Hostess Scary Cakes

Two days ago, I talked about the return of Orange S'Cream Twinkies and the return of Hostess Halloween products.  Well, with those beautifully filled sponge cakes comes another spooky legend - Scary Cakes!!  Now, we've talked about these Halloween-themed cupcakes in the past, but long before we ever thought they'd disappear.  In 2012, I reviewed Scary Cakes and compared them to what they used to be.  Sure, the cupcake itself has stayed relatively the same, but the box art and package design has changed almost every single year.  Then, I talked about the old-school Munster Pack and change to Monster Cakes.  Those were monumental times in my life because I was literally drawn in by these works of art and inspired to illustrate, animate, color and design myself.  There were something about those pieces that infatuated me and filled my heart with Halloween spirit.  To this day, I can remember where I was and who I was with whenever those boxes were bought, put on the table, or opened.  It was a happy time, now a nostalgic period, and I payed homage to that in 2012.  Then, as I mentioned two-days ago, Hostess closed up shop and Scary Cakes were gone... forever?  So it seemed, but in 2014, Scary Cakes are back!!  This time, I'm not comparing them to the past.  I'm just happy they're once again a part of the present.

Halloween at Dunkin Donuts - A Holidaze Tribute

Dunkin Donuts and I go way back.  For as long as I can remember, that logo you see above has been a part of my life in one way or another.  Whether it was my Dad bringing home that retro box of a dozen donuts to my Grandparents or my Mom ordering a large hot coffee, there are many memories and a great deal of nostalgia now associated with the pink and orange.  In particular, Dunkin Donuts will always have a strong connection to Halloween.  So much, in fact, that it's become an annual tradition to indulge as much as possible when this time of year rolls around.  Don't get me wrong, I drink two iced coffees a day, but the spooky season invites us to take our game to the next level and really soak in The Holidaze.

Castle Dracula - Wildwood, NJ (Guest Post by Sean Gallagher)

When I was a child, my family and I often traveled to the Jersey Shore to bask in the Summer sun.  For us, a trip to Pt. Pleasant or Seaside, NJ was a quick break from the everyday hustle and bustle of the real world.  But, just a bit further south, was Wildwood, NJ.  My time there was rare, but one thing I'll never forget was this giant castle that stood out head and shoulders above the other attractions.  I was far too small and even more afraid to get anywhere close to it, but I'll never forget my Father and cousin entering what I considered Hell's gates.  Although I was too young to understand, I was looking at one of the most beloved New Jersey landmarks of all time!  Given that I don't have the memories or knowledge to truly capture what this place was, I reached out to one of my best friends, Sean Gallagher.  Today, in this very special guest post, I invite you to sit back and read from his point of view.

Take it away, @Writer_Sean

Yestercades

This past Tuesday, my friend Sean and I went down to Red Bank, NJ to visit Yestercades on Broad Street.  Sean had been there before and raved about just how awesome it truly was.  We planned on going last year, but plans fell through and we never got around to it.  To hold me over, I stayed local and stopped by Barcade in Jersey City.  That place is great, especially because its geared toward adults who like to drink while playing classic arcade games, but Yestercades promised so much more for people of all ages.  Between the reviews I received from my buddy and the positivity online, I knew this was going to be a much cooler experience than I first thought.  We were on our way.

There are two locations in New Jersey - Red Bank and Somerville - and each offer a different variety of games, but the purpose remains the same.  Yestercades is designed to bridge the gap between yesterday and today.  Not only can you play the vintage arcade games that we all grew up with, but you can also sit back on a leather couch and pop in the latest Xbox game to play with friends.  That's right, along with the famous cabinet arcade games, retro and modern consoles are available to you on large-screen TV's.  And the best part?  You can leave the quarters at home.  For merely $8.75 and hour or $25 for the day, unlimited access to every game is literally at your fingertips.

Everywhere you looked, there were vintage arcade cabinets.  You were surrounded by them.  If the retro sounds weren't enough to bring you back to a simpler time, that familiar arcade smell we all know and love will surely do the trick.  I don't know if it's old plastic, dusty screens, or sweaty palms, but arcades have always had that same aroma and I wouldn't have it any other way.  It's a whiff of nostalgia that can only be inhaled at places like Yestercade.  For a nostalgic nut like me, that's something I wish I could bottle up and bring home with me.  It's a reminder of my childhood and when I think of the Jersey Shore, three scents are synonymous:  the food, the ocean, and the arcades.  Hey, Yankee Candle, figure that one out!

