Most of us remember the excitement of dressing up to go trick-or-treating; and with people ages 18-24 spending an estimated $86.59 each on the eerie evening, it's clear that while Halloween may be known as "The Day of the Dead," it is not a dead day. Though the adult version of the spooky holiday means drastically different costume options and ways to celebrate, Halloween can be a grown-up great time. Here are some ways to guarantee that you have as much ghoulish fun now as you did when you were a little girl.

Choosing a Costume

There's no doubt that choosing the perfect Halloween costume is just as important now as it was during the days when you went trick-or-treating. However, the options to choose from today are vastly different. As a child, it was easy to just dress as your favorite Disney princess. But now, every princess costume reveals much more skin than you remember. Tinkerbell has morphed into a sexy fairy with an up-to-there skirt and Snow White's dress comes complete with a push-up bra to enhance the goods stuffed into the plunging neckline.

Even those who plan on not wearing body-bearing costumes find that modesty on Halloween is easier said than done. Georgia Southern college student, Tiffany, initially planned to refrain from wearing anything too revealing this year, but was unable to find a costume that would still make her feel cute while being covered, and instead opted to go as a vampire vixen. "Nobody really wants to wear the cow costume with the udders showing when the woman next to you is flaunting her figure as Nurse Hottie," she says, "So, fishnets and vinyl with fake fangs and red lipstick is the way I ended up going."

While the costume options have changed, assuming your alter-ego on October 31st can be as simple as choosing an outfit that highlights your best assets. Got great legs? Maybe that thigh-high gingham dress and sparkly red heels that make up the Dorothy costume is perfect for you. If you're proud of your hourglass figure, go with the body hugging lady ninja gear. Just as in childhood, wearing what makes you feel your best will be the first step to insuring a great time during your Halloween festivities.

Capturing the Night's Festivities

As children, our parents doted over how adorable we looked in our Halloween costumes. The anticipation over trick-or-treating swirled about in us as we craved candy and a few good scares. Of course, before ever making it out the door to beg for sweets up and down the street, Mom just had to get a picture of her little angel in the witch costume, complete with fake warts and press-on finger nails.

Mom was on to something, too, because in snapping photos of me in my Halloween ensemble, she captured a moment in time. Now, when I see pictures of myself in various costumes, I am taken back to the goose bumps I got while walking up to the neighbor's porch with the spider web decorations and eerie music blaring from some speaker concealed by hedges.

Though Halloween has taken on a new meaning in adulthood, the antics of the night are (hopefully) going to be ones you'll want to remember later on. Bringing a camera along to whatever party you decide to check out ensures the freezing of those moments. You'll want to remember how smoking hot you looked at age 20-something in the Naughty Cop costume, and the proof will be in the pictures just in case anyone ever doubts you. And, between the alcohol and the excitement that adult Halloween parties are notorious for, you may not be able to have a clear grasp on the evening's events without photos.

Halloween Treats

As kids, Snickers bars and Airheads reigned supreme on Halloween night. But while name-brand candy was the ideal, we were often forced to settle for candy corn, Palmer's Peanut Butter Cups, and the dreaded Mary Janes (yes, the red and orange ones).

Naturally, as grown women we have to work a little harder on maintaining a great figure. With candy not really on the radar as a party favor or as a means to stay trim, there's no doubt that what's being served at grown-up Halloween parties has matured along with our bodies. Now, instead of candy apples we find candy apple shooters on the menu at the coolest spooky parties, and while booze is seldom chided for its health benefits, we are usually much more comfortable in an alcohol indulgence among friends than in a junk food fueled one.

There are many Halloween-themed cocktails and shooter recipes that can really bring life to all the party zombies out there. Here are some classic fright-fest beverages to try:

· The Vampire's Kiss

2 oz. of Vodka

½ oz. of dry gin

½ oz. dry vermouth

1 tbsp. of tequila

A pinch of salt

2 oz. tomato juice

Shake all ingredients with ice, and strain into a martini glass.

· Smashing Pumpkin

1/3 oz. of Kahlua

1/3 oz. of Bailey's Irish Cream

1/3 oz. of Goldschlager

Mix ingredients and strain into a shot glass.

· Salem Witch

½ oz. of vodka

½ oz. of raspberry schnapps

½ oz. of Midori melon liqueur

Splash of lime juice

Splash of Grenadine

Fill with 2/3 sour mix

Fill with soda water

Mix all alcohol in a Collins class with ice. Add splash of lime, and fill the rest of the way up with sour mix and soda water. Stir, and add a splash of grenadine.

Scary Risks

After running around various neighborhoods collecting as much candy loot as possible, I remember going home only to be delayed further in bridging the gap between having the candy in my pumpkin bag and having the candy in my stomach. My parents always insisted on going through all the goodies to make sure nothing had been unwrapped or tampered with.

Though Mom and Dad surely aren't going to be present to make sure that your Halloween is safe as an adult, there is always the risk that scary people can be lurking around at parties. With alcohol playing a role in 80% of all rapes, it's important to be attentive to your surroundings. Stick with friends you trust, never leave your glass sitting down unattended, and don't accept drinks from people you don't know. Staying in a subtly defensive mode will keep your spooky fun Halloween from being downright terrifying.

