Time to start thinking about your Halloween plans now

There's no point in having a great costume if you have nowhere to show it off. That's why in the countdown to Halloween, you'd be better off making plans than browsing the racks of Value Village. We both know you'll end up procrastinating anyway and resort back to last year's costume.

If really stylish zombies — also known as hipsters — make you nervous, avoid the Waldorf Hotel. The East Vancouver venue is back with their massive multi-room Halloween parties,Don your favorite sexy costume and head to the following destinations recommended by the travel ghouls at The GO Group. one on Friday, Oct. 26, and one on Saturday, Oct.Many of them would make adorable accents to create your own sexy corset. 27. While early bird tickets for the Saturday event are sold out, some $20 tickets are still available for Friday. Keep an eye on their website for more details to be released in October.

Adamant on showing off a spooky get-up? The Telus World of Science is hosting the sixth Halloween Costume Ball for those 19 and up. The Saturday, Oct. 27, event will feature eight DJs and performers across two floors, five licensed bars and no annoying trick-or-treaters. General tickets start at $45 and VIP tickets start at $75.

Halloween would not be complete without a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror rerun. Better yet, Glory Days at the Biltmore Cabaret will host a Simpsons Halloween Party on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Dress as Krusty, Bart, Lisa or whatever Springfield resident you can think of to join the fun.

Are you in need of costumes and props for your next play or performance? Do you want something unique for a Halloween costume? Perhaps you just want to own a piece of Opera Colorado's 30-year history, like the carriage and horses from the company's 1995 production of Cinderella.

Today,Guests are encouraged to wear their sexy clubwear. Opera Colorado announced that the carriage and other great stage finds will be sold in Opera Colorado's warehouse sale Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13, 2012. The sale begins with a VIP preview (for board members and theatre companies) on Friday from 8-9 a.m., then the general public can shop from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.. On Saturday, the sale opens at 8 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. The warehouse is at 2515 W. 4th Avenue in Denver, CO, 80219.

Other items include swords and shields from Aida, a prop harpsichord, an English riding saddle, Greek statues, spinning wheels, furniture and opera posters and opera LPs (for collectors).

“This is the first time we've done this,” said Hally Albers with Opera Colorado. “It's time to clean house and let go of some of these items.”

Halloween Costumes Come To Route 17

It may not be a permanent replacement, but the Wholesale Halloween Costumes that opened last Friday in the Ramsey Square storefront previously filled by Marshall’s is sure to be a popular spot in the area this Halloween season.

The temporary store, which will close on or soon after Halloween, contains over 1,000 costumes for babies, kids, teens and adults. The shop also stocks plus size costumes, complimentary costumes for couples, decorations for the home and even spooky outfits for cats and dogs.

According to the shop’s District Manager Tom Keenan, this is the first time Wholesale Halloween Costumes has come to Ramsey.

“We like to look for a lot of various locations that are suitable – wide open, well lit and kid-friendly. This space is perfect.”

Customers can come in to browse costumes in the store, or to use the ordering kiosk, which contains over 20,000 costumes that can be delivered to the store for pick-up.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities, the staff is there to help. According to Keenan, this year’s “it” costumes include the Avengers, Batman, Spiderman, ninjas, princesses and Captain America.Don your favorite sexy costume and head to the following destinations recommended by the travel ghouls at The GO Group.

The Halloween store is owned by Masquerade, a company that operates about 35 temporary Halloween store on the East Coast and a string of about 21 year-round ‘Smart Toys’ stores in malls.

Wholesale Halloween Costumes is now open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., but hours will expand as we get closer to All Hallow’s Eve.Guests are encouraged to wear their sexy clubwear.

As a wholesale jewelry distributor, Palomar Fashion requires new retail partners to have a valid Business Tax ID number or a Federal EIN Number. Once a new account has been established, new retail partners can purchase fashion and costume jewelry from Palomar Fashion for the almost unheard of low minimum order of $50.00.Many of them would make adorable accents to create your own sexy corset. Additionally, Palomar Fashion offers tiered discounts that allow retailers to take advantage of larger order sizes, as well as free shipping on all orders over $300.00. Palomar Fashion also prides itself on their unmatched customer service, with no question or concern ever going unanswered, and all possible issues being resolved in a timely manner.

For retailers who are looking to expand their inventory with the latest Hollywood fashions, all at unparalleled prices, Palomar Fashion is the ideal wholesale partner. After quickly signing up for a wholesaler account, new users can be up and placing orders within minutes. By visiting Palomar Fashion and seeing both the new inventory pieces, and the classic best-sellers, retailers will soon understand why it is one of the most popular wholesale jewelry distributors.

Halloween Costumes 2012: Movie Heroes Top Most Popular Costume Ideas for Men & Women

The Halloween costumes 2012 season is upon celebrants in the United States, meaning it's time to get those perfect costume ideas ready for October 31st. Right now, the most popular costume ideas for men and women appear to come from popular movies, as well as some classic TV characters and video game icons.

Several new popular Halloween costumes lists have been released for the end of September at one website, which lists Batman and Catwoman as the top sellers for men and women, respectively. This was one of the biggest movies of 2012, so it's no surprise to see the characters leading the way. They're joined by Captain America and Black Widow from The Avengers, as well as a male and female version of Spider-Man. All of these movies topped the box offices over the summer, and now it looks like costumes representing the characters are hot sellers based on that success.

Other movie characters are represented as well, with a "contestant" from The Hunger Games appearing on the women's list,Bring a sexy Babydoll or try one of ours but…Beware! along with the queen from Snow White & The Huntsman. For the men, Top Gun is an all-time classic film and the jumpsuit has landed on their top 10 list, along with one of the Power Rangers and a new video game character from Assassin's Creed.

