Happy Halloween!!!

"Trick or Treat" by Andrew Bawidamann

Happy Halloween and Merry Samhaim! I hope your day is filled with treats and perhaps some happy tricks, hehe. I wanted to share my main Halloween costume that I crafted, yet unfortunately I will not be wearing it to the club since the weather has been an issue due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. So, I dressed up and Derek took some photos of me on Monday evening.

As a side note-Hurricane Sandy has effected (and still effecting) millions of people on the East Coast of the US, especially New York and New Jersey, I sit here watching and feeling helpless. Everyone are in my thoughts, such terrible devastation.

"Come to me Arthur. Leave these others and come to me. 

My arms are hungry for you, my darling"

If you haven't guessed, I'm Lucy from the Bram Stoker's Dracula, the movie by Francis Ford Coppola. I am missing my fangs as the damn things did not want to stay in my mouth, first time I've ever been a vampire and I couldn't get the fangs right. Go figure, haha!

Lucy, Dracula

My costume isn't exact, but I don't think I did too shabby of a job. The headpiece was a bit of a challenge seeing as I don't have hair on the sides of my head to bobby pin anything too, so I used a millinery pillbox base that I had and built everything from there. I made myself a white turban out of white jersey knit fabric in order to cover my head and hair, plus is gave the headpiece something to grip onto. I forced myself to learn some new sewing techniques with this costume which also pleased me. I also used a lot of fabric glue, it's the best thing EVER.

Did you dress up this Halloween season?

Thanks for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Feelin' Batty

+Bat Wing Bow +Go Batty Scarf

+Halloween Bat Collar Pins +Cloud of Bats Necklace

Thanks for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Memento Mori : "Funeral" Attire

The invitation was an obituary, so clever!

We were invited to a "funeral" themed Halloween party on Friday at our friend's house and were asked to come in funeral attire, of course this is no problem for Derek and I, so we were happy to adorn ourselves in Victorian mourning.

I am not historically accurate (though I would love to be someday) with my clothing, but I managed. Luckily I pulled some items like the skirt and hat from my best friend Melanie's closet, I have lovely items in my closet, but they have been used so many times and I wanted something "new" to me. 

The gorgeous hat is by Ms. Purdy, I am so happy I got to borrow Melanie's hat, it's amazing and I received many compliments! I am also wearing a 'standard' puff sleeve button-up collared top in which I tied my wonderful lace neck ruffle by Misfit Chic under the shirt collar to give me a fuller ruffled look. I added a cameo pendant that was purchased at Michael's some years ago as a neck accent and well, I love wearing cameos. 

What can I say, I had fun posing in this luscious velvet frock coat borrowed from Melanie's clothing archives. This jacket is by the now long gone (sadly) clothing store Siren which was located in Toronto, CA. Siren was a wonderful goth store and sold it's own clothing and though very pricey, well worth the capital, I think Melanie bought this jacket around 1998 and it's still here!

Very interesting that the velvet frock coat was actually black and has now turned a blood red, we all agreed it made us love the coat even more. Haha! But I have to admit, I don't miss dressing like this back in my clubbing hay-days. So much fruff and ruff, discomfort and I was so incredibly warm, yet when we went out to our local goth night after the party and I was twirling on the dance floor.......it was so nostalgic. At one point two of my best friends, Derek and I were all dancing to Ministry's "Everyday Is Halloween" and I just couldn't stop smiling, it was like the "old days". Though I don't like to dwell on times past, it's so amazing to still be around the same wonderful souls I've known for the past ten years.

A dapper Derek is dapper!

As a bit of a side note I'd like to add, though I am very interested in the macabre, the morose and Victorian mourning and funerary arts, I do respect the dead and the delicate nature of mourning. I have lost many people near and dear to me and by no means enjoy attending funerals as they are very sober and emotionally draining events. Though I embrace death it does, by no means, mean that I don't appreciate life.

