
1. Tongue Twister: Grab your favorite swimsuit, an old jacket and a collection of shells and you’ll have a costume faster than you can say “Sally sells seashells by the seashore.” (via The House That Lars Built)
2. A Favorite Destination: Have a large cardboard box lying around? Get adventurous and use your favorite travel destination, such as the Copenhagen Row Houses, as inspiration for your costume. (via The House That Lars Built)
3. Leg Lamp: Get ready for Christmas in October with a nod to A Christmas Story. You could use an old bucket, cardboard or even a large silk lampshade. We love the retro touch this gal added! (Photo via Sebastian Jespersen)
4. Maleficent: Forgo spooky looks and release your inner villainess with this DIY Maleficent headdress. Most of us probably don’t have black vinyl casually laying around the house, but you could use black paint or duct tape for a result that is equally evil. (via Reuse and Restyle)
5. Minion: Duct tape and mason jar lids are the unusual pieces used to make this handmade mask that is anything but despicable. (via Brit + Co)
6. Scuba Diver: Grab a pair of two-liter bottles and create this scuba diver costume for your favorite little swimmer. (via The Thrifty Ginger)
7. Photo Strip: We all love a good photo booth. Find your best strip, have the images blown up and then glue them to a long strip of cardboard for one photogenic costume. (via Oh Happy Day)
8. Bat Costume: Do you have an old or broken umbrella laying around? Then these DIY bat wings need to be on your radar. Even the ears are made using the umbrella! (via All Day Chic)
9. Cotton Candy: All you need for this cotton candy costume is some cotton or stuffing from an old pillow. Dye it pink and wrap it around your little one for a super sweet newborn costume. (via Style Me Pretty)
10. Vintage Robot: This robot-inspired DIY is made solely of recycled goods such as a cardboard box and lightbulb, making it a cute, creative costume option that is also good for the environment. (via Sweet Paul Mag)
11. Wind-Up Doll: Make this wind-up key from an empty paper towel tube, then grab your favorite vintage dress for a perfect marionette-inspired look. (via Kristen Nunez)
12. Jellyfish: There are quite a few ways to dress up as this sea creature if you have an old umbrella on hand. Grab your gals for a group costume that is sure to make everyone jelly. (via Brit + Co)
13. LEGOs: Cardboard, leftover tubs and beer coozies are the pieces you need for this LEGO-inspired group costume. (via Costume Works)
14. Fantastic Mr. Fox: This Wes Anderson-inspired couples costume requires poster board and your drawing skills to create fox-faced masks. It’s anything *but* a cluster cuss. (via A Beautiful Mess)
15. Guess Who?: Leave your fellow party guests guessing with this mysterious board game costume. Simply cut out a square of cardboard, paint an old t-shirt and you have a perfect couples (or group) costume. (via Coolest Handmade Costumes)
16. Hula Skirt: Grab that extra (clean) mop head from your cupboard and whip up a hula skirt in no time. (via Martha Stewart)
17. Flower Power: Take those skills you learned in that paper flower class to the next level with this DIY hat for a chic trick-or-treat extravaganza. (via The House That Lars Built)
18. Cactus: Put that old green dress you never wear to good use this holiday by attaching some white pipe cleaners for this super succulent frock. (via Brit + Co)
Do you have any clever costume DIYs? Be sure to share with us in the comments!
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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