I've not posted much this last week. As you can all probably tell. (All two of you)
But I'm here. Halloween was fun! I enjoyed dressing up and making yummy edible delights for everyone, including Chili Cups and Mulled Caramel Apple Cider.
The day started out like any other - I woke up at noon... I mean I woke up and showered and decided what I wanted to make for the party and what I needed to get at the store. The night before I stopped by Wally World and got supplies for my costume which, in keeping with the theme of the house, was gonna be Jack Skellington (the Pumpkin King).

Yeah, I know. AWESOME!
In the coneption of my costume, I researched others attempts at their emulation of such a "nightmare" idol. I found a few attempts. But let me emphasize the word attempts.
Attempt #1
Okay, let's start with the positives:
- He looks like Jack - that's important. If I was walking down the cul-de-sac and I saw this fine gentleman pass me, I'd say "Oh, look! He's Jack!"
- .... okay that's all I have
There are a few problems I have with this attempt:
- Unflattering suit - I'm sorry, but this suit just does not flatter his figure. It's way too small, and this guy doesn't look super trim. Jack is a skeleton for crying out loud. And the way the suit buttons and reveals his belly... just... no.
- Head - okay... it just looks weird... and I can't really put my finger on why. Supposedly it's a four-square ball that he painted. Maybe because of the body to head ratio, it just looks a little... off. It also looks like his head is about to fall off.
- Hand painted stripes - I actually think the hand painted effect could've turned out really nice, but in this situation, the stripes just add to the "offness" of the entire outfit.
- The bat-tie - ?????
Next.
Attempt #2

Okay.... cool! Now this one caught my attention with the really cool oversized head. It was made from a crash helmet, papier-mache and then painted to create a very neat effect. The bat-tie was also well done, but too straight edged and stiff for my taste. The suit is very plain and his hands are bare, so I was ecstatic about the whole outfit, but the head was definitely a keeper.
Attempt #3

First thought: "there is no way I'm shaving my head for this outfit."
I have to say, this guy went pretty far out to get the whole affect. However, his shaved head and make-up kind of freaked me out, and reminded me of someone...
Other than the creepy face painting, I actually like the suit, although it is oversized and the stripes are a little much. With that and the bat tie, he looks more like zebra wallpaper than anything.
"Sorry, death, you lose."
"Uh... best three out of five?"
So I really didn't have much inspiration after seeing these guys, other than I knew my costume would be better. I juggled the idea of making a big papier-mache head like the cool number two, but weeks passed and I the eve of Halloween came I hadn't done any preparation. So, I'm at Wally-World and I pick up some face paint, hair color, and pipe cleaners and head home.
Since I didn't create a head, and I wasn't about to shave mine, I decided to use my hair to an advantage. And... well... in stead of explaining it, I'll just show it to you...
*drum roll*
Ta da!!!
So I decided not to go 'classic' jack and just use what I had. I decided to be an 'emo' jack. Which is cooler anyway, right? And check out that hair! Like... Shut up!
(I didn't just say that)
Well, goodnight everyone. Halloween was fun, chili was good, cider was scrumptious and I looked amazing. All in a good days work.