There was no doubt about which game we were going to play first.  In my opinion, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is THE greatest arcade game of all time.  I've said it before when I visited Barcade and I'll say it again - TMNT stands high and above the rest in the world of retro arcade games.  Yes, there are many that have come close and have revolutionized the genre in their own right, but nothing quite like TMNT.  Off the top of my head, I can think of a few.  The Simpsons Arcade Game is surely a fan favorite.  Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat changed the way we viewed fighting games.  And, of course, games like Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and Pac-Man (all of which were at Yestercades) paved the way for the games of my generation.  But, at the end of the day, there's nothing I'd choose over TMNT besides, maybe, Turtles in Time.  I know.. The last few posts have me painted as a biased Turtle fan, but I swear I'm being objective.

Another of of my all-time favorite arcade games is WWF WrestleFest.  Wow, if I had every quarter that I ever put into WrestleFest machines as a child, I'd have well over $200.  I spent countless hours playing this classic and, to this day, it never gets old.  The gameplay wasn't all that special, but the characters and the way they were designed always drew me in.  My favorite Superstars of that era were cartoony and colorfully vibrant.  In a lot of ways, that represented the time and maybe that's why I've always loved WrestleFest so much.  Unfortunately, this cabinet was 2-players only and we were unable to team up in an attempt to battle the Legion of Doom, but we did have a blast in the Royal Rumble.  In the end, the Ultimate Warrior took out Sgt. Slaughter to be victorious.  Sorry, Sean..

Like any great arcade, Yestercades had a wide variety of pinball machines.  Growing up, my Dad owned an arcade in Bayonne, NJ and we housed The Addams Family Pinball Machine for well over a year.  I usually played the beat 'em ups, but I could always count on Gomez and Uncle Fester to save me from boredom when my favorites were overrun by the older teenagers.  My Dad and I always had so much fun playing The Addams Family Pinball Machine and he was really good at it.  I don't know how much of it was skill as opposed to luck, but it created many memorable moments.  Yestercades actually had The Addams Family and I was looking forward to giving it another shot after all these years, but it was broken and being repaired while we were there.  But just seeing it from afar was cool enough for now.  When I head back, it's certainly on the list of things to do.  Until then, there were plenty of machines to choose from and all of them were a lot of fun.

Here's what separates Yestercades from every other arcade I've ever been to.  Although the vintage arcade games may be great for people like me who grew up with them, the kids of today are used to everything on-demand.  Technology has taken things in a different direction and going to the arcade to play a video game is, sadly, a thing of the past.  It takes more time and money to get there than it does to simply sit back and download an emulator or game via console stores.  It's something we dreamed of as kids, but the new era of gaming is issentially the Redbox to an arcade's Blockbuster.  So how do you avoid going out of business, becoming a crane-based establishment, and lure in kids and adults alike?  You offer every video game console ever created.  It's absolutely genius and, believe it or not, it's an idea I offered my Dad years ago to the sound of laughter and rolling eyes.  This changes the game.  Pun intended.

Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega, Nintendo 64, Sega CD, Dreamcast, Playstation, Xbox... You name it, they had it.  Now, why is that special?  Kids today probably own either an Xbox or Playstation, if not both, and can play with their friends online.  We all know that and it's awesome, but how many own the classics?  Personally, besides the OUYA, I no longer have any of them.  But to be honest with you, consoles like Sega and Nintendo 64 still stand the test of time and instead of kids coming over after school and parents having to watch over everybody, Yestercades welcomes 10-20 kids to sit back and play against each other in person.  Imagine that, in person?  In today's day and age, that's almost unheard of.  Why see each other when I can text, chat, or snap?  Imagine that..

Not only does Yestercades offer so many vintage gaming options, but the games are available to you as well.  Do you know how awesome it was seeing Wrestlemania 2000 and WCW/NWO Revenge for N64?  That brings me back to skipping track practice to play my cousin in the battle between Sting and Han Zo Mon.  Probably not the best idea for a budding athlete, but a great idea for a kid who loved video games.  Now, Yestercades welcomes kids of today to also skip out on their priorities and obligations in an attempt to save the princess, save the world, win the championship, or eat ghosts.

Yestercades also offered board games to their customers, but I don't think I saw one person playing or even interested in that idea.  I thought it was cool, but the thought of playing one never actually crossed my mind until I got home and looked further into the photo.  That Nickelodeon Double Dare game is one I always wished I'd received as a child and would probably be a lot of fun to play with a group of friends.  Operation is always a classic and almost as nerve-wrecking as Perfection.  Candyland, for as simple as it is, can be a great time and was always my favorite as a young child.  Plus, Trivial Pursuit 80s edition is probably very challenging.  Even though I wasn't born until 1987, I'm a big fan of 80s culture and nostalgia so that would have been a blast.  I don't think these games are necessarily meant for two guys in their late 20s, but kids should take advantage of these classic board games when visiting Yestercades.  They're clearly under appreciated.

