BuyCostumes.com Blog

October Firefox Theme

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Add some bling to your browser! Check out customize.org for their Halloween Firefox Theme!!

Kanye doesn't like us...What a JERK!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:09:00 +0000

So Kanye interrupted our website to tell us that Beyonce is better than us! http://kanyelicio.us/http:/www.buycostumes.com

Well... kinda, but with all this talk about Kanye, we knew we had to get in on it. Perfect reason to be Kanye for Halloween. I mean, what’s a better idea for a costume than something in the news. Everyone is talking about is and you will be sure to get a few laughs. Here are some ideas for a Kanye Costume...
-An afro Wig: Not exactly his hair, but I know I have seen him wear some pretty awful hairdos. Take a scissors to this 'do and be creative!
-This Skeleton Sweatshirt- Kanye wore a sweatshirt like this last Halloween. Guess he is just TOO COOL for a real Halloween costume. Although, in my opinion this hoodie is pretty neat to not only wear in October but all year round!
-Some classy dancing loafers- We all know Kanye never watches what he says, but he is sure concerned about what he is wearing.
-80's Slot Glasses- Most kids these days don't even associate these glasses with the 80's, but figure that Kanye started the fashion. He for sure brought these back and a Kanye Costume would not be complete without them.
- And to complete the ensemble.... A Gold Digger!

BuyCostumes also is helping you out with some other GREAT costume ideas. Jon and Kate, a cougar, swine flu.. check out our costume kits for yourself!

Wig Out! Reasons why wigs are better than hair dye.

noreply@blogger.com (Daniela) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:46:00 +0000

It's no secret that a funky, fun hair color is a great way to top off a costume, but trying to get that color you want can easily leave you in a hairy situation. So why not consider a wig instead? They can change your look in seconds without the hassles of hair dyes. So before you reach for the hair dye consider these reasons why a wig might be a better choice come this Halloween.

There's no mess - Wigs are perfect for transforming your look without creating a mess in the process. Products like color hair sprays and other types of hair dyes can stain your hands, clothes and even your shower or sink when washing out the color.

You can mix it up whenever you want – Even with all the color options out there you might not be able to make as bold of statement as you want if your hair is on the darker side (having dark brown hair myself, I know going blonde isn't really an option). Wigs are a great way to instantly change your look and give you the flexibility to try out any color.

There's no risk of A.D.D (A Dyeing Disaster) – I heard so many horror stories from friends telling me how what was supposed to be a simple one time coloring, turned into a dye job gone horribly wrong. Even temporary hair dyes may require several washes before the color rinses out completely. So if you plan to go back into the office after using hot pink hair spray all Halloween weekend be careful!

So if you're ready to ditch the hair dye for a wig this Halloween check out our Hats, Wigs, & Masks page on Buycostumes.com for tons of wig styles and colors!

Halloween Costume Ideas from Adults to Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Daniela) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Halloween 2009 is starting to creep up on us. It’s best to buy Halloween costumes early so you’re not stressing at the last minute over what to wear. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of costumes and themes to point you in the right direction this Halloween.

Top Adult Costume Ideas: Whether you’re planning on going to a friend’s Halloween party or expect to spend a night on the town, one of these adult Halloween costumes will be sure to impress:

Dead Celebrities
Dead celebrities have always been popular choices for Halloween. This year, we have had what seems like an overwhelming number of celebrity deaths. Check out some of most popular celebrities that will most likely be eulogized through costume.

Michael Jackson: This costume can come in many forms, from those who want to glorify the King of Pop, to those who choose to focus on the controversy surrounding his death. Michael Jackson’s famous thriller video makes it easy to use the star’s memory as Halloween inspiration.
Farrah Fawcett: The former fashion model and Charlie’s Angel will be popular among ladies looking to use Hollywood’s obituary list for costume ideas.
Other dead celebrity costume ideas include infomercial pitchman Billy Mays, political columnist Robert Novak, television personality Ed McMahon and countless others.

