Why am I Obsessed with Halloween?

1. Ballet Class – age 4 – the older girls got to wear blue tutus for the recital and we all had to wear pink. At a very young age I knew pink was not my color and blue would bring out my eyes. I may or may not have taken a blue tutu while no one was looking and put it on my head, just to add a splash of color.

2. Halloween – age 6 – I was Miss America, my best friend was Sleeping Beauty. I wore grandma’s old negligee and a tinfoil crown, she wore silky pale blue pajamas with a matching robe and a red rose in her long wavy hair. Jealousy ensued.

3. Spring Fling Show – age 8 – I got to be Jane in a school production of “Let’s go fly a kite” from Mary Poppins. My Mom made me a pale green, dropped-waist dress with puffed sleeves. I was convinced that it was the most beautiful dress ever. I flew my kite with extra panache that night…

4. 4^th Grade – age 9 – My mom made me an long sweatshirt top with pink and grey stripes that matched my pink and gray hi-tops. When I got to school I took off my jean shorts and wore the long shirt with just my tights underneath because it seemed more stylish that way. I remember dancing around in this outfit (I’m not making this up) to Michael Jackson’s “Bad” out on the playground. My friend Kim brought her little pink boom-box to school and I just remember this kid next to me doing the “mime dance” and I thought….”wow, I need to get me some better moves…”

5. Prom – age 16 – I wore a Halloween costume to prom. (A vintage flapper dress) and I still think it is the most badass dress I’ve ever worn.

6. Halloween 2004 - age 25 – My inner fashionista (who had lain dormant and only manifested itself in my Imelda-Marcosian shoe collection) comes out in a elaborate Marie Antoinette costume that blows everyone away. I am hooked.

7. Pre-Halloween sewing panic 2006 – age 27 – I realize that by agreeing to become a costume obsessed Halloween absorbed lunatic, I am setting myself up for a life time of back breaking work. And I couldn’t be happier.