When Halloween comes around I am always amazed how expensive Halloween costumes are! When did the fun, kids’ dress up night move into a night where parents spend hundreds? I mean, it is just 1 night! But homemade are not that hard or expensive. Here are 9 tips get you on your way to fun and cheap costumes!
1)Sweats, turtle necks and leggings are a great base for any homemade costume!
2)Dollar Store Accessories can sell it!
3) Don’t buy special Halloween/costume make up. Cheap make up usually results in better colors and doesn’t bother the skin as much. Then you can use a makeup wipe to remove it too!
4)If it is for Trick or Treating remember: It is dark! Don’t fret over the details!
5) If you need cardboard, Costco will let you pick out boxes!
6) Spray paint is a cheap and easy tool. You can paint quickly!!!
7) Pipe cleaners make great antennae, extra arms, etc.
8) Act like it is just playing dress up. Go with what you like not just what fits the “theme” of the costume.
9) Have fun!!! And let the kids help!

We are heading into the fall and holidays! As it cools off instead of just having causal BBQ’s we are moving inside with more structured dinner parties and big holiday meals. But that doesn’t mean being a host has to be stressful. Some smart planning and you can be enjoys these great meals with everyone else!!!

1)Assemble recipes! If they are in cookbooks make a list with titles and page numbers. This isn’t the time to try something new or things that need to be cooked moments before.

2)List prep times that can be done ahead of time/day before/day of/etc. This can just be jotted down on a piece of paper or on a spreadsheet and then you can order them based on prep times;). If a recipe has part that can be done ahead and part that can be done day of, list it twice!

3)Make a grocery list. Include disposable dishes, napkins, and the like if needed too!

4)Assign serving dishes and utensils. Some people set them out and put a post it on them. I make a list.

5)Days before begin prep. Anything that you are making ahead of time and freezing can be done the week before.

6)Do day before prep. Often chopping vegetables or making batters fall into this category. When I make my coconut shrimp cakes I mix it up and put it in the fridge the night before. But for latkes the potatoes will turn brown so I will just chop the onion but leave the rest for the day of.

7)Create a schedule for day of. What can you cook before noon? What needs to be done an hour ahead? What needs to come out just in time to eat?

8)Have everything done within 15 minutes of the party and enjoy your guests! You are doing this to enjoy your friends and family, so go enjoy them!

9)Allow people to help a little with the dishes. I know, we have all be socialized that a good host doesn’t let people help. Tough! Those who offer usually feel it is a way to show their gratitude. And if they help load the dishwasher they don’t feel as guilty when they leave you with the rest of the dishes.

Now that the kids are back to school and have their wardrobe all situated it is now the adults’ turn!!! But cleaning an adult’s closet isn’t a cut and dry as cleaning out your child’s. It isn’t all about if a garment actually fits. Especially for women! Women tend to have a total of 3-4 different sizes in their closet at any one time. And I understand, you don’t want to just toss all those valuable clothes. Or even just toss them to the bottom of some generic donation stack. But there are some worthy causes that need your clothes or you can even sell them!

So how are we to attack this monster? With some logic steps, of course;).

First look at everything that doesn’t fit.
1. Is it torn, stained or otherwise not in its best state? Toss it!
2. If it fit perfectly would you really want to wear it? Be honest, in a closet full of clothes would you really pick it? If not, it is time to bless someone else.

Now lets look at everything that fits.
1) Pull everything out you haven’t worn in 18 months. Do it!!!
2) Is it ripped, torn or stained? Toss it!
3) Does it need mending? Are you really going to do it? If you aren’t then toss it! If you think you will take it out and put it in a box. If you don’t mend it in 3 months, toss!
3) If it is a special occasion outfit then you have to ask yourself the hard question. Would you still wear it if the special occasion came up or would you use it as an excuse to buy some thing new? If you would want to buy something new: donate! Otherwise put it back in the closet.
4)Otherwise you need to donate it!

So now what do you do with all these clothes?
1)Swap with friends!
2)Sell on Craig’s List, eBay, website or consignment store. It takes some work but can make some money.
3)Donate!!! Sometimes donating makes it a little easier to get rid of those clothes that you paid so much for but don’t wear.

Here are 3 great donation options here in Fresno!
1) My Sister’s Closet that helps dress women for jobs after helping them with resume and interviewing skills.
2) Suiting for Success that dresses both men and women! It is for the Welfare to Work students and helps them to be dressed for the job they are trying to get!
3) Goodwill is always a great option for everything else that may not be career wear! And of course there are trucks all over the city and they will even unload your car for you!

Cleaning your closet will help not only bless others but also bless you by making your space a little more organized and sane!