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

Homework Assignment: October!

I'm back! Well, I'm trying for one post, anyway, because The Professor has a really good homework assignment. She says "show us what you love about this time of year," and of course, I love so much about October and fall that I had to come back to this blog to share. (I haven't been offline, though, oh no, I'm blogging up a storm at Frock Flicks, which is why I don't have time to blog here, sorry!).

October in Northern California is a tricksy thing. We may still be having Indian Summer, or as some folks call it, Earthquake Weather (which is a myth, but when the '89 Loma Prieta Quake struck on October 17, the day was bright and sunny). Or we might have delightful crisp fall days. It's a real crapshoot. The weather may swing between the two, and you won't get any notice. So while I *want* to wear sweaters and tall boots every day, it's a better idea to wear layers that I can strip off if the afternoon is sticky hot.

I do loves me a pumpkin spice latte, and if anyone calls me a basic bitch, I will smack them upside the head. I've always loved pumpkin flavors, real and imaginary. It's weird because my mom isn't a fan, so I didn't grow up eating much pumpkin. Sadly, my husband doesn't like pumpkin either, so I can't make or get a pumpkin pie or pumpkin curry at home unless I want to eat it all myself. So mostly, I enjoy the lattes and random pumpkin dishes at restaurants. And decorating with pumpkins too!

Of course, I love all things Halloween, whether or not we're hosting a party (which would be the Famous Dead Person's Ball, an event we do every couple of years). This year, we're trying to renovate our bathroom, so no party here, and the invites are starting to roll in. Not sure what I'll be doing on All Hallow's Eve, but there better be a costume involved :)

What do you love about this time of year?

What I'm Wearing:
Black piped jacket, Spiegel
Black T-shirt, Target
Black & white spiderweb skirt, made by me
Black tights, Haynes
Black cutout leather flats, Zappos
Black, silver, & rhinestone choker necklace, random accessory store
Gunmetal skull earrings, Walgreens
Prada bifocals

I'm Melllllllllting

It's officially summer, & I'm officially hot. This is impacting my ability to get stuff done outside of work (aka, blogging) because when I get home, I just want to flop about. We don't have AC at home, and usually don't need it, except recently we've had a run of 80 to 90 degree days. Blerg.

Add on top of this the annual CoCo Panic, meaning, this is the month before Costume College. I'm frantically trying to finish costumes (primarily my gown for the Saturday night dinner-dance known as the Gala, the one big, pull-out-all-the-stops dress-up event of the conference) and work on the three classes I'm teaching. Oh, and Frock Flicks is doing a special event, which I need to write stuff for and promote in advance.

Yeah, if I'm not melting from the heat, I'm freaking out over these projects. Plus my new job, which is great, is also keeping me super busy and doesn't have much downtime during the day. Eeek!

How's your summer going?

Boots & Sweater Weather

If you're in the northern hemisphere, it's probably cold outside. You may have been experiencing autumn for some time now. Halloween is past, Thanksgiving is on its way in the U.S., and Christmas / Hanukkah / Solstice / New Years are practically right around the corner.

But here in northern California, fall is a tricksy thing. It comes in fits and starts. A foggy morning here, a crisp evening there, punctuated by bright sunny days where half the people you see are wearing shorts and flip-flops. It's only gotten more like this in the past decade, as the effects of global warming become more and more apparent. We've experienced the hottest summers on record every year, and the warm temperatures last from April to October. November is just the start of the "slightly cool" season.

Even when I was a kid, Halloween trick-or-treating was a crapshoot as to whether or not you'd wear a coat with your costume (moms would always beg us to, and nobody wanted to, of course). Christmas morning is more and more likely to be sunny and bright.

It's terrible for the crops and plants, and it means I don't get to wear sweaters and boots as often as I'd like either.

What I'm wearing: Dark grey sweater dress, Macy's | Grey tights, Calvin Klein | Tall black boots, Clark's | Silver-grey beaded necklace, gift from Lisa | Silver hoop earring, random accessory store

The Professor's Homework Assignment: Tiki Time

She said "Dog Days of Summer" & I said "Welcome to my cabana!" The Professor brought back her homework assignments by asking us to recall our summer days & how we cope with the heat. Well, my husband & I turned our lifeless little backyard into a tiki oasis over the past couple years.

Tiki bar with a few of my favorite repro cups.

You can see how we did it in this article on Offbeat Home, because that's where I got the idea originally. We used a temporary carport structure to provide shade & then decked it out with rugs, furniture, a bar, & tropical decor. Over the past two years, & especially this spring, we've upgraded & fully decorated to achieve our dream of a Hawaiian- / Jamaican-inspired touch of paradise hidden away in Silicon Valley. I bought a ton of themed crap on eBay & Amazon, plus we found things at the local hardware store. I sewed pillow covers & crafted floral touches. And those neighborhood cats have made the cabana their home, which we don't really mind.

Last year, we started hosting Tiki Thursdays & have continued this year. Basically, one Thursday evening every month during the warm season, we invite friends to come over after work for fruity rum drinks & snacks out in the cabana. Just a chance to chill & socialize. It's been a lot of fun!

My husband & I also grill dinner every so often in the cabana for ourselves & even for friends. Last year, we had a Fourth of July BBQ, & we were all surprised to find out that the street behind ours was having a block party with HUGE fireworks (which are usually illegal here). So we got quite a nice show. And we pulled out a couple of our own sparklers too, bought out of state (don't worry, we used them in the driveway, nowhere near vegetation :-).

The cabana with tiki torches lit.

A sparkler on Independence Day 2013.

So that's my favorite way to deal with the dog days of summer, at least at home. How about you? Join in with your homework assignment or share in the comments below!

CorpGoth Status Report: Summer in the Office

Subject: What does a working goth do when it's hot outside? Especially if the office AC is freezing? Or maybe you work in a typically humid environment that would melt makeup? Share your strategies for keeping cool while getting the job done.

Due Date: Monday, July 14 to Wednesday, July18

How to File Your Report:

1. Post to your blog on or around the due dates.

2. Include the following code in your post so the This Is CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report graphic will display (if you're using Blogger or WordPress, switch to the 'HTML post' setting & then paste this code in):

<a href="http://corpgoth.blogspot.com/search/label/corpgoth%20status%20report"><img border="0" src="http://www.trystancraft.com/corpgoth/corpgothstatusreport.jpg" /></a>

3. Comment on my Monday the 14th post including your blog link.

4. Read everyone else's reports via their links in the comments!

Deceptively Not Summer

Close followers of this blog (are you out there?) might notice that photos show me wearing tights, sweaters, jackets, & such, even tho' it's almost June and summer on it's way in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, Silicon Valley has experienced a number of mini-heat waves recently, with 90-degree temperatures. But I keep wearing cardigans & blazers, along with tights.

Sure, part of it is the goth thing -- I wear black tights year round. But mostly, it's because my new job's office building is COLD!!! Classic corporate overly air conditioned. Worse than most places I've worked. I rarely take my sweater or jacket off when I'm inside.

Do you work in a building with a totally different temperature than outdoors? How do you cope?

What I'm wearing: Black & white stripe knit jacket, Nordstrom | Black T-shirt, Old Navy | Grey corduroy skirt, Newport News | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black wedge T-strap shoes, Kenneth Cole | Pewter & brass necklace, local artisan

Grey Day

Rainy morning -- we need more of those here in drought-stricken California. Unfortunately, this is normally the end of the rainy season, & we haven't had much rain at all. I dread how hot & dry summer will be. Gotta wear sweaters now, any chance I can.

How has your winter been? Snow, rain, dry? How does this effect what you wear?

What I'm wearing:
Black & grey stripe sweater, Target | Black skirt with striped & lace trims, Gap, thrifted, modified by me | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black & grey pumps, Target | Silver skull necklace, random accessory store | Silver hoop earrings, random accessory store

 

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

You Call This Winter?

California is officially in a drought year. We haven't had any of the usual winter rainfall, & summer is going to be bone dry. This winter has been, well, not very wintery, even by our standards. Back in early December, there was a week or two of genuinely cold weather -- below freezing over night. But mostly, it's been mild & dry. Hardly sweater weather, barely boot time.