As an added touch, to go along with the vintage movie posters and decorations throughout Yestercades, their display cases were filled with classic gaming consoles, handhelds, and games from over 20 years ago.  Everything is lit nicely and displayed to be visual art that acts as a tiny museum on your way in and out of the establishment.  Everything is in mint condition and, together, your mind is taken on a journey back in time through sensory overload.  Between all of it, combined with everything we've already discussed, this is a complete rush of nostalgia that only Yestercades, in my experience, has been able to offer.

If you're in or around New Jersey, I highly recommend taking a trip to Yestercades.  When Sean and I went, it was a bit crowded and we didn't get to experience half of what we wanted to but, with more time and less people, the experience could have only been better.  We had a wonderful time and I have no doubt you would too.  If you're not in the NJ area, then I suggest Googling vintage arcades in your hometown because ya never know what's out there.  If not for my friend, I would have never known about Yestercades and their vast variety of vintage gaming options.  So look into what's near you and, hopefully, you'll be just as happy as yellow-bandana-wearing Michelangelo.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal - Reborn

When I first heard that a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie had been green-lit for production, I was just as excited for the new merchandise to come with it.  Whenever big super-hero movies come to life on the big screen, they pretty much come to life everywhere else, too.  Toys, video games, collectibles, clothing - you name it, it's produced.  But unlike when I was a child, the one thing we don't see tied into promotions any longer are cereals.  Growing up, I loved eating cereals associated with my favorite TV show, cartoon or movie.  Remember Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters?  How about The Addams Family?  The Jetsons?  They were all classics released by Ralston, known for their licensed cereals, in the early 90s.  Whether they tasted great or not doesn't matter, it's simply the fact that breakfast became an extension of your favorite characters.  That meant a lot to me as a kid because I couldn't get enough of what I loved.  Slimer for breakfast, an Ecto-Cooler for lunch, Flintstones Mac & Cheese for Dinner and a Turtle Pie for dessert.  To me, that sounds like one hell of a day in the life.  But when I really look back on all the classic cereals of my time, especially the ones produced by Ralston, there will always be one that stands head and shoulders above the rest... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal!

Now, don't get your hopes up or be fooled by the image above.  No, unfortunately they did not release a new TMNT cereal.  In my opinion, somebody missed the boat and lost out on the perfect opportunity to bring back a legend.  Even if they didn't recreate the original recipe, any TMNT cereal would have sold like hot cakes.  Between the new Nickelodeon TV series and the upcoming film, I'm personally shocked that there wasn't a partnership made with General Mills.  As a fan, It's disappointing that we may never see another TMNT cereal, but who's stopping us from bringing it back ourselves?

If you look at the original ingredients, the recipe isn't all that hard to recreate.  The "Ninja Nets" were essentially Chex cereal and, upon further research, Ralstons is the former name of the original Chex, so the flavor has to be spot on.  In addition, the TMNT Cereal included marshmallows.  Although they were probably filled with a lot more sugar than what I'd find today, there are still plenty of cereals that feature marshmallows and I just so happened to have a few of them in my cabinet.  I guess buying 20 boxes of Monster Cereals last Halloween pays off in more ways than one.  Thankfully, one of those leftover Frankenberry boxes doesn't expire until the end of the month.  Now we have the Chex, we have the marshmallows, and all I needed was the box.  If you're going to bring TMNT cereal back to life, an original box is absolutely necessary and eBay offers a variety of boxes at a low price.  We're on our way.

Buying the box is one thing and it's cool to include in the background of photos, but we have to do this the right way.  So out of the modern box comes a bag of Chex and into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal box it goes.  To truly have the perfect TMNT breakfast on the morning of the new movie's release, there's nothing better than pouring a bowl of reborn cereal from the classic 1990 box.  Covered in TMNT art and images of the original Playmates toys on the back, it's the perfect way to relive the past and celebrate the future by embracing the present.

We'll add the marshmallows later, but this photo is symbolic of what I remember.  For some reason, it always seemed like there were never enough marshmallows in my TMNT cereal.  Granted, I was about 3 or 4-years-old and probably would have preferred an entire bowl of marshmallows rather than Ninja Nets, but I still think the memory is valid.  Regardless, things were going to change this time around.  By adding the marshmallows into the bowl later, we'll be sure to have just as many tiny bites of sugar as we want.  But by this point, since I haven't eaten Chex since the days of TMNT Cereal, the smell alone is already taking me back to the 90s.

