Goths Love Tiki Too

Derek and I were goofing around before the club (Saturday's outfit), listening to music and having a Tiki drink...or two. I thought it was a perfect opportunity to snap a few photos of us in our little bar area that's off the living room. 

Derek definitely enjoyed himself *cough cough*, which always makes for a good time. I decided a diner stop was a good idea before heading home. Haha!!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Meteor Jewelry Co.

+The Vamp Necklace +The Vamp Bracelet

I can now resume looking at wonderful things to share (that aren't always home decor related), since our house tasks have settled down a little bit. The Meteor Jewelry Co. has beautiful retro 50s/60s inspired pieces and they haven't forgotten about us Vamps. *Wink* I love silver jewelry and then you throw spider webs into the mix and I'm sold! I have a few friend's weddings coming up this year and this set would be amazing to wear!

They also say they have new designs coming soon!!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

The Return of Batcave

Batcave was a local monthly alternative/goth night that stopped a few years ago after one of our hang outs closed. Now, it's back at a new location and Saturday was the first night. It was a good excuse to get dolled up and slip on my winklepickers to go dancing!

I love vests. I have about five, but this one (which is jokingly deemed deathrock vest one) is my favorite.

The lace dress is one of the best purchases I have ever made. The asymmetrical layered hemline is flowy and fun to twirl around in. The stretch lace is also incredibly comfortable and feels soft, it also helps that the dress is fully lined. Here is another way I styled the dress. 

I'm wearing about five pounds of jewelry, including the chain link necklace that strangely reminds me of the Kabbalah Tree of Life.

Better image of the necklace. 

I am wearing a dangle bat earring that I put together from various pewter parts. It is really easy to put together your own dangle earrings! I like to wear several at a time and they don't always have to match. *wink*

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

What Inspires You?

Photo I took while visiting the Basilica in Buffalo, NY. 

Such a beautiful place.

I've been pondering about inspiration to keep the winter doldrums* away. Pondering what it is to be inspired and what makes up parts of who I am and what I like. I'm not looking to "find myself", just more of an exercise to remind myself that falling into a place of idleness often leads myself into a place of...well, getting a case of the meh's. Haha! 

Since I'm mostly a fashion focused blog, I often don't discuss other avenues of inspiration. I have talked here and there of my interests, so now when I'm feeling a bit disheartened at this time of the year, it is a great time to share.

Music

I don't think this comes too much of a surprise since I was sharing music on Thursdays. I am constantly listening to music, reading about music history and discovering new bands (or old bands that are new to me), or talking about music. I have my brother to thank for my love of various styles of music. With him being almost 10 years older than me and being a teenager in the 80s/90s, he introduced me to everything from; very early techno to new wave to hair metal and rap. I used to steal his cassette tapes all the time and just the other day he said, "I want my Depeche Mode tapes back". Those are long gone dear brother. Long gone.

Dance

I joke that it is the one thing I'm really good at, dancing. I love to dance and often dance all other the place. That is the one thing that I truly lose myself  into. I can get on the dance floor without caring who is watching or what my problems may be, I just move to the music. Yeah, it may seem corny, but it's always been therapeutic and I have to admit that is one thing I miss about being a club regular. 

My love of dance came from my Father. He put me into dance lessons at 4 years old as he is a dancer himself. I still remember the first time I saw my parents jitterbug at my Aunt Theresa's wedding. I was 7 and stood at the end of the dance floor with my mouth wide open. I had NEVER seen anyone dance like my parents, let alone seen my parent's move like that! My parents met at a nightclub, so naturally they both enjoy dancing together...even though my Mom gets annoyed since my Dad is a bit of a show-off. Haha!!!

Life, Death and Religion

Yep. I talk a lot, but I'm also very observant. I think it's due to all those years being so painfully shy and quiet that I like to observe people and are fascinated by their lives, thoughts and behaviors. This also includes my deep interest in the Victorians and how they lived, died and how they mourned (Memento Mori). Death and life go hand in hand and it inspires a lot of my thoughts, interests and inspires me. I am also a student of religion, not necessarily directed at one particular decree and/or label, but I have chosen my path based on my studies and from life experiences. If you had to twist my arm I would have called myself a Thelemite at one time, but now I would just consider myself a Pagan. I try to lead myself down a path of self learning in which I don't lean too far to the white or black, but try to live in balance between the two.  

These are just a few things that inspire me, so tell me, what inspires you? 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

*I wrote this blog post weeks ago 

Polka Dots and Spiders

It's the Spring Equinox today! 

I definitely can 'feel' Spring in the air as I was getting ready for work on Wednesday. The snow has been melting and I can start to wear clothing without having to sport 3-4 layers underneath a dress. I wore this H&R London polka dot cotton shirt dress paired with Sourpuss Clothing spider cardigan, skinny belt and purple crushed velvet boots. I love shirt dresses, because they are comfortable and can be styled anyway I like!  

I know big polka dots remind people of 'I Love Lucy' or rockabilly style, but I love a giant polka dots because it screams, "80s fashion!!!". Hehe!!!!

via strawberryswitchblade.net

Happy Friday everyone!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Flesh For Lulu : 'Roman Candle'

Let me interrupt this fashion blog to talk about; 1)This video is amazing 2) Nick Marsh's hair and make up is amazing.

That is all.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

A New Favorite Dress

I picked up this dress last week while thrift shopping for $2.50. Seeing as I'm a sucker for 'shapeless black things', collars and anything that reminds me of a nun, this dress came home with me. I love the fit of this vintage frock, but the material is super wrinkley even after I gave it a good ironing. 

Sorry to all the faded hair fans, but my mop got purpled this morning. Though I do like the grey-lavender on others, it's just too light for my liking as I like the more intense violet on myself. It just feels more 'me'. I'm also surprised every time I re-color my hair as to how much my sides have grown in from the mohawk, they have become nice full layers. Yay!

Wrinkle, wrinkle. Oh well. 

Like many Tuesday's, today was filled with grocery shopping, cleaning and doing a little treasure hunting. Now I'm going to crack open some clearance wine while I wait for dinner to finish baking.

Cheers!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

We Bought a Plamp

It was an amazing vintage shopping day filled with Hawaiiana, six pairs of barkcloth atomic print curtains, a antique laudanum bottle, vintage chalkware and a plamp. Yes, a plamp=plant lamp.

Hahahaha! (I've had a few cocktails while writing this, whoops!) *Wink wink*

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Pencil Skirt

I've been neglecting my pencil skirts in my closet, due to just not wanting to bother wearing such restrictive clothing to work. This combination came together while I was trying to pair a top with another pencil skirt (it just didn't work out) and I just decided to grab this creepy crawly critters top* with a black pencil skirt and black lace cardigan. I worn a slim belt to break up the print and accentuate my waist, paired with my studded pointed booties that I love oh-so-much. 

*Here is another way I paired the top

I've been asked a few times this week as to, "what color is your hair?". Haha! My hair needs to be re-colored very badly, so hopefully that will get done today along with baking some cinnamon rolls and having a brunch with friends. 

Have a wonderful Sunday and "Beware the Ides of March!"

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Velvet Coat

I was in a bit of a rush yesterday morning, but I snapped a few photos of my new-to-me velvet coat that I picked up on eBay. I grabbed this beauty for $13.99+shipping and it fits me perfectly!

cross scarf: gift from Terri

I love the dramatic pointed collar and the front pockets. My friend Bryan saw me and said I looked, "Evil in a good way". Hahahaha!!!

Off to get more coffee and think about what I'm going to wear to work, since it's not sub-zero temperatures in Buffalo. Yay!!!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Wow, It's Friday Already!

Derek is hanging up the wall of velvet paintings, or as I've dubbed it,

"The wall of good taste"

Hello friends! I can't believe it's Friday already, this week has flown by for me. When I last wrote on Sunday, we were going to get our Chromcraft vintage dining set and I'm so glad we did! The seller from Craigslist was not only a super rad guy, he has barns full of treasures! Once it warms up and thaws out, we'll take a trip out to his place and poke around some more. I really do love a good hunt, hehe.

Tuesday was filled with laundry, grocery shopping and sewing. I bought repro barkcloth fabric to make curtain panels for the dining room. I couldn't find anything I liked (or went with our wall colors) that was second hand or vintage, so I decided to fork over the money for an abstract atomic print that both Derek and I liked. (PS-repro barkcloth is just not the same.)

I still have to make the valances, but they look great hung up. It's nice to see the walls filling up with our art and the room taking on it's own personality. It's also great to have a place to sit and have meals with Derek and soon to have friends over to eat, drink and enjoy.

