I was hot. More like the sun, less like the "naughty nurse" that showed up. I wore 6 pounds of white make-up which included three different whites (clown, powder, then water based paste). Then a delicate touch of red on the lips and a massive amount of black at the eyes. This took an hour.
I rented the kimono/obi combo which was lovely but weighed 25 pounds and was cut too high on the leg for comfort so I actually wore a dress I owned under it. While there was no significant weight added by my dress it did add another layer of warmth. I wore my hair under a wig cap and then added the uncomfortable too-small wig that I had paid too much for but had the added benefit of looking really awful. I looked less like Memoirs of a Geisha and more like memories of Harvey Keitel in drag.
Overall it was a bad costume year. I accept that. I should have learned from my Bride of Frankenstein costume two years ago. Only the make-up was uncomfortable that year... but I was cool and comfortable in the white shift that completed the costume and the wig that year was (and continues to be) fantastic and large enough for my over sized noggin.
This year the party was still wonderful but the edge of my happiness was ever so slightly taken off because I was sweating profusely and my head was uncomfortable, and I could only keep up the Geisha shuffle until my feet began to hurt.
At 11pm I went up to my bathroom and surrendered. I washed my face. I changed into comfortable clothes. I deodorized. I packed it in.
Then I went downstairs and enjoyed my guests and the food, and the wine. It was very liberating. Next year I think I'm coming as a middle-aged, mid-western, blogging fiend. I have the costume.
Sounds like you still enjoyed your party! It sounded like a good costume.
Posted by: rip, runnin and roarin | October 23, 2007 at 04:11 AM
ugh - i never dress up for halloween! i guess i'm the halloween grinch ;-)
very creative costumes!!
Posted by: girlymama | October 23, 2007 at 07:23 AM
You looked great! Better than that one gal in a pumpkin shirt and baseball hat! I was so glad I could make it. Even if it was only until I could no longer stop coughing (nice touch to the classy outfit). You throw one hell of a party lady. Love ya.
Posted by: Lady by the Creek | October 23, 2007 at 07:43 AM
So no actual pictures, huh? I can't believe your makeup took that long! I have yet to figure out a costume for 2 Halloween parties I am going to this year. Any creative/humorous suggestions?
Posted by: Lynette | October 23, 2007 at 08:16 AM
I'll bet you looked good. That book was a favorite of mine. As always, the book was better than the movie.
One year I dressed up like a dalmatian puppy and took Peep trick or treating. I had a t-shirt with spots glued on and I wore my hair in pigtails and clipped puppy ears on over them. That was 11 years ago. Two of my neighbors still tease me about the "cow suit" I wore that year and have even asked to borrow it. They will never let me live it down. And I haven't dressed up since. :P
Posted by: peepnroosmom | October 23, 2007 at 08:18 AM
You most certainly did not look like Harvey Keitel in drag! Sorry you were so uncomfortable, but a great time was had by all I can assure you!
Posted by: New Diva on the Blog | October 23, 2007 at 08:37 AM
I think I'd like to be a slightly overweight, angry mother of three who wants to ignore her children and blog, but only after she gets home from spending all her husband's money.
Do you think Party City has a costume for that or should I just look in the mirror?
Posted by: Christie | October 23, 2007 at 10:16 AM
I bet you looked fabulous! I do admit to sweating just from reading your post, though. :o)
Posted by: Jenster | October 23, 2007 at 03:21 PM
My head started itching just reading this post!
All of the costumes sounded fantastic. I am sure that it was a wonderful party.
Hope you are recovered!
Posted by: Lisa@take90west | October 23, 2007 at 03:33 PM
Go you for doing that!
But where are the pics? You can't make a comparison like "Harvey Keitel in drag" and then not post pics.
Posted by: Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama | October 23, 2007 at 04:11 PM
Really? I bet you looked fantastic! Makeup is hard to wear to a party. I'm still trying to figure out what to be this year. I can't top I love Lucy from 2 years ago. It was perfect. Who knew you could rent costumes? I surely didn't. Hmmm...
Posted by: crookedeyebrow | October 23, 2007 at 04:50 PM
Awww, no pictures? I'm dying to see the costume!!
Sounds like fun - halloween rocks, doesn't it?!
Posted by: dodim | October 23, 2007 at 06:10 PM
I too require a photo of this awesomeness...
Posted by: fatbridesmaid | October 23, 2007 at 09:33 PM
Picture. Now.
Posted by: Beth F. | October 23, 2007 at 10:07 PM
picture now . . . Pictures Now . . . PICTURES NOW . . . PICTURES NOW!!!!!!
I too would like to see pictures, she said demurely.
Love, Mom
Posted by: Sandra | October 24, 2007 at 07:58 AM
I'm always lame when it comes to costumes!! I'm stealing your blogger costume idea for this year....hehe....too perfect!
Posted by: Ann | October 24, 2007 at 08:31 AM
No pictures yet?
Posted by: crookedeyebrow | October 24, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Too funny! Congrats on your great weight loss!
Posted by: MamaBearJune | October 24, 2007 at 07:37 PM
sadly the 100lbs of makeup and several layers of clothing reminds me of a bridesmaid moment I've had in the past, in august, in an unairconditioned church in the middle of the afternoon
you looked fab and should have gotten some votes!
Posted by: tz | October 24, 2007 at 09:37 PM
Seriously,you made a hot Geisha. It was daring, dramatic, and had your personality all over it girlfriend!
Posted by: Jen (More Than A SIngle Mom) | October 25, 2007 at 07:20 PM
Be glad you're not Asian for real (you're not, right?). My wife had to wear a very heavy Asian dress during our wedding reception. It had to be at least 50 pounds with all those blings on it. During our honeymoon, I also made her carry me through the door.
Posted by: Daddy Forever | October 26, 2007 at 01:05 AM