It's Finished.....For Now

The first photo is my "it's going to hurt" face. I'm joking around, but it does hurt!

Derek was kind enough to fill in my chest tattoos yesterday, yes I thank my husband for hurting me. Haha! I think I've had the outline on my chest for about a year and it's time to complete this project as well as several others that need to be completed. Oh golly gee.

I wore a tube top during the 6 hour tattoo session (with a break for dinner!) and while I was laying there I got to thinking, "What the heck am I going to wear the rest of the week!?". That's something people never tell you when you're thinking about getting a tattoo, how to dress around your specific healing tattoo! Though I've sat many, many, MANY hours in the chair, I still hate the healing process with a burning passion....literally. There is something totally gross about having to lube your tattoo up and then potentially have bits of your clothing stick to it. ACK! 

A few dressing suggestions that I've found to help around the healing process:

-Wear loose fitting clothing for any tattoos on your (body) trunk/biceps. Try and keep clothing off your tattoo as much as possible.

-Billowing skirts for leg/thigh tattoos

-Keep clothing edges from rubbing on any part of your tattoo, cuff pants and shirts.

-Always wear clean garments. i.e : Once you wear a t-shirt or pj's to bed change into something clean the next night

-Wear garments that make the tattoo easily accessible. If you're at work on a bathroom break and need to reapply ointment, you want to be able to do it quickly and cleanly.

-Change your sheets, this isn't fashion related, but you can get infections from dirty blankets, sheets and towels too!

Some weird things I do:

Wash my hair/shave my legs before getting tattooed. Ok, I'm not a dirty hairy beast, but it makes my life a lot easier to not have to worry about washing my hair and/or shaving for a few days, this way I don't have to do weird acrobatics in the shower to avoid soaking the tattoo. Then again, what would weird acrobatics entail?....hrmmmm.....

Oh my, I didn't mean for this blog to turn into, "Tattoo healing time at Coffin Kitsch", but I think my brain has been tattooed after yesterday's session, so there ya go!

Thank you for reading! 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

All the Bats Are Grey

Hooooray! I got the skirt that I have been longing for and I found the Glide On Skater Skirt at Zooshoo.com! It was one of those internet searches (for shoes) that lead me to the site and voila! new skirt.  I ordered a size up (large) as I wanted to tuck-in all various sorts of t-shirts and tops, and didn't want to start to feel like an over-stuffed sausage. The large is perfect, the style of the skirt is perfect (it's not uber short for me) and the buying process was easy, fast and free shipping. I can't say no to free shipping!

I paired the skirt with some black leggings, grey bats t-shirt by Sourpuss with a black tank underneath, my beloved and beat-up studded creepers, and a shiny black waist belt. I promised myself I wouldn't complain about the weather, so I'll just mention I'm still wearing leggings for necessity and added warmth.

Little cross earrings, hearse pendant that I put on a rosary bead chain, stretch studded bracelets....

and a silly smile.

I just checked off this skirt on my mental "I would like" list, next on my list is a 3/4 sleeve light weight black blazer. Let the hunt begin!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

The Future Is History

On Tuesday Derek and I went to see a really neat exhibit at a local vintage warehouse, the exhibit was called  "The Future is History". The exhibit features themes from the space age (1957-1972) such as; movies, toys, furniture and household items, clothing and design. I'm a huge fan of mid century modern and kitsch, so I was excited to explore the exhibit!

These photos are just a small sample of the exhibit, Derek and I drooled over many of the vintage pieces, especially the vintage bar. 

It's really interesting to see that Sputnik started the "space race" and how much it effected popular culture. I think back then everyone looked to the future with optimism, while the (current) modern world looks back to the past to more "simpler" time for comfort. Of course, this can be left to your own interpretation.......

My outfit I wore to the exhibit. I really dig the ruched details on the back of my shirt (Target), which I paired with a black & white mini skirt (ebay), Docs and a hat to cover up my dirty mop. Hehe! 

Accessories!!

I hope you enjoyed this little blast from the past -totally intended pun- and thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : Spirit by Rocket Dog

The black and white striped Spirit sandals by Rocket Dog are adorable and the soles look comfy! When I do wear sandals in the warmer months, I tend to choose a flat sole for walking/adventures and a wedge for evening dinners or shows. 

What type of sandal do you like to wear?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

It Don't Mean A Thing.......

....if it ain't got that swing!

After quite a few months of not attending our friend Chuck Chaz's swing dances, we decided to make a night of it and thus get gussied up. 

When it comes to swing dances, I like to wear fuller skirted dresses and this Living Dead Souls number was just what the doctor ordered. The dress is black with a red floral pattern, ruching at the waist and a sweetheart neckline (gave me good cleavage, teehee!), it's very comfortable and was given to me by my friend Julie Ann. Yay! It was chilly on Sunday evening, so I paired the dress with a thrifted cotton shrug and black fishnets. I completed the look with black button earrings, black beaded bracelets, a filigree black bat necklace, and  black suede 40s style shoes.

I love back seam stockings

We can never take a "normal" picture.

The dance was fun, though we didn't dance as we're both terribly rusty and really need to take some lessons.  Next time I'll be twirling around the dance floor with Mr. Derek. *Wink* If you've never tried swing dancing, I recommend giving it a try with a partner as it's really a fun time and great exercise!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Bands to Check Out

Derek made this as a joke, there are no deathrock (bands) in Western New York

I wanted to share a few deathrock/post punk type bands that I have really been enjoying. I think it's really great that bands are making new music that is influenced by the old, but sounds new! 

The Bellicose Minds:

bellicoseminds.bandcamp.com

Belgrado:

belgrado.bandcamp.com

Arctic Flowers:

arcticflowers.bandcamp.com

Blue Cross

bluecross.bandcamp.com

These are just a few bands that I've been digging, so give a listen and support!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

I Finally Have A Place To Put My Dracula

I have a lot of great t-shirts that I would like to wear with more options, so I've been on the hunt for an A-line skirt (aka skater skirt) to pair with them. I've been digging the 'tucked in' look with a wide elastic topped skirt, because for my shape it's a great way to emphasis my waist line and de-emphasize the areas that I like to camouflage. Though I wanted a plain black skater skirt (and still do), I jumped on buying this crossbones skirt as it's the same print as my dress! I can't say no to bone print...and I got it on sale. Yay!

Dracula face of the day. Blah! Blah!

My "fangs" look more like mandibles.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, I just had to turn the heat back on......sigh!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Tiki Road Trip Florida 2013 Edition : Vacation Slides

Warning: This blog post contains many images of Tiki's, Polynesian Pop and other

tropical related paraphernalia. It may cause mai tai cravings, urge to hula and to shout out "Aloha!"

Proceed with caution.

Day 1-Hanging out with my parents in Micanopy, FL

Our trip to Florida was based around two things; visiting my parents and visiting Tiki bars. Though we did other things, the Tiki hunt was the main object and we managed to visit 4 bars in 3 different cities. Yes, we're insane.

It was hard to narrow down my photos to share with you and not to completely bore you to Tiki death, so here are some of the highlights (and low lights) of our Tiki Road Trip Florida 2013 Edition.

So many Shag art prints inside Caffeine

First stop was Caffeine Wine Bar & Bistro in Ormond Beach. The restaurant had an outdoor Tiki bar named the Kona Bar. The artwork and sheer size of the outdoor space was HUGE and it was decorated with more Shag art. 

Unfortunately the actual outdoor Tiki bar was closed, our bartender told us that the restaurant was going through some changes. I really hope they don't change the decor and style!

We sat inside Caffeine and had the mai tai's (the only Tiki drink they served!), they were just okay. It's a bummer that the place was so awesome, but really didn't serve a lot of fresh tropical libations. Still, the experience was awesome and we left giddy and excited for what was yet to come.

My ugly pants are blending into the foliage!

Next stop, Sarasota, FL! We visited Trader Vic's Island Bar and Grill. This Trader Vic's isn't the original bars that are found in 5 star hotels, but it is the first concept restaurant and it was AWESOME. 

Derek deciding what we should have next....

The 1944 Mai Tai recipe was so yummy, fresh and delicious, it wins the best mai tai on our Tiki road trip! 

The manager gave us all these coasters and post cards that she found while cleaning out the office drawers and she gave them to us! The staff was so awesome and we even loved the food. Mmmmmm pot stickers.

Angry Tiki LOL!

Derek and I shared the Tiki Bowl....errrrr, well I made him finish it since I had to drive (don't worry we were there for a few hours!). This was the result:

I've never seen my husband being defeated by a tropical libation! Hahahaha! Poor Derek.

Later in the evening we visited the Bahi Hut Lounge which is also in Sarasota. We were extra excited to visit this lounge as it was est. in 1954 and it was right next to our motel. They claim to have to "world's most lethal mai tai".

There aren't any photos of the inside as this bar as it was the seediest, most disturbing and scariest experience of the whole Tiki bar trip. I don't want to get into too much details, but it will always haunt us....forever. We weren't in any danger, but I now understand the reviews on Yelp and other internet sites. Yikes! Oh, the mai tai was totally disgusting.

Last and final destination was Waitiki in Orlando, FL. We were relieved to find the bar relaxing and the food was decent. Waitiki was nestled in a really cool part of downtown Orlando that was the arts district, we felt right at home.

The mai tai was bad (we didn't even finish it), but the other drinks were great! I loved my singapore sling (or singapour sling on the menu), it was refreshing. This is the bar that yours truly got a wee bit tipsy as we just walked to and from our motel. I slept really well that night. *Wink*.

We sat by Mr. Bali Hai

Hahaha!!!!

Phew! We had a great time, saw a lot of sights, but I'm happy to be home (even though it's now 37 degrees out, brrrr!) and back into the swing of things. Thank you for helping me reflect on our trip!

Alllooooohhhhaaaaaaaaaa!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Souvenir (Salvador) Dali Ant Bracelet

It was back to work on Thursday after getting back from Florida on Wednesday, so I wanted to wear the ant bracelet I got from our trip to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg, FL. As odd as it sounds, the black and white in the bracelet (and the warmer Buffalo weather) reminded me of these white/black splattered pants that I purchased last year. Yes, they look like dalmatian print more than ink splatters, oh well. *Wink*

I had no idea what to wear after vacation, so this is all my brain could spit out and I didn't have energy to wash my hair, hence the bandana. I actually switched out the hoodie for one of my vests as it was in the 70s and felt like it, to my surprise!

Salvador Dali is one of my favorite artists and I enjoy surrealist art in general, so the trip was very exciting and educational. It made me love Dali that much more! The museum was small, but it was a work of art all in itself, I think Dali would have been proud that such an amazing building housed some of his great works.

Yay!!!

Mr. Derek holds onto his hat, it was so windy!

Do you have a favorite artist or art movement?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Back from Vacation, Did You Miss Me?

Mini palm tree and a pink flamingo!? Yay!

Oh, I'm not expecting you to notice that I was gone, but I did miss all of you in blogger land! We had a great time visiting my parents in Florida and our adventurous Florida Tiki road trip. Though it was tons of fun, I'm glad to be home. Phew! I just wanted to say "Hello!", it's back to reality....and work tomorrow!

Hope everyone is great!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Fun Friend Time

Danielle poses with the fellas

As you read this I'll be on vacation with lots of photos and stories when I get back, but I wanted to share some photos of part II of Danielle's birthday celebrations. I shot all the photos in black and white because it's more flattering when a flash is used and most of us are wearing black anyways. Haha!

Luke, Melanie, Erin, Danielle

We went to the fabulous Mike A's bar in the Hotel Lafayette which has been rehabbed into a gorgeous boutique hotel. I'm so glad they kept the art deco charm and now it's a destination rather than an eye sore.

Derek snapped a photo of all the ladies. Lots of yummy drinks, mmm!

The birthday girl and I :) Friend's for over 10 years!

I thought I was alone, hahaha! I think I startled the girl, but it made for funny photo, I said "Just a vanity shot". The hotel's main ladies room has large mirrors, which I think are fantastic since a lot of weddings take place in their ballroom. Brilliant!

I love my dear friends!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla