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

Sponsorship Woes and Wishes

While I currently run Google ads on this site*, I haven't done much in the way of monetization or sponsorships. But I do get contacted by companies every so often asking to do promotions of some kind. The problem I have with this is usually that they're the wrong kind of business. They just don't fit.

Mostly, businesses see the "Goth" part of "CorpGoth" and seem to think that I'd be up promoting the same old, traditional gothic-punk clothing on my blog. Clothes similar to what Hot Topic would sell.  Everything is far too tight, short, and bondage-y for any office I'd ever work in! Hello, have these businesses looked at the photos on my blog? I don't wear spandex skull-printed dresses, ever! Even in my casual weekend wear. Nope, not my thing, not even when I was a lot younger and actually went to nightclubs.

I'd be interested if some high-end, sophisticated gothic businesses selling unique accessories, jewelry, and shoes contacted me, even Etsy artists and designers making custom CorpGoth clothing. But there has to be a corporate edge, not just goth-in-a-box. People can find that anywhere, and that's not what I'm interested in. My blog and my fashion is all about making goth from the ordinary and putting a gothic touch on mainstream office style. Any sponsor has to fit within this aesthetic as well.

That's why the one sponsored post I've done so far worked well. eShakti contacted me and offered a free dress, and that was fantastic because their designs are very goth-able. I'm happy to recommend their products.

One company I really wish would contact me is White House | Black Market -- omg, that store IS CorpGoth! I've mentioned it before because several of my very favourite wardrobe pieces are from there. Everything at White House | Black Market is, as the name implies, white or black, and every season (or more often), another color is added.  Oh, and frequently used patterns include stripes and damask. So it's custom-made for goths. The clothing styles are tailored and a little bit feminine, which makes it an excellent base for going either sleek and sophisticated or extra fancy. Garments are pricey but well made -- they're lined, made of thick fabrics, and have substantial buttons and trims. My only complaint is that sizes stop at 14, and there are no plus sizes. Still, if anyone at White House | Black Market happens to read this, contact me!

(Other brands I'd be happy to sponsor include Calvin Klein for their tights, which I wear almost every freakin' day, and shoes and boots from Aldo, Aerosoles, or Clarks, because I can walk miles in them! Anyone out there listening?)

What I'm wearing: Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | White & black damask-print knit sleeveless top, White House Black Market | Burgundy skirt, NY & Company | Black strappy flats, Macy's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Onyx skull earrings, local artist | Beaded bat necklace, gift from friends

*I'll probably take them down soon. The content is stupid, they don't make any money, they're ugly, it was just a random shot in the dark. But it's almost as much of a PITA to remove them as it was to put them up; that's probably why so many sites have Google ads even tho' they don't earn much.

Wednesday Wondering: Tissues in the Theater

Prompt: Which movie always makes you cry?

Camelot from 1967. The ending, in particular. I'm a big softie, plus I love musicals. And this one pushes all my buttons.

Medieval-fantasy setting? Check. Romantic-tragic story? Check. Raging idealism expressed through song? Check. I guess really, it's the movie soundtrack that makes me tear up more than anything, though the final scenes of Arthur telling the boy 'don't let it be forgot' get me right there.

So I guess I'm on a medieval kick recently. What can I say? I'm that kind of old-school goth gal! I've always preferred my modern high-tech life wrapped up in crumbling castles and draped in velvet.

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

What I'm wearing: Black puff-sleeve sweater, H&M | Burgundy velvet skirt, NY & Company | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black patent pumps, thrift store | Chain & bead necklace, random accessory store | Silver medallion earrings, random accessory store

Wednesday Wondering: 10 Words

Prompt: Describe yourself in 10 words.