I almost purchased an original Turtle Bowl that once came wrapped with the TMNT Cereal, but couldn't bring myself to doing so without it being mint.  I started to feel a bit like Howie Mandel and got germ'd out by the thought of somebody eating from that same bowl for the last 24 years.  I wish I still had my original set, but I don't think there's enough dish detergent in the world to change my mind.  So, we'll have to stick with a generic bowl of TMNT Cereal, but it still looks awesome.  Just pretend that those bats are ninja stars and those Frankeberry heads are Turtle Coms.  We have to use at least a little imagination, here!

Pour in the milk and.. voila! We've now recreated the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal!  This is something I've wanted to do for quite a while, but haven't had a reason to go out and buy everything that was needed.  But with the new movie being released in just a few hours, it was now or never.  There's no better time to embrace Turtle Power than this week and that's why we've been celebrating the franchise all week long.  For those of you who aren't fans, you're probably counting down the days to Halloween or may have already unfollowed me on Twitter, but this is a huge week for Turtle fans and fans of nostalgia alike.  The busy season will soon be upon us, but this week has been a blast and, based on other sites I've read recently, we all seem to have the same theme in mind.  I'm loving it!

When you bite down into the reborn TMNT Cereal, you're instantly brought back in time.  I mean, wow... it's pretty amazing how powerful the senses of taste and smell can be and you'll immediately have a neural reaction to the sensation.  Memories came flooding back and that's exactly why I invested the time and money into this little project.  Does it taste good?  Well, it tastes like the original cereal so... no, it doesn't taste all that great.  It's not bad, but it certainly isn't anything special and that's pretty much the story of Ralston's run with licensed cereals.  But that's not why I did this.  If I wanted a cereal that tastes great, I would have picked one that I eat all year.  No, this was done in tribute to the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and to celebrate the nostalgia that comes with everything associated with the original breakfast cereal.

Now, to throw in even more fun, did you ever wonder if those Ninja Nets really work?  In the cartoon, I've only seen them used a few times and usually, as we've seen in TMNT 2: Secret of the Ooze, they usually work against our fearsome four.  So, as an added experiment, I let my TMNT Cereal sit for a while in an attempt to see what these Ninja Nets are capable of.  Would we catch anything other than bugs?

Yes!  Straight from Dimension-X, Krang thought he'd catch the upper hand while I was sleeping.  Little did he know I was luring him in with a Ninja Trap in order to save New York City and the world.  The Ninja Turtles have taught me well and, for now, the world can rest easy.  But.. where is Shredder?  He wasn't dumb enough to fall for my tricks and is still on the loose.  Until he shows his metal face, Krang will stay locked up in my room next to the other toys.  As a side note, please make sure nobody from work reads this entry ;)

In all seriousness, this was a great time and I'm very happy with how everything turned out.  This was worth every dollar and minute of time.  This site is all about bringing happiness to life, whether it's through the holidays, nostalgia, or current events, it's my goal to bring that inner child out of you and help you remember that it's important to not always take life so seriously.  If you're a Turtle fan, this is a must-make and it really only costs you the price of two cereal boxes.  If you happen to have a retro box of TMNT cereal, then that's even better.  Have fun with it, eat breakfast with somebody, share a few laughs and get creative.  Work and school will still be there when you're done.

Now I just need to figure out how to resurrect Turtle Pies!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 2014 Movie Figures

 

Since I was a child, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures have always lured me in, fascinated me, and given me countless hours of enjoyment.  I'll never forget the Christmas morning when I received the TMNT Party Wagon and Sewer Lair from Santa.  I was about 3-years-old and my Parents, as they always did, placed those two big presents toward the back of the tree to make me think I wasn't the good boy I thought I was all year.  I even said to them "Maybe Santa didn't hear me when I asked him for the sewer."  I watch that home video now and think of how awesome it must have felt for my parents to know they absolutely made my year with those two pieces of plastic.  I call them that because that's what they are, literally, but those pieces of plastic mean so much more to a child.  There are countless memories, stories, and imagination that comes in every package.  What's also attached to the box is a whole lot of love.  Even if we don't realize it until years later, there's so much more to toys than simply an exchange of money for corporate profit.  I've never looked at in that way, even when I thought certain products were too expensive.  There's an amazing feeling of nostalgia and the resurrection of forgotten childhood that comes with every toy.  And for kids now, they're in the process of creating those memories now.  They're developing story lines, making up scenarios, using their imagination, developing their minds, and interacting with those around them.  Little do they know how much thought, from them and their parents or guardians, goes into every aspect of buying and playing with toys.  We've all enjoyed them, we've all experienced them, and I don't think you're ever to old to stop appreciating them.

With the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie coming out on Friday, I welcome you to relive the magic of the late 80s and early 90s by picking up some of the newest TMNT toys.  By clicking the link above, you'll be taken to EntertainmentEarth.com.  Personally, whenever I can't find a product in stores, that's where I go and it's my pleasure promoting them through the affiliate program on The Holidaze.  They're a great company and are always there for support.  At the moment, I currently have 11 items on pre-order and love that they don't charge you until the products arrive.  All I need to do is sit back and wait for them to arrive.  If you're looking for new Ninja Turtle figures, you know where to go!

  I chose to pick up the newest April O'Neil and Shredder figures because April is always harder to find than the others and Shredder looks fantastic!  Personally, I'm not a huge fan of how the 2014 movie Turtles look on film and it translates even worse in figure form, but I know I'm going to buy them anyway simply because they're going to be worth something, personally and financially, down the road.  That's worth buying from EntertainmentEarth.com.  But in the meantime, I have these to hold me over..

Although Leonardo was sold out, I couldn't pass up the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990 Movie Classics, especially the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Collection Original Movie Michelangelo Action Figure   The original feature film was the first movie I ever saw in theaters.  At 3-years-old, I was completely hooked on the TMNT and my Parents thought it was time to bring me to the theater.  For the Turtles, I would surely sit tight and not cause a fuss.  They were right and, since then, the original film has always been my favorite movie of all time.  Sure, there are some that come close, but when it comes to action, humor, memories, and nostalgia, this one takes the pizza.  So when I heard that these new figures were coming out, there was no doubt in my mind that I'd be picking them up.  Are they worth $20 a piece?  Maybe if they had some more detail, but I think the price is fairly reasonable in this economy.  That's the nature of the toy business, today.  Those who grew up in my generation are marketed to at a higher price because those kids are now adults with jobs who are willing to spend a little bit more money than usual to relive a part of their childhood.  Let's face it, that was a simpler time and this is a recollection of what we lived.  That's why they're sitting at home with me.

To conclude, yes I am part of the EntertainmentEarth.com affiliate program, but I would never support, promote or advertise anything that I didn't think was worth time on The Holidaze.  I've done business with them in the past and I truly believe they're second to none.  So if you want to purchase the brand new TMNT figures, that's the place to do it!

Halloween Superstore

I love shopping for Halloween.  Whether I'm looking for treats or a cool decoration, I always seem to find joy from a black and orange something or other.  Even when I'm not looking to buy, I can spend hours just browsing the aisles.  Halloween, more than any other holiday, provides me with such a sensory overload that I just can't get enough.  So, to give this fiend his fix, we went to Belleville, NJ to check out their "Halloween Superstore."  It's a site we visit regularly during the season and, in past years, has been my go-to spot for Halloween costumes.  I know the "Spirit" stores get most of the notoriety, but this place deserves more credit!

As soon as you walk through the doors, there's a smell of rubber masks and old Halloween make-up that rushes through your body like any good nostalgia should.  You're in a Halloween wonderland, surrounded by hanging devils, looming ghosts, and life-sized skeleton figures dressed for the wedding that never was.  Being there for only a matter of seconds, you feel as though you're in a haunted house without the threat of being scared.  That's why kids love this place, too.  It's the full Halloween experience for all ages.  And the best part, coming so early in September, is that there was no crowd at all.  I've been here the week of October 31st and, trust me, the enjoyment level drops to a two.  Much like Toys R Us on Christmas Eve, the Halloween Superstore gets crazy as we approach the big day, so getting a jump start was a great idea.

I see these dummies every year and, no matter how many times I look at them, they always freak me the hell out.  It's bad enough that they move and startle me when I walk passed, but they look way too real to boot.  If you ever see one of these butlers or maids, take a really good look at them.  I mean, really get up close and personal.  Stare them directly in the eye and tell me you're not creeped out!  It's like they took human eyes and put them into the mechanical bodies.  With that said, I'd love to one day own one of these to have set up at a party.  They're phenomenal and always attract attention.

This old hag wasn't turned on, so I have no idea why she's worth so much money, but I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I got scared when I took the photo.  Because she looks so real and had her eyes locked on mine, I thought she was going to move for sure.  In fact, I started telling myself that there was a person inside the costume and she was going to lunge out at me.  Even though I knew it wasn't going to happen, my mind started to play tricks on me.  Ahh, the power of Halloween!

