Kitsch Picks : A Few Music Favorites of 2013

Meeting Peter Murphy was my best musical moment this year.

There were a lot of great musical moments that I had this year that included; seeing Billy Idol, The Mission (UK), starting our post punk night named On the Wire, seeing The Fixx, and I had a miss by totally hating seeing Swans live....sigh. I've also listened to a lot of great new music, old music and new-to-me music, so here's a few bands that made my ears happy this 2013.

Tears for Fears. Not a new band to me, but I've quickly realized how much they are climbing into my "favorite bands" category. I'm dancing right now!



Belgrado. I really dig their sound and though I enjoyed their self titled record, I am so ecstatic about their most recent release, Siglo XXI. Favorite tracks include; Swiat Jest Nasz and Palac Kultury.



The Bellicose Minds. They are a band I've been listening to for the last few years and I was excited when they put out a full length record released in March 2013. The Spine is a great album if you're into the dark punk sound!



Negative Image. Discovering this gem of a band on my internet travels. I can't get enough of this song and I love this video and this song. Hehe!

I'm looking forward to listening and discovering new music favorites in 2014. Happy New Year everyone!

Thank you for reading, commenting and being awesome!
XOXOXOXOXO-Meagan Kyla

All Dressed Up With Somewhere To Go....

Loving these new crushed velvet leggings from H&M

Oh me, oh my! Friday I was sorta lame and got dressed up with the intention of going out to one of our monthly goth events and by the time Derek got home from work, I was entirely way too tired. I worked all day and have several days of inventory at work ahead of me, so it turned out to be a wise decision to take off the club gear and go to bed. 

Trying a "modeling" pose, what I call the hunch.

I'm not saying I'm an old lady at 33, but it takes a lot more effort to go out and stay up late than when I was going out over ten years ago. I still love to go out in theory and I miss the days of frolicking until dawn, but the fact is that I can't bounce back like I used too. 

boots: second hand from eBay $20

Let's point out that I haven't worn platforms in.....ummm, forever. I used to live in platforms, I used to cherish my buckle boots, yet abuse them at least 2-3 times a week on the dance floor. You could see me wearing platform shoes on a daily basis, now I next-to-never wear them, though I will always have a special place in my heart for ridiculously tall shoes. 

You won't see me abandoning club nights or stop getting excited about going out for a fun evening with friends, it's just that life changes, priorities change and sleepiness comes very easily, so I've excepted it.......I think it comes with age. Haha! 

Zzzzzzzzzzz....

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

My Style Essentials

I've been using Pinterest a lot and I've discovered that not only do I love to use it for internet window shopping, but it's given me a really objective look at my tastes and style in fashion. Though I'm not oblivious to what's in my closet, it's nice to hone in on what's the pulse of wardrobe and what makes me happy. From time-to-time I think to myself, "Am I being so predictable?", but then I get real with myself and realize that I'm drawn to certain cuts/patterns/material/etc.because, it's taken a lot of trial and error to get to where I am today.

So here's my personal style essentials broken down, because I find being analytical about fashion is just as fun as wearing something because it's aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

1) Dresses. I love them, can't get enough of them and my favorite style is the A-line aka skater dress. I love to layer them with cardigans and patterned leggings/tights with boots. If I could I would have a black lace dress for every day of the week!

2) A-line Skirts. I like a high waisted, A-line skirt as it's figure flattering, comfortable and versatile way to wear everything from my t-shirts to my sweaters. 

3)Jackets. Well, blazers and moto styles to be specific, are plentiful in my closet. I like the structure of a blazer, it nips in and defines my waist line and I can wear them with t-shirts to bow-front blouses. I feel confident and tidy even when I wear a jacket with patches and artwork all over it.

4)Patterned Leggings. I often like to add patterns to my (mostly black) outfits and adding patterned leggings is an easy and effective way to do so. It's usually an inexpensive way to indulge in something new to spruce up an old ensemble.

5)Collared Shirts. I am obsessed with collars whether it's on a dress, sleeveless blouse or on a jacket, I like the structured look which I attribute to my love of menswear and infusing it into my style.

6)Leopard Print. It's the one pattern that has followed me since high school. My love affair with leopard started with a vintage faux fur that I got for $20 at the Clarence Flea Market. I wore it until the sleeves fell of.....multiple times.

7)Cardigans. I live where it can be four seasons in one day, so layering is essential and a cardigan is one piece that gets used year round. I have cardigans in every style from cropped to long to over-sized, I always want more!

8)Ankle boots. I wear them with leggings, jeans, skirts, dresses, etc. I've worn "fashion boots" (as I called them in the 80s) since I can remember. They are versatile and they fit into most of my style combinations effortlessly.

Other style elements include:

-a plethora of accessories

-black and white

-Peter Pan collars (I'm always on the hunt!)

-vintage touches influenced from the Victorian Era, 50s, 60s and 80s

What are your style essentials? I'd love to see yours!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Skulls and a Bat, Oh My!