Derek's Elvis bust's (his own creations) have their own corner in the dining room. I am going to glue some black fringe around the edges of the shelves, since part of our fez collection is near, so I just thought, "we need more fringe".

Besides working, this is what we've been up too. I hope you enjoy your weekend!!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Big 80s Sweater Casual

I gotta tell you I was pretty darn excited when I found this long 80s sweater mixed in with the dresses while I was thrift shopping. I had been scouring the internet for another oversized sweater to add to my wardrobe and (of course) I had no luck. This sweater had amazingly huge shoulder pads that I cut out, because I'm not THAT in love with the 80s....been there, done that. And I have to point out the wonderful cuffs and sleeves.

It also has pockets!

The older I get and the more curated my closet becomes, the more I realize I prefer second hand shopping. I don't know if it's the thrill of the hunt, or the unique pieces I find, but I just really enjoy a thrift shop/vintage shop more than most other retail. Grant it, shop small and shop local!

I have picked up a few things via eBay this month, some barkcloth items to add to my Tiki wardrobe and a velvet coat which I am looking forward to pairing with my lace dresses. 

In other news, this was the scene Friday morning. Derek is using an axe he found in our shed to hack at the ice. I told him he's been listening to too much Viking Metal. Haha!!!

I decided to tell Spring that it's okay to come soon, the plastic pink flamingos are sick of being hidden away. Our neighbors must think we're insane, but hopefully I at least gave them a little chuckle.

Time to get ready to go pick up a 60s chromcraft dining set that I've been dreaming about. It needs some TLC, but for the great price, we're up for the challenge!

Have a great weekend!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Skeleton Sweater and A Bone Bow

Here's an oldie, but goodie skeleton sweater by Sourpuss Clothing. I paired it over a white collared shirt, my multi-cross necklace, black pants, black studded creepers and topped it all off with a bone bow.

The bow is simply a velvet hair bone that I slipped a (real) bone into.

Little coffin earrings I got this Halloween.

I hope everyone has a great Friday!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Yippie! I Got a Camera Remote!

Yippie! I finally found a camera remote that works with my older model camera! I also got some lighting, so I'm still working out the settings and thus these photos are on the lighter side. But who cares! I don't have to run back and forth any more!

I was having a little too much fun.

Wearing my new burgundy suede buckle boots for the first time. They happen to match my ruffled bug brooch.

Ruffles, lace and brocade, oh my!

Haha! Thank you for letting me share my first "remote control" blog with you.

Ohhh, does anyone remember that MTV game show?

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

The Great Brow Debate

Natural, thick, thin, shaved, drawn on, etc. I'm talking about eyebrows. People seem to love to discuss eyebrows, as there are many tips and tricks, products to use and advice on how to pluck, wax, sugar your brows. I honestly can't remember a time before the late 00's when eyebrows were such a hot topic! 

Meagan, why are you boring us this? Well, my dear readers I am curious about the sudden brow debates and people putting in their two cents, especially about those of us who 'enhance' our brows. I was reading a friend's comment that said, "This girl would have been really cute, but I don't know why she does THAT to her eyebrows!". Grant it, it's a personal choice to find another person attractive, just as much as it's that person's choice to do whatever they want to their face. 

Mind you, I'm not trying to BROW beat you with this topic! *Badumching* (sorry I had to)

No-brow party!

There is a reason why I fill in my brows, I am a natural blonde who over plucked in the 90s/early 00's and all I'm left with are little stumps and no tails for eyebrows and a unibrow if I don't pluck. I've done it all; plucked, used wax strips, sugared, shaved, phew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it. If I don't fill in my eyebrows, I tend to look a little odd, which I never noticed until a friend suggested it while getting my photograph taken. I never realized how much it changed my face and thus my experimentation with the brow powders, pencils, waxes, etc. started. 

Natural - Thin, but filled-in - Almost non-existent

My routine with my brows has changed drastically and I have my good days and my bad days when it comes to filling them in, especially getting the tail drawn on evenly. I use a brown water-proof gel liner by Rimmel and I line the top and bottom of the brow and fill in with a brown powders with an angled brush. My routine is much like the photo below.

Not shown is lots of blending, dropping my brushes and I usually make a giant mess. My brows are not perfect, but neither am I. (And if my brows offend you, it's okay they are just judging you anyways...I kid! I kid!)

So, what do you prefer for your own eyebrows? Do you have any tips and/or tricks to share? Are you brow obsessed? 

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla