Make up can make you Marvelous this season…Halloween help

1 10 2009

... Professional Make UpWow Halloween is not only fun for costuming but with some fabulous makeup you can enhance your costume and yourself.  Think bling for faeries, princesses, and glamour. (we carry an awesome line called LA Splash (lasplashcosmetics.com), Mehron professional stage makeup for heavy pigments, awesome face painting and amazing F/X (can you say Zombie?, vampire punctures, and realistic injuries)  Mehron is great for this.

LASplash has glitters, mineral makeup, gel glitter eye and body colors in 300 colors….the lip glitters and glosses are eye popping and each piece is only 3.99 here at Odyssey.  I have added glitter to lips for an ice princess look…very realistic.

Eyelashes are the most wonderful enhancer to all costumes for the ladies…they make your eyes pop and this is the one night we can go crazy (though we wore them everyday in the 60’s)  They are a must with 60’s costumes and we give you a free ‘how to apply’ video with any makeup purchase over $10…so give eyelashes and some heavier colors a try for this holiday…you will be glad you did…being washed out in a gala party just won’t work.

You can get crazy with prosthetics…but that is another article…we have some ready made or you can make something yourself.

So whether you are ghoul or gorgeous glamour, do not forget the make-up…step out of your comfort zone and make people take notice and once again….have great FUN!


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Categories : Costumes, Fun Stuff

Killing Germs…dispelling some myths and the good news!

20 09 2009

So I am listening to my sweet Grandaughter singing Happy Birthday while washing her hands and so I ask about it.  My daughter says it gives her a timeline to kill the germs since children do everything in hyperspeed… which is true.  Well I knew that Antibacterial Soap did not have much benefit over regular soap (AARP article “Mythbusters”) but little did I know the great benefits of alcohol based hand sanitizers. (and AVON has them for just 1.99 )  It turns out alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice and bleach are great at murdering the really bad e-coli and other staph germs (though bleach is probably not the best choice environmentally)  So according to the experts at FDA then washing with antibacterial soap is about the same as plain soap and water…the period of time is important so sing Happy birthday 3 times or just sing…good for the world and good for your health…bad for germs.Marilyn

 


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Remembering Mom

12 08 2009

My mom abruptly went to heaven today…and though I was ready…I was not.  This woman went through polio, an abusive father and many financial hardships and this was her childhood.  When she met my dad at a diner/honkey tonk, their mutual hardships and survivor mentality was their bond.  They were married over 50 years with rich lives full of children, grandchildren and blessings.  Strangely, when speaking to my siblings, we all have different “special” memories of my mom.  Here are mine:

Though my mom was strict, she was always super-duper pampering when I sick…seven up, soup, a loving hand on my feverish forehead…her undivided attention in a large family….sadly, I was not sick much.

When I had my last child, the forth,  it was very difficult on me and my body  and my mom (who was working full time) took time off to spend with me.  Wow, what a pleasure to have her change diapers, talk to me, and fix me meals when I was weak and overwhelmed.

Weirdly, a lot of us in the family cooked…but what do I love about my mowedding pic mom dadm is her recipe for…are you ready for this?…egg salad…yes, I now make the best egg salad ever….thanks mom…

She was very willing to help me at my little Shoppe at the craziest time…Halloween….she would answer the phone oh so sweetly when all the rest of us regular employees were running around in circles like loony birds…and she liked it…I believe she even thrived and “looked forward” to this time with me.  I know I did…one more time

THANKS MOM…though I will miss you…you are back with Daddy now…in Gods loving hands…


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Belly Dance makes you Beautiful

25 07 2009
Dancers of Odyssey
Dancers of Odyssey

There is a magic to BellyDance that is different for everyone…it embraces you in it’s ancient arms as a wonderful dance for young and (in my case) old whether you have absolutely no dance experience or have danced all your life.  Wow!  It absolutely has the power to transform your life and each dancer has a different story.  Let me share a few…

One of my students was going through a horrible divorce, had put on 60 pounds and was feeling overwhelmed, sad, and ugly.  She related to me that literally this one little class I was teaching at a local recreation center was the one bright spot during very depressing, “just get to the next moment” days.  I moved to my own studio and she followed as an avid student.   She wound up being the absolute best dancer in my troupe, an high energy teacher and was a joy to watch and see with her sparkling smile and silly demeanor on stage.
Another stopped me after class to tell me that she started the class when her children were gone from home to fill a void and curiosity…now she actually has trained well and teaches this class herself.
My story as a dance teacher of Ballet, Modern and Jazz is probably typical…Ballet can wear out a body in two decades and the strain on bones is the hardest…especially when one is teaching 30 hours a week and trying to raise a family.  There is a new muscle pain or stress everyday and then you are over 40 knowing that something has to give but you must dance…Belly Dance fills that void with challenges, grace and ease to the body.
Sometimes I see students come into class with a misguided notion that bellydance is some kind of hoochie mama indulgence only to find that it has technique, style and grace that is compared to Ballet (which is a much younger dance style by the way)
When you are fluffy, Belly Dance does not care.  It wraps it moves around you with style and grace…When you are thin it can make you look like you have an imposing presence, when you are sad it can bring you joy…when you are young it makes your dance mature…if you are mature, it makes you move youthfully…and the costumes????  Wow! (but that is another article)
I just read an article that wanted to figure out why Belly Dance makes you beautiful.  It is what it is…ancient earth mother of dance for us all, nurturing the best in us.

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Is Texting the next opportunity to be rude…

4 07 2009

As a Shop owner, there is rarely a day when a customer comes into the store that is not huddled over their phone while trying to do business with me…they want service but their attention is distracted and I wonder if the event they are going to (since they need something from my fun make believe store) will have their undivided attention.  I know I did not get their attention.  I have seen teens out on dates sitting at a table texting.  Are they texting each other?  Have they lost all social skills?  My opinion does not count to them but even college students have seen that it is distracting  when discussing it among their peers.  There are some that just don’t get it still…that they are saying loud and clear …this person on this text is more important than you are….once again “Do I matter to you?”  and the offender is clearly saying no.

thumbnailtextThis may be the next opportunity for a book in Sociology,  “the effects of cell and text use in communication” (if it has not already been written)  The question is, do I now add this to my ban of cell phone use while requesting service?  Now I say (along with the signs in my Shop) “I will be happy to help you when you are off of your cell”.  What verbage is next?  Don’t text while you try to talk to me?  Talking is quicker so put the phone away for another time at play???  If anyone who owns a business has come up with a pleasant solution please let me know…because these are nice people with an ugly habit.


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A hmmm moment…why can’t schools of higher learning figure out how to design enough parking spaces for everyone attending?

12 06 2009

There are many great mysteries to life…but this one always stumps me.  I am very impressed with college campuses of all types and have been to many.  But of University of Texas at El Paso, TCU, SMU, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Womans University, Texas Weslyan University, and our local Junior college parking spaces are like gold …complete treasures and impossible to find making many students (myself including) late to class in the search of the elusive resting place for our vehicle.  Whenever I am looking for an ice breaker question I ask…did you have enough parking spaces at your college…everyone I have ever chatted with says “no”…so what about it?  Has anyone out there ever always had a place to park (commuter students only)

Isn’t this simple Mathematics?  so many students…so many vehicles…so much space needed to park?  I am certain that this would be a great problem or study for any math dept…so tell me please…where are the appropriate amount of parking places at institutions of higher education? 

image Until the next mystery of the modern world…Happy hunting! (of parking spaces, that is…)


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Party theme ideas for Adults

24 04 2009

Day after Day peeps come into my Shoppe and I get to hear great ideas for their parties and share these ideas with others so if you are stuck for a theme for your next shindig then here are some ideas for you:

Murder Mystery anyone – the upside to this boxed game (Murder at the Mardis Gras, Honky Tonk Homicide, A taste for Wine and Murder etc…) is that all the work except food is done for you and that your guests have some responsibility for their own fun here.  You send out the pre-printed invites, they wear items or costumes to go with their assigned “character” and show up.  There are food and decoration tips and this is always fun…(I have done two)  The downside is that if you are a super popular host then these games are usually limited to 8-12 people total so you should pick the most dependable dramatic friends to invite.  The night goes quickly…I must warn you.

  

Wine and Wig party – OK, so you just want to have a fun casual social event and you are worried people will run out of things to talk about.  If the wine does not loosen their tongues, then the intriguing choice of wigs will…Each person wears some type of wig…and there are lots to choose from in my Shoppe and possibly the odd creepy looking one left over from some Halloween in your child’s toy chest.  The upside is the fun conversation and simple preparation (buy wine, drink wine…adding a few appetizers) Also, I love the sound on the tongue of WINE AND WIG

…the downside is…who is the guy in that blue troll wig?

 

Retro Party – These are hugely popular and can be themed or not…you can just say “Retro” and people can choose an era that is gone…you can say “Disco” encompassing 70’s and 80’s….you can say “Hippie” encompassing 60’s and 70’s casual fun….but be careful because if you say 70’s, they may come as 1770 as a colonist or 1870 as a Victorian or pioneer styling…people do have fun with semantics…

I like it being open “Retro party” and then you can see what creative friends you have. (or not)…WARNING: as with all parties, there will be the few that will want to attend but not dress….my niece put on her costume party invitation that those not in costume would be given a trash bag to wear…and she enforced it!!

 

A day at the Races or Ham in a Hat party -  Its all about what’s on the top of your head…not necessarily what in your head…we all have a favorite hat or would like a reason to get a new one…so grab your hat…any fun hat…and show up for some fun.

 

Superheros Soiree - This is curiously enlightening …what would Bob at the office wear as a superhero?  What would your superpower be…do you look good in tights?  Well invite your friends and gather as superheros should….for super supper or scrumptious snacks…

Star Wars, Star Trek, Pirate, TV personality, Movie Personality, Will Farrell party, Broadway, Academy Award Party, A day at the Races, Saturday Night Live Party, Alice in Wonderland Party, Wizard Party (Wiz, Wiz of OZ, Harry Potter, Gandolf would all work at a party like this) Masquerade Party, Beautiful Bug party….one of my favs is “come as what you wanted to be when you grew up” party….

