We love Halloween around here. Lily asks us almost daily if it's Halloween yet. It's her favorite. The candy, the costumes, the all-out sugar rushes: what's not to love?!

Lily decided early on that she wanted to be "Princess" Alice for Halloween. She loves the movies, with the creepy Johnny Depp one being her favorite (she prefers the Depp Charlie and the Chocolate Factory too). I also knew early on that I would be making the costume, to carry on my favorite Halloween tradition.

My mom made several of my Halloween costumes as a kid. My favorite was this super sassy mermaid costume, complete with sea shell "bra" (it was glittery fabric on a nude-colored suit: I wasn't a 6 year-old hussy, promise).

I've sewn lots of things in my day. My mom, grandmother, and a crazy great-aunt taught me to sew when I was little. I've made dresses, bags, accessories. Sometimes I just get in the mood and sew incessantly. I had to get in the mood for this dress.

This is by far the most advanced thing I've ever made. I usually cheat and work around the need for zippers. But not for this. This was legit. And Lily loved it. So worth it.

I honestly made this about 4 times, if you count how many times I had to pull stitches and remake, due to really dumb mistakes. But it was a learning experience, and I'm pretty sure I've gotten over my latest sewing phase. Hopefully this will last me until next Halloween.

Now she has a killer dress up outfit. Her alter ego (she seriously becomes Alice, as in you have to call her Alice before she'll respond) will probably get the best of me. This kid is the best. Drives me nuts, but the best.

She's scary, huh?

(Paris recap will resume tomorrow!)