El Nino, Meh

Winter has been kind of a bust here in Northern California. After several years of dire drought, we were promised an El Nino winter that would fill the reservoirs and replenish the snowpack. Well ... maybe. We've had some rain, but we're nowhere near "normal" levels, plus many communities are backsliding on water conservation thanks to the occasional storms we've had (thanks, guys). Global warming is still in full effect.

So when not dodging raindrops, I can wear a bit of velvet and suede. Just have to keep watching the weather report to see what tomorrow's like...

What I'm wearing: Black velvet jacket, Black House White Market | Black knit top, Old Navy | Purple velvet skirt, NY & Company | Black & burgundy stripe tights, We Love Colors | Purple suede heeled boots, Poetic License | Black skull earrings, local artist

Five CorpGoth Interview Tips

In the past few years, I've gone on dozens of interviews as I've searched for my ideal job. What to wear to an interview is always a consideration -- not as crucial as writing the perfect resume and cover letter or making a great impression during the phonescreen and in the interview itself, but how you look will be part of that first impression, so it does matter, there's no denying it.

For goths and others with non-mainstream appearances, we have to ride the line between self-expression and fitting in to the desired job's requirements and company culture. The potential employer has to be able to see you as someone who already works there, and anything that distracts, whether in your CV or your fashion, is not a helpful.

You'll probably want to tone down the overall goth effect, but you shouldn't have to hide your true self entirely either. How you balance this will depend on what kind of job you're applying for, what industry you're working in, and how advanced you are in your career. But in my experience, these few tips may help...

1. Research the employer to find out what's appropriate. In Silicon Valley, most companies are business casual, but industries like finance and law will tend to be more conservative and (literally) buttoned-up. Retail jobs will vary wildly, and academic positions can have their own very specific cultures. Big corporations may have information on their websites that give ideas about what it's like to work there, and you get a lot of insider info about tech companies on Glassdoor.com. Ask around, online and off. Be prepared! You don't want to be wearing suits when nobody wears suits or vice versa.

2. Reconsider all black. Yes, wearing all black is often a safe bet for goths, but it can appear too goth, too dark, too morbid for first appearances. Remember the Gothic Color Theory, and break up black with one other dark color or white. Or try a pattern like stripes. Mixing it up and avoiding all black can make you look more approachable and friendly in an interview.

3. Have one (but just one) personal trademark. Is your hair hot pink? Do you have full sleeve tattoos? If you have something permanent and visible, that's going to be your trademark, the visual cue people will remember from your interview. Try not to clutter up your style with anything else. Otherwise, pick one thing -- such as a great piece of jewelry or killer boots -- and let that be your trademark.

4. Dress one notch more formally for casual workplaces. Particularly with places like retail and high-tech, where it looks like everyone is dressed super casually, you may want to start off by interviewing just a smidge more dressy than what is standard on the job. Don't go super-formal, just a touch more. So if everyone is wearing jeans, wear trousers or a skirt, for example.

5. Remember that shoes and bags matter. You don't need to spit-polish your boots or carry a designer bag, just pay attention to your accessories. Having a cohesive, polished head-to-toe look will help give a professional first impression, gothic or not. Shine up an nasty scuffs on those pointy-toe boots, and swap out a simple tote bag instead of a backpack. You'll inevitably need to grab a copy of your CV out of that bag, so it should look as presentable as the rest of you.

In interviews for jobs I've gotten, I've talked about sewing historical costumes, and interviewers have complimented me on my bat necklace and skull earrings. I do let my freak flag fly, but subtly, and after I've gotten my foot in the door. Besides, if any potential employer Googles me, they'll find this blog and my costume website, so it's not like I can hide anyway!

What I'm wearing: Black cardigan, Macy's | Purple T-shirt, Target | Grey striped skirt, Nordstroms | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black flats, Aerosoles | Grey beaded necklace, gift from a friend | Onyx skull earrings, local artist

Thank You, eBay

I've been shopping on eBay forever. Really, since eBay first became a thing. I've bought everything from furniture to wigs to computer equipment on eBay, and I've sold a fair amount of my junk too (tho' not as much recently as in the early days).