What's wrong with this guy?  Why is he making such a painful, disgruntled, face?  He just got to Target and realized they still have their school stuff out.  Oh, the terror!

Downright morbid.  This is something I would not want to own or keep in my house, but fun enough to look at as I pass by.  Dead babies turn me off.  They're the one thing I don't like to associate with Halloween or the season.  That might sound hypocritical considering I don't mind dead men and women zombies or homicidal maniacs killing innocent strangers, but I'm just not a fan of this one.  But, I'll admit, it's extremely creepy and would work well in a haunted house or on somebody's porch.  None of the animatronics were turned on, but I can only imagine how awesome they all are once they're moving and making sounds.

Yeah so, like I said, dead babies are a no-go, but I'm all for beheaded men and the limbs of women.  It all makes sense now, right?  Really, at the end of the day, anything goes on Halloween.  Some people can stomach and accept more than others, but everybody knows you're going to be exposed to horrific things on Halloween.  That's one of the reasons why I love it so much.  Unless you're deranged, you shouldn't be taking Halloween so seriously.  It's meant to be a fun break from reality into the supernatural.  So, for me, decorations and props like these are A-Okay.  I just stray away from the dogs and babies.  It's like any good horror movie; you can kill 100 people and nobody cares, but kill the dog or kid and people are writing letters.  I guess I'm one of "them."

The Halloween Superstore really does have everything.  If you want the haunted house props for hundreds of dollars, you got it.  If you want plates, cups, and candles for a few bucks, those are yours, too.  That's why I like this store so much.  You get a little bit of everything and more than enough to leave your pockets empty.

This part of the store was a bit overpriced.  I've seen, and own, some of these items and they were purchased at Walgreens and the Dollar Store for only a buck or two.  Here, they were about $4.99-$5.99.  So, like anything, you have to shop around and Google a bit before you buy, but these are great products to own.  I know my goblet has been getting a lot of love on Twitter, but those shot glasses and colored cups are just as cool.  I'll have to look around for something similar before I spend the money here, but they're worth having to enhance the season.  Who doesn't want to drink Ghoul-Aid from a goblet or Fall beer from a skull shaped glass?

People can talk about and love the modern decorations of our time, but I'll always have a soft spot for cardboard cutouts and window clings.  To me, they're the most suitable decor for Halloween and the most nostalgic.  I remember, as a kid, my teachers always stapled the same Dracula head cutout on the bulletin board every year.  It was cheap, yet effective.  They're the same decorations you see in old episodes of Roseanne and Home Improvement and I just love them.  They're corny, they're older than I am, but they mean so much for what they were and what I remember.  On Christmas, you can be fancy and elegant, but Halloween is the complete opposite.  Only in September and October can you tape a cardboard mummy on your wall and consider it art.  Hey, I even consider it fashionable.  These are my favorite types of Halloween decorations.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Halloween Superstore without Halloween costumes!  Belleville has plenty to offer for children and adults!  We walked up and down every aisle at least twice to get a good look at every old and new costume for sale.  As we did, my only wish was that I had invitations to multiple Halloween parties because I want to wear all of them.  For the last two-years, I've gone as Macho Man Randy Savage and made the costumes myself.  This year, I have no idea what the plan is and it's already stressing me out.  Halloween costumes should probably be low on my list of priorities, but you'd be surprised by how high it ranks.  President Obama has Syria and the economy, I have cereals and costumes.  Tough jobs, I know.  But seriously, I'm super excited to show it off, I just don't know what "it" is yet.

I really like the Beetlejuice costume because you can wear it again and go as Robin Thicke.  Hey Hey Hey!

I don't think any fully grown adults should ever go as Chucky, but I have a friend who's a little person and he loves dressing up as the good guy doll.  That's how you use what God's given you to your advantage.  He puts on the costume, stands still in a corner, and runs after anybody who gets too close.  I'd do the same thing, but I'm too big for Chucky and too small for Leatherface.  I'd channel my inner Billy Loomis and go as Ghostface, but I did that when I was 12.  I'm all confused, now..

There's a new line of costumes out called "Wicked of Oz," and they're all really... Wicked?  They're obviously based on "The Wizard of Oz," but are much more ferocious looking than the original costumes.  Take this Cowardly Lion, for example.  This isn't the lovable wimp we've all come to know and love, he's a ruthless killer.  The Tin Man was also for sale and looked like he was put together with old machinery, brass parts, and steel.  I guess they're taking a more realistic approach.  Maybe it's the "Dark Knight" version of "Wizard of Oz."  Either way, they'd look amazing if you dressed together as a group.  That's something I've never done, but wouldn't be opposed to as long as I'm the post popular character from any group we choose.

