Not So Cli-Shéa: Happy Halloween!

Welp, it's officially Halloween. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. I say it every year but I swear this year has gone faster than all the others. I'm just getting used to the idea that it's 2011 and before we know it it's going to be Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then it'll be 2012 already!

I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, back to the point. It's Halloween! As promised I stopped by my parents house on my lunch break the other day and rummaged through some old photo albums. Now, my mom was never great at taking photos and especially not good at organizing and storing them properly so, I wasn't able to find everything, but here's what I came up with:

My brother (Superman), Me (a bunny), my mom, my grandma and her dog. Note the fact that my whiskers are smeared because my dad, that Halloween, bought a Yoda mask and scared me half to death and put me in tears. Boys never grow up do they...

This actually isn't even a Halloween photo and my brother would probably kill me if he knew I put this up, but when I found this I knew I HAD to share it. One of my FAVORITE things to do growing up was watch Richard Simmons videos, put on some sort of "leotard" and "work out". Yes, I'm not kidding. Haha. I'm assuming this is one of those times. Looking up to his older sister, my brother would join me, letting me dress him up (yes in my clothes). If I could find a way to put some of the home videos of us "working out" on here, I seriously have to do it. It is some of the funniest stuff you will ever see.

Stating the obvious, this was me as a bride one Halloween. Don't know why I have that angry look on my face but I DO remember that this was for a party at my school. We were ALWAYS late for school functions so I'm assuming that's why I'm mad. I was probably thinking something to the tune of "hurry up and just take the picture, we're already late". haha. Very typical of me.

Not sure exactly what I was in this one but I'm assuming a princess of some sort, my brothers smile in this one kills me.

I remember this being one of my favorite costumes. I was a "Southern Belle". I don't know if I convinced my brother to be a cowboy or if it was just coincidence but either way, our costumes definitely corresponded that year. Gosh, that "bonnet". Seriously? Haha. My friend Stefana says I still make this face which doesn't surprise me.

I have prided myself these last few years on not buying a store bought costume but rather, creating something of my own. I know that Halloween seems to have taken on this new life of "Who Can Wear The Least Clothing" but I've decided to take a different approach and rather, be something creative, or that makes people laugh.

A few years back (before the costume was sold in stores) I had a somewhat unhealthy obsession with Lady Gaga. It was before she was as mainstream as she is today. I decided I was going to be her for Halloween and I wasn't going to do it half assed. I Gaga'd myself from head to toe, from the blonde wig to the studded heals, to the mirrored glasses, to even drawing a peace sign on my wrist. I was pretty proud of it. (Yes, it WAS a bit skimpy but that's because the costume called for it, after all, I had to stay in character. And, even though I DID wear tights, I had to do a LOT of drinking before I ending up going out in public in that costume.)

That same year I was working at a bar and we had to dress up at work. There was no way I was going to wear that Lady Gaga costume to the bar. A) I didn't want to get inappropriate comments made to me all night long B) I really didn't want to work an 8 hour bar shift in those shoes and C) I actually liked the costume and didn't want it to get ruined. SO, I came up with this costume for work. Yep, you guessed it, a pregnant cheerleader. The funny thing about this costume is that this was actually my high school cheer uniform. I just bought a girdle and put some stuffing in at and drew on a belly button. You wouldn't BELIEVE how many people said to me "I thought you were actually pregnant" to which I laughed, but in my head I was saying "It's Halloween you idiot".

Last year, again, I was working at the bar and was looking more for something comfortable and yet clever. So I came up with this "Mail Order Bride" costume. People loved it and it cost like NOTHING to make.

And then comes the icing on the Halloween cake. The most epic costume yet. My best friend and I are pretty much obsessed with a certain show on TLC called "Toddlers & Tiaras". We watch it religiously and I decided awhile back that this is what I wanted to be this year for Halloween. This month as been so busy so the costume didn't end up AS polished as I had hoped, but it was still pretty amazing. Anyone who watches the show knows how dead on this is. It's hilarious, cupcake hands, awkward smile and all. (A special thanks to Miss Kristy for the PERFECT tiara)