Halloween is just around the corner, so it’s not too early to start thinking about costumes. Not for you, or the kids, but for your pets. Notwithstanding the fact that most canines go berserk at the endless ringing of the doorbell on Halloween, there are so many unusual costumes to choose from on so many websites that we didn’t want you to wait any longer. For example, this snappy caterpillar costume works well with dachshund-shaped dogs. It’s from the pet boutique Trixie and Peanut. If your dog is slightly naughty, there is the French maid’s outfit at Doggy Duds.com. If the wild West is to your taste, try the Red Western Dog Dress with a little cowboy hat for your pug or Pekingese from Primp Your Pet, or the Elvis costume from Posh Pet Glamour Boutique. By the way, cat costumes are a little harder to find, since the typical cat is not inclined to be dressed like a fairy princess. However, we did find one adventurous site, Spoiled Rotten Kitties, which offers cat costumes. We recommend the Cat from Hell look.

If you are still casting about for that single perfect trend-encompassing piece for fall, we may have found it. It’s not flashy, or trimmed in feathers or fur. It doesn’t scream “I’m a fashion victim.” It’s simply a button-down jacket. But this bit of fabric encompasses three of fall’s top trends. First, it’s gray, which is the color of the season. Second, it’s got a cinched waist, which graced numerous runways last spring when designers presented their fall collections. And third, it’s got a bow, which is very, very chic. The downside is that it’s not cheap at $895 from Barneys New York, but if you can’t afford this particular piece, let it serve as inspiration as you set out in search of fall apparel additions. For example, we found a similar, lovely gray textured jacket by Semantiks at Nordstrom for $128.

If you are sick and tired of repeat trips to the grocery store for forgotten items you will appreciate SmartShopper Voice-Activated Grocery List. Available online at websites like SharperImage.com and Frontgate.com, SmartShopper uses voice recognition software to record and organize lists. You can program regularly purchased items, customize quantities, and record lists of errands to remember when you are making your rounds. Just speak your needs to this handy handheld and viola! No more forgotten fabric softener or trips to the dry cleaner. SmartShopper operates ink free to print your lists and uses 4AA batteries. It’s magnetized to stick on the fridge or you can wall mount it…all for $149.95 (includes three paper rolls.) Not bad. Now all you need to do is remember to use it!

. . . go directly to this website. Safety Central bills itself as America’s safety store, and after perusing their vast assortment of products, we believe them. This site has everything from survivalist gear to must-have camping items to kid-proofing products to food provisions to safe travel products and much more. They appear to have every single thing you could ever need to prepare yourself for disasters big and small. Take the Gas-o-Haul, for example: a folding gasoline container to keep in the car in case you run out. Or perhaps you need the Pretender
Voice Changer and Excuse device — a gadget to fend off unwanted callers (it makes the sound of a doorbell ringing, a baby crying or even distorts your own voice). Stock up and rest easy.

Most of us know who Luciano Pavarotti was, even before the death of the grand Italian tenor on Sept. 6. His career spanned more than four decades and he is considered one of the finest operatic singers ever. But have you ever listened to his music beyond the sound bites that accompanied his TV obituaries? Don’t be ashamed if you’re not a big opera fan — it’s not for everyone. But if you consider yourself open to great music of all genres, then pay homage to one of the world’s great singers by snatching up a few of his best recordings. The Chicago Tribune’s music writer, John von Rhein, listed his top 10 favorite recordings by Pavarotti and we found a couple of them for sale. Go to Amazon.com to find “O Solo Mio: Favorite Neapolitan Songs,” and “The Three Tenors in Concert,” which in 1990 made Pavarotti more famous than ever. Both DVDs are $12.97 new, but there are plenty of used ones available.

More toy fiascos hit the news and the recall lists again this week. This time, it’s Barbie accessories that Mattel is recalling because of dangerous paint laced with lead, which could cause serious harm to children. If ingested or absorbed, lead reaches certain levels in the blood, it can cause learning disorders, behavioral problems and impaired intellectual growth in children.

So what’s a parent to do? Well, at this point, you may want to evaluate your entire toy inventory against the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s growing list of lead-paint contaminated toys. See the CPSC website for details on the recalled toys, which have been made in China for American firms such as Shylling, Little Tykes and Fisher Price. Those with Barbie toys should go immediately to Mattel’s website, where you can view pictures of and get the model numbers for the affected play sets. The recall page lists the specific paint and parts affected. This will allow you to keep any unaffected parts — NOT!

Thankfully, Barbie’s not a big actor at our house and we don’t have any these specific afflicted accessories. But if we did, I’m not sure I would trust that the only contamination is on the yellow, brown and orange painted parts of the Barbie Kitchen Playset as outlined on the Mattel website. I think instead, in light of the avalanche of recalls, I would pitch the entire set. Ditto the Barbie Dream Puppy House pictured here. (Fido is circled because he’s the one coated with poison).

Read More: Safe Toys? Yes, They Are Out There