Dress You Up

Halloween has never been my favorite of holidays. I think it’s because it’s so close to my birthday. I’ve heard ALL the jokes, followed by “OMG!!! You’re a Scorpio...” But ever since my two brothers had kids, celebrating the 31st of October has become a MUST. And yes, my birthday always, always has to be a Costume Party. I really, cannot say no to my cute, not-so-little angels (sometimes, monsters). These 4 (soon-to-be 5) mini people are my biggest weakness.

So I’ve decided to devote this blog to costumes. Heads up: If you are invited to a Costume Party, please do not be the party pooper who shows up as himself/herself. So uncool. My nephew, Rodrigo, came up with our very own Halloween Oscars - think awards like FranCOOLstein, Halloween Hottie & Nottie, and Gruesome Twosome, to name a few. We even have ballots and certificates! (I really go overboard with these things, but I figure, if you're gonna do something, it's always better to go all out! And believe me, my parties always end up to be a big production. I shall blog about that in the future.)

Kids will always have their own ideas for costumes, by all means, indulge them. This is about the time Stage Mommy mode kicks in and Bestie Kit can be found running around our magical kingdoms of SM and LM for the best and cheapest of finds...


Kakashi from Naruto and Wrestling's Shawn Michaels




















But if you still have a say in what they wear, check out some of the thing's a doting Mommy can come up with:


Little Orphan Annie with her posse of Miss Hannigan and Punjab (Daddy Warbucks was a wee bit late)

The Mother & Son Tandem of Wilma Flintstone and Bam Bam

A closer look at Wilma who happened to be last year's Queen of Halloween...

Competitive as we girls are, mis chicas have never let me down in coming up with some of the most amazing ensembles I've seen. I hope these inspire you to strut your stuff and play make believe this year:


At last year's Halloween pah-tee: 

Miss Hannigan, Pretty Woman, Dita Von Teese, Dora the Explorer, Lara Croft and Betty Draper with her Little Princess


The LLFs as Team Madonna during our Poveda highschool reunion: 

Evita, Mae Mordabito, Justify My Love, Borderline, Material Girl, Papa Don't Preach

For more inspiration check out: InStyle's Stars' Best Halloween Costumes


But you really have to hand it to a girl who channels all her energy to let her man shine. Meet, Steffi, my sister-in-law, who is the reason for my brother, RJ, making a sweep of every possible award for two years now (much to his munchkins' delight!)...


As K-Fed and Britney

As Nacho Libre with his Rocker Wifey, Little Rock Princess, James Dean, and Wonder Woman,

Last year was the year I dared to finally wear my dream costume of Lara Croft. I figured, it was my house, my party and when else in Manila will I get to rock my fave black boots? So I urge my girls to don that blond wig, wear that white dress and stand in front of the fan...make a career of it and be the majestic Queen Victoria for a day...dare to bare in burlesque a la Dita Von Teese...be The King for a day...slink into that Cat Woman costume...finally wear that Wonder Woman two-piece...or budget (and closet) willing, go head-to-toe Chanel couture like Coco.


R.I.P. to the sexy nurse (and her cousins the sexy cop, the sexy firefighter and all the sexy blah blah blahs...) Same goes for those generic witches and vampires and that horrid Scream mask. While you're at it, please throw away those plastic masks of U.S. Presidents past! 


Think of Halloween as that one day in the year when you can be six-years old again playing dress-up in your Mommy's closet, but this time the make-up, long gown, fancy jewelry and high heels are no longer off limits. Knock yourselves out! Happy Halloween!!! - KAB