It's a widely known fact that fashion magazines often recommend some ridiculous impractical styles. Example: A recent issue of Cosmo featured a piece on bold brows--"bold" meaning bushy, mismatched, and even painted white! As someone who is a proponent of well-manicured and, well, seemingly normal style, I could only shake my head in disbelief that such a well-renown publication would encourage such a bizarre look. Okay, okay, I know it looks fabulous on some leggy stick strutting on a runway (but then again, a burlap sack would look just at hot), but real people just don't pull off wacky the way that stunning Amazons can. However, if done right, stepping outside of one's comfort zone can result in a major confidence boost (not to mention major head turns). Here are three less-than-traditional trends worth testing out:

1) Faux Fur Vests

While not everyone agrees with me that Rachel Zoe is the guru of the styling/fashion world, she absolutely gets it right when it comes to these wearable wonders. Faux fur vests are affordable and can easily transform a basic outfit to a chic ensemble. I love seeing lighter varieties of this style thrown over dark black t-shirts or simple dresses. This fall fashion staple only looks hot--no sweating under the Alabama sun necessary because of the vest's light weight material. Check out Rachel Zoe's brand on QVC (http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A93632.desc.Rachel-Zoe-Faux-Fur-Vest-with-Hook-Eye-Closure) featuring the animal-friendly accent. For just under $80, you can become a fashionista of Zoe's proportions (Starbucks cup and personal assistant not included).

2) Pocahontas-Style Fringe

I'm definitely not a nature lover. In fact, I have never been able to sing with all the voices of the mountain and I sure have no desire to paint with all the colors of the wind. Still, the Disney version of Pocahontas had it so right with her tan fringe frock that it's not even funny. Fringe is everywhere right now--from bags to shoes and vests to dresses. If you're a little wary of going full-fledged Earth mama, though, start by choosing a small accessory like a Native American-inspired tan or taupe suede purse (like the Minnetonka one shown in the picture). To avoid looking too John Denver, mix your Pocahontas appeal with some really current pieces like skinny jeans or leggings. As always, everything in moderation, so select only one fringe-tastic item per outfit. http://www.shoebuy.com/minnetonka-hobo-fringe-bag/363237/774662?cm_mmc=frooglelist-_-none-_-none-_-none

3) Flat Ankle Boots

Okay, so these are not for the faint of fashion heart. I first became interested in flat ankle boots after seeing the Eminem/Rihanna "Love the Way You Lie" video. My attention was grabbed entirely during the fiery mini-movie. Not because the song introduces domestic violence to the mainstream, not because I've had a crush on Marshall Mathers since middle school, and certainly not because Megan Fox is a good actress. Despite Fox's crappy fake crying, her look was fantastic. The cut-off shorts with the ankle boots stole the show. Now, this is not a practical look for most women. Megan Fox is all gams (and no talent), so this particular pairing worked well on her. However, you can create a more doable, everyday version of this smoking hot trend by matching flat ankle boots with curve-hugging skinny jeans or leggings (be sure to tuck the skinny jeans or leggings into the boots to maximize balance). If you weren't blessed with legs for days meant for super-tight pants, opt for a flouncy, mid-length skirt instead. The boots make for an unexpected, interesting contast to girlier pieces. Feeling bold? Go with ones that have buckles or buttons like these Journees on Overstock.com: http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Journee-Collection-Womens-Side-Buckle-Embellished-Ankle-Boots/4239597/product.html?rcmndsrc=2.

Change can be a good thing. With the seasons shifting, we can finally wear something other than tank tops and shorts. Play around with these and any other new pieces until you find a style that works with your body type and personality. Now, traipse on out of the box and enjoy feeling runway ready and red hot.

     While the Gulf Coast is known for its beautiful beaches and tasty crawfish, residents know just how much rain we endure around these parts during the summer and fall. For locals, the term "sun showers" gets thrown around like AP poll information, particularly around this time of year. Just when you think you're in for a sunny stroll around town, torrential downpour strikes. Puddles everywhere! So, you ruin a great pair of shoes (especially if you're like me and clumsy as all get out) while running through the short space from the store to your car. And even if you don't exactly ruin your shoes, you've certainly grown uncomfortable as the water floods in and soaks your socks and feet. Sure, we don't fear pneumonia in these parts, but that squishy feeling of wet shoes is enough to put a damper on any day.

            Luckily, our locals are bright and so are their solutions to the wet weather. Wellies adorn the feet of many who dare to roam about in our region's unpredictable weather. These rain boots are made of waterproof rubber and do an excellent job of keeping the feet both dry and warm on the days when traipsing through puddles is unavoidable. The gumboots are as affordable as they are high-functioning, ranging anywhere from $20 to $120. Available in bold colors and vibrant patterns, Wellies pop in even the dreariest of days.

            The shoes were introduced by the 1st Duke of Wellington during the early 19th century, hence the name “Wellington” or “Wellies” for short. While the boots were originally made from leather, sometime during the 1850s an American businessman named Henry Lee Norris started crafting the shoes out of vulcanized rubber. Now officially recognized as the Hunter Wellington Boot, the waterproof kicks are worn by farmers and arid feet seeking locals alike. Formerly the proper boot for Russian socialists to wear, Wellies have found favor in all walks of life. Thanks to a simple rubber shoe we can now look forward to actually focusing on our day to day routines instead of cursing cold, wet feet.

     These rain boots are absolutely timeless (even my neighbor's three-year-old has a pair) and look great when paired with jeans or a cute skirt. The houndstooth print ones (available at Target) are especially hot as they allow you to pay homage to The Bear while keeping your feet from feeling flooded. So much for all those Bammer jokes, Auburn fans. We tend to be smart AND stylish. :)