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Santa Fusion

December 12th, 2009

NBC New York reports that the global phenomenon that is Santacon is descending upon New York City, and other locations, today – Saturday December12th. 

Since anyone and everyone is welcome to join in the mayhem, NBC was kind enough to remind all potential Santaconners of the three basic rules of all Santacon events. The first and most important of which, and the only one I’m going to talk about,  . . .

Rule No. 1: Dressing up is mandatory. And that doesn’t mean phoning it in with a red hat. You need to go full Santa. Creativity is encouraged.

Of course it’s perfectly acceptable to arrive, dressed in classic Santa attire, but it’s so much more fun to add a sprinkle of creativity, a dash of uniqueness, and a big old heaping serving of weird to your look.

Santa Fusion is a good place to start. Fusion happens when we take one costume and mash it together with another, creating something really fun. Here are few Santa Fusion ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

santa-elvis

Santa Elvis –  Wear an Elvis wig, along with a Santa suit all tailored out ( keep those pants bottoms wide) and a sequined red cape.

disco-santa

Disco Santa – How about a nice white afro to start? Don’t know why that guy in the photo didn’t think of that. Then either wear red bell bottoms, and a red sequined disco shirt, with some white marabou fluff added or wear a Santa Suit unbuttoned to the navel with the Santa pants tailored to give you that flared disco look. Add some big flashy glasses, shiny necklaces, a Santa hat, and platform shoes and you’re good to go. Girls, if you are doing your own Disco Santa look, we’ve got a ton of great Santa costumes for you and some gloves that it would be a crime not to wear.

Click the photo to go see the video.

Click the photo to go see the video.

Stripper Santa – I got this idea watching Ellen. Wear the Santa pants and hat from the classic Santa suit. No shirt for you though. You are going bare-chested with only white bow tie and cuffs. Even Ellen’s Hunky Santa’s didn’t think of that!

gangster santa

Gangster Santa – Red pinstriped pants, Santa’s jacket, along with a tommy gun, classic Santa wig and beard, topped off with a red fedora with a white band

grinch-santa

Grinch Santa – Take that classic Santa suit, wear only the jacket, add some green tights, and red elf shoes. Then add some green face paint or buy the full-on Grinch mask. Some green gloves with long spindly fingers would be a nice touch as well.

Darth_Claus

Darth Claus – Jump into your handy-dandy Darth Vader costume, add one red cape, preferably something velour or befitting the North Pole. Add some fluff at the cuffs, a nice Santa beard, and maybe even candy cane striped light saber.

pirate_santa

Pirate Santa – Santa and Pirates fuse really well. For the simplest approach, start with a classic Santa suit, add pirate boots, stick a pirate sword in your belt, a great pirate hat, either Santa’s beard and wig or a black pirate wig and beard. Top it off with a hook or an eye patch.

candy cane mohawksantaclausmohawk

Punk Santa – If you’ve already got, or are willing to get a Mohawk, just bleach it white. Add some big black biker or combat boots and some spikes and studs around your neck and wrist to the classic Santa suit. Wearing the Santa beard is totally optional. The candy cane Mohawk is a whole other project that I wish you much luck on.

super santa in whiteSuperSanta

Super Santa – There are so many directions to go with this one. Just remember this: real superheroes wear tights and always wear their underwear on top. I’d go with red spandex tights and top, candy cane bottoms/underwear, a black Santa belt, a red or green cape, a Santa hat of almost any variety, and either black boots, Santa GoGo Boots or maybe I’d use the Wonder Woman boots to give it the total superhero feel.

Santacon events happen all over the place, all through the month of December. Keep your eyes open and get involved. Be creative and try a little Santa Fusion.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Afro Wigs, Costume Hats, Costume Wigs, Disco Outfits, Do It Yourself Costume, Halloween Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Men's Costumes, Pirate Costumes, Shoes and Boots, Superhero Costumes, Women's Costumes, christmas costumes

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Santa Tracking

December 7th, 2009

 

December is here and NORAD is gearing up to track Santa as he makes his annual trip around the world. You can visit this bi-national military organization’s website and watch them track Santa . . . . or . . . . you can just keep your eyes open and I’ll bet you spot him all over the place this month. Santa is a busy guy this time of year, but not in the way you might think.