Political Costumes
The political costume was trendy last year when we saw Sarah Palin as a popular Halloween party theme. This year, she will remain a top costume choice, in addition to fellow Republicans Rush Limbaugh and former Vice President Dick Cheney. Not to worry though, Halloween costumes are quite bi-partisan, as President Obama & the first lady will be popular among couples’ costumes this year.

Superheroes
Always a safe bet is the superhero costume. Last year saw throngs of Batman costumes. We foresee another year of Heath Ledger-inspired Joker costumes, as well as other Dark Knight spin-offs.

Other popular superheroes include the classics like Superman, the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, and various Transformers characters for those wishing to relive their childhood.

Top Kids Costume Ideas: From trick-or-treating to classroom Halloween parties, finding a great kids Halloween costume based on these suggestions will be sure to keep a smile on their faces.

Popular Movies
Halloween always has a habit of mimicking the most popular movies of the current year. This year, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” dominated the box office and will likely dominate the Halloween costume arena. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron will be very big among the children this season.

Harry Potter: The boy wizard will see another year of popularity as more and more kids catch “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” -- the latest film based on the popular series of fantasy novels.
Hannah Montana: Tweens and teens alike will want to emulate the Disney phenomenon who leads a double life as a pop star – played by the ever-popular Miley Cyrus

Disney
Princess costumes are always a top choice among young girls who love to get frilly. Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and Jasmine are just a few Disney favorites among the little ones. Boys, too, are big fans of well-known Disney heroes. Wall-E costumes; Buzz and Woody from Toy Story and the Power Rangers will be just a few of the fan favorites among boys this Halloween.

New For 2009- Men's Costumes from Pop Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:27:00 +0000

While checking out the new for 2009 Costumes on BuyCostumes.com, I noticed a few trends. First one I will comment on are the new costumes that follow trends in popular culture. This includes movies, TV, and Celebrities that men aspire to be on October 31. In my mind, I know I usually see a lot of repeats of costumes from popular culture and the following seem to be the candidates for this year. Not saying that repeats are a bad thing, as you can really try to outdo everyone else with your own personal flair. So, below is my Top 10 list...

Star Trek: We have a bunch of realistic Star Trek Costumes in accordance with the new movie that came out this year. Definitely a great group costume idea, but you will be easily identifiable on your own. These costumes have got to be comfortable and easy to go out in. Nothing hanging off your costumes to get stuck on something to accidently hit someone in the face!

Wolverine Origins: Everyone will recognize you in these costumes! Another highly anticipated movie that came out this year! I think that the gloves with claws are reason enough to check out this costume! Everyone loves superheroes and mutants, so it's sure to be a hit!

Captain America: In a previous post, we mentioned how Captain America is back from the dead! Brings you to the Captain America Costume. Once again, another GREAT superhero costume and is patriotic at the same time! This costume is INFLATABLE, to show off those muscles that you recently acquired for Halloween. Just make sure your head doesn't inflate with your fake muscles. Also a great Couples costume!

Sweeney Todd: Anyone that has seen the movie or Broadway play, can attest that Sweeney Todd fits into Halloween any day of the year. He's gory, murderous, and dreadful. It's also a historical costume, which is pretty cool too. Breaking into song is allowed, but I'm sure inviting people to sit in your private barber's chair won't be!

Spiderman: Just a plain out cool costume that everyone recognizes. Once again, also pretty neat to be a superhero for the day, but just make sure to remember that although you may think it, your spidey senses may just not be as top notch as the real deal.

G.I. Joe- Rise of the Cobra: This costume has endless possibilities for accessories and most of them are weapons. The new GI Joe Movie is packed with action, even though it seemed to have received mixed reviews. Ninja costumes are classic, but these ones put a modern twist on it!

Watchmen: This DC Comics Movie came out early this year and included some pretty interesting special effects. Become Rorschach for the night and invite your friends to be the other Watchmen.

Sesame Street: Might not seem like the macho costume you've been looking for but wil people will definitely "Awww" when they see you. This great line of costumes includes Bert & Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, Elmo and my personal favorite, SUPER GROVER! These costumes are for the serious Costumer and should be worn more than once! Reuse it for your kid's birthday party!

