How to Make Your Own Halloween Costume - Poison Ivy Edition!

Missed me?

Cause I sure as hell missed you!

Ok, now let's get down to business.

Halloween-related business! OOOOOOOHHHHHH!

So I've been working on a concept for my couple's costume this year. Le boyfriend ACTUALLY AGREED TO THIS.  I don't think you guys can really comprehend how monumental this is for me. For the last 3 years that we've been together, Chris has NEVER wanted to do a couples costume with me... no matter how much I begged and pleaded. However, THIS YEAR he totally suggested it! I came up with the concept, and now we're super excited to execute it for the various Halloween parties/events we'll be attending post-midterm mayhem.

He's going to be The Riddler, and I'm going to be Poison Ivy!  WIN!

Okay, I'll stop with the CAPS... now.

Now Chris and I don't just buy costumes, we make our own. He might go a little bit crazier than me when it comes to complexity, but we both can brag about the fact that we've never had to buy a full costume in our lives (Thanks Mom). Sure, sometimes we do have to buy licensed props (like a lightsaber for my Lady Vader costume), but for the most part we do our best to use our existing closets as well as hand-made little details for our costumes.

Here are some Poison Ivy costume necessities, Shopaholic style (some more risque than others!):

Forever 21: Fit & Flare Cage Dress in Green

Spirit Halloween: Passion Red Adult Wig

American Apparel: Cotton Spandex Jersey Short Sleeve T-Shirt Leotard in Forest

Stag Shop: Gloves - Red

Spirit Halloween: Dominatrix Ponytail Red Adult Womens Wig

H&M: Jersey Dress in Green

Nasty Gal: Why Yes Platform in Red Suede

Michaels: Ashland Ivy Collection Mini Ivy Chain Garland

Liminalia: Ivy Faerie Crown Circlet Adjustable Gold Velvet Ribbons Headpiece

Party City: Adult Green Seamless Tights

Nasty Gal: Audrey Platform Wedge in Red Suede

Illamasqua: False Eye Lashes in Deep Green Black

Chanel: Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Pirate (My go-to Red lipstick!)

Remember, it's Halloween - so have fun!  Be fearless! Anything goes! Don't stress about accuracy or all of the finite details; as long as someone can figure out who you're dressed up as, you've done it right. Keep within your character/item/idea/concept's colour schemes. If your character has a very distinguished feature/item, do your best to incorporate it in some shape or form. If you can make the prop - amazing, if not, don't sweat it! Spirit Halloween, Party City, Etsy, and Ebay are great places to grab those little things that really tie the whole costume together. Just be mindful of any necessary shipping time - plan ahead or be resourceful to get those last-minute costumes constructed!

If this ain't enough couples costume inspo for ya, try out Alanna Okun's list of 30 Unconventional Two-Person Halloween Costumes over at Buzzfeed.

*Blows a Kiss*

Gotcha.

-Shopaholic

A Recipe for the Best Damn Kale Chips You've Ever Had

So I'm sure you've all noticed I've been M.I.A. as of recent... Blame it on the school, blame it on the unreliable-internet-connection... blame it on the blog-ogogogogggerrrrr.

I try.

Things I'm currently excited about:

-Monopoly is back at McDonald's
-Nine Inch Nails concert this Friday
-Hosting my own Nine Inch Nails Private Pre-Post-Party (At home) (Still awesome)
-I made/tried Kale chips for the first time ever (and succeeded/thoroughly enjoyed 'em)
-My 3 year anniversary is in 2 weeks
-I'm starting my own mini succulent sanctuary

Things I'm not excited about:
-Jays games are over, so no more paycheck (or baseball, which I was really starting to enjoy)
-I am pretty much broke now
-Midterms
-My Venus Fly Trap Died (R.I.P. Chomper)
-TekSavvy still hasn't fixed my modem, so my internet turns on and off every two minutes
-Having to catch up with online coursework when my internet turns on and off every two minutes

Now for what you really came for...

Awesome Kale Chip Recipe

Ingredients:

• A bunch (bushel?) of curly, luscious, gorgeously green Kale
• Canola Oil or Olive Oil (Best used in spraying/misting form, like Pam)
• Salt
• Whatever the hell else you wanna flavour it with!

Here's what I did:

1. Preheat your oven for 350F.
2. Cut off the thick stems (they don't bake too well).
3. Wash the leaves and dry them in a salad spinner (let them dry off sufficiently if you don't have one).
4. Prepare a baking sheet with some tin foil.
5. Rip the leaves into bite-sized pieces and lay them on the baking sheet, making sure they don't overlap.
6. Spray a light (keyword: LIGHT) mist of oil over top of the leaves.
7. Place the baking tray in your preheated oven for about 10 mins. (take them out when they're crisp, and not brown).
8. Let them cool a touch, and sprinkle with salt or whatever seasonings you prefer.
9. ENJOY!

Please don't burn them.

-Shopaholic