Between the lack of a proper season & the fact that I'm only going into the office once or twice a week right now, a whole lot of my wardrobe is languishing unworn. Hardly a crisis compared to the drought itself, but still.

What I'm wearing:
Grey & white stripe hooded sweater, Forever 21 | Black T-shirt, Target | Burgundy patterned corduroy skirt, Kohl's | Black leather studded belt, Macy's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black high-heeled ankle boots, Aerosoles | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store | Black & white millefiori necklace, gift from Mom

Gothic Maxi

I love maxi dresses, when I can find ones that work for me. First, of course, they have to be black or in dark colors. And second, they have to be the right length. I'm only 5'2", & many maxi dresses drag on the ground on me. I have to hunt around for petite-length maxis, which are rare & even more rare in plus size.

Thus, I only have a couple maxis & was happy to add this elegant one for this summer.

What I'm wearing:
Black knit maxi dress, Macy's | Black crochet duster, Coldwater Creek | Black embellished flip-flops, DSW | Burgundy & black flower hair pins, random accessory store | Black & white beaded bracelet, bought in Kauai | Black & white stripe bead earrings, random accessory store

Maximum Repeat

I thought I'd worn this outfit before, I it's almost the same as one last summer. Just different accessories. I try not to blog repeat outfits, but it *has* been a year, & besides, I really like this one!

Also, I'm stockpiling posts for when I'm not going into the office due to surgery 'n stuff -- so when you're reading this, it was something I wore to work a week ago. But still appropriate because the weather is definitely warm.

Do you repeat the exact same outfits to work? How often?

What I'm wearing:
Black jacket with piping, Speigel | Black T-shirt, Old Navy | Black & grey pinstripe knit maxi skirt, Nordstrom | Black buckled wedges, Kohl's | Black wood bead necklace, bought in Jamaica | Silver beaded hoop earrings, bought at a convention | Red flower hair pin, random accessory store

Full Disclosure

After I took this photo, I realized I'd forgotten to put on my rings (wedding & engagement) or any earrings. Quelle horror! Kind of hard to tell in the picture.

Also, even tho' I'm going bare-armed here, I grabbed a black cardigan before leaving for work. It was a beautiful, warm spring morning, but my office building tends to be overly air-conditioned. And my husband reminded me to bring some kind of cover-up because, as he said, he didn't want to see me posting on Facebook in the afternoon that I was freezing.

What I'm wearing:
Grey knit dress with black trim, bought in London | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black high-heeled lace-up boots, Aerosoles | White & black skull-print scarf, Amazon.com

Blue With Lace

Something about today's overcast skies called for lace. And the blue dress. Does the weather affect your moods & how you dress?

What I'm wearing today:
Black lace jacket, Macy's | Blue knit dress, Ruche.com | Black knit camisole, Old Navy | Black lace tights, Target | Black kitten-heel pumps, Aldo | Hematite beaded necklace, gift from a friend | Silver cameo earrings, vintage | Jet & gunmetal cocktail ring, random accessory store

Hidden Bat Week: Delayed

I'm finally recovered from last week's nasty illness, so I'm back at work. More importantly, I can finally wear the last bat I wanted to hide in an office-worthy outfit. I feel kind of lame for having missed most of my own theme week. Thank goodness for the Curious Professor Z who had an amazing five different outfits (start here & go back) -- you rock, my dear! Totally awesome! And thanks to everyone else for participating: Linnea-Maria, The Mutant Stomp Friends, Pixel Pixie, & Sophistique Noir.

This particularly bad cold probably came on because I'm a bit overload right now. I've really been pushing myself for the past few months with events & sewing & getting reading for our big trip at the beginning of summer. Plus my job has kicked into high gear, so I just haven't had much downtime. I guess my body's defenses were weakened. Well, the big push is almost over, & I'll have time to relax very soon. I can't wait!

