Newest Additions to Our Tiki Room

I love vintage furniture and decor, our home is a mix of Mid Century Modern, taxidermy, antique medical instruments, vintage knick knacks, collected artwork, and our beloved Tiki room. Derek and I have affectionately dubbed our home style as "Mid Century Macabre". We both share the love of home decor, the thrill of the hunt for the perfect piece and the adventurous tale that goes along with it. You can find us haunting antique places, flea markets and checking in at our local thrift shops for a piece to add to our little apartment. We like to travel to even just look at "old stuff" (as I would say) and browse around for that one little treasure we may bring home....or big treasure. I have to confess, I'm addicted to chairs and I need to be stopped!

These four new (to us) vintage bamboo bar stools came from our spontaneous trip to Cleveland, Ohio this past weekend. We visited two of our most favorite vintage shops, Flower Child and Sweet Lorain. I love going to Sweet Lorain as Red the owner is so nice and always says, "Welcome Home". Hehe! He always remembers us and is so helpful and kind. I wish I could just live at Sweet Lorain's, I think I would die from happiness.

The black swag lamp hanging to the left is also from a 

Sweet Lorain trip.

I'm wearing a dress I purchased from Target a few weeks when it was scorching hot, of course as soon as I bought it the weather cooled down significantly. It's nice and light weight, flowy and I am a sucker for the lace accents. I added the scarf belt from another dress to add a little visual interest though it's great worn plain.

I'm really enjoying the high-low flowy dress trend right now. Keep em' coming! *Wink*

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Ghostlove Jewelry

+Finger Spike +Hand and Heart Lock Necklace

+Lionheart Earrings +Gothic Slave Chain Bracelet

This week's Kitsch Picks features handpicked Ghostlove Jewelry designs. I've had the pleasure of styling with their designs several times for photoshoots. The quality and design of the pieces are wonderful!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

A New Favorite

This dress/tunic is a new favorite to my closet. I spotted it and tried it on last month at H&M, but left without purchasing. Lo and behold, a few weeks later the dress on the clearance rack for $10! It had to be mine! There was a whole rack of these beauties, so I think I was one of the only ones that saw it's true spooky potential. *Wink*

The dress came with an elastic belt that was threaded through slots in the chiffon-like "wings", but one of the snaps ripped off so I went belt-less. I wore a long frankensteined crucifix necklace, slouched socks and little buckle boots-which I'm still trying to find a replacement for!

I wore this to see Swans last night with Derek and I walked out half way through the show. Let's just say I'm a big Swans fan and that's the first time I've ever been so angry about a performance I walked out. They are extremely talented musicians, but I felt like I was seeing a hippie jam band. Oh well, I'll listen to my records instead.

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day : I Wear Short Shorts

This was my outfit yesterday, rockin' more short shorts! I bought these shorts from Hot Topic last year in a "I need black shorts" panicked shopping trip. I needed shorts, was looking for black shorts, found next-to-nothing.....this year they are everywhere. D'oh!

I wish they were a little longer!!!!

The cross top was a purchase I made on my retail therapy/quest for tops shopping excursion. For some reason I don't do to well finding tops while thrifting, so I have a tendency to buy new (sales racks, etc) which also means I'm that much more picky in my purchasing. I've always had a lack of tops in my closet, it's annoying and I'm trying to fix that issue....baby steps.

I picked up this button-up cross patterned top at Forever 21 for $14.80. I've been trying to stay away from Forever 21 and explore other stores, but I went back to them and Voila! walked out with two tops. This particular top has two things I love, collars and buttons. I really like a structured garment with a feminine flare and this top has a slight peplum along with being flowy and light. I showed Derek the top and he said, "Yeah, that's definitely a Meagan top", hahahahaa! 

Do you have more tops or bottoms in your closet? 

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : Chamay by Rocket Dog

I think the Chamay in Black Checkoff by Rocket Dog are a pair of darling little flats! Whether you are thinking of pairing these shoes with a retro-inspired outfit, wearing them to a ska 2-tone show or pairing for your love of Alice in Wonderland, they may prove to be a versatile addition to your closet!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day : Dressing Around a Healing Thigh Tattoo

I had a marathon tattoo session on Monday (roughly about 5 hours) with Derek as he completed Robert Smith's portrait frame. Yay! I'm sore and swollen, but it's totally worth it. It's crazy that I haven't been tattooed since March! Now it's Siouxsie Sioux's frame next......

My outfit is totally unexciting, but I'm wearing shorts. I'm actually am not a huge fan of shorts, but started to wear them last year as I got my legs more and more tattooed, it's a necessary evil. I do prefer a longer style short, like a bermuda short or a walking short. I've even been thinking about giving bloomers a try as inspired by Miss Michelle's outfit post, just too darn awesome! But for now, healing leg equals Meagan wears short shorts. 

I wore a peplum top with the shorts for my retail therapy trip to the mall. I have to admit it felt good picking out a few things for myself and getting some exercise while I was shopping. I had a strict agenda of no dresses or skirts, I need tops, tops and more tops. I came home with two tops which I'm sure will make their appearance on the blog, so yay for some self control.--------->I still want to buy a million black dresses.

Pardon the text, it needs to be there for my silly 'internet people stealing 

artist tattoos' paranoia

Side note-Yesterday I walked around with the same style of earring in two different colors....it's been that sort of a few weeks, retail therapy was welcomed. Hehehe!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Se7en Deadly Clothing

+Vanity Kills Cami  +Embalming Fluid Mens Button-Up

+Vanity Kills Lace Cameo Necklace +Deceiving Beauties Cami

I enjoy anything that has a macabre and/or antiquated look or feel to it and the clothing brand Se7en Deadly has those themes throughout their clothing designs. I'm pretty sure Derek owns the Embalming Fluid shirt, but then again he has so many shirts it's hard to keep track of his wardrobe. Hahaha!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

On the Wire : Second Installment

Saturday is was time for the second installment of the monthly event, On the Wire, in which I co-promote with my friend Danielle. Last week was hellishly busy and I'm happy that this week's schedule is a little more open.....because I need to to laundry. Haha!

I was in a rush to get ready and tried to snap some outfit photos before heading to the venue, I'm not a fan of using the flash, but it had to happen.

I'm wearing:

-dress, thrift store

-long black cardigan thing, thrift store

-winklepickers, Demonia from ebay $26

-collar, spikesandleather ebay

-bat belt, gift from Derek

-o-ring belt, Hot Topic

-nose chain made from rosary beads

The night was a blast! It was great to meet new friends, see people dancing and smiling and our dj's played amazing music. Good times, good times indeed.

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day : Gingham

I wore this outfit to work on Wednesday. It's been so hot, humid and sticky that dresses have been my go-to choice to try and beat the heat.

The dress has pockets=bonus! 

The Apple Pie Gingham Dress by Trashy Diva has been on my radar since I first started 'officially' working at Cats Like Us. I fell in love with Trashy Diva designs ever since I first stepped foot into their New Orleans store on my honeymoon in 2010. Their designs are vintage reproductions done in modern materials and though they are a higher price point than some of their contemporaries, it's nice to treat yourself here and there.

To compliment the dress I am wearing; bone cross rosary necklace, little bone bracelets, black belt with silver buckle detail, wedges and my hair tied up in a satin ribbon. 

The dress is cotton and comfy, the ruffled bust line makes the gingham look more subtle and I like that I can wear a regular bra. Pssssst, I have to admit I hate strapless bras! 

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : Meow Mix Wedge Sneakers

Kitties! Kitties! Everywhere! Seriously, cat stuff is taking over the world. Though I do like cats, I'm terrible allergic, so I won't sneeze around these Meow Mix Wedge Sneakers. Crazy cat lady's united and take over!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

PS-I sneezed while typing this. Dun dun dunnnnn!

Questions!? I've Got Some Answers...I Think

I often get questions/comments from not only my readers, but from strangers on the street or even my dear friends, so you asked, I'm answering.

How old are you? I'm 32 and I will be turning 33 this year. Sagittarius!

What type of goth are you? I am Meagan Goth of Buffalonian Land! 

How many tattoos do you have? Honestly, I have no idea. I never sat down and counted, but I was asked how many coffins I have on me and the answer is five...I think.

Your husband is a tattoo artist, that must be so awesome getting free tattoos! Derek is a tattoo artist, which is way rad, but the "getting free tattoos" is not how I view his career. He takes the time out of his busy schedule to tattoo me and I'm always grateful and he's always happy to tattoo me. <Insert big smile> Just like if your partner was a baker, mechanic, etc., you'd probably have some benefits of their craft and skill. Derek gets a wife who's not only a bad comedian, she's also excellent at an assortment of things, like breaking all the glasses in the household. Oops!

How do you decide on a tattoo? Usually Derek and I are joking around about something and it turns into an idea or I'm taking a shower and an idea pops into my head.

Do your tattoos mean anything? Nope, not really. I do have a 'Mom' and 'Dad' tattoos dedicated to my Mom and Dad, they are on my inner forearms. I have my Robert Smith and Siouxsie Sioux portraits on my thighs as I'm an insane fan. I just really like my tattoos, they make me smile. 

How do you draw on your eyebrows? My natural eyebrows are still there, I don't shave them completely off, but the 'tails' on my brows are tweezed/shaved off. I'm a natural blonde and have light brows, so I use an angled brush with water-proof gel liner to darken my natural brow and draw in the angled tails. I then use the same angled brush with a soft black eye shadow to blend and soften the look of my brows, plus it fills in any spots. 

Where do you shop? I joke with Derek and say, If I can't find it at; Target, a thrift shop, at work or H&M, I'm never going to find it. I do like to shop online; etsy, ebay and Sourpuss Clothing.

What hair products do you use? I use a variety of products depending on what style I'm trying to achieve, but people mostly ask about my mohawk and what I use to get it to stay up. I use thickening mouse by Bumble and Bumble on my wet hair, d: fi D-sculpt fiber  on dry hair along with texturizing powder (thank the Gods for this) and hair spray. 

That's all I got for now, just a little insight into me!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Swimwear

+Black & White Stripe Halter Strap +Burgundy Velvet One Piece

+Magenta & Lace Sheath Bikini +All Black Monroe Two Piece

Ahhh yes, swimwear, it's a necessity for warmer months These types of designs are flattering on all different body types (I do know as we sell Unique Vintage swimwear at work) and they are comfortable for enjoying outdoor activities and functional for a dip in the pool. All of these suits are $75 and under, so they are budget friendly and I have to say I love the patterns!

I do enjoy a dip in the pool, lathered up with sunscreen. SPF=Vampire. Hehehee!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day: The 80s Tropical Dress

I have mentioned in a previous post that I love the '80s does the 50s' styles, so I was excited to find the beauty I'm wearing from an ebay seller for $20. 

The dress is a size 9/10 and I needed to do some major altering in the chest/halter area which included putting in (as I call it) boob darts. I am pretty proud of the job I did, though not the cleanest application, the alternation was a learning experience. 

The bold print with the black background makes me happy, the cut of the dress is flattering and it has pockets! I wore a green metallic spider flower (made by my friend Julie Ann), black stretch belt, black filagree bat necklace and little comfy flats. 

I think I might have to wear this dress to the next Tiki gathering we go to, now which Tiki mug should be my drinking vessel? Hrmmmmm.....

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day : Ruffle Leopard Skirt and a Mohawk

bad face, good hair

I haven't teased my hair in weeks due to the usual 80% plus humidity we've been having around here. Ack! I got my hair colored and trimmed last week, so the hair project I've been working on with my hair stylist is finally complete, one large blonde section going down the middle of my mohawk. I'm still getting used to so much blonde when my hair is down, so I decided to put my hair up after I gave it a good wash. Verdict : I dig it. I slightly change my hair from time-to-time, but I have to say as much as I have a "dramatic" hair style as people like to constantly remind me of on a daily basis, I do get freaked out when there is a change. So, I'm getting used to it day by day.

Apparently I want to make all the weird faces, like looking smug when I'm trying to smile. Haha! 

I love the term "arm party" when you're wearing a lot of bracelets. "I just want to arm party all the time, arm party all the time!!!" Ok, I slightly changed the lyrics. *Wink*

What I'm wearing:

-new vest (it's so naked!) thrifted, $5

-lace tank, Forever 21 from last year

-leopard skirt by Converse, thrifted $4

-pointy buckle boots, Amazon $11

-stretch belt, I've had it forever 

-slouch socks, Target clearance $2

-assorted buttons and jewelry collected from my shopping travels

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : Polka Dot Stripe Lace-Up Boot

Ohhh! I think these Polka Dot Stripe Lace-Up Boots by B By Aperire are adorable! Yes, they are a wee bit strange, but I like to think of them as a unique statement for your tootsies. I could see the boots paired with a flirty lace dress or paired with some stripey bloomers for a circus-y feel. 

