Halloween is just over two weeks away now and if you're anything like me, you still haven't even begun to decide what you're going to dress up as. Over the weekend, I discovered that there is an entire wall of Lady Gaga costumes and accessories at Wal-Mart. I think it's safe to say that if you were planning on portraying Gaga this Halloween, you're not going to be the only one and if originality is a concern, the only way to take it up a notch is an actual meat dress, complete with meat shoes and meat purse. Beware of flies.
As fun as it is to get properly decked out for a Halloween outing, if you're pressed for cash, the last thing you want to do is spend money on something you'll never wear again. I consulted my extremely frugal and craft-loving sister for some recession-proof Halloween costume ideas that won't be hard to slap together at the last minute.
1. Three Blind Mice
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To perfect your undead walk for the Fredonia Zombie Crawl on Saturday, be sure to check out “Shaun of the Dead.”
What you need: Two friends or two willing participants found on Craigslist. Wear all gray a dress, pants and a shirt, whatever you have in your closet. Either spring for some ready-made mouse ears or tape two half-moons of gray (fabric, construction paper) onto a headband for ears. Use lipstick and eyeliner for a nose and whiskers. Wear sunglasses and if you want, carry a cane. (It's hard to see with sunglasses on at night but bumping into things really helps to drive home the point that you are blind mice). Optional: If you're feeling crafty, go to Wal-Mart and buy a pair of gray pantyhouse. Stuff one leg and wrap the other one around your waist that's your tail.
2. Jelly Beans
What you need: Balloons and a lot of free time to blow up balloons. (Helpful hint: Dollar Store balloons, while inexpensive, are flimsy and pop easily). You will also need a clear garbage bag and access to a computer and color printer.
Fill the garbage bag with balloons. Cinch or tape the top shut you will be attaching it to the front of you, using two long pieces of duct tape fashioned into a strap. Affix a "Jelly Belly" label to the front of the garbage bag. Voila! You're delicious. You should probably also wear clothes, depending on what kind of party you're going to.
3. Crayon
Wear all one solid, bright color this could be a dress and tights, or pants and a shirt. Now you have three options for the crayon label, depending on your level of craftiness: get yourself some jumbo-size rik-rak from a craft store; buy two sheets of sticky felt and cut it into a zig-zag pattern; or use fabric paint or even a Sharpie. To really get your point across, wear a party hat in the same color as your ensemble.
4. Detective
What you need: a trench coat and a fedora. Optional: a magnifying glass; a notebook for writing down clues; a Sherlock Holmes-style pipe.
5. Mime
What you need: a black-and-white striped shirt (surely you must have one, nautical is so hot right now), black pants, white face paint and black eyeliner, and to remain silent. Optional: Suspenders, beret and gloves.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Afterward, there will be an investigation in the church and priest home until 2 a.m. Tickets are $10 dollars pre-sale and $15 at the door, and can be purchased by calling 467-7939, at St. John Bosco, Dick Golden TV store and wnyghosts.webs.com This is a fundraiser event for the Sheridan Historical Society.
GET OUT OF TOWN
The Harmony Rockets and Fuxa will be at Soundlab in Buffalo this Saturday. Harmony Rockets are the seldom seen, ambient space-rock guitar side project of Mercury Rev.
Although Mercury Rev is more well- known for their grand, orchestral pop, the band has a more experimental side that explores sound textures and guitar drones with heavy uses of delay and reverb.
Detroit's Fuxa focus on creating a vast soundscape of guitars, electronics and synths. They have been active since 1995 and are contemporaries of bands such as Windy & Carl and Flying Saucer Attack.
Also scheduled to appear are Odiorne, Dotsun Moon, Pamela Swarts, Shapes Of State and Love Scenes. The doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10. Soundlab is located at 110 Pearl St.
DRINK OF THE WEEK
Here's a Halloween-themed one, "The Great Pumpkin" - Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. Ketel One Vodka (or other vodka); 1/2 oz. Baileys with a Hint of Caramel; 1/2 ounce pumpkin liqueur; cinnamon stick.
Combine vodka and Baileys with a hint of caramel in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well vigorously until chilled. Add the pumpkin liqueur and shake again. Strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
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April Diodato is the OBSERVER Lifestyles editor. Tell her what you're going to be for Halloween and what's happening at adiodato@observertoday.com
