Renaissance Fair - Great Summer Fun!

Summer means many things to me...no snow (yay!)...BBQ parties (YUM!)...Camping...well, you get the idea ^_^ If you haven't done so already, there's a great summer activity that you should definitely give it a go, and that is Renaissance Faire.

It's fun for all ages with many fun activities and (my favorite part) great food! With great hospitality and fun environment, Renaissance Faire is a wonderful place to have great time with costumes.

Here are some great Renaissance Costumes. Find out more information about the Renaissance Faires in your home state :)

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The Mean Green Killing Machine!

He's back! It was only a few years ago that we saw the revival of "The Incredible Hulk" on the big screen. The movie studio, unhappy with the success (or lack thereof) of the 2003 release decided to "reboot" the Hulk story with an all new story, actors, and director. Fearing that the 2003 release was too introspective to Bruce Banner (read: not enough heart thumping action), the movie makers believed they didn't get it right the first time, so they needed to just do it over. This time around the story will focus on what superhero movies should focus on, the action.

While the movie release is still weeks away, you can already find Hulk themed products everywhere. A trend that we've seen at superhero movies over the past couple years is people dressing up in superhero Halloween costumes at the movie. While it may not be everyone's preferred viewing method, it's a sure fire way to get yourself attention at the movie theater - and the kids who dress up, sure look like they are having fun!

If your kids want to dress up as the hulk this Halloween or for the movie release, check out our Kids Incredible Hulk Costumes.

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Aloha Summer! Luaus Bring the Islands To You!

Food, fun and family.

The three “F” words that describe any Luau.

When the weather is warm, something in the air makes you tackle seemingly crazy tasks: like planning a big shindig fully equipped with flowers, Hawaiian shirts, and a roasted pig. Once you’re in the thick of things it may seem daunting, but BuyCostumes.com has got you covered! From games to costumes to party supplies - we guarantee to get you lei’d this summer (you had to know it was coming)!

Want some tips to get you started on planning a surfside soiree? Here’s one that I like to stick to for any event: Drinks. Concoct a signature cocktail that goes with your theme. It will keep “Limbo Larry” tolerable for the evening and island-inspire your friends! For a little beach blanket bingo, I like to serve this lush libation: I call it “Chelle Belle’s Mai Tais” (but you can call it whatever you choose).

4 oz. Pineapple Juice
2 oz. Orange Juice
2 oz. Mango Juice
1 oz. Golden Rum
1 oz. Dark Rum
1 oz. Triple Sec
1 oz. Rose’s Lime Juice
½ oz. Grenadine

Directions: Shake, shake, shake your ingredients in the shaker with a handful of ice. Strain into a highball glass. Garnish with some tropical fruit and serve.

So go ahead. Show your guests a little fun in the sun! You can do this (and it’s not just the warm weather talking)! Make that lackluster BBQ a little livelier. We’re the best resource to help you Lu-WOW the guests at your next backyard bash!

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Batman – The Dark Knight

The summer of 2008 brings us the biggest and baddest Batman yet in The Dark Knight, and with costumes to match! Christian Bale’s new outfit was a big improvement from 2005’s Batman Begins; constructed from 200 unique pieces of rubber, fibreglass, metallic mesh, and nylon to give it a very sophisticated and high tech look; not to mention providing better comfort and performance agility. BuyCostumes.com is proudly offering a full array of the latest and greatest in super-cool Batman gear for all ages, though perhaps not quite as high tech as the ones in the movies. ;-) Nevertheless, you will certainly make a powerful impression, completely outfitted from gloves to boots and all the way to your spiky black ears, as the brooding caped crusader. And let’s not forget his most frightening foe ever; The Joker, and his ultra-creepy gang of thugs. We’ve got them all, so Batman never has to be alone!

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Congrats Graduates - now it's time to let your hair down!

I'd like to offer a sincere "Congratulations" to graduates this Spring. Whether graduating from Pre-K, 8th grade, high school or college, graduation symbolizes a job well done and your ability to complete step by step tasks.

So what better way to celebrate than with a party! And...to help you do so, below is a step by step To Do List and considerations for planning a Graduation Party.

To Do List for Planning a Graduation Party:

- Assess Guest List - plan a menu that will feed total # of guests and then some!

- Mail Graduation Invitations 3-4 weeks ahead of time

- Plan a party that lasts 3 hours or more - for out of town guests, anything less is just not worth the drive

- Check the weather - account for the possibility that guests will need to be inside and outside

- Contact Rental Agencies for tables and chairs, a tent perhaps?

- Have plenty of beverages - stock coolers ahead of time and just pour a bag of ice over them on the day of the party

- Chow Line - use serving bowls and disposable forks to keep dishes to a minimum

- Get out the Sports Equipment - put up the volleyball net, set out some basketballs, bocce ball sets, croquet, etc... Your friends and family will know what to do!

- Provide lined garbage cans and recycling cans to make clean up a cinch

- Bees? Combine Mountain Dew & Dish Soap (1 cup solution) and place on outer boundaries of party area (it works!)

Graduation Party Supplies:

- Solid Color Tablecovers - be sure to match the colors of the graduate's school or university

- Paper Plates and Party Napkins - mix and match plates and napkins again per school colors

- Generic Graduation themed party supplies such as the Cap Toss Deluxe Party Kit

- Hang a "Congrats" Banner and decorate tables with graduation centerpieces

- Cocktail Parasols / Umbrellas - because a summer party just isn't complete without them!

- Try a theme? Does your graduate love Spider Man or Hawaii? Then plan your graduation party around various party themes and matching party supplies.

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How BuyCostumes Photo Shoots are done!!!

Ever wonder what really happens behind the scenes of a real live, NOT America’s top model photo shoot?

Hours of planning, structuring, and interviewing go into a shoot. A group of wonderful characters from all walks of life compromise the team-people who you never would think about add to the success. First, the photographer extraordinaire (duh).

Secondly, the photographer’s assistant (the person who helps with lighting, setting up, keeping things moving and doing coffee runs…), stylists (the people who steam the costumes, set them up on the models, who are ON set making sure that not one thing is out of place, pinning them to the models, making sure they look their most absolute best) the hair and make-up people who literally transform great looking people to killer HOT looking people or models into literal nightmares…..

And let’s not forget about the costume designer (me!), the crew that made the samples and without fail, the gorgeous faces and bodies who wear the costumes in front of the camera.

We’ve taken a nice sampling of shots from our most recent photo shoot-costumes, wigs and props for this Halloween 2008. You can most likely figure out who the players are……I’m the old lady in the group….Lori Joory, the designer. (After seeing this, I’m planning on coloring my hair to its color of 20 years ago as well as consulting a reconstructive surgeon….ha, ha!!!) Hope you enjoy the pictures…the shoot was a blast and it was wonderful to see the ideas in my head come to fruition so beautifully….

Special thanks, not necessarily in order…..Dan, Erich, Matt, Gina, Laurel, Crazy Pretty, Jordan “Bree”, Tamara, Nick, Denzell my Favorite Kid, Carolyn, Tessa, Emily, Bill, Tyler, Sharon, Brita, Carrie Mac, Lauren, Baby Doll, Samantha, Jalem, Dan and Neil.

Have a great Halloween everyone. Don’t forget to check out our section of exclusive costumes to see some of these in real life!

Feel free to ask me questions you may have on anything related to this OR the design process at lorij@buyseasons.com!

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Mascot Costumes can help teach your kids too!

Kids love animals, and a friendly Mascot Costume is a great way to help get the message to them. (We all remember Smokey and McGruff.) Why not have a friendly mascot help teach the kids this summer? The theme for this year’s Vacation Bible School is Rainforest Adventure. At BuyCostumes.com we offer a wide variety of friendly mascots perfect for almost any budget. Or how about combining with a neighboring church and both sharing the cost?

Following this year’s theme of Rainforest Adventure we have the following Mascot Costumes available: Barry Butterfly Mascot , Toucan Mascot, Frog Mascot, Chimp Mascot, and Parrot Mascot.

Barry Butterfly Mascot	Toucan Mascot

Frog Mascot	Chimp Mascot	Parrot Mascot

Also see our selection of Best Selling Mascots to find other Biblical Mascot Animals like the Lion Mascot, Donkey Mascot, Sheep Mascot and Whale Mascot.

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And the winner is.....

Well, BuyCostumes isn't quite sure about that, but since we have been 100% accurate on our presidential mask poll since 2000, we think we are qualified to make educated guesses...

BuyCostumes.com predicted that Hilary would win Indiana, but it was a tight race in North Carolina with the votes tied. As of this blog, Hilary Clinton is winning the popular vote in our poll and the real democratic race. Unfortunately, we all know that popular vote doesn't always determine the outcome of the race. Our poll is simplier than America's electorial process. With the super-delegates being factored in, it looks like Barack Obama is going to secure the vote.

Stay tuned for more updates and don't forget you can see the live stats on the poll everyday at
http://www.buycostumes.com/presidentialmaskpoll

Happy Voting!

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2008 Seniors - Graduation Pranks, Parties, and Costumes!

Can you feel it? The hustle and bustle of winter is winding down and even Midwesterners get inspired to kick up their feet, grab a brew (or two), and fire up the BBQ!

This could only mean one thing, of course: Summer is on its way!

If you think your cabin fever is bad, just imagine how all those high school/college seniors feel! Grads, listen up! Before you don the cap and gown…before that diploma is placed in your hands…even before the party where family and friends give you wads of cash for the "next phase in your life" (read: beer money/student loan payments)…Remember one thing: You’ve got to fight. For your right. To have as much fun as you possibly can (Were you expecting me to proclaim something else?)!

The “Banana Boys” did just that! We’re not suggesting that you put on a banana suit and have your gorilla friend chase you around the school as your “Senior Prank”. HOWEVER, if that’s what you’re into, we’ve got everything you need to make it happen! Maybe your school has a long-standing tradition of dressing up in costume before the ol' salad days come to an end? Be true to your school and find something unique and especially for you – these costumes and accessories are exclusive to BuyCostumes.com and can’t be found anywhere else!

These are the best days of your life! Class of 2008...Make 'em count!

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Don't miss another deal! Get the Widget...

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Iron Man - The next big costume trend?

With the blockbuster release of "Iron Man" over the weekend, we saw another superhero movie put up huge numbers at the box office. In past years, superhero movies "Spiderman", "Superman", and "Pirates of the Caribbean" had box office success which translated into a lot of interest from the costumes depicting the main characters from these action packed movies.

Looking at trends set by these previous movies, we can expect Iron Man to be a big costume hit this Halloween!

So make sure you don't fall behind the trends and get your iron man kids costume or iron man adult costume before everyone else! Don't forget about iron man party supplies either!

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Universal Day of the Jedi (May 25th)

Come May 25th, watch out Pirates and Ninjas - it is the Universal Day of the Jedi!

Every Jedi and Force-Sensitive-Alike would celebrate this sacred day his/her own ways, but I'd have to say that Supreme Edition Darth Vader Costume is the way to go.

Visit BuyCostumes.com for more Adult Star Wars Costumes and Kids Star Wars Costumes.

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