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Costume Countdown Day 16: Superheroes Rule!

October 16th, 2009

I have a soft spot in my heart for superheroes.  I fell hard for them as a kid, and, well since I’ve never really grown up, I still think they totally rule!! There was just no way we were going to do this costume countdown without a superhero costume appearing.

Robin Costume

This Sexy Robin Costume is one of my very favorites!! I’ve seen women try this one on in the store and thought it looked great. My friend, Katie, posted some pictures of her in a different Robin costume at party and she looked awesome. I just had to try this Sexy Robin costume on for myself.

I’m wearing size XS here and it fits me perfectly. It’s snug and cozy but not tight. This is really important since the dress doesn’t have a zipper or buttons. You just pull it on. It’s form-fitting and super comfy. Just don’t try squeezing into a size too small. If it doesn’t glide over your hips (or shoulders, depending how you put it on), then stop right there and move up a size.

This costume made me want to strike a classic superhero pose - looking confidently into the future.

This costume made me want to strike a classic superhero pose - looking confidently into the future.

I love the way the cape is small and attaches with a Velcro strap. I love the sleevelets, the way they add such a cool feel to the costume. The mask is fabric not plastic with a band that attaches behind your head with Velcro. And while it’s one of the best masks I’ve put on, it’s still a mask.

Superhero Costume

I don’t know how those other superheroes fight crime with their peripheral vision obscured in masks. I would opt for using some black face paint and creating my own mask that doesn’t mess with my vision.  I got this idea from Katie. She looks pretty great, doesn’t she? Even Batgirl is doing it too. All you superheroes out there can take this tip as a freebie from me. May it help you in your mission to save the world! It’s easier to defeat those bad guys when you can see them. Who knew!?

Robin Costume

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Leg Avenue Costumes, Sexy Costumes, Superhero Costumes, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes

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Costume Countdown Day 15: Peace, Love and Flower Power

October 15th, 2009

Who doesn’t need a little more peace, love and flower power? With everything going on in the world today, maybe a little reminder from the hippies is exactly the thing we need. Let’s call this Costume Therapy.Retro Peace Daisy Costume

Put on this Retro Peace Daisy Dress or any of our other hippie costumes (and we’ve got plenty for guys and girls). If you’ve got access to a nice peaceful outdoor spot, go there. Under a tree, in an open grassy space, on a hill – any of these will work. If you don’t then just find a quiet place in your house.

Now close your eyes and breathe. Let the costume begin to work on you. Let your thoughts center in on the things that are really, truly important – the stuff that honestly matters – not all that other baggage and all the lies we are sold non-stop in this day and age. Forget about stuff, money, deadlines, and schedules. Think about people, places, experiences, feelings, love, peace . . . . You get the idea.

Open your eyes, look at what you’re wearing and just let yourself sink into that easy-going, hippie role, that time, that mindset. Simplify. Find your inner peace. Let a big smile emerge and plant itself right on your face.

Finally, make a peace sign with your fingers and sing a few lines of “All We Need is Love” or just say words like groovy and far-out, and  soon you’ll be thinking in tie dye, feeling peaceful, and centered.

Now, doesn’t that feel better?

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes, couples costumes

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Costume Countdown Day 8: Lovin’ My Lederhosen

October 8th, 2009

Lederhosen CostumeLet’s face it, lederhosen are cool. And I’ll admit it, I’ve been coveting my neighbor’s lederhosen for years. I see the German guys in them and the Oktoberfest celebrants, but only the male ones. The girls, they get stuck in the beer girl or Alpine dresses. While those are cute and sexy and all that good stuff, they just aren’t lederhosen.

Finally Leg Avenue has heard the cry of my heart and has made lederhosen for the ladies. All I can say is YODEL-AY-EE-OOOOO! It gets even better . . . and, I know what you’re thinking: “How could it get any better?” Well it can. I am considered short by some people’s standards – basically anyone and everyone who is over the age of 8 – and Leg Avenue made a size that fits even me. I’m five feet tall and weigh in just under 100 pounds, and this costume actually fits me.

The shorts are stretchy, comfortable and well-cut. They weren’t tight on me, just comfortable, but stretchy enough to work for someone a bit bigger. The top is comfortable, made of good fabric, has some fun details, and doesn’t feel utterly cheap. And the top fit my normal sized boobs just fine. The costume doesn’t feel like it’s going to rip, tear, or just disintegrate off my body. It’s just plain well-made.

