The new TMNT movie already comes out next Friday? TUBULAR with a side of COWABUNGA! The turtles are looking pretty spiffy in the previews thanks to impressive CGI effects, but they sureeeee didn't always look that way. Grab yourself a slice of pizza to snack on as you scroll through our visual guide to the evolution of these radical dudes. We cover all of their looks starting from when Leo, Mikey, Raph, and Donnie, first crawled out of the sewer in 1983.

[Click infographic for a larger view]

Embed this Image on Your Site:

Or Embed this Video Version on Your Site:

Are a couple of your best buds Ninja Turtles super fans just like you? Then you might want to consider suiting up in a TMNT group costume this Halloween. We even have a cool Shredder outfit, new for this year. Dibs on Leonardo! Shop all things anthropomorphic turtle HERE.

Comic-Con is definitely the fashion week of the Halloween costume industry. Classic styles collide with new trends in a chaotic clustrer of costumey goodness. Here are some cosplay highlights from this year's con!

Attendees In Costume

No better place to start than Game of Thrones. A very large gathering of GOT cosplayers gathered outside the convention center for this epic group shot. Even if your favorite character has already been killed on the show, this photo is proof that they can live on through cosplay forever:

Valar Morgulis... but only until the next Con.

Ru-fi-o! Ru-fi-o! Ru-fi-Ooooo!

Slugterra Costume

Mega Man Costume

A round up of our favorite Femme Fatales

Deadpool Cosplaying as Han Solo

Doctor Who and Cyberman Costumes

Bebop, and Shredder, and Rocksteady- Oh my!

Merida Costume from Brave

Light- Up Transformers Costumes

Jawa Costume

Space Monkey Costume

Walking Dead Mario Costume

Gamora Costume from Guardians of the Galaxy

Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph

Elderly Superman Costume

Futurama Doctor Zoidberg Costume

Green Mile Cosplayer- The costume we were not expecting, but loved anyway.

See More Fan Favorites from the Convention Floor in Part 1 of our SDCC coverage HERE

Undercover Celebrities at Comic-Con

It must be pretty hard being a celebrity at Comic-Con. They can't enjoy the sights, sounds, and madness of the convention floor without being mobbed by fans. Or can they? Here are a few of our favorite celebrities who donned a costume in order to walk the floor unbeknown to everyone else... at least those not following their social media accounts.

Daniel Radcliffe "concealed" as Spider-Man, pulled from his Google+ Account

Peter Jackson undercover as a jester, pulled from his Facebook page

Another undercover Spidey! This time it was Maisie Williams, pulled from her Instagram

Annual SDCC Costume Masquerade

The pinnacle costume event of the week comes Saturday night with the annual costume masquerade. Children and Adults can particpate in different categories ranging from original design to recreations. Participants are not allowed to wear their creations at the Con earlier in the week so that the reveal on Saturday night remains untarnished. Frozen and Game of Thrones were the two more popular themes for the night, but the creativity was present throughout the whole evening!

Frozen Costumes throughout the Evening

Ursulas, The Evil Queen from Once Upon a TIme, and Characters from Maleficent

Kids in Cosplay- Thor & Loki, Captain America & Winter Soldier, Deathstroke & Deathlok, and a Jawa

Various Creative Works from Saturday Evening

Arkham Asylum Batman Battles his Inner Demons

Inspiring Women's Cosplay Costumes

Comic-Con Super Fan Mashup--   Can you name them all?

This Creative Contestant Morphed Four Costumes Together

Creative Skits- Stage Combat, Musicals, Scene Reenactments, and a mock Marvel-DC fashion show.

Godzilla and Friends in a Dancing Kick-Line

Highly Detailed Cosplay Costumes made by skilled Fabricators.

Doctor Who Tribute to all Twelve incarnations.

Margarery Taryll Costume, Arya and Sansa singing Frozen's 'Let it Go,' and a White Walker 

The Mother of Dragons would be proud as Viserion, Drogon, and Rhaegal from GOT take stage.

Westoros Side Story- A musical parody of Game of Thrones

What can really be better than seeing Game of Thrones characters in a West Side Story tribute? Ah, that's right- seeing a cosplayer portray author George RR Martin as he kills each character on stage with a flick of his feather pen. Maybe cosplay really is like Games of Thrones- the only real winner is George RR Martin.

Halloween in the courtry is a beautiful thing! Warm colors, earthy decor, and traditional themes create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Even if you don't technically live in the country you can make your home feel like you do with these classic Halloween decoriations. Grab some spiced cider and we'll show you a few ways to decorate your home in a welcoming cozy country way.

How to Create a Warm and Cozy Halloween Home

Set an Inviting Table

Light Gray Web Table Runner - Shop

Start with an inviting tablescape. Using traditional seasonal shapes and themes, we created a warm setting that can double as a buffet table, bar arrangement, or dinner setting. Use tones that mimic classic autumn colors like orange, gold, and amber, to make for an appealing scene.

Light-up Ceramic Pumpkin Trio - Shop

Small details make all the difference. This little trio of jack-o-lanterns can be a simple figurine or can be plugged in for glowing appeal. Their cheerful expressions of see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil, solidify their presence in this sweet but spooky Halloween table setting.

Light-up Ceramic Boo Pumpkin - Shop

We like to call him Mr. Boo. His humorous expression will surely add a touch of whimsy to any Halloween decor scene. Place him next to a silly item that he is afraid of or put him next to a truly scary one - either way he will be a topic of conversation!

White Pumpkin - Shop

Bring the outdoors indoors! These orange berries on a bendable spray are a convincing natural element that really pops when placed beside our faux, cream colored pumpkin.

Wooden Boo Sign - Shop

A staple for filling out any Halloween scene is a visually dense decor item for the background. This will add richness and detail. Here we have used a simple wooden sign in the same rich color scheme as the rest of the table.

Decorate a Window, Mantle, or Entry Table

Spooky Tree - Shop        Light-up Pumpkin with Star Cut-outs - Shop        Black Web Mantle Runner - Shop

Windowsills are a great spot to decorate. The sun shines through, creating a naturally well-lit background during the day, and spooky shadows at night. We placed a webbed mantle runner along the sill and topped that with an opaque orange cloth. These two elements served as the base for the remaining decorations. This spooky tree has a great eerie country feel, with its twisty and windy branches.

Wooden "Spooky" Sign - Shop        Orange Decor Towel - Shop

Beneath the tree we used this spooky wooden word sign along with a few smaller pieces to fill the space. The ceramic pumpkin with star cut-outs is a rustic take on jack-o-lanterns. The stars are asymmetrical and allow for light to shine through.

Wooden "Beware" Sign - Shop        Owl Lantern - Shop

On the opposite side of the window we used the matching "beware" sign that comes in a three-pack along with "boo," and "spooky." To fill the remaining background space we used this fun owl luminaery. LED tea lights can be placed inside to bring the lantern to flickering life.

"Welcome to our Web" Sign - Shop        Halloween Banner - Shop        Orange Glitter Pumpkin - Shop

Don't forget about small bare spaces on your floor! Just below the windowsill was a perfect spot to place a few heavier Halloween decorations. The wooden web sign can be set on its own or hung on a wall by it's [included] orange ribbon. The coarse glitter on the pumpkin is large enough to reflect the dark tones of the sign, which ties everything together for country, homey, decoration perfection!

There are plenty of ways to turn your home into a haunted house this October that don’t included cooked spaghetti, peeled grapes, and that old “Spooky Sounds” cassette tape that you bought decades ago. We’ve researched the best Halloween décor inspiration, creepy DIY projects, and truly terrifying gory products for you to use to turn your lovely house into something very scary. 

For The Exterior

Put your friends at un-ease the second that they walk up to your house. You can give them a hint of what's in store inside before they even set foot in your home.

Window Silhouettes

This simple craft can go a long way. You'll need black construction paper, a pencil, scissors, and clear tape. Just trace out the shapes you want to appear in your window as spooky shadows, cut them out, and tape them up. Want your shadows to be larger than one sheet of construction paper? No problem – tape as many pieces together to create a larger canvas for you to trace on and tape the whole thing up together.