Racecar Driver: Anyone ever tell you that you look like Jeff Gordon? Well, you can be sure to trick everyone with these costumes of NASCAR drivers. Bring along a fully stocked pit crew and racing team for a great group idea! Tony Stewart and Dale Jr. are at the wheel too!

Transformers: Bumblebee, Megatron, and Optimus Prime..Which one will you be transformed into? Bring back the nostalgia and popularituy with these Transformer costumes. Easy to move around in and keep you warm for the colder climates.

NOW HIRING- Dead or Alive

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:17:00 +0000

In the world of Halloween, TONS of people are getting geared up early! Haunted Houses and Scare Shows across the country and around the world are hiring. Halloween is something people are always going to look forward to.

Kings Island Amusement Park in Ohio is hiring for all levels of jobs as scarers. Looks like its more of an audition and they are being held now until the beginning of September.

In the UK, Zombies are getting paid a hefty amount to act at the London Bridge Experience. The competition was very intense, with over 200 applications and two spots. This attraction goes on all year and is very popular to London tourists.

We are also hiring here at BuyCostumes. Our Corporate Headquarters near Milwaukee, WI will be hiring at least 1,000 Seasonal workers to cover high volume in the Distribution Center and Call Center. Check us out at http://www.buyseasons.com/.

What about your own Zombie and Haunted houses? BuyCostumes has tons of really gory, spooky, or scary props and costumes!

Sexy Costumes From the Past!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:02:00 +0000

BuyCostumes has some great new costumes for the upcoming season and it's never too early to start planning out your ensemble. I browsed though many of our new costumes and realized that a lot of them come straight out of the past. We have a lot of new costumes that represent different times in history and pop culture. We especially have a lot of great new, SEXY, costumes that could make a great group costumes. Or, put a whole bunch of different time periods together for a "decades" themes group idea.

Prehistoric: Cave Beauty She makes prehistoric times look like something from the High Fashion Runway!
Early America: Pocahottie This is definitely a twist on your typical Native American costume. Pocahottie is sassy with fringe and feathers! You'll be sure to casue some tribal trouble in this dress.
1920's: Gatsby Girl Celebrate the Roarin 20's with this ROARIN costume. She's a 1920's flapper and has TONS of glitter. I like this one again, becasue its pretty simple but with some great personalization no one will have a costume as great as this! Pair it with these Cute Heels!
1940's: Ahoy There Hottie A sailor never looked so good. Go back to the time when the "good old boys" were at war and women had to step up. This dress is patriotic red, white, and blue and has classic details like an anchor and gold buttons.
1950's: Mini Poodle Skirt This not your mom's costume! HOP into the 50's with this super cute poodle skirt. It comes in pink or red so get a couple of the girls together and no one will ever have looked so good in a "vintage" skirt.
1960's: Hippie Chick A grovvy costume for a groovy girl. It's really colorful and easy to dance in! You will get everyone's attention when you walk into the room. Make love, not war!
1970's: 70's Disco Queen I'm loving the metallic look of this dress. The neckline cut is right from the disco floor, and heck, you'll be a portable Disco ball. Listen to some ABBA and don't forget the 70's wig. Got some Saturday Night Fever? Would be great for a couple's costume by pairing with this guy!
1980's: 80's Rock Star Anything from the 80's is a great idea for a costume. Anyone is bound to have something fro the 80's lying around her house and 80's costumes=80's Music! This costume is really cute and simple, but pair with some colorful accesories and you will stand out among the rest.
1990's... errr 1960's?: British Flag Dress You could represent the Smashing 60's or one of the spiciest girls from the 90's! Another great idea: do an "Around the World" theme and use this dress to show off your UK Pride!
2000: Go Green Girl The latest trend right now, ORGANIC! Wear this costume and let everyone know how environmentally conscious you are.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:14:00 +0000

Another GREAT summer movie release! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the movie that documents the 6th year at Hogwarts. Receiving an average of "GO!" on Fandango's "Oh-no" to "Must go!" scale and an 85% Rotten Tomatoes Rating, this movie is full of action, love, and scariness. As an avid Harry Potter book reader, there were a couple things that they left out, but to me that doesn't conclude a bad adaptation. A movie adaptation is based off of the writers' and director's opinions and ideas, and it cannot be EXACTLY like the book. The book gives more detail than the movie which is usually the case in these situations.