Lots of exciting things have happened over the past week or so, my birthday; holiday gatherings, dinner and falling into the shower-ripping down the shower curtain and hurting my knee. D'oh! No trip to the hospital, but I'm sore and thus not feeling inspired in the outfit department, but I wanted to share my Kreepsville 666 white skull necklace with the matching earrings. I feel like this little set is a twist on the classic on a white pearl necklace set, but with more edge!

I can't wait to wear the set with this awesome vintage dress!

I also have a little friend with me, who I became acquainted with while at the MAGIC tradeshow in Las Vegas, and I received him as a birthday gift from our friends Mike and Judy.Thanks guys! They are such great mind readers! The little bat is a mini purse and reminds me so much of Ice Bat, hehe!

I hope everyone is enjoying their week, now I'm off to battle through the snow to get to work.

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays my dear readers! I wish you all the best this season no matter how you celebrate. Thank you for being awesome!

Cheers! 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

PS: 

My Birthday Outfit

Thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes, I was very touched and had a big ole' smile on my face all day long. My birthday was filled with a relaxing day at home and then having dinner and drinks with friends at one of favorite restaurants. I stuffed myself with sushi and was served numerous tasty desserts, I am still full!

I got a lot of wonderful gifts from my thoughtful friends which included a delicious bottle of chocolate wine. Chocolate and wine together!? It's a deadly delicious combination! Mmmmm!

I wore this outfit to dinner that was styled around this super cute H&M dress that I got from the clothing swap I attended a few months ago. I pretty much was just swapping with my friend Leslie, which excited me as I have always admired her style and clothing. I added a belt to the dress to drawn in the waist on the shift style dress, striped leggings and wore my skull buckle winklepickers with some black slouch socks. 

With the holidays quickly approaching and the new year drawing near, I'm glad my birthday is over! Haha! I'm now another year older (and wiser?) and looking forward to all the adventures that 2014 will bring.

Merry Yule and Happy Holidays my friends!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Happy 33rd Birthday to Me!

December 19th : The Day of the Hellraisers according to one of the 

birthday book's I've read.

Today's is the celebration of my 33rd, which is just totally crazy in my mind! I think I'm getting goofier as I get older and that's totally okay in my book! 

I had a dream about wearing my black multi-cross necklace with a white shirt and I had to make it a reality. I dream about putting outfits together, I'm not sure if that's lame or helpful in terms of wardrobe decision making. Hehe!

I'm really digging pairing this studded waist belt with my beloved leather bat belt. In my quest to try and wear my "special" pieces more often, I discovered a new favorite pairing....actually I really like this whole outfit!

Now to save the best for last.......*drum roll*.........

Derek gave me my birthday present early and it's a custom made Dungaree Dolly bag made with NUN FABRIC! *Happy dance* I love nuns and I love Dolly Bags, so this is makes me a happy birthday gal! 

Oh! Another fun thing I want to mention is my killer skull earrings by Kreepsville 666. I have them in white and black, yet they also come in green, pink and purple for a whooping $8! They are versatile, lightweight and fun to wear. Wooo!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : The Quest for Warmth

Baby, it's cold outside. I need more sweaters, more layers and a small heater to carry around with me at all times. Just some fun pieces I've grown fond of while window shopping. Grant it, the shredded sweaters won't keep me too warm unless I layer underneath and boy do I layer!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Impressions of Yuletide

It's beginning to look a lot like a Buffalo winter! Snow, snow and more snow, it's been about five years since we've really had a snowy winter and I'm already over it. I hate snow, I hate driving in snow, but I like where I live so I have to suck it up. 

Oddly enough, getting stuck driving in the snow and having a horrendous journey from a friends house (who lives 5 minutes away) put me in the holiday spirit! Hey, I don't know how these things in my little head work, but I'm just going to go with it. Perhaps the weather has frozen my 'bah humbug' attitude, I kid. Hehe!

Derek likes to decorate the house for the holidays, so I let him work his cheerfulness all over the house while I sit and drink wine on the couch. It's become a tradition, but I pitch in when it comes to adding a little holiday humor to the items around the house.

Our Tiki room has the most decorations as I realized that we have mostly  'Tikimas' themed decorations, which makes me giggle. Even the Deadhead shrunken head rum bottle is not safe from the holiday spirit(s). Get it? Holiday spirits. Alcohol. Eh? Eh? Okay, I'll stop with the dad jokes. *Wink*.

"The Tiki stocking were hung in the Tiki room with care, in hopes that lots of rum will soon be in there"

Thanks to my friend Bea we have an awesome slice of pizza ornament that is nestled right next to the "In League With Santa" ornament, which is a personal favorite of mine.

The Boney Bunch Santa sleigh is filled with an eyeball?! I picked up this awesome hand painted eyeball ornament from our friend Chris of Devil Chicken Design. His stuff is way rad, so check it out!

Well, thanks for reading and I hope you're enjoying this time of the year whether you celebrate or not. Just think, the Krampus didn't eat you, so you must be doing something right!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Favorite Outfits of 2013

It's fun to look back and see what I wore in 2013 since the year is almost over and we'll soon turn the calendar to 2014. Phew, this year flew by for me! I wanted to share a few of my personal favorite outfits that I captured for the blog in a little fashion review.

1)I gave that Sourpuss dress to a friend. I loved it, but didn't make me feel cute.

2)I need to wear that dress more often. Poofy, twirly, fun!

3)Reminding myself that I have those creeper wedges...now it's winter. D'oh!

1)Thrifted lace dress needs to get more love along with bat belt.

2)I love that skirt.

3)I wish the crossbone dress fit better, but another favorite that rarely gets worn.

1)Always on the hunt for more babydoll style party dresses!

2)I miss you huge hair.

3)80s does the 50s with large polka dots makes me happy.

What I observed from going through the 2013 outfit photo albums is that; I love belts, a-line skirts/dresses, legwear and wearing scarves. The accessory of the year is the hat, I definitely owe my a lazy hair days to the joy of having a few hats in my collection. 

I don't really have any fashion goals for 2014, but I would like to wear more of my "special" pieces as what's the point of having them if I'm not enjoying them!

What are your favorite personal looks for 2013? Any fashion goals for 2014?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Shoes! OMG! : Velvet Block Heel

What can I say, these shoes are crushed velvet, burgundy and remind me of the 90s, so I pretty much can't resist! Check out the Velvet Block Heel by Ecote if these toot your horn. 

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Red Red Hair

I did a hair make over, so out with the black and blonde and the red has returned! I did the process myself and I won't bore you with the details, but the good news is that my hair is pretty healthy and it didn't fall out! Yippie! After another hair color application, deep conditioning and a hair cut, we should be right as rain. Until then, I'm not going to do any heavy teasing or applying a lot of heat....gotta put the crimper away for now. Sigh.

Why the change? I like red, hate the up keep, but I'm a glutton for punishment. Haha! In reality, I just wanted something different for the new year and I get the itch to switch color from time-to-time. Darn, I need to go buy some red shampoo!

I got this infinity scarf for .50 cents at the thrift store . 

I feel like I'm drowning in poofy fabric! Haha!

Do you have any tips on the upkeep of red hair?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day : Polka Dot Sleeves

I wasn't looking for a shirt when I was shopping the womens department at Target. I was on the hunt for a particular sweater (which I couldn't find) and this shirt was a lone wolf on a sweater display and it was saying, "BUY ME!". I always get excited when I find seasonal tops that aren't see-through nor a static-y material as the winter months in Buffalo mean layers, layers and more layers. I need warmth!

I paired the shirt with my favorite skirt which has made it's appearance more than several times on the blog. I really don't have an incredibly large wardrobe, so I try and highlight different combinations or new items that are incorporated into my closet.

The shoes from Nasty Gal that were on sale and then not on sale.

Still not on sale. 

I think that one of my challenges as a fashion blogger is that I want to keep things "exciting", but it's just normal ole' me and I wouldn't be true to myself and my blog ideals of 'alternative fashion on a budget'. If I bought everything I fell in love with (at first sight) I would be back into debt and miserable. So in reality I don't have a large budget for clothing and repeat items are bound to show up. I just try not to be boring!

What is your favorite repeat piece in your closet?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

My Style featuring Alchemy Gothic from Body Jewellery Shop

David from Body Jewellery Shop contacted me to inquire about featuring some pieces of my choice from www.bodyjewelleryshop.com on Coffin Kitsch. I was very excited and opted to pick out some Alchemy Gothic pieces since I do not have any piercings other than my nose ring, yet the Body Jewellery Shop has a plethora of body jewelry for amazing prices. 

The Alchemy Gothic jewelry selection is located under the 'Fashion' tab then scroll down to the 'Fashion Jewelry' sub-tab and click on 'Alchemy Gothic'. The items I choose are; Cult of Isis Pendant, Alchemist Stud Earrings and the Nevermore Cross Stud Earring. I am really happy with the quality of all the pieces which will join the rest of my small (but growing) Alchemy Gothic collection. I was especially excited about the Cult of Isis Pendant necklace as I've been reading an interesting book about Egyptian magic.

The Body Jewellery Shop is based in the U.K, so I was quite impressed with the low U.S pricing and how quick the items were shipped to me AND they have free standard shipping on orders over $15. I am definitely putting Body Jewellery Shop in my favorites folder!

Cult of Isis Pendant and Nevermore Cross Stud Earring

Outfit shot. Wearing crushed (1990's!) velvet dress, given to me by Julie Ann.

She added the lace trim herself!

Alchemist Stud Earrings

Just because, hehe! *Wink*

So, check out Body Jewellery Shop at www.bodyjewelleryshop.com treat yourself to something nice!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla