13 for Halloween

Seen around in a few places...

1. Favorite Halloween song? 
"Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo -- Going to a party where no-one's still alive. 

2. Witch or Vampire? 
Vampire. Always. And, everybody repeat after me: Real Vampires Do Not Sparkle. Thankyouverymuch.

3. Favorite thing about Halloween? 
All of it? If just one thing, then finding extra-cool spooky-yet-classy things to add to my home decor.

4. Halloween party or scary movie marathon?
PARTY. Costume party, mandatory.

5. Skeletons or Zombies? 
Skeletons. The bones are so elegant and sculptural. I don't get zombies. They're dumb -- that's why they need to eat brains.

6. Favorite Halloween candy? 
Fun-size Hershey bars.

7. Favorite Halloween movie? 
The Nightmare Before Christmas.

8. Favorite Halloween costume? 
I've done a lot of good ones, but I have a strange fondness for Marilyn Monroe.

9. Favorite Halloween store? 
 Changes each year, but I usually love Pottery Barn's collection.

10. Jack-o-lanterns, yes or no?
I actually prefer uncut, whole pumpkins. They look so pretty. I love a mix of sizes and colors, including white pumpkins.

11. Bats or Black Cats? 
Both! I love bat decorations, but I love my little black cat Bellatrix most of all.

12. Is Halloween your favorite holiday? 
DUH.

13. Pumpkin spice latte or hot chocolate?
Pumpkin spice latte, please :)


What I'm wearing:
Grey sheath dress, Target
Black & white cardigan, White House | Black Market
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Purple suede pumps, Aerosoles
Purple crystal choker, gift from Lisa
Purple painted-bat earrings, local artist
Gunmetal beaded headband, random accessory store

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

The Professor's Homework Assignment: Halloween!

This month's assignment is specifically about Halloween at home -- how you decorate, treats you make, how you spend the holiday with family and friends. So I thought I'd show some scenes from the Halloween party my husband and I have hosted, off and on for the entire time we've known each other. We call it the Famous Dead Person's Ball -- where everyone comes dressed as someone at least marginally famous and at least temporarily dead. I've collected and crafted decorations for decades, and we put things all over the front yard and porch, and all throughout the house. It's a huge production, so we don't do it every year (the last one was in 2012 -- we're due to hold another one soon!).

Here are some views of the decor we've done...

Welcome to the FDPB in 2005

Frank the Skeleton promises a good time!

Our spooky walkway from 2008.

A deadly buffet is laid in 2005.

Candles, cobwebs, & roses on the living room mantle.

In 2010, we didn't have a full party, but we had another couple over for a spooky dinner. I set the table with our best gothic linens and china and made a fall-themed menu.

 

This Year's Crop of Halloween Goodies

It's that most wonderful time of the year -- yes, Halloween stuff is hitting the stores! Some people like all the creepy, gory goods, but I prefer the more subtle, elegant items that have a touch of Old World charm and look like they'd be found in a Victorian mansion or a romantically crumbling castle. And I'm not disappointed by this year's selection. If only I could afford to buy everything!

Here are a couple of my favorites...

Pottery Barn brought back these amazing skeleton martini glasses. They always sell out quickly. This year, they also have bat wine glasses and spider shot glasses.

Williams-Sonoma is another reliable source for posh yet spooky goods. This year, they have a giant crystal skull punch bowl, & wow, I desperately wish I had room to store *and* display such a thing! How cool and at a reasonable price, all things considered.

To see more delights, check out my Pinterest board Halloween on Sale 2014. I'm adding more there as I discover things. Have you found any awesome Halloween home decor items this year? Share in the comments!

A New Hat for the Holiday

On Christmas morning, my husband & I host our parents & his sister for brunch, & we all exchange handmade gifts. It's a casual gathering that lasts for a few hours. This year, I wore a new hat that I received at the Dickens Christmas Fair.

We had gone to that event on the previous Saturday, & I'd noticed one booth selling lovely, soft hats made of different types of velvet & satin. I looked around this shop, Chapeau Atelier, & found several hats I quite liked. However, I was wearing a big, Victorian-styled wig, & couldn't figure out what size hat would fit best -- I planned to wear the hat as everyday wear, since I'm still bald (just a tiny bit of five o' clock shadow fuzz coming in). I asked the proprietor if there was somewhere I could quickly take off my wig to try on the different hat sizes, & he very kindly let me go backstage & held a mirror for me.

