Last Minute Bright Costume Ideas

Uh-oh, it’s Halloween and you are still not too sure about what to wear. Don’t panic, we at The Lite Source have conjured up a few bright ideas for you. Of course we had to go with the light-theme this year; but ponder this, how many people do you think will have the same costume idea?

Check out these great get-ups!

Here's a costume that requires pretty much no effort at all. Step one: Remove lamp shade from light bulb. Step two: Place lamp shade on head.

Image source:partycheap.com

If you have an electrical knack for things or some spare time before you go, try going as a light-up jellyfish. This costume is an electricians dream or nightmare! See how it's made via the link below!

Image source: instructables.com

This costume has to be one of my favorites. Check out this homemade lava lamp! You might not have enough time to make it today, but this is definitely one awesome outfit!

Image source: coolest-homemade-costumes.com 

Here’s a suit that’s pretty quick and easy. Do you have some white clothing and a bunch or white balloons? Go as a light bulb! If have get the long twisting-type balloons, you can fashion a swirling HD bulb like an OttLite bulb!  

Image source: lilsugar.com

Here’s one for the ladies, or the men, if you want to be humorous! Remember the leg lamp from A Christmas Story? Now it’s a costume!

Image source: meijer.com

Don’t have much time to 'slow down' and ‘stop’ to get a costume? Then ‘go’ for this look!

Image source: coolest-homemade-costumes.com

Which one is your favorite?

Have any questions or comments on today’s blog? Let us know!

Have a safe and fun-filled Halloween!

~Charlene Marie

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

It’s almost Halloween and you know what that means; creepy monsters and dark, scary nights. Here are a few chilling ghost pictures that might give you a fright!

Here's a ghost looking at a grave stone.

Image source: www.hauntednovel.com

Here's a group of ghosts that can be seen through this doorway.

Image source: www.hauntednovel.com

Below, a ghastly image is standing in front of some trees.

 Image source: www.hauntednovel.com

  Are these real or fake? You tell us!

Are you scared? Turn on a light from The Lite Source. The warm glow of an OttLite bulb can be very calming after a frightening scenario!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

~Charlene Marie

Halloween Fun in Central Florida

Are you in the Florida area searching for a Halloween adventure? We have the latest breakdown for you.

Fun filled days or spooky nights; will it be too daunting or just right? With all of the different theme parks and events in the Central Florida area, choosing the right one can be a task. Since our online retailer, AcroBoo Commerce is from Tampa, we decided to feature a special edition Halloween blog about four big events happening close by. So before you leave, shut off that light from The Lite Source and join us for a Halloween quest!

We will now pass you over to Scary Char, your cackling tour guide.

Your hostess, Scary Char

Howl-O-Scream, Tampa, FL

Heh, heh, ha, ha, Scary Char here! Do I smell a chrill seeker?  That’s my word for thrill and chill at the same time, ha-ha! Oooh, I do! Then you should take a ride over to Busch Gardens for Howl-O-Scream.  This is the last weekend for a bloodcurdling and heart -pounding adventure! With scary rollercoasters, numerous haunted houses, creepy shows and zombies, this is something to you’d want to leave the kiddos at home for. Just make sure they’re not afraid of witches like me! Ah, ha-ha! Tickets range from $32.99 – $77.99 plus tax and the hours are from Thursday, 7:30 p.m. – 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. You might just see me there! Heh, ha! Visit Bush Gardens online at: http://bit.ly/rQaabt  for more information.

Mickey’s Not –So-Scary Halloween Party, Lake Buena Vista, FL

Ha, ha! Here’s one for the kiddos. Take your family on this adventure. Children of all ages can join Mickey and his friends in costume for this event. Come trick-or-treat, watch fireworks and see characters from the Haunted Mansion attraction parade throughout the park. You don’t have to worry about being frightened in the Magic Kingdom. Heh, ha!  This event is from 7:00 p.m. – 12 a.m. and the remaining days are October 25, 27, 30, 31 and November 1. Ticket prices range from $ 51.95 - $67.95 plus tax  for Florida residents. Visit Disney online at: http://bit.ly/XEGM3 for more information.

Halloween Horror Nights, Orlando, FL

Ahhh, ha-ha! Looking for another scare-fest? Check out the Halloween Horror Nights 21 event at Universal Studios. You might not want to get to close to one of the many haunted houses or scare zones if you don’t want to scream in fear! Heh, ha, ha!  There are shows and plenty of scary monster-like things roaming the streets for a bone-chilling experience! This event is not recommended for youngsters under 13. This event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. On October, 27 the event is open until 1 a.m. and on the 28-29, it is open until 2 a.m. The last night to go is on Halloween, so get there while you can! Ha, haa! Florida resident tickets range from $ 41.99 - $66.99 plus tax. For more information, visit Universal’s site at: http://bit.ly/nvjWPK.

Guavaween, Ybor City, FL

Heh, ha-ha! This event is for adults that love to party! Bring along a designated driver for this one! Filled with live music, food, drinks, costume contests and entertainment, this occasion is one giant celebration! Catch some beads at the Mama Guava Stumble Parade at 8 p.m. in the heart of Tampa’s party town. You don’t want to miss these entertaining floats and costumes!  Ahh, ha, ha! This festival is October 29 from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. and the parade starts at 8 p.m.  Tickets are $12 online at the Ybor Chamber of Commerce. Get there early, if you want to park! For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/oF43sj.

Whatever you choose to do, have a spooktacular time! Ahh, ha-ha!

Have questions or comments about this blog? Let us know!

Happy Halloween!

~Charlene Marie

Funky-Shaped and Twisted: Today’s Latest Light Bulb Fashions

For years the traditional hot-air-balloon-shaped light bulbs ruled the lamps and bulb sockets on the home front. Today, odd and twisty-shaped lighting is popping up on store shelves everywhere. Just what is the meaning of these bizarre characteristics of the lighting of the new millennium?  

The light bulbs that we have grown up with are called incandescent bulbs. These are derived from the days of Thomas Edison back in 1879. Light bulbs such as these are illuminated by heating up a metal filament within an air-tight bulb to produce light.

In compact florescent bulbs, an electric current is run through a gas within the light tube in which produces ultraviolet light. In order for the light bulb to yield a fluorescent glow, the UV light reflects off of a phosphorous coating inside of the glass tube and then boom, the light shines bright!

The reason behind the loopy, swirly shape of compact florescent bulbs is so manufactures can cram a lot of glass tubing into a small space.  With this being said, the gas and electric current combined can do their job and light up a room within a more compressed bulb design!

OttLite 25W 508 Edison Swirl Bulb

Here are a few fun names that I’ve heard used to describe these loopy bulbs:

1.       Pig-tail light

2.       Curley lights

3.       Spiral bulbs

4.       Ice cream whip bulbs

5.       Swirly-whirly lights

And of course there’s always the circular, swirling hand-gesture that goes along with, “you know that kind of light!”

Have you heard of any other names for these types of bulbs? We’d love to hear them!

Speaking of light designs and fashions, I wonder if this veil was inspired by the swirling funk of a florescent bulb!

Image Source: lagosinternationalfashionweek.com 

Have a bright day!

~Charlene Marie

Useful Tip Friday: Proper Lighting for Guests

When there is company, there are a lot of bases to cover to ensure that your guest is comfortable during their stay.  Having a house guest typically requires providing clean linens, extra towels, enough dishes and additional snacks and dinner items in order to be a hospitable host. Although there may be a lot to ponder already when it comes to being welcoming; have you thought about your lighting? Today we will give you a few tips on lighting up your home the proper way for visitors. 

 

Have you ever stumbled down the hall in the middle of the night to find the bathroom?  If it’s that hard for you to get to the restroom, it will be twice as bad for your guest. Add a little glow to your lavatory with a nightlight. You can also place a few extra nightlights in the hallways or in the kitchen. You never know when a visitor may need a midnight snack!

Want to have a memorable dinner experience with your guest? Garnish your table with a few candles. Candle lighting is relaxing and enhances the atmosphere with a warm glow during any occasion. Dinners by candle light aren’t just for romantics. Add a few tea lights or fragrance candles around your home for a more comforting feeling throughout.

Do you have a guest that likes to read? Make sure there is a desk or nightstand lamp so your visitor will have control over the lighting in the comfort of their own room. Have a guest with bad vision? Enrich the room’s lighting with an OttLite lamp or bulb.

                                                               Key Largo Table Lamp

Now that we have the inside of your home covered, don’t forget about the outside! Always leave a porch or floodlight on for that guest who is expected later than usual. If you think you might forget to shut it off, add a timer to the mix and have the light shut off automatically.

Have any comments or suggestions about today’s blog? We’d love to hear them!

~Charlene Marie

Inspired by Movies: High Definition Lighting

Image source: roughwriter.yc.edu

Have you ever seen a movie in which the colors were so vivid that it practically made you feel like it was a part of real life? The image projection that emerges from high definition lighting can be amazing concept when it comes to movies. High definition lighting can also be just as good when it is dispersed in your home. For your entertainment, here are a few great movies that bring color to life!

When I heard Avatar was a three-hour movie, I almost did a 180-degree turn in the middle of the road, on the way to the theater. I can barely sit still when a movie is an hour, never mind three! When the previews were finally over with and Avatar popped on, I was blown away! The brilliant colors and quality of the movie was entrancing! The hues became even more electrifying when the night scenes in the forest illuminated the big screen. I loved it! After the movie was over, I was still in disbelief that such a long movie could go by that fast!

Image source: commicbookmovie.com

I remember when cartoons were made with just a handful of colors. When I was a kid, I was definitely drawn in more by the entertainment of the flick versus the hues on the setting. Thanks to computer graphics, today’s animated movies are two times the fun! For instance, one move that displays great color is the movie UP. Although the story may be a little sad, the brilliant colors of the balloons and of Kevin, the tropical bird, certainly brought a smile to my face.

Image source: thecia.com.au

There have been studies that have shown that certain colors and lighting can give your mood a boost. Why not embrace the brilliant colors of Hollywood and bring them into your own home? Cheer up your dwelling with natural HD lighting from The Lite Source and let your true colors shine!

OttLite 508 Edison Swirl Bulb

Have any questions or comments about today’s blog? Feel free to share!

~ Charlene Marie

Useful Tip Friday: Incorporating Lighting with Halloween Décor

Image source: actevablog.com

It’s that time of year again to bring out those creepy decorations and add bags of candy to your shopping list. It’s also a good time to start thinking about planning that spooky decor. If you are considering an eerie setting, lighting can play a big part in creating just the right feel. Since lights are our specialty, we’ve found a few funky lighting ideas for just the right Halloween scene whether it’s inside your home or out.

When trick-or-treaters come trailing through your yard in hopes of some yummy treats, strobe lighting can add that extra dazzle. By using a fogger, the creep-factor gets even better!

Image source: halloweenforum.com

Want to make ghosts glow? Complement the scene by aiming a black light right at your spooky friend!

Image source: usersites.horrorfind.com

Shine a ground light on a tree for an unnerving shadow effect! Add a colored film in front of the light for even more of a dramatic scene!

Image source: artdurkee.blogspot.com

Don’t forget to light up the jack-o-lanterns!

Image source: hauntedeve.com

For a creepy feeling inside your home, add some candles on top of a candelabra.

 Image source: americansale.com

 

Or decorate a chandelier with spider web!

Image source: poolandpatioabout.com 

When Halloween is over, don’t forget to put your traditional lighting back into play. Need a natural lighting lift? Try an OttLite bulb!

If you have any other Halloween décor ideas, we’d love hear them! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

~ Charlene Marie

Inspired by beauty: Lights

Photo by: Charlene Maire

Beauty can be just about anywhere you look. It can be a beautiful flower, a gorgeous dress or simply a lovely day outside. Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the concept of it is typically enjoyed by a general consensus.  Since it is Inspiration Wednesday, today’s blog is inspired by beauty.

In the essence of beauty, one typically tries to look their personal best.  When getting ready for a day at the office or school, lighting can play an important role. Below are a few ways that can help you see beauty in a whole new light!

Image source: centurycafe.com

Have you ever gone to the office and noticed that your shirt doesn’t match your pants or that the socks you are wearing are two different colors? It can certainly happen and when it does, it can be embarrassing! To stop the wardrobe malfunctions, OttLite can help!

Image source: gq.com

Add an OttLite bulb to a walk-in closet or place a lamp on your dresser to show your clothing in true color!

508 Edison Swirl bulb by OttLite  

Have you ever walked in to a public restroom and seen patchy splotches of foundation on your face or noticed that your eye shadow is a little darker than what you had expected? Since your face is typically the first thing people see, most of us want to look our best. To assist with makeup factor, there’s an OttLite for that too!

Image source: maximisegroup.com

Try the Beauty by Ottlite for that perfect application!

Beauty by OttLite

Look and feel beautiful with confidence!

Have any comments or suggestions about today’s blog? Feel free to let us know below!

~Charlene Marie

Get the look Monday: Lamps Gone Country

Image source: incollection.com

Yeehaw! If you’re looking to go a little country, you’ve come to the right place. It’s a country-styled theme for this week’s Get the Look Monday segment. If you like the look and feel of the West, keep reading, for style at its best! 

Image source: littlebitsoflovelt.blogspot.com

Whether you’re at the ranch or in the city, these lamps can be a country hit while helping you see better. Here are some great home decor ideas with some Western elegance!

See the country in a whole new light and have sweet-potato-pie dreams at night!

Image source: blazzinghouse.com

Get a similar look by adding the Marietta Table Lamp in antiqued bronze from The Lite Source.

Marietta Table Lamp 

Add a hint of country to an accent or end table.

Image source: ebay.com 

 

Want a comparable look? Try the Collins Table Lamp.

 

Collins Table Lamp

Have any ideas or suggestions? Feel free to comment below!

~Charlene Marie