It’s only April, and we are already getting a sneak peek at the new costumes for Halloween season. Most costumes don’t arrive in stores before the summer, but supplier Disguise have started the season off with new trend setting costumes. This year, the biggest influences are movies, such as Pirates of the Carribean and Spiderman 3. Costumes are available in a variety of price ranges and sizes. Here is a small sampling of costumes that will be arriving in the summer and early fall.

Disguise has designed a new line of licensed Pirates of the Carribean costumes to coincide with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End this May 3rd. A Prestige Premium Jack Sparrow costume is a reproduction of the famous character played lovingly by Johnny Depp. This deluxe costume comes complete with the famous brown leather look jacket and even includes his leather look tri-corn hat and bandana with beaded braids and boot tops. This is an improvement over the costumes from last year that had all parts sold separately. It is available in adult, teen and child sizes. A simpler version and less expensive costume are also new for 2007. It comes complete but without the coat. Introduced this year, is a new Elizabeth Pirate and Elizabeth Empress costume. They are both available in adult, teen and child sizes. Villains Davey Jones is now available in a Quality version for kids. Maccus Sharkman hammerhead costume is complete with rubber mask and is available in Adult and tween sizes.

Next to Pirates, the most anticipated movie this year is Spiderman 3. A complete new line of licensed costumes are available in both the red and blue Spidy style, and the new Black suited style. They come in three versions of quality, quality muscle (muscled torso only) and deluxe muscle (muscled torso and legs) and all come complete with mask, body suit and shoe covers. Gloves are sold separately. There is a full range of sizing, including toddler and child sizes. Infant sizing is available in the red and blue costume only. The red and blue versions are a slightly darker hue from the classic Spiderman, which for die hard fans, are still offered by Disguise. Villain costumes are also new this year. New Goblin and Venom costumes are available in Quality and Deluxe versions and in Adult, teen and child sizes.

Some notable mentions for this year are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes, with Raphael and Leonardo available in both Quality and Deluxe versions. These are sure to be popular this year with the release of the animated feature, TMNT. Diego, of Dora the Explorer fame has child sizes of the Nickelodeon character in both Quality and Deluxe versions. All new for 2007, are 2 versions of the Power Rangers – Operation Overdrive. They are available in a full range of child sizes and in your choice of red, black, blue or the skirted pink suit for girls. The suits come complete with belt, buckle and mask. Gloves and boots are sold separately.

Disguise also has a large new line of non-licensed costumes that include Garden Charms for tots, Fairy Precious for girls, and Shadow Ninjas for boys. This is just a small sampling of what’s to come. These products and more can be viewed at on-line retailers or at your local costume shops by early fall.



Check out the selection on our e-store. Click the link below:
http://msdress-up.com/shop/index.php?ma ... p;cPath=72

Ahhh, they said it couldn't be done, running a costume shop and having a baby1? But here we are, one year later as our son Leland William celebrates his first birthday. Today was a quiet day for him as we had the party yesterday with all of his family around him and some of our close friends. He didn't understand all that was happening, as the first birthday party was really a chance for us to say, we made it.

Cheers,
Ms. Dress-Up.

Hi Everyone,

We've set up our own web page on myspace.com. This is a fun way to get connected with the on-line community. Feel free to join us by clicking the link below.

Cheers,
Ms. Dress-Up.

http://www1.myspace.com/reloc.cfm?c=2&a ... 0ABC0C5F5A

Having a party? Why not make it into an event by creating a theme party. It’s great for all ages and it will be a change from the norm. These tips will help you get started:

1. Decide on a theme. Ideas can come from brainstorming with friends and family, the internet, books and magazines or pop culture such as movies and television. Be as creative as you like.

2. Decide on a date for your themed event. Make sure that it doesn’t conflict with any important family or work event or holiday (unless the theme is tied to the Holiday)

3. Create invitations that are tied into your theme. Mail or hand deliver the invites - it creates more excitement than a phone call. Allow at least two weeks before the party for mailing and ask that everyone RSVP so you know they received the invitation. Sometimes they get lost in the mail.

4. Make a list of all of the things that need to be accomplished before the party date. This might include food and drinks that you want to serve as well as music, decorations, party games, prizes, etc. You will feel less overwhelmed if you have written everything down.

5. The party doesn’t have to cost you a bundle. Ask guests to bring one item that you select for them that ties into the theme. This could be a food dish or a beverage. Include this in their invitation.

6. To encourage guests to dress in costumes, offer incentives such as door prizes (that can be purchased at the dollar store) or lottery tickets.

7. Ask friends ahead of time to help with music (can they provide CDs or LPs) and equipment or helping serve food and drinks. This will make you job as the host/hostess less stressful and you will be able to mingle with guests.

8. Have plenty of bottled water and non-alchoholic beverages available for guests.

9. Set an end time if you don’t want guests to overstay their welcome. You don’t want them to have too much fun! Don’t forget to have some cash on hand for taxis.

Some popular theme party ideas are:

* Great Gatsby / Prohibition - Roaring 20's
* Moulin Rouge
* Colour theme: pink, blue, etc.
* TitanicEra
* Hawaiin
* Disco - 1970's
* Mods and Rockers
* Mexican
* Vicars and Vixens
* Superheroes
* Screen Heroes and Heroines
* Legends
* Medieval / Knights
* Agatha Christie / Murder Mystery
* Pirates
* Wizards
* Fantasy / Sci-fi

Are your kids out of ideas on how to pass time during March Break? Rather than turning on the T.V. or the computer, why not break out some vintage clothes and have them play dress-up. Dress-up time is a wonderful opportunity for kids to use their imagination and create stories. It’s easy to get started and it does not have to break your budget. Here are some tips to successful dress-up:

1. Make it age appropriate. Three years is generally when both boys and girls like to put on costumes, but even younger kids enjoy putting on funny hats or other simple items.

2. Have a trunk, box or even laundry basket full of items for the kids to freely play with. Don’t put any precious heirlooms that might get damaged during play.

3. Collect items from different sources. First, look at what you have at home. Do you have old vintage items stored in your garage or closet? Good items include old hats, neckties, scarves, jewellery, shawls, hand bags, etc. Fabric can also make a great cape or shawl. As well, add old Halloween costumes from siblings. Just check that there are no sharp objects or small parts that can break off and be a choking hazard.

4. Other dress-up items can be picked up at your local costume shop, second hand store or garage sale. A tiara and magic wand can easily make your youngster into a fairy or a magician.

5. Engage with your child. As much as kids love dress-up, they love to see you put on a silly hat or accessory. Or invite a friend for a play date so that your child has a friend to play dress-up with.

6. Use your local library. There are books that teach kids how to dress-up like a pirate, fairy or knight. Some of these books help kids create costumes of their own out of construction paper, felt and fabric scraps. This can be a great rainy day project.

Finally, if your child is resisting, then put the trunk away. Dress-up should be a fun time for both kids and parents.