The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most adored books in modern history. Its chief character, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins is a fish out of water on his adventure in the wider world of Middle Earth. The Desolation of Smaug, the second part of Peter Jackson's film adaptation of the book, lands in theaters this December and this Hobbit's Survival Guide infographic will recap everything you need to know going into the movie. Look at the choice gear & and equipment for a hobbit, combat & defense strategies, a rundown of a hobbit's companions & allies, and some wise words from our favorite wizard.

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We present to you our top holiday picks,

there are gifts for grown guys and ideas for chicks.

There's also a gift list for girls and for boys,

full of hoodies and scarves and pjs and toys!

There are geeky ideas you may find amusing -

so many of them that you'll have trouble choosing!

So go on and grab some corn just for popping,

then munch as you read this and have fun shopping!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how geeky are your branches? Baubles and bangles are great for creating classically beautiful Christmas trees, but you know what's even more fun? Stormtrooper helmets, magic wands, ruby slippers, and inflatable KISS tongues! We had a blast repurposing a bunch of costumes and accessories to create 4 awesomely geektastic Christmas trees. We hope these make you giggle, guffaw, and inspire you to create a geeky tree of your own!

1. Star Wars Tree

Who wouldn't want to curl up on a furry Wampa rug with a mug of eggnog and take in the beauty of this tree? It's sure to impress geeks from any galaxy.

Products Used

Tree Topper: Stormtrooper Mask - Shop         Tree Skirt: Vampire Cape - Shop

Silver Beads - Shop         Blue Boa - Shop         Star Wands - Shop

Wampa Rug - Shop         Darth Vader Backpack - Shop

AT-AT Plush - Shop         Death Star Plush - Shop

2. Harry Potter Tree

We tried to visit platform 9 3/4 for inspiration for our Hogwarts tree, but all we came back with were bruises! Thankfully we managed on our own. Can you ask for a better tree topper than Hedwig??

Products Used

Tree Topper: Hedwig - Shop         Tree Skirt: Harry Potter Robe - Shop

Gold Beads - Shop         Hogwarts Banner - Shop         Gryffindor Scarf - Shop

All Harry Potter Accessories - Shop

3. Wizard of Oz Tree

What if The Wicked Witch of the East didn't get smooshed by a house, and instead got squashed by a Christmas tree? Either way, ding dong she's dead and this tree is fabulous!

Products Used

Tree Topper: Glinda Crown - Shop         Tree Skirt: Yellow Brick Tunic - Shop

Plush Toto - Shop         Wicked Witch Prop - Shop         Yellow Boa - Shop

All Wizard of Oz Accessories - Shop

4. KISSmas Tree

Sometimes "too much" is "just enough." That is definitely the case with this KISSmas tree, complete with inflatable Gene Simmons tongues.

Products Used

Tree Skirt: Vampire Cape - Shop         Tree Topper: Firehouse Hat - Shop

Silver Beads - Shop         Star Wands - Shop         Red Boa - Shop

All KISS Accessories - Shop

Krampus… The concept carries many names – Knecht Ruprecht, Klaubauf, Perchten, Pelznickel and Schmutzli – but the Christmas demon, or “anti-Santa”, of European Christmas lore is none other than the infamous, the devious, the notorious, the Gene Simmons’ tongued…Krampus.

Ho…Ho…Huh?

For those unfamiliar with the centuries old tradition, let’s review. As Saint Nicholas’ dark passenger, Krampus is the yin to Santa’s yang, dolling out punishments to the naughty children of Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Croatia and increasingly, other regions of Europe and the U.S. with ritualistic fervor.

Source: Flickr user Dull Hunk (Creative Commons) // Source: Flickr user Central Asian (Creative Commons)

In the 2Ks, Krampus is really making his presence felt. Perhaps it’s the irony, the humor, the morbidity or even just the hope that the concept is somehow true that has people snared in his brambles.

Regardless of the cause, the concept is hard to turn away. Under Krampus’ watch, the penance to be paid for bad behavior – those on Santa’s naughty list – makes the American version of coal-in-your-stalking look like a dash through the snow on a one horse open sleigh.

A half-goat, half-demon armed to the (sharp) teeth with birch branches and rusty chains, Krampus is one yuletide force you don’t want to cross. With his serpentine tongue and burlap sack, Krampus won’t hesitate to give you a good Christmas whipping or haul your naughty keister into the underworld for mischievous deeds.

Krampusnacht! The History

While Krampus gains popularity in the U.S. thanks to appearances on popular TV shows like the Colbert Report, American Dad and The League, his dark shadow fell on the holiday long ago. According to Nat Geo, Krampus makes his annual appearance the night leading into December 6, marking Krampusnacht (Krampus Night).

With a modern twist of Krampuslauf (or Krampus Run) keeping the nightmare alive – where hoards of drunken Krampuses take the streets of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic each year  – the Christmas demon is seeing a revival that is hard to miss even overseas.

After all, what about being chased by drunken devils through the streets doesn’t get one in the Christmas spirit?

Krampus Run, Anthering 2012 

Source: All images Flickr user ColorfulFoxes (Creative Commons)
Clockwise: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

Krampus Costume DIY

To keep this noble tradition alive and to hopefully freak out some coworkers at this year’s Christmas party, why not don the cloven hooves and demon horns this holiday season? Yule not regret it.

PRODUCTS USED

Krampus Mask - Shop          Adult Evil Red Hands - Shop
Light Up Creepy Branch - Shop        Adult Satyr Costume - Shop
Adult Fun Run Gorilla Costume - Shop

*Note: You will also need some black dye to match the Satyr fur to the gorilla suit

Got Your Goat…On

No demon is complete without that quintessential half-goat look.

While Satyr’s are much more timid and gentle creatures, the costume lays a great base for demonizing your legs after a little soaking in black dye. (Clearly you’ll want to soak the pants until they match the gorilla suit that covers your upper half.)

After the dye is completely dry (don’t want to end up on the naughty list for staining your mom’s couch cushions black), you are ready to add the gorilla top.

Behold, just like that you are already half way there!

Crack that Whip!

Other than his trademark tongue and matted black hair, nothing screams Krampus quite like a bramble of birch branches for a proper lashing.

For this look, you can either go into the woods and do things the old fashioned way or stay within the warmth of your home and bundle up some of our light up creepy branches.

All Too Easy

Once your demon hands are on (hopefully putting on gloves is self-explanatory), slipping into your new identity will be easy thanks to the Krampus mask.

With 12 inch horns and some of the evilest beady eyes you could ask for, you’ll be disturbing everyone and tearing down the mistletoe in no time. Just don’t let the power get to your head… After all, Krampus is watching!

Not that we need a specific reason to talk about Lara Croft [cuzzzz she's awesome year-round!], BUT for those wondering: we have one! On January 28th, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition will be released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. So whether you're planning on picking up a copy of the game, or you're just a Lara superfan like us, we have a sexy tutorial you're sure to love!

We had the pleasure of teaming up with Sara from LaraCroftCosplay.com to bring you this step by step DIY on how to create the show-stopping wetsuit costume from Tomb Raider: Underworld. There's plenty of time to try your hand at this tutorial before the Definitive Edition release, and time with time leftover if you want to give it a go for Halloween 2014 :) Take it away, Sara!

The Finished Look

Looking good, girl! Love the multitude of poses.

The Supplies

Black Vinyl-Coated Catsuit - Shop         Dual Gun Set - Shop

Scissors, Yellow Ribbon, Yellow Thread, Hot Glue Gun

Hi guys! My name is Sara and i am the creator of laracroftcosplay.com. I am here because I was given the opportunity to contribute to this blog by showing you how to build your very own Tomb Raider wetsuit! Thanks to this awesome catsuit, the process is incredibly easy!

Here's a "before and after" look at the catsuit.

Step 1

With a pair of sharp scissors, cut the legs off the catsuit. Turn it inside out and fold the ends upward so it makes it bikini style, then hem it.

Step 2

Once the suit is hemmed, the majority of work is already done!  It's time to add the yellow ribbon.

Cut the approximate lengths of the ribbons by laying them on the suit. Get ready to sew them on.

Step 3

You may choose, as I did, to hot glue the ribbon onto the collar.

This makes the collar more rigid so that it stands up straight.

Step 4 

Stitch the rest of the ribbons onto the suit.

You can always just use fabric glue if you're not comfortable sewing!

All Set

With these simple steps and the addition of a high quality brown wig, your Lara Croft wetsuit look will surely be a hit. If you'd like to add more details as Sara did, she has created two additional tutorials for the backpack and the utility belt!

Fever Brown Wig - Shop

This is the wig we suggest, as it is safe to be styled with heat products up to 248 degrees F.

You can wear it straight as Lara, and curly for a fun night on the town!

Bonus!

More of a visual learner? Fear not: there's a video! Enjoy.

Annnndddd...here's a couple more pics of the final look:

Thanks, Sara - you nailed it!

The iconic Miss Lara Croft has been steadily raiding her way into our hearts since debuting in 1996. In fact, she is arguably the gaming world's most recognizable female character! In anticipation of the release of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on the 28th, we wanted to take a look back at the visual evolution of this leading gaming lady. Her famed blue tank and twin hip holsters sure have come a long way - from 540 polygons to motion capture realism, to be precise...

[Click infographic for a larger view]

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Super Bowl XLVIII is just around the corner and football fever is sweeping the nation!  Folks are eager to get their hands on any Super Bowl related media they can in anticipation, and we have JUST the thing to feed that need! Well...sorta. Chances are you've heard of the Super Bowl Shuffle, that awesomely cheesy 1980's rap song performed by the Chicago Bears?

Yeah. That one.

While that was busy climbing the Billboard charts and selling over a half a million copies, ANOTHER piece of 1980's video footage managed to slip through the cracks...it got "lost in the shuffle," if you will. We found it, and it's epic! All of your favorite 80's heroes got together to spit some raps of their own, in what we're dubbing "The SuperHERO Shuffle."

Yes, this is real life. It's happening. 

THE FOOTAGE

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the NEW 80's kid in town, The Super Hero Shuffle. The lyrics are below if you'd like to follow along:

LYRICS

[CHORUS]

We are the superhero shufflin' crew
Saving the world, doin' it for you.
We chase down bad, and fight for good
Taking out villains like we knew we could.
You know we could strut for hours,
Showin' off all of our special powers.
We're not just here if you're in trouble
We're also here to do the Super Hero Shuffle.

[BATMAN]

The name's Batman Gotham doesn't deserve me
Got a butler named Alfred whose job is to serve me.
I cruise around Gotham in my Batmobile
stoppin' every thug and pimp and seedy drug deal.
If my symbol's in the sky I'll be there on the double
Then I'll come right back to do the superhero shuffle.

[WONDER WOMAN]

They call me Wonder Woman is it any wonder why?
Bashin’ the baddies and lookin’ super fly.
Come equipped with bracelets and a metal tiara
And a lasso of truth if THOSE didn’t scare ya.
Savin’ the day if there’s ever a scuffle,
And addin’ some style to the superhero shuffle.

[SUPERMAN]

I have a day job as a geeky reporter
At night I’m superman seeking justice and order.
Faster than a bullet stronger than a train
Love my X-Ray vision – you should SEE Lois Lane!
I hop in a phone booth if you’re ever in trouble
And STILL have time to do the superhero shuffle.

[CATWOMAN]

Catwoman here I'm sly and pretty
I'll make you purr like a soft little kitty.
Charm that can kill and sweet as a rose
I can steal the jewels right from under your nose.
I like to be sneaky and I love to be subtle
But not when I'm doing the Superhero Shuffle!

[CAPTAIN AMERICA]

They call me Cap and I lead the way
If there's trouble I'll save the day.
I got this big shield for blockin' stuff
'Cause here in America we like it rough!
But I'm not here to start a struggle
I just want to do the Superhero Shuffle.

[SPIDER-MAN]

Well they call me Spidey and I like to dance
Swinging from buildings is like makin' romance.
With great power comes great responsibility
Got the keys to my city from my spider like abilities.
Supervillans always try to flex their muscle
I'll Tie 'em up quick and do the superhero shuffle.

From high school student to famous crime fighter
Sport a red and blue suit with the mark of a spider.
Shoot webs snap photos my presence is pivotal
Spidey sense starts tingling 'n I locate the criminal.
These Supervillans always try to flex their muscle
I'll tie 'em up quick and do the superhero shuffle.

[HULK]

Hulk is big and gamma green
get Hulk mad he destruction machine.
But say anything about his purple pants?
Better get out the way because Hulk SMASH!
Hulk gonna start a big kerfuffle
Right after he do the Superhero Shuffle!

Love is in the air and that can only mean one thing--Valentine's Day is only a couple weeks away! Don't panic, because we here at HalloweenCostumes.com have got you covered (PHEW!). For some people this holiday is just representative of slick consumerism, an invention of greeting card companies, but for others it's a beautiful excuse to celebrate romance, candy hearts, and everything saccharine. It's probably a little bit of both, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun, right? That's why we've got these simple, fun, and totally unique Valentine's Day printable cards made specifically for that special someone in your life... be it boyfriend, girlfriend, gamer, hater, or your bestest bro!

For the Sci-Fi Enthusiast

 

For the Parrot-Obsessed Swashbuckler

 

For the Television Connoisseur

 

For the Hipster Who Also Likes Turtles

 

For the Undead Lovers

 

For the Old School Gamer

 

For the Contra Cheater

 

For the Crazy-in-Loves

 

For the I.T. Professional

 

For the Beer Loving Bro

 

For the SEO Expert

 

For the Social Media Addict

 

For the Co-Worker Cutie

 

For the V-Day Hater

  

Welcome back, Bob Costas! The world is thrilled that you have successfully recovered from your viral eye infection and returned to host NBC’s primetime coverage of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Source: Publicdomainpictures.net, HalloweenCostumes.com

Robert Quinlan “Bob” Costas is well-known for his NBC Sports television coverage since the early 1980s, and he has been the primetime host of nine Olympic games. For those who may not know, Mr. Costas began broadcasting the 2014 Sochi Winter Games in early February with a very noticeable and uncomfortable-looking red left eye. It didn’t help that he was also wearing a comical pair of dark framed glasses to assist his vision while on set.

The bright red viral infection slowly spread to Mr. Costas’ right eye during the first weekend of the winter games, and it didn’t take long for doctored images of his red eyes to go “viral” on Twitter. [tehehe. Viral.] Some of our favorites include:

Bob Costas vs. Possessed Louis Tully character in Ghostbusters

Bob Costas with the eyes of “Sauron” from The Lord of the Rings

Bob Costas as the Terminator

Bob Costas as a member of Daft Punk

Above images source: Buzzfeed.com

Fortunately for Bob and the rest of the internet, Mr. Costas took a few days off of broadcasting to recover from his illness.  HalloweenCostumes.com would like to celebrate Bob Costas’ triumphant return to primetime coverage of the Sochi Olympics by featuring our new line of “viral” red specialty contacts.  Show some support for Bob and impress your friends at your next Olympics watching party by wearing a pair of these chic, demon-esque contact lenses.

Gothika Red Wolf Contact Lenses - Shop

Red Vampire Eye Contact Lenses - Shop

Gothika Hellraiser Contact Lenses - Shop

There’s no better way to memorialize the end of a truly eventful 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics than to apply your favorite red contacts and show Bob Costas some love. 

Check out our other fantastic contact lenses here!

Thanks to social media, tales of stray dogs wandering around various Sochi Winter Olympic arenas traveled far and wide this year. But a few extra pooches pale in comparison to the issues that 1992 Olympians faced. World class skiers not only faught for world records that year...they also faught for their lives!

Perhaps because of cover-up attempts, or perhaps because Twitter wasn't around as a means to spread the madness, many of us still remain unaware of the 16-bit SkiFree Snow Monster attacks that wreaked havoc during the Albertville, France games. We won't be in the dark any longer:

Stunned onlookers appear to be applauding as the SkiFree Monster gobbles up one Olympian!

