Dragon Fruit Pepsi

 Cool logo, right?  It's obviously not something you'd see in stores, so what does it represent?  Well, in case you haven't heard, Pepsi has a new flavor out and it's in stores now!  Is it Halloween related?  Nope.  Is it Fall themed?  I don't think so.  So why is it being covered on The Holidaze?  Because it's new and I plan on twisting it to be made into a Halloween drink.  In name alone, this becomes spooky.  Why is that?  Because this new Pepsi flavor is... DRAGON FRUIT!

 

This was something I didn't expect.  I didn't see a single advertisement for this limited edition and, if it were not for TheImpulsiveBuy.com, I probably would have never noticed this at all.  Apparently, in partnership with "The X Factor," Pepsi went out and had fans test out new flavors.  In the end, much like the game show, only one would survive and make it to our shelves.  I guess those who taste tested the flavors chose Dragon Fruit because that's what we got!

Before I get to the taste, I have to talk about the box and point out how disappointed I am.  When I read that there was a Dragon Fruit Pepsi flavor, my imagination ran wild.  There were so many possibilities in terms of box and can design.  This was their shot to take things to the next level and go all out for a limited edition product.  And, if it's Halloween themed, there's no telling where it will end.  But, what did we get?  Blue and Red.  Ughhh.. Yeah, the blue is lighter and brighter.  They added some type of dragon scales which I do like.  But overall, this is exactly the same as every other Pepsi box.  If you weren't looking for Dragon Fruit Pepsi, how would you know the difference?  My prediction?  This is going to lead to another Polar Bear Coke Can fiasco.  I expect many people to cause an uproar over the lack of change.  Come on, Pepsi.. You coulda done better!

Cans are exactly the same and slapped with an X Factor logo.  What I don't know is if this is called "Pepsi X," "Pepsi," or "Dragon Fruit."  It doesn't do much to classify itself as Dragon Fruit Pepsi.  All it does is state, really small, "Dragon Fruit Flavored Cola."  Wow, how exciting is that?

To save a sinking ship, we had to Halloween this baby up a bit.  How do you do that?  My girlfriend bought an ice tray that transforms the cubes into pumpkin shapes.  That's enough for me!  Now we have a Dragon Fruit flavored cola with pumpkin ice.  Just like that, this has become a Halloween drink.  There's no denying it now, from here on out I'll always associate this Pepsi with this time of year.

I'll also associate it with Pepsi Clear and Pepsi Blue because, trust me, this cola will not be making a return after it's brief run.  Everything about this was poorly executed.  The graphics are horrible, the flavor is nothing but bitter and, even though I've never tried a Dragon Fruit, I'm fairly confident that it tastes nothing like this Pepsi.  I'm just disappointed in this.  I was really hoping for something different, something good!  I thought it was going to have a great flavor like Wild Cherry Pepsi.  But this was just a waste of time.

To turn things around here, I quickly made a design that would have been better.  For as much as I would have loved to make this all about Halloween, I thought realistically.  It's obvious Pepsi didn't want this associated with anything other than them and The X Factor, so I went that route.  At least add a few different colors and make this stand out.  Regardless of whether or not it looks like Halloween, becoming a seasonal item is enough to make this related and remind people of Fall.  Look at Cranberry Sierra Mist.  It doesn't look like Halloween, but it IS Halloween.. at least for me!

It's not true to scale, but it's much better than what's being offered.  This lets you know exactly what you're buying, brings attention to the product, and allows customers to make an educated decision on what they're about to buy.  When you see this, you expect something fruity and you don't have to look hard at all to understand what flavor this is.  Plus, I stayed true to The X Factor partnership and whatever that "X" logo is.  I still have no idea if that's supposed to be a letter or a bird.  I just threw it on there.

Overall, I'm very disappointed in Dragon Fruit Pepsi, but I'm happy with my own design and wanted to share it all, the good and the bad, with all of you here.  I'd recommend you buy this edition anyway because you might like it.  I didn't, but that's just one man's opinion.  You might think it's the greatest soda of all time.  Either way, it's worth trying.  Along with the various failed attempts of years past, this could go down in history!  You don't want to be the one who missed out on Dragon Fruit, so don't! 

Look at that, I just sold it better than Pepsi did!

Pepperidge Farm Caramel Apple Cookies

 

Halloween is only 21 days away!  You know what that means?  That means The Holidaze is about to pick up the pace!  Barring any unforeseen work explosions, I'm looking to update The Holidaze as frequently as possible.  I'd like to have at least one up each day, but multiple entries would be even better.  Even if that means posting short blogs that are easily read in 5 minutes.  In all actuality, that's probably what most of you are looking for anyway.  I doubt anybody is reading paragraphs and paragraphs worth of information about old cupcake boxes and ring pops.  But, for those of you who are, that's what they're there for.  For the rest of you, enjoy the pictures!

Today's post is about cookies and they were brought to my attention by my cousin, Meghan.  She's also responsible for finding the Caramel Apple Milky Ways.  I appreciate her support and love the fact that she's scouring through the aisles as much as I do now.  There's no doubt she's in a Holidaze and, hopefully, this site does the same for you.

