Costume Discounters - Business/Product Review

Who says costumes are only for Halloween? No way! And if you have kids the more costumes the better! So you can understand why I felt very lucky to be approached by Costume Discounters to do a review of one of their products.

My first step was to choose a costume. Now, THAT was a dilemma because they have a HUGE selection to choose from. Kid's Halloween costumes, adult costumes, girls dress up costumes, and costumes for all sizes from infant/toddler to plus size! They even carry accessories, make-up, dog costumes, props and decorations! 

I let Momo take a peek at the costumes and after changing her  mind about a million times she decided on the Girls Pink Deluxe Power Rangers costume. The package included the jumpsuit, belt, belt buckle and mask, with optional accessories sold separately. 

I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly the costume shipped and how carefully it was packaged. If was even wrapped in bubble wrap! (I'm assuming the bubble wrap was used to protect the mask?) However, when I saw the mask I thought, "Oh boy. This mask isn't going to last a DAY!"  It's made of the plastic that would crack the first time it was sat on or stepped on, which is BOUND to occur in our household: 

But guess what? So far so good and it's been about two weeks! 

Momo couldn't wait to put it on. Here she is in all her Power Ranger glory: 

Regarding size: Momo is off the charts for her height and weight. She just turned four but I knew that a small would probably be too snug and the medium would probably be too long. Decisions, decisions!  I opted for the medium and I'm glad that I did. While my prediction was right and the jumpsuit ended up being too long it only took a few seconds to roll up the sleeves/pants. (Don't mind the dirty Crocs she is wearing. Remember, optional accessories like the Power Ranger boots are available for purchase, though I didn't see any pink or white ones!)

To give you a better idea on the size/fit I had Kailani (8) put the same costume on: 

She is a true size 7 and the medium fit her perfectly. No rolling up of anything necessary! 

I was actually surprised that she cooperated and was willing to try the costume on for me. She did insist on wearing the mask. Not because she was embarrassed to wear a Power Ranger costume but she was a little annoyed that her sister chose the PINK costume. HA! Third graders...I tell ya.

Regarding the quality - being someone that sews I can be quite particular about clothing construction. I have to be honest and say that the costume is well made and will probably last quite a while. I still have my doubts about the mask though. Just speaking the truth here!

You should also know that the costume is made of 100% polyester. Could be itchy for some kids though mine didn't have any problems with it. Also, with it being 100% polyester it could get hot during the warmer months. However, even living here in Hawaii my kids had no issues with it whatsoever!

My final thoughts? With the huge selection, competitive prices, fast shipping and overall good quality of the costume I have to give Costume Discounters two thumbs up! Let me also mention that they GUARANTEE to have the lowest prices! If you find an identical costume on the web they will price match it AND give you an additional 20% off!  So if you are in need of a costume, whether it be for Halloween, a party, theater performance, play date, you name it, be sure to check out Costume Discounters!

Thanks to Costume Discounters for the opportunity to do a review!

Note: Costume Discounters provided me with a costume free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

DIY Ribbon Wands

If you saw my post about Momo's party you may have noticed the ribbon wands that I made for party favors. They were super easy to make! The hardest part was deciding on what color ribbons to use!

I found the tutorial via The Ribbon Wand Shop. The only change I made was I used 3ft of ribbon versus 4ft. and the ribbon was still really long and pretty! My girlfriend helped me out by sealing the edges with glue to keep the ribbon from fraying.

Now, if I were to make these again for 3-5 year olds I think I would use a smaller dowel - one that was just large enough for a small hand to wrap around. Possibly 4-5" (versus the 12" that I used.). Why? The ribbon wands quickly turned into ribbon SWORDS. How on earth I didn't see that one coming I have no idea!

It was a fun project and I look forward to making these again for another occasion! 

For more homemade projects or gift ideas check out "this & that" and "Tip Junkie."

Bubble Birthday

Happy Belated Birthday to Momo!

