Annual Homeschool Halloween Costume Dance Party

Every year, one of my BFFs, Christi, organizes a fantastic costume party for kids and this year was bigger than ever!

So many kids!  

So many fantastic costumes!! 

There was even a band this year!

So there was lots of fun dancing.

Hers's my daughter, Emily, cosplaying Morrigan from Dragon Age posing with my friend, Christi, dressed as the white witch from The Chronicles of Narnia and her fav little bunny is dressed as Prince Caspian.

My Emily posing with Christi's daughters, Sydney & Erin.  

Sydney cosplaying Assassin's Creed and 

Erin is Lady Rainicorn from Adventure Time.

I like to decorate the gym with spooky lights and set up the food tables

All the moms send in fun snacks like cookies, decorated cupcakes, even Vampire Krispy Kremes.

I like to bring in some dry ice for it's spooky fun effect and mix up a batch of Toxic Waste Punch.  

Let me know if you want the secret recipe!

I'm a novice when it comes to taking photos and low light with fast moving kids is a challenge but I kinda like the spooky ghost effect.

 A few more crowd shots that show some of the best costumes.

What a fun night!

Just one more photo, even though it's kinda blurry, 

of this kid in a Spock costume who was kind enough to give the Vulcan salute, 

Live Long & Prosper!

My Favorite Halloween Decorations

I absolutely Love decorating for Halloween!

We have been collecting vintage and other spooky cool pieces for years.  Such nifty doodads make great Birthday and Christmas gifts.  I enjoy to arranging our collections in interesting new ways.

Vintage blow molds glow on this shelf in the dining room along with some of our vintage collection of plastic Rosbro candy containers displayed in the soda crate.

Recently, I created this sweet & spooky vignette using my collection of vintage Halloween collectibles for a dear couple for their Halloween themed Wedding.

Our foyer mantle is decorated with a mix of spooky and vintage Halloween paper mache lanterns and Rosbro plastic candy containers.

The bannister looks so nice adorned with a seasonal garland of silk sunflowers, colored leaves, berries, acorns, even candy corn colored lights.

A silly sinister shelf in the kitchen

The full moon casts an eerie glow over Grimsly Manor from Department 56 sitting on the parlor mantle surrounded by twisty trees and creepy moss.

Bar setup on vintage buffet with a Wicked Halloween touch.

Don't forget to decorate outside your house.

Here's a photo of my house and yard circa 2010 decked out in full Halloween decorations.

All the photos were either taken by me, my awesome sister, Mary Ann 

or my Lovely daughter, Sarah. 

Visit her blog, Lostvestige for more of her fabulous photos.

Candy & Dessert Buffet

I'm crazy about candy.

And everybody Loves desserts.   

That's why I think having the Candy & Dessert Buffet at parties make it extra special. 

 They are amazing to look at, and give your party a beautiful theme & focal point that says, 

" Wow, This IS a Celebration!"

Creating this look is easy when you can rent the glassware, vintage touches
even the venue from Make it Special!

Waffle cones of trail mix nestled in a vintage soda bottle crate

Mint green was the Bride's Favorite color and set the theme with other retro candies.

Guests can help themselves to 

the gorgeous candies & treats that double as party favors.

Add some twinkling lights, honeycombs, garlands or bunting and you've got a party

Using a color palette that is different shades of just one color creates an elegant look 

perfect for baby showers & birthdays

Holiday themed candies & desserts

I enjoy collecting and ordering all the different kinds of candies for a look or theme.  Deciding which size apothecary jars and how many to use depends on the space or your budget.  Then arranging them in a pleasing presentation with the addition of a few vintage touches makes for an interesting and sweet vignette to be the focal point of the party.

~Make it Special!

Halloween Theme Weddings & Parties

I absolutely Love Halloween!

Last Halloween, I styled this spooky  fireplace mantle display at a venue downtown for a Halloween themed wedding using all these nifty vintage items available for rent from Make it Special.

 It was the focal point for their theme and the backdrop for their ceremony.

You may kiss!

Kelsey & Ian

If you are looking for a fantastic photographer in NC, contact Ali, of

Ali Albertson photography 

I start decorating the house in September with vintage collectibles and other fun, cute Halloween themed items.


Welcome, come into my parlor...

Fall Bannister Garland

Foyer mantle display of mostly vintage paper mache, tin noisemakers, Rosbro plastic candy containers & Gurley candles

My SpoOKy parlor mantle display with Dept 56 village, spine-chilling books & vintage cardboard decorations

 Creepy buffet where the witch mixes up her potions!

Eerie Bar Buffet

Scroll down to the bottom for more items in the Make it Special Halloween decor/ vintage rentals & venue

Some tasty treats ready for guests 

Haunted Hoosier cabinet with vintage collectibles, antiques and Dept 56 village display.

On October 31st, we have a party and hang out on the veranda watching the Trick or Treaters, handing out candy and maybe giving some a spooky scare.

The old house on the hill is really spooky.

Here are some photos of past Halloween parties I have thrown/ styled