Do you dress up for Halloween? Once I started, I couldn't stop! I usually go trick-or-treating with the kids but whether you're walking your kiddos around the neighborhood or handing out candy at your door, it feels so much more festive if you're in costume. This year I'm not going all out but decided to add leggings and a costume accessory kit to the softest most comfy sweatshirt I'd purchased from Walmart...times 3! It's really the best type of costume because it's cute, cozy, and you can wear it again (without the antlers). Whenever I've created semi-DIY costumes, I've always shopped Walmart fashion for basics and accessories. Keep reading to see the 3 fun costumes I created with the $11 sweatshirt you absolutely need in your life plus butter-y leggings you won't want to take off- all from Walmart.

The "Base:"

For each costume, I started with a cozy sweatshirt and leggings. It's so soft, a great length (I'm tall so it will be longer on most of you), and comes in 4 great colors. I've worn it nonstop since I got it a couple of weeks ago. At just $11.98, I can't believe it's not sold out yet (but it's selling out in some sizes so grab it while you can)! The leggings come in a bunch of colors and the price can't be beat. They're comfortable, soft, and slimming and honestly rival a brand's we all know and love (rhymes with shmulu shlemon. haha). SIZING NOTE: I sized up in the sweatshirt. I always size up in leggings and did the same here, so I'd say order whatever size you normally wear when it comes to leggings.

Costume 1: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I loved (LOVE) 80s fashion. This easy DIY 80's girl costume is so fun. The accessory kit is adorable and an easy way to 'dress up,' without a lot of hassle. I also added leg warmers, and bright makeup for a rad costume. 

Listen, I know it feels like Christmas is upon us but let me give you permission to take a deep breath and observe Halloween and Thanksgiving first. (I'm also taking that breath haha). This year we leaned into Halloween by saying YES to hosting a Halloween/fall party for my 13-year-old and a few of her friends. Walmart made it easy to decorate our home and keep hosting budge-friendly, fun, and stress-free. Here are my tips for easy Halloween hosting on a budget! PS- even if you're not having a formal party, simply providing snacks and adding a few spooky candles before trick or treating (or any time in October really) levels up the holiday! Here are those tips:

Ever since I DIY’d this art ledge I’ve been looking forward to swapping out the art for seasonal prints. Halloween is the perfect time to change it up and surprise my kids who are always begging for more Halloween decor! When Command Brand approached me to share their Command Adjustable Clips and Hooks, I knew this product would be perfect for what I had in mind. This inexpensive and quick Halloween decor makes a big impact. If you don't have an art ledge, a gallery wall would be fun too. You could even hang framed prints with Command Picture Hanging Strips! Here's what you need:

 

Holidays that encourage us to open our homes to one another are my kind of holidays. Halloween is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to your neighbors or get to know them a bit better. If we're being honest, sometimes we just need an excuse! One way to ‘treat’ your neighbors this fall is with a neighborly boo basket! If you’re not familiar, a boo basket is a fun Halloween tradition where you secretly leave a basket full of goodies on your neighbor’s porch. Then they pay it forward. Intrigued? Good! I’ve spelled out everything you need to put one together! Here's how to make a fun Boo Basket...

I was at a meeting at church recently and Halloween came up. We were discussing how to reach our neighbors and one of the attendees mentioned that I could bless, rather than boo my neighbors. You guys know what I'm talking about right- when you leave treats on your neighbors doorstep and a sign that say's "You've been boo'd!"? I always thought that seemed fun but have a complicated relationship with Halloween (more on that later) so never thought to participate. I thought maybe my church friend had seen a"you've been blessed" tag somewhere but alas, I couldn't find one. I decided to throw one together and naturally decided to share it here!

Last  year I hosted a Valentine's Day play date party and it made me realize 2 things: 1. When you take the pressure off of an event by having it during the day, it becomes so much easier to keep things simple.  and 2. Freeing up weekends by hosting some celebrations during the week is simply awesome.  Obviously not everyone can do this- if you are a full time working mama, a play date party probably isn't feasible.  But you can still use these tips for your weekend hosting gigs.

Six months ago I pinned this.  Six months prior to that, I decided Genevieve would be a peacock this year after my mom scored an adorable teal shimmery tutu at Wal-Mart for 75% off.  So I revisited the tutorial I pinned a week ago and made my own version of the costume.  Here it is:


I followed the instructions for the peacock "feathers" to a T.  I sort of free handed the shapes onto the felt.  I attached them to blue ribbon with pins and tied the ribbon to the tutu.  I like that it's not permanent because she loves this tutu and after tomorrow I can take the feathers off and she can wear it for dress up, which tends to happen on Sundays during Patriots games.  Don't ask me why.

quick tulle cutting technique.

Speaking of the tutu, I wanted something more frilly than the one Shauna over on Shwin & Shwin made.  Believe it or not I've never made one of the no-sew tutus.  I know--check my pulse. Am I alive?!  So I checked out the tutorial Shauna referenced here.  I loved the illustration of how to tie the knots in that post but wanted something a bit more detailed so I did a quick search and landed on this tutorial by Treasures for Tots. I like how full hers are and her quick tulle cutting technique.  I actually used that technique a couple of years ago for the tulle poms I made for Genevieve's birthday, but I probably wouldn't have thought to do the same thing for the tutu. Anyway, I followed her instructions using a full spool of brown tulle (25 yards) and half a spool (about 3 yards each) of glitter cobalt blue, gold, and teal.  The spools of tulle were 50% off at Hobby Lobby, which was awesome. How many times have you reasoned that making something yourself would be cheaper than buying it only to spend more on materials and supplies than a store bought item would have cost?!  anyone?  I also made Genevieve's tutu about an inch longer than the one she was making for the tutorial.



For my first tutu, I'd say it came out pretty great!  I love it and so does Genevieve.  Here are a few more photos:






Sources:
In case you're wondering, the T-shirt came from Wal-Mart. I added a leftover strip of cobalt blue tulle to the front of it.  The wings are from Dollar General (which became obvious by the way they wouldn't stay upright!), the felt was from Micheal's and Hobby Lobby (cheaper at H.L.), and the peacock feathers were from Hobby Lobby.  I've had the feather-y headband forever.

I've been meaning to post about Genevieve's birthday for a while.  I was excited to plan a cute but simple fete and even more excited to actually get good photos of it (so hard to stop and take pictures or be organized enough to have time to do it beforehand).  I was going back and forth regarding a theme but once I saw this post on the HWTM blog, I was hooked.  It was perfect for Genevieve.  At the time she was obsessed with pumpkins and I liked that it highlighted the fall season vs. me wistfully wishing she was born in June so that I could plan an outdoor summer party.  You gotta work with what you got people!  Also, due to our home remodel (which maybe I'll post about one day?), we really don't have much space to entertain so I planned to host it at my in-laws.'  My MIL's house is a fall harvest extravaganza with every fall color, foliage, and decoration you can imagine.  Perfect.
I really wanted to keep the party simple (KISS principle anyone?) after the craziness of her party last year.  The temptation when you are copying inspired by an idea is to copy it exactly.  However, let's get real- most of these parties are planned by professional party planners for people who, how shall I say it without sounding tacky- um, have freakin boatloads of cash. :)  I am not and do not.  Besides you want to be able to come up with something to call your own.  Doesn't matter if a party is gorgeous if it doesn't reflect you and  your child.  Ok it might matter a little...but only a tiny bit. ;) In that vein, I imitated a few of the elements I liked, then added a few details to make it my own.  So here are the photos along with descriptions and sources.

What better birthday cake for a fall party than a four layer luscious pumpkin cake?  I made this years ago for Thanksgiving and have always wanted to make it again. 
Favor table.  I took the HWTM idea of giving out the lil pumpkins but put them in a cute ball jar wrapped with ribbon and rope twine.
I love the idea of framing the invitation for party decor.
 
 

Hope you enjoyed the details of this party.  Now it's your turn--have you planned a party using a seasonal theme?   Or perhaps you've been inspired by a party and happy with the result of how your application of it turned out?  Do tell...

I was mad that Genevieve just missed out on Halloween last year (The bun in the oven needed a bit more time to bake!).  I kept saying to Joe, I want to put her in one of those little bunting costumes (the pea in the pod is my favorite)!  Joe in his calm way told me to just wait, that I'd have plenty of Halloweens to dress her up for.  And since I really didn't have a choice, I agreed. Now that she's too big for the bunting variety I had to find a new favorite.  But looking at adorable little kids in the cutest costumes ever was hardly a chore!  Here are some of my favorite affordable options!  And don't worry mommies of little boys, I included some cute boy options for you too...