Upcycled Thrift Halloween Costume - We Can Do It!

She's a cultural icon. She's a symbol of economic power for women. She's Rosie the Riveter.

She was also a perfect choice for Vivian's first real Halloween costume.

I thought of the idea months and months ago and had been keeping a mental list of supplies I would need to create the costume. I knew that if I wanted it to be recognizable, I would have locate some specific items and I knew that thrifting was the way to go.

Thrifting is kinda like fishing. Sometimes you can be out there all day, casting and reeling and end up with an empty ice chest. But every once in a a while you'll catch something really great - something you're proud of - and it makes it all worth it. It doesn't always happen so if you're going to stick with it, you've gotta love the sport.

And I do. I love hunting through racks of velor track suits and polyester dresses with heavily padded shoulders and mock leather vests with fringe to find something awesome. It's especially fun when piecing together a costume, because some of the most outrageous things are often just the things you're looking for.

I was at a thrift store looking for some old suitcases to use in a display at work. I figured it wouldn't hurt to check the children's section to see if they had what I needed for the Rosie costume. I remember saying aloud "I'm going to check and see if they have a one-piece denim jumpsuit in Vivian's size." It may seem like a stretch but if there is one thing that thrift store's don't have a shortage of, it's denim.

And lo and behold, I found this little number, sized 18 months.

I paid just two bucks.

Because it was intended for a tiny mechanic, it needed a few alterations. I took a seam ripper to the patch on the front and the embroidery on the back. I attempted to peal off the silk screen lettering. No such luck. It took nearly a half hour to take off one letter and you could still see a discoloration from where it had been. Instead, I found a tote bag at Hobby Lobby made out of a very similar color denim. I cut out a panel from it to fit the back of the jumpsuit and just glued it on.

These stick-on embroidered stars and letters were just $.69 each at Hobby Lobby and added a fresh pop of color and a hint to anyone who didn't know there American History.

The front also needed something. It had a discolored oval from where I removed the mechanic patch.

I found a perfectly sized American flag patch and stuck it on.

The jumpsuit was ready to go but Rosie just isn't Rosie without her iconic red and white polkadot head scarf. Back to the thrift store! I perused the racks for anything with the pattern that I needed and came across this.

Once upon a time, it lived in the drawers of a grade school teacher, I imagine. But now, this stretchy nylon top would be given a second chance at life. I cut it up, tied it in a knot, and stretched it over Vivian's head. For the finishing touch, I collected some plastic tools and stuffed her pockets.

Among lots of princesses and ladybugs, one little riveter tried her luck at trick-o-treating.

Rosie fixing the bike rack with her all-in-one screwdriver

Our little hero on the homefront grasped the concept of trick-o-treating so quickly. She would take a piece of candy from the outstretched bowl and plop it into her bucket, sign a little "Thank You", and wave goodbye. We only visited about five houses around a cul-de-sac and it was plenty. The highlight of the night was the house handing out glow stick bracelets. She didn't want to take it off.

Will we be able to think up an even cuter idea next year? We Can Do It!

Redlands Trip, Part 1 - Pumpkins & Petting Zoos

About a month ago, Vivian and I were able to take a trip down to Redlands to visit my dear sister, Sheridan, and her amazing husband, Mark. They are expecting their first baby this December (a girl!) and we used the unfinished nursery as an excuse for the trip.

We didn't need an excuse, really. A just-because trip would have been just as wonderful. Sheridan is that friend that you can tell anything to, unfiltered and unfinished. She listens and gives honest feedback. We can seriously sit and do nothing and consider it a good time.

But there wasn't much time for that. Getting the nursery set up was our goal. She has a fantastic eye for style and is super creative, though she doesn't give herself enough credit. We work really well together and our skill sets compliment each other. The week was spent doing DIY projects, thrifting, shopping, and organizing - as well as eating, laughing, and just being together. Viv gave all of the new baby gear a test run. (Their purple Baby Jogger City Select is Ah-ma-zing.) 
Our first day was perfect. After getting Vivian a nice long nap, we took advantage of the perfect weather and headed down to the Live Oak Canyon pumpkin patch. They had over a hundred different varieties of pumpkins and a pretty elaborate petting zoo.

When all of the animals had been thoroughly petted and a perfect (and apparently delicious) white pumpkin was chosen, we headed to the hardware store to get wood for shelving, paint supplies, and the most adorable minty green paint.
More about the trip to come, but for now - some pictures...

-op

Friday Night Lights

It's Friday night. We're a young family in a small town. What better thing to do than go to the high school football game? And who better to invite our football-nostalgist friend Will and his lovely new wife, Nina. 

We settled into the bleachers as the sun went down. Crowds roared. Cheerleaders cheered. Bands marched. Mascots lurked. Balloons were released. Hot dogs were shared. 

Vivi didn't miss a beat. She soaked it all in. She stayed toasty warm in a Baby Gap fleece-lined wool sweater with a pointy hood. Thrifted for $4.50, remind me why I ever buy anything new?

Vivian ran into Brynlee, a friend from church who is just three weeks younger than her. Such a sweet little girl with some serious Zebra Pride!

By fourth quarter, the novelty had worn off and she could sense it was past her bedtime. She jumped from lap to lap - over to daddy, down to Nina, back up to Will, and eventually snuggled into Mama. I love when she's in that cuddly mood.

 

Nina is the baby whisperer. No seriously, she is. 

As I changed Vivi into her jammies later on, I asked her some questions. Did you like the football game? Did you like the hot dog? Did you like the music? Even in her sleepiness, all were answered with an enthusiastic nod.

I'd say the night was a success.