BOO! Ghosts, goblins, sailors, and even a Kansas City Bomber arrived at our house last night. The occasion? A Halloween Masquerade Ball! We ate. We drank. And we danced! Some scenes from the party:
My costume: a 17th century musketeer. Michael Laudati — a professional make-up artist, a restorer of elegant Manhattan apartment lobbies, and one of my favorite people in the entire world — is responsible for my goatee and makeup.
And incidentally, I think all men should wear eyeliner. Don’t argue with me.
My husband Will was “The Joker.” Michael applied Will’s makeup, too. Scary stuff, my friends.
And here’s Michael himself, as Ed Grimley, The Nerd from Saturday Night Live.
Despina Laudati, as a Kansas City Bomber.
Despina wore roller skates throughout the party. And not once did she fall! We’re talkin’ major talent here.
Ina and Steve, who, if I’m not mistaken, met at a roller skating rink in NYC, and fell in love…
Ed Parran as The Banker from Monopoly…
And here’s David and Vicki Smith. David is Sir Isaac Newton. Vicki is a fig tree. Get it? Fig Newton!
Sorceress Sue Chicafullo…
Dan Bauman, “Web MD.” He’s a doctor in real life, too.
David Deutsch and Robert Bluman. We met through this website!
I love DeGuerre Blackburn’s mask…
DeGuerre’s husband, Roderick, wore the same type mask, along with a turban he carved from an enormous winter squash. Clever!
Mirror, mirror, on the wall…yep, Loyita Woods is the fairest of all!
Barbara Weisberg and David Black as — you guessed it — Little Red Riding Hood and her devilish Wolf.
Our dear friend Jim Guidera — a pierced punk — volunteered as DJ in the music room.
When, at last, the lights were dimmed, we danced the night away.
We also drank the night away. That’s Amy, our bartender.
Amy knows how to shake things up.
Not pictured: Michelle Hotaling, who managed the kitchen so I could be a guest at the party.
Of course we feasted on yummy appetizers…
Like this Kale Pesto (here’s my recipe for this divine dip)…
and Salmon Soldiers (easy to do — I’ll post the recipe soon)…
and Bacon-Wrapped Grisini (these were made by a caterer, but you can make them, too)…
and little fig-and-Roquefort purses…
and this crudite platter. I whipped up an easy herbal dip (recipe soon!), and scooped it into a carved-out cabbage.
I hope, some day, you will host your own masquerade party. ‘Tis a fun thing to do.
Have a happy and safe Halloween, everyone!
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Erin says
I loved reading about your party and seeing all the photos. Awesome costumes! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Thank you so much Kevin for sharing yours with me! BTW I am on Facebook now (Erin Patricia) and enjoy you postings there also.
Adriana Fernandez says
Amazing costumes! Great party! I love costume parties, I used to make my own, took great care about details, by the way your costume is a one you really thought about, I like and respect that, I was called snob when I chose a gipsy pilot one, but I didn’t care I loved the idea and the oufit! Congratulations!
lisa williams says
Great pictures! I” enjoy vicariously through Robert and David but have to try the fig bleu cheese purses and the kale pesto!!!
Deborah Rogers says
Loved the pictures of the costumes, and the guests
and the food. And the thought of roller skates on your beautiful hardwood floors …. Eeeek! That was pretty scary!
Lois says
Looks like a lot of fun was had by all! I can’t decide whether I like “Fig Newton” or “WebMD” better, finding both terribly clever because of the play on words!
Jay says
I believe EVERYONE should wear eyeliner! Great party, Kevin. I vent like I was there, too. You’re a great host!
[email protected] says
Thanks so much for your amazing hospitality and perfect party
Roller Girl
Robert Bluman and David Deutsch says
THANKS! DAVID GETS HIS WEEKLY UPDATES AND I WANT MY OWN! LOL!
Christine F says
Web MD! LOL great idea!
