When you become a parent, part of the fun of Halloween is dreaming up a whole new take on group costumes: Surly baby? Why, he could be Roy Kent to your Ted Lasso! Or your mini me can be Captain Marvel while you dress up as her alter ego, Carol Danvers. But, sometime after age 2, your kid starts having ideas about what you should all be—the nerve of those children!—and you find yourself staring at aisles of Disney and Nickelodeon polyester onesies and gowns, debating with a toddler why you really wouldn’t be a great Olaf.
However, if there’s one kiddie show to emulate, it might as well be Australia’s No. 1 cartoon: Bluey. The show, which can be streamed on Disney+, is surprisingly entertaining for kids and adults. So much so, in fact, that you might actually look forward to dressing up as a giant blue (or beige) dog this year. Truly.
Here are a few Bluey-inspiredcostume ideas, based on whether you want to go all out or simply rock a tee and some ears.
Bluey-Inspired Costumes for Go-Big-or-Go-Home Families:
After two years of planning alternative Halloween parties, let’s just say: We’re looking for new ways to make the most of spooky season. And with Hocus Pocus 2coming out this September (Sept. 30, 2022, to be exact), why not start the fun a bit early? Whether you want to throw the ultimate watch party before catching the Sanderson sisters’ return to the silver screen, or you want to skip the usual pumpkins-and-skeletons and host a Hocus Pocus-themed Halloween party, we’ve got you covered. You don’t need to invite a bunch of people over; you just need a few props, a killer menu and a fun game or two. Here’s what to do.
Photo: LightingActLLC/Etsy
1. Set the scene with black flame candles, cauldrons and plenty of cobwebs.
Even if you’re not up for a full-blown costume (though there are plenty of those online, whether you’re a Sarah, Mary, Winnie or Billy), you can channel the movie’s vibe with a top that pays homage to Hocus Pocus without being so overt:
A little food coloring and a sanding sugar rim gives these margs their haunting look. Get the recipe.
Photo: Candace Braun Davison
4. Make “Booook!” S’mores Pops together.
Is this one of my favorite recipes I’ve ever created? Yes. Will it ever get old to me? No, no, it won’t. And once you see how easy these s’mores pops are to make, you’ll agree. Get the recipe.
5. Set up a projector to watch the classic.
If you’re going to go all out, streaming the movie on Disney+ from your laptop isn’t going to cut it. If you have the funds, a projector can really turn the party into a top-notch movie night.
6. Play Sanderson charades.
Write down a bunch of classic lines from the movie, toss them into a bowl, and have people draw them at random, trying to act them out a la charades. Whoever guesses the line correctly first earns a point. The first person to 5 points wins…all of the candy in your house. Hey, fair is fair.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally written in 2020 and has since been updated with new links. On that note, these items were all hand-selected and contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission on any purchases, which helps fund the operation of the site.
Strolling through Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, you can’t help but notice Voodoo Doughnuts: from the towering pink-and-black building to the 12-foot-tall replica of its Voodoo Doll doughnut to its pastry-barnacled throne outside, it’s total Instagram bait. And when you see the 50 (yes, 50!) flavors on the menu, it’s hard to resist making a detour.
But if you’re not already at CityWalk—or planning a day at Universal Studios—is a trip to Voodoo Doughnuts in Orlando worth it? Especially when you have to factor in $30 for parking, if you visit before 6 p.m. (and don’t have an annual pass).
Photos: Candace Braun Davison
Well, if you’re shelling out for parking and don’t have other real plans there, we’re going to go with…no. But, if you make it an evening trip—or piggyback it with a nearby matinee at AMC, where you can get the fee waived—it’s absolutely worth a trip, no matter the line.
Here’s what you should know before you go.
What Do Voodoo Doughnuts Taste Like?
Voodoo specializes in yeast doughnuts—light and fluffy, with plenty of air pockets, like a lightened-up croissant—but the company also bakes cake-based treats, like its blueberry doughnut. The cake doughnuts are moist and flavorful, whereas the yeast ones are pillowy. Some can be a bit dry, but that’s what the glaze (which is sugary, yet not gritty) is for.
