Kiss My Woof Woof Goodnight

+t-shirt: Eddie Munster +vest & bat patches: Sourpuss Clothing

+skirt: vintage +creepers: TUK

"Kiss My Woof Woof Goodnight" is what my t-shirt says with Eddie Munster holding Woof Woof in a coffin. I love The Munsters, so this t-shirt happily was added to my ever growing black t-shirt collection. I swear black t-shirts multiply on their own.....

I think Derek would agree that I would need a t-shirt that says, 'kiss my Ice Bat good night', because ummmm, I don't know anyone that sleeps with three Ice Bats and an Ugly Ghost. Nope. No one.

Sorry Derek, no room for you! Haha!

So now you know my secret. Blog will self destruct in 3....2....1......*explodes with Ice Bats everywhere!*

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Batty! Batty, Everywhere!

+Batty sweater blk +Batty sweater tunic

+Batty sweater green +Batty cardigan

Bats on everything you say? I am totally okay with this! I need the batty cardigan in my closet, bats are a neutral, right? Haha!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Retro Gingham

+Apple Pie dress by Trashy Diva: Cats Like Us +belt: Forever 21

+earrings: 80s vintage +bangles: Sourpuss Clothing

I've mentioned a few times that I work at the retro clothing store, Cats Like Us, so a lot of my work outfits are retro-inspired due to the nature of my job. The term retro (or vintage *see note below) is generally attached to the 40s, 50s, and 60s style of dress, yet the 70s, 80s (and even part the 90s) are also retro. My particular favorite eras of dress are; Victorian, 60s, and the 80s, yet I do enjoy the 50s silhouette....especially when mixed with elements of the 80s.

So when I choose to wear a garment, I look at the aspects of style and not necessarily what fashion label and/or category it falls into. I wear vintage/retro, because it references to a time in fashion that I enjoy or its a flattering style that suits my figure OR I just find it aesthetically pleasing. 

*Now I don't want  to confuse the terms retro and vintage, but I want to clarify the terms.

Vintage: Refers to anything that is at least 20 years old, so clothing from 1994 is technically vintage. This makes me feel very, very weird.

Retro: Anything that is made to have the 'look' of vintage or is 'vintage-inspired', but is made with modern materials, techniques, etc.

For example, I work at a retro clothing store that sells new clothing with modern fabrics that is inspired by the 40s, 50s and 60s.

There are plenty more people that can weigh in more about retro and vintage, like the fabulous Miss Vix over at Vintage Vixen who is always a vision in her 70s maxi dresses, Moth Mouth who's darker retro elegance makes me swoon and Shermette who is just a doll. 

I'm by no means an expert, but I always find it fun and interesting to find out more about the different eras of dress!

Do you have a favorite era of dress?

PS-Pardon the horrid wall, we had a major ceiling leak and we have to remove our Boney Bunch collection from the walls. Ugh.

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Sonnenberg Gardens

The Mansion at Sonnenberg. Queen Anne style mansion was built in 1887 by 

Fredrick Ferris Thompson and his wife Mary Clark Thompson. 

This was their summer home.

Yesterday you saw me posing around some of the lovely grounds at Sonnenberg Gardens and as promised I am sharing some of the wonders of this beautiful estate in the Finger Lakes. One thing that I love is history, especially when history involves getting lost for a day in a place that can transport you back to a by-gone era. Le sigh.

Warning: picture heavy post....

We started the journey with a wine tasting in Sonnenberg's wine cellar and this wonderful stained glass adorns a whole wall of the cellar. 

The Japanese Gardens are my favorite:

I felt like I was at a kegger carrying this cup around. Next time I'm bringing a chalice to carry around my

Italian soda.

Derek in front of the tea house, he was also invited to the Sonnenberg kegger. 

LOL!

Buddha

What's left of the Roman bath. So amazing to think of people swimming in this beauty.

One of the greenhouses.

Inside the mansion on the 2nd floor looking into the Great Room. 

I love the peacock!

Beautiful white peacock

Gorgeous bedroom. The wallpaper is amazing!

Portrait of Mary Clark Thompson (I wanted to move the tour sign so bad!)

