Wednesday 31 October 2012

Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead




I am not one for the imported ritual of trick or treating but the kids wanted to dress up... and you know I'm not averse to a bit of dressing up myself.

So we reached a compromise;

dress up and go out for a Halloween tea, thereby avoiding the hoards of kids coming to our door expecting sweets.


Clever, no?

  


 I managed to avoid the ubiquitous Slutty Witch/Vampire look this year...





...preferring Steam Punk Governess chic.






Hammy Horrors.




Can't think where they get it from...






Oops, the skirt has swizzled round a bit (it's slightly too big) so the rose is off centre, but you get the idea. Does my bum look suitably stern and scary? I do hope so.





Method acting at its finest.





You know what they say about never working with children or animals?




It's all true.




1980s silk leg o' mutton sleeved blouse - vintage shop
Skirt (don't laugh, it's Per Una), Ann Summers corset and bowler hat - charity shopped
Boots - Ebay


We had a really good laugh getting decked out and taking the photos, we enjoyed our tea out, and I haven't contributed to the future development of diabetes in my children or anyone else's.

Result!



Spot the odd one out.



Joining Lakota's Halloween link up today.

  xxx


 
              

39 comments:

Vintage Coconut said...

Oh my Gosh you need to enroll littlest into acting! *She would be perfect*
The first pic of your munchkins littlest looks as though she is breaking out into a theatrical song. *hahaha*
The kids look Fantastic OBVIOUSLY they take after their Mom.
Love your Halloween attire.
I will be hiding out with the Mr. & Jersey in the basement when the trick or treaters or out. Jersey hates when a unknown person steps foot on our property... I could only imagine how he would re-act watching a ZOMBIE walk up the driveway.

Melanie said...

Very clever indeed. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Halloween than going out for tea. The expressions on your children's faces are a testament to your outstanding parenting skills. You, darling, have the most disciplinarian bum I have ever seen. I love this outfit on you!!! The B&W photo effects make this absolutely timeless. LOL

Helga said...

Frigging FABULARESE! Waaaay better than "begging" as my boss calls it!
We ahd ZERO trick or treaters-it's just not a big deal here! Some deeper suburban areas with more kiddies probably have a go,but on the whole it just doesn't really take off.
The kids are BRILLANT! Superstars in the making,each and every one of them,but the method acting is the Oscar contender for sure!
Your outfit is perfect! I'm dead keen on that bowler hat, and have no idea what Per Una is?? The skirt is divoon,wherever it came from!
I'd say you've created your own tradition!
Love you!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Melanie said...

What a nifty Halloween outfit, I love it! Your little one is a sweetie, I love her expression xxx

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Dear Curtise, your stern and very pointy bum gives me the best kind of shivers, for sure. Your spooktacular littles are amazing and adorably frightening, eek! The black and white photos are gorgeous!

Gracey the Giant said...

You all look wonderful!! Your bum is terrifying (in the best possible way) and the children look wonderfully scary. I love your steampunk governess look!

Fiona said...

What a fabularse outfit, such a refreshing change from the ubiquitous slutty witch look too. Who'da thought it came from Per Una? (never thought I'd see the day) The LB's look totally brilliant and I think they may be set for a future on the stage. Glad you all enjoyed your Halloween tea out.
Have a great day tomorrow.
xxxxx

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Brilliant! I reckon I'd have achieved something with my life if you'd been my governess, I'd have been too terrified to misbehave! The kids look fab too, definitely get little miss onto the stage.

(Just finishing up the few remaining spooky haribo mix here - we get HOARDS of trick or treaters)
x

Rose&Bird said...

Excellent idea and fabulous outfits, you look suitably gothic and who would have thought the skirt was per una? Love your eldest daughters mini hat and they look so like you! No trick or treaters here, too wet I think. Like the dressing up and pagan elements of Halloween, but I can't be doing with trick or treating, it's akin to begging in my book, sorry!

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

We did the same, only turning off the porch lights and pretending not to be home while watching Zombieland.

Your bum looks right sexy anyway. You look wicked cool in that get-up, and the rosettes on the skirt are just the icing flowers on the cake.

The Hammy Horrors are quite brilliant. If they came here, I would so turn the porch light back on.

OP SHOP MAMA said...

Hee hee!! Love it! Bloody good idea goin out - we did too! No bricks or tricks left at our place when we got back - yay.

Cute kids!
x

Connie said...

I would say that you are a very scary bunch except you're all so damn CUTE!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the steam-punk governess witch idea. I have that exact hat and today when I was thrift shopping I saw that exact skirt hanging in the "designer" section. I should have at least tried it on.
Halloween tea sounds like a wonderful idea. I'm sitting here right now having to jump up every damn 5 minutes for more hoodlums and ghouls.
Your kids look so darn cute!
Have fun in Wasall

Unknown said...

From a place of love and honesty, are you sure that it's appropriate for you to be encouraging your children to engage in satan worship? I mean, they're your kids and you can choose how to 'raise' them I suppose... it's certainly not my style.

You look nice enough in that 'outfit'. The corset is supposed to be worn as underwear and did you know that I can clearly see yours on the outside of your 'clothes'. Do you have someone who can help you dress? A good friend, perhaps someone who's not afraid to be honest with you?

Your garden looks nice enough.

Sarah xxx

Fran said...

Sexy Halloween costume and the photos of your kids are adorable.

one denim bird said...

Bahahahaha! I reckon leg o' mutton sleeves is enough to scare anyone - Halloween or not!!! The kids also look spectacular and what a fine idea going out for dinner to avoid the onslaught!!! Thanks Curtise, I wont forget that one ;-)

Trees said...