My latest find was this stripey skirt, which I'd first seen at one of my very favorite stores, White House | Black Market, but my size was out of stock. I forgot about it, until a few weeks ago, when my saved eBay search on this label in my size turned up the very same skirt. And at a third the original price. The skirt arrived in perfect condition.

What's your best eBay score?

What I'm wearing: Black piped jacket, Speigel | Black T-shirt, Target | Black, white, & purple stripe skirt, White House Black Market (via eBay) | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Purple velvet pumps, Rocket Dog | Purple crystal necklace, gift from Lisa | Purple dangly bat-painted earrings, local artist | Purple lipstick, Sephora house brand

Wednesday Wondering: Teach Your Children Well

Prompt: What's the most important thing your parents or guardians taught you as a child?
Self-reliance. Independence. My mother was a single mom, and both directly and through example, she taught me to be independent and to take care of myself. Whether it was something as simple as doing the laundry or as complicated as finding a paying job, if I asked her "how do I do this?" her first reaction would be "have you tried? did you take a look for yourself?" She'd give me help and instructions, but she would not do it for me. She taught me to figure things out for myself and not rely on someone else. This is the single most valuable ability I gained growing up. I may not be able to do everything for myself, but I can try.

She also taught me to sew, which is pretty cool :) Not as important on a day-to-day basis, but it got me into costuming, through which I've made many great friends. My mom is awesome, and I learned a lot from her!


Questions culled from the discontinued Writer's Block feature on LiveJournal.

What I'm wearing: Black ruffled blouse, thrift store | Grey striped skirt, Nordstrom | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Purple suede pumps, Aerosoles | Silver & purple crystal earrings, gift from lisa

Monday MemeDay: Money in Tens

What would you do if given the following amounts (and using it to pay bills or debts is not an option!):

$1 -- What can you really do with a buck these days? It takes $2 to get a one-way trip on my daily commute, and a latte is at least $3. So I'd probably just put it in my pocket and save it.

$10 -- Buy coffee for me and a friend. Always nice to have a cup and a chat.

$100 -- Oooo, here's where things get interesting. I'd treat myself to a new dress or pair of shoes from my CorpGoth Pinterest board, for sure.

$1,000 -- Plane tickets for me and my sweetie! We could easily go across the country to visit friends or go to Europe and stay with family.

$10,000 -- Remodel our bathroom. OMG, I hate our house's tiny little bathroom. We only have the one, and it's pathetic. This wouldn't be enough for a crazy-mega-awesome redo, but plenty for vital upgrades and some cosmetic touches.

What I'm wearing: Purple knit dress, Land's End | Black skull-print scarf, gift from my husband | Black pot-hole stockings, Target | Silver-grey wedges, Anne Klein | Purple bat-painted earrings, Jewels by Olivia

CorpGoth Status Report: Office-Friendly Skulls

When I think of how one an incorporate a touch of goth into a corporate-friendly wardrobe, I automatically think about this skull-print scarf. Yep, that's right, skulls. Now this may seem contradictory to some of my advice like "minimize references to death & religion" in your outfits. But this specific style of scarf is an exception.

See, it's an interpretation of the iconic Alexander McQueen skull-motif scarf. Not an exact knock-off, but it's close enough to pass as "fashionable" or even "trendy" instead of "morbid" or "creepy" to mainstream eyes. If you work at an office where you have to keep your gothic style on the down-low, this sort of accessory could be a nice way to save some of your personal aesthetic while blending in just a little.

I don't have to worry too much, even though I work at a more conservative employer right now. Still, I paired the skulls with a purple dress for a little contrast.

How are you wearing skulls at the office for this report? Is your workplace OK with it?

What I'm wearing: Purple knit dress, Land's End | White & black skull scarf, Amazon.com | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black & white T-strap flats, Zappos | Black & white stripe bead earrings, Kohl's

Friday Five: Growing Up, Moving On

1. How many schools and colleges / universities have you attended in all?

Eight (that I recall). A little bit of switching around in the grammar-school era, but after that we lived in mostly the same neighborhood. Plus I stayed in one university and did my portion of grad school in one place.

2. How many states have you lived in? How many countries?

Two states, just the one country ... so far :)

3. Have you ever seen the hospital where you were born -- where is it/what's it's name?

Drove past it once, it's in Florida, don't recall the name and not sure if it's still there!

4. Do you plan to live in the same state in which you were born or somewhere else?

When I was little, I wanted to live back there, but I quickly realized the benefits of staying where mom had moved us.

5. Do you still talk to people from elementary school, middle-school, high school, college?

I have exactly two friends from junior high / high school who I still talk with (mostly through Facebook) and one good friend from college who I still talk with. Otherwise, I've drifted away and moved on. Funny, I've stayed physically in the same place a whole lot more than I have socially or, I guess, emotionally.

Questions culled from The Friday Five on LiveJournal.

What I'm wearing: Purple ruched-shoulder cardigan, H&M | Black crochet skirt, Coldwater Creek | Purple & black stripe tights, WeLoveColors | Black flats, Aerosoles | Black & silver crystal earrings, random accessory store | Skull pendant on velvet ribbon, Jewels by Olivia

Dirty Little Secret

You want to know why I love wearing dresses so much? It's not that they're pretty or feminine or figure-flattering. Sure, that's a nice side-effect. But the number one reason why I wear love wearing dresses and will go for them more mornings than not is because they're easy! One-piece dressing (no pun intended). Put on a dress, tights, shoes, a sweater or jacket or even just a scarf, maybe some basic jewelry, and *bam* I'm out the door.

No need to coordinate what top goes with which bottom, no fit issues wondering if the top should be tucked or how does the bottom balance the proportions of the top or vice versa. I don't have to worry about color coordination among two or three pieces -- many of my dresses are solid colors so I can throw on a print sweater or jacket for pizzazz or a solid one for a simpler look. If I have a teeny bit more time / energy, I'll add a scarf or fancy necklace.

Really though, dresses are my lazy-day, can't be arsed to think about it, wish I could have slept in, not feeling up to making a decision, omg just throw on something and run for the train to work option. I have a lot of dresses, even multiples of the same dress in different colors, and I'm always on the lookout for more. My most frequently worn dresses tend to come from basic shops like Target and Macy's, but I love my eShakti dress, my custom-made dresses, and a ton of dresses I find all over the place.

Do you wear dresses? Why or why not?

What I'm wearing: Black sheath dress, Target | Black lace tights, unknown brand | Purple velvet pumps, Rocket Dog | Black skull scarf, gift from my husband | Black & purple crystal earrings, random accessory store

Matched Set

I wouldn't usually wear a matched set of earrings and a necklace. But these aren't perfectly matched, and also BATS! They were made by the same artist, but several years apart, so while they're the same shape and style, they aren't exact (and nothing she makes is ever exactly the same).

My skirt and stockings are a darn near perfect match though. Quite by accident, but I am terribly fond of matching items in my wardrobe, and I don't just mean black + black (saving the topic of 'blacks that don't match' for another day).

Do you have any matched sets, of jewelry or anything else?

What I'm wearing: Black lace jacket, Macy's | Black T-shirt, Old Navy | Plum silk skirt, Newport News via Lisa | Plum lace stockings, Target | Black two-strap pumps, Bandolino | Silver & purple bat necklace & matching earrings, Jewels by Olivia

CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report: A Suitable Jacket

This month's status report is about suits, including blazers and suit jackets. Since I work in perpetually casual Silicon Valley, I don't actually own a suit -- check out The Oatmeal's hilariously accurate depiction of the differences between wearing a suit to work on the East Coast of the U.S. and the West Coast.

However, being a fancy-pants goth gal, I tend to dress a little more formally than my coworkers, and I have lots of suit jackets. Today, I wanted to feature one with a few twists on the ordinary.

First, this blazer is made of stretch denim, so it has a more casual vibe. Second, it has romantic belled sleeves. While I'm sure this was intended as a casual, weekend-wear piece, I love pairing this jacket with work-wear, dressing it up for a "suit" that fits in with both the Valley's mellow attitude and my own aesthetic.

Do you wear suits or suit jackets to work? Share your status report in the comments!

What I'm wearing: Dark grey jacket, Newport News | Black sheath dress, Target | Black stripe lace stockings, unknown brand | Purple suede pumps, Aerosoles | Black bat necklace, Walgreens | Black & purple crystal dangly earrings, random accessory store

Gothic Martha Stewart decoupages a table

A fun way to liven up your home decor is to decoupage wood furniture. Second-hand and thrift-store items can be great candidates for redecorating as long as they have some flat surfaces, which are easier to add designs too (if you're ambitious & have more time, go wild with more elaborately curved furniture).

In my Gothic Martha Stewart tutorial, I take a small table, paint it burgundy & black, then decoupage tarot cards on the top & shelf of the table. This makes for a quirky little end table in my living room. Read the step-by-step instructions, & get inspired to take on your own project. What will you transform? Share your ideas in the comments.

What I'm wearing: Grey sheath dress, Target | Purple & black striped cardigan, Old Navy | Grey tights, Calvin Klein | Purple suede pumps, Aerosoles | Purple crystal necklace, random accessory store | Purple crystal earrings, random accessory store

New Shoes, New Glasses

After a long delay on my part, I finally got new glasses. I love the frames, they're more of the cat-eye shape that had for years (before my last frames broke *sniff*). The optometrist I see is in the mall, where I had a little time to kill...

And I found these shoes. Oh my, it was love at first sight! I had to buy them. The shoes are by one of my favorite brands -- Aerosoles makes "comfort shoes," so some of their designs are boring & conservative, but don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, as the saying goes. If you look closely, you'll find some classic styles, some shoes with a retro vibe, & then gorgeous designs like these. Plus, they're all made in long-lasting materials with comfort as a high priority. Clark's is a similar brand that I love for the same reasons.

What I'm wearing: Black three-quarter sleeve jacket with piped seams, Speigel | Purple T-shirt, Limited | Grey striped skirt, Nordstrom | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Purple suede pumps, Aerosoles | Purple chunky crystal necklace, gift from a friend | Purple & pearl bat earrings, Jewels by Olivia

CorpGoth's Yard Sale Shopping Tips

Summer has arrived in the northern hemisphere, & here in the 'burbs, that means yard sales will start popping up every weekend. While these sales don't tend to have as much goodies suitable for goths as thrift stores, you can still find gems, & most things will be at rock-bottom prices. Plus, if it's in your neighborhood, why not stop by?

You do have to shop carefully to get the most out of yard sales. These tips can help you find bargains on things you can really use...

Prepare for a day of shopping:

• Be prepared by bringing: cash in small denominations, a tape measure to get the right sizes of clothing and home decor items, and batteries to test gadgets.
• Don't drive a fancy car or wear your most outrageous goth outfit when you go to these sales. It's harder to bargain if you look like you're made of money, & you may not get a great deal if you appear like a super scary freak.
• You can find the best selection right when a sale opens, so go early. But if you see something and can't get the price you want, ask when the sale is ending and come back later. If the item is still around, you might get a lower price then.
• Stay cool and comfortable by wearing a hat and sunscreen and bringing a refillable bottle with water, plus snacks for the day. I prefer a big hat over a parasol so I can keep my hands free.

