Trick-or-treat chic
Choxie, a new line of chocolates at Target, starts with hip packaging. Beneath the pretty designs are a huge variety of good-tasting candy at department-store prices ($1.80-$12). The line includes brightly colored chocolate truffles in bars and “tiles,” as well as traditional boxed assortments; the fun flavors are all over the board. Our favorites: 1.5-ounce tins of bite-size treats (18 flavors include toffee almond crunch and dark chocolate-espresso beans, $5-$8 each) and 2.5-ounce chocolate bars (six flavors including mint cookie truffle and raspberry-lemon biscotti, $1.80 each).
Pumpkin power
Pumpkin adds punch to ultramoist Peter Pumpkin breads from Hannah Banana Bread Co. Cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg also make their presence known. Choose plain or with raisins in 13-ounce mini-loaves ($5-$5.30) at Casey’s Market in Western Springs and Sunset Foods; larger 2 3/4-pound loaves ($12) at Norma’s Coffee Corner, 189 W. Northwest Hwy., Palatine; and slices ($1.80-$2) at Norma’s, Gourmand, 728 S. Dearborn St., and Nordstrom espresso bars.
Junior epicure
The clever bibs from Chicago-based Ellie’s Party! Gear for Growing Gourmands aren’t costumes exactly, but they will certainly dress up Junior and Junior Miss with a sense of humor through Halloween and the holidays beyond. “Aspiring Foodie,” “Food Critic in Training” and our favorite, “Sip-pee Cup Sommelier,” are just some of the catchphrases on these 100-percent cotton bibs. (Onesies and kids’ T-shirts to size 10-12 are offered too.) The bibs are $15 each by mail-order: Visit elliesparty.com or call Cafe Press at 877-809-1659.
