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The sight is utterly tragic — waves of white sheets and witch hats, the unflattering billows of wizard robes. A street is dominated by tedium. Families come trudging down the sidewalk, intent only on securing treats instead of honoring tricks. And you are…disappointed.

Halloween is to be a celebration of the strange and wonderful. Too often, though, is it shaped to bland expectations. There is hope to find, however — new trends are appearing in the public’s shopping habits, and these offer promising effects for the future:

Night of the Living Costume

Horror isn’t meant to be tamed to sulking monsters and their quests for redemption (the immortal, yet all too moral, vampires). It’s instead to be shaped to the perverse, and an emerging trend is to embrace that with zombie costumes. These outfits are collections of blood, bones and exposed brains. They feature intricately detailed pieces, with facial masks and accessories all tailored to appear grotesque. Wander the streets with the deliberate gait of the undead. Terror can be discovered once again.

Halloween Meets Bollywood

The season of ghosts and goblins is forever deemed frightening. It’s meant to conjure images both bizarre and unsettling. There is a sense of joy that is beginning to invade the anxiety, however, and Bollywood costumes will soon become common. Experience the giddy style of Indian cinema with this unique ensemble. It’s defined to bright colors, bold patterns and dramatic designs. The look is flattering to both men and women, and offers distinction among the expected ghouls.

The Decade of Excess

Trends never truly fade. They simply tuck themselves away until the seasons summon them once more. Fashion always wanders back to its beginnings, and Halloween is proving this yet again. The styles of the 1980s are soon to be seen along all chic streets. A new pattern of white-washed denim, parachute pants, fingerless gloves and sneakers is beginning to appear. Individuals are expressing themselves through the always bold — and often questionable — designs that defined an entire decade. It’s a collection of plastic bangles and glittery headbands, and it’s certain to continue.

Wonderland Whimsy

Fantasy has forever dominated October. It is a month of whimsy and wonder: with the young and the young at heart able to indulge in all things surreal. This has led to a sudden revival of Lewis Carroll and his creations.

The story of Alice and her looking glass discoveries is known to all, and such knowledge has generated an interest in blue gowns and white pinafores. Become the befuddled heroine (with her patent-leather shoes and blonde curls) and explore the holiday. This costume is a particular favorite among large groups as supporting characters are also available — queens, kings and march hares can all be found with ease.

Create a Halloween that is like no other: one of terror, decadence and surrealism. Are you prepared to embrace your inner-monster?

Technorati Tags: alice in wonderland, bollywood, bollywood costumes, costume trends of the future, halloween, lewis carroll, night of the living dead costumes, zombie costumes

With High School proms happening all over the United States; police are cracking down on the number of drunk teenagers driving home. They are setting up check points on main roads, and visiting schools to warn students on the dangers of drunk driving. Parents are being asked to speak with their children, to help prevent deaths and DUIs. Below we have put together some statistics about this time of year and some preventive measures parents can use to keep their teen safe.

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Modern maternity wear is oh-so-fashionable these days. Long gone are the shapeless dresses, over-sized tops and stretchy pants of just a few years ago. As hot celebrity moms have transformed the baby bump into a fashion statement, the less famous moms-to-be have definitely benefited.

However, you don’t always want to blow a fortune on a designer wardrobe you’ll only wear for a few months.

Try these tips to find maternity clothes that look wonderful and fit your budget:

1. Trade With a Friend

If you have a friend or relative who has just had a baby or is further along than you are, hand-me-down maternity clothes are the way to go. At no cost other than an owed favor, you can fill your closet with clothing in a variety of sizes to last from the first time your bump begins to show until you deliver.

Just remember to return them when you’re done or pass them along to another pregnant friend.

2. Consignment Stores

Another budget-friendly option is the consignment store. These establishments deal in gently-used, high-quality items. In some cases, you can even find new items that someone bought but never wore. Expect to pay about half the price you would at a retail store. This is also a great way to clean out your closet once you’re back in your pre-pregnancy clothes.

3. Online Stores and eBay

This is a great way to find a bargain! Many eBay sellers make a living from combing bricks-and-mortar stores for items reduced to below dirt-cheap and reselling them at what is still a considerable discount. Online stores also offer great deals due to the volume of their sales.

4. The Clearance Rack

Who cares if your maternity clothes are last year’s style? As long as they’re not so trendy to be downright hideous, go for the low price tag over the current trend whenever you can. While it’s fine to pick up the latest fashions for a special occasion, your priority should be saving money for the coming baby.

5. Speciality Stores

While the prices are often high, stores that specialize in maternity clothes often have the latest styles and best selection. Save money by shopping the sales as often as possible. Some of the most popular maternity shops include:

• Motherhood – This maternity store has it all. From the latest designs in tops, bottoms, and dresses to coats and lingerie, this could be your one-stop-shop for maternity clothes.
• A Pea in the Pod – With the cutest name ever, this store offers clothing items for the not-so-traditional mom-to-be.
• Mothercare – These UK stores offer a very traditional (i.e. very British) look for expecting mothers.

6. Make It Yourself

If you’re handy with a thread and needle – or sewing machine – you can always copy those hot designer looks for a fraction of the cost. Although this option isn’t for everyone, it can satisfy that obsessive nesting instinct for many prospective mommies.

Keep in mind that your body will change faster than you can imagine while you’re pregnant; there are calendars to track pregnancy out there so be sure to consult with these before shopping.

What’s your favorite maternity fashion statement?

Technorati Tags: a pea in the pod, maternity clearance clothing, maternity consignment stores, mothercare, motherhood

… Does anybody find this image creepy? Or is it just me…

Technorati Tags: judas, Lady Gaga

Every bride-to-be wants the wedding of her dreams, but celebrity brides can afford to dream a little bigger than the rest of us. From all-star bridal parties to reception entertainment by Sir Elton John, here are some of the best and biggest celebrity weddings in the Lone Star State.

1. Pop Singers Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey

image: http://www.wedding-teen.com

Even though the two stars are no longer together, this high-profile couple set the bar for getting married in Austin in October 2002. Pop star Jessica Simpson wore a strapless A-line beaded dress designed especially for the bride by Vera Wang. Simpon’s exquisite bouquet took over twelve hours to make and featured 500 stephanotis flowers with individual pearls sewn onto each flower. This celebrity wedding took place at Austin’s Riverbend Church with former 98 Degrees members Drew Lachey and Justin Jeffries in attendance.

2. PGA Golfer Hunter Mahan and Former Dallas Cheerleader Kandi Harris

image: http://www.celebritybrideguide.com

This athletic Dallas couple hosted one of the most stylish weddings in Texas history in January 2011. Harris was stunning in a strapless mermaid gown with silver embroidery. In true Texan fashion, the former cheerleader carried a bouquet of yellow and white roses. Her groom wore a timeless Tom Ford tux. The elaborate reception boasted a photo booth, a “Kandi bar,” and a seven-tier wedding cake. Best of all? Harris’ “something blue” was a pair of blue Manolo Blahnik heels.

3. Tennis Star Andy Roddick and Swimsuit Model Brooklyn Decker

image: http://static.thehollywoodgossip.com

When the press learned these two hot celebrities were getting married in Austin, the paparazzi immediately began staking out spots near Roddick’s Austin home. This gorgeous pair held a casual and intimate wedding in April 2009 with a denim-only dress code. Only Decker broke the dress code by wearing a beautiful ivory Vera Wang gown. The reception was held at Roddick’s country club, where none other than Sir Elton John provided the wedding entertainment.

4. Actors Jensen Ackles and Danneel Harris

image: http://cdn.buzznet.com/

These two former soap stars took the traditional wedding route when they married at sunset in May 2010. Harris turned heads in a Monique Lhuillier strapless gown with a bustled skirt while Ackles charmed in a traditional black tux. The bridal party included actor Jared Padalecki and several of Harris’ female co-stars on One Tree Hill. Both the wedding and black-tie reception were held at the upscale Rosewood Crescent Court Hotel in Dallas.

5. Former Presidential Daughter Jenna Bush and Henry Hager

Image: http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/

It’s hard to imagine this high-profile couple having anything but a private Texas wedding, and that’s exactly what these two political figures did in May 2008. The wedding was held at the Bush family ranch in Crawford. Bush wore an embroidered organza Oscar de la Renta gown while all the men wore black suits. Dinner and dancing for the wedding’s 200 guests were hosted in tents on the property.

From Vera Wang to Manolo Blahnik, Texas celebs know how to get hitched in style. Which celebrity weddings did we miss? Which are your favorite Lone Star State celebrity weddings?

Technorati Tags: Andy Roddick, austin weddings, Brooklyn Decker, celebrity weddings, crawford weddings, Danneel Harris, Henry Hager, Hunter Maha, Jenna Bush, Jensen Ackles, jessican simpson, Kandi Harris, Nick Lachey, the lone star state weddings, weddings in texas