 What to look for at yard sales & how to bargain like a pro:

• Looking for antiques, collectibles, or furniture? Head to older neighborhoods because the longer-term residents may be cleaning out attics and basements of older things.
• Know brand names and genuine values. Brands made for Wal-Mart and Target (especially clothing) aren't great deals second-hand because the items won't have much life left in them. But high-end brands & vintage labels can last for years more. Also, if you are a collector, know the value of your favorite items so you can spot a real deal.
• Start by complimenting the item, no matter how beat-up it is. Never talk down what you're trying to buy -- the seller may have loved that thing at one time.
• Don't go too low. If an item is marked $20, don't offer $5. Try $15 or maybe $10 if the original price seems wildly inaccurate.
• Ask if you can combine purchases for a better price. For example, if you want a $5 item and a $7 item, ask if the seller will take $10 for both. Or if you're buying a large number of items, ask if the seller will throw in another small item for free.
• Know what you'll do if your offer is rejected. Will you walk away or pay the full price? Plan ahead, and stick with your plan.

What's your usual yard sale plan? What's the best thing you've bought at a garage sale?

--excerpted from Yard Sale Shopping Tips

What I'm wearing: Purple knit dress, Land's End | Purple tights, Calvin Klein | Gunmetal wedge heels, Anne Klein | Black skull-print scarf, gift from my husband | Silver hoop earrings, random accessory store

Friday Five: Body Time

1. What is one thing about your body that you hate?
My skin. At 45, I still get acne. It's not terrible (I don't really *hate* it), but it's annoying.

2. What is one thing about your body that you love?
My legs. Strong & capable of walking for miles.

3. If you had to change one thing about your body, what would it be and why?
I'd be able to wear contact lenses comfortably & with good vision because I'm tired of trying contacts & having them fail. I'd like the option not to wear glasses all the time, especially when I dress up.

4. What is one word that you would use to define yourself?
Independent.

5. Imagine what you would look like in a perfect world -- what do you look like?
Perfectly clear, smooth, porcelain skin. No glasses, excellent vision. Long, wavy hair that's either naturally black or red & can take color easily. Three inches taller. Feet one size smaller & a natural B width. Eh, you know, all the stuff I can't do a damn thing about ;-)

Questions culled from The Friday Five on LiveJournal.

What I'm wearing: Black sheath dress, Target | Black & purple stripe cardigan, Old Navy | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black flats, Aerosoles | Silver & amethyst earrings, gift from a friend

I Need a New Purse

I've been using the same purse for about four years, and it's starting to fall apart. I'm not one of those people who changes out purses with different outfits -- I pretty much use one purse day in & day out, all the time. So naturally, this one takes a lot of abuse, & four years is pretty good value for the $81 I spent. That's less than 10 cents per use, estimating that I used it for every business day of the year.

Not sure exactly what style I want to replace it with. I have some candidates on my CorpGoth Pinterest board. They're mostly work totes, big enough for carrying maybe a laptop or iPad & my lunch. But I'm not sure if I want that much purse. I could lead to shoulder strain. So it might be better to keep those work things separate. Just not sure.

What kind of bag do you carry? Do you switch it around with different outfits? How long do you keep a purse?

What I'm wearing:
Purple print dress, Target | Black camisole, Old Navy | Black lace jacket, Macy's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black pierced d'orsay flats, Target | Amethyst necklace, bought in Hawaii, gift from my husband | Pewter key earrings, made by me

Purple, Stripes, & a New Lipstick Review

This outfit coincides with me test-driving a new lipstick: Make Up For Ever's Aqua Rouge in Dark Raspberry. It's available at Sephora & some department stores. A friend recommended this specific brand because it's super long-lasting. I was with her at a costume event, & she wore Aqua Rouge all day, through eating lunch & drinking cocktails, & her lipstick looked great, didn't need any touch-ups. Whereas I was constantly reapplying my lipstick. So I finally got some for myself.

Unfortunately for goths, Aqua Rouge doesn't have many dark colors -- only three looked sufficiently dark enough when I tested them in the store, the Dark Raspberry that I'm wearing, a slightly redder shade called Burgundy, & the Purple, which is a dark bruise of a purple. Nothing too exotic.

