Halloween is only two days away so if you don't yet have your costume lined up, you may be starting to sweat a bit. Have no fear though, the answer to your problem may just lie in the nearest thrift or secondhand store. Start by brainstorming some ideas of what you might like to dress up as and then break it down piece by piece to determine how feasible it will be to put such a costume together. The ideal green costume is one that either utilizes what you have already kicking around at home or reuses clothing and items found in thrift shops, as opposed to buying an armful of new things for one occasion. The more components to a costume, the more difficult it will be to piece together, so keep that in mind when you're thinking of ideas.

Just to get you started, here are four simple ideas using items I found in my local shop or already had at home.

Costume Idea #1: Waldo of "Where's Waldo"
What you'll need: Jeans, red-and-white striped shirt, red and white striped hat, brown shoes, dark-rimmed glasses.
Thrift store finds: Shirt and Hat, $5 for both.
Provided you can find all of the items for this costume, it's exceptionally simple to assemble. You likely already own a pair of jeans and if you don't have brown shoes, black or any other darker color can be substituted. No special makeup or extra props are needed, and chances are most of your peers will recognize the distinctive stripes and glasses and guess who you are without requiring much of an explanation.

Costume Idea #2: Retro Pin-Up Girl
What you'll need: Pretty cocktail dress, preferably 40s or 50s style, high heels, black feather boa, dramatic make-up
Thrift store finds: Black and pink cocktail dress, $10
Use a simple pair of your own black heels and look for a feather boa at the thrift store. For your make-up, use Total Beauty's Classic Pinup Girl Make-up How-to guide to get the right look!

Costume Idea #3: Tinkerbell
What you'll need: Green dress, flat shoes with bells to add to the toes, wand, wings. Sack with "pixie dust" is optional.
Thrift store finds: Green dress and wand, $8.50
Find a green dress that fits you and that you don't mind ripping up a bit. Cut out triangles at the bottom and you've got your dress. The wings will be the most time-consuming part of your outfit (unless you already own some). The easiest option is to cut some out of cardboard you already own, however you can also make a pair using wire hangers and tights!

Costume Idea #4: Sarah Palin
What you'll need: Power suit, collared shirt, dark pumps, dark-rimmed glasses
Already owned: Everything!
Sure you could say this outfit is sooo 2008 - or you say you're way ahead of the game since rumor has it the former vice-presidential candidate is planning to toss her hat in the ring for the position of Big Chief in the 2012 presidential election . If you don't already own a business suit, look for one at your secondhand store. Add an American flag or small American pin and a "Hello My Name Is....." nametag. Adopt your best "folksy" tone and voilà! If you can find a blow-up Levi Johnston doll to carry around and randomly punch, even better!

More than anything else, use your imagination and have fun thinking of creative characters you can be for one evening!

» Ecollo (Harvest and Halloween)