Thanks for reading!!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : Demonia Mega-602

I realized that I often do not feature club footwear in my Shoes! OMG! choices, though most people may consider platforms like the Demonia Mega-602 anytime boots, they are club shoes to me. *Wink* I am ashamed as I've had a love affair with a few Demonia Mega's that has lasted over a decade. I remember getting my first pair in 2001-ish, yet they were the Mega-618 that were patent with buckles.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Halloween Socks

+Festival Skull Socks +Haunted House Socks

+Purple Bat Socks +Ghosts In Graveyard

Now is the time to stock up on Halloween accessories, especially socks! I wear mine all year long. *Wink*

Thanks for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

An Old Goth In A Nu-Goth Sweater

I posed this question to my Facebook friends, "If you're an old goth who wears a nu-goth top, does that make you a born again goth?" Of course I say these things in jest as I have a really good sense of humor about my tastes, lifestyle and fashion. I don't normally like to feed into the 'what is this and what is that' monster machine, but I since my most recent purchase made me giggle about the nu-goth trend and how upset people get over it.

Cross Sweater, Forever 21. I love the inside details

The question is, how could I not love this sweater, it's covered in crosses! My little gothy heart went a flutter when I saw this on Forever 21's web site and the price was right at $25. I'm impressed with the quality!

Now my opinion on the nu-goth trend is this, if I can walk into a store or shop online to find things that are my taste and style, how could I not enjoy it? Though this trend is based on just fashion and not focused on the other aspects of goth including the music and culture, that would have to be another discussion for a different blog (there are plenty of people bitching all over the internet). -Shrugs- I bought this sweater because it has giant crosses all over it, which is in my tastes and I like black and white. I also really love crosses, a lot. Hehe!

Thanks for reading!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Spooky Cocktail Party Attire

I went to a spooktacular cocktail party at friend's and decided to make 'bloody bat and tombstone sandwiches' aka peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwiches. I have to admit I love eating bat shaped food items, haha!

I decided since it was a cocktail party that I would wear a pillbox hat that I made and have never worn. I used to make pillbox hats and sell them in my shop before discovering my love for upcycling clothing was shared by others. This particular hat is black vinyl with a skeleton hand detail and black feathers, I even made a black vinyl bow. Making hats are time consuming, especially when you are making the hat bases from scratch, but I do enjoy wearing them!

I'm wearing a halter style polka dot dress made by the lovely and talented Miss Dolly of Dungaree Dolly, she made this as a special gift from Derek. She doesn't make dresses for the public, so I cherish this special garment. 

The dress has a full circle skirt and though I would wear a crinoline underneath for swing dances, I decided to spare the party guests from being entrapped in my massive dress. Fashion can be dangerous! Though this silhouette is flattering, I have realized that I've been more drawn to 60's shift dresses and babydolls, but I will always love mixing 50s styles with my creepy kitschy touches.

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful month of October.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : Jack-O-Lantern Mary Janes

How adorable are these Jack-O-Lantern Mary Janes by Em & Sprout!? In fact their whole etsy shop is filled with other Halloween goodness, but it's for a limited time. Less than two weeks until Halloween!

Thanks for reading!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Lace Dresses Under $55

+Lace Peplum Dress +Arina Lace Dress

+Lola Lace Midi Dress +ASOS Swing Dress

There is no denying that there is lace everywhere this season and it tickles my gothy bone with pure joy! I know a lot of woman do not like wearing lace because they feel it's too delicate or not their style, yet there is many ways to wear lace such as including it as a detail on a garment. If you just detest it entirely, then have no fear as your goth card will not be revoked. *Wink*. Personally I'm in love with the ASOS Swing Dress, I think that has my name all over it!

How do you like to wear lace?

Thanks for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Happy Anniversary Outfit & New Tattoo!

Yesterday (October 11th) was Derek's and my 3rd wedding anniversary in which we went to our friend's restaurant Mike A's in the newly rehabbed Hotel Layfette. Not only did we have the pleasure of getting to chit chat with our friend Mike (who also catered our wedding), but we got to meet the owner of the Hotel Layfette. I learned that Rocko, the owner, is a Buffalo native and owns several buildings in Buffalo in which he has rehabbed and strongly believes in making Buffalo the grand city it once was. This bit of information made me very happy since Buffalo is a beautiful city underneath all the urban decay.

Dinner Attire

I opted for pants because of my fresh tattoo on my ankle

The spider brooch was worn on my jacket at my wedding

Newest addition to my collection "Everyday Is Halloween"

The Bride and Groom, 10/11/09. Yes, I wore black!

Thanks for reading! 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : What Is Up With All The Ugly Shoes!?

Seriously?! What is going on with all these ugly shoes this season!? I know the 90s are back, but why put everything that was wrong (in fashion) of that era and smoosh it into a shoe design?! Block-y, fringe-y, weird  Southwestern designs, ugly colors and platforms that make no sense. Don't get me wrong, I like ugly and fringe and platforms, but these shoe trends are FUGLY. I'm crying Robert Smith tears over here!

WAHHHHHH!!!!!

BEHOLD SHOES THAT MAKE ME CRY OUT IN AGONY!

I'm not even going to link you to these, but if you fall in love. www.makemechic.com

AND THE SHOE THAT MADE ME SCREAM IN PURE HORROR IS.....................

Exactly....

I know these shoes aren't "goth" or black or whatever, for my tastes, but COME ON! I know when something is stylish and when something is not. I think I lost my appetite......

Would you wear any of these shoes?

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit Of The Day : It's Layering Time!

Oh boy, was I under dressed when I went for my hair appointment this morning. I walked outside in a dress, leopard stockings and a thin jacket, brrrrrr! The wind and rain picked up as I made my way to the salon which is located in downtown Buffalo, I was a chilly silly gal! I was excited to have my friend Erin at Chez Ann Salon perform her magic on my mop, this time my front streak was being transformed from blonde to orange. Oh, I am feeling very festive with my pumpkin spice hair!

Feeling fancy and schmancy, though my hair was ruined by the rain/wind.

I came home straight away and piled on the layers. I'm wearing a button-up long sleeve top under my cowl neck sweater and my odd corduroy gauchos that I picked up years ago at our local goth store. I have a thing for gauchos, always have and always will....apparently I'm in fashion, go figure! Hehe!

Showin' off my Sourpuss Bone Socks paired with my all black Demonia creepers which I haven't really worn a lot in my outfit posts, yet they are a part of my everyday shoe collection. I thought the white bone socks picked up the white ruffles on the shirt nicely, I also love black and white ensembles.

So, now that Autumn is officially here it's time to cover up and layer, layer, layer! I have to admit I love piling on as many clothes as I can, as it gives me a chance to be a little more creative with clothing. I also like to be toasty, so layering definitely helps in that department.

What is your favorite way to layer?

Thanks for reading! 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Stripey Tights

+Crocheted Striped Pantyhose +Vertical Sheer Stripes

+Stripe and Lace Pantyhose +Black & Sheer Stripes

I thought I would share my love of striped legwear for this week's Kitsch Picks!

Thanks for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Adam Ant : NYC

Derek, our two friends and myself went on an adventure to NYC to see Mr. Adam Ant himself. We've had the tickets since December 2011 as the concert was supposed to happen in February 2012, yet was postponed until Saturday October 6th. Needless to say we were extra excited.

I was excited that he played "Dog Eat Dog". Check out the rest of the setlist.

We also took our friend's to Trailer Park in NYC which is across the street from the famous Chelsea Hotel, best known (to the punks) as where Nancy-Sid Vicious' girlfriend-died.

Being a "punk" on the streets of New York

One of my most favorite places ever!

Derek and I were so excited to drink out of this delicious pineapple 

and hang out amongst Trailer Park's awesome kitschy decor.

Kitsch! Kitsch! Kitsch!

Though our trip was short, we saw a lot of friends and enjoyed Adam Ant (who is still really sexy). I am hoping that if you get the chance to see Adam Ant on his tour that you do, you won't regret it!

Thanks for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

OMG! Kitsch Picks, SHOES!

Since I've been a bad blogger this week, so I decided to combine my Kitsch Picks and my Shoe! OMG! into one fabulous blog entry. Pick out some shoes, don't mind if I do!

All $60 and under

+Big Buddha Betty +Betsey Johnson Diskko

+Iron Fist Don't Cross Me +Grey Studded Riding Boots

Thanks for reading!!!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla