You Pinspire Me
Last week, a friend of ours had a birthday and threw herself a bash. This party was particularly awesome because it was a costume party. And the theme? Literary Characters. Right up my alley!
I’ve read a LOT, but I googled literary costume ideas for adults because the pressure was getting to me. I considered being Tris from Divergent because I had just read the book with my Wine & Cheesy Book Club, and she’d be really easy (all black, maybe a few tattoos), but seeing as how the movie just came out, I thought I might have one or two twins there (I was right). My friend Marnie suggested that I go as Nancy Drew – GREAT idea, but I wasn’t sure that people would recognise me. Then, one of my Tweeps on Twitter responded to my SOS and suggested Alice in Wonderland! What a great idea!
Before heading to the thrift stores, I wanted to have an idea of what I wanted my costume to look like, and what I could reasonably expect to find at a thrift store. You know those clothing collages that you see all over Pinterest? I found out how to make those – on Polyvore! Check it out – it’s kind of fun. So, I put together a board picturing each of the three characters, in case I couldn’t find what I was looking for with Alice.
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After 2 stores, the only dress that I could find was the exact right colour, but didn’t have the flouncy skirt that I was picturing. So, like the naive girl who knows how to sew that I am, I decided to get the dress anyways, and modify it. And make a crinoline. And a pinafore apron. Easy, right? Long story short and 10 hours later, I had an awesome costume and bags under my eyes from staying up until 1:30 & getting up early with the kids.
Anyhow, Naomi had a fantastic and very witty spread laid out. Drinks were pulled from a book she got at Christmas called “Tequila Mockingbird” – and were titled “Gin Eyre”, “The Postman Always Brings Ice,” “The Last of the Mojitos,” and the like. In case you can’t read the clever labels on the food, from clockwise starting from the cake, we have “With mirth and laughter, let old wrinkles come.” – Shakespeare. Bookworms on a bowl of gummy worms, Cinnamon Hearts of Darkness, Munchkins (Wizard of Oz). Then, The Old Yam & the Sea Salt, I Know this Munch is True, Clockwork Oranges, The Deviled Egg Wears Prada, Katdip & Peeta Bread, Turkish Delight, and Grapes of Wrath. Finally, Beary Potters and The Hunt for the Red Hot October. Are those not fantastic?!
My very dashing husband came as Hercule Poirot, the brilliant Belgian detective penned by Agatha Christie. Smart man. The only thing he needed to get for his costume was a mustache.
It was a great evening, with lovely company, and I’m so glad that Naomi had this party! However, I need another party to wear my clever Alice costume to, so please, if you host a literary party, invite me?
Jenn vanOosten
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