That is the question. October brings with it the age-old questions, “What are you going to be for Halloween”? For some of us less than creative types, that question fills us with dread. Well, fear no more. We have found some simple solutions to the dilemma for kids and adults alike.

Hallowville Manor

Located in a Fort Langley, this novelty and costume shop is THE local boutique-style place to find costumes for toddlers right through to adult size. From now until November 2, they are open 10am-9pm daily.

Value Village

Everyone knows that Value Village is the local costume supercentre. This is where you’ll find your basic, run-of-the-mill costumes for kids and adults.

Ye Olde Piggy Bank

Ye Olde Piggy Bank is one of the largest costume rental shops in the Lower Mainland. They have hundreds of costumes renting from $25.00 a day. They are located at 5683-176th Street, Cloverdale. 604-574-3223

Consignment Stores

If it’s a children’s costume you are looking for, check out a kid’s consignment store. There is Kidazzles in White Rock, Buckets of Fun in South Surrey, Little Critters in Cloverdale and Lollipops in Langley.

Oya Costumes

This online store has hundreds of costumes available including those from popular movies, themes and different eras. They are great for kids and adults of all sizes. The shipping charge is very reasonable and if you order in the next couple of days, it is guaranteed to arrive on your doorstep in time for the big day.

Happy Trick or Treating!

MILF no longer stands for something offensive. 

Erica Ehm, popular TV personality has created The Yummy Mummy Club.  It is an online magazine that is THE go-to place for moms with an edge.  This is where moms are women first In her world MILF stands for Modern, Inspired, Life-makers and Freakin' multi-tasking babes!

Erica’s passion for women really resonated with us during our interview in The Uptown Gift Box gift lounge at the 2009 CCMA’s.  As most of you Stimulistas know, Stimuli  exists to help women “Live A Fabulous Life In the Fraser Valley” and this is exactly what The Yummy Mummy Club helps women achieve all across Canada.

The Yummy Mummy Club site is written by moms for moms.  It’s cheeky, fun, smart, edgy, provocative and  most of all empowering! 

“It is so important to me that the site continually reminds women that they are perfect just the way they are.  That they are good enough, beautiful enough and strong enough,” say Ehm.  She believes this so strongly that she doesn’t allow cosmetic surgery advertising on the website.  Way to go Erica!

Sign up for the FREE Yummy Mummy Club newsletter where you will find out all the details on the latest contests, events, upcoming articles and blog postings.  Right now they have a $500 Gift Certificate to Marks Work Wearhouse and an $1100 Back-to-School prize pack from Microsoft up for grabs.

Erica’s final words, “Yummy is a state of mind.”  So right she is!

Yummy is a state of mind.

The Stimuli consensus is that buying gifts for boys is much harder than for girls.  It probably has something to do with the fact that we aren’t of the male persuasion.  What’s cool?  What’s fun?  What are they going to like? 

We came across the Marshmallow Blaster and had a gift-giving epiphany.  The perfect gift for boys—and girls—everywhere. This plastic blaster looks like a water gun but the “ammo” is little marshmallows.  No water, no paint, no mess! 

Nephews, nieces, sons, daughters and god-children alike, will be blasting their friends and parents with marshmallows this year.  Everyone duck! 

We found the Marshmallow Blaster at Melange Distinctive Fashion & Gifts in Ocean Park.  Click here to find their contact info.

A pregnant glow can sometimes be over-shadowed by muscle cramps, swelling and general discomfort.

Pre-natal massage with a Registered Massage Therapist can help alleviate some of these discomforts.  Candace Cawdell, RMT at the Karen J. Smith registered massage therapy clinic in South Surrey, is a specialist in pre and post-natal massage therapy.

Using the Body Cushion System, women are able to lie face down and be fully supported during the massage regardless of their belly size.

Pre-natal massage can help reduce general muscle tension and pain, reduce swelling, lessen sciatic pain and improve mood and sleep.  Post-natal massage addresses postural concerns associated with breastfeeding, decrease stress and anxiety and helps reduce scar tissue formations after a c-section.

Stimulistas, even if you aren't expecting, this would make a great gift for that mother-to-be in your life.  To set up an appointment, call the clinic at 604-536-5666.

Why is it that lingerie companies assume that pregnant women don’t want to feel sexy and beautiful?

Best friends Angela Crosbie and Lisa Ebbing wondered the same thing during their pregnancies so they set out to do something about it and Hot Milk Lingerie was born.  (Pardon the pun!)  It’s obvious that women share their opinion because in three short years they’ve taken Hot Milk from being a small business based in New Zealand and turned it into a global phenomenon.

Hot Milk Lingerie is designed with the specific requirements of a pregnant or nursing mother in mind but are styled with all the femininity and sexiness of regular bras and panties.  The bras are underwire free, have one-handed maternity clips, triple eye hooks and power fabric for support and will no rub or chaff. 

This company is doing exactly what it set out to do...”Celebrating the sexy woman inside the loving mother”.

Hot Milk is available at Nectar Lingerie in Fort Langley.