I've been visiting Sonnenberg since I was a little girl and I don't recall this 

beautiful garden named The Blue & White Garden

Another view of The Blue & White Garden

Beautiful fountain on the mansion's patio

A view of the Italian Garden from the mansion

There are so many more photos and so many wonderful delights at Sonnenberg. It's one of my favorite places to visit and I'm so thankful that it's being preserved and restored.

Thank you for reading and letting me share!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

A Day At Sonnenberg Gardens in eShakti

Derek and I took a day trip to Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, NY. The lavish 19th century estate has a mansion surrounded by lovely gardens and is one of my most favorite places in the Finger Lakes. I decided it was a perfect back drop to share with you my newest eShakti dress addition.

An eShakti media relations rep contacted me and asked if I'd like to pick out a dress to customize and share on the blog. I was thrilled as I've mentioned and have shared my eShakti purchases on Coffin Kitsch, so why the heck not! I decided upon the Banded Waist Cotton Knit Dress as I've been wanting a black day dress that I wear with just about anything. I find myself always hunting for the perfect 'little black dress' and since I never thought about customizing my perfect day dress, so this was a perfect opportunity! 

I decided to change the cap sleeve to a short sleeve, change the neckline to a sweetheart and shortened the length to be above the knee. I have to admit I was afraid that my 'frankensteined' dress was going to be ugly, hahaha! I was quite wrong and was so happy when I first slipped on my customized dress, I love the comfortable cotton knit fabric too!

Just a few photos in the Secret Garden at Sonnenberg Gardens

+dress c/o eShakti +loafers: YRU +necklace: gift from Derek

+cross fabric bow: DIY +sunglasses: AJ Morgan

I was so happy and comfortable to wear this beauty all day long while frolicking on the grounds. I recommend eShakti to find your perfect little black dress! In fact I'm waiting on another eShaki order (paid by me!) as we speak. I'm okay with drowning in dresses. Hehe!

What would be your perfect little black dress?

I will share more about our day at Sonnenberg Gardens tomorrow. Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

The Last Beat of My Heart : The B-52's

I don't think it would be any surprise to you (my dear readers) to share that I love the fabulously whacky, tacky and kitschy band, The B-52's!



Probably best known for their 80s hit "Love Shack", the band has been around since 1976. Did you know that RuPaul is in the video?




I love this song!



I just want to get up and dance!!!!

Thank you for reading!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Pottery Barn Halloween

+Bat Wine Glasses

+Skeleton Hand Martini Glasses

Pottery Barn seems to always tempt me with their Halloween-inspired home goods and decor. I've been seeing Halloween trickle into the stores and though it always excites me, I just wish this summer was a bit more.....summery. Yet, one can not complain when there are bats, spiders and skeletons to drool over. *Wink*

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Creepy Tiki Luau

+top & necklace: vintage +cardigan & cropped pants: thrifted 

+Tiki bangles: Sourpuss Clothing 

Yesterday was On the Wire's Creepy Tiki Luau party in which our friend's horror surf band, The Surfin Cadavers played. It was a nice time, but I was mega stressed out with all the preparations for the evening and a few hiccups, but all my friends pitched into help and I am forever grateful.

I usually don't have time to snap any outfit photos when it's On the Wire evenings, but since the event started early and I had the day off, I had a little more time on my hands. I have to say it was funny when my friends commented that I wasn't wearing one of my glorious MuuMuus, hahahaha!

I realize my cardigan is hiding the lovely floral details on the top, but the skies decided to open up and rain complete with wind gusts and cold temperatures. Hello summer, where have you been?

I always try to make the best out of whatever situation, but I have to admit the weather had me feeling a little defeated and I think it was showing a little on my face. Regardless, people enjoyed themselves at the event and.....it's over. Phew! 

I didn't get a chance to get any photos of our glorious budget decor. Derek called it "Waikiki from the Dollar Tree", hahahahaha! I did snap this photo of my (I think) clever hula girl dip trays that I hot glued together with whatever I could find at the dollar store. Oh yes, those hula girls were a dollar AND they are on a spring, oh boy. Derek did a great job helping me turn child sized "grass skirts" into banners to hang on the wall, as well as turned tacky palm tree shaped balloon weights into masterpieces to put on the pub tables. 

Aloooooha! 

It's Sunday, this girl is tired and that bin of party supplies can wait to get put away......