[ source ]

Yard Decorations

In our opinion, there isn't much scarier than having something catch your eye or jump out at you outside in the dark. There are tons of different types of decorations and animatronics that you can put in your front lawn to scare your guests that are walking up to your house.

• TIP: Consider hanging some decorations from trees – your guests might be looking at eye level, but when something starts moving above them, they’ll definitely be surprised.
• TIP: The same goes for on the ground. We know we wouldn’t want something popping out by our feet, trying to trip or grab us as we walk through a yard.

Skull Fence – Shop        Faceless Reaper – Shop        Tombstone – Shop        Lantern – Shop

• TIP: You can add as much as you like to your scary outdoor scenes, but make sure to keep it all in the same feel or theme. If you have too many mismatched items, your yard might look like a junk yard.
• TIP: Don’t forget the fog machine! You can check ours out here.

See our Halloween animatronics here. You can also see the rest of our scary yard decorations here.

For The Living Room

First things first - decide on a theme. Some ideas: gory, medical/laboratory, ghostly, witche's den, spiderwebs, catacombs, etc. Pick one or two focal points, such as a bay windowsill, fireplace mantle, or coffee table, and play those areas up.

Haunted Family Portraits

When it comes to outstanding décor, it’s the details that make a difference. A fun (and easy!) craft is to replace all the framed photos in your living room with spooky versions. Either use an image editing website (such as PicMonkey) to add in blood, spiders, or other creepy things to family photos you have already, or find old-fashioned and creepy looking photos from online and print them off.

• TIP: Print the photos on brown paper for an aged effect.
• TIP: If you Google “vintage Halloween costumes,” you will find some terrifying images from decades ago. Like, basically, the scariest things you will ever see.

[ source ]

You can also decorate using our “gortraits,” which use magical hologram technology to create optical illusions of chilly photography. Or put your favorite spooky photo in this jaunty skeleton frame.

Mistress Clarice Gortrait – Shop        I’ve Been Framed Skeleton – Shop        Dean Von Gortrait – Shop

Skeleton Party

When you have friends over, don’t be afraid to – ahem – let your skeletons out of the closet. Pad that guest list with some bone-y attendees. Set the scene with your skeletons by putting them in commonplace situations and poses: watching TV, playing cards, reading a book, even lounging on the couch scrolling through Facebook on a phone! All you need are a few skeletons and some patience for posing them.

9” Spider With Clip – Shop        12” Black Glitter Spider – Shop        6” Purple Glitter Pumpkin – Shop  

13” Purple Glitter Pumpkin – Shop        Crow – Shop        Skeleton Decorations – Shop     

Beware Sign – Shop        Tablecloth – Shop

Look at this poor guy! Just gazin’ out the window, waitin’ for all his skele-friends to arrive. Keep dreaming, buddy. You only have the company of those creepy spider props. Yuck. Check out the rest of our indoor and home décor Halloween decorations here.

For The Bathroom

In many households, the bathroom can be the most terrifying room in the whole place. (It all depends on how many boys live there.) Why not give a creepy makeover to a room in your home that your guests might not expect? We picked a gory theme and ran with it. Here’s what we came up with:

Bloody Handprints – Shop        Jason Mask – Shop        Candelabra – Shop

Crow – Shop        Chain – Shop        Severed Body Parts -- Shop

As you can see, the splattered blood look was popular with us. We also followed this motif for the shower and the toilet, as seen below. Also note our use of height in such a small space. We put the severed heads on top of tall vases (never thought we’d say that!) and used that to fill in corners. We also put some nice smelling potpourri in a zombie head bowl. You know, the usual.

Shower Curtain – Shop         Severed Head – Shop        Decapitated Corpse – Shop

Jason Candy Bowl – Shop        Bleeding Zombie Bowl – Shop        Toilet Topper Sticker – Shop

17” Vase – Shop        23” Vase -- Shop

This dispenser of not-so-sanitary soap in the bathroom is an easy craft that is definitely an attention grabber. And it takes less than five minutes to do! Here’s what you need:

• Bag of Severed Body Parts
• Soap from the dollar store

Step 1: Take off the label from the soap, so the nastiness can be seen from all angles.

Step 2: Remove about 1/5^th of the soap from the dispenser to make room for the fingers and stuff.

Step 3: If you’re like us and want to keep the soap actually functional, give the body parts a quick wash.

Step 4: Shove ‘em in there! Fit as many of the fingers and ears and eyes as you want in your soap dispenser without it getting too full. We managed to squeeze two fingers, one eyeball, and one ear in there.

We hope that you liked our suggestions for turning your cosy home into a haunted house of horrors. Don't forget to take a look at our complete selection of Halloween Decorations.

Chances are, if you clicked on this post, then you know a thing or two about superheroes. It's probably safe to assume that you're hip to some basic trivia about the most popular cartoon crimefighters. You know...things like their origin stories, classic costumes, catchphrases, famous nemeses, etc. But have you ever noticed that our knowledge in one basic area of superhero factoids "comes up short?" That's right: Height. How TALL are these guys?! Is Spidey a munchkin compared to Captain America? Could you wear heels on a date with Thor? Would Rocket Raccoon and Howard the Duck stand eye to eye? How does Groot measure up to Hulk?

Thirst no more ye parched knowledge seekers! We have your answer. We have gathered the most popular superheroes from The Marvel universe, and amassed them all here in our Superhero Height chart. Be sure to click the image below for a larger, more detailed view:

[Click image for a larger view]

Embed this Image on Your Site:

What do you think? Any surprises for you in this chart? We think it's amazing how much bigger Groot is than even The Incredible Hulk! Speaking of Guardians of the Galaxy, if you're looking to get your Gamora on this Halloween, we've got plenty of options to satisfy your costume craving! Visit our full collection of Guardians of the Galaxy costumes and accessories, here!

Orange and black are great, but sometimes you want something a little spicier for a Halloween decor theme! Red, silver, and black, offer just the right amount of "different," while still instantly providing a spooky tone for any Halloween get-together. Throw in some crows and bats and spiders (-- oh, my!) And you will have the perfect, classic, elegent, gothic tablescape. Let the photo inspiration begin!

How to Create a Gothic Halloween Table Setting

Step 1. Cover the Table

Table Runner with Silver Webs - Shop        Sheer Black Web Table Cloth - Shop        Vampire Cane - Shop   

• Start with a red table linen (fabric or plastic both work well), then cover it with the Black Spider Web Table Cloth. This allows the red to show through underneath, and sets a rich base for the scene.

• For the next layer, place the silver spiderweb table runner along the center of the table. The velvety texture contrasts nicely with the sheer lace of the Spiderweb Cloth.

Step 2. Create Some Height

Glitter Crow Prop - Shop

 

• Using Crystal Cones and a tiered plate stand, we created several varying heights. We also topped the plate stand with a Glittered Crow, which gave us a few extra inches and added "visual volume." The dense crow body balances out the negative spaces created by the stand.

Glitter Skull - Shop        Witch's Party Hat - Shop        LED Tea Lights - Shop

 

• For the centerpiece we used a black cake stand with a solid red serving platter on top. By topping that with a glitter skull (which we dressed up in a silky witch's hat), we were able to mirror the shapes of the cones, giving our table a more cohesive look. These props also added some visual texture with glitter and lace.

Step 3. Create Some Depth

Skull Candelabra with LED Blood Candles - Shop

 

• These gothic candelabras are the perfect height, color, and shape, to build visual depth for a gothic tablescape. By placing one on each side of the table we maintained symmetry and added a glowy ambiance to the whole scene.

• We wanted to break things up a big, so we used square dinner plates to contrast all of the round elements of the tablescape.

Step 4. Arrange the Place Settings

Vampire Fangs Place Card Holder - Shop         Rhinestone Spider Necklace - Shop

 

• Simple silverware and black napkins can easily be dressed up with a rhinestone spider necklace party favor and a fang-tastic place card holder!

Blood Spatter Decal - Shop        Vampire Pendant - Shop

• Silver plate chargers break up all the dark tones and bring out the silver details in the runner, the webbing on the witch's hat, and our silver Halloween accesories.

 

Step 5. Complete the Details

12 inch Glitter Skeleton - Shop

 

• Add some whimsy with fun details like this small glitter skeleton. His smile let's us know that he's ready for a good time!

Glitter Spider - Shop

 

• Other simple touches like dark bowls filled with bright candies or finger foods will add to the visual balance, and ground the scene by adding some interactive, functional elements.
• Speaking of functional elements, how about a tasty shot? Here is a recipe for Blood Red Cake Shots:

   

Blood Red Cake Shots are a delicious drink, and of course, they fit in perfectly with our gothic theme!

[ sources clockwise from left : one I  two I three ]

In this installment of 2014 couples costume ideas, we will focus on five costume pairs for the video game lovers out there. Picking a gaming costume can be tricky because you want to find a costume that is recognizable, but at the same time cool enough to set you apart from the rest of the crowd. Since Ultra Street Fighter IV was recently released, we thought highlighting a famous Street Fighter duo appropo. Let’s start this off with a bang…or shall we say, a hadouken? Round one…FIGHT!

1. Ryu and Ken

Ryu Costume - Shop         Ken Costume - Shop

Ryu has been battling alongside (and against) his friend Ken Masters since 1987, when Street Fighter first came out. They both spend their days participating in the ultimate street fight tournament, with hopes of being recognized as the strongest fighter. These karate champs work so well as a Halloween costume duo because of their distinct contrasts in both personality and uniform color. Plus, they have a great love/hate relationship. Best friends that constantly fight each other? If you have a friend that fits the bill, consider these costumes!

• Things to know when dressing as Ryu: Ryu is typically stoic and calm. Training in the martial arts has become his life, and as a result of embracing a path of simplicity, he owns few material possessions. His tattered white gi, hachimaki (a Japanese headband), and gloves, are basically all that he owns. They are instantly recognizable, so make sure your costume includes these elements!

• Things to know when dressing as Ken: Ken Masters is Ryu’s best friend, training partner, and rival. Like Ryu, Ken constantly strives to become a stronger fighter, but he does so with the flash and style of a confident showman. His long blond hair and red sleeveless gi offer a stark contrast to Ryu’s white uniform.

2. Sonic and Tails

Sonic Costume - Shop         Tails Costume - Shop

• Things to know when dressing as Sonic: If there is any character that can match the clout of Mario, it’s Sonic the Hedgehog. In fact, Sonic was introduced in 1991 to give Sega a mascot to rival the Italian plumber from Nintendo. DIY some simple gold ring accesories using cardboard and spraypaint, and your costume will steal the show.

• Things to know when dressing as Tales: Miles “Tails” Prower has a slightly different backstory. Tails showed up in Sonic  the Hedgehog 2 as a sidekick and later as a playable second player. Sonic and this two-tailed fox are the best of friends. They make a great costume couple because of their mutually beneficial relationship: Tails is a mechanical genius, and Sobic mentors young Tails and helps bring out his courageous side!

3. Super Mario Bros: Mario and Luigi

Mario Costume - Shop          Luigi Costume - Shop

You can’t have a video game couples costumes list without including Mario and Luigi! These two brothers have been jumping into pipes, smashing goombas, and saving the princess for 31 years now! This is a perfect costume choice for best buddies and significant others alike. We even have sexy versions!

• Things to know when dressing as Mario: Mario is the older brother, and he first arrived on the gaming scene in the 1981 game, Donkey Kong. Originally called Jumpman, Mario is the more confident and collected of these two mustached fellows.

• Things to know when dressing as Luigi: Between 2013 being declared "the year of Luigi," and this year's popular "Luigi Death Stare" meme, Luigi has recently enjoyed increased time in the spotlight. He is a character perpetually loved by younger siblings everywhere, as these are the siblings that were inevitably forced to "be Luigi" back in Super Mario Bros. gaming days. Whereas at one time the only difference between the brothers was their costume color palette, Luigi now enjoys his own personality and is fondly described as "the world’s bravest coward."

4. Legend of Zelda: Link and Zelda

Link Costume - Shop         Princess Zelda Dress - Shop         Tiara - Shop         Blonde Bradiable Wig - Shop

• Things to know when dressing as Link: Link has been using the triforce to quell evil from the world of Hyrule since 1986. The actual character has been portrayed numerous times in a seriously confusing timeline, but he’s always the archetypal protagonist. Is your personality on the quiet side? This may be the perfect choice for you! In nearly every Legend of Zelda game, this "silent hero" hasn't uttered a word. The most you hear from him is a series of grunts and shouts such as, “Hhhut!” and “Hee-yah!” Don't forget to pick up a Hylian Shield and Master Sword.

• Things to know when dressing as Zelda: Princess Zelda was introduced as a heroine in distress, captured by Ganon for her Triforce of Wisdom. She too has seen numerous portrayals throughout the Legend of Zelda series, but has since developed character details in a way that even Link hasn't! Zelda is best described as kind, wise, and a worthy ruler. Zelda has been known to mascarade as a wicked ninja-like-warrior named Sheik from time to time, so if you've got a hidden wild side, this is the costume for you!

5. Assassin’s Creed: Ezio and Sofia Sartor

Assassin's Creed Costumes - Shop         Sofia Sartor Costume - Shop

• Things to know when dressing as Ezio: The protagonist of Assassin’s Creed II, Ezio Auditore da Firenze is a Renaissance nobleman from Florence. After witnessing the death of his brothers and father, he flees the city with his mother and sister and soon learns that his family is part of a secret order known as The Assassins. He combines this knowledge with athletic and acrobatic skills, and seeks justice for his family. Not one to shy from women, Ezio is a playful ladies’ man with great taste in clothing. If you're a snappy dressor, bigtime flirt, or part of a secret order, give an Ezio costume a try!

• Things to know when dressing as Ezio's love interest: There were several women in Ezio’s life, so dressing in any one of a number of Renaissance style women's dresses would work well! Ezio has been known to wander the streets of numerous cities with maidens of all sorts (group costume, anyone?). Of course you could opt to dress specifically as Sofia Sartor, Ezio's wife. A strong willed and intelligent woman with a passion for literature, Sofia plays an important part in carrying on the Assassin’s heritage.

There you have it, folks! If you’re looking to base your costume on video game characters, take a suggestion from us and pick one of these classic couples and duos. We carry loads of sizes and styles for each character, so you will certainly be able to find your perfect fit. You’ll be guaranteed to get a few nods of appreciation from fellow gamers, as you proudly show your love for some of the most iconic characters from the digital realm.

For more couple costume ideas, visit our couples costumes selector tool!

[ sources clockwise from left: One I Two I Three I FBI.gov ]

So far we’ve explored some of the best couples costumes from the comic and video game worlds, but those may not appeal to everyone. Here are six couples costume ideas that are less about a specific theme, and more about just plain fun! The following ideas are either rooted in history or some type of easily accessible pop culture reference.

1. Mark Antony and Cleopatra

 Cleopatra - Shop         Roman General - Shop

Mark Antony, a well-known Roman general and politician, and Cleopatra, the last Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt, are one of the most famous couples in history. Their relationship has been romanticized by poets and playwrights like William Shakespeare. The true nature of their relationship is impossible to know, but they loved each other enough to risk it all for one another. The costumes for these two are elegant and timeless.

A Roman general’s outfit epitomizes Antony as he was known as a soldier and a man of the people. The Egyptian attire of Cleopatra is regal and immediately recognizable thanks to famous portrayals of the lovely pharaoh by stars like Claudette Colbert, Elizabeth Taylor and Lyndsey Marshal.

2. Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie Parker Costume - Shop         Clyde Barrow Costume - Shop

You can’t talk about famous couples without mentioning Bonnie and Clyde. The well-known outlaws shot their way across the central US back in the 1930’s. The couple is famous for knocking off banks and small stores, but also for cold blooded murder. The duo killed numerous police officers and civilians alike. Already famous for their exploits, Bonnie and Clyde were further immortalized on the big screen by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in 1967. Their wild nature and classic style make them perfect costume party options. 

3. Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne

Sexy Powder Blue Tuxedo - Shop         Orange Tuxedo Costume - Shop

Few movies invoke 1990’s nostalgia more than Dumb and Dumber. Lloyd and Harry’s famous road trip to Aspen will go down in history as being one of the funniest adventures in cinema. The baby blue and orange tuxedos these two wear to the charity fundraiser remain some of the most recognizable costumes in recent years. Another perk of this costume option is that it gives you free license to act like a comlete moron! Be sure to complete the ensemble with matching canes and give each other a good whack. More tuxedo size and style options here. 

4. Jan and Wayne Skylar

Since we’re discussing fun costumes, we have to mention one of our favorite ideas. Do you watch the Channel 5 News with Jan and Wayne Skylar? They’re the only married news team in the Tri-County area! They also happen to be incredibly hilarious friends of our favorite doctor, Dr. Steve Brule. This strange couple makes the perfect costume for any duo as long as you’re not afraid to act the uncomfortably awkward parts of Janny and Wayne. (Just be sure to stear clear of red wine -  it's the worst for Jan's sores.)

For those unfamiliar with the reference, 1/2 you're welcome for this and 1/2 sorry for this

5. Dread Pirate Roberts (Wesley) and Buttercup

Dread Pirate Roberts Costume - Shop        Princess Buttercup Costume - Shop   

The Princess Bride wasn’t a huge box office success but it has developed a legacy of devout followers since its 1987 release. This film is a cult classic and it’s easy to understand why. The imagery, costumes, and dialogue, are all incredibly recognizable and evoke a wonderful sense of adventure. There’s fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, and miracles! Wesley’s Dread Pirate Robert’s look is just plain cool, and Buttercup's royal gown provides great contrast to his full black ensemble.

6. Xena and Gabrielle

Xena Costume - Shop         Gabrielle Costume - Shop

Speaking of 90's nostalgia, Xena and Gabrielle from Xena: Warrior Princess make an awesome costume duo! The princess and her faithful sidekick made quite the memorable team as they kicked butt across the ancient world. With these strong female lead characters, the show has been recognized as a beacon for feminism. If you decide to wear these epic costumes, be sure to unleash several warrior “Ayi-lalala!” cries over the course of the night. Hercules and his pal Iolaus would make the perfect male costume substitutes for this idea.

Looking for even more couple costumes? Give our couple costumes selector tool a try.

"Sin City is where you go in with your eyes open, or you don't come out at all." - Johnny

Are you ready to take a trip back to the old days, the all-or-nothing days? Just like Marv said in Sin City, they’re back! We haven’t stepped foot in Sin City since the first movie released back in 2005, but we’re itching to go back this Friday when Sin City: A Dame to Kill For hits theaters.

Sin City’s style is unmatched when it comes to the use of greyscale. It’s not the first grayscale movie to use splashes of color here and there, but there is something about the way Sin City pulls it off that works on a whole 'nother level. Maybe it’s the use of lines and shadow, or maybe it’s the snappy dialogue, but either way we can’t wait to scope out A Dame to KillFor.

We thought it would be cool to emulate the style of the new movie with a Sin City makeup tutorial, so we called in our friend (and expert makeup artist) Katie Alves to give us a hand. You might be thinking, "pshh, how hard can it be to do gray makeup?" But do not be deceived, friends, for a good grayscale makeup requires a keen eye, perfect blending, and an understanding of how light reflects off features of your face.  Katie will show us how it’s done.

Greyscale Makeup Tutorial Video

So, to borrow lines from our deceased friend Jackie Boy, "you want to see it? You wanna see what we got?"

Supplies Needed

• Mehron’s Paradise Palette
• Q-tips
• Sugarpill pressed eyeshadow in Tako
• Star Crushed Minerals eyeshadow in Shooting Star
• Lotus Noir Lime Crime eye shadow
• Black eyeliner by Physicians Formula
• Falsies Mascara by Maybelline
• Black Bean jumbo pencil by Nyx
• Nyx lipliner pencil in 813 Plush Red
• Revlon Colorstay Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato

Katie really brought the look of Sin City to life and we can’t thank her enough for this amazing tutorial. To take the grayscale look a step further, go for broke and replicate the elegant but powerful look of Ava Lord. To complete her style, grab these other accessories: 

• High Society Dress - Shop
• Venus Jade Green Contact Lenses - Shop
• Styleable Fever Amber Black Wig - Shop

Just be careful, or you'll end up asking favors from Herr Wallenquist. He's uglier than Marv!

Hear ye, hear ye, all ye little knights and ladies of the round table! 'Tis the season for Renaissance festivals, and wouldn't it be fun to host a Renaissance playdate or party?  We'll share loads of ideas for DIY castles, dress-up costumes, activities, and delicious Renaissance-themed snacks and treats.  It's time for wizards, dragons, knights, fairies, and more to have a positively medieval good time!

Decoration Ideas

Let's start with themed playdate and party basics: decorations! What could be more medieval than an easy-to-make cardboard castle fort!  Wrap old cardboard boxes with a plastic stone-wall backdrop and secure with tape.  Then, cut out windows, drawbridge doors, and castle battlements (the top part). Add cutout shields, streamers, and flags for a colorful accent!

[ sources: left I middle I right ]

Stone Wall Backdrop - Shop

Let's start with themed playdate and party basics: decorations! What could be more medieval than an easy-to-make cardboard castle fort!  Wrap old cardboard boxes with a plastic stone-wall backdrop and secure with tape.  Then, cut out windows, drawbridge doors, and castle battlements (the top part). Add cutout shields, streamers, and flags for a colorful accent!

[ sources: left I middle I right ]

Create colorful and festive ribbon wands by tying ribbon to the ends of short dowel rods, and display them in a jar as table centerpieces. You can even have the kiddos pick out colors the ribbon colors and craft their own wands to take home. 

Make easy-peasy Renaissance torches with construction paper and fire-colored tissue paper. Just roll construction paper or metallic scrapbooking paper into a tapered tube and secure with tape. Then stuff the brightly colored "fire paper" into the wide end of the paper sconce and secure to your play room walls or castle fort. 

For a fun decoration and activity, wrap washi tape around wrapping paper tubes to make fun (and safe) jousting sticks. Use a tapered piece of construction paper at one end to create the hand guard. Will you have little boys at your playdate? This will hands down be their favorite activity!

Girls Renaissance Faire Costume - Shop         Child Wizard Costume - Shop         Kids Robin Hood Costume - Shop 

Toddler Pink Dragon Costume - Shop         Toddler Green Dragon - Shop         Kids Dinosaur Costume - Shop

Find more kids’ Renaissance and medieval costumes here!

[ sources clockwise from left: one I two I three ]

Make ANY snack medieval by gluing large acrylic gems around the edges of paper plates and trays.

Build a castle cake by layering cake and frosting to your desired height, then adding chocolate bar pieces and stacked-cookie towers. Now that's a chocolaty dessert guaranteed to wow kids and adults alike!

Sugar cookies become instant playdate favorites when decorated with shield designs in multi-colored frosting with a fine point piping tip. This is a great way to tie any color theme into your treats!

[ sources clockwise from left: one I two I three I four ]

For a playdate fun-starter, push marked plastic cocktail swords into a painted rock-like piece of styrofoam and have the kids pull a sword from the "stone" to determine their silly Renaissance name. Brainstorm fun names like "Sir" or "Lady" Laughs Alot, Bubble of Gum, and  Peanut of Butter.

Bobbing for apples is a game traditionally played on Halloween, but its roots date all the way back to the Roman empire and this makes it an excellent game for a Renaissance playdate. Put clean apples and water in a glavanzized tub or similar bucket and have the kids try to pull an apple out with their teeth. You will want to have lots of towels handy because this game gets everyone (and everything) wet!

A few acrylic "gems," some dollar store plastic cups, and a little elmers glue are all you need to give the kids a great time making their own jewel-encrusted goblets. Serve koolaid or punch and watch your kids' eyes light up when you fill their precious creation with a tasty, colorful drink.

Pin the tongue on the dragon is an easy DIY game that can be made by drawing a dragon on a piece of cardboard, blindfolding the kiddos, and instructing them to attempt to pin a paper tongue on the dragon's mouth. Use double-sided tape instead of pins and cut the dragon tongues out of pink construction paper. The closest "tongue" pinner wins a medieval prize.

These are just a few ideas to get you started on your merry way towards a fun and festive Renaissance playdate!  Stay tuned in to the HalloweenCostumes.com blog for more exciting playdate ideas, and find more kids’ Renaissance and medieval costumes here!

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has taken over our social media, and with good reason! Donations to the ALS Association have skyrocketed in the last month thanks to this viral fundraising phenomenon. It’s simple really – dump some water on your head, donate money to ALS research, and tell a few of your friends to do the same, all under the hashtag #IceBucketChallenge. Everyone on your Facebook feed has done it. Like, seriously, everyone: your neighbor across the street, your ex-coworker from when you worked at the mall, Kermit the Frog, Mini-Me, George W. Bush, and probably even your own grandma. You’ve seen it all. Well, until today.

We wanted to get in on the fun, too, but definitely had to make it our own. (We like dressing up around here.) Cut to last night at the Emmy’s. Breaking Bad destroyed at the awards ceremony and the light bulb went off above our heads: Walter White’s Blue Ice Bucket Challenge. Wanna know how we created this DIY Mr.-White-meets-ice-bucket costume? It’s easy! Here are the steps:

Gather Your Supplies:

For this DIY, we used:

• Breaking Bad Costume and Breaking Bad Goatee
• Red Shower Curtain Costume
• Cellophane Gift Wrap
• Clear Novelty Ice Cubes (a couple dozen)
• Blue Spray Paint / White Paint
• Bucket
• Gorilla Glue, Packaging Tape, and an Exacto Knife
• Screws (if necessary)

Construct Harness With Bucket

• Remove the red curtain from the shower curtain costume and discard.
• Remove any of the rounded pipe that was meant to hold up the shower curtain.
• Use the exacto knife to cut a hole in the top of your bucket. You will be able to fit the bucket around the edge of where the “shower nozzle” is and it will stay in place.  (You can feel free to put as much packaging tape up there as possible to keep it sturdy, though!)
• If necessary, reinforce the pipes of the shower curtain costume with some screws. This all depends on how heavy your bucket is!

Create Blue Ice And Water

• Spray paint your ice cubes with blue spray paint. Next, spatter some white paint over the ice to create that “crystal” effect.
• Position the cubes on a large sheet of plastic cellophane. Remember that you will end up cutting this giant piece into your strips of “water,” so don’t place the ice too close together. 
• Once you’re happy with the placement, glue the cubes to the cellophane. Add some glue to the top sides of the ice as well, and lay another layer of cellophane to the top. Like a blue ice sandwich. Yum!
• Pull out that exacto knife and cut your new sandwich into 6-8 strips. 
• Glue the strips evenly into the inside of your bucket.

Get Dressed and Donate!

Now is the fun part! Put on that hazmat suit – gloves, gasmask, and all – and get ready to film your video. (Or, get ready to hit the town this Halloween with a topical costume!) And don’t forget to donate to this great cause. We did! We nominate Jesse Pinkman, Gus Fring, and Tuco Salamanca.

Plus Size Wicked Wench Pirate

Why this works for a column body shape:

1. Soft feminine fabrics drape and gather at bust to create gentle curves

2. A detailed corset nips in the waist and plays up a long torso

3. A bright sash adds volume to hips for graceful curves

4. An asymmetrical hemline and flowy fabric highlight lean legs  

5. High heeled boots draw more attention to shapely legs and add a sexy allure 

Plus Size Sexy Vixen Pirate

Why this works for an apple body shape:

1. Play up the decolletage with off-the-shoulder sleeves

2. A black corset creates a defined waistline and breaks up the fullest part of the body   

3. Add a matching petticoat for added soft volume at the hips

4. Play up lean legs with sexy, thigh high stockings with alluring lace trim

5. Chunky high heeled mary janeshelp to ground your lean legs whileelongating them

Plus Size Sexy Wench Pirate

Why this works for a hourglass body shape:

1. Ruffled sleeves and a patterned corset are fun details that add texture without creating bulk 

2. A structured corset shows  off a trim waist

3. Vertical lines smooth over hips and bottom, creating a long soft shape

4. This ruffled hem mirrors the ruffles on the sleeves and highlights well proportioned curves

5. Use knee high boots with clean lines to not distract from the details of this costume, and toelongate your legs
   

Plus Size Sexy Captian Swashbuckler 

Why this works for an inverted triangle body shape:  

1. Ruffled sleeves add a touch of softness to a dark, structured jacket 
   

2. Details at the trim waist draw attention away from broad shoulders   

3. Use a pettitcoat under light colored, flowy fabric for added volume at the hips
   

4. Highlight great gams with fun stockings like this fence net pair

5. Use black boots with sassy details to ground your lower half

Plus Size Female Pirate Costume

Why this works for a pear body shape:  

1. Light colors on top with loose, sheer sleeves balance fuller lower half  

2.  Bright details like this sash and ribbon accentuate a long lean torso and slim waist

3. Dark flowy fabric glides gently over problem areas

4. Use hems that fall at the thinnest part of the leg, usually just below the knee

5. Dark knee high boots create a long monochromatic look that slenderizes legs 

Creating your own Halloween wreath is easier than you might think! This time of year many stores have those familiar, bright colored fun foam noodles on clearance, practically screaming for you to take them home. (Christmas decorations are already starting to flow in and they need the floor space!) Take advantage at your local discount or dollar store and snag yourself a few different colors of these water noodles. The size and shape are perfect for creating a colorful base for a homemade Halloween wreath. Crafting this decoration is fun and simple - we'll show you how!

How to Create a Pool Noodle Wreath Base

Grab your pool noodle, a pair of Halloween stockings or these spider web tights, and some packing tape, to begin constructing your wreath.

1. Slide each end of the noodle into each leg of the tights.
2. Create a opening in the tights at the ends of the noodle to stick out. You may need to cut a small hole to accomplish this.
3. Bend the noodle until the ends are touching and you have a circle.
4. Use clear packing tape to secure the ends of the noodle together.
5. Tuck the remaining ends of the tights into each other or tape them together.
6. Tie a knot with the leftover tight material.
7. Use a piece of black cheese cloth or ribbon to loop through the center. This creates the sash for hanging the wreath, and conceals the raw edges/tape.

Add Festive Details

Shop Halloween Decorations

Use different items and Halloween decor pieces to create a one-of-a-kind holiday wreath. Anything from hats to Halloween props to decorative wall hangings will work. Even leftover Halloween accessories from years past can be repurposed for this project.

Use props and products that are on sticks, like the witch's legs we used. Simply drive the stick through the foam of the noodle and cut the protruding end (optional).

For signs that have hangers already attached, use a t-pin to secure the decoration to the form. One of the great things about using a pool noodle as your wreath base is the ability to stick pins in it. And with it only costing a buck, there are no worries about ruining an expensive craft store wreath form.