Of course, variety is the spice of life, so not everyone will choose these particular costumes, and that's what makes Halloween so great. There will be a wide assortment of scary, funny, sexy, creative, and clever costume ideas hitting the streets for trick or treating, and the party scene for the October celebration. It's always fun to check out what new ideas have spawned based on recent pop culture occurrences or newfound celebrities. Don't be surprised to see a few Psy costumes pop up, complete with their own version of "Gangnam Style" this year!

Good news for anyone who wants to look like a Kardashian — lashes, mascara and other assorted makeup products from their latest venture, Khroma Beauty, are scheduled to hit stores on Nov. 9.

American Horror Story‘s Rubber Man is among the pop culture-inspired Halloween costumes available at Target this year.
The first handbag born of a collaboration between Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow 1960 and Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP is now available.

Let’s hear it for the ladies! Cate Blanchett, Susan Sarandon and Octavia Spencer are among the actresses who will be honored at the 19th Annual Women in Hollywood event next month.

On tonight’s episode of America’s Next Top Model: College Edition, contestants pose as video game characters for a chance to have their avatar appear in the upcoming “Uncharted 3” video game.

See Revenge‘s Emily and Nolan, Homeland’s Carrie and Saul and more crime-fighting couples with crazy chemistry.

Fordland parents upset over new Halloween costume policy

Ozarks parents are up in arms over a new school policy they say is more than just unfair, it's breaking their kids' spirits.

Fordland Elementary School is only allowing the youngest kids to dress in costume for Halloween this year.The wholesale underwear was previewed by Massimiliano Giornetti.

Fordland parents say elementary school is the one place where kids should still be kids.
"Telling them to grow up, at the age, in third grade?" "They're babies, they're kids, they're ten."

They'll be kids, only kids for Halloween this year. Third, fourth and fifth graders in Fordland aren't allowed to dress up during the school-wide Halloween Party.

"They're taking away some of the simple joys our children dream and look forward to all year," said Heather Tiff.Monclering is an excellent Christmas Costume way to spend the getaways experiencing.

Parents learned of the change in a letter from the elementary principal. The district superintendent says it's for safety reasons and third through fifth graders are mature enough to make the sacrifice.

"We had complaints from the staff,The best and most formal swim bikini!" said Fordland Superintendent Rick Spacek. "They couldn't even allow kids to go to the bathrooms in the afternoons because they were full of adults that we didn't know, no background checks, who cannot legally have access to a kid or student, no way of controlling the flow in and out of the building."

That's because parents, friends, and family attend the party too. And Rick Spacek says some of them are in costume. So, neither kids nor adults could be identified.

"Parents tell us they don't mind compromising like sending their child to school with something that slips on easily over their clothes. mask and anything that covers their face is already banned. But even with a hood on people are still identifiable."

"It's just a little skirt that's zebra stripped and has a tail and some ears on a hoodie. It's not going to be hard for her to put on."

These moms say make that a requirement. But don't take away a kids' right to be a kid, or maybe a pirate.

"I personally don't believe our third, fourth and fifth graders should be mature. They're kids."

Spacek says every other regular school day, the doors are locked. But, holidays in the past have been a free-for-all. And that is what the district is trying to change.

Halloween attractions for all ages, from pumpkins to haunted houses to zombies

Too old to trick-or-treat? Busy the night of Oct. 31? That's OK, because Halloween has become a seasonal holiday, with attractions and activities for all ages from late September through early November.

Many cities now have local haunted house attractions, community zombie walks and ghost tours. Amusement parks small and large revamp for the month of October with faux graveyards, haunted trails and actors dressed like freaks. Some attractions — like Universal's Halloween Horror Nights — are so creepy they are not recommended for guests under 13.

Other entertainment venues — from Disney parks to zoos, museums, aquariums, and even indoor water parks like Great Wolf Lodge resorts — host Halloween events geared to younger kids.

"Haunted and seasonal theming is growing in popularity not only for theme parks and amusement parks, but also at water parks, zoos,The wholesale underwear was previewed by Massimiliano Giornetti. aquariums, museums, science centers and family entertainment centers," said Colleen Mangone, spokeswoman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. "So families have a lot of choices for celebrating the Halloween season at parks and attractions."

Here's a sampling of attractions, experiences and events around the country that take place around Halloween or are themed on the holiday.

PUMPKINS, PARADES AND ZOMBIES

Get ready for the end of the world if you're planning to attend New York City's Village Halloween Parade. This year, the theme for the event is the Mayan calendar, which ends on Dec.The best and most formal swim bikini! 21. The annual parade draws 2 million spectators and 50,000 participants — many of whose costumes will vary from the official theme — and stretches from Spring Street to 16th Street along Sixth Avenue, starting 7 p.m. on Oct. 31.

A few signature events celebrate that hallowed Halloween symbol, the pumpkin. The granddaddy of pumpkin-throwing contests, the World Championship Punkin Chunkin, is scheduled for Nov. 2-4, in Bridgeville, Del. And on Oct.Monclering is an excellent Christmas Costume way to spend the getaways experiencing. 20, the streets of Keene, N.H., will be lined with carved, lit jack-o-lanterns at the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival.

From college campuses to main streets, zombie walks are held year-round, but many of them take place this time of year and are surprisingly family oriented, with little kids, teens and grown-ups alike donning bloody rags and feigning limps in homage to the living dead.

Halloween fans show their stripes!

The NFL and the zebras may be nearing an end to the lockout that turned the first three weeks of the football season into an on-the-field free-for-all and a PR disaster, but guess what’s the hottest-selling Halloween costume at iParty?

None other than the blind replacement ref and his cane!