How would you style the boots?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Vampira

+Vampira Shadow Face Tunic +Vampira Necklace

+Vampira Earrings +Vampira Ghoul Gang Tee

Maila Numi aka Vampira is one of the most iconic mistresses of the b-movie horror hostess scene. Known for her long dress with plunging neckline, tight laced corset, mega arched eyebrows, pitch black hair and her sultry sex appeal. She'll always be my Queen of (kitschy b-movie) Scream!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Some Music.....While I Recover

Rad photo taken by my talented friend, 

Luke Copping

We had our Tiki group (Buffalo United Tiki Talk) first annual luau last night. We have been going to Ohana for the past three years and decided to stay in Buffalo and have our own little gathering. It was a lot of fun, but I ate and drank A LOT, oh boy. 

In the meantime, here is some music I've been enjoying as of late. I've been in a Martial Industrial/Neofolk kick lately, check it out:

Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio



Of The Wand and The Moon



ROME



I'm going to put this here as I'm a huge Death In June fan and I was at this show in 2002, you can spot little short haired me sitting right in the front. Death In June announced wanting to do a North American East Coast tour in August/September, tickle me excited!

Thank you for reading and I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day : Red and Black Stripes

It's hot, it's humid and it's been raining. 

I'm over it.

What I'm wearing:

-black & red striped top, Hot Topic many years ago

-black vinyl belt, given to me by Julie Ann

-high-waisted skirt that I'm living in this summer, thrifted

-Oxford shoes, given to me by Julie Ann

-Spider clip added to velvet bow clip (clip on clip action!)

Not even going to attempt to flat iron my hair,

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : KNOCKOUT

Okay, hear me out on these KNOCKOUT platform trainers in ELECTRO, they are so 80s-tastic! I've always loved platform sneakers since the 90s and combine that love with 80s kitsch-tastic-cheesiness equals why I think the KNOCKOUT's are pretty rad. I would wear these with a cute black dress and perhaps my fuschia leopard print bandana in my hair. Oh yes!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Lovely Victorian City Leggings

I got to wear my Victorian City Leggings by Carousel Ink to my friend's birthday dinner. I ordered these leggings a few weeks ago and was waiting for a cooler evening (like most of our summer so far) to pair them with a dress. This dress seems to becoming my "go to" attire for birthday gathering, it's just so fun to wear! I'm definitely getting a lot of use from my $15 clearance rack find from Marshall's. *Wink*

The Victorian City Leggings are awesome, awesome, AWESOME! I was dancing a jig as soon as I put them on, I have a little city on my legs! The cotton leggings are super comfortable, the waist band is perfect and the all over quality is superb. A+++

HAPPY!

I will definitely be ordering from Carousel Ink again, they are divine and even their packaging is darling!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

It's Asockalypse!!!

socks c/o Asockalypse

When I was contacted by Steff from Asockalypse to feature a pair of their socks of my choice on Coffin Kitsch, I was so excited as I love foot and legwear! 

Asockalypse-For Wicked Souls, is a New Zealand online based store created by two friends who are sockaholics and wanted to bring some rad sock choices to New Zealand and to all over the world! I giggled at their fun kitschy name and am happy to share their product with my dear readers!

I paired the Big Muertos Skull Knee Socks in charcoal/heather with my striped leggings, black circle skirt, cross belt, fitted lace sleeve top and spiked creepers. I like layering knee socks over leggings and/or stockings, because I just aesthetically like the way it looks. Oh layers, I love thee!

The knee socks are very soft and comfy to wear, the Dia de los Muertos skull designs are fun and playful, and the elastic band on the knee socks hug my calf without being too constrictive. The socks even look cute slouched down or worn peaking over the tops of your boots.

A special Asockalypse offer to my readers, use code COFFINKITSCH in the coupon box to receive a 10% discount (at checkout) on your order until July 20th. Visit Asockalypse at www.theasockalypse.com to see all their wonderful goodies!

Thank you reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla