Geek Girl "Model Misfit" DIY Costume

One thing I love is that, from a young age, my daughter has loved to read but I can’t keep up with all the different books she likes so when she asked me if I could create a Geek Girl “Model Misfit” costume for Book Week, I replied “what?”. 

It’s that time of the year again, Book Week, when Mums all over Australia are faced with the most unusual requests for a costume to wear on the school parade for Book Week and usually at the last minute. I’m into my seventh year of Book Week costumes and feel a bit of an old hand at it but never have made it a big deal in as far as effort goes. I usually try to use what I have or buy pieces from the op shop.

Geek Girl is a series of books written by British writer Holly Smale.  The humorous fiction follows the life of Harriet Manners, a nerdy 15-year-old girl who tries out modelling to “reinvent herself”.

“Model Misfit” tells the story of Harriet knowing that modelling won’t transform you. She knows that being as uniquely odd as a polar bear isn’t necessarily a bad thing (even in a rainforest). And that the average person eats a ton of food a year, though her pregnant stepmother is doing her best to beat this.

What Harriet doesn’t know is where she’s going to fit in once the new baby arrives.

With summer plans ruined, modelling in Japan seems the perfect chance to get as far away from home as possible. But nothing can prepare Harriet for the craziness of Tokyo, her competitive model flatmates and her errant grandmother’s ‘chaperoning’. Or seeing gorgeous Nick everywhere she goes.

Because, this time, Harriet knows what a broken heart feels like.

Can geek girl find her place on the other side of the world or is Harriet lost for good?

Some years ago now, my daughter did try a little bit of modelling in a local shopping centre competition. She was so nervous but did very well I thought for her first time. I didn’t pursue it and she was okay with that.

When I read what these books were about, I thought they summed up my daughter pretty much. Although she’s not 15 nor is she a model but she might be considered a ‘geek’ to some. She is very quirky and likes unusual things, not the norm for most tweenagers but I love that about her. I set about finding what we could do for a costume.

There are many ideas for ‘costumes’ from this book but the one my daughter went with was on the first page. It reads:

It’s a Monday morning and I’m wearing a gold tutu, a gold jacket, gold ballet pumps and gold earrings. My face is painted gold and a long piece of gold wire has been wrapped around my head. This is not how I normally dress on Mondays.

 

I wondered where I’d get a gold tutu for a nearly 12 year old from without spending a fortune but as luck would have it, my favourite op shop just happened to have this skirt for $4 and although a size smaller than what my daughter wears, I grabbed it. She was extremely happy. The gold-ish jacket was $4, also from the op shop. The gold ballet pumps were a recent purchase anyway and although a little big, they worked out okay. The ‘geek’ glasses she got from a recent show bag purchase and the geek-ish ‘skull’ t-shirt was also an op shop purchase for 50 cents. The knee length leggings were also in her collection. The “long piece of gold wire” wrapped around her head is a gold ribbon. Costume complete for the cool price of $8.50.

 

 

My daughter had a terrible cold when this photo was taken so wasn’t all that enthusiastic but come time for the parade, I’m sure she’ll be feeling very much like the “geek girl” she is. She has a wonderful love of reading and I’m so glad she’s found another series that she can sink her teeth into. We’re actually reading together “The Little House on the Prairie” series I read at her age and she’s loving them. 

 

 

Her 9 year old brother? Well, that’s another story (pun intended) although he’s starting to show an interest in reading, finally. He’s a very clever little boy but lazy and I hope that the recent find of the “Rowan of Rin” series instills in him a love of reading. I just hope he doesn’t come home with any crazy requests for costumes from it.

Previous Book Week Costumes

Darth Vader (in a Ninja suit, printed & laminated chest plate, Dracula cape and gumboots)

 

Enderman – Minecraft (same black Ninja suit above plus a box spray painted black with white tape)

 

Dorothy – Wizard of Oz (gingham pinafore sewed the day before and shoes, basket & “Toto” from collection)

 

“Winter Fairy welcoming Spring” – Shirley Barber Fairy books

(op shop dress, sewn on white fur trim and everything else in collection)

 

 I can’t find photos of all the previous year’s costumes and I can’t even remember what they were but really, you don’t have to go to a lot of effort and it’s just one of those things that, I’m afraid, has become part of the norm for primary aged school children here in Australia. I’m happy to oblige if it means they get to celebrate reading.

 

 

Hallmark, reading to your children & a giveaway

[photo source]

I am a huge believer in reading to your children, from as early as possible and whenever they request it. Whether it’s a storybook, a book about shapes or colours, the TV guide or the phone book (heaven help us), try to never refuse the opportunity to read to your children.

Now that mine are nearly 7 and 5, I’ve found after a really hectic afternoon and evening with them, the last thing I want to do is read to them. There’s the fight to get in the bath, out of the bath, brush their teeth, tidy their rooms etc etc. But when I sit down with them (or my husband) to read, I instantly forget about the problems of my day and feel a real closeness and affection with them. Sometimes, it’s just impossible to read to them. You might have an appointment or be ill and you just can’t. Hallmark have been so kind to send me a copy of one of their recordable story books where you record the sound of your own voice reading the story. It could be your voice, Dad’s, grandparents, sisters or older brothers. There are so many titles to choose from including:

• Winnie the Pooh’s Plan Bee
• All the Ways I Love You
• My Little Princess
• Hey Diddle Diddle
• Lightning McQueen & His Winning Team (the one I have to try)

and many more.

There’s nothing nicer than reading to your children, in my opinion, and it instils in them a lifelong desire to read and a curiosity for knowlege. This is the next best thing.

With thanks to Hallmark and Communicado, for your chance to win one of two recordable storybooks, please follow my blog and comment, indicating your choice of a book for a girl or a boy. For more entries, follow me on Twitter or follow me on Facebook letting me know you have. Please also make sure that you have included your email address in your comment if you are a “No Reply Comment Blogger”.

Giveaway closes Wednesday, 21 September 2011.

Please also note, giveaway is only open to Australian residents, sorry.