Movies across the country had Midnight Showings and Special Premieres. Fans dressed up as wizards, carried wands, painted lightning bolts, and had a great attitude towards the opening. The UA Bonita Lakes 9 Theatre in Meridian, MS, with the help of The Radio People, held a great party with fans lining up out the door! They turned to BuyCostumes.com and used our Harry Potter and DeathEater Costumes!

We want to encourage more customers to post their photos from their Harry Potter Parties to the Product Pages. It's really easy and we love seeing our costumes in ACTION!

Superman and Batman--NYC Style

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:28:00 +0000

At BuyCostumes, its ALWAYS okay to wear a costume. In New York City, however, this does not seem to be the case. Two Men dressed as superheros were arrested in Times Square on the night of July 9th. Supposedly, because they were dressed in costume, they needed to have a 'performing permit' for the City of New York. Granted "Batman" and "Superman" probably deserved the arrest as they also ended up receiving disorderly conduct tickets and resisting arrest. As a warning to all of the aspiring "Dark Knights", follow the laws that your city has in place. In the safety of your own home, costume lovers eat your heart out! Superhero costumes, in my opinion, can be worn at any age!

ANNOUNCING KICK-OFF FOR WISCONSIN SEASONAL WORKFORCE COALITION

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:38:00 +0000

PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pat Delmenhorst, Director, Employment Services
Phone: 414-220-8636 ; pdelmenhorst@interfaithmilw.org

ANNOUNCING KICK-OFF FOR WISCONSIN SEASONAL WORKFORCE COALITION
Connecting employment opportunities across the seasons
Seasonal Work = Future Opportunities

July 6, 2009, Milwaukee – Local Employers and Community Based Organizations form coalition to connect jobs across the seasons – over 2,000 seasonal opportunities are available through the coalition’s efforts over the calendar year.

On Monday, July 13, United Way of Greater Milwaukee will present a $75,000 grant to Interfaith Older Adult Programs – Employment Services. Interfaith will partner with an identified group of hiring companies to develop a coalition of employers and community based organizations that will connect area job seekers to possible year around employment. The goal of the project is to provide seasonal employment opportunities as a way to develop workers for permanent positions as they gain new skills as well as offering a bridge to jobs for the unemployed. Seasonal employment has been identified as a way for individuals with barriers to learn on the job work ethics and gain transferable skills that can be used in numerous industries.

Activities for the grant include: employer sponsored training for call center/customer service and warehouse picking and packing; creation of a Wisconsin Seasonal Workforce Coalition; development of a Coalition Website that includes a “Calendar of Hiring;” job coaching at employers worksite by community based agencies; and coordination of transportation. Employer partners will assist in planning and sponsoring exit party/job fairs at the end of hiring seasons to introduce workers to the next seasonal employment opportunities. Jobing.com will provide a grant to develop a website for the Coalition that will list a calendar of seasonal hiring opportunities and highlight the participating partners. In addition, funding will be used to coordinate transportation to Waukesha and other locations not located on a bus line.

The following employers are partnering on the grant: BUYSEASONS, UPS, Marcus Corporation, Christopher Morgan, Jobing.com, and Design Specialists. Community Based Organizations that collaborated in the writing of the grant include: Interfaith Older Adult Programs - Employment Services, Center for Veteran’s Issues, Milwaukee God Squad, Policy Studies, Inc., Goodwill Industries, and Laos Family Center.

