Happy Halloween sweet friends! Is your candy bowl prepared? I hope you’re ready to smile and go back in time today for a Ghostbusters 80s Movies Halloween Extravaganza!
Ghostbusters 80s Movies Halloween Extravaganza
Our friends, Mike and Michele, are the reigning King and Queen of Halloween. You may remember their iconic Pirates of the Caribbean theme from last year.
Mike and Michele begin planning their next event just as soon as the last one is over. It takes an entire year of teamwork to create all the fabulous costumes and truly elaborate home decor.
This year their family chose Ghostbusters as the theme.
The invitation to the party is always epic!
The House
Mike and Michele magically transform foam, wood pallets and other everyday objects into spooktacular decor.
Michele shares some of her creative process on her Instagram.
Who ya gonna call? Everyone!
People come from miles around to drive past their home every year.
The theme continues inside as well.
Michele is also a master cookie baker and celebrates Mike’s heritage with these delicious gems.
Our Costumes
This year guests were encouraged to create characters from classic films from the 1980s. No one is admitted to the party without a costume. We’ll start with The Gatekeeper.
Originally Michele thought she would be the iconic Dana Barrett aka Zuul character. She even bought all the fabric. But because she has to easily move in the kitchen during the party and not go up in flames she went with the Dan Akroyd character, Ray Stantz. So my sewing BFF passed on the highly flammable fabric to me. LOL
I started with an 80s pattern, Simplicity 5094, found at the thrift shop for the skirt.
The sleeves and bodice came from another vintage classic, Simplicity 9162. The two patterns were Frankensteined together.
Alterations
I didn’t add any elastic to the neckline so it would fall off of my shoulders like it does in the film.
The sleeves also had no elastic but were gathered into a narrow cuff.
The synthetic copper chiffon and gold lame fabrics were a nightmare to work with.
Everyone loved my Slimer purse. I googled Slimer Plush Toy and found one for $6.98. I opened up the back seam and took out half of his fluff so I could fit my keys and phone into a tiny pocket I sewed separately and quickly stitched inside.
Dana is barefoot in the film so I just wore nude flats as it was raining off and on.
I heavily shaded my face with brown eyeshadow and added some white shimmer to mimic her makeup.
The Keymaster
Mr. Decor’s costume is 100% from his closet or the thrift store.
He had the shoes, the pants and the long sleeve blue shirt.
The key element to the costume is Louis Tully’s headgear.
- The shiny metal colander/strainer came from the thrift store for $4.
- Chin strap from athletic store $6.
- Hair coils from the Dollar Store $3
- The electrical wires and screws were from Mr. Decor’s stash.
As the party generally gathers on the back porch he also grabbed some fairy lights from my decor closet for a bit of pizzazz.
Then it was simply a matter of installing the screws and piling the rest on.
Ghostbusters!
Okay, who brought the dog?!?
Other 80’s Costumes
We also hit up thrift shop for Sweet Guy’s Indiana Jones ensemble.
We found the whip, pants and tan shirt all for under $10.
The hat is a bit lighter in color, but so fun in that it once belonged to his great grandfather, Jack. The leather jacket was once worn by his grandfather, Landen.
Vikas is one of Sweet Guy’s roommates. This is his first Halloween!
Vikas went for the Urban Cowboy look.
This was Ponyboy’s first Halloween with us. He and the Fashionista went with the 80’s classic The Outsiders.
The Fashionista took on the role of Cherry Valance.
Ponyboy’s locks were wetted down. A denim jacket was a must for this cute Greaser.
Party On!
The Shining Twins
Goose actually grew out his mustache for the party!
The Heathers.
Yes to Wham!
Love that flotation device Marty McFly.
The Best Little Couple In Texas.
Winner of the most original costume portrayed the character Carl Spackler in Caddyshack.
“Most Revealing” was a bit of Risky Business.
Spaceballs!
A Fun Halloween Video
This short video is chock full of Halloween happiness. Make sure to watch it until the end for a giggle.
Friends I’m now preparing to head to Houston for an amazing conference. I will be speaking on planting a Georgian garden as well as attending several fabulous classes.
The event is being held at the gorgeous Newman’s Castle.
I have SO much to share with you. I wish there were three of me.
See you next week!
Laura
I love your costume post every year. Nice to see Mr Decor up and about.
So much imagination & creativity! What a fun time!