“After Monday night’s game we have certainly had a run on these and I’m not surprised,” said iParty party gal Dorice Dionne, whose Dedham-based chain is selling the blind ref costume for $22.99. Such a bargain!

No word on whether they’ve had any orders from Green Bay, where the Cheese-heads are more than a little cheesed off about the whole situation. And they’re not the only ones. Because according to a new survey by Channel Media & Market Research in Burlington, pretty much every NFL fan is sick of the not-ready-for-prime-time replacements!

A whopping 72 percent of the 31,000 people surveyed said the Lingerie League refs have “impacted the outcome” of NFL games this season. And although the respondents were split on which side they backed in the labor dispute, there was near-unanimous agreement that the lockout needed to end.

“I think what people are basically saying ... is that while they are still watching NFL football, these officials and referees are detracting from their enjoyment,” said Channel’s Susan Mulcahy.

“Long games, safety concerns for the players and a lack of knowledge of the rules have given fans the perception that these replacement officials are jeopardizing the integrity of the game. They believe .Flight attendants trained in uniform costume ?.. this can be and should be resolved,” Mulcahy added.

If the thought of playing 18 holes in a costume doesn't spook you, then Honeybrook Golf Club's Halloween Havoc is right up your alley.

You don't have to wear a costume in the tourney, which is set for a 10 a.m. shotgun start Oct. 27, but prizes will be given for the best costume, best decorated cart, and other categories in the spirit of Halloween.

Halloween Havoc is open to the public. Cost is $25 for members, $50 for associate members, and $65 for non-members and includes a cart, practice balls, and drink specials.

Martinez Seeking Gently-Used Halloween Costumes for Oct. 16 Event

The Ecology Club at A. Vito Martinez Middle School in Romeoville is looking for donations of gently-used Halloween costumes to be used in the group’s Halloween Costume Swap on Oct. 16.

Anyone in the community who wishes to drop off their donations may do so during normal school hours now through Oct. 12.Many of them would make adorable accents to create your own sexy corset. The school is located at 590 Belmont at the intersection of Belmont and Romeo Road.Don your favorite sexy costume and head to the following destinations recommended by the travel ghouls at The GO Group.

The Costume Swap itself will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the school. Community members and their children are invited to stop by and pick up their free “recycled” Halloween costumes that evening.

Creating a great Halloween costume can be a bonding experience between a parent and child. And if you enter All You's Scary Good Party Sweepstakes, you could have the best Halloween costume ever this year, plus cash for a party.

The grand-prize winner will receive a costume consultation with an All You editor, a costume that you won't even have to sew, and a $250 gift card for party supplies. The prize is worth a total of $1,750.

Heidi Klum is clearly looking forward to Halloween, as she’s already posted photos of herself in costume on her Twitter page.

The Project Runway host, 39, treated her fans to a selection of snaps in which she’s sporting black cat ears and striking some fierce feline poses.How to do china shaolin kung fu Level 2 ?wholesale halloween costume

Unfortunately, she wasn’t giving a sneak peak of this year’s costume —but instead was sharing a peek at a past photo shoot. “Photo blast from the past: baaad kitty,” she tweeted.

So what will she be dazzling her fans with this Halloween?

Klum is famous for her imaginative outfits, which are usually in stark contrast to her polished runway looks.

The fun-loving model — who goes all out for her annual Halloween bash — has donned some crazy and intricate costumes in the past, including a transformer, an ape and even a biblical apple.

Homemade Halloween costumes 2012

As red and gold leaves begin to carpet your lawn, the annual quandary arises: What to wear for Halloween?

With all the movies released this year – from animated features to storybook and comic-inspired adventures – there’s plenty of fodder for homemade Halloween costume ideas. And of course, the news — regardless of where you read it — never fails to generate creative ideas.The best and most formal swim bikini! (Truth is stranger than fiction!)

Here are a few 2012 characters you could replicate. And don’t worry if your outfit isn’t as snazzy as the original. That’s the beauty of Halloween: It’s your chance to put your own spin on an icon.

Snow White or the Evil Queen a la “Mirror, Mirror” or “Snow White and the Huntsman”: For the fairest of the land, find a blue velvet top at a second-hand store or discount retailer. Cut the neck further, gluing ribbon around it. A curtain works nicely for the puffy sleeves. Sew it to the shoulders of the velvet shirt. You can make your own white petticoat and yellow broadcloth skirt or find something comparable, topped off with a black wig and red bow.

The dress and cape of the wicked witch can be crafted from cheap satin with stiffened white cotton for the collar. Follow a basic tunic dress pattern, but with wider sleeves, for effect. Try Lycra for the balaclava mask that attaches to the crown, any gold material glued over a wire frame. Finish the look with long black boots, red glitter nail polish. And don’t forget to carry around a bright red apple.

Batman or Catwoman from the “Dark Knight Rises":For your own version of the Caped Crusader, start with a hard plastic Batman mask, the kind without a back. Cut the ears off, along with the bill of a tight-fitting baseball cap. Glue the mask face piece to the front of the cap. Use foam rubber to shape the ears and glue them on top of the cap.

Stretchy T-shirt sheets are perfect for the mask and cape. Glue the material to the cap and mask, forming the back and sides of the hooded cloak. With a basic gray shirt and black shorts, you’ve got the classic Batman look.

The cat burglar is literally a sexier version of your childhood cat costume.The wholesale underwear was previewed by Massimiliano Giornetti. Don a pair of polyester leggings and a black spandex leotard. Add a pair of black gloves, mask and black boots. Tie it all together with a gold belt. You’re ready for the prowl.

We were looking for the Black Widow from the “Avengers,” but we found inspiration of a different kind from Martha Stewart, who offers this killer list of homemade Halloween costumes for adults. — even if you’ve never heard of the "Il Trucco e la Maschera." (and really, who has?)

Sometimes it’s all in the makeup. That’s the case for Stewart’s Black Widow.

Use white cream makeup to cover the brow, face and neck. With black makeup, paint high, arching brows. Add dark-green frosting powder for contouring and false eyelashes. Line each eye using black cream makeup, extending the liner past the outer corner of eye. Also from that point, sweep powder blush out and down. Apply red lipstick and liner.

A few final touches: Use gel to slick back your hair before fitting a black wig into place. Attach plastic spiders to your face using a dab of spirit gum on a cotton swab.Whether you're looking for a start to a sexy pajamas or a warm fleece hat for winter. And finish with long black fake fingernails.

If the silver screen doesn’t inspire, jump on over to TV, where newsmakers of all stripes can get your creative juices going. You can masquerade as a real-life icon!

Presidential Halloween Mask Sales: Barack Obama Beating Mitt Romney

President Barack Obama is beating Mitt Romney not only in the polls, but also in sales of presidential-themed Halloween masks.

This year, Obama masks are outselling Romney masks by more than 30 percent, according to the sales records at BuyCostumes.com and Spirit Halloween Stores, two popular seasonal retailers.

BuyCostumes.com statistics said Obama is up 30 percentage points over Romney,How to do china shaolin kung fu Level 2 ?wholesale halloween costume and Spirit Halloween has Obama mask sales figures at 69 percent vs. 31 percent for the Romney version.

Skeptics might say the costume poll is just window dressing meant to mask the real issues, but ABC News reports that BuyCostumes mask sales have correctly predicted the victor in the past three elections, while Spirit's mask sales have been right in the past four.

"Our presidential index has proven to be a consistent and accurate predictor of the next president for nearly two decades," Spirit Halloween company CEO and president Steven Silverstein told NewsMax.

For instance, Spirit Halloween figures show that Bill Clinton outsold Bob Dole by 71 percent to 29; George W. Bush outsold Al Gore by 57 percent to 43; Bush outsold John Kerry by 65 percent to 35; and Obama outsold John McCain by 60 percent to 40.

Just because a candidate's mask is selling well in a particular state doesn't mean he will win there.

The BuyCostumes.Many of them would make adorable accents to create your own sexy corset.com website features a graph that shows Barack Obama masks are beating Mitt Romney masksDon your favorite sexy costume and head to the following destinations recommended by the travel ghouls at The GO Group. in Texas, a state that most pollsters would agree is firmly Republican.

Meanwhile, Romney mask sales are beating Obama in Massachusetts, which, by all accounts, should go to the President on election day.

Interestingly enough, Paul Ryan is making up 100 percent of GOP-themed Halloween masks in Alabama, according to BuyCostumes.com.

Joe Biden's best state is North Carolina, where his mug is responsible for 49 percent of Democratic mask sales.

Honey Boo Boo costumes planned for Halloween episode

Ryan Murphy, the creator of Glee and American Horror Story, announced Tuesday that his new show, The New Normal, will be taking on TLC's Here Comes Honey Boo Boo for its Halloween show when characters dress up as the self-proclaimed redneck reality TV stars.

Child actress Bebe Woods is said to have a knack for impersonations and will likely play the child pageant star, Alana "Honey Boo Boo Child" Thompson. Other than a few guest spot appearances in 30 Rock and Veep earlier this year, Woods, 10, is a relative newcomer to Hollywood.Guests are encouraged to wear their sexy clubwear. Ryan told TV Guide on Tuesday that Woods wowed the cast during the shooting of their pilot when she broke out into an ad-lib performance of Little Edie from Grey Gardens. Ryan was so impressed with Woods spontaneous impersonation, he actually featured it on one of The New Normal's episodes.

In The New Normal, Woods plays Shania Clemmons, the child of a single woman who offered to be a surrogate mother for a gay couple she met after moving to Los Angeles from the Midwest. The show takes on various gay social issues while infusing comedy into some serious subjects.

For Halloween, Ryan teases a show full of pop culture costume changes including Here Comes Honey Boo Boo costumes. Ryan says of Shania's character and her desire to be Honey Boo Boo Child for Halloween, "Shania loves that show so they decide to go en masse as that family."

No word yet on which "redneck" family member lead actors Justin Bartha, who plays David Murray, or Andrew Rannells, who plays Bryan Collins, will go as.

The New Normal airs Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on NBC. The Halloween episode is currently scheduled to air on October 30, 2012.Many of them would make adorable accents to create your own sexy corset.

The Halloween holiday is creeping in and while you are racking your brain for this year's costume, you can recycle your old outfits.

Thea Lewis has initiated the first-ever Green Halloween Costume Sale.

Now through Oct. 1, donations of Halloween costumes and accessories in good condition may be dropped in Green Halloween bins at Palace 9 Cinemas, University Mall and all Edge Fitness locations.

With the help of volunteers, the donated items will be spiffed up ready to re-scare for the Green Halloween Costume Sale set for Oct. 6, 2012,Bring a sexy Babydoll or try one of ours but…Beware! from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in space donated by New England Floor Covering at 257 Pine Street in Burlington.

The proceeds from this sale will directly benefit the Vermont Foodbank.

Ghouls come to Gowanus gallery

Some grown-ups will find any excuse to get dressed up in a fun costume — they’ll even go to an art gallery.

A Gowanus art space already known as “the death metal band of Brooklyn art showrooms” is hosting a costume party that’s the perfect place for both adult art lovers and Hallow’s eve enthusiasts to come together for the spookiest time of the year.

“A lot of the artists we work with are normally into that kind of thing,” said MF Gallery’s Martina Secondo Russo of the occult and horror-themed art pieces that will be on display. “Either their work is already along those lines, or we ask them to create some things and they’re happy to oblige.”

Russo claims a night gazing at grotesque art work is a great way to extend Halloween beyond one night — and test run costumes before the big night.

“If you can’t decide what costume to wear, you can wear one to this party and one on Halloween, or text your makeup out, or whatever,” said Russo,Whether you're looking for a start to a sexy pajamas or a warm fleece hat for winter. an artist who started the MF Gallery with her husband Frank.

In the place of wine, the gallery will have a keg, and instead of standard gallery-goer garb, visitors will have the chance to don costumes and dance to punk rock.

And on the walls will be pieces of art fit for a haunted house, such as creepy sculptures of oozing skeletons or devilish spiked and hairy eyeballs — all for sale.

Brooklyn, it seems, is uniquely suited for the scariest of festivities.

Russo said they exported the party to an outpost of their gallery in Genova, Italy, but Italians, unlike Brooklynites, still view that holiday as something only for little kids.

“It’s not like here — where adults go all out and roam the streets or go to bars in costume,” she said.

Effie Trinket

Effie Trinket is a citizen of the Capitol and notoriously abides to Capitol Couture fashions religiously. Her exaggerated style is a splash of idiosyncrasy in the stark bleakness of District 12, Katniss’ home district. Her fashion sense is unforgettable and one of the most memorable eyepieces of the entire film; completely recognizable worldwide. This gives Effie Trinket an extra edge as the perfect costume idea this Halloween.
So what makes her outfits so special?

Firstly, Effie Trinket’s pale faced makeup, over the top accentuated eyeshadow and piercing blue eyes are hard to miss. This is an easily created style. For a Halloween Effie Trinket costume, apply pale facial powder, get crazy with the eye shadow, and don’t forget the striking blue contact lenses. Make sure to hide your lips with pale lip gloss and apply rhinestones as beauty spots; Effie loves a little sparkle!

Secondly, to complete Effie’s look, no-one can forget her peculiar outfits. The main defining features of Effie’s outfits are bulbous shoulders, vivacious colors, tight structure waists and eccentric shoes. Effie teams block colors and intricate patterns with unforgettable boot shoes and ankle socks, to give a truly peculiar look which falls in line with The Hunger Games Capitol fashion, and remains truly unforgettable in the minds of the watchers.

Punchbowl Brings Party Data to E-Retail and “Deductive Commerce”

It's a classic case of big data meets retail. With some partying thrown in.

Punchbowl, a Framingham, MA-based startup known for its party-planning software and digital greeting cards, is rolling out a big e-retail component today. The idea is to use information the company has on customers' event-planning behaviors to offer them products they might want to buy, like party supplies, decorations, and costumes for Halloween.

This is an interesting (and somewhat unusual) move by Punchbowl, which has been a digital media company to this point, making money on advertising and membership fees. Founder and CEO Matt Douglas says his team has been working on the e-commerce project for about a year.

An important part of the new rollout, he says, is integrating the retail side with Punchbowl's existing business. ”If we had to acquire customers from scratch, we wouldn't do this,” he says. “But we have millions and millions of customers using the site.How to do china shaolin kung fu Level 2 ?wholesale halloween costume” (The startup outsources the inventory and fulfillment part of the retail chain and buys its products at wholesale like any retail store.)

The bigger trend here is that companies of all types are trying to use data and analytics to sell more relevant stuff to consumers. Big retailers like Walmart and Lowe's have all kinds of predictive algorithms about what shoppers need.The wholesale underwear was previewed by Massimiliano Giornetti. Ditto big Web companies like Kayak and Mint across travel, finance, and other industries. And plenty of startups have joined the fray.Don your favorite sexy costume and head to the following destinations recommended by the travel ghouls at The GO Group.

What a company like Punchbowl lacks in scale, it tries to make up for in nimbleness—like offering an iPad-ready selling platform right out of the gate.

“If you're a retailer in this decade, you have to move from traditional ‘selling stuff' to offering engagement platforms,” says Douglas. “Now we're getting into deductive commerce, where there's a smart engine behind the scenes.”

But how big a market is party planning and events, for retail? Douglas says it's tens of billions of dollars (think kids' birthday parties and Halloween supplies). “Each holiday is worth a tremendous amount of money,” he says.

Punchbowl has about 20 employees and says it is focused on growth, not profitability, at this point. The company has raised in the neighborhood of $3 million from Intel Capital, Contour Venture Partners, and angel investors since its founding in 2007.

Its move into e-commerce is an effort to “add some rocket fuel to the company,” Douglas says. “This is a pretty big augmentation to our business.”

Louisville Zoo plans annual monthlong Halloween party

Not-so-scary, family-oriented fun will again take center stage at the annual Louisville Zoo's “World's Largest Halloween Party,” scheduled over four weekends throughout October.

The event, presented by Meijer, is usually attended by about 75,000 people and is the zoo's largest annual fund-raiser.

The activities are scheduled Oct. 5-7, 11-14, 18-21 and 25-28.

Throughout the month, on party nights children may dress up in costume and embark on what zoo officials call “a magical journey through the zoo.”

The annual community tradition offers visitors a chance to meet costumed characters and visit larger-than-life storybook scenes set up throughout the zoo. Plus, there will be trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under.

Glacier Run has been added to the party route this year. It will begin at the carousel and end in the Islands, with storybook stops along the way.

On Oct. 5-7 the Meijer Mobile Virtual Playground will be at the zoo entrance, with interactive games and giveaways.

And on Oct. 26-28, PNC's Grow Up Great Mobile Learning Adventure will be at the front entrance taking free photos of children in costume.

In an effort to be “green,” children are encouraged to bring their own trick-or-treat bag to the event. The zoo will not be providing bags, but a selection of bags in various sizes and prices will be available in the gift shop.