For more information contact Pat Delmenhorst (information above) and visit:
http://www.seasonalworkerswi.org

July 13 Press Conference Agenda:
8:30 a.m. Washington Park Senior Center; 4420 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee
9:30 a.m. BUYSEASONS, INC.; 5915 S. Moorland Rd., New Berlin

7:45 a.m: Milwaukee God Squad Bus arrives to transport workers to BUYSEASONS
8:00 a.m: Job candidates arrive and don United Way T-shirts donated by UPS

Continental Breakfast provided

8:30 Press conference begins

David Karst, Vice President Human Resources, BUYSEASONS
- Introduction to the Wisconsin Seasonal Workforce Coalition

United Way Delegate(s) presents check and make announcement of grant to
Interfaith Older Adult Programs.

Carol Eschner, Executive Director of Interfaith Older Adult Programs, and Chris
Abbott, Interfaith Board President, accept the check and make brief comments.

Jalem Getz, CEO BUYSEASONS and Mark Green, WI District HR Manager - UPS
–Comment about the Wisconsin Seasonal Workforce Coalition
Mayor Tom Barrett & County Executive Scott Walker (Invited for Comments)
Milwaukee Workforce Investment Board Representative
(Don Sykes Invited for comments)
Seasonal Worker - Comments

9:00 a.m. Bus leaves for BUYSEASONS arriving at 5915 S. Moorland Road, New Berlin

Reception and follow-up press conference will be held for the new workers and
Waukesha County Representatives will receive the workers.

Independence Day--- BuyCostumes Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:10:00 +0000

Once again, the BuyCostumes Team got involved with the local 4th of July Festivities here in New Berlin, WI. As a sponsor of the Parade and Celebration, more than 20 associates and thier family members dressed up and walked in the parade. This year was even better than last with MORE particpation, great NEW ideas, MORE costumes, and really COOL car! The group handed out balloons, candy, coupons and flyers to spectators. Prior to the parade, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Jim Sensenbrenner, vistited with the BuyCostumes group and posed for a photo (the professional looking guy in the Khakis and Blue dress shirt). Much thanks to Jodi and Lori, members of the HR Department, who did a great job of organizing and coordinating this event. Here at BuyCostumes we love being involved in our community and love getting people excited about our costumes and Halloween! The Cast of Characters here at BuyCostumes do a great job of representing our company and our values!

Public Enemy Number One

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:42:00 +0000

On July 1st, 2009 the new movie, Public Enemies, directed by Michael Mann, was released in Movie Box-offices across the country. Public Enemies is the story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger, whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover's inexperienced FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis. Dillinger meant business. No one could stop him, no jail could hold him, and because of the public attitude towards the banks that brought the country into the Great Depression, no one had sympathy towards those banks victimized to his robberies. Whats even better is the movie is star-studded, with Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, and Billy Crudup.

In this film, filled with action, shooting scenes, and HD Camera angles, you not only get how the public felt about these mobsters, you get other mobsters views on how they viewed Dillinger. The 1920's and 1930's is such an interesting era to look at. Our country and society completely changed from the Roaring, Speakeasy 20's, to the Depressing, Bread Line 30's. Organized crime also began in this era, as the public was against authority and authority was corrupt.

With all this talk of mobsters, robberies, and the 1930's I found myself wondering if a mobster costume would be in the cards for this year's Halloween. It's also such a great idea for a couple's or group costume as the more the merrier is the theme here. While we are talking about decades, also take a clook at our 1920's collection. We have tons of new for 2009 costumes here!

Monster Matchmaker

noreply@blogger.com (Daniela) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:32:00 +0000

Because even scary monsters need love too.

Welcome to Monster Matcher, the place where singles can meet other creatures of the night in time for Halloween! This week's monster looking for his match is Frankenstein. He's a tough yet sensitive guy looking for someone to scare everyone in town with. Although he's made of human body parts, this energetic monster's personality is anything but dead and he's always the life of the party. Interested in learning more about this eligible bachelor? Read his profile to see if you could be this monster's match.

Name: Frankenstein

Birthday: October 31st

Hometown: New York, NY

Interested In: Women

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Height: 7' 2"

Built: More to love

Likes: thunder storms, cloud watching, soap operas, board games, Halloween, going to the farmer's market, nature hikes, ballroom dancing, working out, Chinese food, sports, sleeping in,

Dislikes: Angry mobs, flaming torches, fire in general, cats, scary movies,

About Me: I'm a gentle giant who loves long walks on the beach and romantic dinners (but not candle lit). When I'm not being chased all other town by the local villagers, I enjoy staying in and watching romantic comedies.