Creative
Intellectual
Wistful
Organized
Old-fashioned
Cranky
Hopeful
Exacting
Goofy
Visionary

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

What I'm wearing: Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Black long-sleeve top, Old Navy | Black & white tweed skirt, eBay | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black leather boots, Clark's | Silver & brass necklace, local artist | Silver hoop earrings, random accessory store

Nice Reads

I'm kind of late on these, but they're still worth reading -- this 11 women who are changing geek culture article profiles some fascinating ladies, not the least of which is our old friend Jillian Venters, aka the Lady of the Manners, aka the woman behind Gothic Charm School. She's definitely my kind of geek to be proud of!


Not exactly a read, but a video worth watching is this report on Amsterdam's Lolita community. The usually quite mainstream site Refinery 29 takes a thoughtful, careful look at Lolitas in Europe (as contrasted to the original Japanese subculture), how they dress, and why. I admit, I've never quite understood the appeal of Lolita or Gothic Lolita, and this video was enlightening.



What I'm wearing: Black knit dress, Newport News | Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Black & white polka-dot scarf, Express | Black & white flats, Zappos | Silver & pearl earrings, vintage from my grandmother

Subtle Geekery

I've never been shy about flying my freak flag, even at work. I've talked about historical costuming during interviews, and I wear my studded leather cockring every single day. After all, if you google for images of me, you're going to see everything from me in 18th-century male drag to my boobs inscribed with "CorpGoth" calligraphy. Not subtle!

But this outfit is a more tasteful version of geeky CorpGoth. I got the T-shirt at the new Diagon Alley in Universal Studios, where my husband and I indulged our love of all things Harry Potter. Of course, I went for the spooky side with the Dark Mark. Which coordinates nicely with my everyday wardrobe.

Do you try or have to sneak your geeky or fandom faves into your work wardrobe?

What I'm wearing: Black velvet jacket, White House Black Market | Grey "Dark Mark" T-shirt, Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter at Universal Studios | Grey striped skirt, Nordstroms | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black T-strap flats, Aldo | Silver filigree earrings, Target

Gothic Martha Stewart stamps velvet

Did you know I've run a little site called Gothic Martha Stewart since about 1997? It's predicated on the idea of 'what if Martha Stewart did projects in goth themes & colors.' For a change of pace, I thought I'd share some of my favorite GMS projects over here. Such as...

Stamping Velvet
This is an easy technique you can use to decorate fabric for garments or home decor items. You can even stamp ready-made clothing, just as long as the item is loose enough to get an iron at & there aren't many seams in the way.

The only special item you'll need is a rubber stamp with a large, chunky design. Everything else you probably have around the house, such as an iron, a spray bottle, and a heavy hard-back book.

Follow the instructions in the complete tutorial, & get creative! This is easy to do for a scarf or bag, but stamped designs would be a lovely accent on a straight skirt or a flat portion of a jacket (think lapels, pockets, or center back).

What I'm wearing: Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Black & white damask knit top, Speigel | Burgundy skirt, NY & Company | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black & white T-strap flats, Nine West | Garnet drop earrings, London National Museum

Renaissance Shoes & Velvet Punk

For a night out at the Meadery with my sweetie & friends, I wanted something comfortable but cute. The dress was a given -- nothing beats knit -- & then the shoes seemed appropriate given the crowd (my friend who designed these shoes would be there), plus these shoes are very comfortable.

I needed a sweater or light jacket since it was a cool evening, & my hand fell upon this oldie, a beat-up velveteen motorcycle-style jacket I've had for a million years, all decorated from my more more-obviously goth days, yet with a couple recent touches. Perfect!

What I'm wearing:
Black knit dress, Newport News
Black cable-patterned tights, unknown brand
Oxblood "Stratford" 16th-century shoes, designed by Francis Classe for American Duchess
Burgundy & gold shield necklace, local artisan
Pink & gold earrings, vintage
Black velveteen motorcycle-style jacket, International Male
Pins, various sources

Highly recommended, just order a half size up. They come in black too!

Favorite pins on jacket lapel

Sisters of Mercy, Depeche Mode, & my college sorority badge

Peace pin & Clan Ventrue from Vampire: the Masquerade (my Toreador pin is on a purse)

San Jose Sharks 10th anniversary pin

Symbolic charms I attached to a zipper pull

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

Spring Flowers

Just a tiny touch of flowers as we march towards spring (hah). I love the '80s vibe of this floral print -- back in the day, I had a lot of cabbage rose florals in my New Romantic wardrobe. And I don't mind revisiting my slightly misspent youth.

Are there trends you loved the first time around *and* the second time around?

What I'm wearing:
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Floral print knit top, H&M | Burgundy skirt, NY & Company | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black flats, Aerosoles | Pewter "Success" key necklace, gift from my husband | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store | Chanel "Vamp" lipstick

Done, Done, DONE!

Yesterday was my last day of radiation -- 33 treatments, all finished, after the 4 rounds of chemotherapy. You know what that means? I'm DONE with active treatment for cancer! Finished! I may need to take some medication for the next umpteen years, plus have regular check-ups & tests, but NO MORE poisoning or torturing my body on a regular basis to kill those nasty cancer cells. C'EST FINI!!!

I'm thrilled at this milestone. It feels like I've been in treatment for-freakin'-ever. Since last June when I first went to my doctor about that lump, I've been on a constant treadmill of doctor's appointments, all of which lead to increasingly unpleasant things to rid my body of the invader. Yes, my doctors & nurses have been excellent, & yes, their recommendations have been wise & necessary. But I'm incredibly happy to see the end of it.

Chemo sucked ass, & radiation has been fairly easy but not exactly fun. I'm guessing the future bits will be much milder. I may have said it before, but it bears repeating: I could not have made it through any of this without the constant support of all of YOU, my friends & community. My IRL friends & family have been awesome, but I was also buoyed by the stream of comments, emails, posts, cards, gifts, donations, & well-wishes from every one of you out there in the interwebs. Your support has helped keep me going when I've felt down, which has been a lot!

Cancer is mind-numbingly hard, & nobody can manage it alone. I am extremely grateful to have *not* been alone during this, thanks to you. I'm sorry if I didn't respond to everyone, but please know that your words, no matter how small, touched me & comforted me.

THANK YOU!!!

right after my final radiation

What I'm wearing:
Black & white stripe knit dress, Nordstrom
Black velvet jacket, White House Black Market
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black flats, Aerosoles
Silver sugar skull earrings, random accessory store
Chanel "Vamp" lipstick
(Note: I'm still wearing wigs & hats on a regular basis, but I went 'topless' to celebrate last night!)
For treatment:
"Keep Calm & Fuck Cancer" T-shirt, CafePress
Black & white fleece hat, gift from Mom

With my mom, who has been awesome through all this.

With my husband, who's been a rock!

Obligatory selfie - hair is finally growing back.

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

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

Pink House | Black Market

I've mentioned before how much I love the few items I've bought at White House | Black Market. That store is *so* totally CorpGoth! The theme is black & white, & they rotate in one additional color every few months. The styles often include stripes, & in winter, you'll find plenty of velvety garments. The cuts tend to be fitted & elegant, & the quality is pretty good, which makes the prices worth it, in my opinion. [Note: I'm in no way affiliated with the company, this is an unbiased review!]

Yet I haven't worn any of my WHBM pieces together, until today. Well, I only have three items, this jacket & skirt plus one cardigan. But it was only a matter of time. And it felt very appropriate to add a spot of pink.

What's your favorite store to buy clothes from? Is there a boutique you love to splurge at?

What I'm wearing:
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Black embellished T-shirt, Calvin Klein | Black & white stripe skirt, White House Black Market | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Pink & black pumps, Irregular Choice | Black & silver skull bead necklace, DisneyLand | Pink filigree earrings, Etsy

Red & Black Week: 18th Century Redingote

Finally, my piece de la resistance for Red & Black Week, my stripey redingote. Properly, a redingote is an 18th-century French woman's gown based on an English man's riding habit. I made this one in a not perfectly historical fashion, but took liberties in the cut & materials to suit my gothic aesthetic.