Momo turned four this month. While her birthday was on a Monday we didn't tell her because we weren't celebrating it for another week (and I wasn't ready to be asked a million times a day, for seven days "When's my party?!?") The plan was to have a bubble themed birthday party in the park, but Mother Nature wasn't having it!

Oh dear. And this was the first time EVER that I would be throwing a party with NO structure - no crafts, no games, no pinata....no nothing! Just bubbles and cake!  (Pretty ballsy of me, I know!)  I figured with the party being outside the kids would be content running around in the grass blowing bubbles, playing on the playground, etc. But nooooooooo. The rain was coming. For sure.

So....against my own wishes I held the party at our small apartment. Yes. Crazy. And we were expecting about 12 kids and their moms. *Breathe in. Breathe out.*

But guess what? It all worked out okay.....even in a small space, with no structure everyone had a great time! Unfortunately I didn't take nearly as many pics as I would have liked. Thank goodness that my BFF took some (and helped with the pizza.....and the favors.....and the balloons..... THANKS BFF!)

 There was some pre-party dancing (Momo always dances to the Black Eyed Peas!):

A little glitter in the hair:

 

CAKE (from Costco, of course): 

 

Lots of playing indoors due to the rain and mud outdoors:

Did I mention mud?

I didn't realize till after the fact that I never even took a picture of the "bubble bar" outside (under the overhang). Darn! :( But here's a pic of the party favors. Homemade bubble solution and ribbon wands:

Even if it didn't turn out the way I envisioned it Momo had a GREAT time...and that's what counts! :) When I asked what was the most favorite part of her party she said, "BUBBLES!" 

Happy birthday, Momo! :)

Mama's a Mess + 4 Crazy Kings =

SO MUCH FUN!

I have stayed quiet about this (and it was HARD!) but now I'm spilling the beans! 

Recently I had the opportunity to meet one of my most favorite bloggers EVER, Kim from 4 Crazy Kings. I've  often made reference to her blog as she is my go-to gal for kid's crafts! Well, Kim and her family came to Hawaii for vacation and I jumped at the chance to meet them!

How did it go? You tell me:

In other words, IT WAS AWESOME! 

Although it was our first time meeting in person I truly felt as if we were two long lost friends reunited! I couldn't get enough of her and her family and hope they come back soon!

The girls got along wonderfully as well! Here are the two little ones, Em & Momo:

And here are he two older ones, Kailani and Lulu:

We met up at the Dole Plantation and walked around the grounds so the mamas (and papa!) could talk and the girls could cut loose. We went into the "World's Largest Maze" and tried to find all the hidden booths:

They found the "Fish" booth....as you can see by Momo making fish lips!

We didn't find them all of them but we had a lot of fun trying! 

We talked so much that we shut the place down. Seriously. We were *this* close to getting kicked out. The announcement over the intercom stated that the plantation had closed (30 minutes prior) and to exit out the front! I think they were speaking to us directly. HA! 


A fun time had by all!

A note to Kim, Papa King and the girls..... "COME BACK SOON!"  :)

Stop by Kim's blog for a few more pictures!

Wordless Wednesday - Bathing Suits Optional!

No bathing suit? 

No problem!

Just swim with your clothes on (which is a better alternative to swimming in the nude!)

 

  

For more Wordless Wednesday check out 5 Minutes for Mom!

Checking in.....

Been awhile since I posted (yet again!) We've had back-to-back visitors since mid-January and now my BFF (best friend forever) is here from Korea with her beautiful family! So lots of sight-seeing, shopping and beach days to come with not so much blogging and sewing till they go!

But that doesn't mean no crafting! My sweet (and a little bit crazy) Momo had a birthday yesterday and turned the big FOUR! CRAZY! Her party (I like to say "playdate with cake" as I'm trying to keep it simple) isn't for a few more days so we didn't tell her....so shhhhhhhh!

Meanwhile I am working on some favors. Here's a sneak peek of them half way done. Any guesses to what it might be?

Will post a picture of the finished product with the tutorial on how to do it!