4 Ideas For a DIY Foam Wreath

1. Boo Witch Wreath

Glitter Spider - Shop         Glitter Metal Glitter Webs - Shop        Glitter Crow - Shop 

Black Cheese Cloth - Shop        Boo Sign - Shop        Mini Witch Hat - Shop

2. Broom Stick Wreath

Mini Glitter Witch Hat - Shop        Broom Boo Sign - Shop        Witch Legs - Shop        Black Haunted Cloth - Shop

3. Wicked Witch Inn Wreath

Friendly Spider - Shop        Welcome My Pretties Sign - Shop        Witch Legs - Shop

Bonus: DIY Wrap Wreath 

4. Skeleton Pirate Wreath  

Black Cheese Cloth - Shop        Spider Webbing - Shop         Skeleton Prop - Shop   

Skeleton Key - Shop        Chain Prop - Shop

Using the same technique for the pool noodle wreath form (minus the tights) we created a spooky Halloween wreath that is as cool as Davey Jones' Locker!  Simply wrap black cheese cloth all the way around the pool noodle and secured the ends with t-pins. Then use pirate and skeleton accessories to create a look that would fit right in on the Ol' Jolly Roger!

[ Sources clockwise from left: one | two | three | four ]

Continuing with our group Halloween costume ideas series, we’ll be diving into the world of video games. Don't worry - there are ideas in here that gamers and non gamers alike can enjoy. Remember, it’s a bonus if you can dress as a character with a similar personality to your own. It makes the costume all the more believable and your group Halloween experience will be more fun because of it!

Idea for a Group of Three: Assassin’s Creed

Ezio Costume - Shop         Nobleman Costume - Shop         Renaissance Maiden - Shop

We chose this theme simply because of the potential for awesome costumes. Start by choosing your favorite Assassin’s Creed protagonist. We went with Ezio because he has a flashy period piece costume. Your friends can choose from an awesome assortment of costumes ranging from Renaissance maidens, to noblemen, to plague doctors. We went with a Nobleman, his daughter, and Ezio. Three is a minimum number of people to be considered a group, but this group theme could easily accommodate more!

• Tip: For the best affect use as many people as possible so your  Ezio can blend in with the crowd of renaissance friends just like in the game. Will everyone recognize it? Probably not. But the people who DO will think it’s the coolest group costume idea ever.

Idea for a Group of Four: Super Mario World

Shop all Mario themed costumes HERE!

You can’t talk about group video game costumes without mentioning classic characters from the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario and Luigi are a given, but there are plenty of other colorful and awesome options to use in a group! Princess Peach has really been coming into her own as of late in Mario games, and what Mushroom Kindgom party would be complete without a sticky-tongued green dinosaur? Yoshi is a must!

• Tip: If your group is large, how about a Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros theme? These games really open up the cast or character options.

Idea for a Group of Five: Mortal Kombat

     Sonya Blade - Shop         Raiden - Shop         Kitana - Shop

Sub-Zero - Shop         Scorpion - Shop

Fighting games are perfect for big Halloween groups because of their large casts, and Mortal Kombat in particular is one of the most awesome fighting games around! Who didn't enjoy pulling off a fatality in their living room growing up? (That sounds kinda bad.)

On to picking characters: You can't have Mortal Kombat without Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Then there is Raiden, who watches over all the fighters. The games also have loads of dangerous women so your group can be a healthy mix of guys and gals. We went with Sonya Blade and Kitana. When your costume clad friends go out you can talk to each other in announcer Shao Kahn’s voice. “Flawless victory!”

• Tip: Go as a Mortal Kombat group that just hit the cheat code for blood mode, and douse yourself in a heaping helping of fake blood!

Idea for a Group of Six: Street Fighter

Shop all Street Fighter costumes HERE!

Street Fighter series put fighting games on the map, and his been popular since its 1987 debut. Every game in the series pits characters from across the globe in a vicious tournament to see who the strongest fighter in the world is, and no cast was more popular than the crew from Street Fighter II. Ryu and Ken are a classic way to start, and Chun-Li (a fan favorite), M. Bison (Vega in Japan), Vega (Balrog in Japan), and Akuma (Gouki in Japan), all make great additions.  

• Tip: Bring this group theme to life by practicing hadoukens, shoryukens, or spinning bird kicks with your group ahead of time!

For even more group costume ideas, try our our group costume selector tool

There is just something so satisfying about being scared out of your skin on Halloween. Americans in particular go to great lengths to get their scare on during the Halloween Season. That in mind, we've rounded up ten of the best, scariest, and most bizarre haunted attractions in the United States. Here they are, in no particular order. Enter at your own risk!

1. Terror Behind the Walls/Eastern State Penitentiary: Philadelphia, PA

Image Source

Eastern State Penitentiary is considered to be one of - if not the - definitive haunted attractions in the United States. The former prison, which housed notorious inmates such as Al Capone, is one of the most studied ‘active’ haunted sites in America. The prison has been featured on a number of paranormal investigation shows including: Ghost Adventures, Most Haunted LIVE, FEAR, and Ghost Hunters, who did a 5 part series in the prison. “Terror Behind the Walls” is one of the largest haunted attractions in the industry, according to the Haunted Attraction Association.

Haunt Highlights:

• Reputed to be one of the most haunted attractions open to the public
• At the time of it's construction it was the most expensive public building ever built
• The prision was one of the first of it's kind to concern itself with the rehabilitation of it's prisoners, as opposed to being a simple holding-pen for removing criminals from the general public.

2. EREBUS: Pontiac, MI

Image Source

EREBUS held the record for “Largest Walk-Through Haunted Attraction” from 2005 to 2009, and it is still an experience to be reckoned with. The attractions and events change from year to year, but the overall theme stays the same, with a maniacal scientist sending patrons back through different time periods and causing all sorts of temporal mayhem. The 100,000 square foot facility uses 70,000 square feet as workshop and a four-floored 30,000 square foot space to spook, scare, and frighten guests. Props, puppets, animatronics, and actors, all play their roles in making EREBUS one of the best Halloween Attractions in the nation.

Haunt Highlights:

• Held the title as Largest Haunted House in America from 2009 to 2005
• Erebus is the name of the Primordal Greek God of Darkness - scary stuff!
• Erebus is also one letter removed from the orginal owners of the haunt, Terebus

3. Cutting Edge: Fort Worth, TX

Image Source

Situated in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas, Cutting Edge is the haunted house responsible for EREBUS losing its Largest Haunted House title from the Guinness Book of World Records. Whereas EREBUS takes 40 minutes to walk through, The Cutting Edge takes a whopping HOUR to get through—and that’s not including the spooky attractions outside the compound itself. The Cutting Edge is built upon a historical section of Fort Worth maniacally dubbed “Hell’s Half Acre,” the old meat processing district in Fort Worth.

Haunt Highlights:

• Holds the title of "Largest Haunted House" in America
• Also holds title as "Longest Haunted House," taking almost 55 minutes to complete from start to finish

4. Villisca Axe Murder House: Corning, IA

Image Source

Ever watched Ghost Hunters or Ghost Adventures and thought to yourself, “I could do that?” Then this is the place for you. The residence was the sight of a grisly murder on June 9th, 1912—Josiah & Sarah Moore, their four children, and two guests Ina & Lena Stillinger were murdered with axe-blows to the head. Though an investigation was conducted and many suspects tried, the murder was never solved. Visitors who are of the more skittish variety may visit the house during the day for tours. Those with greater fortitude for such horrifying places can choose to stay in the house over night with up to 9 guests.

Haunt Highlights:

• Suspects for the unsolved murder include a vagrant, a relative, and a Reverend
• A news report from after the incident claimed that the image of the murder was to be retrieved from the retina of one of the vicitms--ala "Wild, Wild West"

5. Blackout: New York City, NY & Los Angeles, CA

Image Source

This isn’t your daddy’s haunted house. Part art house, part S&M parlor, part freak show, Blackout is less a haunted house and more of a psychological thriller experience. The only real way to describe what you MAY experience within the walls of Blackout is to read the rules (see photo). The scenes portrayed by the actors change every year, but each new season brings about a new plethora of physical and psychological thrills that would cause even the most hardened of Haunted House hunters to cringe.