The suspender straps are a bit long for my midget frame, but that was easily remedied. Just add another hole for the buckle. If you were blessed with more vertical inches than I, then you will be just fine in this costume.

I love this costume. It’s fun, totally comfortable, and has that great lederhosen look done in a really cool style for women.Little Miss Lederhosen Costume I’m so excited, I may break out in oom-pa-pa  tunes any moment.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Lederhosen Costumes, Leg Avenue Costumes, Men's Costumes, Oktoberfest, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes, couples costumes

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Costume Countdown Day 7: Best Costumes for Best Buds

October 7th, 2009

Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street
How to get to Sesame Street

Bert-and-Ernie Costumes

Now doesn’t that just bring back the best memories? It puts everything in perspective because, we all know that Sesame Street covered just about everything you need to know in life. It’s all really so simple, if you think about it. So keep it simple when it comes to choosing a Halloween costume for you and a friend.

Bert-and-ErnieGrab your best buddy, your BFF, your roommate, a relative, whoever and hit your next Halloween party as those two most famous of best friends. Bert and Ernie may be opposites in lots of ways, and, sure, they get into their fair share of arguments – mainly over things like which is better: Ernie’s Rubber Duckie or Bert’s pigeon, Bernice.

But in the end (or by the end of every episode) they come back together again and have each other’s backs.Bert-and-Ernie

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Men's Costumes, Theme Parties, costumes, couples costumes

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The Costume Countdown Begins

October 1st, 2009

Alice in WonderlandWelcome to October – the month with the most fun, most exciting, most creative holiday of the year. Halloween is now only 30 days away and to celebrate the wonderful looks of Halloween, we’ll be counting down to the big day by showcasing a new costume every single day. All the photos you’ll see over these next 31 days are of average people, just like you. Not the manufacturers models and without any touching up. These are friends and others we’ve tricked, fooled, and blackmailed into showing off some of our favorite costumes.

Today, let me introduce you to that brave girl who is always up for a trip down the rabbit hole, a tea party with the Mad Hatter and crew, or a croquet match with the Queen of Hearts. It’s Alice in Wonderland. We’ve added a black petticoat, fairy tale shoes, and the most awesome wig I’ve seen in months. It’s called the Naughty Girl wig, but please don’t tell Alice that.  She wouldn’t approve of its name.

Have some fun this Halloween as sweet, curious, fun-loving Alice. Don’t pack it too far away. You can always use the costume again for any adventures in Wonderland you may have planned, a play, or to re-capture your childhood spirit after a rough day/week at work!

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Costume Wigs, Halloween Costumes, Shoes and Boots, Theme Parties, costumes

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OktoBEERfest

September 23rd, 2009

The blessed month of October is just one week away and it’s time for you to get edumacated. It will make you feel so smart, so informed, and so grateful to me if you ever find yourself on Jeopardy or Who Wants to be Millionaire and have a question on this subject as the big one. Just remember to thank me when you win the big bucks, and by “thank me,” I mean “share some of the loot,” of course.

Oktoberfest

Today’s topic: Oktoberfest. Visions of glass mugs overflowing with beer and foam are dancing through your head right now, but I’ve got some shocking news for you. Oktoberfest wasn’t all about beer when it was conceived.

It began waayyyy back in 1810 to commemorate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese.  First it was just a big horse race. No beer. The citizens of Munich had such a good time, they decided to hold Oktoberfest every year and to organize it. A parade was added. Still no beer. Next came booths and tents for games and selling bratwurst. You guessed it, no beer.

It took until late 1880’s for beer tofinally make its appearance. The booths and tents got bigger and became beer halls, beer gardens, and were used for music and dancing as well. It was 1892 when beer was first served in glass mugs.

Now beer is the central point of Oktoberfest, with food, games, music and period costumes playing only supporting roles. Six million people head to Munich each year for Oktoberfest, making it the largest people’s fair in Europe and maybe even in the whole world. They’ve got 14 huuuuuuge tents each run by a different brewery. The biggest one holds about 12, 000 people.

Oktoberfest Beer Tent

Now don’t you feel so much smarter? So much more ready for Oktoberfest? Then get out there and celebrate. Travel to Germany for the original or hit up a local event. Santa Barbarians should make a point of of visiting Santa Barbara Oktoberfest on October 10.  Drink up some of that special brew, consume mass quantities of traditional German food, and, by all means, do it right by wearing costumes from the 1800s.

