Category Archive: Current Events

Mother’s Day: What She Really Wants

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Mother’s Day is less than a week away. Have you thought about what you are going to do for your mom this year?  Mom deserves the best–after all, who is always there to love and support you through thick and thin?  Always your number one fan, your mom is that one person you can always count on to be in your corner.  So, before you pick up that phone and order the same bouquet of flowers that you probably got her last year, let me tell you what she really wants!

Sleep:  Let’s face it; Moms of the world can be exhausted creatures.  With all the over-scheduling, juggling and multi-tasking that moms do on a daily basis there is little time for rest, let alone any quiet time.  By the time moms fall into bed at night they are often fully worn out and completely spent, only to start the whole routine over again the next day.  It’s not fancy, expensive, nor can it be gift wrapped in pretty paper–but giving your mom the gift of a “no-alarm” sleep-in day with absolutely no reason for her to have to get up and go on duty–well, that may very well be the best gift of all.

It Last’s Forever:  Mom’s are sentimental creatures, so if you are going to get her flowers or a plant, why not opt for a variety that you can plant for mom out in the yard.  A tree will be a continual reminder of a Mother’s Day well spent as well as being a trigger for fond memories that will last a lifetime.  A blooming rosebush or other flowering plant is also a lovely choice that your mom is going to really appreciate. 

Plant A Garden Together:  This has become an annual event for Mother’s Day at my house because I really don’t enjoy the actual planting of my garden as much as I enjoy tending it and watching it grow throughout the summer months.  I treasure the family bonding time I have with my kids as we are working on our garden-planting project outdoors together.  As the summer progresses and the fruits and veggies start to be harvested, the garden then becomes a gift that keeps on giving for months and months to come.

Clean Your Room:  It may sound crazy but your mom would love it if for Mother’s Day you cleaned your room. (Not her room, YOUR room.)  Not just minor straightening, but really clean it from stem to stern.  It will make her feel like she has done her duty as a mother when you show her that you really do know how to do it and can follow through on the complete task.  Who knows?  You may decide to keep it that way, too!

Detail Her Car:  Sometimes us moms live in our cars more than we do in our homes which can mean our cars get a little messy.  Wash your mom’s car, vacuum it and clean it thoroughly.  Add a fragrant car freshener when you are finished.  Not only will she be surprised, but she will also be so thrilled that you thought to do it for her.

Write Something Sentimental: When my son was in 7th grade he wrote me a poem that I still have on my fridge. The older kids get, the harder it is for them to express those tender feelings they have for their mom, thus writing them down for her truly can become priceless.  Be warned though (as in my case) your words to mom may be showcased someplace for many years to come.

Gift Of You:  More than anything else in this world, mom’s want to share Mother’s Day with their kids.  Make sure you plan to spend some time with yours because no gift can really offer up what quality time spent with her can.  Take pictures of your time together and frame one to give to her later as these memories will always be something cherished and really meaningful to your mom.

Happy Mother’s Day from your friends at Halloween Express! 

Welcome May!

Welcome May!

Welcome May!

If ever there were a month of the year that gets me excited, it’s got to be May.  To me May seems like the annual drum roll month that really sets a tone of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming warm-weather months, getting everyone excited about what is to come soon enough and that is summer! Today seems like a great day to get you pumped up about May…summer…and all the good things that come with it. 

 

Star Wars Day:  Really?  A play on words taken from an infamous Star Wars line, has now become a full-fledged day for Star Wars fans everywhere to celebrate.  “May the Force Be With You,” sounds a lot like “May the fourth be with you”.  May the fourth is now the officially sanctioned day to dress up in your best Star Wars Costumes, watch Star Wars movies and have Star Wars themed costume parties. 

Summer Movie Blockbuster Season: Did you see Iron Man 3 yet?  Iron Man 3 is the first of a whole series of heavy hitter movies that are set to hit the theatres this summer, all of which are bound to thrill and delight summer movie audiences everywhere. What do you have to look forward to?  Well, it’s time to get excited about “The Great Gatsby”(May 10), “Star Trek Into Darkness” (May 17), “Man of Steel” (June 14), “Monster’s University” (June 21), “Fast and Furious 6” (May 24), “World War Z”  (June 21), “The Wolverine” (July 26).  And trust me…this list is just the beginning.  If you are a movie fan, this could be your summer!

