Vintage Etc.: October 2011

This year my kids had some very specific ideas for their Halloween costumes, and while they are not related to home decor, I thought I might share them with you just the same. My daughter, being a creative gal like myself decided months ago that she wanted to be a gypsy like the one she saw in the Chasing Fireflies catalog. Now while I love their costume ideas, I just can't spend $88.00 on my 6 year-olds' costume, so off to the Goodwill and some yard sales I went.

First I took 3 adult size ruffled skirts from the Goodwill and cut them at various lengths then I sewed them together to make one skirt. I attached a wide ribbon I got free at a yard sale to the top to make a child size layered skirt. 3 buttons with ribbon loops hold it closed at the waist. I scored at a yard sale when I found a 1930's Czechoslovakian hand-embroidered blouse and wool jacket for $12.00! They fit my daughter perfectly and the shirt will also be used for her Christmas outfit with a petticoat (shown below.) The jacket can be worn with jeans and her red boots (another score from Ruby Rose.) The scarf around the waist was a belly dancing top from the Goodwill that I found that I cut the neck straps/breast cups off of and turned upside down to tie around her waist. I pulled out some jewelry and scarves that used to belong to my grandmother and whola!...Total Cost for the entire costume = $23.00!

So here is the Chasing Fireflies inspiration:

And here she is... One very happy gypsy dressed for colder weather as it has been a whopping 42 degrees at night and with her brother who is dressed up as an Army Sniper (and who also had a handmade ghillie suit, yes I was a busy bee!)