 Originally, she told me about Caramel Apple Pie and Pumpkin Cheesecake cookies released by Pepperidge Farm.  For as much as I dislike pumpkin, I would have picked that up as well just to review for all of you.  Unfortunately, they were completely sold out of pumpkin.  But the funny thing is, I received a second hand review from the cashier at Wal-Mart.  After quickly glancing at the bag, she thought I had the Pumpkin Cheesecake cookies.  She went on and on about how great they were and how they tasted exactly like Pumpkin Pie.  She said she had become addicted to them and loves them so much.  She talked about how she couldn't get enough of them.  I guess we now know why they're sold out!

Then, as she looked again, she saw that I had the Caramel Apple Pie cookies and the conversation ended.  What was that all about?  Are my Caramel Apple Pie cookies no good?  She just did a full 180.  One second, you'd think she's the spokeswoman for Pepperidge Farm.  The next, she's bagging my items with that "I-hate-bagging-YOUR-items" attitude.  I didn't know what to expect now.  All I knew is that we had just purchased limited edition cookies that could go either way.  

Well, I can't speak for the Wal-Mart cashier, but I can tell you, first hand, that these cookies are awesome.  I call everything I like "awesome," but I haven't branched out in my vocabulary since high school so those types of adjectives are to be expected.  

I'm going to sound really fat right now, but these cookies are chewy and have the perfect amount of caramel and apple pieces.  It's funny, I can't find the apple pieces, but I can taste them.  I guess they blend in with the rest of the cookie.  These taste just like Fall.  It's like they melted down a Yankee Candle and turned it into a cookie.  To best describe this, imagine eating an oatmeal cookie that tastes like caramel apples.  That work?  Nope, I didn't think so either.  So, I'll end here and let Pepperidge Farm explain what you're in store for with these cookies.  From my end, all I can say is, no matter what that cashier said (or didn't say,) I love these Caramel Apple Cookies. 

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

Hostess Scary Cakes

No matter how old I get, I'll never be able to get enough of Halloween cupcakes.  There's just something about a black and orange combo that gets my Halloween juices flowing.  I love walking through the grocery store aisles, looking at all of the Halloween/Fall themed products, and trying to decide which one was coming home with me this time.  Usually, I'll go with whatever is new.  If I've never seen or tried it before, then that's the way to go.  But, at the same time, I can never neglect the classics and, there's no denying, Hostess Scary Cakes are certainly classic!

Last year, I was unable to enjoy the Hostess Scary Cakes because they weren't released.  Well, that's not entirely true.  As Hostess tweeted me last year, Scary Cakes were under the disguise of Transformers.  Basically, that was just a nice way of saying "We sold out this year and decided to partner up with a big blockbuster movie instead."  So, for that reason, Hostess missed out on my few dollars.  I couldn't give in to the media giant and help aid the removal of these traditional treats.  As far as I was concerned, Transformer Cupcakes needed to fail so Scary Cakes could once again rise.  Maybe my plan worked.  Or maybe there wasn't any movie worth partnering up with.  Of course, ParaNorman, Hotel Transylvania, or Frankenweenie promotions would have been amazing.

Luckily for all of us, Hostess Scary Cakes are back this year and, I guess, they're much more Fall themed than Halloween related.  This bums me out.  What's so "scary" about this box?  There's a scarecrow, with a pumpkin head, surrounded by bats.  It also appears to be dusk or dawn.  Ohhhh spooky!!  Not in the least!  I absolutely love Hostess Scary Cakes for everything they represent and for my own nostalgic reasons, but what are they thinking with this box?  What happened to those amazing graphics?  Where did the "Scary" in "Scary Cakes" go exactly?  Just take a look at previous designs.

 

Regardless of what you think about the 2011 Scary Cakes, the "Chocwave Shockwave" edition was designed much better than the 2012 edition.  It's not amazing and is, overall, pretty plain.  But the change in cupcake makes up for everything else.  They went with a red frosting and silver sprinkles.  Not great for Halloween, but awesome for Summer months.  Either way, this was a nice box.

Now, in 2011, Hostess didn't leave us Halloween Fiends hanging completely.  Sure, we may not have gotten our Scary Cakes, but we did get "Orange CupCakes."  I covered this last year, and they were really good.  I like this box because it actually represented Halloween well.  I know, you're thinking that there isn't much of a difference.  Pumpkin head and bats again at dusk.  True, but that change in expression alters everything!  This pumpkin is angry!  He's evil!  He's mad and he wants you to know it.  That subtle change is the difference between Halloween and Fall.

Obviously Ding Dongs aren't Scary Cakes, but it goes to show how much Hostess has changed their designs over the years.  I don't own this photo and credit goes to whoever scanned it, but I remember seeing this box around 1994.  I was really young, but you don't forget things like this.  Those bats are pretty much the only things that haven't changed.  We have ghosts, we have a change in font, and the logo is colored to better represent the season.  Orange, green, and purple!  I love it!

I believe these Scary Cakes came out the same year as the Ding Dongs and you can tell that the background is similar.  It's a gloomy night and the bats are out in full force.  But, really, just look at this box and tell me it isn't awesome.  I will take 2-D animation/drawings over 3-D any day of the week and I guess it's because of boxes like this.  We have 4 characters pictured.  Top right, we have Frankenstein (who looks very much like Boris Karloff.)  With him, we have a female Vampire.  I'll name her Mrs. Dracula.  Then on the left, we have the Grim Reaper and the Wolf Man.  If that wasn't enough, the Scary Cakes logo is absolutely classic!  It's what reels you in more than anything else.  The contrast between colors mesh so well together and, in all seriousness, it's a masterful work of art.

Finally, I know we just talked about this Munster Pack recently, but it deserves to go here and be seen again.  I highly doubt this was the first Scary Cakes edition released by Hostess, but I could be wrong.  There's only so much I can learn about 20+ year old Cup Cakes from Google.  But, I know these were released in 1992 and, while you may be able to argue that this was also a "sell-out," at least it was Halloween related.  That I can understand and, in fact, actually appreciate.  It's also very simple, but in this case simple is effective.  It's all you need.  As I've said before, the "Munster Pack" logo is unbelievable and I love the way The Munsters are drawn.  Personally, it holds a very special place in my heart for nostalgic reasons.  But in terms of design and comparing it to this year's Scary Cakes box, it crushes the competition.  There's no doubt that the Hostess design team has fallen off the wagon.  They need to up their game!  After you look at the designs of yesteryear, it's actually sad to see how poorly the 2012 box was put together.

Fortunately, the cupcakes themselves are still awesome and, for most people, that's the biggest selling point.  Since I'm such a huge Hallowgeek, I would have liked to see a more orange frosting with traditional brown sprinkles, but that's not this year's theme.  Hostess is obviously going the Fall route and, like it or not, they hit the nail right on the head.  Orange, yellow, brown, and one red sprinkle resemble Fall foliage and the change in season.  The chocolate cake returns along with the the one thing that'll never change -- that cream frosting filling.

I do love the look of these cupcakes and I'm definitely happy to see them return.  While I'm sure many of you enjoyed the Transformers edition, I just don't want to see any of that during the Halloween Holidaze!  I'm all for it during the Spring and Summer.  But at this moment, I'm looking for the spooky feeling, not spooky dressed as transforming robots.  Thankfully, Hostess brought Scary Cakes back and they're just as good as ever.

It's a toss up as to which brand I enjoy more -- Hostess or Tasykake.  They're both really good and very similar in flavor.  Luckily, we don't have to choose!  We can go out and buy both!  We can go out any buy as many as we want and really soak in The Holidaze! 

I know I sounded like a big whiny complainer in this post, and I don't mean to sound like Andy Rooney, but I realllly miss those old boxes.  Those were the best!  I guess I'm a sucker for nostalgia, but I'll roll with the punches and accept whatever we get.  Hey, as long as we're getting something, you know I'm happy!

Blood Manor

As I've recently said, this year I wanted to make The Holidaze more than just a review site for candy, treats, and movies.  This year, I wanted to get out and take part in as many Haunted Attractions as I can in 31 days.  I absolutely love Haunted Houses and have since I was a young kid.  I used to be scared beyond belief, especially the first time my parents took me and my cousin, but I still craved the excitement each and every year.  In particular, I remember my Dad traveling in the rain to take us to "The Greenhouse of Fear."  I had to be about 10 or 11, but to this day, I don't remember where it was or how far away it was, all I know is that it was awesome, solidified my love for Haunted Houses, and vanished into the night as all good ghost stories do.

Now, for various reasons, I haven't been to a Haunted House in over two years.  2010 and 2011 came and went without a single attraction and that, my friends, is uncalled for.  I grew up on these things, from Haunted Hayrides to Haunted Mazes, these are can't miss traditions!  But, sadly, I did miss out on great times and I was determined to make sure that this didn't happen again.  So, on October 5th, my Girlfriend and I hopped a train to NYC to attend the Opening Night of Blood Manor!

This was a spur of the moment decision, so we didn't get to NY until about 11pm.  Luckily, Blood Manor stayed open until 2am so we had plenty of time.  Before I knew it, I saw the logos, the banners, the line and, out of nowhere, an Axe Wielding Maniac who jumped out from behind a mailbox.  I was not expecting to be startled so soon but, to the crowd's delight, he got me and my girlfriend good!  But no complaints here, that's what I was looking for.  I'm not the type to get scared of somebody in my face.  My gf will freak out for days with a mask in her face and a growl in her ear, but that doesn't affect me anymore.  When I was 10, I would have cried my eyes out, but now, I need to be startled.  I need you to pop out when I least expect it and, when you do, you'll get me and, in my mind, I'll give you credit.  That's what the Axe Wielder did and I was caught completely off guard.  Already this was shaping up to be memorable.

This photo is a bit deceiving.  The line appears to be stretched out to the corner, but the door is actually somewhere in the middle.  There were two options we had presented to us.  We could pay $40 each and hop on the "R.I.P. Line" and cut everybody else in no time.  Or, pay $35, and wait about 40 minutes before heading in.  We decided to pay less and wait.  

The reasoning had nothing to do with money because, really, what's the extra 5 bucks?  In fact, it was more about the entertainment.  We were looking for an experience and for this attraction to last a while.  So, by waiting on line, you're given the opportunity to interact with three "monsters," including the Axe Wielder, watch a special "Circus Freak" act, and enjoy random people being scared by these guys!  That might have been the best part.  There was a bar across the street so the sidewalk was congested with ladies and gents looking to get drunk, not be scared.  Well, too bad, little did they know Blood Manor had something else in mind.  Talk about the unexpected, they literally had no idea.  Moments like that made waiting worth while.

This isn't the best shot, but still one of the Axe Wiledling Maniac.  I don't know what his official name is, but that's what he did and that's what he was, so it fits.  This actor did a great job playing his part.  For as fun as it may be scaring people, you're always going to get the trouble makers and those who think they're part of the show and want to be funny.  In this guy's case, somebody said to AWM "Hey, did you just touch my ass?"  A few people laughed, but most grinned and thought it was a stupid thing to say.  But, this actor looked at him, hissed, and said "Ahhhh, even I wouldn't do that! Gross!" and ran off.  I appreciate the quick response because, honestly, it shows your in good hands.  You're obviously surrounded by actors who want to give you the best experience possible and, little things like that, prove they won't crack any under type of pressure.  Good job, Axe Wielding Maniac, whoever you may be!

Now, even though I don't get "scared" of people in costumes and in my face, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the freakiness of this clown.  He's terrifying!  His mask was some type of doll head/clown face and, at times, he would just hunch over and laugh for a good two minutes.  Sometimes, he did it without any laughter at all.  That was even creepier.  But, the cool part about this guy, is he was there to interact.  For example, I was wearing this shirt..

..and the evil clown came over and spoke to me.  First of all, it was freaky because his mouth would move when he spoke or did some type of chomping motion.  Very nice touch.  But anyway, he comes over and says "Your shirt, who are these guys?"  I reply and he says "Oh yes yes, I used to enjoy a big bowl of Count Dracula cereal and honey when I was a child.  Oh yes, very good very good."  Then he laughed and walked off.  To be honest, I have no idea if he was in character or broke the 4th wall just to comment on my shirt, but it was nice to see the Monster Cereals get attention either way.

As he walked away, my gf got brave all of a sudden.  She snuk up behind him and made a face for the camera.  But one, notice how much space she left between the clown and herself and, two, take a look into her eyes and understand that there is still a great deal of fear in them.  Had this clown known what was going on and turned around, she would have flipped!  Part of me wishes he did because the reaction would have been priceless.  She likes the think that I'm there to protect her in these attractions, but believe me, I'm not.  These Haunted Houses are controlled spooks and the only time I'll let grown men get that close to her without any problems.  If you think I'm not enjoying her being scared, you'd better guess again.  It's hilarious!

The three Monsters surrounding and walking through the line seemed to vary in character.  One was supposed to be a maniac whose sole purpose was to kill you.  The second was supposed to be funny, but way too freaky to spend too much time with.  And the third, this guy, was some type of scary wolf guy.  I actually have no clue as to what he is, but he was very friendly.  When we took this picture, the guy taking it for us said "Get closer, he won't bite."  The actor responded "Yes I will haha."  He was funny, playful, and the least terrifying of the three.  He kinda looks like The Boogeyman, the old WWE superstar, but his teeth make him much better than that!  Pretty cool costume, whatever he's supposed to be.

As we moved closer to the door, the show started and it featured so-called "Circus Freaks."  This guy, dressed in a dress, is known for his stretchy skin, doubt jointed bones and, as pictured, the ability to bring his fingers all the way back to touch the top of his hand.  He was good, but his speaking skills were, in my opinion, far superior to his contortion.  He was able to handle a large crowd, keep them interested, entertained, and help pass the time.

Right before we went into Blood Manor, he asked for an assistant to come help him on stage.  What this girl had to do was stand on another man as he laid down on a bed of nails.  It's something I'm sure we've all seen before and, even if I don't know how it's done, it's impressive.  It certainly received a good crowd reaction and, at the end of the day, that's what it's all about.

In addition to contortion and nails, there was also fire being thrown around like it was nothing.  I'm always more scared for me in that instance than I am for the performers.  If you drop it and set yourself on fire, that's one thing, just don't lose your grip and fling it into the crowd.  That's more fear than I'm looking for.

Oh, and if you wanted to tip these Circus Freaks, you could!  If you had a $5 bill or more, you could staple it into the skin of any one of these guys or a female that they had as well.  The catch with the girl was that you could staple it into her breasts.  Two guys actually did.  I wonder why they chose to staple the girl over the guys?  Hm.. Well, sorry guys, no pictures!  It was time to go inside!

When you got inside and waited on a smaller line, there was 3D art all over the walls.  The one photo above will have to suffice for any pervs I have reading The Holidaze and missed out on the stapled boob.

Obviously, once I was inside, I couldn't take many pictures.  But I snapped that one above and it doesn't really do the room justice.  As you're waiting, the black lights really illuminate everything around you that you feel like you're in a different world.  Its vibrant, colorful, and spooky.  For a queued line, that's just about all you can ask for.  And it wasn't all naked witches feasting on the blood of their victims, it was a little bit of everything!

We went in with about 5 or 6 other people and I was at the front of the line.  At this point, I had to put my phone away and enjoy the ride.  I wanted to soak up as much as possible because, from what I read, there were so many little details on each set and, if you traveled too fast, you'd miss out.  That definitely wasn't going to happen here.  I wanted to look at everything!