Girls, that means finding a dirndl that suits you. What? You don’t know what a dirndl is? It’s your basic beer girl costume or what Gretel, of Hansel and Gretel, would wear.

Guys, it’s time for lederhosen or at least some Alpine wear from the 1800’s. Again, think Hansel and Gretel.

And while you are out enjoying the brew, the food and the fun, whisper a quick little word to Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese thanking them for inspiring such a great event, even though it did take 80 years to bring beer into the picture.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Lederhosen Costumes, Leg Avenue Costumes, Men's Costumes, Oktoberfest, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes, couples costumes

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Impersonating a Police Officer vs Dressing up as a Police Officer

September 21st, 2009

The Scene: The roadways of Salem, Oregon. A “real” police officer pulls over a motorist for “operating and unsafe vehicle.” A cracked windshield – no big deal. What’s the worst that’s going to happen? The driver will get a fix-it ticket.

Police Officer

The driver then tells the officer that he’s just been hired on by the police department and will be heading off to the police academy soon. He uses this to try and convince the officer to let him off with a warning. No deal. The driver, one David Hickman, gets the ticket anyway.

The police officer checks up on Hickman’s story later on and discovers that it was all a big lie. Hickman wasn’t anywhere near being a police officer. Not hired, not scheduled for the police academy – nothing.  Hickman gets arrested for Criminal Impersonation of a Police Officer and is taken off to jail.

Want to play police officer? Fine and dandy. Just do it in the right places, at the right times, in the right way.

Wrong Place, Time and Way: On the roadside with a real cop staring you in the face, giving you a ticket. Other bad times to play policeman would be in court, while visiting someone in jail, surprising a local drughouse, or during a riot.

Right Place, Time, and Way: At your next Halloween or theme party, among other carefree celebrants, and in costume. If you want to do the cop thing, do it with more than just words. Dress it up! You can choose from  realistic cop, sexy cop, retro cop, or even specialized like a CSI agent.

Hope you are reading this, David Hickman. Sounds like you’ve got a bit left to learn. Or maybe you’d just rather get used to this costume instead . . .

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Men's Costumes, Sexy Costumes, Theme Parties, costumes

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The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary

August 26th, 2009

The Wizard of Oz turns 70 years old this year. Amazing, huh? And I’m only talking about the movie. The original book was published in 1900. It was the first American fairy tale and look what a huge classic it is!

Doesn't this scene just bring it all back?

Doesn't this scene just bring it all back?

I  remember when I was a kid, way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and no one had VCRs, DVRs and other recording devices attached to their TVs, waiting for The Wizard of Oz to show up on TV. It was yearly event and I always looked forward to it.  It was weird that I would be so eager about it, because parts  of the movie actually scared the crap out of me. I would get up and hide behind my dad’s reclining chair during the parts with the Wicked Witch of the West. As I got older, I laughed about those silly fears, and no matter how old and wise and brave I got,  I still looked forward to watching that show every year. I can’t even tell you what part of the year it was shown, but I remember being really excited.

Now that movie, that was such a part of my growing up years, is now turning 70. Unlike other 70 year olds, The Wizard of Oz is apparently going to be looking better than it ever did. 449 theaters across the country are doing a one night only showing of this classic. On September 23rd,  Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion will dance their way down the Yellow Brick Road in High Definition!!! And that’s not all, folks. The showing will also feature some behind the scenes footage, and other cinematic treats.

I am going to be at the Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara to watch it for myself in a couple of weeks. And . . . I’m going to get a group of friends to join me. Of course, the ultimate way to attend such a historical event would be to go all out in costume-loving, Oz-loving style. Yep, me and my other costume-crazed buds, will attend in proper Oz attire.  

There are so many great characters to dress up as. Of course you’ve got the top four to choose from, but there are so many more as well.

On the evil side of the block we’ve got the Wicked Witch of the West and her Flying Monkeys.

The good folks include Glinda the Good Witch of the North, the Munchkins, and  Toto. Somewhere between those two groups we have the Wizard himself. From Kansas we have Auntie Em and Uncle Henry, Hunk, Zeke and Hickory, Professor Marvel and Elmira Gulch.

The easiest way to go would be to dress up as any of the Kansas characters since they are all just farmers and such. The funnest could be the Flying Monkeys. But I am personally suited to a certain group of characters. Being one of the few blessed with  . . . uh  . . . shall we say, “anatomical compactness, “ I will be going as a munchkin – maybe even as an esteemed member of that ever-so-famous Lollipop Guild or as the Mayor  of Munchkinland himself. You’ll just have to show up at the Arlington on the 23rd to see for yourself.