He’s not up at the North Pole all the time, you know. He’s got elves and Mrs. Claus to run the show so that he can enjoy the holidays just like you.

I spent my day yesterday volunteering at the Santa Barbara International Marathon and there he was. Santa in an inflatable suit that had seen better miles, came up over the horizon at mile 24. That made think of all the other places Santa might be hanging out this month.

Like at one of his other favorite organized runs. Can you pick out the real Santa in this group?

Skateboarding Santa

He’s been known to show his stuff at the local skate park.

snowboard santa

And he just tears it up on the slopes!

Surfing Santa

He likes to make stops where the weather is warm and the surf is up.

santacon

And one of Santa’s very favorite things to do is to hang with other Santas. Check out this year’s LA Santacon . Santas will invade LA on the 12th.

Create your own Santa Sighting. Grab yourself a Santa Suit and pick your activity and destination. Go solo, if you are brave, or recruit a Santa Squad. See if you show up on NORAD’s system. Make sure someone snaps your picture to make it an official Santa sighting.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Men's Costumes, Women's Costumes, christmas costumes, christmas lingerie, costumes

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Find Your Santa Hats, Everyone!

December 1st, 2009

I dug out my Santa hats and other such Christmassy apparel the day after Thanksgiving. I hope you did too. What? You don’t have a Santa Hat or any such Christmas headwear? You must be kidding! There are so many opportunities and events during the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas that just demand a good Santa hat or similar.

santa-hats

Wearing a Santa hat just makes the whole season seem more fun, more festive. Wearing one will make you smile, make others smile, and just add a bit of cheer and there. Here 10 great uses for a Santa hat or other holiday headwear.

  1. Santa Run – For the fit, crazy folks out there who love to pound the pavement year round, join a Santa Run or put together your own. Just call up a few other runners, who are just as crazy as you, plan a route (where plenty of people will see you), and go. Keep it kind of short, since running with a thick hat on may get you overheated.
  2. Santa Walk – Join an organized walk- maybe a nice 5k. Maybe you could do it raise money for a charity. Just wear your hat and take a walk after dark to see Christmas lights. Gather some friends and take a walk downtown, all wearing Santa hats. It’ll make people wonder what the heck you’re doing. Do some good while you are at it and hand out gifts or cards to random strangers.
  3. Christmas Shopping – Wear your hat every single time you do any Christmas shopping, whether out and about or online. Why not? You might as well dress the part.
  4. Go to work – Some businesses encourage their employees to wear Santa hats during the season. Even if yours doesn’t, go for it. It will cheer up your fellow employees, your customers and it may even be a good way to remind you to put on a smile, be nice to others, and all that good stuff.
  5. Santa Paddle – If you are lucky enough to live in a place that’s sunny in the winter get a group and hit water and paddle a kayak or a stand up paddle board Santa-style.
  6. Santa Hat Party – Throw a Santa Hat Party. Have all your guests wear a Santa Hat to get in, to get in cheaper (if you run a bar or club), or to win a prize. You could even trade hats at the end of the evening or auction them off at the end of the party.  
  7. Santa Bar Crawl – Invite a ton of people to move from bar to bar Santa-Style. Use Facebook or Twitter to get the word out. Everyone’s gotta wear a hat. Meet up at the first bar, then just make your way to others ON FOOT, please.
  8. Caroling – Sing classic Christmas songs or goofy renditions to random strangers or travel to your friends’ homes to entertain them. Great fun in a Santa hat or a Caroler Hat.
  9. Santa’s Helper – Tis the season to do something good for others. Put on your Santa hat and head out to clean up your local park, beach, or neighborhood. Or take gifts to shelter for the homeless, battered women, or a senior center.Take food, blankets or warm clothes to homeless. Help someone in need – maybe put up their lights, help them run errands, get a Christmas tree. I’ll be wearing mine as I work next Sunday at the SB Marathon as a course volunteer. Find some run or some event where you can volunteer in your Santa Hat.
    santarchy_logo
  10. Santarchy Event – As they say, “No force on earth can stop 100 Santas!”Every year, in December, Santas in large quantities descend upon unsuspecting cities and towns around the world for some Kringle Kaos. Your Santa Hat will need to be combined with a whole Santa Suit to take part in their Christmas Craziness, but it will be worth it. Check out their events and join in.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Costume Hats, Holiday Costumes, christmas costumes

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Gobbler Sightings

November 20th, 2009
It's that time of year again!

It's that time of year again!

The countdown to Thanksgiving has become. Out comes my Gobbler hat – one of my very favorite hats! It gets everyone in the mood, feeling festive and thankful. For the next 6 days, Gobbler will be out and about and I’ll be trying to capture his antics on film for you.

 

 

 

 

He’ll appear on random heads – like my dog’s.

Ro-in-the-Gobbler

In various places – like trying to get behind the wheel of the Mini.

 gobbler-in-the-carGobbler-on-the-dashboard

And in just plain, weird, scenes. Who knew the Gobbler was such a squash lover.

Wouldn't he make a great centerpiece?

Wouldn't he make a great centerpiece?

I had to pull him off our pumpkin.

Gobbler-on-Butternut

Then I turned around and there he was, perched on top of my butternut squash.

The Gobbler is perfect for oh, so many settings, situations, and events, as you will see. It’s not just for wearing on the top of your head.

You’ll just have to stay tuned to see where Gobbler is sighted next. Or, you can get your own and see for yourself what I’m talking about.

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Posted in Costume Hats, Holiday Costumes, thanksgiving costumes

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LULU Day

November 11th, 2009

The holidays are looming and the pressure builds. Who is coming to Thanksgiving? Who’s hosting it this year? What will I make? Will crazy Uncle Ted and Cousin Barney have another knock down drag out political debate? How will I make sure to get a piece of Grandma’s pecan pie before my sister woofs it all down?

Christmas lists. Who wants what and how the hell am I suppose to pay for that with the economy in its current downward spiral? Do we buy a Christmas tree or go artificial? What am I supposed to serve at Christmas dinner for Susie who just became vegan? Is Aunt Martha going to say another hour-long prayer before dinner as the food grows cold?

Healthcare reform bills. Current election issues. Your boss the power-hungry, control freak. The price of gas. The security your banking institution. The job market. The stock market. The military conflicts around the world.

These are just a few of the things we fret and stress over. Not to mention current standings in sports –  all the trades, acquisitions, injury reports that could greatly impact your weekly pool or fantasy league. The list of things we worry about could just go on and on.

Lucky for us there’s LULU Day.

November 14, 2009 is our day to get it all back in perspective. A day to consciously Loosen Up  and Lighten Up. Twenty-four hours to stop the incessant stressing about work, appointments, birthdays, holidays, bills, international affairs, who’s got what and who doesn’t.

Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day is just one day, just 24 hours, to smile more, breathe deeper, relax, and go low key. Is it possible? Can you loosen up for one day? Can you treat things more lightly for 24 hours? You can if you want to. And you can help someone else do it too.

Costumes – one simple piece or a full outfit – have been shown to be a highly effective tool on LULU Day. Somehow, wearing something silly and goofy makes us smile, laugh, and see that everything doesn’t have to be so serious.

So take the Tuesday, the 14th of November and loosen up a bit. Take the day off, wear a silly wig or glasses, go for a walk, hit the beach for a walk or just to lie there (if it’s warm where you are), get a massage, have your nails done, stare out the window and daydream, read a book, listen to music with your eyes closed. Just breath in and out, over and over. Maybe do a bit of yoga or meditation. Do what makes you laugh or smile. Make someone else laugh or smile.

Just make sure you don’t stress, worry, get upset, or get all serious. Don’t even think about all the yuck – just for one day. It will all be there on the 15th, I promise.  Get a little goofy, Loosen Up and Lighten Up, and let it all go. Who knows you may find you like it.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Afro Wigs, Clown Costumes, Costume Hats, Costume Wigs, Holiday Costumes, Men's Costumes, christmas costumes, costumes

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Good and Bad News for Santa

November 9th, 2009

Halloween has passed and what’s the next  big event on the calendar?? Well, yeah, there’s Thanksgiving, but I was actually thinking of something bigger, redder, jollier, with a little ho-ho-ho thrown in on the side.

Santa-In-Sleigh

You guessed it! Christmas is just around the corner and that means it’s time to prep for the arrival of that jolly old guy from the North Pole . . . Santa Claus! There are parades to lead, shopping malls to visit, seniors to cheer up, children’s wishes to hear and grant, presents to deliver, reindeer to take care of, chimneys to descend, and cookies to eat.

Such a big job! How does anyone really expect one man to do it all? That’s why there’s always a need for more Santas in the world at Christmas time.

On this note, I have good news and bad news for all of you aspiring Santas out there.

Good News: There are actual Santa Schools out there!!!

Yes, I said Santa Schools. You can actually pay to get top notch, Santa Training. According to some of these schools, participants actually report “renewed energy and deeper insights, and have allowed them to expand their horizons, and increase their personal satisfaction.” Here are three you might want to check out.

Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School

American Events Professional Santa Claus School

Santa School

Bad News: I am so sad to have to tell you that all of the dates for these courses have passed. Yep, you missed it. Apparently September and October are the big months for Santa training. Make note for next year.

Not being able to enroll in Santa School shouldn’t put a damper on your plans to play Santa this year. Here are a few tips to make yourself into a Santa that even Kris Kringle would approve of.

  1. Get yourself a great Santa Suit.
  2. Wear white gloves.
  3. Add suspenders if you need help keeping those pants up.
  4. Get a Santa Belly if you don’t have your own.
  5. Get a Santa hair and beard, unless you have your own.
  6. Use some make-up to finish the look. Put a bit of white clown make-up on your eyebrows. Smear just a dab under each eye to help you look a bit older. Then apply some red makeup to the tip of your nose and your cheeks for that rosy look. To get the make-up to set, use a make-up puff to apply some baby powder to your face. Don’t overdo it and wipe off any excess with a make-up brush.  
  7. Smile a lot.
  8. Laugh, ho-ho-ho-style, more.
  9. Be cheery, jolly, warm, caring, and show other legendary qualities associated with Father Christmas.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Costume Wigs, Holiday Costumes, Men's Costumes, christmas costumes, costumes

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Costume Countdown Day 8: Lovin’ My Lederhosen

October 8th, 2009

Lederhosen CostumeLet’s face it, lederhosen are cool. And I’ll admit it, I’ve been coveting my neighbor’s lederhosen for years. I see the German guys in them and the Oktoberfest celebrants, but only the male ones. The girls, they get stuck in the beer girl or Alpine dresses. While those are cute and sexy and all that good stuff, they just aren’t lederhosen.

Finally Leg Avenue has heard the cry of my heart and has made lederhosen for the ladies. All I can say is YODEL-AY-EE-OOOOO! It gets even better . . . and, I know what you’re thinking: “How could it get any better?” Well it can. I am considered short by some people’s standards – basically anyone and everyone who is over the age of 8 – and Leg Avenue made a size that fits even me. I’m five feet tall and weigh in just under 100 pounds, and this costume actually fits me.

The shorts are stretchy, comfortable and well-cut. They weren’t tight on me, just comfortable, but stretchy enough to work for someone a bit bigger. The top is comfortable, made of good fabric, has some fun details, and doesn’t feel utterly cheap. And the top fit my normal sized boobs just fine. The costume doesn’t feel like it’s going to rip, tear, or just disintegrate off my body. It’s just plain well-made.