Clockwise from top left: Maple Bacon Bar, Chocolate Coconut Cake, Voodoo Doll, Memphis Mafia
What Are the Best Voodoo Doughnut Flavors?
If you don’t mind jelly filling, order the Voodoo Doll. The yeast doughnut features a raspberry jelly filling (which tastes more like the fruit than a saccharine puree), a rich chocolate frosting and a pretzel “stake” through its heart, offering a salty finish that really brings out the richness of the cocoa.
Other favorites are the blueberry cake (so moist! So blueberry-y!), Oh, Captain, My Captain (the crunch of the cereal and sweetness of the vanilla frosting is a home run) and Memphis Mafia (it’s like the best of a fritter and banana bread combined, all coated in a hearty dose of peanut butter and chocolate).
Avoid the Bacon Maple Bar. Though they’re often credited as the originators of the maple bacon doughnut craze, the bacon tends to peel off in a single bite and the bar itself tends to be dry. A traditional doughnut with chopped bacon offers a better pastry-to-frosting-to-bacon ratio.
Peanut butter and chocolate fans, this quartet is for you
How Much Do Voodoo Doughnuts Cost?
Classic glazed and frosted doughnuts are typically about $1.50, but fancier doughnuts and fritters (such as the Memphis Mafia) can cost up to $5.25 apiece.
When Should I Visit?
If you’re heading to the Orlando location, aim to visit on a weeknight, when you can score free parking after 6 p.m., or—if you want to avoid crowds—head there on a weekday just after the morning rush hour. Catch a matinee movie (or use your Universal Studios annual pass, if you have one) to score free parking that way.
Getting a manicure can be pricey enough; add intricate nail art to the mix, and it can be a total budget-killer, especially if it lasts only a few days. That’s why, when I spotted a sale on Scratch’s Nail Wraps, I impulse-bought a set—and was pretty impressed with the results. Here’s the full breakdown of what to expect, so you can determine whether they’re right for you.
How Easy Is It to Apply Scratch Nail Wraps?
AKA, “how easily can I eff these up?!” Thankfully, Scratch Nail Wraps are pretty easy to stick on. You paint on a base coat, let it dry fully, make sure your nails are clean, then line the curved edge of each wrap to your cuticle to find the right size wrap for each nail.
Photos: Candace Braun Davison
Scratch wraps have a plastic liner on both sides: one flimsy, one thicker. Peel off the flimsy side, then carefully line up the curved edge of the wrap with your cuticle. Press down, focusing on pressing from the center out to the edges, then gently peel off the hard plastic side. (Sometimes getting the wrap to stick to your nail can be a little tricky; if that’s the case, try wiping your nail with a dry cloth to ensure there’s no oily residue on it.) Use your finger to smooth out the edges.
Some people talk about using acetone and special tools to smooth down the wraps; I found I didn’t need them.
From there, you press the wrap against the edge of your nail, then gently file it off—using downward strokes, so you don’t tear off the wrap—with the provided emery board. Seal it on with a top coat (glossy or matte is OK, as long as it’s not quick-drying).
How Long Does It Last?
Expect to get five to seven days of them looking fairly pristine (especially if you don’t pick at them). Even with washing the dishes daily, mine looked decent until about day 10. At that point, the edges were fairly chipped, but not terribly so.
How my nails looked, one week after application
Are They Worth It?
To me, yes. At $10 a set, they’re cheaper than a trip to the salon, and they don’t have the fake/plastic-y look that press-on nails can have. (Psst: The terrazzo design I’m wearing is currently on sale for $8 at Madewell!)
Pink bathroom fans, please sit down before reading any further. I’m going to disappoint you; I know this, because I’ve already disappointed so many, but I have to live my life. And a pink bathroom just didn’t fit into the equation anymore. For years, I leaned into my retro, Pepto-tinted bathroom; I sought ways to make its funkiness work for me. Then, one afternoon, a wall of tiles fell down.
Photos: Candace Braun Davison
And I still spent the better part of a year with a sheet of vinyl covering them, hoping I could come up with a fix. The tiles were too damaged—the bathroom, built in 1947, needed a total gut job, contractors told me. The plumbing was loud and leaky, the electrical was far from being up to code, there was questionable mold behind those remaining, bulging tiles.