I found this black & red striped rayon fabric in the L.A. garment district at least 5 years ago & have been plotting something like this costume for quite a while. It's very loosely based on period fashion plates that show this style of single-breasted button-front bodice with a broad collar & buttoned cuffs. I designed the collar & cuffs with a batwing shape in black velvet hand-edged in black silk.

Ideally, I'd be wearing a large, tall hat too, but since this outfit was first worn on my recent France trip, I couldn't make it in time nor carry another item with me!

What I'm wearing (all made by me except where noted):
Black & red striped redingote with velvet collar & cuffs & vintage velvet buttons
Black silk fichu
Black silk petticoat
White satin under-petticoat
White twill bum pad
Black corset, made by Sarah
White cotton shift
Black stockings, Target
Black buckled shoes, Fugawee
"Hedgehog" style hairpiece
Jet earrings, random accessory store
Gunmetal & jet ring, random accessory store
Faux ruby ring, gift from Sarah
Black lace fan, eBayBlack velvet mouche (beauty patch)
Red lipstick, Sephora

More about how I made this outfit on my costume website here.

To the Mother Country

There's this joke among some costumer-friends & I that England is the "mother country." We're all anglophiles in the worst way. We've read too many Bronte & Austen novels (or at least watched movie versions endlessly), we love the fantasy of having royalty (& those of us who are old enough remember watching Princess Di in her ridiculous meringue wedding dress),  we love crumbling castles & running across the moors in white nightgowns, we drink way too much tea out of prissy little china cups. This is all a big part of why we spend inordinate amounts of time & money creating crazy historical reproduction costumes.

So yeah, my first trip abroad was to the Mother Country of England. My then-boyfriend/now-husband convinced me to go, & we visited sites associated with some of my favorite English authors, from Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey to Wordsworth's Dove Cottage in the Lake District to the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth. Not only am I a nutty costumer, I'm also a frustrated academic -- soon after this seminal trip, I went to grad school to continue my pointless studies in Victorian literature. Not like you can get a job in that very easily! So I dropped out a few units shy of a second degree. Ah well. I'll settle with a cool T-shirt from my most recent (& fifth) trip to the U.K.

What I'm wearing:
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market
England T-shirt, bought in London
Black jeans, Levis
Black ankle boots, Aldo
Silver filigree earrings, random accessory store
Jet & gunmetal cocktail ring, random accessory store
Grey & black flower hair pins, random accessory store

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?

Subtle Pattern Mixing - Stripes & Cats

I love this dress so very much, even tho' you can't see much of it in the photo. It fits like a dream, which it should, being custom-made. But also the fabric is perfect, a mystery blend with the tiniest bit of stretch. I got the fabric from a friend who was de-stashing & just giving it away. Then my friend Donna made it up into this dress so perfectly.

The grey-brown color with pinstripes picks up the off-white tone of the cats in this scarf very well. Again, not something you can probably see in the photo, so just trust me. While I do blog these outfits, I just wear them to make me happy. And the combo, all set off with a little pop of burgundy, does exactly that.

What I'm wearing:
Grey pinstripe dress, Original Sin Designs
Burgundy velveteen jacket, Kohls (with vintage jet buttons added by me)
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black ribbon-tie pumps, Clarks
Black & white cat-print scarf, Etsy, gift from my husband
Black & gold earrings, Forever 21
Revlon "Raisin Rage" lipstick

Pink With Damask

Nothing much going on here, just another CorpGoth day at the office. Tho' this outfit is a classic example of mainstream brands used in a gothy fashion.

What I'm wearing:
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Black & white damask-print knit top, Ralph Lauren | Hot pink skirt, NY & Company
Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black kitten-heel pumps with buckles, Payless Shoe Source | Silver filigree earrings, Target | Black & gunmetal cocktail ring, random accessory store | Chanel "Vamp" lipstick

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