Costumes for the School Play, 2011

Reagan Elementary "We Are Monsters" cast with writer Denver Casado.

Each year for the past three years, I have been lucky enough to be the costume manager for glam girl Imara’s school musical productions. Some people think I am crazy (50+ costumes, 2 ½ weeks) but I LOVE IT! My only complaint is that I wish I had more time! I always have ideas and sketches of what I want to do, but 2 ½ weeks is a short amount of time, and especially so when I work a 40+ hour week… . Needless to say, my ideas get cut short, but the outcome always seems to work. When the students love it, that is what matters. Those kids don’t have a filter and the truth always comes out, so when they are happy, I am happy!

This year they performed in the California debut of “We Are Monsters”, directed by Pete Van Der Paardt, and written in part by an alumnus of our school district, Denver Casado. He actually had two musicals debut this fall and both were just wonderful!

The premise of “We Are Monsters” is as follows:

Two gargoyles are emceeing the annual Monster Cabaret, where the monsters are free to just be themselves and perform to their heart’s content, without fear or judgment from humans. Four humans, however, sneak into the monster world to uncover the hidden lair of monsters and reveal it to the world! The human dress in poor disguises (which is hilarious) and the comedy ensues! The monster world is filled with werewolves, vampires, gargoyles, and one slime monster. Not to give too much away, in case you have the pleasure of seeing it, it ends happily, and is filled with a ton of comedy (that gains real laughter from adults) amazing music and songs. If you have the chance to see it or have the chance to produce it at your school, I highly recommend it!

Well, here is a quick glimpse of some of the costumes from the show – most of these are after the performance, so makeup is a bit messy, but you will get the idea.  I cannot wait for next year’s show!

Halloween Costumes!

I wanted to share with you our family's Halloween getup this year, including our beautiful dog Lexie who celebrated her first Halloween with us this year!!

Kaden was Darth Vader, Imara was a baby, and Lexie was... a banana! With all the time devoted to making the school play costumes, I decided to forgo making Lexie's costume even though I really wanted to make her first costume for her. Oh well, thanks to Old Navy she looked cute!

Hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!!

Sleepover Crafting for Halloween!

Last weekend, our GLAM GIRL Imara had a sleepover with one of her best friends. They had a blast! During their girl time, I caught them decorating bags they intended to use for trick-or-treating on Halloween. Here are some pictures of them getting crafty with a ton of Tulip products!! And with skeletons and glitter in the mix, you know Crafty Chica was there (not the Crafty Chica herself, but a couple of her tote bag designs!)

Aubrey coloring her Crafty Chica tote with Tulip Fabric Markers. She is definitely off to a good start!

Our GLAM GIRL Imara brushing on some Tulip 3D Glow paint to make those eyes glow in the dark!!

Of course with close parental supervision, here she is using the Tulip Heat Setting tool with Glam-It-Up crystals.

A sampling of products used

Here are Imara and Aubrey showing off the brands like professionals!

Tah-dah!! Ghoolish, glittery, glamtastic trick-or-treat bags! 

Halloween Costume Ideas...for our dog Lexie

We are currently in search of the perfect Halloween costume for our dog, Lexie. Does anyone have a great dog costume they can tell us about?

Photo taken by Imara

Lexie joined our family last December, so this will be our first complete holiday season with her. Kicking off the season will be a night of trick-or-treating!! So, it goes without saying that she needs a costume of her own! I have never been one for dressing up animals, but I have to say, this dog has converted me to a pampering pooch kind of mom! It started with her sitting perfectly still during her daily brushing. Then, acting like an angel as the groomer would make bandanas and bows for her. When Lexie walked around with her lovely banadana, looking all modelesque and gaining "ohh's and ahh's" from everyone who saw her, I was completely converted.
Now to figuring out her Halloween costume... she looks really good in PINK, so maybe a princess or ballerina? Or something a little more comedic, like a skunk or hot dog?

Take a look at our Lexie and send us your thoughts. We will update you as we get a little closer to Halloween and select her costume!