You all look awesome and what a brilliant idea taking the kids out to tea in their costumes. When I was a kid in the 80's Halloween wasn't even a thing in NZ - but now apparently its a thing and kids go out trick or treating (what?). Luckily for me I live in an inner city apartment so no worries about pesky trick or treaters! Some of my friends in the suburbs came face to face with some very cheeky kids last night!

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

Looks ike a lot of fun. It poured down here. We only got 3 Trick or Treaters this year.
Great dress and from Per Una!!!!
Love the Steampunk look.

bonsaimum said...

Superb outfit and great photo's. :)

Max said...

you motley lot look bloody marvellous, hammy horrors indeed, you would have made a packet (of lollies) if you'd have done the rounds, i'd have loved to have you lot turn up on my doorstep instead of what we got two spotty boys in school uniform. no tricks. they deserved the apple i gave them each!

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

You look fantastic! All I managed for myself was wearing stripey witch socks with my normal clothes! Fail.

Anonymous said...

That is such a good idea, to get dressed up and go out for tea! thus enjoying the fun of dressing up and avoiding trick or treaters at home....Genius.

I think once henry is old enough so next year I will make this suggestion. Not sure if the Hubby will go for it but it is worth a try.

Fabulous outfits xx

Kitty said...

Ok so the odd one out is kid with purple balloon, only face in a photo with one eye!! loving your outfit (but then, when do I NOT?!) squidgy bum and all, and yes i'd squeeze it in a nanosecond, but littlest girls pics are jsut hilarious!!!

CityScape Skybaby said...

I love the pic of you all together Curtise, you look brilliant. Hallowe'ene tea is a great idea, though I quite enjoy all the Hallow'ene business, I'm probably in a minority of one there! And thank you for posting that video, I'd never seen it before and it was weird as hell wasn't it?! I just know that little 'lock it in your pocket' bit will be playing in my head for days now. xx

mispapelicos said...

You look fantastic, but your children are real artors, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Fantastic all of you.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Krista said...

You are the cutest Halloween family! I love your steampunk outfit, totally sexy and no skin :) Littlest LB is totally hamming it up, that is one animated kid! And the oscar goes too.... Your tea out sounds like a unique way to celebrate and still get out and "be seen" because that is a fun part of it too. I bet you guys caused a ruckus!

I adored this song and video too, I haven't heard of Pierces before, isn't she cute!!! I hope you got those pants you left at Second to None last time, if they are even still there :)
Lots of Love!!!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant idea to go out to tea. Love the outfit. I don't think it really matters who makes something just that it's lovely.

Idee Fixe said...

Whoa what brilliant Halloween pics! You and the kids look amazing! XXX Jet
PS I love that song!

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Thanks for the video too. Never heard of 'em but really like it.

Miss Simmonds Says said...

Wow!! You look amazing! That's cheered me right up in my feverish state! The hoard look great to and you should probably enroll them all in drama groups. Although I don't see you as the stage mum type. The skirt is great, you know you can find some great stuff in per una, just don't pay full price.
So great to see you today, it wasn't long enough

silvergirl said...

looks so fun and the pictures came out great
the two can keep a secret if one of them is dead is a line in the song for Pretty Little Liars tv show over here in the states
love it
brett

Vix said...

You look utterly brilliant, the kids' faces and poses are hilarious, you better watch your back, they'll be having their own blog soon.
Love that outfit and definitely be tempted to slap your arse in that skirt. Per Una were obviously having an off day, or is it on inside out and there's a massive big button, crocheted flower and appliqué patch stuck on the other side?
The poor cat looks flippin' terrified!
Sexiest Hallowe'en outfit in Blogland. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Diane said...

You are indeed the finest team of Thesps EVER!!! You all look fab and such fine acting! Just catching up with your posts - I love that Camel coat! xdxxx

Lynn Hasty said...

Are you SURE that little girl is not already an actor??? That scared face looks totally authentic! You all look great. I LOVE that blouse you have on. I love puffed sleeves like that. They look great on you. Curtise, I actually just love the whole outfit. It's just the right amount of grunge to look a bit on the bad side but still be a classy Halloween tea-goer!! Ha!

xoxo
Lynn

Forest City Fashionista said...

You look SO friggin' awesome in the steampunk governess ensemble - We were corset sisters! Love the Leg 'o mutton sleeves and the butt-framing skirt. Littlest has obviously been studying Stanislavsky and various other classics of acting theory. The black and white photos are very atmospheric and perfect for your outfit.

joyatri said...

That's what's so cool about charity/vintage shopping. You're always ready for anything and can whip up a steampunk governess ensemble in a heartbeat.
I once had friend over to model clothes for my Etsy store. In styling her for each decade, she remarked, "It's great that you have all these props." Props? They were the clothes and accessories I wear every day!
You're kids are adorable. They'll be having a "firsthand" blog soon.

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

Curtise, you are the best steampunk governess (and mom) EVER!! You look amazing in your costume. From the first picture on down, I adore the photographs. Some are definitely art, as least as I define it! Wish I could've heard all the screams and giggles.

I think you could wear that outfit any day, too. XXOO

Rachel said...

My god, your whole family is equally talented and cool! Even the cat, with her/his gothic stripes... You all look
s p o o k y

Such a better idea to go out for the evening. I was feeling a little ropey, so we taped a teatowel over the door glass so it'd look like we were out. Grinch-y!

Dawn said...

Curtise I love this post. It is brilliant. I love your son's costume so much. How clever! Love their little faces, everything is just perectly adorable. Great witchy themed costume too. Your skirt, love the rose detail on the back and the swishy material. dawn suitcase vignettes xo