Costume Help: Where to Find a Tiara?

A reader has written in asking for help finding a tiara (pageant style) to top off her Halloween costume. HELP! Who has ideas? Where to shop for a Miss Texas-worthy crown?

Tricks and Treats on Sale at West Elm

Nothing gets me as excited as Halloween does. Well, except for shopping for Halloween.

Halloween Style Standout: Comic Book Girl

Comic pages repurposed into a full-skirted dress! Genius!

This was my favorite costume of the weekend. This handmade 50s-style dress was assembled from comic book pages. A face-painted “Pow” and “Kaboom” headband completed the look. Clever, no?

Halloween Costume Contest Happening at the Winspear this Weekend

If you happen to pass the Winspear on Sunday and notice people running around in costumes, that’s where a costume contest is happening. Sign up after 11 am and check out your competition until 12:30 pm, when the winners are chosen. The ten best dressed will win free tickets to see Anna Bolena. (And based on your response to my giveaway of these same tickets, there are clearly lots of who you would love to go.)

Halloween Jewelry at Accents

(clockwise from top left) bejeweled snake ring, $25; coiled snake ring, $25; skull and rose earrings, $24

Spooky baubles are in at Accents, according to owner Lucy. No better way to get in the spirit than to wear it on your phalanges(or lobes). See some of the pieces, right.

Look What I Found: Halloween Oreos at Stanley Korshak

Halloween Cookies, $20

If you’re like me and start eating Halloween candy way before Halloween, then head to Stanley Korshak to nab a tasty treat that’s sure to spook your taste buds. These cute packages have chocolate-covered Oreos inside. Yummy! They’re kind of a splurge at $20, but they’d make a great gift. –Katherine Paullus

Halloween Hair at Salon Madrid

Be the best Neytiri of the bunch.

When it comes to Halloween, we spend ridiculous amounts of time on our costumes and our makeup. I think I speak for most when I say we get a little sloppy with the hair. (For example, I went as Marie Antoinette one year, and when I worked my up to the top of my head, I gave up, stuck a little pink bow in it, and hoped everyone would guess who I was by the outfit. I mean, I’m no hair stylist, you know?) The obvious answer is to wear a wig, but the majority of the wigs found around Halloween time are… well, gross. I’ve got a solution, though. Jason and Angel, owners of Salon Madrid and former film and TV hair crew in LA, are cooking up all kinds of fantastic hair decor this year. Yes, they’re wigs, but they’re fabulous. The Avatar piece, right, is just one of the dozens of options. Think Cruella de Vil, Cleopatra, geisha girls, and vampire locks. (Oh, and the gorgeous Marie Antoinette ‘do I should have been sporting is there, too.) “If someone can think it up, we can build it,” Jason says.

Lisa Carrier Jeweled Skull Candles for Halloween Entertaining

Luxe Crystal Skull black candle, $150; Crystle Skull white candle, $90; Cameo Votive Gift Set, $58

These candles aren’t for setting on orange plastic tableclothes next to green jello, but they are perfect for the upcoming BEST HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR. (That includes you, Christmas.) Add them as a centerpiece to an elegant All Hallow’s Eve affair, gift them to a hostess at her Halloween party, or deck your house with them to add a little edge to your interior design. As for the cameos, I’m just obsessed with them. They’re slightly creepy in a historic way, right? Snatch them up at Neiman Marcus.

How Much is That Doggy Costume in The Window?

"Taco Taco" costume at Foxy Paws

When it’s time to trick-or-treat, make sure your Fido is in disguise! With all the cute Halloween costumes for pooches in stores this year, I may just have to get two for my Westie! Foxy Paws, Lucky Dog Barkery,  Tails of the City, Woof and Green Pet have outfits to make sure your pup’s style is witchin’. I found calypso queens, clowns, tacos, and bugs at Foxy Paws (about $25), punk zebras (complete with mohawks) and jesters at Lucky Dog Barkery ($24-$38), queen of hearts ensembles, monkeys, and angel wings at Tails of The City, Halloween ties and pirate costumes at Woof ($18 to $23), jerseys at Avenue Barket, and terrifying cute sheep and vampires costumes at Green Pet ($20ish). Jump for the photo roundup. –Katherine Paullus

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Look What I Found: Adorable Halloween Pet Cards

Halloween Cards, $2.95

While cruising for Halloween costumes for my dogs at Avenue Barket, I found the cutest Halloween pet cards I’ve ever seen. Whether they’re for your beloved pooch, or for a special someone, these cards are sure to bring a jack-o-lantern-style smile to anyone’s face. Since they’re only $2.95, you can buy several. Also, the owner is super nice has been known to throw in some free doggy trick-or-treats… –Katherine Paullus

Skull Candles at Nest for $30

This bad boy comes in silver, too.

I love Halloween. I love Nest. I love D.L. & Co. It makes sense, then, that I’m ridiculously thrilled that Nest is carrying these D.L. & Co. skull candles for Halloween. They’re $30 a pop and come in a funky black skull-printed box.

The Cutest Chocolate Bar I’ve Ever Seen is from Eatzi’s

Razzle dazzle 'em with a slab of chocolate goodness.

I mean, look at it! This Razzle Dazzle bar is so stinkin’ precious I can’t unwrap it. The vintage inspired design, the rhinestones, the ribbon…darling! Get them now at Eatzi’s for $12. I’m not sure what I suggest you do with it afterward–I haven’t tasted it yet–but you definitely need one, right?

ShopTalk Friday Giveaway: Really Fun Event Tickets

So here’s the deal. We’re giving away tickets to a really great, swanky Dallas event on October 30. The event, Escapade, is an annual bash put on by The Family Place. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a nonprofit can’t throw a ragin’ party. This event, complete with costumes, delish dinner by Marc DePetris, and free flowing cocktails (like themed drinks, beer, and wine), costs a minimum of $250 per person to attend. With tunes spun by DJ OBJen & Juice, a live show by the band Limelight, live comedy performances, and public judgement cast upon those with the cleverest of costumes, Escapade 2010 promises a great Halloween Eve for all. Plus, though you’ll be going for free if you win, 100 percent of the proceeds from the night goes to The Family Place. We’re giving away two sets of tickets. Enter to win here. (But first, make sure you’re free on Oct. 30.)

Halloween Day at West Village for You and Princess (or Buster, or Fluffy, or whatever)

We live in Dallas, so you know there are lots of ladies who dress up their pets. If you’re one of them, fret not; I’m not making fun. In fact, I’m posting to let you know if you bring your stylish furry friend to the West Village on Halloween day, he or she will be one of the dozens in doggie duds. The entire day is going to be devoted to the four-legged and their costumes. Trick or treating is on the itinerary, as you’ll collect animal treats at shops in the Village. Pet portrait stands and baked dog food vendors will be in the area, too. When you’re exhausted from filling up Rover’s bag with snacks, go listen to some live music, sip on complimentary wine from Cork Wines, and nibble on bites like pizza and canolis from Grimaldi’s. (If you haven’t tried Grimaldi’s and don’t have a dog, pretend you do so you can get in the delicious food. I love Grimaldi’s.) Wondering if there’s a costume contest? Duh. If your little guy’s the winner, you’ll take home a bag full of pet goodies and people goodies. To get in on this action, register your pooch for $15. Your dog is allowed to bring you as a free guest. Proceeds will benefit The Katy Trail. Sunday, Oct. 31, from 2 pm to 5 pm.

*UPDATE: Register here!

Want It vs. Flaunt It: Dark Jewelry

Pamela Love’s dark jewelry designs are the obsession of many, and it isn’t hard to see why. The edgy designs are tough, but still dainty. Want her Stacked Talon ring? Be prepared to spend $1,188. Considering the crow necklace? That’s in the near-$800 range. Or…

You can head to The Shining and get similar styles of both. Snag the talon ring with black stones for $150 or the bird skull necklace for $91. Heck. With those prices, go ahead and buy both.