What I'm wearing:
Black jacket with piping, Macy's
Black T-shirt, Old Navy
Black & white paisley skirt with ruffles, made by Donna
Black sling-back pumps, Payless Shoe Source
Silver bat necklace, Plastickland, gift from my husband
Black & white beaded cuff bracelet, bought in Kauai
Silver hoop earrings, random accessory store
Revlon "Raisin Rage" lipstick

 

Professor's Homework Assignment: Rain

She said "rain" & two things came to my mind: my favorite umbrella & my favorite rainy song, "Happy When It Rains" by The Jesus & Mary Chain. Admittedly, this umbrella isn't very goth, nor particularly corporate, but I love it to bits. It's starting to fall apart inside, so I don't use it as much as I used to, but it's so pretty. It makes me smile. I've had it for, oh, a decade or more. As many may recognize, it's printed with part of one of Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" paintings.

To make up for this non-gothiness, here's the best rain-themed song ever, imnsho. I love every little thing about this song. The lyrics are fantastic, & the tune kicks ass. "We lived our lives in black," indeed!

Here Comes the Rain Again ... Maybe

Dodged some raindrops this morning, but I'm hoping it'll clear up for this weekend as I have plans. And besides, we really should be done with the showers & on to a nice, dry springtime by now. Not that I mind an excuse for wearing boots, but still.

What I'm wearing:
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Black knit long-sleeve top, Old Navy | Black & white plaid circle skirt, H&M | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Tall black boots, Clarks | Black skull-print scarf, gift from my husband | Silver & black teardrop earrings, random accessory store

Do you have clear spring weather yet or is winter hanging on where you live?

Leaving Work While It's Still Light

I sense a tiny turn towards springtime -- when I've left the office at 5:30pm this week, it's not totally dark outside. The earth is slowly inching away from winter. I'm sure those of you trudging through snow-covered streets don't believe me, but it's true! We're on the upswing now. Groundhog Day is coming up, & the spring equinox is a month & a half after that.

Of course, we'll see a few more storms first (meaning rain & wind here in California). But at least there's light. However, if you can't wait for proper spring, try a Happy Light, recommended by Professor Z, only $30 to help beat seasonal-affective disorder!

What I'm wearing:
Black & grey knit dress, Macy's | Black wool ruffled bolero swearter, Kohl's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black kitten-heel pumps with buckles, Payless Shoe Source | Black & gold earrings, random accessory store

Back to Work in Velvet

Silicon Valley is experiencing a cold snap -- OK, cold for here! Mornings are quite frosty, which is unusual. Not like there's snow (that's only happened once in my lifetime), but it *has* been almost freezing overnight.

So velvet was perfectly appropriate, & this jacket even more so because it has pockets to hold my tissues, since my cold still lingers on. But I had a slew of meetings today, so into the office I went. (And for some reason, my full-length photos all sucked, oh well!)

What I'm wearing:
Plum velvet jacket, Newport News via Lisa
Black long-sleeve knit top, Old Navy
Black skirt, NY & Company
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Burgundy suede pumps, Soffit
Pewter & hematite fish necklace, Ann D'Aboise
Jet & pearl dangly earrings, random accessory store

November CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report: Winter at Work

The report subject this month is: What do you wear to work in winter?

Now, I don't live in a very cold climate -- winters in Silicon Valley are mild but can be wet. Still, I love sweaters, boots, scarves, & coats because I get cold rather easily. So I have a lot of winter-appropriate office wear. And as I've mentioned, the building at my new job is a little chilly inside!

So this outfit is a standard Trystan CorpGoth winter work outfit: a cardigan layered over a top (just in case I get too warm, I can remove the sweater), a scarf to fill in the neckline, a skirt, & boots in case of puddles. For my commute, I add my classic trenchcoat which is water-repellant & has stood up to some mighty strong storms. Plus some black leather gloves to keep my hands warm.

I'm looking forward to seeing what those of you with harsher winters wear to the office!

What I'm wearing:
Black wool ruffled bolero sweater, Kohl's
Black long-sleeve knit top, Old Navy
Black & white striped knit maxi skirt, Nordstrom
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black tall boots, Clarks
Red scarf, thrift store
Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store
Silver & garnet ring, bought in India