Halloween Costumes on a Budget - Guys Edition

31 Days of Halloween - Day 1

So you spent all your money at Oktoberfest this year and now you have no more moola left for your Halloween costume.  No problem!  Kostume Girl is here with a few clever ideas that can get you to the party costumed and ready.

Guy Who Passed Out at the Party-
Supplies: plain white t-shirt, jeans, a Sharpie and a black eyeliner pencil, possibly a red Solo cup

Write all sorts of "hilarious" things your friends would write on you if you were the first person to pass out at a house party on the t-shirt with the black Sharpie. Then use the black eye liner NOT THE SHARPIE to continue drawing wieners, mustaches and "I heart Disco" on your face. You can use the red Solo cup to drink out of all night or attach it to a headband and wear it on your head as if you "hilarious" friends balanced it on your passed out head. Remember to buy eye makeup remover and a bag of cotton balls beforehand cause you're gonna need it!


Marathon Runner-
Supplies: Running apparel, old racing bib or printout, red paint

Nobody enjoys self torture more than marathon runners. I wish they would trade in the sneakers and upgrade to a whip and self flagellation . We're not going to judge!
Anyway, dress in normal running clothing, sacrifice the free shirt they gave you that one time you did a 5K and drip the red paint right at your nipples. Pin your number to your front and ta-da!

NYC Tourist-
MTA map, Bright colored shorts, camera with neck strap, backpack

It was my New Year's Resolution to be nicer to NYC tourists who are standing in gaggles with their shorts on blocking the sidewalk. So far I've been fairly successful. I don't want them leaving NYC thinking we are all cynical d-bags (We just have places to be!). Anyway this costume is easy peasy. Dress in bright colors and shorts that no native New Yorker would be caught dead in. Proudly display your camera around your neck and unfold that MTA map all the way! Make sure to ask everyone around for directions and "Where can I find a bathroom!!??!". If you have friends, dress as a tour group and one of you can hold that really tall flag and you all follow him around so you don't get lost.


To Catch a Predator Star-
Trashy t-shirt, sweatpants, six pack of Bartles & Jaymes

Sure this idea is in poor taste, but I also find it very funny. Put on your "Just the Tip" or Eaton Beavers t-shirt, make sure to cut the sleeves off and perhaps add some grass stains from when the police officers tackled you on the front lawn and covertly tuck your six pack of wine coolers under your arm. Perhaps you have a friend who could be Chris Hansen! Simply print out a transcript of your dirty chat session with an underage girl (that's bad, don't actually do that).


Just for fun, here's Adam Sandler's terrible cheap Halloween costume ideas on old school SNL Weekend Update.



Well I hope that helped. Get creative and go have a good time. Just remember Guys, don't be the first to pass out at the party and don't fall for a young looking girl with a plate of brownies just for you!

XOXO
-Kostume Girl

The 31 Days of Halloween

Kostume Girl's Closer presents: 

The 31 Days of Halloween!!

For the next 31 days I will be attempting to bring you a post a day until Halloween, so get friggin excited! Whether it is a tip, idea, site or deep thought (I'm full of them) the next 31 days until the Big Day will be jam packed with spooky goodness. Your welcome! 

For now, here's a picture of my cat Igby wishing you a Happy Autumn! 

"Happy Autumn or whatever.. I don't care." -Igby the Cat 

Follow me! 

Twitter: KostumeGirl

Instagram: Kostumegirlscloset

Burning Man 2013 - How was your trip?

Burning Man 2013 - How was your trip?

Here I am again back in the real world after my 3rd trip to the dry hot/cold dusty weirdo land that is Burning Man. Once again friends, family and coworkers are asking out of politeness or actual intrigue, "How was your trip?" or as my Uncle Tony put it, "How was Burning Tree?". Well..

I arrived at the Reno airport feeling like a seasoned vet as friends started pouring off their flights, met Kendrick and knew he was a kindred spirit right away, played Car Tetris getting more supplies than is safe packed into an SVU, gave Tempe his new name: Optimist Prime, saw 2 weirdos with a REAL OWL in their car during entrance traffic, they claimed it was the owl who played Hedgewick in Harry Potter (yeah right), helped introduced Kendrick the virgin to playa angels and the dust stroke, arrived at my Burning Man home at 3:15 & Esplanade and joined 170 or so of my closest friends at the best damn camp on playa, met my new friends from Tennessee, was enthusiastically greeted by Kostume Kulters who may or may not have been drinking, was completely in awe of the playa at night again, rode around on the Electric Bubble Bus with MC Christopher who makes each person feel like a VIP, went to church, came across an abandoned crashed UFO, thought to myself the Man is so short this year, was 100% entertained by Stefan Spins fire hula hooping skills and showmanship, was covered in SPF 50 each day by Baba the Love Sponge, walked out to opening day of our runway dripping in diamonds, talked and goofed and never got tired of MCing on our frontage, probably let the power of the microphone go to my head, gave away about 5,000 pairs of Mickey and Minnie ears (hot item on playa this year), used my megaphone for good and a little tiny bit of evil, did the triple pickle back pass with Geoff, twerked on the runway, introduced myself as Assmaster, got all sorts of strange looks, helped Kimmy put Kong's tutu on for TUTU Tuesday, visited the Crop Circle Cantina, had a very nice conversation with a handsome bearded gentlemen in a French Maid costume, we gifted him said costume earlier in the day at Kostume Kult, he said it changed his whole experience for the better (this is what we do), saw 2 muppets performing Lionel Richie's All Night Long, could not stop laughing, was blessed by a lady/man with the "Pineapple of Truth", laughed for hours again, dropped into Balls Deep (A dome full of yoga balls), danced in front of the Mayan God art cat, loved the Ichthyosaur Puppet Project, also loved both of the spinning and strobing animated sculptures, was very entertained by the Sheep art car's back entrance (which I initially thought was an Aardvark), was given a tour of the pinata art car's control room (Yes, there is candy inside), was gifted my pirate name "Queen Dancing Shark" but then changed it to the much better "Lady Tiger Shark", took another Pirate Night journey aboard the Nautilus X to deep sea adventures with sexy pirates and wenches, drank some mighty strong whiskey from Ian, fell in love with a soft fluffy white furry art car that matched my playa coat, started a Little Mermaid sing-a-long while laying with pirates in a piece of art, asked strangers to tell me something interesting about themselves, wore my very first pair of pasties, finally found Robot Heart, was NOT disappointed, participated to my hearts content, watched when I was overwhelmed, was attacked by vicious piranhas in Black Rock Lake (Don't go swimming there, its just not safe!), finally saw a fight in the Thunder Dome, was fairly intimidated/jealous by the chicks at Death Guild and their flame throwers, witnessed LOTS of fire at Charcade, figured out how to shove ear plugs far enough into my head so they are effective, slept quite well, enjoyed Miguel's "hot coals" dance moves, found new species of fungi art in the Flaming Lotus Girl's Tree sculpture, rode along side TOAD as he charmed the masses, got a sore butt from my little pixie bike, totally biffed it off of my bike while acting like a dork and weaving through the BELIEVE artwork, shook the dust out of my party cat onesie and got back on the wagon, climbed the Like Temple but then quickly climbed down as it was "too cheesy to spend a sunrise there", wore lots of onesies and questioned whether or not I am a plushy at heart, accidentally peed on my onesie and decided maybe I'm not plushy material, found a forrest of Truffula trees, was just thrilled with all the people willing to play along with my goofy ideas (that never happens in the real world), ran in circles like a kid, marveled at El Pulpo Mechanico again and again, watched Tempe run off into the dust "Gooodbyeeeeee!", met The Devil at a bar, made s'mores on wire coat hangers with the lost boys/girls of Kostume Kult, went to a sexy safari party at Club Bang Bang again where the sexiest beasts are found, saw the sun come up AGAIN, had my very first set of pasties removed by a friend...like a band-aid (yikes), watched those nutty marathoners run by our frontage, cat called hotties from our dance platform with Amanda, heard a really funny story about a group of crabby crabs, danced the Sexy Snake...Sexy Kangaroo...Sexy Gopher...Sexy Sloth!, watched the flames crawl up and over the Man during the most beautiful burn to date from the best seat in the house the Electric Bubble Bus, my eyeballs and brain melted from the sight of it all, felt the crowds energy level rise during the burn, was prepared for the dust storm after with my goggles and dust mask, enjoyed coming home to find friends to talk to in the common shade, lost my voice, once again did not make it to Bubbles and Bass, slept no more than 3-4 hours a night, said Good Morning each day to my neighbor Exactly, just wished I had more time, packed my things including about 20 extra lbs of new costumes, said goodbye to the early burning Temple from afar, sat in exodus dust storms and traffic that moving once and hour, drove back into the default world, had a very big breakfast at Peg's Glorified Eggs, washed the shit out of our rental car, took an amazing shower where I used 3 hotel mini bottles of shampoo, enjoyed the very little bit of time I had left with my west coast friends, got on the plane in Reno with LOTS of burners, got on the plane in Phoenix with very few burners, started dealing with the decompression back into reality and that about brings me to now.

Photo Credit: Jendra Jarnagin

I have to say my trip was less spiritual this year and more about the fun and silliness. It could be reflective of my default life and how I haven't felt deep spiritual connection in a while or just a particularly silly year. Either way it wouldn't trade it for anything. Now that I have a few burns under my belt, I can bring knowledge of the things that worked and didn't work to next years event. During exodus I was asked if I am planning to go again next year. I  always say "No, I'm going to Europe next year!", but who am I kidding? As a friend once said, "My name is Fortune Cookie. I'm from the future. This will not be my last burn.".

I took some pictures but for the most part I just tried to live in the moment. Besides my camera isn't good enough to really capture any of the amazing sights you will find at Burning Man. I'm grateful for the talented folks who do take great photographs and video. My friend Stefan made this amazing video this year that really captures Burning Man's romantic side.
Please enjoy...

NYC Burning Man Decompression Party is Sept. 20th 2013 Kostume Kult presents Reentry Mythic Return

Societal pressure of wearing pants got you down? Not enough dust in your food? Can't sleep without the sounds of 6 muffled bass tracks playing simultaneously? You could be suffering from PBSD. 
Post Burn Stress Disorder. 
Don't worry there is help. We can commiserate how un-sparkly the default world seems together. Don't worry it gets better.

Come to Kostume Kult's Decompression Party on Saturday Sept. 20th 2013!
We know what you are going through. We know you want to roll your eyes at your coworker when they say "I just couldn't live without a shower for a week", while asking how your trip to "Fire Running Man" was. We know you need to be around people in NYC who make eye contact and won't punch you if you try to hug them. 

With that said, here are the detail you need to know.

Kostume Kult presents
REENTRY 2013
~Mythic Return~
Friday, September 20th
9pm - 5am

In many cultures there is the belief of the Return of some divine being --- be it Osiris, Apollo, Jesus, Alien Astronauts, the Mayan Quetzalcoatl, "Bob" (Church of the Subgenius) and, from Burning Man's 2013 Cargo Cult theme -- the most generous and all-knowing John Frum...

And thus, we return bringing a messianic aura, bountiful gifts, glowy gadgetry and fine dusty fashions to bestow our burning goodness on the huddled masses of New York City.... The Second Coming is upon us! What are you going to wear ????


Lucky Chengs Cabaret
240 W 52nd St
(between Broadway & 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10019

TICKETS
Presale Tiers: $20 (sold out))/ $25
More at the door (if available)
Cheap Drinks All Night!

RSVP

DRESS
Multicultural Messiah, Ancient Eqyptian, Greco-Roman, Primitive Islander, Feathered Reptile, Flying Spaghetti Monster, Life of Brian and Burner Fabulous... A Time of Glorious Return, don't be caught with your pants down! (Unless your gods are into it...)

DJs on two floors:
$mall ¢hange (No Parking/WFMU)
Tim The Enchanter (Vitamin B)
Naveen G (Listed/VAS/Proton)
Orange Krush (Disorient, Kostume Kult)
WhiteOwlJaguar (DiscoFist)
Cindy Kim
Deep Woods (3Bridges/Heros & Villians)
More TBA soon

VIDEO
Vj Krunch
Stefan Spins

ART
Ridiculous Religious Iconography
Divine Visitation by the Flying Spaghetti Monster
"Again Again" - Mercury John's roving primitive enlightenment installation
Skydiving Photoboth

*** To propose Art, Performances or to Volunteer please email producer Irene at ikmalatesta(at)gmail(dot)com
(Mention Reentry in the subject line)
Body art by Kirkworx Dupuis and Michael Trotter

Mardi Gras Costumes & Jazz Funeral Dress

Kostume Kult will be camping near the Black Rock French Quarter this year, taking over the 3:00 sector and we could not be more thrilled about it. What a terrific pairing of costumes and revelry for Burning Man 2013!
With this cosmic collaboration comes a few fun events which will take place on playa.
Tuesday - Mardi Gras Celebration
Sunday - Jazz Funeral for the Man
In case you are clueless on how to dress for these events, below is a handy guide for what to wear for maximum debauchery.

Mardi Gras Costuming - 

Key Items: MASKS, JESTER HATS, CROWNS, PARASOLS, BEADS, PURPLE GREEN AND GOLD

A celebration of excess and debauchery that is the prelude to Lent. Parade, revelry and beads, beads beads!
As far as costuming going this is a no rules celebration of dress. Masquerade masks, jester hats, tutus, gold crowns, long gloves, fringe!

The color scheme is-
PURPLE (symbolic of justice),GREEN (symbolic of faith),GOLD (symbolic of power).