More hanging props and decorations, all of which were for sale.  Even if I had the room, I'm not sure what I'd do with them, but I want them all.  For now, I'll stick with the "Beware" sign.  I could put it on my door to scare away the 30-year-old men who Trick-or-Treat without costumes in Jersey City.  But they'd just steal it.

My favorite section of the store is their mask display because they have so many masks, from so many years, that they obviously can't get rid of.  Nobody wants to spend money on a wrestling mask from the Attitude Era when they can buy something brand new, but that works for window shoppers like me.  I love looking at old masks, and the fact that they're wrestling masks makes it even better.  

 I used to have the Vince McMahon mask.  My Dad wore it in Salem, MA while my cousin went as Mankind and I went as The Rock to form The Rock & Sock Connection.  I was about 13-years-old, so it didn't look all the believable, but I probably couldn't pull it off any better today, anyway.  My cousin looked a lot better.  Lots of people were chanting "Foley, Foley!"  Meanwhile, they thought I was a tiny Mexican man.  I guess the glittery shirt didn't help matters.  Oh well, I tried.

The Superstore obviously ordered too much inventory in the late 90s because those South Park masks came out around the same time as the WWF and WCW masks.  Napoleon Dynamite and The Grinch came out soon after, but they manage to hold up well.  I really like the Frankenstein and and Burger King masks, but probably wouldn't waste my Halloween dressed as them.  Although, I did go as Frankenstein in the 2nd grade.

This is probably the only photo from that Halloween, but it was one of my favorites.  At school, we were all allowed to dress up in our costumes, but we couldn't change until after lunch.  That only gave us a few hours to rock our macabre and I couldn't wait to dress like Frankenstein.  But, from what I remember, it was a disaster.  I brought my costume in a plastic bag, took it into the bathroom, and changed myself.  But the make-up and rubber head top were not working out.  You can hardly see in the image, but my face is green.  It doesn't look great, and that's with the help of my inartistic teacher, but it was the best I could do.  God only knows where the rubber piece went, but that was the selling point.  I still remember seeing this costume on the rack at Toys R Us thinking, "Whoa.. I need that Franky head."  Had we been allowed to dress up all day, my Mom would have made sure I left the house looking like Herman Munster, but we're lucky we got any party at all in elementary school.  Regardless, I love this image for the memories I have attached to it, but have no idea what I'm holding in my hands.  Looks like I swiped a cupcake and Reese's.

As you walk down the aisle, the masks get more and more scary.  This end of the wall was insane.  We have Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Hannibal the Cannibal, Jigsaw, Leatherface, and a Nun that creeps me out the most.  They're all awesome.  I've been looking for a Freddy mask that moves with your face, like those silicone latex masks that sell for over $500, but no such luck.  In the meantime, I might settle for that bloody Michael Myers mask.  I've never seen that before, but that's gnarly.

Every year, I look for a decent Freddy or Jason costume.  I've always wanted a movie quality version that would stand up well next to any other seen on the street, but I never seem to find one.  These over sized creature reachers would definitely attract attention, and I almost bought one a few years ago, but decided against it.  They're awesome, and are close to what I've been looking for, but I know how difficult it is to see and move in one of those costumes.

I bought the giant pumpkin head creature reacher for a family Halloween party in 2008.  It was a huge hit...for about 15 seconds.  Everybody loved it, we took a few pictures, and then the party started.  I had two choices - I could either stand there, in the house, unable to move my hands, see, and breathe, or I could take off everything pumpkin related and go as a hay sack.  Unfortunately, hay sack was the easier route and, in a matter of minutes, I went from wearing a $350 costume to being a regular Joe Schmoe.  Needless to say, I put that bad boy up on Ebay the following year.

Are these new?  In recent years, I've seen countless Mario & Luigi combinations, but they're usually homemade.  This year, I see they've released the hat and obscenely large mustache.  That's pretty awesome.  I think you kinda have to already look the part, but the duo always makes for a great tag team on Halloween.  Personally, the best I've ever seen is "Fireball Mario."  Somebody went all out in Salem, making their own costume and throwing colored tennis balls at the ground, bouncing them toward visitors.  He must have spent a fortune on his bag of balls, because he never went to pick them up, but it was worth it.  If you've ever been to Salem for Halloween, you know how important it is to stand out if you're getting dressed up.  I need to get back there.