OK, these are a few…and I am certain you know more…so add a comment or two about your great ideas!


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Recession Depression (candy is dandy)

19 03 2009

Alrighty then, I am out of audio books and that means that occasionally I listen to the radio…huge mistake!  Doom, gloom, good old boys getting richer, families struggling, fat cats skimming the hard earnings of everyone, and bad news abound.  I am raising my hand right now to say that I would not turn off the radio for good news…that there are stocks doing well, Mrs. (insert your name here) has met their financial obligations and then found time to volunteer at the local seniors center/nursing home/meals on wheels.  This is happening….good things are all around.  Why just this morning I got the greatest email …that the All Candy Expo is at MccandyCormick Place in Chicago on May 18-21.  Now I have been to a lot of conventions but wow, this would be a fun one.  I can just smell the sweet scent of sugar in the air.  My taste buds would go on overload, my inner child would awaken, and I might even want to open another business. 

What does this have to do with the recession you wonder?  Well…it’s just this.  Businesses are still open for you (all of them have not gone under or robbed you of your life savings or borrowed from the government), people are still working and earning and living (the whole work force has not been laid off), schools are still educating our children, we are still planning our summer vacation or home improvements though perhaps a little gingerly, my dog still loves me and I am still able to help my friends who are struggling right now in my small way ….and there are still Candy conventions, Easter eggs, bake offs, scholarships for hard working students, children,  chocolates, another day….so enough with the doom and gloom already.  We have enough in our own lives to manage…do not give me an overload of it in the media.  Can good news have equal billing please?????

Wake up…the world is an opportunity not a problem…and I am checking out more books straight away!:0)


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St. Patrick’s day is coming March 17th…5 reasons to wear green!

2 03 2009

OK, we all try to wear green on St. Patrick’s day and our Costume Shoppe definitely has you covered with wigs, tattoos, hats, gloves, full costumes and so much more!  However, a little known fact is that it was once blue that was the colour of this day. (in Ireland)  Many say it is the shamrocks that we try to emulate…some say it is the green in the Irish flag or the color of their Lassies eyes…but for whatever reason, green is the color of the Irish celebration!

Though I never need a reason to wear a costume, most of you do so St. Paddie’s day is a great holiday for this in the Spring… so

Reason 5 – Spring is coming so wear green!

Reason 4 – You might get pinched if you do not wear green…ouch! (no fun to be pinched)

Reason 3 – If you work in a bar and wear a cute green costume you definitely will get lots more tips….so spice it up!

Reason 2 – Green is the color of money and good luck and we could all use more of that

Reason 1 – You look great in green ….admit it….

So boogie on in and look at the great stockings, garters, ties, buttons, sashes and more that we have to spice up your day…or head on in to your local store for your green scene!Good-Luck-Charm-Halloween-Costume

“May your house always be too small to hold all your friends!”…an Irish quote


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All I ever learned about history was in my costume Shop; History comes alive in Costumes

1 03 2009

So, just 5 years back I learned about wax museums…I knew about the ones that have wax figures that you pay an admission price for, that are works of art, but this was different.  This was children acting out the part of a historical figure in history as a school project.  Now we are not only talking about presidents, astronauts and heros that we know but many others too.  People that I hadn’t heard of before (or slept with my eyes open during that lecture) were many and so I learned from the children that came in to chose a costume…some of these people in history that I had never heard of were inventors (Elijah McCoy), early warning riders (Sybil Ludington), and pioneers (Queen Bess Coleman)  I never heard of these wonderful folks before the little people came into my shop requesting costumes…they have delighted and educated me as to the huge world of fun history out there. (and I continue to learn)

In case you don’t know (and I didn’t ), here’s how a wax museum works:
1. the teacher gives the child a character in history to portray (or the child gets to choose)
2. The child does research into the character and time in history wherein they wish to portray their character
3.They dress like the character in a wax museum program where parents and other students visit. (which is where I come in with my Costume Shop)
4.  The visitor to the museum pushes a button or tag placed on the child (wax figure standing very still) and they come to life as the historical figure…i.e. – I am Sybil Ludington, known as the female “Paul Revere” .  I was born in …
5.  The child goes on for about a minute and we learn and are entranced with history (which I always found to be a bit of a bore as a youth)…the child has history come alive with insight and color…the observer is delighted by this mini museum of knowledge that is fun and much like a play.conductorcomposercolonial

This is one more facet of “the costume shop”…we are not just Halloween…we exist for much more….plays, school projects, business presentations and so much more.

So as much as I thought I was done learning my ABC’s and the history of our world, I am not, thanks to my little shop and the wonderful folks who continue to educate me…my customers!

(shown left is one of them…can you guess who he might be…a famous composer)

Till next time…this is the local Queen of Costumes saying History can be fun!

Happy regards,

Nacheska


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