I recommend this Mardi Gras harlequin printed body suit. Bonus: Its on sale!

If you have Mardi Gras costumes to donate to Kostume Kult, Email KKostumes@gmail.com.


Jazz Funeral Dress -
Key items TOP HATS, SASHES, UMBRELLAS, BRASS BAND, FORMAL WEAR

A "funeral with music" is a procession from the church to the cemetery led by a band, family and friends of the deceased. The music on the way to the burial is somber with hymns and dirges, but after the final goodbye is said and they "cut the body loose" the tempo changes to more upbeat jazz music with cathartic dancing.

People following the procession after the band are called the "Second Line".  The Second Line opens their colorful decorated umbrellas and parasols, waves their handkerchiefs and breaks into a rousing dancing send off.










The musicians typically dress is dark pants, white shirts and dark ties with a cap. The Grand Marshal wears a tuxedo with sash and top hat. Other participants wear a boater or skimmer style hat.

Video of Jazz Funeral procession. 

So go grab the extra umbrella from your closet, go buy some fringe trim and JoAnne Fabrics and get to glue gunning it on the edge. A few stitches with a needle and tread couldn't hurt either in case the wind picks up. 

If you have any jazz funeral costumes to donate to Kostume Kult, Email KKostumes@gmail.com.

REMEMBER: FEATHERS, ALTHOUGH THEY WOULD BE PERFECT FOR MARDI GRAS ARE NOT WELCOME ON THE PLAYA. MOOP ALERT!!

See you on playa! 

Love,

Kostume Girl

The 31st Mermaid Day Parade will go on! June 22nd 2013!

I can't believe it already time for the Mermaid Day Parade 2013!

This years event will be extra special since Super Storm Sandy (That B*tch) threatened to put an end to the glittery spectacle that is our beloved Mermaid Day Parade. Coney Island took a beating in the storm, but as a New Yorker she's tough and fighting to bounce back better than ever.  Just last month, Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs reopened with a NEW clam bar! The New York Aquarium opened half of their facility with a NEW shark tank in the works for 2016. Of course it should be said there is a lot more work do be done but for now, lets just focus on the positives. The parade goes on!!! The parade was threatened by loss of funds due to the damage to the historical museum and performance space which generates the money needed to put on the parade. After all a parade which attracts about 750,000 requires a lot of work and a lot of $$$! To make a long story short, the mermaid started a Kickstarter fund (we can only assume from their waterproof laptops) and in a little less than a months time raised over $100k from over 2,468 backers to reach their goal and put the Mermaid Day Parade back on track!
Now that we know it is officially happening it is time to decide on what to wear! Fins! Scales! TENTACLES!... Oh my! I recommend a trip to House of Spandex on 38th Street between 7th & 8th Aves for inspiration. You are not going to believe your eyes when you step into this 2 floor heaven of wall to wall stretch fabric. They have spandex netting which is great since full on spandex might not be weather appropriate. As always with the Mermaid Parade, "Less is more". Don't worry about being underdressed because it is impossible. Of course if riding the subway to the parade I would suggest a shawl to cover with or just travel in a sea-friendly pack.
I'm toying with a Victorian ghost mermaid theme this year. Check out my inspiration photos!
Follow me @kostumegirlscloset for updates on the parade!

Figment NYC is June 8-9 2013

SUMMER!!

Who's excited to start the season of sidewalk cafe eating, rooftop drinking and music festivals!? The changing of the seasons gets New Yorkers pretty excited. We own closets (albeit tiny ones) FULL of summer clothing which only gets to see the sun for a few months a year before its back to coats that look like sleeping bags.

With summer comes some fun and often FREE events in NYC. Music of all varieties can be enjoyed from River to River (June 15 - July 14) to Summer Stage (all summer long) and Backyard Festival (July 13). For event details follow @R2RFestival and @SummerStage on Twitter.
 
One event to look for right away is Figment NYC. Taking place on Governor's Island June 8-9. This is great FREE event to attend. The official site describes Figment as "FIGMENT is an explosion of creative energy. It’s a free, annual celebration of participatory art and culture where everything is possible. For one weekend each summer, it transforms Governors Island into a large-scale collaborative artwork – and then it’s gone.".  I have also heard Figment being described as Burning Man East. I could see that but there are way more children at Figment and that, my friends is where Kostume Kult comes into the picture. We lug our tents and costumes onto the Ferry and set up shop to make some lucky kids' days. Stop by and see us cause we will be bringing the fun with Free costumes and face painting.

Quick side note: There are opportunities to volunteer at Figment. Volunteering especially at these type events really provides a richer experience over all. Its just a quick online form to get more information and join a group of cool people doing cooler things!!