The Chaos Continues

Hopefully you realize we're just having some good old fashioned fun, and that no 1992 Olympians were harmed (at least not at the hands claws of a famous cartoon monster.) If you have caught RETRO fever like we clearly have, and have a large soft spot for the nineties game SkiFree, then you're in luck: our Custom Mask Creator will allow you to easily make a Snow Monster mask of your very own!

Visit our Custom Mask Creator HERE

Why Stop There?

Chances are, once you receive your custom mask you're going to want an entire costume to go along with it! Unleash your creativity and DIY the heck out of it, like this guy did:

Image Source

It's still winter, it's still cold, and the snow isn't showing any signs of slowing as we coast into March. That means there's plenty of time to whip up a SkiFree Abominable Snow Monster mask for yourself and have some 16-bit fun. What are you waiting for? Get out there and terrorize some skiers!**

**You didn't hear that from us.

Mardi Gras lands on March 4^th this year.  While that doesn’t give you much time to make travel arrangements to New Orleans, you do have plenty of time to prepare your house for your own personal celebration. Mardi Gras, also called Fat Tuesday, is widely accepted as the one last big bash to eat, drink, and be merry before the season of Lent begins, a time when observers of the holiday typically fast and cut back on indulgences. (For us at HalloweenCostumes.com, it’s just one more excuse to dress up!)

Mardi Gras King Costume - Shop                 Mardi Gras Jester Costume - Shop

Sexy Mardi Gras Jester Costume - Shop

[Background Image Source]

Throwing a Mardi Gras masquerade can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. To give you some inspiration for any size party, we’ve put this post together with ideas on what to wear, what to eat, and how to decorate your house for your masquerade. As they say in New Orleans – Laissez les bons temps roulet! (Let the good times roll!)

COSTUMES

Mardi Gras is also known as a carnival, so the more exciting the better! Jesters, royalty, and masked figures are all common costume themes for any masquerade party.  When throwing your bash, make sure to let guests know the level of costuming expected. Is a full masquerade ball gown required for entry into your soiree or would a checkered t-shirt suffice? Either way, clues as to what partygoers should wear are helpful: green, purple, and gold colors, crowns and masks, feather boas and face paint are all good ideas for your Fat Tuesday function.

Deluxe Peacock Costume - Shop                            Sexy Jesteress Costume - Shop

Harlequin Shine Costume - Shop     Masquerade Ball Dress - Shop

King of Hearts Robe - Shop        All Mardi Gras Costumes - Shop

ACCESSORIES

In our opinion, little extra touches can skyrocket your costume to its full potential. Beads, beads, and more beads are definitely a Mardi Gras staple. The same goes for masquerade masks; even with a simple solid color dress or outfit, a spectacular mask can elevate you to party royalty.

Mardi Gras Accessories - Shop

NAIL ART

Want to participate in the masquerade, but don’t feel like going all out by dressing up? Nail art could be right up your alley. Again, purple, green, and gold are the colors to go with. Diamond Checkered patterns will also be a hit. Otherwise, just add some sparkle with gems, glitter, and beads.

[ Sources Clockwise from Top Left: One, Two, Three, Four, Five ]

DECORATIONS

Costume pieces like feather boas and masquerade masks are not limited to being worn. You can totally throw together the perfect centerpiece using these same items, along with plenty of strings of beads and gold doubloons. The fluer-de-lis, crowns, and comedy/tragedy masks are also commonly used symbols in Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

[ Source ]

FOOD & DRINKS

What’s a party without refreshments?  You can either go the authentic route and cook up some down-home Louisiana dishes, or you can use the theme as inspiration (think gold sprinkles and chocolate doubloons).  Crab cakes, creole shrimp, and red beans and rice are southern staples, but chips and salsa with green and purple napkins would work just as well.

[ Sources: One, Two, Three, Four ]

As far as drinks for the grown-ups, some Mardi Gras ideas include hurricanes, Bloody Marys, mint juleps, coconut rum and pineapple juice margaritas, bahama mamas, or some good old fashioned food coloring in whatever clear beverage you already have around the house. Laissez les bons temps roulet!

Modern St. Patrick's Day has a bit of a...rep-beer-tation, shall we say? Since that aspect of the holiday gets plenty of press, we thought we'd explore some other traditions of the yummy variety. We fused the classic and the modern, creating 4 tradition inspired Irish recipes, including ones that are gluten free and paleo friendly. We also concocted 4 modern Irish drink recipes, because not all St Patty's Day celebrations need green beer!

THE MEAL

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Contrary to modern notions, corned beef and cabbage is not actually a“traditional” Irish recipe. Corned beef was first discovered by Irish-American immigrants in New York’s Jewish delis. The inexpensive and salty meat paired with cabbage was a tasty and thrifty alternative to the more traditional Irish meals of pork and potatoes. Known in New England as a boiler dinner, corned beef and cabbage became synonymous with St. Patrick's Day in the early 1990s. Traditional or not it's an undeniably delicious dish, and this slow cooker version couldn’t be easier to prepare!

Colcannon

Colcannon is a delicious Irish dish made with foods found in a typical country garden: potatoes, cabbage or kale, and milk. Modern variation inlulde scallions, leaks, and onions or chives (shh, we've also added bacon to our recipe!). A Halloween tradition, colcannon was historically served on or around October 31^st.  Another fun fact? Charms were placed in this potato based dish, to make various predictions:

• If there is a RING in your dish, you'll be the next to marry
• If there is a THIMBLE in your dish, you'll end up a spinster
• If there is a BUTTON in your dish, you'll remain a bachelor
• If there is a COIN in your dish, you'll become wealthy

Irish Soda Bread

Better known as wheaten bread in Ireland, this quick bread became a staple because it uses very few, and extremely affordable ingredients. It is a round, very dense loaf, and a cross is traditionally carved into the top of the dough before baking. It is believed that this wards off evil spirits and protects the household. (It is also necessary for the expansion of the bread while cooking.)

DESSERT

Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes with Bailey’s Caramel Buttercream Frosting

Guinness Cupcakes Recipe - Here          Gluten Free Guinness Cupcakes Recipe - Here

Guinness chocolate cake has become a modern tradition which many people delight in participating in. What could be a more delicious flavor combination than rich chocolate and the deep, earthiness of an Irish stout, topped off with a buttercream frosting infused with Bailey’s caramel liqueur? Adding the Guinness makes for a deliciously moist and dark chocolate cake.

BEVERAGES

Guinness Ginger Ale

With the leftover bottles of Guinness from the corned beef and cabbage recipe or the cupcake recipe you can create this smooth, full bodied Irish beer cocktail. It is sweetened with ginger and vanilla liqueurs.

Irish Trash Can

Although it doesn't have the most appetizing name, this tasty cocktail is made with Red Bull and packs a sweet punch!

Irish Gold

We can't throw an Irish inspired celebration without including a recipe with whiskey, so here it is! A delectable fusion of clean, oaky flavors complemented by bright citrus notes.

FOR THE KIDS

Frozen Leprechaun Float

This drink is tame enough for the kids and fun enough for the adults. We also included vanilla wafers as a nice snack which playfully doubles as the leprechaun's gold. Alcohol-free and ice cream-full, this float will make for a memorable holiday!

DIY St. Patrick's Day Wreath

This basic wreath is made with green boas wrapped around a wire wreath form, and it's easy enough that the whole family can get involved. We also added a leprechaun's hat and his pot of gold, and used the leprechaun's remaining gold stash as hanging string. Add any craft store details or ribbons to further personalize your St Patty's Day wreath!

Items Used

GRANNY'S LOST RECIPES

Can you believe it? Digging through a historic old hutch tucked away in the back of our warehouse we came across the recipe cards for these amazing Irish dishes! Click Grandma's love-worn and stained recipes below for a free printable:

Alright, you called our bluff...they're not from an old chest. But, these are amazing recipes, most of which have been revised for certain dietary needs. We hope you enjoy making and eating these delicious recipes, and have a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Metal Gear games have been around for 27 years, an impressive run for any franchise. As such, our favorite operative Snake has drastically changed over nearly three decades. (Thankfully some things have remained consistent - he still sneaks his way into the most dangerous places in the world and is known for hiding in boxes.) With the next game in the acclaimed series hitting shelves on March 18th, we decided to look under the box only to find a Snake staring back at us. Take a look at the evolution of this acclaimed character:

INFOGRAPHIC

Click on the image to check out all the details in high definition!

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

We just reviewed security tapes from our warehouse and discovered footage of an intruder. The intruder somehow made his way into our warehouse by hiding under a cardboard box. It’s believed he went unnoticed for many hours, though several employees reported smelling cigarette smoke, and hearing a disembodied voice whispering something about “The Patriots” and a walking nuclear tank called Metal Gear.

Nobody here has any idea what he was looking for, but we think the intruder either mistook one of our Transformer costumes for a Metal Gear, or heard about our Founding Fathers costumes. Outer Heaven and Zanzibarland officials reported similar incidents years ago and it’s believed the man calls himself “Snake”.  

If anyone sees a guy walking around in a box costume he may or may not be our suspect, so stay frosty. If you look under the box only to find a guy in a sneaking suit, and an exclamation point immediately pops up above your head, you found him! Call us! We want our box back!!

Here is the security footage in question:

METAL GEAR BOX DIY

Show your passion for Metal Gear with this highly detailed DIY costume.  ***Warning*** Creating this costume is incredibly difficult and will challenge you both physically and emotionally. By the time you're through you may be able to give Old Snake's wrinkles and age spots a run for their money. *wink*

STEP 1: FIND A BOX

This will be the most difficult of the steps. Seriously, finding a large enough box proved more challenging than initially planned. The box need only be large enough to hide most of your body. Your legs should be slightly visible when you duck walk. If you actually plan to use the box for hiding, make sure your whole body will fit inside so that the box can rest on the ground.

Next cut out two “handles” on either side of the box. These will actually serve as eyeholes so you can peer around without taking the costume off and blowing your cover. The holes also prevent you from running into things…like walls. This is the most dangerous part of the costume because it involves sharp objects. Even Solid Snake was never very good with blades so don’t cut yourself.

STEP 2: ACHIEVE THE PROPER LEGS

When your legs are the only visible appendage, you don’t want the world to see scrawny chicken legs! Be sure to wear your best camouflage pants to really get that straight out of the jungle feel. Of course an actual poly-thermal sneaking suit would be acceptable as well.

STEP 3: ADD THE BOOTS TO MATCH

Wearing the appropriate foot attire is critical. An army boot works best. Combat boots or jungle boots work too. As long as it’s something likely to be found on the battlefield, you should be good. Your legs will be screaming in agony from duck walking all over the place but your feet won’t hurt and you’ll look like Snake doing it. Voila! The carboard box costume is now complete! Any time you wear the box just remember that life turns into a solo sneaking mission. Try not to get caught.

Disney’s latest movie release tells the story of two princesses from the kingdom of Arendelle, Anna and Elsa. Redheaded Anna is sweet but awkward. She doesn’t understand why her older sister, elegant and reserved Elsa, treats her so (pardon the pun) coldly.

Once Elsa’s secret ability to manifest snow and ice with her touch is discovered, she flees to live alone and protect the ones she loves from her powers. Anna then journeys across the snow-covered wilderness to find her sister again to bring her home and to stop the never-ending winter that she had unintentionally created.

Frozen Costumes and Accessories

Both Anna and Elsa’s Scandinavian-inspired outfit designs in Frozen are equally beautiful, but the Snow Queen outfit that Elsa creates during the can’t-get-it-out-of-our-heads “Let It Go” sequence is breathtaking. The icy blue gown decorated with sparkly snowflake designs will definitely be a memorable Disney Princess dress for years to come.

To get the look of the beautiful-yet-misunderstood queen of ice and snow, two things are very important: a silvery-blue gown and a long blonde wig, styled into a thick braid over the shoulder.

Elsa from Frozen Makeup Tutorial

The finishing touch to your Elsa costume is, of course, the glamorous and dramatic makeup. To make things a little easier we’ve created this Elsa tutorial. Here are the tools and products that you’ll need:

• Eye shadow primer.
• Eye shadow in two shades of purple, plus a highlighter shade in a lighter skin tone, to get the stunning and royal smoky-eyed look.
• Black mascara and black liquid eyeliner.
• Brown brow pencil.
• Pink blush (for a snow-kissed effect).
• Magenta lip liner, lipstick, and pink lip gloss.
• Eye shadow and blush brushes. 

Win a Frozen DVD

To celebrate the release of Frozen on DVD and Blu-Ray, we’re also giving away one DVD copy for free! Just visit the makeup tutorial video on YouTube and post in the comments section which Disney character makeup tutorial you’d like us to do next for your chance to win. The contest will run until April 1^st, so make sure you get your entry posted right away!

Ahh! The US flag. Old Glory. The stars and the stripes. Whatever the nomenclature, the red, white, and blue has become an unwavering symbol for liberty, freedom, and smashing stuff with a vibranium shield! Captain America embodies only the best the US of A has to offer. Cap is smart, a born leader, and is in peak physical condition (not to mention that impressive jaw line) thanks to the super-soldier serum. The man liberally doles out justice with a shield, was turned into an ice cube and didn’t die, and saves the world on a regular basis...what’s not to love about him?

Since Cap is making his return to the silver screen in one week we decided to embrace our love for Captain America, slap on a coat of geek, and create some slick poster-like images. These are the cat’s pajamas! A perfect melding of 1940’s meets 21^st century. The minimalist designs personify the most iconic aspects of each character.

1. CAPTAIN AMERICA

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Steve Roger’s courage, along with his ideals and dedication to freedom and justice are what make Captain America. He stands as a paragon for good and is a pillar for what is right in the world.

2. BLACK WIDOW

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Black Widow is an appropriate codename for Natalia “Natasha” Romanoff due to her keen abilities and superior training as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. The red mark of the spider is elegant but serves as a warning not to mess with this femme fatale.

3. THE FALCON

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The Falcon was Marvel’s first mainstream African-American superhero. He’s a high flyer that was inspired by none other than Captain America to become a symbol to help people. His wings flap to the beat of justice.

4. THE WINTER SOLDIER

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This enigmatic villain with an intimidating arm is the unstoppable force in the upcoming movie. The Winter Soldier is a perfect antithesis to Captain America. Is there a connection between these two powerhouses? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

5. NICK FURY

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The director of S.H.I.E.L.D is personified by his eye patch and goatee. There have been several versions of Fury but all of them have had the patch and his signature calculating demeanor.

6. CAP VS WINTER SOLDIER

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Who will win when the long arm of Winter Soldier and the shield of Captain America clash on the big screen? Find out on April 4^th, and in the meantime enjoy these images and speculate. Now, Avengers assemble! Wait, that’s next year…

Hodor?

Translation: "Would you like to throw a Game of Thrones viewing party?"  Well, brace yourselves...the season four premiere is coming this Sunday, April 6th! With a few easy tips and tricks you can throw your own Game of Thrones viewing party. All you need is our beautiful Westeros decorations, printable wine and beer labels, a small selection of tasty delicacies from the realm, and a few unique DIY character costume ideas.

Step 1: Choose some epic Westeros decorations

An easy to use stone wall backdrop sets the perfect mood for a GOT viewing party. This lightweight backdrop is made of plastic and can quickly be applied to any surface with clear masking tape. A spooky skull and crusader shield and sword create the appearance of recently won (and lost) battles for the Seven Kingdoms.  Your guests will feel as though they are swearing fealty to royalty at King's Landing or visiting what remains of House Stark at Winterfell.

