How did you celebrate Halloween 2011? I was in Mazatlan, Mexico for my travel video project. Since it’s a Pacific Coast port city… I was a spooky sailor girl!

HalloweenCostumes.com let me choose any costume from their massive site — you can imagine how I struggled. The site has thousands of outfits, from Steampunk to pirate, plus-size, couples, kids and skimpy. Take a look for yourself; I bet you’ll find something for your next dress-up party.

My sailor costume came with a hat, corset and skirt.
Contrast platform boots: Alice and the Pirates, from Closet Child. Perfect match.
Red purse with gold bow clasp: vintage Nina Ricci, belonged to my mom
Long black bead bracelet: actually a necklace. Gifted by Fashionology.

My filmmakers and I started the night in the Golden Zone. No costume? No problem: there were masks and wigs at the door.

A salute to the press trip organizers, who were very sweet and made sure we got the video footage we needed.

Clowning around with Mazatlan locals.

A few shenanigans later, we wound up in Old Mazatlan… but there was too much tequila involved, so I can’t show you the photos!

I can reveal that there was a costume contest. Did I win? You’ll have to wait until the video to see.

How did you dress for All Hallows Eve? What was the best costume you saw this year? And do you like what I wore?

Viva Mexico! I’m thrilled to share my Day of the Dead adventures with you — starting now. Gracias to the Mazatlan Tourism Board for making this special series possible.

I’m wearing gorgeous hair accessories gifted by BabyClay — love the feathers and hand-sculpted clay. The new collection, BabyVuDo, is available on Etsy, and you can request a custom design.

The ringlet hair is inspired by Milady in the Three Musketeers.

The bird claw and crucifix jewelry is gifted by Fashionology. A lovely collection of silver rings, necklaces, earrings and cuffs, inspired by art and nature.

My makeup is “classic La Carmina” with dark shading, white highlights and fake lashes. Don’t forget the trademark nail art.

My film crew and I shot three videos about Mazatlan’s dark art/culture. We began with a hotel tour.

Red purse: vintage Nina Ricci, from my mother’s closet. She wore it in the 1980s.
Goth top: h.NAOTO, from Closet Child
Skirt: Fernopaa, from Studio Alta Shinjuku
Epic boots: Alice and the Pirates, from Closet Child

We arrived in Mexico on Halloween — hence the undead look and RIP tombstones.

Real horrorshow, eh?

We’re currently editing the videos; can’t wait to show you the glorious architecture and beaches. (The dress is gifted by Sourpuss Clothing.)

So many golden moments.

The journalists on the press trip stayed in different hotels. Luckily, we had rooms at the spectacular Riu Emerald Bay. It’s an all-inclusive resort that opened only two years ago.

Animal-shaped towels on the bed.

Fresh coconut juice by the pool.

And every room has a balcony that overlooks the ocean. Now that’s heavy metal. (Bracelets gifted by Fashionology.)

Next, I’ll post photos of my Halloween outfit, and show you how we celebrated: tequila-style.

Have you ever been to Mazatlan, or anywhere in Mexico? Or celebrated Day of the Dead?