So, after getting a series of terrifying price quotes, figuring out where to save (subway tile and standard-issue-yet-modern-lined Kohler tub and toilet!) and where to splurge (a fun-yet-storage-friendly vanity mirror and tile patterns that infused the room with a much-needed jolt of personality), we took the plunge. We chose a contractor through Home Depot—not only was this one of the most affordable (yet above-board) options, it came with an extensive one-year warranty to fix any issues that arose and had great reviews.
From there, we shopped, ordering everything and having it sent to the contractors’ office or our garage. Here’s what we ordered:
The contractors took care of the rest, filing the permits, tearing things down to the studs, calling in licensed electricians and plumbers to rewire and plumb the place, installing everything, tiling and painting. In just a couple weeks, the project was finished. It was relatively stress-free…aside from the $20,000 price tag. Ouch.
I feel the need to share this number because I definitely believed it’d cost $5,000 to $7,000 max. It doesn’t help that the permits alone in my area cost $2,000+, but still, I was stunned when six quotes came in, ranging from $10,000—for an unlicensed guy in an unmarked van who told me he was late because “he cut a gas line at his previous job, but he lit a match and nothing happened, so it’s all good”—to $40,000 for an Instagram-famous reno company that asked me if I could “leave the house for two months” while they worked, because they prefer the homeowners aren’t present as they renovate. It was a wild journey, but given the fact that all of the plumbing and electrical was bad—and I had about two inches of cement behind those tiles to tear through—I didn’t feel confident attempting this as a DIY project.
I’ll miss the pink bathroom, and given the range of “nooo” reactions I got on social to the big reveal, I know many people will too. But I love the sea glass green bathroom, and until we sell this place, nobody else has to like it. (As a chronic people pleaser, that’s far easier typed than lived out, but I’m working on that.)
We’re a little over a week out from Halloween, and you haven’t settled on a costume. Squid Game seemed like an easy win—until you realized everyone you know is dressing up that way. You want a pop culture costume everyone will get right away (because how annoying is it to explain who you’re supposed to be every 10 minutes?!). If that’s the case, you need Will Ferrell. Or at least his resume.
Pretty much every movie the actor’s been in has featured an over-the-top character and an equally noteworthy look. Anchorman has been done a ton, but how about these other roles? If you act fast, you can get them Prime shipped to your door before the 31st.
Night at the Roxbury-Inspired Costume:
Photos: SNL Studios, Amazon
Key quote to say: “I can’t help it, man. It’s hottie overload.”
When it comes to online icebreakers, you really can’t beat a Zoom scavenger hunt. They may seem overdone, but they’re the fastest way to get people moving—and engaged, rather than secretly scrolling other sites mid-call. Plus, it’s low pressure, and you learn a lot about each other in the process. So, if you’re planning an icebreaker or full-blown EVENT in honor of All Hallows Eve, here’s your guide to hosting a Halloween Zoom scavenger hunt.
The Rules:
Enlist one person to serve as the host/judge/emcee. That person has this list and gives everyone 15 to 60 seconds to hunt down each item, depending on how difficult it may be to track down. The judge/host awards 1 point for everyone who submits a correct answer on time, and 3 points to either the first to bring back said item—or the most creative answer. (Hint: Does a “bat” have to be a winged creature?) Whoever has the most points at the end wins.
If you’re doing this as an icebreaker, you can always limit the list to 3 to 5 items total.
31 Halloween Zoom Scavenger Hunt Ideas:
A piece of a previous Halloween costume
Something that could double as a mask
A pumpkin
Something black
A superstition
A cat
Three things that could make for a VERY last-minute costume
Candy
A candle (bonus points if it has a black flame, though maybe don’t light it)
Spiderwebs (real or fake…no judgment)
The item in your fridge/pantry with an expiration date closest to Oct. 31
Something you could fashion into a superhero cape
Something orange
A crystal
Something that spooks you or creeps you out
A bat
A horror story
Something that represents a Halloween tradition you have
Something you’d use to ward off vampires
A broom
Something that reminds you of your mummy
A photo of your most Frankenstein-y haircut you’ve ever gotten
Your favorite Halloween movie (a screenshot or YouTube link works!)
