Preparations for Halloween 2010
Holiday recipe
Going to a party and need to bring that perfect holiday dish?
Better Homes and Gardens magazine offers many delicious recipes for Halloween parties that will satisfy not only a haunted theme, but also any guest's appetite. One recipe offers a dressed up version of a crowd favorite: chips and dip.
All that you need to make their Tombstone Taco Dip is a traditional guacamole recipe, refried beans, salsa, ranch dressing, taco seasoning, chopped chicken, pitted olives, shredded lettuce and tortillas.
After arranging the various dips in layers, place the "tombstones", or tortilla chips, in rows throughout the dish.
A slight variation of the Better Homes and Gardens recipe is the addition of paprika in front of the headphones to resemble fresh dirt placed over the graves.
To find the full recipe visit http://www.bhg.com/recipe/poultry/tombstone-taco-dip.
Popular costumes for 2010
Anticipated by many, and dreaded by others, it's time to find that perfect costume.
Fox News reported the hottest trends for 2010 costumes are many of the prepackaged costumes found at stores such as Ahh's or Party City. Lady Gaga, Avatar and Alice in Wonderland characters have been reported as this years most popular.
2010's most popular tandem costume is Snookie and Pauly D.
According to online blogsite Suite101, this partnered costume has many options.
If you don't want to spend money on a costume, search your closet for a sexy black mini with a plunging neckline, find a long black wig, spray your skin into a bright orange color, and you instantly look like you just flew over from Jersey Shore.
Suite 101 insists the spray tan is a necessity for Pauly D's costume as well, paired with a tight black tank with fake muscle or tattoo sleeves.
Best places to trick-or-treat
Are you ever too old to trick or treat? When is it inappropriate to march up to a front door, ring the bell and hold out your pillowcase and exclaim, "trick or treat!"
Age doesn't matter, break out your candy bags, design your costume and march up to those doors with confidence.
Find a neighborhood, like north of Montana in Santa Monica or the Pacific Palisades to go walk around and wait till the little ones are done. These spots are known for having the best give-aways and extensive decorations.
SMC Student Luke Peterson says, 25th street and Montana is the best place to go, "you can't find more candy anywhere else."
In LA Magazine's review about the best places to trick-or-treat in Los Angeles they recommend heading out anytime after 9 p.m. as the kids are in bed by then, and the teenagers, who many sneaky college students can try to pass for, head out into the streets.
Best places for pumpkins
Grinning faces and jack-o-lantern carvings grace the front porches of every neighborhood during Halloween season, but who wants to pay $25 for a decoration that will rot in a week?
You don't have to! Today, October 27, the Santa Monica Farmer's market is having an "All you can carry pumpkin patch." With the payment of $5 you can walk away with as many pumpkins as you can carry.
"Balance them on your head, in your arms or dangle them from your teeth." As advertised on City of Santa Monica's website this offer is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
October 30, the Pico Farmer's Market is hosting free pumpkin decorating. "Locally grown, bright orange round pumpkins are the perfect canvas for glitter and googly eyes."
This is your chance to create your own masterpiece, something for the little trick-or-treaters to admire when ringing your doorbell.