After you're given directions, they send you on your way.  Now, I'm not looking to spoil anything for anybody here, but I'll give you a few of the highlights for me.  First of all, the actors were great.  There were a few that really served no purpose, but for the most part, they did a great job throughout Blood Manor.  There is one stop where you're asked to look at a TV screen and, low and behold, it's you.  Only, it's not the person you remember.  It's who you're going to become as your journey continues.  That was probably my favorite part of the night and I encourage you to see what I'm talking about!

There's one part where it's completely pitch black and you have to find your way through on your own.  When you're at the front of the line, that's easier said than done!  It wasn't just a straight walk through, you have to use your hands and feel your way through.  It's scary because you're literally lost.  But that's the great thing about it!  It's so much fun.. unless you're afraid of the dark!  In that case, good luck! Bwahaha!

Some scenes involved more talking than others and, at one point, I didn't know if I should wait and listen or keep going.  I guess I was supposed to keep walking because the actor, a deranged boyfriend, said "Keep it moving Homebody whatchu looking at?"  That was great!  He was obviously torturing his "lady" and he was letting you know, if you don't keep it moving, you'll be next!  Greatness!

Throughout the rest of Blood Manor, you'll find people begging you to help them.  Actors in your face demanding you stay with them.  Countless jumps and startles.  3D paint that pop better than I've ever seen with the glasses they give you.  And, of course, the detail.  The attention to detail was so amazing that I didn't even have enough time to soak it all in.  I tried!  I held back, let people go in front of me, but the next group caught up and we had to keep it moving for the sake of our own experience.  But from what I saw, damn, it's great.  Everything from TV screens in transition rooms to lights everywhere.  I absolutely loved it.  They created an atmosphere crucial to the Halloween spirit.  Combined with the music, you're looking at one hell of a trip.

There's so much more that I don't want to spoil, but I implore you to go check this out if you have an opportunity.  Blood Manor is definitely one of, if not the, best Haunted Attractions I've ever been to and, if I can, I'll make another trip before this season comes to an end.  If you're interested, check them out at

www.BloodManor.com

Pops!

Today we're talking about two varieties of "Pops."  One is candy, one is cake.  Other than one word in their names, they have nothing in common.  Although, that's not true, because they're both very tasty and bring us something cool to talk about.  So, let's dive right into it by beginning with Entenmann's.

Last year, I talked about Entenmann's Halloween Donuts.  They were one of my favorite finds from the 2011 Holidaze.  What was so great about them was the fact that their little orange sprinkles actually had an orange flavor.  This was a pleasant surprise and one that I definitely wasn't expecting.  Talk about going the extra mile.

This year, I was looking through the Entenmann's end cap at various grocery stores, but didn't find those Donuts.  This year, it appeared as though they were only carrying the Entenmann's Pumpkin Donuts.  I believe they're also new, but I know I wouldn't like them.  That was a disappointment because I thought they were a huge hit.  Shop Rite, Stop & Shop, Path Mark, strike three and I'm out.  But, that was until I wandered through Wal-Mart.  Out of the darkness, the Halloween Donuts appeared and saved the day.  However, as the logo above states, this post isn't about the Donuts.  We did that last year.  Nope, this year, we're talking about..

Entenmann's Halloween Pop 'Ems!  The box is the same as last year and that's great.  For as much as I like seeing new designs, Entenmann's doesn't necessarily need to change anything.  They have the black, they have the orange, they have witches, bats, and pumpkins, and it's just the right amount of gloomy!  I've always loved their stuff.

Now, I decided to go with the Pop 'Ems this year because I wanted to give Holidaze readers something new.  Plus, I tried the donuts last year, these look like miniature versions of the same, and I thought they'd be bite size versions of the flavorful donuts last year.  Assuming they're the same ingredients, this would be great!  The chocolatey orange burst would probably be more impactful than ever before.  This appeared to be the perfect direction.

Open up the box and your nostrils are smacked by that amazing aroma.  It's the type of smell that you know shouldn't make you that happy, but it does and you're not complaining.  It's the type of smell that explains why America has such an obesity problem, but not one that causes you to care much.  You know, as soon as those seams are popped, that this is going to be epic.  It's going to good and it's something you're going to run back to every Halloween.  They say scent is the strongest tie to memory, and I guarantee this will bring you somewhere.  Whether it's 10 years ago or 10 days ago, these Pop 'Ems are going to remind you of something.  And if they don't, they'll bring you back to this year from here on out.  That is, of course, if you embrace the Holidaze and soak it all in.

Smell is only one magnificent aspect of this product.  The visuals are another.  Look at how much that picture pops.  The contrast between black, brown, and orange is the perfect ratio for Halloween.  They're little bite size decorations that, if they wouldn't attract unwanted creatures, I'd put all throughout the house.  Luckily, these are too good to even take that chance.  You can't help but eat them.  They're too enticing and it's sad how much Halloween treats can seduce you.

When I first opened the box, I'll admit, I didn't bite into one of these bad boys.  I was so concerned with taking pictures and getting other things posted that I didn't bother.  However, my girlfriend did and she said "Oh no it's bad luck to open up a box and not try one."  That's not true, but it's pretty funny and I appreciate the use of imagination.  Now, from here on out, I'm standing by that superstition and I want you all to as well.  From now on, it's bad luck to open up any Halloween themed treats without trying them.  I don't care if you just had a three-course meal.  If you pop open a box of Pop 'Ems, you better eat 'em!  Don't be like me.  Don't ignore the little balls of terror.  God only knows what they'll do if they're ignored again.