The suspender straps are a bit long for my midget frame, but that was easily remedied. Just add another hole for the buckle. If you were blessed with more vertical inches than I, then you will be just fine in this costume.

I love this costume. It’s fun, totally comfortable, and has that great lederhosen look done in a really cool style for women.Little Miss Lederhosen Costume I’m so excited, I may break out in oom-pa-pa  tunes any moment.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Lederhosen Costumes, Leg Avenue Costumes, Men's Costumes, Oktoberfest, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes, couples costumes

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OktoBEERfest

September 23rd, 2009

The blessed month of October is just one week away and it’s time for you to get edumacated. It will make you feel so smart, so informed, and so grateful to me if you ever find yourself on Jeopardy or Who Wants to be Millionaire and have a question on this subject as the big one. Just remember to thank me when you win the big bucks, and by “thank me,” I mean “share some of the loot,” of course.

Oktoberfest

Today’s topic: Oktoberfest. Visions of glass mugs overflowing with beer and foam are dancing through your head right now, but I’ve got some shocking news for you. Oktoberfest wasn’t all about beer when it was conceived.

It began waayyyy back in 1810 to commemorate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese.  First it was just a big horse race. No beer. The citizens of Munich had such a good time, they decided to hold Oktoberfest every year and to organize it. A parade was added. Still no beer. Next came booths and tents for games and selling bratwurst. You guessed it, no beer.

It took until late 1880’s for beer tofinally make its appearance. The booths and tents got bigger and became beer halls, beer gardens, and were used for music and dancing as well. It was 1892 when beer was first served in glass mugs.

Now beer is the central point of Oktoberfest, with food, games, music and period costumes playing only supporting roles. Six million people head to Munich each year for Oktoberfest, making it the largest people’s fair in Europe and maybe even in the whole world. They’ve got 14 huuuuuuge tents each run by a different brewery. The biggest one holds about 12, 000 people.

Oktoberfest Beer Tent

Now don’t you feel so much smarter? So much more ready for Oktoberfest? Then get out there and celebrate. Travel to Germany for the original or hit up a local event. Santa Barbarians should make a point of of visiting Santa Barbara Oktoberfest on October 10.  Drink up some of that special brew, consume mass quantities of traditional German food, and, by all means, do it right by wearing costumes from the 1800s.

Girls, that means finding a dirndl that suits you. What? You don’t know what a dirndl is? It’s your basic beer girl costume or what Gretel, of Hansel and Gretel, would wear.

Guys, it’s time for lederhosen or at least some Alpine wear from the 1800’s. Again, think Hansel and Gretel.

And while you are out enjoying the brew, the food and the fun, whisper a quick little word to Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese thanking them for inspiring such a great event, even though it did take 80 years to bring beer into the picture.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Lederhosen Costumes, Leg Avenue Costumes, Men's Costumes, Oktoberfest, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes, couples costumes

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Hold On To Your Sombreros!

August 12th, 2009

Fiesta is over in Santa Barbara. The confetti from cascarones has been swept up, the horse poop from the parade has been scooped and tossed, the food booths have been taken down, the sound stages dismantled, and the sombreros packed away . . . .

WAIT RIGHT THERE!!!!

sombrero

Don’t pack that sombrero too far away. Theme parties with a Mexican or Latino  flare to them are always a good idea and are perfect several times a year. Call it a South of the Border Party, a Fiesta Party, or an Ole Party and use any of the following events as an excuse to throw one.

  • Mexican Independence Day aka El Grito (September 16)
  • Dia de los Muertos aka Day of the Dead (November 2)
  • Las Posadas is nine days of getting ready for Christmas ending with a pinata party (December 16-24)
  • Day of the Three Kings aka Dia de los Santos Reyes (January 8) I love this one! Kids get to open their Christmas gifts and get candy in their shoes instead of stockings.
  • Cinco de Mayo (May 5) My personal favorite since it’s my birthday. So many think this is Mexico’s Independence Day, but no. It’s the day to celebrate victory at the battle of Puebla. In the states, hardly anyone knows that. It’s just Cinco de Drinko to them.
  • In August, Santa Barbarians hold Fiesta and that’s another great time for a Fiesta Theme Party.

Want even more reasons to throw a Fiesta Themed Party? Check out all of Mexico’s Holidays.

mexican-foodFiesta Theme Parties are great for kids and adults. You’ve got a ton of great foods to choose from – tacos, burritos, chips and salsa,nachos, tamales, and  guacamole. Mmmm, muy bueno. For the adults, Fiesta-type drinks are abundant. Just make sure you’ve got a designated driver for the burro before you hit the Tequila.

 

 

The costumes for a Fiesta Theme Party are a snap. You can go elaborate with the Sexy Senorita, Flamenco Dancer, Zorro, or as a Mariachi. You can also create a super simple costume using nothing more than a white blouse and brightly colored skirt for girls, or black pants, white shirt, with a colored sash tied around the waist for guys. Or go super-simple with just a serape, a poncho, or a sombrero.

Throw on some toe-tapping Mexican rhythms like Mariachi, Salsa, or Nortena. Decorate with serapes, sombreros, cactuses, balloons, maracas, and brightly colored streamers.  For fun hit the piñata, take on the Chili-Pepper Challenge (start with mild and increase the heat level each round. You’re out when you can’t eat a whole chili), or do a little Mexican Hat Dance and show off your moves.

Ole! OIe! A Fiesta Theme Party is a sure way to score a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Costume Hats, Halloween Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Independence Day, Men's Costumes, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes

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Seen and Heard at Fiesta

August 10th, 2009

Ready for Fiesta

I slapped on my handy, dandy sombrero and headed downtown to watch the Santa Barbara Fiesta Parade on Friday.

fiesta-flower-girls

First up: the cute Fiesta flower girls all dolled up in their homemade outfits, tossing flowers into the crowd. One girl seemed to think she was trying out for the Dodgers or something. There was the wind up quickly followed by her best flower fast ball. She pelted my sombrero with one pretty good.

fiesta-flower-girls-3I asked one of the girls what Viva la Fiesta meant – since that is what they kept yelling out every 10 steps, with all the gusto of a drunken party-goer. She just shrugged, rolled her eyes, and explained rather seriously that she was just told to say it.

 

Pedro the Burro was not nearly as cooperative or enthusiastic about the parade. He seemed determined to walk only with the big horses. He was digging in his heels, and resisting his owner’s attempts to drag him down the street until his taller, statelier, more majestic cousins approached. Once the big horses caught up to him, he fell right in line with them. I think he thought that was his rightful place.

I heard a native Santa Barbarian say, “Wow, there sure are a lot of horses in this parade.” Apparently you can live in this town for years and be entirely clueless that this is one of the biggest equestrian parades in the state.

Having a blast

Fiesta parade riderHorses, horses and more horses. They were ridden bythe young,  the old , the older still, by men, by women, all with  riders in costume and looking quite fabulous. We had horses pulling carts, horses dancing, horses being ridden, high steppers, and search and rescue workers, and I even heard that one horse threw its rider and went solo for a bit.

Mariachis in Parade

Between all of the horses there were bands. Of course, the  marching mariachis had the best look. But here’s the odd thing. One of the marching bands from Oxnard made no effort whatsoever to look the part. They showed up in standard marching band apparel.

They should have followed the example of Santa Barbara High School’s marching band and dressed with a bit of Fiesta Flavor. I mean, really how hard is it? You throw on some black pants, a white shirt, and tie a red sash around your waist and presto-magico, you look all Fiesta-ish. Heck if you add a black hat, a cowboy hat or sombrero you are really going all out.

Romero on a Siesta at Fiesta

After a few hours in the sun, watching all the horses, we headed home only to find our pup enjoying Fiesta in his own way — taking a siesta!

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Costume Hats, Dog Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Men's Costumes, Pet Costumes, Women's Costumes, costumes

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