Activities throughout the zoo will include: Meijer's Pirate's Cove, DinoLand, Monster Color's Mumpkin the Giant Talking Pumpkin, Super Hero City, PNC's Grow Up Great Storybook Land, Subway's Land of Oz and Ford's Ogre Swamp.

Most activities are included with regular party admission. Special ticketed offerings will be the carousel, the 4-D theater and the Headless Horseman tour.

The zoo will close to daytime visitors at 3 p.m. on event days and Halloween party guests can enter from 5 to 8:30 p.m.Guests are encouraged to wear their sexy clubwear.

The ticket price is $8 per person at the zoo or online as of Oct. 1 at www.Flight attendants trained in uniform costume ?louisvillezoo.org. Advance discount tickets are available at area Meijer stores for $6.50 beginning Friday. Group rates are available.

Support for the party also is provided by DealChicken.com, Ford Motor, PNC Grow Up Great and Subway. Additional support is provided by Gattiland, Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust, Kentucky State Fair Board Venue Services, Louisville Metro Council President Jim King and residents of his District 10, Monster Color, Sysco and UPS.

Contributing sponsors include Caufield's, Carnes Trucking Company, Glee Gum, and Philpot Hay Company. Pumpkinville sponsors are Braces, Braces, Braces, Café Press, Chili's Grill and Bar, Delta Dental of KY and Kid's Dentistree.

At the event adults should not have costumes with masks that cover their face. Many animal exhibits may be closed during the party. And several roads near the zoo will be closed starting around 4 p.m. on event days.Bring a sexy Babydoll or try one of ours but…Beware!

Tarpon Springs to Host Halloween Bash

On October 20, the historic downtown district of Tarpon Avenue will be closed to traffic and opened for some spooky fun.

It all starts at 4pm as the Tasting Tampa Food Truck Rally will be taking place with a number of food trucks dishing out their best plates. As shop owners hand out candy to trick or treaters, live music will add some backup flavor to the festivities.

Costumes are not required but are encouraged. There will be a costume contest with four categories: best adult male or group and a runner up,The best and most formal swim bikini! best boy (child) and best girl (child). Prizes will be given to the winners in each category.

A spooky zombie wedding party will be roaming the streets and even take part in a ceremony. For a small charge, folks can get their photo taken with the wedding party.Whether you're looking for a start to a sexy pajamas or a warm fleece hat for winter. The photo will then be emailed to the participant.

The fun doesn't end after the food truck rally. The Tarpon Springs Recreation Department will be showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show for a small fee and for those interested, a haunted walk through Anclote Park will also be available.

Such dedication to the final product made the decisions on what to put up for sale this Saturday very difficult. “There’s always a memory,” Fowler said, “These are all the babies of the shop.”

Some of the exquisite garments I saw that will be up for purchase include a vibrant red suit from Titus Andronicus, designed by Murell Horton, perfect perhaps for a dapper devil, and a delicate silver and gold 18th-century pair from As You Like It, designed by Martin Pakledinaz,Monclering is an excellent Christmas Costume way to spend the getaways experiencing. that made me instantly think of posing in San Marco for a Venetian Carnivale. Also available will be the ridiculously divine red ball gown worn by Dixie Carter in Lady Windermere’s Fan, though Fowler warned me it’s so tiny it might only be destined for display! But there will also be plenty of corsets, doublets, armor, and headdresses for lesser fees to snap up for your Halloween parties.
Photo courtesy of Jenn Larsen

When you purchase a garment that’s been designed by a top theater artist, crafted from scratch by a perfectionist costumer, and then worn by a brilliant actor on stage, you aren’t just buying a piece of clothing. It’s a living memory of a production.

Ephemera, made fabric.

Many thanks to Wendy Stark Prey, Randi Fowler, and the members of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s costume shop, for the tour and their time.

Watch out, Angry Birds. President Obama masks could be big this Halloween, iParty says

In the all-important Halloween-costume poll, it's shaping up to be President Obama in a landslide, according to iParty Corp., a Dedham-based chain of party-goods stores that counts Halloween as its most important sales season.

In many years, popular movies --- and pop culture, in general --- can greatly influence costume choices for trick-or-treaters, said iParty chief executive Sal Perisano. Spider-man has had a Halloween heyday, and Batman too. But given the proximity of Election Day to Oct. 31, recent presidential campaigns often play a role when adults think about which celebrity they want to impersonate on Halloween.

As a result of past history, iParty is stocking up on Obama masks as well as masks of Mitt Romney, Obama's Republican challenger.

Preliminary sales results seem to reinforce the notion that Massachusetts is a solidly Blue State --- a state likely to vote Democratic by a solid margin.

To date, iParty has sold 547 Obama masks and 353 Romney masks, the company said.

As for children's costumes, iParty said it expects to see strong demand for Zombies, Spider-man, Angry Bird, and Mario Brothers, among others.

The company operates 52 year-round stores in New England and Florida. As Halloween draws nigh, it augments that total with temporary stores.Monclering is an excellent Christmas Costume way to spend the getaways experiencing.

The company is opening 10 seasonal stores this year. Massachusetts locations for temporary stores include Braintree, Dedham, Hadley, Hanover, Mansfield, and West Springfield, iParty said.

With Halloween just a month away, it's not too early to start planning your costume. But the best costumes don't require lots of cash and excessive packaging. As these DragonCon attendees prove, you might have everything you need for your spooky or quirky ensemble in the attic — or the recycling bin.

Americans spend $6 billion on Halloween-related purchases each year, and costumes make up the biggest chunk of that number at $2.The best and most formal swim bikini!1 billion. But Halloween's biggest horror story isn't its price tag; the amount of waste generated by candy wrappers, decorations and costume pieces is the most frightening by far.

Take a look at some of MNN's favorite planet-friendly DragonCon costumes and find some eco-inspiration for your Halloween.

These impressive Koopa Troopa shells were made out of beanbag chairs, hula hoops and paint.

It took hours and hours, but eventually all of these stuffed animals were sewn onto a homemade dress to create this stunning ensemble.

These costumes prove that virtually anything can be created with cardboard boxes, duct tape and garbage bags, including a Cyberman, Gizmoduck and a Darth Vader.Whether you're looking for a start to a sexy pajamas or a warm fleece hat for winter. All it takes is a little out-of-the-box thinking — and quite a few boxes.

Fitchburg Senior Center to host church's gala dance

The Gala Dinner Dance kicking off the yearlong 150th anniversary of Christ Church will be held Saturday at the Senior Center from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Food will be catered by Sean Patrick's Restaurant of Lunenburg and musical entertainment will be provided by blues-rock band The Rampage Trio and The Lillie Ladies String Ensemble. There will also be plenty of photos and memorabilia throughout the church's history for folks to enjoy, Benoit said.

Bennett Jones hopes the event will attract many of the countless people he encounters in the community who tell him they were once a part of the church's choir, and that it will be a reunion of sorts.

Plenty of events and activities marking the milestone will follow, including:

On Oct. 28, Christ Church will hold another Halloween pops concert featuring music from the Broadway hit "Phantom of the Opera," television shows such as "Star Trek" and "The X-Files," and, of course, the "Star Wars" theme and Darth Vader's signature "Imperial March," along with many other John Williams pieces.

According to Carolyn Jones, the idea is to allow listeners to experience organ music that is not strictly religious or classical. The music will be played on the church's E.M. Skinner organ, originally built in 1928.

Last year, Bennett Jones wore a Darth Vader costume he'd had on hand, and said he wasn't prepared for how overwhelmingly popular it would be. This year, he's going all out. He's purchased an even more extensive costume from Halloween Costume World that has a lighted chest piece and other features that he says will make him really look like Darth Vader this time.

Throughout the next year, the Revs. Jones will host a series of presentations about issues in Christianity in a shifting cultural landscape from the 19th century through the present. Many of these will be given by guest speakers who are prominent members of the Episcopalian faith, such as Dr. Steve Kang of the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, who will discuss Christianity and postmodernism, and Massachusetts National Guard Lt. Col. Paul Minor, who will talk about Christianity and the military. Carolyn Jones will present a discussion on ethics and Christianity, and Bennett Jones will discuss Christianity and Hollywood.

On Nov. 11, the church will honor members of the military at a special service followed by a concert, and a tasting party with food made from recipes in the congregation cookbook "Taste and See" will be held sometime that month.

A storytelling session for families, led by former Camp Monomonac director Todd Goodwin will take place on Jan. 12.

A conference on Christian healing led by the Rev. Mark Pearson the weekend of April 19 and 20.

The week leading up to the official 150th anniversary,Many of them would make adorable accents to create your own sexy corset. the Revs.Don your favorite sexy costume and head to the following destinations recommended by the travel ghouls at The GO Group. Jones would like to a hold a "150 for 150," the goal of which is to get 150 people from the church involved in ministry in the community, whether it be serving meals to the homeless, providing assistance at nursing homes, or simply cleaning up Main Street.

On Oct. 7, 2013, Christ Church will celebrate its 150th anniversary in a ceremony led by the Right Rev. Ian Douglas, who grew up in the parish and is now the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut -- but the party begins Sept. 29 with a sesquicentennial Gala Dinner Dance,Guests are encouraged to wear their sexy clubwear. and a whole year of celebration is being planned.

Holy Rosary School Craft Fair today

The Holy Rosary School Craft Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Sept. 23 at Holy Rosary School, 125 Stephenson St. There will be vendors on hand as well as food, raffles and goodies.
Cub Pack 375

Duryea Cub Scout Pack 375 will have a Krispy Kreme Doughnut sale on Monday, Oct. 15. Doughnuts are $6 per dozen or for a gift certificate. Orders must be placed with Ann Edwards by Oct. 8. For more information, contact Ann Edwards at 457-8402.
Boy Scout Troop 285

Duryea Boy Scouts Troop 285 has several activities coming up: the Court of Honor Reception on Thursday, Sept. 27 and the NEPA Council Traveling Camporee to Boston in October. For more information, contact Troop Chairman Ann Edwards at 457-8402.
Nativity Fall Festival

Nativity of Our Lord Parish will have its annual Indoor Fall Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5 and from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 in the Holy Rosary Church hall and the Holy Rosary School cafeteria and gym, 125-127 Stephenson St.

At the festival, there will be a cash raffle, baskets, games, bake sale, variety of chance stands,Bring a sexy Babydoll or try one of ours but…Beware! Bingo and instant Bingo. There will also be ethnic foods, including potato pancakes, pierogi, haluski and piggies as well as homemade soup.
Germania breakfast

The members of the Germania Hose Company will have an all-you-can-eat country style breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 7 at the hose company, 430 Foote Ave. The menu includes eggs, bacon, home fries, biscuits, sausage, gravy, coffee and juice served buffet style.

Tickets, which are $9 for adults and $6 for children, can be purchased from any hose company member or at the door. For more information, visit www.germaniafire.net.
Magic show at PNCC

St. Mary's Polish National Catholic Church will host Damian the Magician at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19 in the parish hall, 200 Stephenson St. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Refreshments will be sold. Call 457-2291 for tickets.Flight attendants trained in uniform costume ?
Halloween party

The Polish Falcons, Nest 128, will host a children's Halloween party from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21 at the nest, 631 Main St. Children and grandchildren of regular and social members are invited to attend. Attendees will enjoy games, refreshments and prizes. Reservations can be made at the bar.
Legion Sons

The Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 585 (S.A.L.) will host a children's Halloween costume party from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Brennan Regan Post home, 329 Main St. Children and grandchildren of members of the Legion,The best and most formal swim bikini! S.A.L., the ladies auxiliary and social members are invited to attend.