Good Citizens of Munchkin Land

Don’t have a theater new showing the 7oth Anniversary version? No problem. Throw your own Oz Party. Have all your guests dress up in Oz costumes and show Wizard of Oz on DVD.

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Men's Costumes, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes

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Happy Anniversary, Woodstock

August 14th, 2009

woodstock

Totally groovy! That’s what it was then. That’s what it is 40 years later. It was three days of music, art, debauchery (according to some), peace, love, and history-making on a farm in Bethel, New York.

Woodstock-PosterA half a million people showed up, camped out, dealt with the rain and mud, figuring out how to deal with things like where to sleep, where to pee, and getting food and water.

jimi-hendrix-woodstockThe concert goers soaked in themselves in the music of now legendary musical performers like Santana, The Who, The Grateful Dead and Jimmie Hendrix and so many more.

40 years later, Woodstock is still the most famous event in the history of rock and it is still celebrated across the country every year. Join the party, man!! Dig out your tie-dyed shirts, your  tattered bell-bottomed jeans, your psychedelic glasses, peace symbols, and long, wild, and free hair. Load your friends into your VW Van and cruise to your nearest Woodstock Anniversary event, Woodstock Theme party, or any party or bar. Just be a part. Just celebrate. Just remember.

Make sure you’re in your tie-dyed threads, your flower girl outfits, put on those hippie glasses and peace symbols for Taking Woodstock to be released, or, as they say, “coming to a theater near you,” on August 28. It’s all about the original Woodstock in 1969.

Taking-Woodstock-poster

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Afro Wigs, Costume Wigs, Men's Costumes, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes

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Hold On To Your Sombreros!

August 12th, 2009

Fiesta is over in Santa Barbara. The confetti from cascarones has been swept up, the horse poop from the parade has been scooped and tossed, the food booths have been taken down, the sound stages dismantled, and the sombreros packed away . . . .

WAIT RIGHT THERE!!!!

sombrero

Don’t pack that sombrero too far away. Theme parties with a Mexican or Latino  flare to them are always a good idea and are perfect several times a year. Call it a South of the Border Party, a Fiesta Party, or an Ole Party and use any of the following events as an excuse to throw one.

  • Mexican Independence Day aka El Grito (September 16)
  • Dia de los Muertos aka Day of the Dead (November 2)
  • Las Posadas is nine days of getting ready for Christmas ending with a pinata party (December 16-24)
  • Day of the Three Kings aka Dia de los Santos Reyes (January 8) I love this one! Kids get to open their Christmas gifts and get candy in their shoes instead of stockings.
  • Cinco de Mayo (May 5) My personal favorite since it’s my birthday. So many think this is Mexico’s Independence Day, but no. It’s the day to celebrate victory at the battle of Puebla. In the states, hardly anyone knows that. It’s just Cinco de Drinko to them.
  • In August, Santa Barbarians hold Fiesta and that’s another great time for a Fiesta Theme Party.

Want even more reasons to throw a Fiesta Themed Party? Check out all of Mexico’s Holidays.

mexican-foodFiesta Theme Parties are great for kids and adults. You’ve got a ton of great foods to choose from – tacos, burritos, chips and salsa,nachos, tamales, and  guacamole. Mmmm, muy bueno. For the adults, Fiesta-type drinks are abundant. Just make sure you’ve got a designated driver for the burro before you hit the Tequila.

 

 

The costumes for a Fiesta Theme Party are a snap. You can go elaborate with the Sexy Senorita, Flamenco Dancer, Zorro, or as a Mariachi. You can also create a super simple costume using nothing more than a white blouse and brightly colored skirt for girls, or black pants, white shirt, with a colored sash tied around the waist for guys. Or go super-simple with just a serape, a poncho, or a sombrero.

Throw on some toe-tapping Mexican rhythms like Mariachi, Salsa, or Nortena. Decorate with serapes, sombreros, cactuses, balloons, maracas, and brightly colored streamers.  For fun hit the piñata, take on the Chili-Pepper Challenge (start with mild and increase the heat level each round. You’re out when you can’t eat a whole chili), or do a little Mexican Hat Dance and show off your moves.

Ole! OIe! A Fiesta Theme Party is a sure way to score a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!

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Posted in Adult Costumes, Costume Hats, Halloween Costumes, Holiday Costumes, Independence Day, Men's Costumes, Theme Parties, Women's Costumes, costumes

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