Three Positive Things for Monday

Spread the love -- write out three positive things right now. No judging, don't think too hard about it...

For me

1. My husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary this weekend! We had a wonderful time together, just what we wanted.

2. Our three kittens turned nine months old, but they're still just little adorable babies.

3. I got a great manicure and pedicure (first one of spring/summer season) after this photo.

What's up with you?

What I'm wearing: Black knit military-style jacket, Macy's | Black T-shirt, Target | Black embellished skirt, thrift-store w/additions by me | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black boots, Aldo | Silver key necklace, gift from my husband | Silver-grey skull earrings, Walgreens

Night Out With Bonus Crazy Nails

I wore this simple little sweater dress out to dinner with my husband & his mother recently. It was cozy yet a little dressy, thus well suited to a winter evening. But hidden in the outfit are some wacky nails. I used Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Strips -- I've used them a couple times before & quite like them. They're basically plastic stickers that look like nail polish, except they're available in all kinds of crazy patterns. Of course, I had to get these with skulls.

What I'm wearing:
Grey sweater dress, Macy's
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black flats, Aerosoles
Silver bat necklace, Plasticland
Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store

Tips & Toes

Since I'm not going into the office right now, I'm not dressing up much. I'm sticking to comfortable, casual clothes while I recuperate from surgery and generally sit around the house, napping, watching movies, and poking at the interwebs.  Recovery continues just fine -- follow-up doctor appointments show that everything is healing as it should, I'm just sore (to be expected), & because the area of the surgery is right under my armpit, it's a little tricky to wear certain clothes (and bras, ouch). But I'm still wearing black, of course!

The only thing fancy I've done these days has been for my fingers & toes. Especially my toes, it seems...

These grey canvas skull-print shoes from Target are perfect to slip on when I need to go to those doctors' appointments. I even had a lab technician compliment me on them.

A few days before surgery, one of my BFFs & I went to get mani-pedis. She found a place that does "rockstar" pedicures -- they literally cover your toenails in glitter! Because, aw yeah, I need the sparkle. Now my toes look like a disco ball crashed into them.

I went for a more classically goth manicure in a rich, dark wine color. It's a gel manicure, which I hope lasts as long as advertised. I suck at painting my own nails (fingers or toes), so it's a real treat to get them done professionally.

Do you ever get manicures or pedicures? Do you paint your nails at home? What's your favorite polish?

Burgundy & Grey & Black, Always a Fave

Grey is perhaps my absolute favorite color to be a "third" with black & another color, especially something in the red family like burgundy or pink. Grey feels so sophisticated to me, & it adds such dimension to an otherwise stark outfit. Grey is lovely on it's own or paired with black, but as part of a trio, grey is simply gorgeous.

What I'm wearing:Black silk shift dress, Target | Grey cardigan with sequins, ModCloth | Burgundy fishnets, unknown brand | Burgundy suede cutout pumps, Soffit | Silver cameo earrings, vintage | Burgundy flower hair pin, random accessory store

Oh look, after last week's nail mishap, I have pretty painted nails again! This was thanks to my friend Sarah, who painted them while we were at Costume College. She happened to bring her big box of nail polishes & such, so before we got dressed for the Gala, she did my nails in a great black from Opi. And I haven't messed them up yet.

Touch of Red With Bonus Nail Review

What's black & white & red all over? Not a newspaper (anyone remember those?) & not exactly this outfit really. Still, I like the tiny pop of red the shoes & necklace add.

The nails, however, are a failure. Sure, they look good enough, but I heartily do not recommend this product, the Sephora by Opi Trend Tips nail appliques (this specific style is called "Ornate").  I put them on last night around 5pm, & they were already peeling off this morning. Undoubtedly, this is due to the poor packaging & instructions & overall ineffective quality of the product.

I've used the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips before (pictured here & here), & I love them. So I had a clue on how to apply this sort of nail applique. However, the Sally Hansen version comes with a two-sided buffer & an cuticle stick. You lightly buff your nails before applying the polish strip so the nail bed is prepped, then you use the stick to press the applique down around your cuticles & gently tear the excess bits of the strip away. Finally, you use the rough side of the buffer to smooth the nail tip & seal the end, which also removes last bits of excess applique. All of this creates a tight bond between your nail & the applique.

But the Sephora version doesn't come with any of these tools, nor do the instructions recommend those detailed steps. It's difficult to create a firm application, even though I had some of the tools myself. The Sephora appliques also tear more easily & just don't seem to stick that well.

Verdict: Save your money! At $12 versus about $8 for Sally Hansen, skip Sephora. Go to the drugstore if you want wacky patterned nails.

I'm stripping these off my fingers tonight -- that is, the ones that haven't already peeled off.

What I'm wearing:
Black & white damask-print top, Spiegel | Black skirt with lace trim, NY & Company | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Red Chinese-fabric flats, Shoe Metro | Black beaded necklace with red Murano glass heart, made by me | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store

 

Stepping Back Into the Office

Last week, my husband & I took a road-trip through Northern California to the Oregon coast, in what is becoming an annual tradition around the Fourth of July. It was inspired by an SCA event near Gold Beach, OR, & we stop at various sights along the way & back (frankly not spending a lot of time at the SCA event ;-). My pix from the Lassen National Park, Redwoods State Park, & Oregon coast portions of the trip are on Flickr.

And here's me, back at the office. I pre-programmed last week's blog posts since I had a few things I'd written & photographed but never posted. Hope you enjoyed those.

What I'm wearing:
Black & purple paisley tunic, Chadwicks
Black camisole, Old Navy
Black elastic belt, NY & Company
Black twill skirt, MetroStyle
Black satin sandals, Two Lips
Amethyst necklace, gift from my husband, bought in Kauai
Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store
Black & gunmetal cocktail ring, Icing

One of our stops included a spa day, where I got this lovely pedicure (such a treat, I hardly ever get them done!). I like to paint my toenails bright colors in summer, so they show up. Do you paint your toenails? Do ever get pedicures?

Cool Links

A few things I've found in my online wanderings recently...

Subtle Goth TV launched recently & already has five episodes online. This video series is an offshoot of the home decor & fashion blog, The Morbid Fashion. I particularly love that both these projects are aimed at "grown-up goths," showing that you don't have to be into wacky club-kid fashion & loud music to still express your essential gothiness. I may have to add "SubtleGoth" to my moniker along with "CorpGoth" from now on ;-)

Edward Penfield cover for
Harper's Magazine, May 1887

Speaking of grown-up goths, Stripy Tights & Dark Delights has a fascinating post about a Grandma Goth in Denver, Colorado, U.S. This senior citizen has been goth all her life, long before Bauhaus and Siouxie Sioux were around, again, proving it's not just about the music, it's a whole outlook on life.

On another topic, Sal of Already Pretty has a very useful post about managing pets & their hair when you're a stylish woman. It's not just lint rollers, try a Filth Sheet! Seriously, we cover everything upholstered with similar throw blankets & remove them when guests arrive. Read the comments for more great tips (acting like Mr. Rodgers is another one I do).

The Dashing Eccentric has an excellent take on how comfort equals style. One of my pet peeves is when people think only baggy jeans & T-shirts are comfortable. Not so! Elegant, attractive clothes in beautiful fabrics can be perfectly comfortable too.

Wardrobe Oxygen has a thoughtful post on when it's not worth trying to make it work -- that is, when to admit that a piece of clothing just doesn't work on you & in your wardrobe. I'm sure we've all bought something that seemed great in the dressing room, but then was too fussy or weird in real life.

And here's a fun one: Lyndar the Merciless has a cool-looking idea for glitter-tipped nails in the style of a French manicure. Doesn't hurt that her example uses black nail polish with gold glitter (OK, we'd use silver glitter, but still).

Homework Assignment: Pre-Raphaelites as the Anti-Steampunk

"The Crystal Ball"
by John William Waterhouse

This month's homework from Le Professeur Gothique* was "create an outfit, meal, photo shoot, art work, etc. based on your most favorite piece of visual art or your favorite artist." Oft beloved among goths with a Victorian aesthetic are the Pre-Raphaelites, a group of 19th-century painters & poets founded by Dante Gabriel Rossetti & friends. They are a favorite artistic movement of mine too, particularly because of how they rebelled against the "modernity" of the Industrial Revolution.

