Easy Last-Minute Halloween Costume: Clark Kent

So it's two days before (or the morning of!) Halloween and your teen son decides he really ISN'T too old to go trick-or-treating again this year. What do you do?

Here is my solution for a quick and easy last-minute costume:

Presenting, Clark Kent

It's definitely not a bird nor a plane, but this Superman definitely turned the heads of some teen girls last week at our church's Trunk or Treat!

We had all the pieces at home, all I needed to buy was the superman logo tee shirt, which I picked up at my local Target.

Clark Kent wears:

• Black high top chucks (Converse One-Stars from Target):$17 on clearance
• White Dress Shirt (owned) Free
• Tie (Owned--You can get a shirt/tie combo at Walmart for $10) Free
• Dress Slacks (Owned--You can find dress slacks at Walmart for $10) Free
• Black glasses (3D movie theater glasses) Free
• Superman tee shirt (Target) $11 after Cartwheel discount
• Good looks: Priceless!

My total cost:  $28 by reusing some items he already owned...technically only spent $11, since I had bought the Chucks a few weeks ago, but these were his first time wearing them, so I added it in.  ;)

DIY Minion Halloween Costume {Ba ba ba ba-ba na-na!}

Today's costume is an easy DIY!  My daughter knew that she wanted to dress up like this character since we watched Despicable Me 2 this summer.

Presenting:

The DIY Minion

Just looking at this kid makes me want to say: BEE DOH!  BEE DOH!  BEE DOH!!

I love the way this all came out!  I used a mix of hand-me-downs, consignment and new items.  She will be wearing this on Halloween night!

This DIY Minion wears:

• Black Chucks (Converse All Star hand me downs from her brother): Free(ish) retail at about $30
• Yellow Tee Shirt (my son's old band tee): Free --these retail less than $10 new
• Thick Round Glasses (Michael's): $1
• Yellow Beanie (Amazon): $5
• Black Gloves (from an old costume): Free --you can find black gloves for about $1
• Yellow Soccer Socks (Ross): $3 (for two pair)
• Denim Overalls (cosigment shop): $3
• Yellow Buttons (Joann): $1
• Silliness--Priceless!

My total cost:  $13 with lots of reusable pieces!!

Nerdy 50s Girl {Putting a Twist on a Store Bought Halloween Costume}

As you saw in yesterday's post, I can't be happy with a store bought costume as is. We always add a little twist.  Today I present to you:

Nerdy 50's Girl:

This is another one of those costumes I picked up on clearance at Target years ago. I was so surprised when my daughter chose this costume to wear for our church's Trunk or Treat this year. The whole nerdy look was her idea, and I have to say, she rocks it!

She even swiped some of the masking tape from my DIY furniture projects to "nerdy up" her glasses!

Nerdy 50s Girl wears:

• Black Chucks (Converse All Star hand me downs from her brother) Free(ish) retail at about $30
• Nerdy glasses (old 3D movie theater glasses) Free -- also used for Hipster Dorothy
• White lace bike shorts (Target clearance) $4 -- also used for Hipster Dorothy
• Tall white socks (Target clearance) $2 -- also used for Hipster Dorothy
• 50s Girl costume (Target Clearance 2010) $3
• Potential to be the next Kristen Wiig -- Priceless!

Total cost to me: $9 (unless you count the shoes that I bought for my son in 2009 for about $30, and the hour's worth of elbow grease it took me to make them look new again!)

Favorite Month, Anniversary, Giveaways and More!

It's finally here!  My favorite month of the year!  Ever since I was a little girl, I have LOVED the month of October.  The weather in Tampa cooled off, my mom would make me a Halloween costume, and my elementary school had its yearly Halloween Carnival.  Those were the days.

There's another reason why I love October...it's the month that the idea of AquaSeventy6 was born.  This year, AquaSeventy6 celebrates its 2 year anniversary, and I have SO MUCH in store for you! 

First I will be holding weekly FLASH GIVEAWAYS on my Facebook page!  What is a Flash Giveaway?  Without prior notice, I will announce that a giveaway is in full swing and how long you have to enter.  FB fans have to do something simple to enter ("like" a particular update, post a comment, share the page, etc.)  The following morning, I will list everyone who has followed the rules (making sure they are a follower, of course) assign them a number, and have Random.org choose the winning entry which will be announced on my FB page.  Easy peasy!!