Aqua Rouge comes in a lip gloss formulation, which isn't my favorite, but you don't have to use the gloss itself. The double-ended tube has color on one side & clear gloss on the other. I only wore the color. Typical of glosses, it goes on sticky (ew) & stays tacky for at least 15 minutes until it finally dries. During this wet stage, you can fix any mistakes you've made by just wiping away excess, but you don't wait much longer. Once it's set, it can be difficult to fix without makeup remover.

Overall staying power was decent but not spectacular for my first wearing. The lipstick lasted fine through the morning when I did nothing but drink coffee. For comparison, my usual lipstick requires a tiny touch-up by noon. But the Aqua Rouge looked the same before lunch as it did when I put it on. Unfortunately, the lipstick didn't make it through lunch. I didn't make it easy -- I went to a long lunch for sushi with tempura-fried appetizers. Probably the bit of greasy food wore away at the lipstick. By the end of the meal, my lips had only a faint trace of color & darker at the edges. Better than being completely lipstick-less as happens with all my other lipsticks, I guess, but not dramatically good staying power. On the upside, when I kissed my husband "goodbye" in the morning & "hello" after work, no lipstick transferred onto him, which he complains about with some of my dark lipsticks.

I give Aqua Rouge a "B-" rating -- lovely but limited color palette, long-lasting for a cocktail party, but maybe not much else.

What I'm wearing:
Purple puff-shoulder sweater, H&M
Black & white stripe skirt, White House Black Market
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black lace-up heeled granny boots, Aerosoles
Silver jeweled medallion on velvet ribbon, vintage
Gold & purple earrings, vintage, from my grandmother
Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge lipstick in Dark Raspberry

A Night Out

This is my new favorite cocktail dress, & I bought it for a steal on eBay. It's from my old favorite print/online catalog, Newport News, which is sadly now out of business (a tiny, sad, little remnant of it exists as a part of Spiegel). This night, I was going out to dinner at a fancy restaurant with my husband for his birthday. I've also worn this dress out to a local speakeasy & to dinner with friends to celebrate the end of my cancer treatments. It's a very celebratory outfit.

What I'm wearing:
Purple stretch velvet cocktail dress, Newport News via eBay | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black bow-tied pumps, Clarks | Purple crystal necklace, gift from Lisa | Black & silver dangly earrings, random accessory store

Broken Camera

Well now I'm screwed -- I dropped my camera & completely broke it. All I have is my iPhone for photos, & I can't put that on the tripod for decent full-outfit shots. Mirror photos are complicated by all the junk in my sewing room that blocks easy access to the mirror. *sigh*

So here are the lame pix I got of today's outfit, cobbled together from my phone & PhotoShop. Don't know when I can afford a new camera, so proper photos for blogging are on hold for a while...

What I'm wearing:
Grey sheath dress, Target | Purple & black striped cardigan, Old Navy | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Purple crossed-strap pumps, Aldo | Silver & hematite fish necklace, Ann D'Aboise | Pewter key earrings, made by me

 

Hand in Pocket

For the usual Christmas Eve family gathering, I wanted an outfit with pockets. For the unglamorous reason that I was a bit sniffly & needed a place to hide a tissue. Luckily, this dress conveniently fits the bill & looks rather nice too. I made it through chemo without any infections, but winter chills hit & I get a little ol' head cold. Go figure!

What I'm wearing:
Purple knit dress, Land's End | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black flats, Aerosoles | Black, hematite, & silver chunky bead choker, random accessory store | Silver cameo earrings, vintage

Classic Corp

Giving it the old college try here with a classic CorpGoth outfit. A little velvet, a little stripes, with a jewel tone thrown in. Sleek & simple. Oh & with the other wig :)

What I'm wearing:
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Purple T-shirt, Target | Grey stripe skirt, Nordstrom | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black flats, Aerosoles | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store