In some ways, the Pre-Raphaelites are the anti-steampunks -- where the current steampunk trend celebrates the retro machinery, gears, goggles, & steam that powered Victorian concepts of progress, the Pre-Raphs despised all of that & harkened back to a supposedly simpler time, where individual artisans hand-crafted everything. While the 19th century was a time of railroads & factories, the Pre-Raphaelites longed for more pastoral scenes. In an era of rapid scientific advancement, these artists placed emotional response & expression of creative ideas foremost.  All of this is reflected in Pre-Raphaelite paintings with visions of King Arthur's court, the Lady of Shallot, Romeo & Juliet, nymphs & satyrs, Dante & Beatrice, & other scenes from a rose-colored past.

"I Am Half Sick of Shadows,
Said the Lady of Shalott"
by John William Waterhous

Even the clothing imagery of the movement rejects the dominant Victorian paradigm. Pre-Raphs depict people, especially women, in long, flowing gowns of a vaguely medieval style, which is in direct contrast to the highly structured corsets & hoops or bustles of the time or even men's stiff suits. The ideal Pre-Raphaelite women wore long, luxurious hair flowing in the wind instead of the tightly curled, padded, & restrained hairstyles of proper Victorian ladies. 

The official Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood only lasted from 1848 to about 1860, but the artistic influence lasted up until World War I in Britain. In fact, my favorite artist John William Waterhouse painted most of his major works in the early 20th century. I also love Edward Burne-Jones, who was a later Pre-Raph painter. The movement's connection to nature had a strong influence on the next great style Art Nouveau in the 1910s, which I'm quite fond of too.

Today's outfit is about as far as I could go with an office-friendly Pre-Raphaelite look -- conveniently, this dress just arrived in the mail! I bought it with a gift card I got for my birthday from my mother-in-law. Not sure if I'll wear it to work often, certainly not if I have meetings. This is a bit too casual, imo (yeah yeah, I work in a casual office, but this doesn't suit my work persona ;-). It'll be a fun dress for hanging out with friends & my hubbi.

And coincidentally, my nails almost match the dress. I'd painted them before attending a costume event this weekend without even looking at this dress.

What I'm wearing:
Red crushed velvet dress, Macy's | Black elastic belt, NY & Company | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black lace-up, spool-heel boots, Target | Black, pearl, & crystal necklace, random accessory store | Jet hoop earrings, random accessory store | Silver & garnet poison ring, eBay

 

 *Yes, I'm turning in my homework late. Again. Let's just all agree that I'm getting a "C" this semester! My post-post-graduate work is totally on the back-burner compared to office work & other hobbies, sorry ;-)

The Xmas That Was

My family spends Christmas pretty much the same way most every year. On Christmas Eve, we gather at my husband's grandparent's house (about an hour's drive from our house). We have an early dinner with his family & my parents. Then on Christmas morning, my parents & his two sets of parents, plus his sister if she's in town (she lives in Italy), all come over to our house where we host brunch & open gifts. We give each other just a few homemade, locally produced, &/or charity gifts. By 2pm, everyone has left, & my husband & I have the house to ourselves with the cats to relax & enjoy some peace & quiet & eat some of the vast amount of goodies that have accumulated.

This year was no different, & I'm just fine with that! One little tweak was that I made brunch mostly gluten-free & dairy-free for my sister-in-law's new diet. And that worked out great, just made a few substitutions in recipes.

The gift I made for people was a hot pack covered in faux fur. It's filled with flax seeds & rice, you heat it in the microwave for a few minutes. The fur made it a touch luxurious. But my mom outdid us all (as usual! she's super-crafty) by crocheting gorgeous afghan blankets for each couple. We got a beautiful deep burgundy one that is sooooo soft.

On Xmas eve, I wore a black & grey dress (Macy's) with a black & white cardigan (White House, Black Market), burgundy boots (DSW), black tights (Calvin Klein), black/silver/crystal necklace, & a burgundy flower in my hair. My earrings were a burgundy pearl drop from Designs by Victoria with a real pearl stud & real diamond stud, the later two are gifts from my stepfather.

I also took a few minutes before Xmas eve to do my nails -- I used Sally Hansen nail decals in a red with black lace pattern. I've used these before & they're so fun! Faster than painting my nails since there's no drying time. Not much tidier than painting, but that's just user-error. Still, pretty cool.

On Xmas day, I wanted to be comfy while still looking good. This outfit was perfect.  Red & black striped maxi dress (Target), layered over a black long-sleeved shirt (Old Navy), black tights (Calvin Klein), black crochet long cardigan (Coldwater Creek), & black flats.

 

Dark Floral

Mornings continue foggy, burning off by noon to reveal hot afternoons. This makes a cardigan a necessity. That's our California summer.

What I'm wearing:
Black cardigan, Chadwicks | Dark floral knit top, H&M | Black crochet trumpet skirt, Coldwater Creek | Black wedge pumps, Dockers | Black & silver chunky bead necklace, Target | Large silver filigree earrings, Target

I'm experimenting by wearing different types of shoes without hosiery recently. I've mentioned on this blog how I find that a bit squicky. But this summer, I ran out of other sandal options, plus I'm taking the bus to work more often, thus I need to wear walkable shoes. And yet I don't always want to wear socks or tights in summer.

I've been kicking my shoes off under my desk at work, which I'm sure would squick out my coworkers. Luckily, the woman I share a cubicle with is on vacation this week :-)

Oh, Sarah came over last night, and we painted our nails while drinking beer. She has some great nail colors, like this dark purple. I'd love to paint my nail more often, but I'm lazy (as you can probably tell from the poor quality of this manicure!).

CorpGoth Goes to a Con

Most every Memorial Day Weekend since I was about 16, I've gone to BayCon, the local science-fiction/fantasy convention. There have been times I've skipped due to other events or illness, sure, but 95% of the time, I've gone. Sometimes I've been on staff, sometimes I've entered the costume masquerade, & for the past 15 or so years, I've been a panelist. The con experience ranges from super-awesome to old hat. No matter what, it's nearby, & I know a lot of my oldest friends will be there.

This year, I'm on three panels, two of which are about Carnivale (this year's theme). Since my husband & I have been to Venice's Carnevale & created a DVD about it, this makes sense. I didn't wear my Carnevale costume since I would be taking the bus to & from the con's hotel, but I did dress up a little bit.

What I'm wearing:
Burgundy tailcoat trimmed in black lace, made by Donna of Original Sin Designs
Black sleeveless ruffled knit top, Michael Khors
Black velvet skirt, Speigel (gift from Lisa)
Black elastic belt with ruffle trim, NY & Company
Burgundy faux suede boots, DSW
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Long rhinestone earrings, random accessory store
Black velvet mini top hat, The Ruby Raven (trim added by me)
Black patent bat-shaped purse, gift from a friend

Detail of the lace on the sleeves (same lace is on center of the jacket).

As you can see, a lot of my "dress up" clothes are also workday clothes. Just need to add the more exotic pieces like the coat & hat. I used to carry this purse to work, but it just doesn't hold much, so I've relegated it to evening use or for specific event when I won't need to take a bunch of things with me. The bat looks big, but it's all wings!

I also did my nails using Sally Hansen's Salon Effects. Have to say, this wasn't a whole lot easier to use than nail polish -- less messy & no fumes, but just as fussy a process & requires precision & practice.  I messed up one nail & had to do it over again (which is par for the course when I paint my nails). Certainly, this is a nifty effect that couldn't be achieved any other way.  I'll report back on how long they last compared to polish.

So, for those who have a holiday weekend, are you doing anything special?

Black & White & Red All Over

Well, just a teeny touch of red. The best part is the awesome red manicure that I did on Sunday afternoon at my pal Sarah's (of Yet Another Blog About Fashion) house. She's really into nail polish & has a great collection of colors, so I took advantage, while we drank wine & watched silly British comedies. Good times!

What I'm wearing:
Black sweater with ruched shoulders, H&M
Black & white plaid dirndl skirt, H&M
Black studded belt, Macy's
Black tights, unknown brand*
Black T-strap pumps, Aldo
Black & white flower hair pin, random accessory store
Black glass bead necklace with a red & black glass heart handmade in Venice by an artisan as I watched, necklace assembled by me
Black & white bead earrings, random accessory store
Pearl stud earrings, gift from my stepdad
Red lipstick, Sephora

Winter is finally hitting NorCal, in so much as we have winter. This morning's photoshoot was freakin' cold! But I didn't want to wear a coat because that would cover up my outfit. The things I do for fashion...

*This is the last pair of plain ol' black tights -- I cleaned out my tights drawer of all the ratty, cheapo tights in anticipation of being replaced by a bunch of those faaaaaabulous Calvin Kleins that I ordered during Black Friday online madness. Of course, that means I'm stuck wearing either fishnets or pants until the order arrives, eep! I think there might be some more semi-decent tights in the laundry pile.