A pillowcase (aka a trick-or-treater’s ultimate candy bag)
It’s hard to believe we’re already on the final day of the 13 Days of Halloween! We figured we’d close things out with an Apple TV+ show that never fails to crack us up: Mythic Quest. ICYMI—which, given the severe lack of programming on Apple TV, we wouldn’t blame you—the comedy follows a group of people working at a gaming company, famous for producing Mythic Quest, an Assassin’s Creed-meets-World-of-Warcraft-esque game.
The characters are so over-the-top they make for great Halloween costumes, even if their looks are a little niche (as in, people may be asking you who you are half the night, but those you know, know, and will truly appreciate it). For this post, we chose two of the most dramatic stars…who happen to be the most easily recognizable, thanks to their pretty uniform looks.
How to Dress Like Ian from Mythic Quest:
Photos: Apple/Amazon/Teepublic
Faux-beard ($8) or Season 2’s Hulk Hogan-esque goatee
If your TikTok feed is suddenly full of dalgona candy and green-and-white tracksuits, blame it on Squid Game. The thriller—about 456 people, all in serious debt, who agree to compete in a series of basic games to win a cash prize (or die trying)—became an instant hit on Netflix after its debut. And, since it’s timed so close to Halloween, it makes sense that it’d become a wildly popular look this year. But just how popular are Squid Game costumes? Let’s take a look by the numbers, shall we?
White slip-on Vans, the shoe the players all wear during the game, saw a whopping 7,800 percent spike in sales, Variety reports, with the vaguer “white slip-ons” climbing 97 percent in search. Even in researching Google Trends data for these posts, Squid Game came up again and again: Searches for “squid game costume” and “squid game costume ideas” are up 300 percent over the past week, with some variation taking up three of the top five rising “costume ideas”-related terms. So, in short, this look will be everywhere, and if you want in, you’ve got to act fast, before stores sell out.
(Plus, it’d be kind of fun to show up to a party where nearly everyone is dressed like characters from the show, given the whole 456 contestants thing.)
It’s no secret I’m obsessed with recreating the Trunchbull’s cake from Matilda (something I tried at Delish and used as my barometer of awesomeness while reviewing cake mixes at PureWow). But the book—and movie—is so much more than that one scene. From the Trunchbull’s chokey to Matilda’s supernatural powers, it’s a bizarrely entertaining story following a brilliant, neglected kindergartener who sets out to right the wrongs in the world around her.
When the book came out in 1988—and when it hit wider acclaim as the movie dropped in 1993—it was unlike any other kids’ tales (well, beyond Roald Dahl’s other delightfully wacky stories). So, in honor of the movie’s 26th anniversary, here are a few Matilda-inspired costume ideas. Which, honestly, could work for Halloween or just as a day-to-day ‘fit, if you ditch the riding crop and fingerless gloves.
PS — Everything is sourced from Amazon, so these looks make for a great last-minute costume too! Hooray for two-day shipping, amirite?!
Infinite bonus points if you can get a whole group together to dress up as Matilda’s family, Danny DeVito’s bad bleach job and all this Halloween. Or do a Bruce Bogtrotter + Chocolate Cake couples costume. See? This is gold I’m giving you! Gold!
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Disney’s prequel to 101 Dalmations is all about the wardrobe. So much so, in fact, that there are licensed sewing patterns to help you recreate every major look from the film. But if you’re not so crafty, there’s an easier way. We’ll show you how, with these Cruella-inspired costume ideas, all based off of Emma Stone’s titular character, Estella (Cruella) Miller.
Oh, and if you’re looking for a mom-and-kiddo costume, how about dressing your little one as a dalmation?
At an event where everyone spends hours—if not days or weeks—preparing to be seen, Kim Kardashian’s 2021 Met Gala look stood out for doing the exact opposite: She covered up entirely, head to toe. And in doing so, became one of the most talked-about looks of the night. She was lauded by Vogue for the way she “rewrote the red carpet’s rules,” standing in front of photographers as a mysterious, anonymous figure. Why not pay homage to it this Halloween, sparking your own “Who is she?” conversations?
The floor-sweeping ponytail—which cost $10,000—may be hard to replicate, but with the black bodysuit and other details, we doubt anyone would fault you.