Robert Bluman and David Deutsch says
Thank you both for an incredible party. LOVED all the wonderful outfits and great people. We are all very BLESSED to live in Columbia County, N.Y. a land of peace, love and fine people to make new friends with.
LOVED the incredible veggie dip and Hummus ! DELICIOUS! We don’t drink but what a bar set-up you both had and GREAT music! Thank you!!! Robert D. Bluman and David Deutsch.xoxo.
Anne says
Thank you both for hosting yet another over the top fun Halloween party. It is the one event I look forward to every year as the costumes people invent are so clever. Your food was superb, Kevin, and the kale pesto has me converted to trying to make it myself. Love, The Merry Widow
Hyla says
So glad to hear you and Will are married!!
Cathy says
The eyeliner was the coup de grace. 🙂 I loved all of your photos!
Lisa G aka Tuerca says
Flawless, Kevin! You and your collaborators must be commended on food, friendly smiling faces, fun fun fun, and fabulous settings! So glad you had a great time and that musketeer? To die for! Yes, at the tip of the blade…. ouch!
PattyM says
WOW! You know how to partay!!!
Brenda says
Wonderful costumes Kevin! Looks like y’all had a blast!
Sue says
Quite the party! Clever and beautiful costumes. I love your blog!
Despina says
Did you finish your book yet? Besides recipes will there be
decor? Will you be doing a book tour?
Have a blessed holiday season
Despina
sandie says
Kevin I look forward to getting your newsletters with detailed recipes, and wonderful gardening ideas. Thanks so much.
Ardelle says
What a great party! Creative costumes too! I always dress up for the trick or treaters that come to my door on Halloween – I set a portable boombox under the shrubs by the front door with a CD of SCAREY SOUNDS – the kids and adults just love it. Sophie the Corgi Princess of the household greets all the kids too – but will not tolerate any attempts to dress her in a costume – she loves being the Princess that she is.
Katie S says
What fun!! Loved your costume & your husband’s costume! Great make-up talent Michael!
ingmarie peck says
Loved it, thank you for sharing, lovely party great pix .woohoo
ingmarie peck says
PS great make up.
Karen Wright says
You are the BEST. Thanks for sharing this! Great costume ideas and
I hope you’re going to be doing a Book tour soon! Please come to Seattle! ?
ktmm says
My favorite holiday and you do it so well!! Thanks for sharing.
Jo-Anne Collis says
What a great party with lots of imaginative friends and wonderful food……thanks for sharing……….
Jennifer Josephy says
What a fabulous party! Looked like such fun. You are such a great host! So sorry not to be there.
Debbie King says
This looks like such great fun! I love how you created an occasion for friends to be together. Nice costumes! Thank you so much for sharing. I am eager to see your recipes and truly look forward to your posts!!! Xox
Karen says
You guys rock! Love&Light to you, inspiring me to do a party like this someday!
Carole Mathieu says
Halloween is such fun! What awesome costumes and yummy appetizer ideas!
We had an old rental property with a cob-webby stone basement that would have been perfect for a ghoulish party–my one regret in life is not having done that before we sold it.
Patti Johnson says
Great party…Lots of great costumes…Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait for the recipe for the fig & roquefort purses…
frank says
Thanks fir the great pictures…cheered up my secluded life…
Barb Hulse says
Looks like a lot of fun!! Great costumes and great food and drink.
Always a wonderful combination.
BjTreants says
Hey Kevin Lee, thank you’ll so much for sharing your fun party with all of us. Clever people and the food sounds just spot-on for your “do”. BjT
Nichole says
When I grow up, I want to have a Halloween Masquerade Ball just like you!
(Complete side note: my heart melted at ‘my husband’)
Boo and Cheers and all those fantastic feelings that come with the party season!
Doris says
What fun and the food looks divine…looks like soup this weekend…trying that rice, lentil, kale
recipe…thanks…I am going as a queen bee….will send you a snap….Doris
KimH says
What a blast… And what a wonderful way to display the dip on that crudites tray.. fabu!