos from the Tea Party at Tompkins Square Park on Sunday July 31st.
Click on Erin and I to see the others!



I'm also working on a tutorial of the Cheshire Cat makeup. Check back for it soon!!