I'm willing to bet that I used one of these exact make-up packages when I painted my face green in 1994.  The design and images never seem to change on the cardboard backing, and I like it that way.  That clown and witch on the bottom pegs have been around for at least 15 years.  If I have it my way, they'll be around for 15 more.  They're just as big a part of nostalgia and Halloween as anything else.  They're underrated, sometimes forgotten, but always bring back memories whenever I see them hanging there.  I would never buy them, now.  Unless I was using make-up on a consistent basis or needed something quick, there's no way I wouldn't choose something better over the cheap stuff.  If it's Halloween, I'm going to go the extra mile.  Besides, my face always felt itchy when I had that stuff on.  For the price, ya gotta figure something's up with the ingredients.  They're fun to look at and cheap to buy, but that's about as far as it'll go these days.

When I was a kid, that make-up was all to be offered.  Now, you can buy fake teeth, fangs, colored contacts, fake noses, and big ears.  God already gave me a pair of Dumbo's, but now you can apparently go as me, this season.  It's crazy how much is offered, but I always wonder how this stuff holds up compared to higher quality products sold online.  I'd love to hear from somebody who knows their stuff because, honestly, I have no idea.  I tried using spirit gum for a Macho Man beard, and it didn't work...at all.  I had to draw the beard on with eye liner and I don't know if I've ever written a more manly sentence than this.

There are new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes for 2013, but they were completely sold out!  I don't know if I would have purchased one, but I wanted to see what they looked like in person.  Online, they appear to be based on the original cartoon which, for me, would be amazing.  The Shredder costume I saw made my jaw drop, but only the four turtles were once available at the Superstore and they were all gone.

Kids, on the other hand, have the opportunity to dress as their favorite Ninja Turtle and I LOVE that!!  Thanks to Nickelodeon and a new generation of fans, the TMNT are reaching a level of popularity that hasn't been seen since the early 90s.  As a fan of the franchise, this is great news!  The more money they make, they more merchandise we see.  Thankfully, they're smart enough to market to me and my age-group which means even more nostalgia.  I'll take that, but I'm even happier to know that there are a group of kids out there who are excited to pick their favorite turtle and act like them on Halloween.  It makes me happy to know that, 20-years from now, they'll be looking back on 2013 with the same fond memories I have for Frankenstein.

I saved this one for the end because, honestly, I don't think I've seen a more impressive Halloween costume in years, especially for $60.  I'll never forget the mass hysteria caused by Mighty Morphin Power Ranger Halloween costumes in 1995.  In my area, they were sold out everywhere!  And this was before the Internet age where you can just go online and find whatever you want for a higher price.  When something was gone, it was gone.  I would have been devastated if I was unable to dress up as the Red Ranger, but my Aunt found one at a Mom & Pop Toy Store in Bayonne, NJ and wound up paying 5x the retail value just to make sure I wasn't disappointed and could make my friends jealous.  I remember how cheap the costume was made, with one of those plastic masks and elastic bands, but I really felt like a Power Ranger when I had it on.  The only downside was that it wasn't the Green Ranger.  In my recollection, the original Green Ranger costume was never officially available... until now!

The body suit is one thing, especially with that gold armor, but the helmet is what makes this a childhood dream come true.  Could you imagine having this as a kid??  I wanted a real Power Ranger helmet more than anything in the world and, looking back, I can't believe how lucky I was to have that be the worst of my problems.  But compared to my plastic mask, I would have killed to have a helmet that snaps on and off the way theirs did.  Now, with this new costume, we get a version very close to the original.  Basically, you get two sides that Velcro together to create a helmet.  It's still plastic, but there are no eye holes.  You see through the helmet the same way you'd see through sunglasses.  The Red Ranger was also available, but it had two eye holes cut through the mask.  Ew!  This one is a trillion times better and I'm debating whether or not I want to buy it.  I know there are much more "official" costumes available online, but they're expensive.  For the price, this may be the best route.  Now, if only I knew some karate..

Overall, this is one of the coolest Halloween stores I've ever been to and that's why we continually go back to visit Belleville every year.  If you're looking for something, chances are they'll have it.  Now, I haven't been to a Spirit Store in years, but I can't imagine it being much better than the State Fair Halloween Superstore.  I'm trying to think of what can be offered there that wasn't here, and I can't think of anything.  However, I think there's a Spirit Store relatively close to me and I'll probably check it out, soon.  Until then, I need to figure out what to be for Halloween.  What are you wearing on October 31st?