My last wife tended to yell at me a lot (especially when I'd forget to take out the trash), so I'm looking for someone pretty mellow and easy going.

I consider myself to be a fun monster who loves to laugh and have a good time. If you're the same way you should give me a call! :)

Think you're this monster's match? Check out Buycostumes.com to learn more about Frankenstein or find other eligible monsters you could be matched up with! Don't forget to check out our scary costumes that will make the sparks fly with your monster this Halloween!

How do Superheroes go to the Bathroom?

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:15:00 +0000

So, talk about questions that we’ve all been asking for a long time… another one still unsolved… Where, When and How do superheroes go to the bathroom? J Caleb Mozzocco wrote a blog post on newsarama.com about this exact question. He proposes a few issues that superheroes must have when relieving themselves. First, where do they go to the bathroom? Do they just stroll into a public restroom at a restaurant, shopping mall, or the closest 100 story skyscraper? What about Spiderman? He's a Wanted man, and I’m sure he doesn’t go home every time he needs to go to the bathroom! Second, when do they use the facilities? In the middle of an epic battle between good and evil, do they have a time-out for bathroom breaks?! Hmmm… And finally, the most puzzling question… HOW?! Do their spandex, heat proof, waterproof, ultra awesome superhero suits have zippers? And I’m sure you agree with Caleb and I on the difficulty of a cape. Where do they put that? I guess we will never know.

Rest assured though, because our Superhero Costumes have easy to use ties, zippers and buttons. They aren’t made of spandex either and aren’t skintight. And I’m sure people will just look at you weird when you go to use the restroom dressed as Wonder Woman.

Pooch Parties

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:47:00 +0000

I found this article in the Dallas Morning News. We all know that a lot of people spoil their pets and treat them like their children. We know that 62% of the US Households own a pet. The estimated expenditure on the Pet industry in 2009 is $45.4 Billion. We also know that in our current economic climate, Fido might not be getting a home hose-down shower compared to the Pet Spa-Boutique Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner treatment. But some people are still celebrating their pets… and their birthdays! The Foxy Paws Dog Boutique & Bakery in Plano, Texas offers birthday packages for pets! There are several levels of packages, with the lowest being $39.99. The Foxy Paws sells cakes for both pets and humans, rhinestone collars, and birthday parties for pets! Some people have such a devotion to their pets that this is the biggest event all year.

Here at BuyCostumes, you can find some really adorable costumes for a great value! I really like the Uncle Sam Dog Costume, which comes in Sizes from Small to Extra Large. Superdog to the rescue! This Superman Dog costume will be a great addition to our collection of Superhero Costumes for adults and kids! To add some festive summer mood, your pet will LOVE being a flower... hmm I don't know about that, but he'll sure look cute!
Send us pictures of your dogs in costume… and have your own Pet Birthday Party!

Presidential Luau

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:53:00 +0000

On Thursday, June 25th, President Obama brought a taste of Hawaii to the White House for the congressional picnic. There were tiki torches, palm trees, and of course, leis to go around. Traditional Hawaiian Luau food was served and there was even Hula Dancing lessons (which Obama participated in!). Famous Hawaii chef, Alan Wong, said that throwing a traditional luau is showing great respect to his Congress. He said that luaus are thrown for special occasions such as weddings or 1st birthday parties. With over 2,000 guests, the South Lawn of the White house was transformed into a Polynesian paradise. Everyone really got into the theme, dressed in Hawaiian shirts, while the press secretary, Robert Gibbs, sat in the dunk tank! To follow suit with The Hawaiian and Presidential theme, maybe they were wearing red, white, and blue leis!

