You can make costumes and accessories out of just about anything these days. Just ask the creative and slightly “sinister” folks over at theanticraft.com who have mastered the craft of the protein enriched bacon tiara.

For complete instructions, just click on their link above. You can also watch the tiara being made in this You Tube video.

With a bacon tiara, you can proudly wear the title of “Miss Piggy.” A word of caution, though…steer clear of the dog.

MTV is celebrating “Otako Week” and showing many clips of last year’s Okaton anime convention in Baltimore.

Here’s a video of Link from The Legend of Zelda. A great costume! And he’s not a bad musician, either.

This looks like a really fun convention. But this next clip is so funny, it makes me wonder what MTV is up to. Are they purposely trying to make fun of gamers?

Real life costumed superheroes? You betcha. They may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but they are definitely fighting to make this world a better place.

At the World Superhero Registry, you can find a long list of superheroes from around the world who help charities and patrol their local neighborhoods. While most of them do public appearances at hospitals and schools, some actually train to fight and are considered borderline vigilantes.

This is such a great idea! Although, reportedly the cops aren’t too thrilled about costumed civilians fighting crime.

Here’s an interview with Razerhawk from Fox News.

This makes me want to join the superhero registry! I wonder what kind of costume and secret identity I would have?

How about you - what kind of superhero would YOU be?

The Philadelphia Mummers Parade kicked off the new year with style, despite the bitter cold and economic woes the city faces. Indeed, the parade was almost cancelled this year, but at the last minute was saved by private donors. This parade is a city tradition since 1901, and I’m so glad they were able to continue with it.

The word “mummer” comes from the German word meaning “to costume or masquerade.” The parade’s roots stretch back to Swedish settlers in the 1600s who dressed in costumes for a Christmas celebration. Over time, Italian, Irish and other immigrants formed neighborhood clubs that carried on the tradition.

The costumes are just out of this world. The parade ran for a 2-mile stretch through the heart of Philadelphia, and over 15,000 people attended the 6-hour parade.

More photos of the parade are available on Flickr.

Happy New Year!!

[Fox News]

The traditional “ball drop” is so last year (and the year before that, and the year before that). But head to the Florida Keys and you’re bound to ring in the New Year as only the Keys can.

Yes, you will undoubtedly enjoy balmy temperatures and beachside fireworks. But it’s their unique version of Times Square’s ball drop that you’ll remember every year around New Year’s Eve.

At one location, people are expected to ring in the New Year by watching a gigantic manmade conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, descend from the skies to the roof of Sloppy Joe’s Bar.

A few blocks away, a lavishly costumed female impersonator named Sushi will descend seconds before midnight in a super-sized red high heel suspended above the crowd.

In Key West’s Historic Seaport, just before midnight, a pirate wench will begin her descent from the top of the mast of a stately tall ship. There’s even festivities for pets.

I vote for dropping the ball. Give me the Keys, please.

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays, dating back 4000 years to ancient Babylon. The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted eleven days. Ours lasts only one night, so why not make it as fun as possible by incorporating costumes?

According to Allana Baroni, at getsocial.com, when guests get dressed up, they’re able to step outside themselves to mingle and flirt.

In this video, she shows you how to set up a Costume Station that will help coax your guest’s alter egos to come out and play.

There’s nothing like costumes to help you ring in the New Year with style!

British-Nigerian textile artist Yinka Shonibare is internationally recognized for his recreation of historical figures dressed in African print costumes.

The costumes are incredible, and his art is intriguing. If you notice, none of his figures have a head! Shonibare uses humor and parody to addresses issues of class in Nigeria and the British colonization during the Victorian era.

Fascinating! You can view all the photos HERE, and there’s also a 9-minute video where he talks about his art HERE (sorry, no embed code).

[via Saharan Vibe]

As far as dog costumes go, this is definitely one of the better ones. Although it can’t be fun to drag that alligator suit around, the poor puppy.

But it does look great! What a funny idea. I wonder how heavy that costume is?

[via Gizmodo]

These videos are quite odd. Can someone tell me what exactly is going on here?

It’s a Japanese game show involving cats in costumes, and I’m at a loss for words….

Thousands of Santas took over the streets of San Francisco last week for the annual Santacon. They filled up the malls, bars and downtown sidewalks, spreading goodwill and holiday cheer.

Santacon occurs in many cities throughout the world this time of year. As members of the Cacophony Society, their goal is to unite “in the pursuit of experiences beyond the pale of mainstream society through subversion, pranks, art, fringe explorations and meaningless madness.”

Sounds fun, and looks like a great time!

Here are a few photos from the event. Be sure to check out the giant SF Santacon photo gallery on Flickr.

As a kid, I remember my grandfather reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to me on Christmas Eve. Since then, I’ve heard a million different versions of the story…except for Batman’s version.

For superhero fans everywhere, here’s the “Dark Knight Before Christmas.”