I hope you had an awesome weekend!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

The Last Beat of My Heart : Lestat

I've been so busy and scatter-brained with my new work schedule that last week I thought Thursday was Wednesday and vice versa (does that make any sense?!), so I  forgot about doing a music post. D'oh!

Lestat is a Cleveland, OH based goth band that I was obsessed with the 90s. I destroyed the cassette tape, because I listened to their album, Vision of Shadows over and over and over again. I was probably dancing around my seafoam green, candlelit bedroom envisioning that I was a bat. Except for the seafoam green bedroom, some things never change. Haha!!!

Thank you for reading!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Cemetery Creeps

Derek and I took a day trip to Mount Albion Cemetery in Albion, NY to take a stroll and eat a picnic lunch. We're embracing what's left of the summer and trying to get outdoors as much as possible.

Admittedly we're not "outdoorsy" people, so we didn't do too much exploring of the hilly cemetery due to lack of bug spray and we both wore dumb shoes. The general consensus was to return in the Autumn, with proper attire and spend the day.

Wearing a tacky animal print dress that was a thrift store find, I love the massive (and not needed) breast pocket.  I removed the massive shoulder pads, added a studded belt and I welcomed this dress into my closet. 

After the cemetery, Derek and I went to a few antique shops along the way to Rochester, NY, had some yummy tex-mex and made our way home. I picked up an amazing Hawaiian caftan to add to my collection and Derek found a cute glass poison bottle. Good finds! 

I love our little adventures!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Over the Moon Bat Brooch

Over the Moon Bat Brooch is an acrylic laser cut pin by CAB Fayre. This darling pin is available in customized colors and sizes and is a great little accent to add to; a jacket, dress or give as a gift. I really love the black bats with the white background. Bat-tastical!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

My Tiki Serenade

+Tiki Serenade dress +thrifted shrug sweater

+vintage necklace, earrings and bracelet

There is no denying I had to own this dress as it's black and tan with a marvelous "tribal" print all over. I love the Heart of Haute brand that we sell at work and I'm so happy to welcome one of their pieces into my Tiki wardrobe!

Gotta run off to work, don't want to be late! Hehe!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Skeleton Underbust Corset

The Skeleton Underbust Corset from Restyle is just too awesome! I love the anatomical skeleton details, though it's not true to scale (hehe!), makes for a wonderful statement piece!

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Pretty Lace Kimono

+kimono +ruched tunic +leggings +cowboy boots

+Martha Rotten earrings +scarab necklace

 I picked this lovely piece up at a Canadian Marshall's while Derek and I were returning from doing a little shopping at Ikea. I fell in love with the 20s-inspired style and I'm not sure if I should call this a kimono, but in current fashion terms I don't believe I am incorrect. 

I was drawn to the sleeves and how the kimono flowed, but I wasn't thrilled with the $30 price tag. Derek encouraged me to pick up the piece seeing as he knows I love to layer and I love lace, so it was a no brainer. Yes, my husband often plays my fashion stylist and is a good shopping partner. I'll keep him around. Hehehe!

Have you added any 'on trend' pieces to your wardrobe that you are currently enjoying?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Onyx Crystal and a Haircut

Simple outfit for this particularly cool summer we've been having. Drapey lightweight sweater over a lace skater dress with my cross leggings and creepers. I'm also sporting a new haircut.

In a panic last week I contacted my hairstylist Lauren and asked her if she had any appointments available, I basically needed her to tell me to NOT shave my hair. Hahahaha! Not that shaving my own hair is foreign to me, it's just that I needed to be told not to be impulsive. I did have her cut a lot of my hair off including the side that had grown out, so it's been a little of a struggle getting used to styling the shorter cut. Poor Lauren, she's a trooper dealing with my crazy hair obsessed self and she does an awesome job! Another plus about getting the cut is that the rest of the damaged hair (from when I bleached from black to red) is now all gone and I have nice healthy hair once again. What will I do next? Who knows!

I've been also enjoying this onyx crystal point necklace, because I love onyx and it helps to absorb other's negativity and assists in releasing your own negative emotions. Whether you believe in the healing power of stones, it's just a beautifully simple piece to wear. 

I'm looking forward to the weekend, yet I can't believe it's August already!

Thank you for reading.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla