DIY: A Prom Zombie Dress

Lil known fact: Halloween is the most celebrated holiday at Casa de Cassie. Not cuz we decorate all crazy-like (although the hubs' secret dream is to operate his own haunted house. Dream job goals, y'all. We all got 'em!). No, it's because we absolutely love going to haunted housing events with our fave being Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights.

Opening weekend was this past weekend and we were extra stoked because this year is the 25th year they've been running Halloween Horror Nights outta Orlando. Which could only mean one thing: tons more scariness. This year did not disappoint with nine haunted houses, most based on Universal flicks: The Purge, Insidious, Freddy vs. Jason, American Werewolf in London and others based on the Walking Dead and other spooky themes. Between walking from one haunted house to the next, there are themed areas called scare zones. So, in short, you are constantly being chased by scary chainsaw wielding maniacs. For example...

 Mitch (the hubs) was all, "Hey! You need photos for your blog. Just stand riiiiiiiight there and smile." 

Me: Are you done yet? Pretty sure that's enough photos. For realz. WHY ARE YOU STILL TAKING PHOTOS, WHAT'S BEHIND ME?

This lovely new friend of mine was just one of the awesome scare actors in the Shady Acres scare zone where the concept was inmates from the local asylum had escaped. Turns out she just wanted to show off her chain saw handling skillz...on my face.

Just a short clip to give you more of an idea. No videos or photos are allowed in the haunted houses...after all, you're there to "enjoy" them, not film 'em. But take my word for it, they were super scary.

 Now y'all might know that I've sewn and created my share of Halloween ensembles like this Day of the Dead number and this one, this Monster-Mash mash-up, these Haunted Mansion pants, this Universal Studios Horror Flick dress and this Bewitched dress. And every year, I say the same stinkin' thing: I'M NOT GONNA MAKE ANOTHER HALLOWEEN OUTFIT. But then, I spotted that there Alexander Henry Zombies! fabric at JoAnn's and I was like, fine! Just take all my moneys! Since I needed to bust this dress out quick, I settled on that vintage McCall's 6221. If it looks familiar to y'all, that's cuz I've made a Monet dress, a Valentine's Day number and a Barbecue frock with it. 

After that super scary night, we went to Disney's Not-So-Scary event. Now, I might be a lil biased because I'm kinda bananaz for Disney but this event was so great! Families get all dressed up and trick or treat at the various treat-giving locations. Also, ALL of the characters are out for you to get your photo with. What that meant for us was that most folks were so busy with the candy and the photo ops that they weren't in line for the rides. We had a 5 minute wait on Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and The Haunted Mansion which, if you've ever been to any Disney, you know that's unheard of.

The maids of the Haunted Mansion (my absolute favorite-est ride with It's a Small World coming in at a close second) were decked out and so fun to chat with. I love how they immediately snapped into character when they realized Mitch was snapping photos!

 Boom! Nailed it! 

They also had tons of scare-actors out and about! There was this fabulous ghost story teller outside of the Haunted Mansion that was a total riot. And a traveling troupe of Civil War ghosts who sang western tunes acapella. But the parade and the fireworks were my fave.

But the best thing was getting to eat at Be Our Guest. Y'all. It's like Mission Impossible to get a reservation here. But right before we left our hotel, Mitch decided to all them on a whim and ask if they had anything available. The hostess informed us that they'd just had one spot open up! I enjoyed dining in there so much that I didn't even think to snap a single photo but you can see more of the place here. 

Oh, look! Mitch and I posing in front of obnoxiously phallic tikis! Thank you for letting me blabber on about our lil scary-cation and show off my Zombie print dress. Y'all are the best. 

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Spinning Top

You know you are surrounded by die-hard fans when people start throwin' their underwear at the Star Wars characters...and the underwear happen to be mens briefs. 

I'm feeling a little dizzy. Been saying Yes! Let's do it! and Oh! Count me in! to one too many things lately. I feel like a spinning top, whirling around, trying to do more and more while going faster and faster.

Chewbacca attempting to autograph some kids hat which is difficult when you have furry man hands. At least that is what I'm told. I wouldn't know as I have the delicate hands of a lady. Except for that wicked middle finger which has a mind of it's own.

Don't get me wrong, it's all been great fun. Like Star Wars weekend with hubs, going to see Chihuly with some girlfriends, hosting an art party this time with kids and without grown-up drinks (which may or may not have helped us all) ... and all that in a week's time. Yeah, that's a lot. Now you see why I'm dizzy.

Can you tell I  like this project? The end result is just amazing. I think I'll kick off the school year with a similar project, now that I've got this lesson perfected.

 And while I love having fun things to do, it's when I try doing too much I hit spinning top mode: crashing into things and making huge messes while wobbling out of control. So, I'm going to slow down. Focus. Lock myself in my craft room and make stuff.

The Loft at Henpeck Market. I now have belts in this great shop. If you have never been you must go -- it is a country grocery store and restaurant on the first level (the look that Cracker Barrel attempts) and the most surprisingly big and fun shop on the second level. I am in the best part of the Loft: Jondie Boutique!

Because I've got plenty of work to do. Turns out that I've not only been saying count me in to friends, but other belt-related stuff too. Eek! Much to do!

All of which I plan to do...right after returning from this place: Sandestin, Florida. I've never been. Usually our Florida encounters involve theme parks but not beaches. I'm very excited. And a little nervous. I'm going with a group of pals from school...and I keep hearing this voice-over in my head:

This is the true story... of seven strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World.

Yeah, I think we'll pass on the "lives taped" portion of Sandestin: The Real World. No one needs to see this spinning top in a bikini!

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