Cinco De Mayo (May 5):  This south of the border sentimental favorite has kind of become the Mexican version of St. Patrick’s Day.  Yes, it’s a great excuse to party…Mexican style, of course!  Believe it or not, outside of Puebla, Mexico this holiday is celebrated in Mexico about at the same level Arbor Day is celebrated here in the U.S.  Not a huge deal, folks, but if you need an excuse to wear your serape and sombrero while eating lots of Mexican food (my personal fave) today is the day!

Mother’s Day (May 12):  This is a holiday designed to pay tribute to as well as to honor the mother’s of the world. Take this chance to thank your mom for her endless love and support because after all, you have no bigger fan in the world other than your beloved mom.  As for you mom’s out there–what woman doesn’t enjoy being queen for the day?  Enjoy the extra love and attention as for most of us this sort of thing only happens once a year.

Memorial Day (May 27): Memorial Day culminates the first three-day weekend of the warm weather months, and for most, Memorial Day kicks off the summer season.  (Even though technically Memorial Day happens in the spring.)  Memorial Day is a revered holiday that is set aside to honor those brave men and women that lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed forces.  The many freedoms we enjoy today can be attributed to those willing to fight and make the ultimate sacrifice in order to preserve these privileges we hold so dear.  Take a moment to show your gratitude and reverence on this very special holiday!

There is so much to get excited about and to enjoy this month.  Get ready to welcome in May!

Cinco De Mayo: Celebrating South Of The Border Style

Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo

Hola fanáticos del traje! Si quieres aprender un poco sobre el Cinco de Mayo, has venido al lugar correcto!  Whoa, whoa, whoa and my sincerest apologies.  All this thinking about Cinco de Mayo, however has really gotten me excited, even to the point that I am mistakenly writing this blog in Spanish.  Let me start this again.  Hello costume fans, if you want to learn a little about Cinco de Mayo, you’ve come to the right place!  You don’t have to be from Mexico to really get into the spirit and fun that can be found by celebrating this exciting holiday that hails from our Mexican neighbors to the south.  Here are a few of the Cinco de Mayo basics:

The History Behind Cinco de Mayo:  Once upon a time back in 1862, a very powerful French army decided to head to Mexico and fight it’s way through the country down into Mexico City, where it was their intent to try and force the Mexican government to pay up on some old outstanding debts.  The French Army was very well equipped, superbly trained, and early on in their battles in Mexico they had been pretty much destroying all that came into their path.  Here’s where things get interesting, folks.  When the French army hit a town called Puebla (on May the 5th of course) a very surprising thing happened.  Although the Mexican soldiers in Puebla were largely untrained, had few battle skills and were also equipped with some pretty lousy equipment, somehow, quite miraculously, this scrappy army of novices was able to defeat the elite French army and drive them out of Puebla.  Now that’s cause for celebration hombres!

Cinco De Mayo Today:  A lot of people here in the U.S. are confused about Cinco De Mayo and mistakenly assume that this holiday is Mexican Independence Day.  No, no, no, no mis amigos!  Mexican Independence Day actually happens on September 16–we must keep our holidays straight!  Cinco de Mayo is a holiday dedicated to celebrating the battle win that happened that glorious day in Puebla, Mexico. Interestingly enough, Cinco de Mayo isn’t a huge deal down in Mexico outside of the town of Puebla.  Mexican people now living in the U.S. however, have brought the fun along with the true south of the border flavor that is associated with Cinco de Mayo, into the U.S. and this holiday has now been fully embraced by many.

For some of us, Cinco de Mayo may just be another reason to eat fabulous Mexican food while downing a few Margaritas.  For others, Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of an event in past history that brings with it great pride, as well as it being an opportunity to share Mexican customs and culture with the masses. Fantástico!

Getting into the spirit of Cinco de Mayo is pretty easy.  From sombreros to maracas, May the 5th is your chance to embrace some of the more exciting elements of Mexican culture and really get in on what promises to be a really exciting celebration. Don’t miss out on the Cinco de Mayo fun! Olé!

Tax Day: It’s Just So Darn Taxing!

It's Tax Time!

It's Tax Time!

April 15th, the most dreaded deadline of all deadlines.  It’s a day probably only accountants or H&R Block can love.  Tax Day is sometimes (okay, almost always) filled with anxiety, stress and financial pressure.  Have you filed your tax return yet?  Are you freaking out?  If any of these feelings are with you, trust me, you are not alone.  Tax Day is no picnic for any of us.  If you are one of the luckier ones, your problems may be as simple as asking the question, “How much is my refund going to be?”  If you are not so lucky, you may be experiencing a bad case of the “OH NO! OH NO! I OWE!” syndrome. In this case, it may be time for some deep breathing and meditation.  You will get through this.

If you are having serious issues with your taxes or tax-related stresses, sorry I probably can’t help you.  This is a costume blog, not a financial blog.  That said, you may enjoy a few of our tax day survival suggestions that may make getting through these trying times just a smidge easier.  A sense of humor never hurt anyone.

Counting Down:  There is an actual Tax Day Countdown clock.  If you need to have a little extra pressure put on you in order to make you do things (uh, say for example, your taxes), you might find this Tax Day Countdown Clock helpful.

I actually found this clock rather annoying as it gave me ten times more tax related anxiety simply by just watching this baby count down, but that’s just me.

Freebies:  The bright side of Tax Day is that there are a lot of retailers and restaurants out there that are actually taking pity on the taxpayers of America and offering up some pretty nifty (and in some cases, tasty) freebies.  Here are some of them and we’re betting you will find even more in your own local neighborhood!

  • Arby’s:  Free curly fries or potato cakes at participating Arby’s restaurants on April 15.
  • Boston Market:  Get 2 rib meals for just $10.40 (get it?) on tax day.
  • Cinnabon:  Get 2 free Cinnabon Bites on April 15, while supplies last.
  • Sonic:  Drinks and slushes for 50% off at participating restaurants on April 15th.  Go ahead–drown your sorrows!

 

Manage Your Stress:  Still feeling stressed out?  Try taking a walk or get outside for a while. Sometimes the simple act of walking away from your pile of forms, documents and receipts and taking a short break will make you feel better.

Uncle Sam Wants YOU!  Yes, he does want your money, but he also wants you to have some fun.  What could be a better way to get even with the big guy than by putting together an IRS-themed costume party or get together?  Paying Uncle Sam isn’t fun, but dressing up as him IS.  Be sure to check out our how-to video for easy step-by-step instructions on how to put together your own fun Uncle Sam look.

Need some other super fun costume ideas to help you celebrate April 15th?

  • You’re Fired Wig!  Dressing up as Donald Trump is super easy when you have his signature “do”. He may have actually had to pay more taxes than you! (You’re Fired Wig)
  • Gold Digger:  Hey, it might a solution for next year? (Gold Digger Costume)
  • Robin Hood: You have to have some degree of respect for someone who steals from the rich and gives money to the poor.  (And who isn’t feeling the pinch a little right now?) (Robin Hood)
  • Hundred Dollar Bill:  If you don’t have one, why not just “be” one?  It might offer a small bit of tax day solace. (Hundred Dollar Bill Costume)
  • Lady Luck:  Perhaps we all could use a little of this right now. (Lady Luck)
  • Dress as your Accountant (Nerd costume):  This get up probably doesn’t look exactly like your financial planner but it bears a shocking resemblance to mine, so I am throwing it in. (Financial Planner Costume)

 

April 15th needn’t be the worst day of the year.  Perhaps it will even surprise you with an unexpectedly large refund coming your way.  In any case, breathe and stay calm.  It’s all going to be all right. 

“Isn’t it appropriate that the month of the tax begins with April Fool’s Day and ends with cries of ‘May Day!’?”– Robert Knauerhase

What’s Great About April

What's Great About April

What's Great About April

There’s something completely magical that happens when the calendar changes over to April.  Yes, April means that it is officially time to pack winter away until next year.  But April also brings with it many fun and exciting things that you are definitely going to look forward to.  It’s absolutely time to start filling up your calendar and let the good times roll! 

Nurture Nature:  April is the first full month of springtime, so for many, it’s the first chance to really embrace all that’s good about what can be a glorious season filled with freshness, new life, and a whole lot more sunshine! (And perhaps just a few April showers…)  April is a great time to spruce up your yard, plant a veggie garden and enjoy the still cooler, sunny days. There are even a couple of cool nature-oriented holidays in April that you will not want to miss out on:

  • April 22nd-Earth Day-Earth Day was designed to rekindle awareness of the environment and the ways in which each of us can help to protect our natural resources.  You can get into Earth Day by going to an Earth Day festival near you, or just take the time to get educated and do something as simple as planting a garden. 
  • April 27th-Arbor Day-Arbor Day is a special and unique holiday designed for the specific purpose of tree planting.  You can celebrate Arbor Day in many ways, including of course, the most obvious one–planting a tree!  Other ideas? Go on a hike and learn about trees that are indigenous to your area, or there’s lots to read to your kids about trees. 

April Silly Stuff:  April starts off with April Fools’ Day–the officially sanctioned holiday on which it is approved (or even encouraged) to play pranks or mischievous tricks on your friends.  What you may not know is that April has a few other lesser known special days that although may seem a little strange, you may want to participate in!

  • April 6th-International Pillow Fight Day-You think I am making this up, don’t you?  On April 6th, believe it or not there will be organized pillow fighting throughout the world.  Interested?  Find the nearest pillow fight near you here: http://2013.pillowfightday.com
  • April 16th-National Wear Pajamas To Work Day- You know you’ve always wanted to do it, now here’s the perfect excuse to wear your pajamas to work and slave the day away in your jammies and slippers–with coffee and a doughnut nearby! This might be your most productive workday ever–unless you take it way too seriously and spend the day half-dozing. Full details here: http://www.nationalwearyourpajamastoworkday.com
  • April 20th-Husband Appreciation Day-You might not have even known that this day existed, which demonstrates all the more why it may be needed.  Show your hubby how much you love and appreciate him! 
  • April 20th-Record Store Day- Yes, there is a holiday for this and since it ironically falls in conjunction with Husband Appreciation Day, are you thinking what I am thinking?  Great possibilities here!  Additionally, there may be some kids out there in today’s day of instantaneous music downloads who don’t even know what a record store is.  For this reason, the record store itself might make a great field trip. More info here: http://www.recordstoreday.com/home

 

April–Just Plain Cool!

  • Mud Runs or Obstacle Course Races-These exciting and fun-filled races are popping up all over the nation.  These events are filled with military-style obstacles; ginormous mud puddles, and frequently have lots and lots of water involved.  You may get dirty–very, very dirty, in fact, but it’s all in the name of good fun.  Many folks do these races as part of a team, sometimes dressing their team up in crazy costumes, accessories or even hats as they run the race, adding to the team spirit. I actually did one of these mud runs last year and literally ran side by side with a whole pack of Village People look-alikes.  It was the most filthy, dirty, insane good time, ever.  
  • Music Festivals-April starts music festival and concert season.  One of the most infamous music and art festivals is Coachella, which runs April 12-14.  Several stages will be set up with continual live music throughout the event. Coachella (and other music festivals) are however, about much more than music.  These events highlight fashion as well.  Things you may want to consider for your music festival experience:  Glow in the dark anything, face and body paints, tie-dye shirts, and other various hippie styled accessories. Other music festivals are known to embrace the quirky, vintage-innovative Steampunk style fashions.  Don’t leave home without the right gear!
  • Baseball Season-Let us not forget that April brings with it the opening of baseball season.  From the best tasting hot dogs you’ve ever had, to that blessed sounding “smack” of bat meeting ball–there’s nothing like baseball.  You just can’t beat it for springtime sports fun, as it will always be considered the greatest All-American game. 

 

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