Stone Wall Backdrop - Shop        Buried Alive Skeleton Kit - Shop       

Light up Lantern - Shop        Lighted Branches & Ravens -  Shop      Crusader Sheild and Sword - Shop

Step 2: Pick up some tasty GOT treats

No need to stress about preparing complicated recipes when you can easily pick up a few ready-to-go Westeros delicacies at the store! Below is a list of foods and beverages cherry picked right out of George R. R. Martin's books that you can set out for your guests with minimal effort.

THE BITES

• Ripe blue cheese (A Clash of Kings)
• Wheels of white cheese (A Clash of Kings)
• Dried apples (A Storm of Swords)
• Dried berries (A Storm of Swords)
• Autumn pears (A Storm of Swords)
• A Dornish meal of dates, cheese, and olives, with lemonsweet to drink (A Feast for Crows)

THE DRINKS

• Water mixed with lemon squeezings (A Feast for Crows)
• Cider (A Storm of Swords)
• Sweet cider (A Feast for Crows)
• Chilled autumn ale (A Clash of Kings)
• Barley beer (The Mystery Knight)
• Honeyed wine (A Storm of Swords)
• Iced wine (A Storm of Swords)
• Spiced wine (A Game of Thrones)
• Claret (The Sworn Sword)

Source: Westeros.org

Step 3: Print and apply vintage Game of Thrones wine & beer labels

We've created a fun set of printable wine and beer labels to add an authentic Westerosian touch to your viewing party. Indulge in Arbor Red and Arbor Gold wines from House Redwyne, or choose from a selection of Barley Beer, Cider, Sweet Cider, and Autumn Ales from various regions within the realm. Simply click the links PDFs below, print, cut out with scissors, and apply to your favorite beverage bottles with invisible masking or double-sided tape.

Game of Thrones Wine Label Printable - Here        Game of Thrones Beer Label Printable - Here

Buried Alive Skeleton Kit - Shop      Crusader Sheild and Sword - Shop

2 Pc. Cemetery Fence - Shop       Light-Up Tree with Ravens -  Shop

Printable Game of Thrones Wine Labels - Here

Game of Thrones Printable Beer Labels - Here

Step 4: Suit Up! DIY Daenerys Targaryen & Jon Snow Costumes

DANAERYS TARGARYEN

In previous seasons of Game of Thrones, viewers witnessed Daenerys' continued transition to a dragon-wielding ruler of great power. Her attire followed suit, and she shed her Dothraki leather for a more regal series of dresses and capes in shades of royal blue. For this DIY Daenerys Targaryen costume we've included a grecian-style dress in two shades of blue befitting a Queen of Dragons. Just add a pair of gold Egyptian style sandals, a dragon armband, a platinum blonde wig, and a liberal application of bronzer, and you will have the perfect Dany costume.

Goddess Aphrodite Costume - Shop        Women's Egyptian Sandals - Shop        Dragon Armband - Here

Dragon Princess Wig - Shop        Bronze Makeup

JON SNOW OPTION 1

We couldn't decide on just one Jon Snow costume (big fans here), so we put together two DIY costume options.  The first is an intimidating "taking the black" leather armor with a warrior's sword and deadly dagger, perfectly suited for the Night's Watch. 

Edward Scissorhands Costume - Shop        Darth Vader Gloves - Shop        Russel Wig - Shop

Sword Accessory - Shop        Deaths Dagger - Shop

JON SNOW OPTION 2

The second costume option is Jon Snow's dashing Night's Watch "I'm-totally-going-to-kick-some-wilding-butt" winter gear. This costume boasts yet another deadly sword and dagger combo. A heavy fur cape completes the, "Dude, I've totally been ranging north of the wall" look.

Curly Black Wig - Shop       Renaissance King Costume - Shop

Black Boots - Shop       Dagger - Shop       Knight's Sword - Shop 

Don't want to be Dany or Jon Snow at your party? Check out these other awesome Game of Thrones DIY costumes featuring characters from season three's Red Wedding episode (warning, contains spoilers)! 

Step 5: Enjoy the Show!

This is it. You've created your ruthless battle plan for an epic Game of Thrones viewing party, and now you get to indulge in the fruits of your labor. Valar morghulis and Valar dohaeris!

Oh my glob! It's the mashup of the century: Easter meets Adventure Time. Easter involves a sneaky bunny laying rainbow colored eggs, while Adventure Time features a shape-shifting mutant dog. Both worlds are so wonderfully zany that they belong together!

We took a page out of the Easter Bunny's book and worked some magic of our own to create these 10 printable Adventure Time egg costumes. There's no doubt that these paper ensembles will turn your boring old eggs into something simply Finn-tastic! Here's the whole cast in one group shot:

Let the eggventures begin!

1. Finn The Human

2. Jake The Dog

3. Ice King

4. Gunter

5. Princess Bubblegum

6. Peppermint Butler

7. BMO

8. Marceline

9. Tree Trunks

10. Lumpy Space Princess

Your Lumpy Space Princess egg will look fresh to death in her paper fashion!

"Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can." Boy...that song is almost as iconic as Spider-Man himself! Even though the classic red suit with black webbing detail is the most recognizable of Spidey's looks, the costume has seen some interesting alterations throughout the years. Join us as we untagle the web of Spider-Man's changing fashions. From the suit's evolution in print, to the suit's changes on film, we cover all the Spidey fashion bases!

[Click infographic for a larger view]

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It's here! We've reached halfway to Halloween! For those who don't think that's a big deal, we hope you realize that some devoted Halloween fans have already been furiously plotting their costumes for Halloween 2014. (If you’re anything like us, this manic process starts promptly on Novemeber 1st!) In any case, the halfway mark serves as a reminder to start thinking of costume ideas for Halloween 2014 - you only have 6 months left! Often the most stand-out costumes are parodies of what’s been popular in the media, so here are ten clever costume ideas based on the pop culture happnings of 2014 thus far.

Trending Pop Culture Costume Ideas for Halloween 2014

1. Kanye West and His Mask

Back in December, Kanye West threw out a concert goer because the individual heckled him for wearing a chain link mask during the entire show. Heckling is never appropriate at a concert, or any other type of venue, but Kanye did have a serious medieval BDSM thing going on with this mask. It was creepy, and more than a little weird, but makes for a perfect DIY Halloween costume that is rather easy to pull off.

2. A Brown Paper Bag and Tuxedo Inspired By Shia Labeouf 

Need something a little more...rudimentary? How about wearing a brown paper bag? That’s what Shia Labeouf wore to his own movie premiere. He topped off his celebrity pout by writing “I am not famous anymore” in bold marker, sending  an odd message to the media and to his fans. This costume speaks for itself. You get to take a jab at Shia, it’s cheap, and incredibly easy to pull off. Wear a tuxedo, better yet a t-shirt tuxedo, with a brown paper bag over your head. And don't forget, if you wear this as a costume, really pull a Shia Labeouf by taking ALL the credit for it.

3. Zombeavers: the Best Costume You've Never Heard About

Sharknado was the sleeper hit of last year. It was delightfully tacky, hilarious, and allowed for some serious creative brain flexing. Fortunately, we have a spiritual successor in the way of Zombeavers! Yes! What better way to combine the horrific undead and the beauty of nature? Zombies…Beavers…why didn’t we think of this?!?! The slogan for the movie says it all: “You’ll all be dammed.”

 4. Pharrell Williams or an Arby's Sign?

Pharrell Williams showed up at the Grammy’s in a wonderful hat. Seriously, it has to be the hat that inspired the Arby’s logo... or stolen from a Canadian Mountie! Wear a similar style hat with a brightly-colored track suit and go as Pharrell, but don't be suprised if Arby's tries to start "beef" with you!

5. Bob Costas' "Viral" Pink Eye

Bob Costas was an olympic media sensation this winter! A nasty, goopy, crusty bought with a dreaded pink eye infection spawned many socail media memes and comments during the games. Most of us heard more about Bob’s eyes than the actual sporting events. Either way this makes for a funny costume, especially if you use some crazycontact lenses to accentuate your eyes. If you really want to get creative, just go as a giant pink eye and forget about Bob entirely (wait, that's an entirely different costume).

 6. Legends of Wrestling

Old wrestlers of WWE are making crazy comebacks this year, making them fair game for costume spoofing. And with Hulk Hogan returning to WWE, The Undertaker losing at Wrestlemania, and a rumor that Sting will wrestle for WWE,  this is a good year for classic wrestling fans. On a sad note, the Ultimate Warrior passed away, but a tribute costume to Warrior would be an awesome costume for 2014.

 7. Lebron James as the Dark Knight

Lebron Batman is another great idea. After taking a particular nasty shot to the face, Labron donned an intimidating mask to protect his fragile nose. We took full advantage of this opportunity by creating visual inspiration for the costume. Get a Batman costume and a Lebron James jersey and you'll be good to go. It might take people a while to remember the event, but they will ... eventually.

8. Staten Island Clown or Real Life Pennywise?

Staten Island Clown, aka a terrifying real life version of Pennywise the clown. We wish this one was a joke, but it’s not. There is a person walking around Staten Island dressed as a clown…and he is the making of nightmares. Imagine seeing this thing waiting for you at your train platform at night! That’s a whole lot of NOOOOPE, but scary clown costumes are a blast for Halloween. 

9. Our Favorite Scientists Bill Nye the Science Guy or Neil DeGrasse Tyson

These two men have already had a big 2014. Billy Nye made waves when he debated creationist Ken Hamm back February. Over 3 million people watched this word-slinging-battle-royal, creating a viral smash hit. If you missed out on the debate, Bill Nye won. As for Neil DeGrasse Tyson, what needs to be said? The rebooted show Cosmos on FOX is sensational, and Neil makes for a captivating host. Just like Irene Adler said in Sherlock, "smart is the new sexy". Men, take note! These brainiacs will be cool costumes and we're not talking about temperature - but they probably are!

10. Something That Has Yet to Occur?

We have 6 months to go before Halloween so there will surely be plenty of other emerging media trends. After all, both Miley and the Fox didn’t happen until fall last year, so awesome costume ideas can come at the drop of a (over-sized-arby's-esque) hat. Always be vigilant and keep your eyes open! We certainly will, especially for that Staten Island Clown…

Did we miss anything? Were there great costume ideas from trending media that are missed in this list? Let us know in the comments! 

May the 4th be with you on Star Wars Day! Celebrate in style with Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers by sharing these classic postcards from a galaxy far, far away...

PLAYING BOCCE BALL

That's no moon... it's a bocce ball! Looks like Darth Vader and the boys took the afternoon off for a round of this traditional Italian sport.

GONE FISHIN'

PLAYING FRISBEE GOLF

Evacuate in our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances of winning a game of frolf!

LUNCH ON THE PATIO

You are a part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor... unless you buy the next round of beers!

Happy Star Wars Day from HalloweenCostumes.com!