Where in the world are Emily and Gideon?: Party Time!!!

To celebrate my step-mom’s 60th birthday and my step-sister’s 40th birthday, we threw a Halloween Ball in Sonoma, California. There’s nothing like a Halloween party to bring out the creative genius that lays dormant in most of us for most of the year. For nearly a year, the “kids” (me, Gideon, my brother Brad, sister-in-law Amy, step-sister Polly, and brother-in-law Aaron) have been planning our costumes. For some inspired reason, we went with a “Wizard of Oz” theme. Each of us pieced together the most outrageous costumes. Amy was Dorothy—the cutest ever, with the highest-heeled homemade ruby slippers you ever did see. Aaron was the Cowardly Lion, who kind of reminded me of a cute, cuddly, overgrown child in fuzzy pajamas. Brad was to be the Scarecrow, but as I mentioned before, was unable to make it out due to a last minute conflict. Boo. Gideon was the most fantastic Tin Man ever with a completely homemade costume made the day of the party—we expected no less from Gideon, of course. Polly was the hottest Wicked Witch of the West in her couture hat, little black dress, and kick-ass witch shoes. I was Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, covered head to toe in pink sparkles and homemade fluff... I was in my element. (By the way, the role of wicked witch for Polly and good witch for me mirrored our childhood roles quite precisely!)

Dad and Sharan did their own thing. Sharan was the classiest witch ever with her retro mini-witch hat, funky green taffeta skirt and fitted jacket. Dad was a refined Dracula in full tux, red satin-lined cape, and prosthetic, fitted fangs. He had a few kids at the party convinced that they were his real teeth—they were that creepy.

The party was held at the Sonoma Women’s Club in downtown Sonoma. The Arts & Craft style of the place was a perfect backdrop for the vintage Halloween decorations gathered and/or created by Sharan. The place was absolutely transformed. Add a rockin’ Deejay, delicious food from Polly’s fabulous restaurant Meritage, 140 homemade cupcakes, 100 enthusiastic guests, and California wine and beer, and a marvelous time was inevitable.

For once, I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking. Enjoy, and happy Halloween!