Friday 21 November 2008

Coach Shoes and Coach Boots - More Than Just Handbags

Would it surprise you that Coach offers more than just handbags for sale. I know it surprised me. Mainly because all that is ever heard in the media is that Coach makes a superior handbag. The media does not concentrate on the fact that Coach also make superior Coach Shoes and Coach Boots. Not only does Coach make these accessories but the collection is well rounded with shoes like sandals, sneakers, boots, pumps, flats, loafers and wedges just to name a few.

I hear you, but how much does it cost to purchase a Coach shoe?

Like anything that you purchase from Coach, you are talking about purchasing a quality product. And with purchasing a quality product you will have to spend a little bit more than just going down to a store like payless or even a mid-range priced store like Dillards. Coach shoes usually range in price from $100 to $300 dollars. This is usually for a pump or a sandal or wedge. But if your looking at purchasing a boot you will be forking over between $200 and $500 dollars depending on the style.

Don’t look at the price as being to expense. Lets look at the average time that a shoe would last. I know most shoes I purchase only last approx. a year or so. That is for a dress shoe. But a speaker would only last approx. 6 to 8 month if I am wearing it everyday. These are poor quality shoes that are made to deteriorate in a short amount of time. Not Coach, because of the price you are pretty much guaranteed to get a quality product with real leather and real marksmanship from a master that will last you for years. Yes, I did say years. This is what Coach is known for. Coach is not a fly by night organization that puts out shabby Coach Shoes and Boots. Their shoes are meant to last over time.

Where can I purchase a Coach Shoe?

I have to admit the fastest why to get a pair of Coach Shoes is by going to you local high end department store. But expect to pay full price for anything that you purchase. But there is an alternative. Buying off of the net would allow you to buy at significant discounts that you would not see in your local department store. Some of these prices could be 20% to 40% off. That is a significant amount of change left in your pocket. So, don’t be afraid to shop around on the net to get what you want. Especially in this economy, every cent saved goes a long way.

Kenneth Elliott is the proud owner of Coach Outlet Store. I website that caters to Coach enthusiasts. Take some time and come by and see what kind of merchandise you would save on today. Also see my Coach Shoes and Coach Boots collection.

A Review of Alpinestars Boots

I observed that most of the riders were wearing Alpinestars boots, when I went out to a motocross track to watch a race for the first time. I have no idea whether it was because that was the only brand around or the most affordable one at that time. All I knew was that sporting footwear with a-star logo was on everyone’s feet.

Needless to say, I immediately thought of buying Alpinestars boots when I decided to actually race motocross instead of just watching it. This decision was made not just for the sake of going along with the crowd because I was seriously attracted to motor cross racing.

Most of the guys who had been racing for a long time said that they have been using Alpinestars boots for their entire careers. The excellent quality, durability, and comfort of the product are well known among the riders. They were happy with their Alpinestars boots and thought that they were definitely worth the money.

I was a bit discouraged after I saw the price of a pair of Alpinestars boots cost. In fact, the newest Tech 10 model would cost me almost an entire month's salary. The Tech 6 and the other older models were still pretty pricey compared to other brands.

Anyway, I decide to try a pair on. I couldn't believe how well they fit and how comfortable they were right out of the box. I asked the clerk at the store if I could get a discount or if there were any sales coming up. However, he said that there's so much demand for them at any price so they rarely put Alpinestars boots on sale.

I decided to try looking up some motocross gear websites just to get a quick price comparison as soon as I got back home. Fortunately, found several sites that sell Alpinestars boots for far less than what I saw in the stores. There were even a couple of sites that featured low-price guarantees and price matching policies.

You can be sure that I didn't waste any time in ordering the pair I wanted. I ended up saving a good chunk of change even with the shipping costs. I've been using my boots for a couple of months now, and I have to say that I really like them. These boots provide great protection, and look cool with the rest of my motocross gear.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Alpinestars Boots. Visit our site for more helpful information about Alpinestars Boots and other similar topics.

Review of Hot Side Zip Boots For Gentlemen

When it comes to side zip boots, men might shy away from their sleek and smooth style. However, anyone with their finger on the pulse of the runways knows that city boots are a major fashion staple for men this season. Knock offs are everywhere and the styles are both comfortable and chill.

For a rundown of some of the hottest zippered city boots available this season, keep reading.

The New York City Boot By Kenneth Cole ($220)

Designed by Kenneth Cole, this sleek city boot is all about its cool, grey leather. Break away from boring black with this unique boot that's both smooth and sophisticated.

There are few details, no embellishments and a general style that's cool, calm and collected. The best part about these well made city boots? The non-slip heel means they're great for banging around town on a wet or snowy day.

City Ankle Boots by Hugo Boss ($199)

Both fashionable and functional, these are a great pair of side zip boots. Men will love the rustic look of the dark and battered brown leather while women will flock to your understated style. The leather is handcrafted and the zipper made from aged brass, giving these boots a rugged and manly look.

These boots are made to take a beating in winter weathers. So, if you're looking for something that you can wear in snowstorms or dodging puddles on your way to the subway, these are it.

Zippered Boots by Timberland ($139)

Though stylish, Timberland boots are actually more about comfort than fashion. Designed with the Timberland Smart Comfort System, these boots are made for long hikes and afternoon treks, but are still stylish enough to wear out on the town. They even come with a waterproof guarantee for life to boot. The look is rugged and rustic, but still modern - making them a nice choice for winters in the city.

Gucci City Boots ($500+)

These boots are the one of the best for urban indulgence. The ankle boot style and soft, butter-colored leather blend very well together for an overall luxurious shoe. The one drawback? At almost $600 a pair, you may to be too scared to wear these beauties outside the house. If so, invest in a pair of galoshes.

For side zip boots, men should look for boots that not only look good, but also fit well right off the bat. Unlike leather shoes, boots are less likely to stretch out, particularly around the ankles - which means finding the right perfect is crucial.

For great information on shoe style options - see shoestyletips.com - a popular site about footwear recommendations - such as a Journey shoes - Earth Spirit shoes - and many more!

Saturday 8 November 2008

Top 10 Most Wanted Toys For Christmas 2008 - Put These Under Your Tree

Figuring out what the top 10 most wanted toys for Christmas are is very important if you want to make sure that Santa gets things right this year. These toys are flying off the shelves with increasing fervor, so it's definitely best to act sooner rather than later so your shopping cart doesn't look sadly empty.

Toy #1 - Elmo Live

The first toy you need to make sure you have is Elmo Live. Elmo is a beloved character for the young and old alike. This Elmo is so lifelike you won't believe your eyes. For such a lifelike toy you'll be surprised at how low the cost is!

Toy #2 - Bakugan Starter Pack

The next toy you need to have on your list for the Christmas 2008 season is the Bakugan starter pack. Children love the anime series Bakugan, so you definitely can't go wrong when you decide to pick up these packs. They are also incredibly inexpensive, and make great stocking stuffers.

Toy #3 - Kidizoom Digital Camera

For that little photographer in your life, you'll want to buy the Kidizoom Digital Camera. This camera is incredibly tough and durable for even the most carefree of children. It also contains features you'd expect on an adult- and much more expensive- camera. This one is probably less than you think.

Toy #4 - Flip Video Camera

The Flip Video Camera. Okay, so this one is technically not a toy. Still, this is a great first video camera for kids because it's inexpensive, small, and very easy to use.

Toy #5 - Busy Ball Popper

For that baby or toddler in your life you'll definitely want to look for the Busy Ball Popper Toy. This one is great because it has colorful balls that go through a tube and pop into the air! Tons of fun for your little one.

Toy #6 - Furreal Friends Biscuit

Furreal Friends Biscuit Dog is a real winner for this holiday season. You can't help but fall in love with this little pup because he is so lifelike. This one is on the expensive side, but the expense is well worth it to see the look of happiness your little one has on his face.

Toy #7 - Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles

Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles are next on the list because they are fun for everyone. It's hard to believe, but this toy delivers in a big way by offering real night vision.

Toy #8 - Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii is perhaps an obvious choice, but it's a great one! The Wii has been out for a couple of years now, but it's still hard to find. The interactivity and excitement is something your whole family will love.

Toy #9 - Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer

Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer is another great option. This toy allows your child to change their voice just like in the movies! It's great fun, and sure to bring some laughs.

Toy #10 - Little Big Planet

Last but not least, one of the top 10 most wanted toys for 2008 is Little Big Planet for the Playstation 3 console. This is one of the most innovative, interesting and fun games that has come out in years. You can't go wrong with this title.

Figuring out which toys are hot is half the battle! Now you've got to narrow down your list and choose the best Christmas toys for your own child this year. It also helps to learn about the best pricing deals so you can save money this year. Visit http://bestchristmasgiftsonline.com for more details.

Thursday 6 November 2008

Top Christmas Toys

Christmas is fast creeping up on us and it's getting to that time of year when are minds are bending towards our children and the gifts we will be buying.

With most of us feeling the pinch, preparation is the key; shopping around will ensure the best deals enabling our budgets to stretch further. There are a huge range of top toys for boys on offer this Christmas and with shops grappling for your custom there are some great deals to be had. Once you've decided on the products you wish to buy, visit one of the price comparison sites in order to get the biggest bargins. This year it seems that boys have the best deal. Manufacturers have bought up the rights to many programmes ensuring a huge spectrum of toys for boys!

Top of the crop is Ben 10 . The cartoon has been a massive success and boys are desperate to get their hands on the Ben 10 Alien Laboratory and Vilgax Battle Ship - the ultimate arena for alien battles! Bakugan is another popular choice, with many stores fast running out of the Bakugan Battle Arena.

For younger children, Elmo Live is the toy creating the biggest buzz. Scarily life-like, Elmo sings and talks, telling stories and sharing jokes. He bobs his head, waves his arms and Elmo can even cross his legs! This high tech, Muppet mannerisms bring Sesame Street to life.

An educational choice is the groundbreaking LeapFrog Tag Reader , a touch reading system which allows words to talk, pictures to sing and story book characters to come to life, honing comprehension and phonic skills. With our technology ever advancing, the most intricate and exiting of toys are now on offer.

Kota the Triceratops is a life sized, 40 inch baby dinosaur that reacts to touch, creating realistic movement and noise! Touch him and Kota will move his head, tail and eyes - he will even roar in appreciation.

Spykee Robot is another huge craze that's selling out fast. Spykee comes with a built-in motion detector, so that it can detect movements, which is great if you want to keep your sister or brother out of your room, the Spykee will sound an alarm on your computer and incredibly send you a picture of the target so you have proof.

It's bound to cause a stir in any household! With such a wealth of toys to choose from, Parents should be able to find a gift to suit their budget. Finances may be tight, but we might find some comfort in the fact that it is a buyers market and there are deals to be had.

To find out more information about the top toys for christmas visit : top toys for boys

Friday 31 October 2008

Creating Your Own Adult Halloween Costume

There is no reason that you can't spend time creating adult Halloween costumes. After all, Halloween isn't just for kids anymore. Adults can have the fun and joy of creating wonderful costumes that make a statement instead of simply picking one up at the local market.

Instead of buying an outfit from the store, take the time to really think about your costume and create something unique. The more interesting that you make the costume, the higher the chances are that you are really going to enjoy it the most.

There are a great many adult Halloween costume ideas on the Internet. You can sit from the comfort of your home and browse the different places online for sources of inspiration. Just take a little time to surf and browse them to generate adult Halloween costume ideas for yourself and for your loved one.

Elmo Live Toy
Cheap Toys

Yes, you can even actually find adult Halloween costumes that will strike your fancy that you can customize to make totally yours that no-one has ever come up with before.

Another fun way for is to combine the different costumes you locate on the Web or from your local merchant. You can literally make a costume from a couple of different costumes or even go as high as three or four costumes.

Still need some adult Halloween costume ideas for the Halloween party or office dress-up day? Look at your favorite shows and movies. Your best bet to generate costume ideas is to literally look around you to see the items in your everyday life. Visit http://www.artscraftsforhalloween.com for more creative tips.

It is amazing how you can turn everyday items into some fun and terrific adult Halloween costumes. For example on a recent talk show, Ellen dressed in a costume as gum on the sole of a shoe. Use your creativity to come up with something that will cause other people to stop, look and even think.

You do not have to limit yourself just to television. Are there some popular community events that take place annually? Perhaps you have a temporary solution to global warming? Just look around you and think of how you can make a statement. The world all around you is chocked full of different adult Halloween costume ideas.

Visit halloween arts and crafts for advice on many types of costumes including kids Halloween costumes, nurses costumes and ghost Halloween costumes this holiday.

Thursday 30 October 2008

Keep Your Skin Healthy Under That Halloween Mask

Just go to any department store and you'll find the sure tale signs that Halloween is almost here. There are costumes, makeup, and lots and lots of candy ready to be bought and handed out. Just remember that one night of scary costumes can have a bad effect on your skin. This is especially true if you are considering using makeup to turn yourself into that ghoulish zombie on Halloween.

Most Halloween makeup you buy isn't made to protect your skin like normal skin care products. In fact, a lot of Halloween type makeup and face paints are greased based, which can cause multiple skincare issues for anyone that has acne-prone skin. Try and choose oil free makeup or face paints. Water-based, alcohol-free makeup or face paints are the best options.

I don't recommend you use a homemade recipe to create your own makeup. One reason is most homemade recipes involve food coloring. I've seen patients still green from their homemade makeup well into November. It is best to use over the counter Halloween makeup and face paints.

It is very important to wash your makeup off after a long evening of handing out candy and scaring all your friends. Don't go to bed with your makeup still on! It never is a good idea to keep something you bought for a few dollars on your face all night. Take a shower and use a gentle cleanser to get all that makeup.

Don't forget to listen to your skin. If you feel any itching or hotness under your make up, it may be your skin telling you something is wrong. So, be sure to remove your makeup immediately to try and minimize any rash or irritation that is being caused by your makeup. Make an appointment with a board certified dermatologist if the irritation continues to be a problem.

Prevent wearing your mask days after Halloween by making good choices on your Halloween costume.

Dr. Abrams is a licensed Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine who is A.O.B.D. Board Certified in Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. He is noted as being one of the top dermatological surgeons in the Sarasota, Florida community. You can learn more about Dr Abrams by visiting his web-site at http://www.abramsderm.com

Saturday 25 October 2008

Give Your Cuffs a Scare With Halloween Cufflinks

Halloween was conceived as means of confusing evil spirits that wandered the earth in search of vulnerable and unsuspecting souls. Originally, people dressed as frightening apparitions in the hope that the spooky baddies would leave them alone as they traversed the dark and shadowy paths and streets of their villages and settlements.

It makes sense that this time of year would create fear among primitive people whose lives were based on superstition rather than scientific fact. It was clear that at this time of year - the time of the harvest - things could go terribly wrong. Wait too long and the crops wither in the fields. Harvest too early and crops could rot in the heat or - if eaten too green - could sicken people and livestock.

In addition, this was the time of year that livestock was slaughtered for the winter. If the weather turned warm again, meat could rot, and even if the meat could be properly stored, the rotting bones and carcasses could cause illness or attract wild animals and insects.

For this reason, long-ago peoples built huge bonfires to ward off animals and burn the remains of the slaughter. Bonfires remain a major function of Halloween because of this connotation. In Ireland, where metal was scarce and precious - especially once the English got over there and started pilfering all the good stuff for themselves - and root vegetables relatively abundant, lanterns were carved from turnips. Ultimately, the Irish got lanterns just like everybody else's, but the turnip lamps were revived each year by children looking for treats throughout the neighborhood - part of the celebration, in that very Catholic country, of the Vigil of All Saints Day.

There is a lot of confusion between the All Saints Day and All Hallows Eve. All Hallows Eve - later shortened to Halloween - was a pagan holiday, and, like so many pagan holidays, the Church tried to obliterate it by creating a holier, more appropriate celebration with which to replace it. For children and people of a partying mindset, however, All Saints or All Souls Day lacked the spooky and tantalizing attraction of Halloween.

As a result, you'll see a lot of emphasis on costumes and snack-size candy bars this month. And while the old evil-spirit-warding standbys - ghosts, witches, pumpkin-men, and the undead - will have plenty of face time, Halloween has evolved to allow trick-or-treaters and other partygoers to take on the persona of their Own Personal Heroes.

As such, there will be a lot of angels, princesses, and German beer frau - some of them completely literal, and some of them really slutty. As for guys, you'll see superheroes, movie idols, and ladies' men of all shapes and sizes.

What I wonder, though, is why people wait for Halloween to make themselves into the people they want to be? In real life, you can dress like a real star - and in something other than garish nylon that ties in the back.

Be a real superstar. In a well-cut dark suit, you can be any number of characters: Dracula, James Bond, the guys on Law and Order, the guys on Mad Men. You could also be really successful on days other than October 31.

Add a white shirt for Dracula, a green turtleneck and some neck bolt for Frankenstein, a lab coat for Dr. Jekyll, and a fancy gold lighter and a shaken martini for 007. A red ribbon festooned with medals can turn you into a vampire or Prince Charles (don't forget the joke teeth for both of those costumes), and a black tie can turn you into a creepy undertaker.

To really top off your look, add some cufflinks. Cufflinks add the perfect finishing touch to every outfit, and they make the final statement for Halloween. Especially with today's fashion fixation on skulls and bones, there are cufflinks that can take you from a smart joke at the office to the Best Costume prize at the local pub or the country club.

Children play make-believe all the time, and get to live out their fantasies at Halloween. We're adults. Fantasy is all well and good, but why not be a master of your own destiny and make your dream a reality?

Dress like a man - not a kid.

Whether your interests are in silver, gold, artistic, sports, or other theme-related cufflinks we've got you covered. Cufflink Aficionado carries a broad range of men's cufflinks designed to meet each connoisseur's individual style and interest. Our selection of Holloween cuff links are sure to top off that perfect look!

Friday 24 October 2008

Fancy Dress Outfit Ideas For Men, Women and Children

Fancy dress outfits come in all manners of shapes, sizes, themes and colours. This article distinguishes between the main categories of outfit and helps you decide which fancy dress costume to choose when buying or hiring.

First off, the outfits can be categorised into three distinct groups, as follows:

  • Men's
  • Women's
  • Children's

Fancy dress accessories are also worthy of a mention as - although not technically outfits - they can be used to create them.

For Men

If you are a man looking for a fancy dress outfit, there are many options to choose from. Popular fancy dress outfits, as with children, are superheroes such as Batman, Superman, Spiderman and The Incredible Hulk.

These costumes often come complete without the need to augment them with additional accessories, although you might want to take a jacket to your party also - most of these costumes are likely to have no pockets!

Depending on the theme of the fancy dress party you are attending, you will want to wear a fancy dress outfit to match. Below is a list of some suggestions for different fancy dress costumes for a variety of party themes:

Halloween Outfit Suggestions:

  • Edward Scissorhands
  • The Predator
  • Zombie
  • Freddie Krueger / Jason Voorhees

Simple Outfit Suggestions:

  • Hawaiian Costume
  • Teacher
  • Doctor
  • Monk

Fairytale & Film Outfit Suggestions:

  • Knight
  • Leprechaun
  • Robin Hood
  • Pirate (Captain Jack Sparrow perhaps?)

Most of the outfits listed above can be bought online or in-stores for less than £30, and would be available for hire for much less.

For Women

Women have perhaps the largest range of fancy dress outfits to choose between, ranging from witches to nuns and little miss riding hood to sexy nurses!

All good fancy dress shops will stock a wide selection of women's fancy dress outfits both for hire and for sale. So you best decide whether or not your costume is a one time only venture or if it's simply too fun not to wear again and again.

Women's fancy dress outfits - similarly to children's costumes - have a lot of optional accessories and 'extras' which may be well worth considering to make sure your costume is as complete as it can be. There's nothing worse than putting on a fancy dress outfit only to find it looks nothing like the picture - make sure you know what bits are included and which are not when choosing your costume!

Listed below are a few fancy dress outfit ideas for women to help get you started:

Superheroine Outfit Suggestions:

  • Wonder Woman
  • Cat Woman
  • Bat Girl
  • Elektra

60's, 70's And 80's Outfit Suggestions:

  • Swinging 60's Dress
  • 70's Disco Lady
  • 70's Hippy
  • 80's Big Hair

Sexy Outfit Suggestions:

  • Sexy School Girl
  • Sexy Nurse
  • Sexy Cowgirl
  • Sexy Bunny Lady

You can expect to find women's fancy dress outfits for a similar price to men's, but with all the additional accessories available you could easily spend a lot more!

For Children

Children often have fancy dress birthday parties and so it's likely that if you are a parent you will be faced with a decision over which costume to get. Depending on the theme of the party, there is generally a wide range of fancy dress outfits available for children. Children's costumes are also subject to a wider range of sizes; covering ages roughly 3-12.

Many fancy dress outfits for children can be created using a little ingenuity and a lot of face paint - which can be a lot more fun than simply buying a costume.

A selection of fancy dress outfits ideas for children is shown below:

Fairytale Outfit Suggestions:

  • Fairytale Princess
  • Robin Hood
  • Leprechaun
  • Cinderella

Common Outfit Suggestions:

  • Clown
  • Ghost
  • Pirate
  • Cowboy

As mentioned above, whichever fancy dress outfit you decide to buy or hire please be sure to check the contents in case the costume is little more than a t-shirt with optional 'extras'.

Visit Party Boutique for a huge range of fancy dress outfits for men, women and children. Our mens and womens fancy dress costumes are available in many different themes at highly competitive prices.

Thursday 23 October 2008

From Hannah Montana to Mythical Creatures - Great Hollywood Halloween Costume Ideas

Sexy, outrageous, downright scary---we all have our own version of what a Halloween costume should look like. If you have the penchant for anything morbid and gruesome, you're probably all set for a fright as a scary creature of the night. But then again, scary is not everyone's cup of tea.

Halloween is the only time of the year when people dressed up as witches, vampires and strange creatures are considered hip and trendy. With the rise of Hollywood and showbiz fame, the definition of what's trendy this Halloween has changed. Now, you can jazz up your old costumes and transform yourselves into your famous media couple, mythical creatures, political figures or even your favorite superheroes.

To help you with your Halloween party needs, I've come up with some great costume ideas that will bring you more than just stares of fright.

Hannah Montana

Undeniably, "Hannah Montana" is the best-selling tween merchandise since "Lizzie Maguire". If you want the world at your feet for one very special night this Halloween, come out with HM's signature long, blonde-streaked hair, glittery mini-dress and a pair of trendy boots that scream pop star. Sure enough, you'll have everyone begging for an autograph at the after party.

Brangelina

Who wouldn't recognize the hottest and sexiest couple of the century? With their perfect form and electrifying chemistry, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are like mythical creatures, rare and dangerous. Drag along with your significant other this Halloween and rock the Brangelina vibe with aviators and signature black suits. Everyone would drop their jaws as Mr. and Mrs. Smith steal the Halloween scene from the witch of the woods.

Barrack Obama and Sarah Palin

November 4 is Election Day, but before that, there's Halloween. For your season of fright to be truly memorable, be politically inspired with your costume and come out as your bet for this election. Barrack Obama and Sarah Palin are just two of the most popular politicians this season. Rock the house with a sleek, brown suit like Obama and red power dress ala Sarah Palin.

The Dark Knight

The box office hit, "Batman", is an awesome addition to costume ideas for this season. No one can go wrong with those sculptured abs, black cape and mysteriously sexy mask. Transform the venue as your own Gotham City and bring some friends to dress up as other fictional creatures of "The Dark Knight".

Ugly Betty

TV shows are also good costume inspirations. The Emmy Award-winning series this season, "Ugly Betty", can definitely give you an idea or two on how to make this season of Halloween parties fun. Anything tacky and inappropriate is good enough as an Ugly Betty costume. Spice up the tackiness with big reading glasses and brace, and you're all set to show up at the party Betty style.

Famous Mythical Animals

Claim the spotlight as you go mythical this Halloween. Allure everyone with your godly presence as your favorite Greek god or enchant everyone as a Hobbit. If you want to get your hands dirty and flex your make-up muscles, dress up as a dragon, a centaur or a unicorn. These mythical creatures are show stealers this Halloween.

Who says only witches win Halloween costume contests? With these costume ideas, you're sure to gain some stares, cause some scares and be finally steal the limelight from Count Dracula. From mythical animals to Hollywood stars, there's something for everyone this Halloween.

A Computer Engineering student and loves to travel. Reading current news in the internet is one of his past times. Taking pictures of the things around him fully satisfies him. He loves to play badminton and his favorite pets are cats.

For more information and queries, you may visit Mythical Animals

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Make Your Own Halloween Masks

With Halloween right around the corner, specialty stores are stocking their shelves with costumes and masks for adults and children. This year, instead of spending money on buying Halloween masks which your child will likely rip or lose by the end of the evening, why don't you considering making homemade Halloween masks? Put on your creative hat and get cracking because here is an easy method for creating Halloween masks for your little trick-or-treater.

The Supplies
Large paper bag (such as from a supermarket)
Colored construction paper
Black marker
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Miscellaneous decorations (depending on the theme of mask)

The Process

Step 1
The first step is to make sure that the Halloween masks fit the faces of the people who are going to wear them. If you are creating one for your child, start by gently pulling the paper bag over your child's face and press it against his features. Make note of where his eyes, nose, and mouth are by lightly marking their outline on the bag in pencil.

Step 2
The next step for making Halloween masks is to use scissors to cut out the areas where the eyes, nose, and mouth should be, as per the markings you made earlier. If necessary, fold the paper to help you create symmetrical shapes when cutting. Don't press down too firmly though as you will create a noticeable crease on the mask.

Step 3
Pick a design. Does your child want to be a specific character? An animal? A goblin? Use the black marker and miscellaneous decorations to add the appropriate details. Create contrasting color patterns and other features using the colored construction paper.

Step 4
If you use glue to attach any materials, leave the mask in a place to dry where it will not be disturbed. After all your hard work you want to make sure the mask is in good shape for the main event.

Step 5
Come October 31, put on your Halloween masks and go trick-or-treating!

You can turn any home into a haunted house for Halloween by adding the right Halloween decorations. Here are simple do-it-yourself suggestions for Halloween decorations that you, your family, and the neighbors will enjoy this fall.

Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. Discuss about planning a baby, holiday ideas, raising kids, child development and other parenting related topics at his Fathers Forum

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Take care of your halloween costumes by Robert James

Halloween as a known fact is one of the most awaited festivals in almost all the parts of the world, it is one event everyone forgets about what the world thinks about them and they tend to groove to the music of the party environment. You would not find a single soul who would not be affected by the party environment, everyone would be dressed in weird costumes and adding more excitement to the flavor of dance. This is one festival which is celebrated throughout the month and as the events are so funs filling all the other parts of the world have also started following the tradition of the rejoiced festival Halloween.

In such events where everyone is so engrossed in shaking their legs on the dance floor, it is very important that you do take care of your Halloween costumes on which you would have thought so much. You can take care of your wild Halloween costumes the same way as you do for your other clothes in general. You might think of the fact as to how you are going to maintain your Halloween costume because it is costume which you are going to wear only once in a year. It is important that you take care of your Halloween costume in such a way that it could be worn the next year also without any hesitation. If you do not have the plans to wear the same Halloween costume the next year then it is essential that you maintain it in such a way that it could be used to be given as a gift to someone.

Now some of your adored Halloween costumes would consist of jacket and the slacks. Incase you are planning not to wear the costume from your home itself and you are planning to wear the costumes directly on to the party place, then it would be better that you fold the costume well after it has been ironed. In case you do not fold it well then this would reflect on the costume when you wear. It would possess lots of wrinkles and the costume will not bear a suitable shape. So here are some of the tips I would recommend you on how to fold your costumes.

Jacket: Lay the jacket inverted and flat and then fasten one button by bringing the two sides of the front towards the back. Then fold the elbow part on the chest into half and they would cross on the chest. Finally the bottom of the jacket is folded towards the sleeves or the upper part.

Slacks: Lay the trouser flat in such a way that both the legs are on top of each other with the front of one side matching with the back of the other slack side together. Ensure that all the pockets are flat; finally you will have to put the trousers towards the upper portion either in two or three folds that depends on how you usually fold the pants.

These are some of the tips with which you can ensure that your one time wear Halloween costumes last long.


About the Author

Robert James is an expert author, who is presently working on the site Men Halloween Costumes, Women Halloween Costumes. He has written many articles in various topics. For more information about Plus Size Costumes. Contact him at halloweenarticles@gmail.com

Saturday 18 October 2008

Cast Your Vote For President by Wearing Your Candidate's Halloween Mask

Halloween and the Presidential Election come within a few days of each other this year. Is there any connection between the costumes people choose and the outcome of elections?

This year Halloween retailers are saying there is an explosion of orders for Barack Obama Masks, John McCain masks and Sarah Palin costumes. Since Obama and McCain basically wear suits, there is no real need for a complicated costume. A standard dress suit worn with a purchased mask does the trick.

Go online and look at pictures of your favorite presidential candidate. Pay close attention to the type of shoe, shirt and tie he typically wears. You might even want to add a campaign button to promote your favorite party.

A Sarah Palin costume consists of the "beehive" wig, glasses, and a campaign button. Depending on whether the purchaser is pro or con Palin, they might add some other touches. What are people saying when they don these costumes? Sarah Palin supporters will show her competency. A business suit, a tasteful brooch or simple necklace, and those hot high heeled shoes make a great costume for a Palin supporter. On the other hand, those wanting to spoof Palin are wearing a tiara, a beauty pageant ribbon, or they have her toting a gun for one of her legendary hunting trips. As they say, the accessories are everything.

With all the discussion about how to dress like the Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidates, it is worth looking at what those costume choices might actually mean. Halloween suppliers say sales of masks of presidential candidates have predicted the winner in the past several campaigns.

In the past three elections, nationwide sales of U.S. Presidential candidate masks revealed the winner days before general election results were in. In 2004 the Spirit Halloween Presidential Index showed George W. Bush masks outselling John Kerry masks at a rate of 65% to 35%. In 2000 the George W. Bush mask took 57% of the sales vs. 43% for Al Gore. And in 1996 Bill Clinton masks were 71% of the market vs. 29% for Bob Dole. A fluke or a real predictor?

The mask factor is good news for Obama so far. After the first month of Halloween 2008, Barack Obama and John McCain mask sales show Obama is leading at 67% while McCain has 33%. There is still a month until election day so anything can happen during that time.

Most important, regardless of which candidate you support, remember to "Get Out and Vote". Voting is a privilege in our society. Nothing is more important than casting your vote on election day. Remember, the election was decided in 2004 by an extremely small margin - every vote does make a difference. So support your favorite candidate by buying his mask for Halloween and then voting for him on November 4.

Dawn Szwec
Professional Market Researcher and Halloween Enthusiast, specializing in consumer research of Halloween trends. For your candidate, see the Barack Obama Mask or the John McCain or Sarah Palin Costumes.

How to Make Halloween Masks Out of Paper Bags

This project is a great way to make Halloween masks for your kids without spending a fortune! I don't know about you but my child always yanked his mask off, so even if this occurs you are not losing a lot of money! These creative masks are all made from large paper bags, either from the grocery store, craft store, or dollar store and the bag has side gussets.

Materials:
Large paper bag with gussets: for the mask.
Colored thin card or colored construction paper: to make cats ears or flower petals.
Thick nibbed black felt pen: to outline features.
Various decorations: for individual masks.
Scissors: to cut ears and eyes, and any other shapes you desire.
Pencil: to create marks.
Glue: to adhere all of you features and decorations.

Basic Method:

For All Masks:
When creating any of these masks, first pull the paper bag over the head until it sits comfortably on the shoulders. Press the bag gently against the face of your child or whomever you are making the mask for. Mark lightly in soft pencil where nose and eyes go. Remove the bag and cut out a small pear shaped flap for the nose and two small slits for the eyes. If you cut correctly a child or spouse should be able to see out of them. Cut a slit or small opening for the mouth as well. You can now create any mask you want, make your own design and use your black felt pen to create lines, whiskers. Design different facial features on colored construction paper and glue onto your mask. For example if you decide to make a cat mask then you would draw, cat ears, eyes, and mouth on separate colored papers , cut them out and adhere them to your mask. You can now add pieces of fun fur and absolutely anything else you want.

Happy Halloween!

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.labedzki-art.com

Halloween - Scary, Disgusting Masks!

Halloween evokes pictures of ghosts, ghouls, vampires and other blood curdling creatures. It kindles awe and fright and sets the heart thumping for fear of the unknown. The words Halloween and terror have always been synonymous. In keeping with the blood curdling horrific nature of the festival, revelers don Halloween scary disgusting masks and costumes that set the adrenaline flowing.

The origins of Halloween scary disgusting masks go back to old Celtic festival. Centuries back, winters were a time for hardship. The short days of winter were scary and the Pagans were afraid of venturing out in the dark as they believed that on Halloween when the mortal world merged with the afterworld, ghosts returned to the earth hovering around and looking for new bodies to live in.

To appease the angry spirits they would light bonfires, overseen by druids, and sacrifice animals. To protect themselves they would wear masks made from animal heads and move around incognito mimicking the dead spirits so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. From this practice was born Halloween scary disgusting masks.

This practice of wearing scary masks continued for centuries till pope Boniface IV declared Halloween to be a Christian holiday. Europeans continued with this tradition to ward off evil spirits. However, celebration of Halloween was considered to be a taboo by many in America till the twentieth century. For them it was an evil holiday. However around this time to curb vandalism among youngsters, parents went back to the Celtic practice of wearing masks on Halloween, which evoked fear, disgust and awe. In 1920, the town of Anoka, Minnesota, was the first to celebrate Halloween in full masked attire.

During the Celtic age, wearing of masks was a matter of life and death as the fear of the unknown enveloped all. However, with time Halloween masks have acquired new meaning. It is today a prop for fun and entertainment. Today the most popular masks are witch masks, werewolf masks and hockey masks. Little girls mostly wear witch masks to perform tricks. They are very colourful and scary and repulsive.

The werewolf mask owes its origin to the Greek mythology. Lycoan and his fifty sons tried to entertain Zeus by offering him a dish of human flesh. A disgusted and infuriated Zeus turned them into werewolves. The legend of werewolves spread to America with the immigrants and today millions of people, particularly children wear werewolf masks during Halloween.

The practice of wearing ghoulish hockey masks on Halloween is relatively new and owes its origin to the horror movie Friday the 13th.

Today Halloween scary disgusting masks made of latex, foam, and paper mache have lost their evil connotations and no longer inspire awe and terror. They are merely part of a costume donned by people who participate in Halloween merriment. These masks of witches, zombies, vampires, demons, mummies and skeletons worn at Halloween parties retain their scary and disgusting look but no longer terrorize us.

Do you love Halloween? Then visit the Halloween Fun and Games website where you can learn about Halloween Games, recipes and everything else to do with Halloween.

Wednesday 15 October 2008

New! Halloween Costume Ideas that can Find a Halloween Mask or Funny Halloween Costume Easily

Halloween costumes are what make Halloween a special scary night of horror and fun. Any child will wake up the next morning after Halloween night and the first question that will be on their mind, where's my Halloween candy? And what kind of Halloween costume do I want to have next year? The ability to wear a Halloween mask and transform yourself into something or someone else is the excitement of dressing up on Halloween night. Changing yourself into a scarecrow, monster, vampire, or some other new Halloween costume idea this is the most exciting part of Halloween night that you can enjoy and the most outrageous type of Halloween costume is better.

Where did Halloween masks and Halloween costumes start?

The wearing of Halloween masks and costumes started a long time ago. The Celts believed Halloween night brought out the spirits of the dead that would roam free among the living on the earth. Some spirits were fun and good and humorous and then on the darker side there would be some resentful and hostile ghosts that did not enjoy seeing the living enjoying the bounty of life in the land that once belonged to them that have already past to the next world. The Celtics would wear masks and disguises to hide themselves from these dangerous spirits by painting the thier faces with soot from which later evolved into the more distinguishable Halloween masks and costumes ideas of today's Halloween costumes. Not long after it also became custom that by imitating the spirits by dressing as skeletons or ghosts they would blend themselves in and not be seen by the bad spirits.

Halloween costume ideas and tips that can help

In this day and age there are hundreds of Halloween costumes to choose from there is a werewolf, vampire, Halloween witch, Halloween nurse or a mask and costume from the latest horror movie that is playing. Remember in the simplest form of all you need is a hockey mask and a knife or a scream mask to bring out the chills in anyone around. Remember how Michael Myers would make you wake up in the middle of the night with a sweat from the Halloween movie. Depending on who you want to be for Halloween might probably depend on two things firstly what character is your favorite and that you would like to portray and deciding how much are you willing to spend on your Halloween costume. If you research Halloween masks and costumes you will find simple inexpensive discount Halloween costumes, funny Halloween costumes or some very highly detailed costumes that you could spend hundreds of dollars on. If you'd like to keep it in the budget remember you can easily transform a regular discount Halloween costume with a little bit of Halloween makeup on your face with maybe some Halloween contact lenses to give that eerie appearance. If you're a creative person you can easily transform yourself with materials that are around your house which wouldn't take a lot of time and effort and cost you a lot less money. All you would need is a good Halloween costume idea some great effects can be caused with the everyday items are around you and some imaginative application of some Halloween makeup.

Advantages of using Halloween makeup for your Halloween costume

Depending on what you're trying to accomplishment Halloween makeup may allow you to transform yourself into another Halloween character better than buying a Halloween mask. By using makeup it can be less expensive and a lot safer for kids when Halloween trick-or-treating and not impairing their vision with a Halloween mask, also with the variety of Halloween makeup that is available you can create some fantastic Halloween affects. You can try Halloween makeup tips with some theatrical grease paint kits that have great colors that are very easily applied and can be removed at the end of the night hassle free. By using regular everyday makeup like eyeliner pencils, blush, lip liners, and eye shadows you can keep the cost down on your Halloween costume. If you are like some people and the last minute to decide on your Halloween costume and still don't know what you want to be for the Halloween evening here is a great tip, You can use some water-based paint with some cheap makeup application tools and some creative Halloween makeup ideas you will be able to paint your face that would be able to stand alone as a last-minute Halloween mask. You could paint your face green and goes the Incredible Hulk or maybe a Green goblin Halloween makeup idea that would work well even wearing your regular clothes.

Tips and ideas for Halloween masks

Makeup does not hold the magical power that a Halloween mask can. They have the ability that will transform you into another place and time whether you want to be a superhero or heroine. By starting with a Halloween costume idea you can be anybody or anything that you desire for one night of the year. From the beginning of time humans wore masks either to worship gods or spirits of the earth. With today's technology of the Internet you can search and see the variety of Halloween masks and that are available for your Halloween ideas from the Halloween witch and vampire to the ability to transfer yourself into a Halloween ballerina. If you want to try something very unique here is a trick for a Halloween masquerade mask that would be wonderful, take a every day plain mask a hot glue gun and beautiful things that you may find in nature like leaves or ferns, flower petals or maybe finding some beads that you would be able to put on it would make a wonderful mask.

Another regular item for this type a mask would be using bird feathers and creating a beak that would create a haunting bird mask. The Celtics would wear bird feathers at their annual samhaim festival and also by the Venetians in Venice Italy, make sure you do some research for your Halloween costume idea so that you can create a Halloween costume that will stand out from everyone else.

Daryl Plaza is a regular contributor to Spookynight.com, a website that has Halloween resources and ideas to create the perfect Halloween night.

http://www.spookynite.com