When I picked out the hat I liked best in my size & took it to the register to pay, he said "no charge!" See, the shop owner is a cancer survivor too, & he regularly makes & donates hats for people who've gone through chemo. He considered this one of his donations. We had a great chat, & I was just totally gob-smacked.

So I wore that hat on Christmas Day.

What I'm wearing:
Burgundy & black velvet & satin hat, Chapeau Atelier
Rhinestone brooch, vintage, added by me to hat
Burgundy velvet dress, Macy's
Black leggings, American Apparel
Black socks, unknown brand
Black flats, Aerosoles
Burgundy crystal & silver bead necklace, gift from Mom
Black & silver earrings, random accessory store
Chanel "Vamp" lipstick

A Little Night Music

I'm a HUGE fan of winter holiday music. Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs, yuletide tunes, traditional music, pop songs, novelty tunes, you name it, I freakin' love it! I'm not totally indiscriminate -- I hate "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" & I've yet to hear a version of "Oh Holy Night" that doesn't make me cringe. But between the day after Thanksgiving & sometime before New Year's Eve, I have a massive mix of holiday music on auto-play. I'm forever collecting more tracks to jazz up my collection. So I thought I'd share a few of my favorites, particularly with a goth & light-hearted edge...



Gotta have this on while putting up decorations -- it's "Making Christmas" from the "Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack!


"Carol of the Bells" is one of the darkest Christmas songs already, & This Ascension's version from the Excelsis Dark Noel holiday CD series by Projekt Records goes extra dark.


"2,000 Miles" by the Pretenders always warms the cockles of this new-wave girl's heart. It's not strictly a holiday song, but it mentions Christmas & just has that feel.


A lot of people have been turned off from this song by Madonna's cutesy version, but the original "Santa Baby" sung by the sultry Eartha Kitt is a classic. This YouTube version isn't the best recording (try iTunes for better audio), but you can get the idea of how sophisticated & adult the song really should be.


While some covers don't work, I love how this one does -- a goth band takes a little ditty from a children's cartoon & turns it into a hauntingly beautiful tribute to the winter season with "Silver and Gold" by Faith & Disease (also from the Excelsis series).


And now for something completely ROCKIN'!!! I love Twisted Sister's version of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." It does indeed rock!!!

Comfortable Holiday Outings

Some holiday events are dressy -- time for cocktail dresses, bling, high heels, suits, ties. Others are more homey gatherings where you want to look good but feel at ease. Family events are often like this, in my experience, those are times for smart-casual outfits that are less work-a-day but not quite cocktail attire either.

For these events, I go for a dark knit dress and a pretty sweater, plus some jewelry to jazz up the outfit. This maxi dress is one of my summer staples, but it works for winter when layered.

What I'm wearing:
Black knit maxi dress, Macy's | Black & white floral sweater, White House Black Market | Black & purple stripe tights, We Love Colors | Black flats, Aerosoles | Black & purple beaded necklace, gift from Lisa | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store

Last Chemo Dance & Happy Halloween

Halloween Day was my last chemo treatment -- of course I was going to dress up! But I had some constraints, in that I couldn't wear long sleeves or tight upper sleeves because of the blood draw, blood pressure check, & the infusion itself. So I scoured my costume closet & realized I had this great big ballgown with a halter-style top. Luckily, it's pink & went with the pink ribbon "breast cancer" tiara I'd bought a few months earlier.

Many of the nurses at the clinic were dressed in costume, & everyone loved my "Drag Queen Cancer Princess" outfit. They even took a picture for their breakroom photo wall. And my husband documented the day & posted on Facebook.

Now, it's just a few weeks of side effects & recover, then I start radiation, which is much more targeted & supposed to have far more mild side effects -- so I can go back to work & hopefully have a more normal life again! Really looking forward to that.

What I'm wearing:
Pink silk dupioni 1950s-style ballgown, made by Donna | Full petticoat underneath, thriftstore | Black drag-queen wig, eBay | Pink ribbon tiara, Etsy | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black ribbon-tie pumps, Clark's | Black lace, pearl, & chain choker, bought at Convergence | Black with pink crystal earrings, random accessory store | Pewter woman symbol stud earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Ying/yang stud earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Pewter peace symbol earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Black gloves, vintage | Black faux-fur cape (worn in treatment chair), vintage

Selfie on the ride to the clinic

Checking in at the office

Waiting with my sweetie, he's been there every step of the way!

Super cool medical assistant Jordan checking my vitals

My excellent oncologist Dr. Mann checks my progress

Sitting in the chair before getting the last infusion

Pirate With a Touch of Cancer

My second of four chemo treatments fell on Talk Like a Pirate Day, so I decided to wear a cute little pink tricorn (that went quite well with my black & pink wig), plus a pirate-y hitched-up skirt & a lot of skull jewelry. Gotta look good to feel good!

Now I have to plan themes for the next two treatments. The last one falls on Halloween day, so of course I have to go extra spooky & outrageous. But no idea what to do for the middle one. Hopefully I'll get inspired in the next few weeks.

What I'm wearing:
Black crinkle skirt, Rampage | Black ruffled tank top, Newport News | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Pink & black stripe shoes, Sugar | Black & pink wig, Miss Violet Lace | Pink silk tricorn, The Ruby Raven | Painted skull pendant on black velvet ribbon, Jewels by Olivia | Dangly "F#@K CANCER" earrings, made by me | Pewter woman symbol stud earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Ying/yang stud earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Pewter peace symbol earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Skull bracelets, gift from my mom | Black & gunmetal cocktail ring, random accessory store

 

Three Recommended Reads

I'm slowly recovering from chemo round 1 of 4 (it wasn't fun, but I'm sure it could have been worse). Didn't go into the office this week, so no outfits. But I've been reading blogs & such when I have the brain power. Here are three that really stood out:

The Cost of Handmade, Revisited -- Victoria breaks down why her gorgeous, highly decorated parasols cost what they do. Handmade items on Etsy, Artfire, & elsewhere may seem like a budget option, but remember that sometimes there really is an individual artisan behind the work. Materials & labor add up fast.

How Learning to Sew Transformed My Fashion Self Confidence -- Lilli overcomes size-ism by making clothes in her own shape & size, not some arbitrary number. Sewing a few clothing items yourself may take time, but it can be empowering.

10 DIY Halloween Decorations Made With Flameless Candles -- Old Fashion Halloween found this awesome tutorial for turning things like dental X-rays or old stockings into spooky cool lighting.

Jove Decadent by Ramon Casas, Wikimedia

Happy reading! And thanks for all your words of encouragement during my treatment. I *really really* appreciate it :)

Time for Halloween Shopping Already

Indian summer is still going strong in most parts of the northern hemisphere, but Halloween goodies are starting to appear in stores. And you know the best things will sell out fast, so when you see something you like, you better snap it up as soon as possible. I love adding a few little items to my home decor, nothing too cutesy or cliche, & I have to be careful not to overload on the clutter. But it's hard to resist treats like these...

bat corkscrew from Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn bat wine corkscrew, $14.50 -- Cute & practical, this would make a good gift, maybe buy a couple to give later.

Pottery Barn Day of the Dead skull-print napkins, $28 -- Lovely set of 4, great for everyday use.

Williams-Sonoma skull pancake molds, $19.95 -- Set of 3, how fun for a spooky breakfast any time, make pancakes in skull shapes!

Williams-Sonoma skull appetizer & dip tray, $34.95 -- Heavy black stoneware set, perfect for parties. The store has a whole line of Halloween dishes in this style, check them all out.

candleholders from Grandin Road

Grandin Road wrought iron candleholders, $10-$12 -- Like little iron fences, ideal for gothic decor. Currently on sale.

These & much more are on my Halloween on Sale 2013 Pinterest board, & I'll keep adding as I find stuff. Check back throughout the next month.

Have you found any good gothic home decor this Halloween season? Share your best finds in the comments!

Mid-Month Status Report: Holidays at the Office

Today, my department at my new company had a holiday luncheon, so I dressed up a bit. We were walking down the street to the restaurant, so I wore practical shoes & a warm jacket (since it was rainy out), but still festive colors with gothy touches.

I also got a quick iPhone pic of some office decorations. The lobby has a big Christmas tree decked in the corporate colors of teal blue & silver with matching centerpieces on the tables & reception desk. Around the office, people have put up twinkly lights & garlands, & they've been bringing in homemade cookies & treats. Quite festive!

What I'm wearing:
Red knit dress with hi-lo hem, Macy's | Black & white stripe double-breasted knit jacket, Marshall's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black patent square-toed pumps, thrifted | Black, rhinestone, & pearl choker, random accessory store | Pearl stud earrings, random accessory store

Here are some of your status reports that I saw this morning:

• Cuz I Said Sew
• Sophistique Noir

Please add more in the comments below -- you have until the end of Tuesday!

Gothidays 5 - DIY Giftmas

To close up the Professor's theme, I thought I'd share some holiday tips. My immediate family decided some years ago that, instead of buying a ton of gifts for each other at Christmas, we would give handmade gifts &/or charitable gifts, & just one each or one per couple.

Now, we don't have any kids in this group, so maybe this wouldn't work for your family (I know I loved getting toys when I was little!). But there comes a time when adults just realize we don't need more stuff cluttering up our homes, & the holidays are made more stressful by spending so much money & running around buying things that people don't honestly need. And yet, it's still a great deal of fun to unwrap presents on Christmas morning & share some little surprise with those you care about. We can get that same experience by making something & donating to favorite causes.

Of course, this does add the complication of "what to make?" (Charities are pretty easy to select & give to.) Our family is kind of creative, & my mom, in particular, pulls out all the stops, so we've had a wide range of crafty, homemade goodies.

The old standby that everyone loves are food gifts. It's hard to go wrong there -- breads (sweet or savory), cookies, candies, seasoned nuts, granola, infused cooking oils, sauces, you name it! Even better is when someone includes the recipe or suggestions on how to cook with an ingredient, in the case of oils, sauces, etc.

Food "kits" are popular & fun to receive too: You assemble all the non-perishable ingredients for a dish & print out the recipe, then put it all together in a basket, bowl, or maybe a pot. This is easy to do with bean soups, hot chocolate, cookies, & breads, anything where the recipient of the gift only has to add one or two more ingredients, like water, milk, or an egg.

Finally, here are instructions for crafted things similar to gifts I've given in the past. I tend to gravitate towards sewing projects, because that's easy for me, but I only do ones that are fast straight-stitching. And none of these projects require special tools, & they don't cost much in the way of materials. Set aside an afternoon, get crafty, & have fun!

• Stamp-decorated candles
• Sachets for drawers
• Coffee-cup sleeves
• Fabric grocery bags
• Stamped cloth napkins
• Heating pads
• Travel-photo calendars

You can always goth-ify these gifts by choosing dark colors for the materials, adding bats or skulls, & such, as appropriate to the recipient. For example, the sachets are great made in Halloween cottons, & last year, I made the heating pads with faux-fur covers so they were wonderfully luxurious.

More DIY gift ideas from Offbeat Home, make sure to read the comments too!

Gothidays 3 - Decking the Halls

And the Professor's challenge marches on!

Every year, I debate with myself about whether or not I'll hang the garlands. It's a hassle to do so -- they always come out of the box tangled, it takes an hour or so to fluff them back into shape, I have to get up on a step ladder to hang them, & they shed little bits of noxious plastic everywhere for me to hurriedly sweep up before the cats eat it.

But the effect is SO pretty, I can't deny it. That's why I almost always do it, unless I'm absolutely, entirely pressed for time. Everyone who comes into the house compliments me on them, even tho' they're the same garlands I've had for 10 years now. Just plain old plastic greenery that I wrapped in with purple or white mini-lights, burgundy wired ribbon & silver wired ribbon (both rescued from our wedding decorations), & silver star-wrapped wire. Seriously not rocket science when it comes to crafting. But great results.

Gothidays 2 - the Angel

Continuing with the Professor's holiday theme ... While we haven't gotten an Xmas tree yet, I know what will top it. About a dozen years ago, I made this gothic angel to top our tree, & here are some photos from past holidays.

I wrote up the instructions for how to make her for my Gothic Martha Stewart site -- you can easily make your own! The materials are inexpensive, & by using different scraps of fabric & trims, you can customize the angel to fit your decor.

If you have a tree at the holidays, what do you top it with? Is there a story behind the tree-topper? Share in the comments!