Haunt Highlights:

• One of the only Attractions in the nation that breaks the "No Touching" rule
• Actors have been know to grab participatents, lift them, carry them, tie them up, and more!
• The original Blackout was located in New York, New York. They loved it so much they set up another shop on the West Coast in Los Angles, CA

6. Netherworld: Atlanta, GA

Image Source

One of the longest running attractions in the nation, and one of the most critically acclaimed, Netherworld is an independently owned and operated Haunted House in Atlanta, GA. Netherworld has been featured on television numerous times over the last 17 years as one of the best Haunted Houses in the nation. Placements include spots on CBS’ The Early Show, NBC’s Today Show, and various Travel Channel Specials.  Netherworld houses some of the nation’s most advanced animatronics, and some of the best actors and make-up artists in the horror world. Each year starting in 1997, Netherworld puts together a new theme or two to scare up their visitors so no two visits will ever be the same!

Haunt Highlights:

• Netherworld has been on many nationwide lists of the best Haunts in America including Best Scenes & Best Overall according to Haunt World
• Past themes include: Banshee, The Hive, and The Dead Ones

7. The 13th Gate & Necropolis 13: Baton Rouge, LA

Image Source

Situated in the heart of Voodoo Country, The 13th Gate & Necropolis is one of the most consistenly recognized "top Haunted Attractions" in the Nation. The 13th Gate features both indoor and outdoor attractions, including a crawl-through creamatory oven, a ride in an old hearse, and a rickey bridge over a pit of live snakes.  Part of the 13th Gate's success is its offering of off season activites. When they aren't scaring the pants off their patrons, they opperate as a full Movie production company, creating sets, props, and other special effects for television and movies. The Necropolis 13 is unlike anything else on this list. It is a city block-wide Lousiana style graveyard, crawling with zombies. The enterance? An open grave that leads down 13 more steps into haunted catacombs. From there it's a half-mile trek to the exit. 

Haunt Highlights:

• The Necropolis 13 features a Voodoo Lord named Baron Samedi, the Voodo God of Death and Resurrection. This was also the identity of one of the Villians in the James Bond film "Live and Let Die."
• The 13th Gate was selected as Haunt World's #1 attraction in 2012

8. Rob Zombie's Great American Nightmare: Scottsdale, AZ

Image Source

A lesson in horror from the master himself, Rob Zombie's Great American Nightmare features three attractions, each promising a different set of scares. "Captain Spaulding's Clown School" brings the brave through the mind of the titular Spaulding, reminiscent of House of 1000 Corpses. "The Devil's Rejects - inspired by the film - stars the Firefly Family, a group of backwoods folk wanted for over 75 disappearances and homicides. Guests gete to join the state troopers in their hunt to bring these psychopaths to justice. Finally, patrons will be asked to enter the "Lords of Salem" total blackout attraction. Based on Zombie's indie horror film of the same name, patrons have their senses limited as they face total darkness, claustrophobia, and fear of the unknown.

Haunt Highlights:

• Rob Zombie opens the attraction himself every year with a live concert. This usually takes place mid-September.
• All three portions of the attraction are based on Movies directed by Zombie.  
• There is an alternate location of this triple attraction located in Villa Park, IL

9.Pennhurst Asylum: Spring City, PA

Image Source

Pennhurst Asylum is one of the most visited sites in America when it comes to paranormal activity. Started in 1908 as the "Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic," Pennhurst now houses one of the scariest attractions in America. Three distict attractions make up Pennhurst: The Dungeon of Lost Souls (a maze of old cells and hallways with a series of human experiments that have gone wrong), The Tunnel of Terror (a 900 foot walk through the underground of the old State Scool, recently upgraded with new scares and amazing catacombs), and "Ghost Hunt," which is located in the Mayflower Building. The Mayflower Buidling is reportedly one of the most active paranormal locations on the entire campus.

Haunt Highlights:

• Pennhurst operated in some regard as an asylum up until 1987
• The operation was shuttered due to decades of reported abuse and deaths caused by nelgect.

10. The House of Torment: Austin, TX

Image Source

One of the most decorated Haunted Houses on our list, the House of Torment in Austin, Texas is acutally three different events compiled into one. One event changes completely yearly, and the other two keep the same overall theme. in 2014, the first event has become "Blackthorne District Realms Collide," a mixture of insane asyulm and horror monster themes. The other two events are "Cursed," which has explores demonic themes, and "Slaughterhouse," which follows a hillbilly horror theme.

• The House of Torment has recieved accolades from MSN, The Travel Channel, and The Wall Street Journal
• Haunt World has featured The House of Torment in their top 10 lists the last 4 years in a row
• The theme of Cursed this year is "The Coven," which will bring guests face to face with a coven of witches
• Slaughterhouse's 2014 theme is "The Feeding," which will feature a Minotaur-esque monster loosed in a maze

Which, if any, of these haunted attractions would you dare to enter?? Have you already been scared silly by any of these haunts?? Tell us in the comments below!

How to Sign Up

First, visit our REGISTRATION PAGE and follow the three super easy steps.

Pin Your Favorite Scene

Next, you can return to this post (or visit our Pinterest Halloween Decoration Ideas board) and simply repin any of our pins, using the hashtag #SpookMYSpace in the description! Here are just some of the scenes you could recreate, with your decoration shopping spree - squeeee:

Apothecary Mantle

Use our witchy Victorian themed decorations to give any surface "spellbinding" appeal.

Spooky Fireplace

Place large hanging decorations in front of your fireplace for extra drama. Just position a 3M hook on the mantle and loop the decor piece around the removable hook. This is sure to inspire eerie grins from your guests!

Classic Living Room

These oversized pillows add a grand feel to any classically decorated living room. Use glowing branches and a friendly skeleton for a little extra oomph!

Gothic Tablescape

Guests will feel creeped out and welcome at the same time with this elegant yet gothic tablescape. Mix and match monochromatic pieces with different textures to create depth and intrigue; perfect of a murder mystery party!

Indoor Graveyard

This scene is cool because it brings traditionally outdoor decor indoors. It's especially perfect if you don't have a lawn and live in an apartment or condo. RIP boring decor!

Glitter Nook

Pressed for space? Here's a suggestion: Any shelf or corner can be jazzed up with some glitter and glam! Just mix in a few key pieces of Halloween flare with things you already own, and you'll be able to enjoy the season's classic themes.

Good luck, Halloween lovers! We will post the winner's name to Pinterest on or about October 1, 2014 at 11:59PM. #SpookMySpace

Sponsor: HalloweenCostumes.com, 2080 Lookout Drive North Mankato, MN 56003

Pinterest is a registered trademark of Pinterest, Inc. All rights reserved.

©2014 FUN.com All rights reserved.

©2014 HalloweenCostumes.com, All Right Reserved.

21-year-old Jasmine Tridevil's headlights have been making headlines as of late. Why is that? Because there are three of them. This infamous three breasted gal and her "is it a hoax or isn't it" story has been featured on E!, TMZ, The Huffington Post, MTV, Cosmopolitan...the list goes on. That level of digital fame this close to Halloween is precisely what makes her the perfect idea for your 2014 costume!

Since memes and internet sensations make some of the most memorable and attention-grabbing costumes on any given year, how could we resist sharing a DIY tutorial with you? Attempt this look and you may even take home the breast dressed award at your Halloween party! Oops, err, we mean BEST dressed...

As you can see, it doesn't take much! We just overlapped and hot glued two pairs of our "super drooper boobs" together, covered them in shiny pink fabric, grabbed a black wig, and took a selfie! You can add bronzer to the fake boobs as needed to match your skin tone as closely as possible. Here are the specific products we used, if you're looking to give this entertaining look a try:

Fake Boobs - Shop         Brown Wig - Shop        

Pink Fabric (Jem Dress) - Shop         Shower Curtain - Shop

Oh, and guys? No need to let the ladies have all the fun with costume idea. Get two other friends together and you can each be one of the boobs! Just cover your costumes in some skimpy pink fabric, and stick together! (An isolated pink boob would be weird. Then again we're already squarely in weird territory with this DIY.)

Giant Boob Costume - Shop

So what do you think? Would this costume start conversations at your Halloween get-together or end them? Let us know in the comments, and in the meantime happy costume hunting you little Tridevils - only a month until Halloween!

As Halloween approaches, the HalloweenCostumes.com Monster has been getting excited about decorating. He decided to spread the Halloween love by sharing some of HalloweenCostumes.com’s newest decor products with his Halloween friends.

Watch as the Monster sends Halloween decorations to some of the internet’s most impressive and enthusiastic Halloween authorities, then check out HalloweenCostumes.com’s new décor here!

Check out the Monster’s Halloween friends

The Queen of Halloween on Instagram

Eva Halloween at TheYearofHalloween.com

Halloween Hellmouth on YouTube

Harper Leigh Hollywood on Instagram

Haunted Halloween Lair on YouTube

Cierra Carnage on Instagram

Hollywood Haunter on YouTube

Justine’s Halloween on Pinterest

More Horror on Twitter

Steve’s Haunted Yard on YouTube

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was first released forty years ago in 1974. What nobody knew at the time was just how influential the independent film with a miniscule budget would be, or what lasting effects it would have on the horror genre. The original was followed by six other films in the Texas Chainsaw series, and it inspired countless imitators. Of all the slasher icons, Leatherface is possibly the most recognizable - regardless of whose face he's wearing.

In honor of his 40th birthday, we revisited each film in the franchise, researched the details of their production, and meticulously scrutinized which kills should or should not be credited to Leatherface. Over forty years and seven movies, Leatherface and his family have gone through a surprising number of changes: 

[Click the infographic for a larger view.]

Embed This Image on Your Site:

Where will Leatherface and his family go in the next forty years? Nobody can say for sure, but he'll certainly be taking his trusty chainsaw along with him. If you're looking to inspire some terror of your own this Halloween, we have Texas Chainsaw Massacre costumes for both children and adults. We also carry animated chainsaw accessories, of course... the saw is family!

Destiny, one of the most anticipated video game releases of the year, just launched on September 9th. This ambitious game is the best-selling new IP of all time. The levels are beautiful - don’t even get us started on those sky boxes! The distinct classes and the abundance of customizable gear add substance to the gorgeous worlds created by Bungie. The playable races in the game add a nice element as well, and none are so eerily haunting and beautiful as the Awoken.

We thought it would be great to bring this game to life with a DIY Destiny costume. There have been several of these costumes spotted out in the wild, so we were inspired to try our hand at a hunter costume. The hunter class and the Awoken make for an accessible, but intricate looking costume that even inexperienced DIY-ers should be able to tackle.

Our Inspiration [ image source ]

We used the high-res images Bungie released in their August 22 weekly update for reference, and went with the green and brown Hunter look.  

• Gun – Shop
• Cloak – Shop
• Jumpsuit – Shop
• Gauntlets – Shop
• Armor – Shop
• Web Harness – Shop
• Boots – Shop
• White Out Contact Lenses – Shop
• Paintball Mask
• Thin Bungee Cord
• Something to serve as air purifiers on the mask
• Paint – Acrylic modeling paint and spray paint. You can choose your favorite colors. For this look we used red, gray, black, and orange for the modeling paint, and forest green, black, brown, white, and bronze for the spray paint.
• Mirrored tint film (from a hardware store)
• Gila Window Film Application Solution
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue
• Anything else you have around your house to make the costume more realistic (we repurposed an old Star Wars clone trooper mask as a shoulder piece)

STEP ONE: Start with the Black Widow jumpsuit. This is your bottom layer that will be used to attach other items. Your hunter suit doesn’t have to be a one piece, but it makes it a bit easier to manage and it gives the costume an accurate look for someone exploring other planets with potentially inhospitable atmospheres.

STEP TWO: Take the Halo armor and remove the armor pieces from the fabric. Be careful, you don’t want to cut or damage the pieces. Once you have the armor removed, go to a well-ventilated area and give the pieces a good coat of the spray paint in the colors you’ve selected. We went with a mix of forest green, black, brown, and bronze to match the look on our inspiration photo. Let the armor dry properly and reapply the paint if necessary to get your desired look. While you’re waiting for the paint to dry, move on to the gun.

STEP THREE: The gun we used is huge! It’s also very red and obviously a Nerf gun. That needed to change. We started by lightly sanding almost the entire gun, which helps the plastic take the paint. After sanding, tape off the sections of the gun you don’t want painted with painters tape. We taped the handle and barrel so we could spray only the gun stock a flat black. Try your best to keep any lines created by the tape clean and smooth.

STEP FOUR: Once everything is taped, it's time to paint! Be careful with the paint - hold it a foot or two away from the gun and do your best to apply an even coat. Once the black dried, we removed the painters tape. This left us with an unflattering monstrosity that was basically black and "toy orange." Enter the acrylic paint portion.

• Look at the gun and find the accents. The bolt handle and other accent points worked great for a black and red touch. We painted the barrel grey along with other accents like the clip. There was a thin groove along both sides of the stock that we decided to paint orange to really add some flair. This process can take a long time so be sure to alot plenty of time for painting.

STEP FIVE: With the weapon and the armor painted, we turned our attention to actually attaching the armor to the suit. This can be done in numerous ways. Sewing works best, but if you don’t have a machine or aren’t good with a needle and thread, opt for something else. We simply used a hot glue gun. Find where you want to place your armor on the jumpsuit, add glue around the edges, and press and firmly for a few moments.

STEP SIX: Once the armor has been attached, you can focus on the helmet. This is a tricky part of the costume because helmets can be expensive and modifying them isn’t always easy.  Before you start gluing, spray paint the helmet and the pieces you’ll be adding to the helmet. We used the painters tape with paper towels to make sure we didn’t get any paint on the visor.

• Paint everything before applying the mirroring tint to ensure that no paint gets on the finished look.

STEP SEVEN: After the paint dries, use the hot glue gun to attach the two pieces used for the air filters to the mask. Scoring both surfaces helps the plastic to stick to other plastic.

• Once the makeshift filters have been firmly attached to the mask, add any custom pieces you want to include. We used two pieces of bungee cord and a couple of brass nuts to make it look like air tubes were coming from the filter and going into the side of the mask.

STEP EIGHT: Mirror tint the visor by cutting out a section of the tint roll and applying it to the outside of the visor. To apply the tint, make sure the visor is clean. Spray the visor with the window film application solution and then carefully roll on your fitted piece of window tint. Make sure you have something you can use to press out any air bubbles so the film lays flat without scratching anything. A rubber spatula works well.

• You’re essentially done with the mask. You’ll notice our helmet isn’t full coverage, but that’s okay because we have a great hood we’ll be using when wearing the piece. It’ll be much more comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time since your head will be better ventilated - perfect for Halloween night or long days on a convention floor.

STEP NINE: Remember that hood we mentioned? As anyone who has played the game knows,  the hunters have cloaks, and the best cloaks come with hoods. We’re using a brown cloak that will fall to your feet if you’d like, or you can do what we did and chop it off at about the knee.

• The most important thing to do with the cloak is make it your own. Rather than a pristine finish, we opted to look like a down-and-dirty adventurer so we distressed the cloak and hood significantly. You can use a metal bristled brush and go to town all over the cloak. We also added some tears randomly.

STEP TEN: The face paint can be an assortment of the crazy colors from the game. The skin colors are white pastel variations with shades of gray, green, blue, and violet. We opted for a very white look with a tiny bit of blue added in, applied it evenly across the entire face, and used black eyeliner to really make the eyes pop. Our eye shadow is a rich purple that helps break up the rest of the face. Just apply it to the eyelids and upper socket region of your eye.

STEP ELEVEN: The contacts! This is what makes the costume so eye-catching. We used our White Out Contact Lenses to finalize the Awoken look. It’s unnerving looking into someone’s eyes when they’re wearing these contacts, and that's exactly what we wanted!

FINAL STEP: Put the costume on! Start with the one piece jumpsuit. Step into the harness and secure it tightly around your body. Put the boots, helmet, and cloak on, and pick up your auto rifle to head to orbit for your first patrol.

It’s dangerous out in the wild, just remember what our good friend Dinklebot says: “Eyes up, Guardian.”