Even though we have talked about summer luaus pretty recently, I just wanted to give an example of how everyone enjoys summer and makes each of their festivities one to remember. While most of you will probably not have a traditional Hawaiian Islands band, featuring ukuleles and Tahitian banjos, little things really go a long way when you are enjoying time with friends and family. Get everyone to dress up! Just the colorful shirts and clothing will give the party that extra spirit. Pick up some tiki torches from your local hardware store and decorate with hibiscus flowers. We know you won’t be able to plant palm trees around the perimeter of the lawn, like the president did, but inflatable palm trees are a great value and can be stored nice and small for your next party. We have dozens of leis, in different colors and prices to hand out as a favor for your guests! And there will always be that Great Uncle that will show up in a Hula skirt and coconut bra! Adn don't forget to document the event, and share it with us! I know your guests will be lining up to take a picture in the Luau Photo Stand-up.

So follow the president’s example and throw a summer luau that you and all your guests will never forget!

Here's a picture of White House staff carrying a large inflatable shark as they prepare the decorations for President Barack Obama's luau for members of Congress and their families. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

A Green Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:16:00 +0000

Going green in all aspects of our lives has become a huge trend. Here at BuyCostumes Headquarters, we do a lot to save the environment, help out Mother Nature, and to save money. Besides recycling and shredding our paper and post-its in several designated bins, our building reduces energy costs by collecting and circulating cool air from the evenings, throughout the building. The lights in our distribution center are motion sensitive and shut off when nobody is working. Also, over 90% of our workspaces in the building allow enough natural light to meet the requirement of a green building. We also reward employees that drive hybrid cars with front row parking spots!

A great book with tons of tips for environmental consciousness is The New York Times Bestseller The Green Book. It's a little book with a lot of facts, tips, and celebrity testimonies. It's even printed on 100% recycled paper!

We also want you to have a Green Halloween! No, we don't mean wear green masks and decorate with green streamers. (Alhtough we do have these GREAT new costumes to show your support for the Earth!) Take little steps to decrease your carbon footprint. Here are a couple from an article in The Baltimore Sun.

Walk the streets of your neighborhood, don't drive! The exercise is heart-healthy and eco-friendly.
Avoid plastic trick-or-treat bags. Instead, decorate an old pillowcase, tote bag, or canvas shopping bag.
Treat the kids to organic and fair-trade goodies.
Shop for locally grown holiday treats and decorate with apples, pumpkins and gourds.
Find alternatives to candy treats. Try soy crayons or packets of seeds that can be planted in the spring.
Fill your flashlight with rechargeable batteries instead of conventional ones.

Host a pumpkin pie bakeoff -- a great way to use the post-halloween pumpkins.

What ideas do you have for a Green Halloween?!

UFO Week

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:50:00 +0000

In July of 1947, a mysterious object flew across the sky in Roswell, New Mexico. We know now that the Unidentified Flying Object crashed into the earth and is still a mystery with plenty of questions to ask. Thousands of UFO's have been seen by people since that day in the Roswell desert and the first week in July is a time to commemorate that event.

Aliens, flying saucers, alternate galaxies, or whatever you may or may not believe are all interesting topics that can lead to great party themes!

Coming soon in the Halloween 2009 Season, is this GREAT ALIEN Costume. Get on our e-mail list so you can be the first to dress up as this guy! Use the kids to strike up some eery atmosphere with an Alien from Area 51. Go all out and use some of our green and purple streamers to create that galactical moood.

So go out and look for a UFO and be careful not to get abducted!!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Couple's Costumes

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:40:00 +0000

When you are in a relationship, the obvious answer for costume ideas always seem to be a couple's theme costume. It's a great idea and usually pretty easy to come up with. However, in addition to some of the advantages, there are a couple of not so inviting disadvantages to being associated with your costumes buddy all night.
Advantage: People will look at you and say “OMG, that’s so adorable”
Disadvantage: May be embarrassing to your guy when people look at you and say “OMG, that’s so adorable”.

Advantage: You get to spend the whole night with your costume buddy!
Disadvantage: Sometimes in order for someone to know who you are dressing as, you need both parts of the team.

Advantage: You can easily spot each other in a crowd if you get lost.
Disadvantage: Guilty by association: If your partner does something embarrassing you can’t get away with the “I don’t know him” excuse.

Advantage: You can get pretty creative with couple's costumes. You can go anywhere from Martha and George Washington, to Barbie and Ken, to Bacon and Eggs!
Disadvantage: Might be kind of difficult to reuse your costume the next year, with your...uhh...new boyfriend.

Send in Pictures of Your Baby in Costume

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:56:00 +0000

Yes, we know. Your baby is the cutest. And the most well bahaved. And has the funniest laugh. But what we really want to know is how great our costumes look on your babies! Check out our great Baby Costumes and Toddler Costumes and make sure to post a review and picture so other customers can see! Some of these Animal Baby costumes have some great reviews and pictures already, but we want to see more!!

Throwing a summer luau? Dress the part!

noreply@blogger.com (Daniela) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:57:00 +0000

So you've turned your backyard space into a tropical paradise filled with hibiscuses flowers, tiki lights and palm tree decorations. Even though you created the perfect ocean side setting do you feel like you're missing that extra something to make your party complete?

Why not add a costume to match you theme? Buycostumes.com offers a variety of adult and kids costumes guaranteed to capture the spirit of the Hawaii and add that extra island flavor to your luau this summer.

Renaissance Faire

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Renaissance Faires across the country are very popular this time of year. They are a great place to spend a day with your family! This blog offers some great advice about a safe and fun trip to a Renaissance Faire.
Best of all, most renaissance fairs offer discount on admission for those dressed up! You can find great costumes for the whole family! Whether you just need to add a small accent to your costume, or want to go all out! I really like this Maid Marion costume for the ladies and this muskateer costume for the guys! Make sure to get boots or accessories to add the finishing touches!
Don't forget something for the kids! Whether you are at a Renaissance Faire or not, the little ones will love dressing up like a Knight of the Round Table or a Medeival princess!

Here's a great list of all of the Festivals across the country, so you have NO excuses!
When you are all dressed up and ready to go, don't forget to post a Product Reveiw...we love to hear from you and see our costumes in action!!

Captain America -- Back from the Dead!

noreply@blogger.com (Daniela) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:38:00 +0000

The superhero favorite Captain America will be "brought back to life" in a new line of comic books by Marvel Comics. The series of the comic classic returns after the fictional character's tragic assassination back in 2007.

Although details of the Captain America's "rebirth" have been tightly under wraps by Marvel, the series is bound to earn success with fans that have anxiously awaited the superhero's return. The five part series entitled "Captain America Reborn" will be released early next month.

Along with the new series, more will be seen of this action star who is set to make the jump onto the big screen in the summer of 2011.

Here at Buycostumes.com, we could not be more excited for the patriotic hero's return! The new for 2009 Captain America costumes will be available soon which we expect to be hot items come this Halloween.

Costumes for Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Daniela) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Father's day is just around the corner, so why not surprise your dad or husband with a fun costume for parties and Halloween. Not sure what he'd like? Here are some options that would appeal to every kind of dad.

The sports fanatic – a sports themed costume will always score a touchdown with a sports dad. From football to baseball players, we have a variety of options that are sure to be slam dunk.

The super dad – let him show off his super skills with a superhero costume. Whether he's dressed as Batman or Spider-Man, he'll be the most heroic dad around come this Halloween.

The workaholic – he can be a doctor by day and firefighter by night. There are tons of costumes that work for every occupation.

Still not sure what costume to choose for him? Check out Buycostumes.com for more fun costume ideas for the dad you appreciate all year long!

Flag Day

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Each year, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th. A little known holiday, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the stars and stripes we know today. Although its not an official federal holiday, its definitely a reason think about the flag as a symbol of freedom and democracy. It's also a great time to have a great summer get together. Don't forget to check out our patriotic section of plates, cups, napkins, tablecloths and more! Honor Betsy Ross, the seamstress of our first flag.
Many communities hold parades and special celebrations for Flag Day. What does your community do?
So remember to fly "Old Glory" on Flag Day and thank our forefathers for the freedoms we hold today!