Reader Feature: Aimee’s Knock Out Halloween Ideas

This week, in honor of Halloween, I’m hosting a Reader Feature series so you don’t have to hear about our ketchup bottle or Curious George costumes yet again. (You’re welcome.) These friends and readers have truly original ideas, outrageously cooperative children, and the ability to execute far more than opening a pre-packaged beauty from Target. As you can imagine, I want to be them when I grow up.

Today, I’m kicking off the series with Aimee. Not only is she one of my most favorite people, she’s also a pop-culture guru, a fun-lovin’ mom, and — today — a birthday girl. So, please, join me in celebrating Aimee’s extra-special birthday — and her wonderfully creative Halloween spirit. (And the model? Yum!) Here goes…

I wasn’t much interested in Halloween as an adult, and aside from the occasional party, didn’t need to think about costumes. It wasn’t until I had my daughter, Elisabeth, that my interest in the holiday was revived. Each year I’m surrounded by the omnipresent fairies and princesses that draw young girls into Halloween fantasyland. I became more and more determined to find costumes that were unique, but still fun and playful for Elisabeth to enjoy. It’s not that I was against princess and fairy costumes, I was just not wholeheartedly “for” them.

So, with the help of my talented seamstress mother, Elise, I set out to find comfortable and creative costumes for the occasion. Below are some of my favorites and what inspired them.

Halloween 2008
I couldn’t imagine spending $45 to stuff my daughter into a hot, furry costume where most of my choices would be vegetables or bugs (“Pea in the Pods” and “Ladybugs” were everywhere). It was my goal that on her first Halloween, Elisabeth, age 9 months, would be comfortable. She would be in the outfit for hours at a time, and for her ease and mine, simplicity was key.  I bought a white, long sleeve onesie and stuck on a fluffy tail, while Mom sewed ears on a white cap — the bunny was born!

Halloween 2010
We came up with two Halloween outfits this year. I worked at Fox and Elisabeth attended the daycare and preschool there. In order to honor the very popular show, Glee, I took a track suit that she already owned and some company swag to make her become Sue Sylvester.

On the actual night of Halloween, she went in a devil costume sewn by my Mom. Note the inside of the cape is a skull pattern, complete with red sequined eyes.

Halloween 2011
This year was all my mom and it’s my favorite. She had found material and said, “Convince Elisabeth to be Pebbles Flintstone.” It wasn’t a hard sell once she found out that her cousin, Theo, would be Bam Bam and she would be able to wear a bone in her hair.

Halloween 2013
This year Elisabeth is channeling Katy Perry from the MTV Music Awards when she dressed up as a boxer and sang Roar. My mom made the cape and the shorts. It’s going to be a knock out Halloween — complete with a black eye!

I’ve never told Elisabeth she could not be a fairy or princess. She’s obsessed with them and has numerous character pajamas and toys. However, when Halloween comes around, I simply offer other options. I recently received a message from a friend I was going to be seeing at a kids’ costume party. She said, “I can’t wait to see what Elisabeth is this year!” It made me so happy, and I give all the credit to my mom. I may come up with the ideas, but she executes everything!

 

A bit about Aimee: I live in the South Bay (LA) where I moved 13 years ago from my home state of Connecticut. Until this past May, I worked as a Recruiter for 20th Century Fox. Now I’m a Partner in an Executive Search firm in Manhattan Beach. Thanks to this career move, I now have more time and flexibility to dedicate to my favorite roles — wife to Scott, and mom to 5-year-old Elisabeth. When I’m not with my family, you can find me with my amazing girlfriends, trading stories and offering support through our mishaps and adventures as working moms and wives.