As you can tell from the photo, I did ultimately give in to the Pop 'Ems and I knew I would.  It's not like I was doing it on purpose.  I'm not trying to watch my weight or anything like that, I just didn't eat them at first.  It's not that I don't love you Pop 'Ems, I just didn't give you the attention you deserve.  See, you have to tell them things like that so they don't attack you in your sleep.  If you think I'm kidding, just look at what I found in my bed last night.

I was able to calm him down and explain that there are no other treats for me, but it wasn't easy.  He appeared to have wolf hands.  The type you'd find in Google images and add to your Pop 'Ems monster.  Yep, he's quite terrifying.  Be careful, friends..

On to the next "Pop" variety we're talking about today, it's the classic Ring Pop!  I've seen this box before, but I didn't pick it up.  In Jersey City, you don't really open the door for Trick-or-Treaters.  It's sad, but there are always the few rotten apples that ruin it for the bunch.  When I was growing up, we would usually travel to my Family's neighborhoods or go away for the weekend.  I hate seeing little kids at my door waiting for candy, but I know if I open the door, 36-year-old men will be knocking next.  Once they know you're home, they won't leave you alone.  You think Michael Myers is scary?  Try 4 grown men asking for free candy.  It puts that Pop 'Em Monster to shame.

So, for that reason, I had no reason to buy a box of Ring Pops.  They're just going to go to waste.  But, this is The Holidaze and I can always find good use for these things.  My thought is either contesting them off to Holidaze readers or giving them to my cousin who is a teacher.  One way or another, this candy will get to those who deserve it, not the rotten apples.

Regardless of where you live, that's a tough box to turn down.  The Ring Pop logo was changed from red to orange.  The Halloween logo is sinister.  Frankenstein is the perfect green for Halloween and he's being struck by lightning.  The best part is that he's not showing a hint of pain whatsoever.  I think he likes it.  All they're doing is charging him up and providing him with more life.  What has gotten into Ring Pop?  They've embraced the Holidaze and don't care how evil Frankie may get with his extra life.  But, really, he's a gentle giant.  Look at his Trick-or-Treat pail.  He means no harm.  He's probably just a 36-year-old bum who wants free candy.  Ahh, it all makes sense.

As I write this, I'm listening to "Feed My Frankenstein" so it's enhancing the Holidaze.  It was a coincidence, but one I'm happy happened.  It's October 5th, man!  We're running out of time and it'll be Halloween before you know it.  I'll have Halloween music on blast for the next three weeks now.  You should too!  Sorry, off topic..

The wrappers are all decked out in their Halloween costumes!  As we all know, there's no better color combo than black and orange for this time of year and, obviously, Ring Pop knows that.  They have this down to a science and have everything popping perfectly.  The spider web is a great touch and I love the way it changes from black to white.

These are definitely some of the coolest wrappers I've seen released and it makes me happy I bought them.  But, there's one thing I notice.  The Ring Pops pictured on on each wrapper haven't changed at all.  They've remained the same.  Like I've said, it's not completely a deal breaker when the product doesn't change as much as the branding, but it would've been nice to see a change in color or, at the very least, a change in flavor title.  It doesn't take much to call it "Hallowgreen" or something stupid like that.  But, it's not a problem.  Traditional Ring Pops taste great and, in this case, for better or worse, that hasn't changed.

The flavors, from left to right, are Watermelon, Strawberry, and Blue Raspberry.  All very good!  I haven't opened a Ring Pop in years, but I remember them being a lot bigger.  Actually, that's not true.  My fingers are just a hell of a lot bigger.  It's obvious that this Ring Pops are made for kids because I could barely wrap the ring around my finger.  They're tight, but I made it work.  I didn't finish either of these anyway, I just took three out of the box to show you.

If you open the door for your Trick-or-Treaters and don't have to deal with 6'3 guys in Jason masks, then I definitely recommend these for you.  They taste great, look cool, and the kids will be happy to have them.  But, if you're not going to be opening your door or if you're just looking for something else, then I have something else for you.  Yes, the following was made for the true Halloween fan.  Yes, Ring Pop redeems themselves with this one and officially appeals to everybody who loves the holiday!

This Halloween Ring Pop is an individual 2 Pack and does not come in the Ring Pop box.  This was found for a dollar and, from the image above, appears to be the real deal!  Package is awesome, the flavor, "Screaming Berry," sounds horrific, and those Ring Pop images seem too good to be true.  You're telling me that, when I open this wrapper, I'm going to find two Ring Pops in black and orange?  Get outta heeree!

Boom!! There it is!  Black and orange Ring Pops topped upon black plastic rings!  Wow, I'm in my glory.  Now, we can officially give Ring Pops a round of applause and a pat on the back.  Everything I complained about before can go right out the window because they made up for it all with the individual 2 pack.  You want classic?  Buy the Halloween box.  You want the Holidaze? Buy the 2 pack and find yourself in amazement.  The coolest part is that black is actually black.  It's not a dark blue or purple, it's pitch black!  This is such a cool product and one that will probably fly under the radar.

The flavor tastes very similar to the Blue Raspberry, which would make sense, but I think my love for Halloween has developed a bias because I feel like these taste just a tad bit better.  This is like the grand daddy of all Ring Pops in terms of flavor and no matter how many times people claim, or even prove, that this is the same as Blue Raspberry, I won't believe it.  I'll continue to deny it and stand by the fact that this is a brand new flavor.  This is Screaming Berry and there's nothing like it.  I don't know where Ring Pop found the rare Screaming Fruit to base their formula around, but they did and they should be rewarded with your dollar.  Seriously, you'll enjoy this one.  Even if you're not a fan of the flavor, the visuals are worth the buck.

Now, if you read everything I just wrote, go back and count how many times I wrote the words "Pop," "Pops," "Popped," "Popping," or anything else that involves POP.  Comment or tweet me @HolidazeBlog on Twitter with the answer.  First one to respond will receive the Box of Ring Pops (minus the 3 I opened to review.)  No charge.  Anyone who takes the time to do that deserves the box!

Monster Cereal Snacks

If you read any of my posts from last year's Halloween Holidaze, you know how much I love the Monster Cereals.  I mean, just look and my Holidaze and Twitter logos.  I have Yummy Mummy everywhere and I'm not even old enough to have ever tried Fruity Yummy Mummy cereal.  I can't explain where my love for these creatures comes from, but I'd bet it goes back to my childhood.  Whether is was waking up and enjoying a bowl of Frankenberry before school, or staying up late doing the same with Boo, it has been a mainstay throughout my Halloween seasons.  As I've gotten older, it's become more of a tradition, but there are still memories created with this trio every year.  I may not realize the impact they have on my Holidaze until it's over, but I can always count on them to provide some type of emotion.  Can you believe cereal can do that?

Well, this year, the cereal boxes haven't changed and there isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said last year.  I would talk about box art and flavor all day if there was something new to say, but unfortunately, the cereal is exactly what it's been since they became official Halloween cereals.  In fact, if anything, the cereals have actually lost a bit of their flavor.  I think it has to do with General Mills adding less sugar than previous years.  It's clearly noticeable and it does affect the flavor.  It's not horrible, but it's different.  It used to pack more of a punch.  Now it's more like a tickle.  Either way, I love the cereals and I'll continue to buy them no matter what they taste like.

Lucky for all of us, that's not what this post is about.  No, getting to my point, we're talking about snacks!

Introducing -- Boo Berry Razzle Boo Blitz Fruit Roll-Ups!  Try saying that 5 times fast!  Now, these aren't new, but they're new to me because I've never purchased them before.  Years ago, I found Monster Cereal Fruit by the Foot, which was great, but they've apparently been replaced by the Roll-Ups.  I'm not complaining!  They're essentially the same flavor and texture, just one is more fun than the other.  I'll let you decide which one I'm talking about.

The box is nearly identical to the Boo Berry Cereal box, but Boo is clearly holding his Razzle Boo Blitz Roll-Ups in his right hand.  Of course, the real Fruit Roll-Ups don't look like that.  They're supposed to have his body and logo printed on the candy for kids to "tattoo" their tongues, but trust me, that's not as easy as you'd think.  

These things are a pain to unroll.  They stick to the plastic so well that it's almost impossible to unwrap them without smudging the printed face or logo.  Ripping the candy down the middle is another unfortunate consequence of the plastic wrapper and it really bugs me.  I remember, when I was a kid, these unrolled much easier.  The candy seemed thicker and we were able to punch out the shapes rather than stick them on your tongue.  That was so much better.  There was more detail etched into the candy.  Now, it's just a darker shade of blue printed on another type of blue.  Impressive, but not the best they can do.  Plus, look at that design.  Can you see it?  Probably not.  For some reason, the Boo Berry Fruit Roll-Up doesn't have as much printing as the following.  It's not a deal breaker, but it's curious.

Now, if you open these and don't give two ghost sheets about the way they look and feel, then you're in luck!  See, this Boo Berry Fruit Roll-Up tastes gooood!  No, it doesn't taste like Boo Berry cereal.  That would be ridiculous.  You expect it to taste like some type of rasp or wild berry and that's exactly what you get.  This product wasn't designed to be Halloween themed inside and out, this was just perfect branding.  Let's take a popular flavor and throw it in a Boo Berry costume.  Do that, and people will eat 'em up.  And ya know what, Betty?  You're absolutely right!  Had this been a boring white box with blueberries and a happy face, I would have never ever picked it up.  But, you slapped Boo on the box and you had me on the hook.  It doesn't take much, but a product that tastes good doesn't hurt either.  This does.

Growing up, eating blue food was always cooler than eating red or green food.  To be precise, I should say "candy" rather than "food."  Food would mean healthy products that taste good and are good for you.  If that's the case, it's most likely not blue.  So let's be real here, I'm not talking about healthy junk!  This is The Holidaze!  I'm talking about Blue, Red, and Green candy!

