Guest Post – Dressing Up Your Toddler in a Costume for a Party

Jamie Highland writes articles for My Baby Shower Favors, a site that sells supplies for various events including everything from baby shower favors to Halloween cookies. In this article, Jamie gives some tips on how to choose a costume for your toddler.

Photo Credit: Toddler Cosplay

Dressing up your toddler in a costume for Halloween or for a party may sound like a great idea but you will have a lot of thinking to do in advance. Remember that the costume selection and dressing up should be enjoyable both for you and for your child.

Toddlers can be very stubborn, especially when you really want them to do something. Chances are that your little one will resist all of your attempts, kicking and screaming. Knowing how to approach the costume dress up and how to make it fun for your little one is essential for success.

Choose the Right Costume
A costume should be both original and comfortable for your little one. The right idea is essential for the success of your creative attempts. Many parents are even attempting to make their own costumes for parties because this is the best way to achieve originality and to stay away from the mainstream.

Anything that you can imagine can either be purchased or made. Choose soft fabrics and padded elements that increase both the safety and the comfort of your toddler. Some costumes will be very inappropriate for a young child. Take a close look at the instructions and the specifications before making a purchase.

It is also possible to dress up as a family. Find a matching costume for every family member. This decision will bring the cuteness factor up even more.

Try the Costume On!
You should certainly try the costume on before the big day. Waiting until the last minute may result in some unpleasant surprises. Be sure the costume fits properly and looks good.

Turn the costume dressing process into a game. Simply forcing your toddler in this unusual outfit will be inefficient and far from enjoyable. It should be an activity that satisfies both of you. Forcing your toddler to wear a costume simply because you want to be the parent of the cutest kid would be wrong. Instead, find a costume you both enjoy.

Trying the costume on in advance will help you decide whether you need to make some adjustments. It should be comfortable and it should be safe. Refrain from purchasing costumes that have tiny details and ornaments that can be easily detached from the fabric and swallowed.

Be Careful with Masks
A mask can be a cute final addition to your toddler costume but it may present some concerns in terms of safety.

If you want to feel confident and calm, you should probably refrain from purchasing a mask to go with the costume. This way, you can observe the face of your little one and you can make sure that your child is happy and feeling ok.

To make the transformation complete, you can utilize face paint and hair accessories that will contribute even more to the appearance and the cuteness of your toddler. Being creative is the most certain way to impress everyone.

Having fun with toddler costumes is an essential prerequisite for your party success. Come up with a nice idea and try the costume in advance. Make necessary adjustments to increase the safety and the comfort of the costume. Turn the dressing process in a game. A toddler that enjoys the process will be a happy and even cuter child.

How to make your own Lolita/Maid Headdress

Thinking of cosplaying as a maid? Love Lolita fashion? Want to stand out from the crowd when waiting for the bus or train? Well this is a tutorial that will show you how to make your very own super cute and elegant Lolita headdress. The tutorial will show you how to make the headdress below.

Lolita fashion is based on the aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian periods. The most classic colours used are black and white. These colours are perfect for those who are new to Lolita fashion. Lolita headdresses are typically rectangular in shape and generally have a focus point that runs along the middle of the headdress and lace trims for the edges. Repetition and balance are also key aesthetics that we have to keep in mind when designing our headdresses.

What you need:

• Light cotton fabric – this is our base colour
• Interfacing – this will strengthen the fabric and make it easier for us to work with
• Fabric binding glue – can be sold in a small roll or by metre. This looks like a web and is used for appliqué.
• Ribbon – find a colour that suits nicely with your base fabric colour. A ribbon colour that is opposite to the base colour is usually pleasing to the eye and it also gives emphasis.
• A variety of lace trims – the reason for a lot of different ones is that you never know a certain type may look better when you are putting fabrics together 😛
• Plain black headband/hair band
• Hot glue gun and glue

Here are some examples of different types of headdresses you can make when playing around with fabrics and lace.

1) First cut out 2 rectangles 25cm x 9cm or 10 inches x 3.5 inches.
2) Fold in the edges roughly 1cm or 0.5 inches and iron down. Do this for both rectangles
3) Where the fabrics overlap at the corners, cut it at an angle. Do this for both. This will make sure when sewing the corners, it will not be too thick.


4) Lay your rectangle on the interfacing and cut around it, slightly trimming the edges so that the interfacing piece is a bit smaller than your rectangle.
5) Iron down the interfacing onto one of your rectangles. The interfacing seals the 1cm flaps you made.
6) Cut out 2 pieces of lace, make sure the lace has at least 3cm [1 inch] hanging out on both sides. My lace piece is much wider than the headdress so I decided to fold it in so that when 2 pieces are next to each other and the combined width slightly goes over the edge. The folded parts also become a feature on my headdress.
7) Using the binding glue/web put this along both lace pieces, making sure that it runs along the middle of the rectangle and iron down. NOTE don’t forget to change the iron temperature to low, the lace might shrivel up.
8) Now thread your sewing machine with black thread and sew along the middle of the headdress. You should be sewing one line for each lace piece. It’s alight if you can’t sew straight lines, the sewing will be covered later.


9) Lift up the lace flap on one side and sew a strand of ribbon along the edge leaving a small gap. Do this for the other side as well.


10) Cut your desired ribbon/lace etc that will be the centre focus of your headdress. Make the length of it slightly longer than your headdress because it will be folded in later.
11) Cut the binding glue/web to the same length as your headdress and place it in the middle and then put the ribbon over it then iron down.
12) Choose a lace trim and cut it to a length that is slightly longer than your headdress. To add more volume to your headdress you could sew on a few more layers of lace trims or frills.
13) Sew the lace to the back of the headdress using white thread. Make sure to sew as close to the edge as possible this way the thread does not cross over to the ribbon. Do the same for the other side.

14) Place your other rectangle piece under the decorated side, make sure that both the 1cm folded flaps are facing each other.
15) Fold over the black lace and sew on that side of the 2 pieces.
16) NOW change over to black thread. With the extra lace hanging off the sides, cut it at an angle to make a triangle and fold this in between the 2 rectangle pieces and sew together the 2 shorter sides.


17) Change back to white thread. Doing the same step as 16
18) Cut off the lace trim to the same length as the headdress.
19) Grab your headband/hair band and place your headdress over it. Find the perfect position for it where it will be in the middle and balanced out on the band.
20) Holding one end of the headdress and band, put a dab of hot glue in this spot and press them together. Wait for the glue to dry before continuing. You may find that hot glue goes over the band, don’t worry too much because it will be hidden when you wear it.

21) Once you have finished gluing the headdress to the band make 2 bows out of ribbon the same width as your headdress and glue them to the sides of your headdress. This will cover the black thread underneath as well as make it extra cute. You could also add flowers, bells or whatever you find awesome.

And there we go, a cute and elegant Lolita style headdress.

Other ideas:

Check out my page at mixiao.deviantart.com for more maid lolita costumes, accessories, anime inspired stationary such as vampire knight folder covers and other artworks. Thanks for reading! o(^0^)V

Top 9 Cool Boys in the Anime World

There have been so many anime characters that leave a deep impression for us. Cool boys listed below absolutely belong to that range. Now, let’s take a look at the top 9 cool anime boys.

Top 1: Kuran Kaname from Vampire Knight

Being gentle, cruel-hearted, callous, aloof, proud and graceful, this is Kuran Kaname, who steals the show in the Night Department where are filled with elites. He advocates peace, innocence and opposes rumor. He exists like a prince.

Comment: Kuran Kaname has an incomparably handsome appearance and gentle personality. He has advantages that are desired by all girls. It seems like the word of prince exists only for him. Drawing attention from almost each girl, he is an eternally appealing character in the anime industry.

Top 2: Sebastian Michaelis from Black Butler

Being dignified, intellectual, gentle and handsome, Sebastian Michaelis is an ideal man. He speaks in a soft manner. But he often feels distressed due to the servant’s incapability and even comes up with some rude words in the heart. His love for cat is incredible. But he hates dog and consider dogs to be scum who bow their heads to get reward from people.

Comment: Sebastian Michaelis looks handsome and perfectly deals with household duties. But also, he is a demon steward who smiles gently yet feels rather wily. He exists only for his master. But he spares no efforts to take his master’s soul away. Everything about Sebastian Michaelis is mysterious. The more you want to understand him, the more fascinated you will feel with him. It’s said he obtains favor from all girls at the first glimpse. This is really not exaggerating!

Top 3: Usui Takumi from Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama

Being handsome, intellectual and capable, Usui Takumi gains affection from most girls. He is good at English, international chess and has ever learned Shaolin boxing. Also doing well in Cuisine and winning the first place even though not reviewing before examination, Usui Takumi is absolutely a perfect man with incomparable capability.

Comment: Usui Takumi is flirtatious and has never expressed his real personality to anybody. He is clever and has excellent outsight. This is a perfect man without any shortcoming on the capability.

Top 4: Syusuke Fuji from The Prince Of Tennis

So far, Syusuke Fuji’s real power is still a secret. Often smiling with eyes close and feeling indifferent even while playing ball, he is rather mysterious. However, once meeting a forceful rival, he will become serious instantly. If you scrutinize carefully, you will easily find Syusuke Fuji will seriously play ball while opening his eyes.

Comment: outsight, forecast ability, speed and skill, which are considered to be crucial elements on tennis, are all perfectly embodied on Syusuke Fuji. To see his match is like to see a wonderful performance. Each time when he defeats a rival, he will often bend his eyes. His smile is as warm as the sunshine, making so many girls feel fascinated. What’s more, Syusuke Fuji is unafraid of vegetable juice. In a word, he is so cool, XD.

Top 5: Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler

Having a spacious territory, Ciel Phantomhive is the proprieter of a toy fruit manufactory. Queen ruler in that era took a fancy to him and wished him to eradicate all tenebrous and vicious power for her. Ciel Phantomhive gained much respect from both gangdom and righteous groups. He wears a black eyeshade on his right eye and only takes it off while sleeping and bathing.

Comment: comparing with fame, Ciel Phantomhive is more interested in seeing how Colin Sebastian looks like while failing. He is calm, sedate and overbearing. He has almost never smiled due to the childe-like individuality. Like black tea and white rose, he is also a master-hand on any game, feeling rather proud.

Top 6: Lelouch Vie Britannia from Code Geass

Lelouch Vie Britannia is calm and sedate. He maintains his target unhesitatingly and spares no effort to realize it. In order to make his dream come true, he is willing to be lonely. Leaving a route of retreat and hiding the identity while fighting, Lelouch Vie Britannia can master warfare like controlling a game. He is clever and incredibly talented in international chess. So he has joined in so many gamble games as an agent.

Comment: Lelouch Vie Britannia is extremely cold-hearted and also rebellious. Having outstanding acting skill, intelligence and potently special power, he makes so many girls fall in deep love with him at the first glimpse. What most helps him win favor is his handsome appearance. An elegant prince-like look seems tall and cool. You will even feel envious to him when he wears females’ clothes. The last episode is an especially crucial part, in which he sacrifices and creates another new immortal monument in the anime history. Lelouch Vie Britannia is absolutely a great male character who can’t be neglected or forgotten by all people.

Top 7: Edgar. JC. Ashenbert from Earl and Fairy

In spite of being born in an aristocratic family, Edgar. JC. Ashenbert was sold out by an organization mastered by the prince. On the one hand, he plans to revenge. And on the other hand, he shows his love to Lydia Carlton Ashenbert. It’s really difficult to understand his real intention. Anyway, he owns a wise head and aristocratic obligation.

Comment: Edgar. JC. Ashenbert inherits Green knight earl’s name and has blond hair and purple eyes. It’s unknown whether he is a gentleman or a rascal because his personality is unpredictable and mysterious. He is cool and cute, XD.

Top 8: L (L•Lawliet) from Death Book

He often wears a white long sleeved or middle sleeved T-shirt and light blue loose jeans. His back is bent. He has obvious dark circles because of drinking too much coffee while staying up all night to handle a case. L•Lawliet is interested in eating dessert and reasoning. He is accustomed to sitting on a chair, with both legs life up to the chair. People call him a world-class detective.

Comment: L•Lawliet is incredibly clever. He always thinks calmly and behaves strangely. He is naive. And it’s definitely such a boy, who combines incompatible features on his personality, creates the most legendary image in the detective history.

Top 9: Kaede Rukawa from Slam Dunk

Kaede Rukawa is a basketball player with all-sided skills. He is called as the super new star. Meanwhile, he is the player who wins the most favor from girls. As a main player to score in the Shohoku Team, he is considered to be an attack ghost. He has a strong intension to win and a powerful group of fans.

Comment: Kaede Rukawa seems like indifferent. But actually, he has capabilities to gain an insight to everything. He is unsophisticated, kind and doesn’t hold a grudge. He has a heart that is as clear as a transparent crystal. Having a simple and pure individuality, Kaede Rukawa more quickly feel the true and kind personality of other people. He dislikes speaking. But he isn’t lonely, indifferent or awkward on speaking. His laughing at Sakuragi Hanamichi is just a joke among companions.

So, is your favorite character also included above?

Top 8 Head Girls in the Anime World

The world is under the control of men. Women are nothing but ornaments for it. Probably, this also makes sense on anime for juveniles. For most people, they hold the opinion that girls are nothing more than vases that are for being enjoyed in the world which is composed of armored concrete-like flesh and blood. They consider females to be frumpy. However, if you still think like this nowadays, you are exactly making a big mistake and will be rigorously criticized. Today’s female anime characters have already said goodbye to decorative vases and founded their own world by fist. Below, 8 impressive anime girls are introduced.

Top 1: Tsunade

Traditionally, she is the fat sheep for slaughtering. And meanwhile, she is one of the ninjas in the Leaf Village with incomparably deterrent force. At present, she has inherited the Hokage rank. Yes, this is definitely Tsunade – the first super woman in the Leaf Village. After all, she made outstanding military exploits since the comeback. Her wondering force makes Jiraiya feel ashamed and explosive attack is strong enough to make most of people awe-stricken. For sure, not everybody can smash a big stone only by empty hands, let alone Tsunade, who is exactly a rock edge mill, XD.

Top 2: Shihouin Yoruichi

She is the first pet cat in Bleach. But if you really consider the former stealth maneuver commander in chief to be an ordinary black cat, you can go west, XD. So far, she has only felt a little incompetent in the confrontation with Aizen. In other fights with Kuchiki Byakuya or any other rival, she always feels confident and relaxed. In spite of seeming like kindly, Shihouin Yoruichi has never been soft-hearted when it’s time to combat. Undoubtedly, she deserves the rank of head girl for the former stealth maneuver.

Top 3: Ichihara Yuuko

Approved by Clow Read, Ichihara Yuuko is called as “the Succubae of the Dimension”. She has incomparable magic and can shuttle back and forth during different dimensions. Plus wearing cool clothes and holding a cigarette in the mouth most of the time, she impresses people by head girl characteristic. But honestly speaking, Ichihara Yuuko is more than a head girl. Have you ever seen a head girl who can realize any dream? Or have you ever found a head girl who can create a world randomly? Ichihara Yuuko can help people make any of their dreams come true. But meanwhile, she will take your most important item away. This exchange mode makes us think of demon undoubtedly.

Top 4: Natsume Maya

Different with other missish intellectual beauties, Natsume Maya absolutely resorts to violence. She will come to blows if meeting a person who holds a different opinion with her. You remember Souichiro Nagi, right? When he arrived at the Toudou Academy, he was struck down by Natsume Maya. People who can obtain some reputation in Toudou Academy are not devout men or women, let alone Natsume Maya, who can withstand the Division of Enforcement.

Top 5: Nami

Don’t look down upon Nami. In spite of being a girl, she manipulates the straw sea poacher’s economic lifeline and controls their life authority. If Nami doesn’t nod, Luffy will vainly attempt to eat meat, let alone eating to feel full. The plan to eat meat, buy vegetables, weapon and medicine should all be agreed by Nami. Nowadays, people who control the economy are definitely real bosses.

Top 6: Shimura Tae

While first coming to the stage, Shimura Tae was a little missish. But along with the development of plots in Gintama, Shimura Tae’s hidden personality exposes gradually. When she walks together with Kagura, even aged slippery fellows like Sakata Gintoki are afraid of provoking her. Comparing with Kagura who is much more unsophisticated, Shimura Tae is undoubtedly experienced and astute. Violent and cruel-hearted personality helps her firmly occupy the seat of head girl in Gintama.

Top 7: Saori Kido

Saori Kido, the primary cruel-hearted girl in the anime world, finally came to the stage. She had ever conspired to subvert the Sacred Field even being an infant. With the help of Seiya, Shir Yu, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki, etc, she came back successfully after growing up. She expelled Saga’s force, won victory during the battle with Nept and finally defeated the old enemy in the myth era – Hades. Her plan of controlling the world was realized at last.

Top 8: Suzumiya Haruhi

Suzumiya Haruhi is light, heat and human beings’ hope. There have been so many shrewd characters before. But all of them exist for the world. Suzumiya Haruhi is the only role who makes the world run around her. So once she wants, she can call upon extra-terrestrials, people with super power, future polices, etc. Likewise, the world may experience a new start if Suzumiya Haruhi feels depressed or bored. Not everybody is lucky enough to be remembered. The vast majority of people are logged off unconsciously.

Lots of anime characters leave a deep impression for many people even though many years have passed. Above 8 head girls definitely belong to this range. More interesting reviews will be shared here later.