Attendees will be treated to food, beverages and a treat bag. There will also be a costume contest. The winners will receive prizes. Reservations are required. Call the post home at 457-4242 for details.

Rec Board movie
The Duryea Rec Board will have a Movie in the Park on Saturday, October 13 at Community Park, Duryea, behind the borough building. The movie will be “Halloween Town.” Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Movie to start at 7:30 p.m. Treats and beverages will be served. It's free and open to all.

Salon makes best of bothersome situation

School is back in full session! And, unfortunately, sometimes head lice are a part of the school experience. Bernadette's at the Beach professional lice-removal salon is there for you.

Yes, it's true. Imagine if your child has head lice. What to do? Head on over (no pun intended) to Bernadette's, and it will be taken care of professionally, and with a smile.

Kids enjoy a juice box, games, and cartoons at the salon. You'll be treated to free coffee and free WiFi.

If you have concerns that you or your child might have lice, or may be exposed,Monclering is an excellent Christmas Costume way to spend the getaways experiencing. come see the friendly folks here for a free check. Bright lights and professional magnification lenses track down those critters.

Bernadette's at the Beach was started by Pam Skinner, a local mom and Girl Scout leader, after watching friends struggle with this problem. If you don't want to visit the salon, the pros will come to your home and treat everyone at once. Then, they'll spray your entire house with their non-toxic enzymes.

Bernadette's began in Ohio and has more than 10 successful salons. Bernadette's at the Beach professional lice removal

salon is at 714 Adams Ave., No. 103, near Beach Boulevard. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

Trick or Treat
Dress up yourself, your children and even your dog. It's almost time for celebrating Halloween downtown. Main Street will be closed between Pacific Coast Highway and Orange Avenue from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

A petting zoo, bounce houses, costume contest, pumpkin carving, and, of course, lots of candy from merchants are all in store that night.

It's always a fun, safe night for the entire family. Start thinking about your costume!

Perfectly suited
It's open! There is a huge Spirit Halloween store open. Props, masks, demented-looking pumpkins, witches in many sizes and shapes, decor with lights and creepy sounds ... the list goes on and on.

Looking for the perfect costume (maybe to wear on Main Street)? Whether you want to trick or treat as Little Red Riding Hood or the Bride of Chucky, this is the place to find it.

Lots of children's costumes, too. The day I visited, I spied a particularly hideous tombstone with eerie lights emanating from ... somewhere within.

The store will be open through October. There will be a half-off sale the first three days in November, then it's lights out for another year.

Orlando theme park Halloween roundup: Where to find parks' tricks, treats

Central Florida theme parks offer a wide range of Halloween events, from quite mild to borderline wild. Guests can choose from playful trick-or-treating to trips through a haunted house — all alone.

Magic Kingdom
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party turns the Magic Kingdom into a happy haunting ground, and it includes Disney activities not seen at any other time or place.

A highlight is Mickey's Boo to You Parade, which features Disney characters in Halloween drag and stars a drill team of gravediggers. The parade is preceded by an appearance by a headless horseman who rides — on a real horse — through the streets of the Magic Kingdom. (That's probably the only spooky part of the evening.)

There's even "HalloWishes," a seasonal variation of the park's "Wishes" fireworks.

A Not-So-Scary event is one of the rare times that costumes are allowed at Magic Kingdom, although none are required for the park's trick-or-treat stations. The haul of candy can be substantial.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is thrown on select nights through Nov. 2. It's held after the Magic Kingdom has closed, so a separate ticket is required. (Key attractions — such as Haunted Mansion, of course — are open during Not-So-Scary.) Admission ranges between $50.95 and $69.95, depending on the night.

SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular is a gentle, kid-oriented event. It works especially well for the youngest ones because it takes place before nightfall — and bedtimes aren't disrupted.

The area around the theme park's Bayside Stadium is home to the holiday activities,Many of them would make adorable accents to create your own sexy corset. including trick-or-treat stops. A dance party area known as Penelope's Party Zone is set up on the stadium's stage, and there are options for decorating candied apples and other treats.

The under-the-sea theme permeates the event, especially in costumed characters that aren't usually seen at the park.Whether you're looking for a start to a sexy pajamas or a warm fleece hat for winter. Kids might not recognize Penny Penguin or Shivers the Polar Bear from bedtime stories or DVDs, but they like seeing the characters along with creatures such as mermaids and seaweed (on skates).

Legoland Florida
New on our Halloween radar is Brick-or-Treat at Legoland Florida. The theme park opened in Winter Haven last October, but it concentrated on grand-opening matters rather than the Halloween activities seen at its sister park in California.

Programming includes costume contests for kids, a scavenger hunt, treat-or-treating and lessons on making your own pumpkin with Legos.Don your favorite sexy costume and head to the following destinations recommended by the travel ghouls at The GO Group. The park also features the world's largest Lego jack-o'-lantern, which is made of 26,500 Lego bricks.

Brick-or-Treat runs every Saturday and Sunday in October. The Saturday sessions extend into the evening, ending at 9 p.m., which gives a rare after-dark look at the park. We're told that Miniland, the section that replicates famous American landmarks with zillions of Lego bricks, has extensive lighting within its landscape and it gives a whole new vibe after sunset. (Sunday sessions end at 5 p.m.Guests are encouraged to wear their sexy clubwear.)