On the last week of October, I will be holding a HUGE giveaway...more details will be announced soon, so make sure you follow me on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

..............

I wanted to share some items I've created in honor of my favorite month of the year...

Even though I don't normally create many holiday-specific items items, I can't help myself when it comes to Halloween!

There is more to come, so stick around! xx


 Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked

Last FFFC Feature and a Peek at Our Halloween...

Sorry that we haven't been around in a few days.  We had a fun and busy Halloween and finally got our items shipped down to South Florida for our first Holiday Show.

Last week we announced our final Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Challenge: The Anything Goes Challenge.

Today we are featuring the one reader who participated in EVERY SINGLE CHALLENGE!





AnhKay, rocked out every challenge using items from her closet and her Anything Goes looks were our FAVORITES!!  You can read more about AnhKay's fantastic fashion sense on Glass Slippers on a Budget and You Know You Want It!

Here's a little peek into Yvette's first Halloween in Richmond:

 Here are my kiddos showing off the trick or treat sacks I made them. Woot!  My son definitely got into the Dracula spirit with his serious expression!

Here is my candy corn witch showing off Mommy's first attempt at making a costume.  Pretty cute, if I do say so myself!

How was your Halloween?  Tell us in the comments!

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Friday #7 (The Final Challenge!)

So here we are at our final challenge!  The Anything Goes Challenge was a chance to show off our go-to fall outfits.  Here are a couple that we came up with:

I resuscitated these super comfortable, and booty-shaping 3-year-old jeans by replacing some missing buttons and trimming off the scraggly threads from stepping on the back of the cuff (you know you have a pair like this!)  I paired it with my favorite button-down top,  flats and threw on a belt to cinch the waist.  Everything in this picture is at least a year old.





I am wearing the same jeans and flats in these photos, but paired with a favorite 3/4 sleeve striped sweater and my go-to scarf. (Noticed my hair tie on my right wrist? That's an everyday go-to look for me!) The envelope clutch in the photo is one of our AquaSeventy6 creations. Check our Facebook page for more information.

Since this is our last challenge, we hope you participate! We want to see how you recreate these looks!  You have until Sunday to post a link to your photograph in the comments section of this post or email us the photo using the subject line ANYTHING GOES.  We will feature our favorites on Monday.  If you need a reminder of the rules or details, click here.

Click here to see where this and our other projects are linked!

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Challenge: The Final Challenge and Features

Thanks to all of our readers and followers who participated in The Tights Challenge last week!  Before we premiere our FINAL challenge, here are our favorite link-ups from last week.

We love our Frugalista Fashionista, AnhKay from Glass Slippers on a Budget! 
This week she paired some chunky belts with tights to create outfits that can easily go from day to night! 

Our mini fashion maven comes from Port Saint Lucie, FL.  Miss J is sporting some
super cute polka dot tights, paired with a handbag created by her mama!  Great work!

 Thanks again ladies for your participation! If your look was featured, make sure to grab a LOVED BY button from our Button Up tab to put on your sidebar or featured page.  Remember, if you want your look to be featured, follow the rules listed below!


Now on to our FINAL challenge: The ANYTHING GOES Challenge.

That's right!  For our final challenge, we are leaving it up to you to create your favorite fall look for a steal!  Need some PINspiration?  Check out these fun looks!

Pinterest

Here is a reminder of the rules:

• Recreate a similar outfit head-to-toe.  This can mean that you recreate 1, 2, 3 or all of the looks featured this week.
• Create your very own look inspired by the photos we have posted
• Use the bonus accessory in your completed look
• Create an outfit inspired by the bonus accessory

This is where the FRUGAL part comes in.  The looks you create must be made up from:

• Garments/accessories you find at a thrift store/consignment store/yard sale/etc.
• Garments/accessories you already own.
• Garments/accessories you create.

You have until this Friday to recreate the outfit(s) and blog about them. Make sure to tell us where you found the pieces and how much (little) you spent on them. Don't forget to add the button below to your blog post, and we would LOVE if you became a follower.

Come back to AquaSeventy6 on Friday to see how we have recreated the looks, as well.  You are invited to add the link to your blog post on our comments section and the following week we will feature our favorite looks on our site and our Facebook and Twitter pages.


Don't have a blog, but you still want to join in?  NO PROBLEM!!  Create your look, upload the photos to a share site (ie: Photobucket or you can pin your look to Pinterest) and add the link, as well as the purchase/cost details, in our comments section on Friday for a chance to have your look featured.  You may also email your look by clicking on the email tab in our sidebar and using the word "ANYTHING GOES" in your subject line.

Upcycled Paper Bag Cape

My 'lil guy just turned 4! He chose the theme for his party: Heroes v Villains. It was so much fun!

One of his requests was that all party goers be able to make a cape and a mask. My response? "Perfect!"

The capes were so simple and fun to make I couldn't help but share. So here you go.

Start with a paper grocery bag. Open it up completely and start cutting at the side seam.

Continue to cut across the bottom and all the way around to the other side seam.

Cut a semi-circle in the middle of the bottom flap (this is where the cape will fit around the child's neck)

Next, open the edges of the circle where they are glued together and trim the ends so they are even.

Then, gently peal off the handle and your cape is almost done.

Finally, punch holes at the sides of the neck and tie ribbon through the holes. 

Now the kids are free to decorate and get creative!

One of my favorite little crafters, hard at work!

These were so much fun and totally FREE to make. And you know us Aqua gals adore a bargain. 

Fit for a Superhero and a great Halloween craft as well!
I know what you're thinking, "I can do that." Know what? You can. And you should. Because we also discovered that if you turn it around to your front it makes an awesome adult-sized bib for eatin' lots of BBQ!

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Challenge: The Tights Challenge and Features

Thanks to all of our readers and followers who participated in The Red Challenge last week!  Before we premiere this week's challenge, here are our favorite link-ups from last week.

Loyal participant, and fashionista, AnhKay from Glass Slippers on a Budget, put together two great
red-inspired looks this week!  She used the bonus accessory as inspiration for her red flower pin and
her black flower choker.  Love the red peep-toe pumps!

Newest participant, Grace, looks FAB sporting her thrifted black top (from Melbourne, Australia!)
and $4 tartan skirt!  We are LU-HU-VING the oxford pumps. 
LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Can we have them?  ;)

Thanks again ladies for your participation! If your look was featured, make sure to grab a LOVED BY button from our Button Up tab to put on your sidebar or featured page.  Remember, if you want your look to be featured, follow the rules listed below!


Now on to this week's challenge:  The Tights Challenge

Via Pinterest

You are free of a bonus accessory this week!


Here is a reminder of the rules:

• Recreate a similar outfit head-to-toe.  This can mean that you recreate 1, 2, 3 or all of the looks featured this week.
• Create your very own look inspired by the photos we have posted
• Use the bonus accessory in your completed look
• Create an outfit inspired by the bonus accessory

This is where the FRUGAL part comes in.  The looks you create must be made up from:

• Garments/accessories you find at a thrift store/consignment store/yard sale/etc.
• Garments/accessories you already own.
• Garments/accessories you create.

You have until this Friday to recreate the outfit(s) and blog about them. Make sure to tell us where you found the pieces and how much (little) you spent on them. Don't forget to add the button below to your blog post, and we would LOVE if you became a follower.

Come back to AquaSeventy6 on Friday to see how we have recreated the looks, as well.  You are invited to add the link to your blog post on our comments section and the following week we will feature our favorite looks on our site and our Facebook and Twitter pages.


Don't have a blog, but you still want to join in?  NO PROBLEM!!  Create your look, upload the photos to a share site (ie: Photobucket or you can pin your look to Pinterest) and add the link, as well as the purchase/cost details, in our comments section on Friday for a chance to have your look featured.  You may also email your look by clicking on the email tab in our sidebar and using the word "TIGHTS" in your subject line.

<center><a href="http://aquaseventy6.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="AquaSeventy6" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/YManes24/aquaframesmall.jpg"/></a></center>