However, as I've gotten older, it's become more than just color that's important and that's why I like these Frankeberry Fruit Roll-Ups more.  The Strawberry Scream is a cool name, Frankenberry looks great and, honestly, I'm just a biased fan.  Frankenberry is my favorite of the living Cereal Monsters and I'm, more times than not, going to put him at the top of the list every time.  I'd like to be objective, but I can't be.  I mean look, I just said Strawberry Scream is a cool name.  That's not even close to Razzle Boo Blitz but I can't admit that Boo Berry has a more creative name.  My loyalties lie with Frank and even if Count Chocula is the leader, I'll always be hoping for a surprise revolt led my Frankenberry and the resurrected Yummy Mummy and Frute Brute.  Hey Paramount, I just gave you the plot for your next movie.  It will make no money.

I have no idea why I couldn't take this picture more clearly, but no matter how many times I angled the Roll-Up, it came out blurry.  Plus 1 for Boo.  But I also have to laugh at the fact that I stood in my kitchen positioning candy for 20 minutes before realizing this wasn't that serious.  I mean, don't get me wrong, it's pretty damn serious, just not THAT serious.  So, you get what you get.  You can clearly see how many logos are printed on this one strip.  We have the cereal logo, Frank's body, and Frank's head.  That's so much better than Boo's blank blue box.  I don't know if it was just the luck of the draw or if it's just the way it is, but in this case, Frankenberry wins again!  Great succes!

I can assure you that Frankenberry Fruit Roll-Ups are not orange, but this picture would indicate otherwise.  Obviously, we've learned today that Frank is not very photogenic, but he is clear this time and you're able to get a better look at the designs.  I actually just noticed the lower left graphic featuring Frankenberry and a tombstone.  That's different.  I don't think I've ever seen a tombstone association with him.  It's pretty morbid and, for Halloween, I like that!  If I was 6 years old, I'd probably stick that right on my tongue.  But, I'm 25, and did it anyway!  Unfortunately, it didn't come out at all and there's nothing to show you.  Still, I'd recommend giving it a shot yourself.  It's fun trying.

The flavor is nothing new.  If you've ever had a Strawberry Fruit Roll-Up, then you've had a Frankenberry Strawberry Scream Fruit Roll-Up.  They're exactly the same, so you know what to expect.  Again, like with Boo Berry, it's about the branding.  It's about the box and wrappers.  It's not about the flavor.  In some cases, I'll pass up on a product when they don't change the flavor, product, food, candy, etc.. But, in this case, I couldn't.  One, it's Monster Cereal! Two, they did make the effort to print their images.  That was enough to pick these up and I'm glad I did!

Now.. On to something that IS new and has made my day!!

All hail the mighty leader, Count Chocula, and his NEW Count Chocula Treats!  Wow, this was a huge surprise.  I first saw these on Instagram.  I typed in #Countchocula, looked for a few classic images, and saw this pop up.  At first, I thought it was photoshopped.  This was back in August, before the cereals were even released, so I wasn't expecting this to actually become a reality.  But, low and behold, after a good month of searching, we finally found these and I am super pumped.  

I've had the Lucky Charms Treats before and I think I developed an addiction to them for about a week or so.  I couldn't get enough of them.  They tasted exactly like Lucky Charms and I found it so much easier to eat that in the morning instead of a bowl of cereal.  It was fast, it was easy, it was good.  Now, with Count Chocula, it can only get better!

Okay, so the treats aren't as pictured on the box, but they're close enough.  No, the marshmallows aren't overly packed into these things like the box would have us believe, but you don't need them, anyway.  This is chocolatey goodness in the purest form.  From the picture above, you can see what appears to be a cookie layer laying on top of a chocolate sheet of candy.  Well, that cookie is, in fact, Count Chocula cereal chopped down to create the perfect Halloween treat.  Those pieces are surrounded by chocolate fudge, chocolate chips, and chocolate swirls.  Underneath all of that, in the middle, are the spooky marshmallows waiting to attack.  It really couldn't be put together any better than it is!

Do you love chocolate?  Have you ever tried the Coco Puffs Treats?  Then this is the snack for you!  This is just awesome.. It's so good that I'm trying to not fall into my old Lucky Charm habits by avoiding this addiction.  Look at the spooky marshmallow staring at you.  It's like a face has been created by my bite and he's luring you into his guilty pleasure.  Perhaps this has been Count Chocula's plan all along!  He's a sly one..

In all seriousness, I don't know why General Mills haven't released these sooner.  This HAS to make them big bucks this Halloween season and, if I have it my way, it will pave the way for Frank and Boo to join him as one of the "Treats" next year.  If you make them, with the white milk bottom, I'd imagine they'd taste amazing.  Obviously Count Chocula couldn't be made into a Fruit Roll-Up (Ew, but I'd try it), but Frank and Boo can certainly join Choc next year and I'd love to see it.  Go out and buy these great treats so we can get the sales up.  Even if it doesn't lead to anything new, you'll be able to say you had a Count Chocula Halloween Treat!  You won't regret it..

Now, what could be better than that?

It looks like a slug, it looks like a rope, it looks like a joint, and it reminds me of a barber shop.  But, it's none of that, it's my FrankenBooComboBerry.  It's not hard to figure out what I did here.  I simply took one of each Fruit Roll-Ups, combined them, and twisted.  Besides an awkward looking piece of candy that can be interpreted in many ways, it creates a crazy flavor that tops each of these individual monsters.  So, if you go out and buy these things, make sure you create FrankenBooCombBerry and enjoy the trip!