Happy Octoberween: Vintage Halloween Collectibles

Happy October 3rd dear friends! Okay, I know it's weird to be wishing you a happy October 3rd, but Derek have been busy with Halloween decorating insanity. I started on the evening of September 30th, as I packed away our "creepy" everyday decor to make way for all the pumpkins, banners, decorative figures, garland and other pieces that we deemed Halloween decor. 

Halloween Kitsch-en collectibles

October is the perfect time to talk about Halloween collectibles, especially my favorite type; vintage. I am not dismissing modern Halloween, I love it all, but I have a special place in my heart for blow molds, ceramic planters, chalkware, etc. So, come along with me and let's explore and maybe this may  help you spot some vintage treasures along your way!

Blow Molds

The cat with the pumpkin is probably one of the more common vintage Halloween blow molds that you will find floating around (you can see ours on one of our Kitsch-en shelves) at antique shops, garage sales, estate sales, etc. Mine isn't marked, but the companies that made the many sought after designs are; Union Products, Empire and General Foam Plastic Corp, etc. Don't be fooled by sellers who want crazy prices for this particular mold (that I have pictured up above), I wouldn't pay any more than $15 unless the little light and cord is included and the piece is in like-new condition. A lot of times the molds are faded or cracked, but still would make a nice display piece without lighting them up. 

Part of this year's decor, there is a mix of vintage and modern molds.

Vintage Planters

I would LOVE to own this Relpo planter. Too cute!

Planters were really popular home decor items in the 1950s & 1960s and were made for every holiday under the sun, but (in my opinion) the Halloween ones are the best! I have a few displayed on a high shelf above our windows and cherish their rarity and their whimsical designs. The most collectible and sought after pieces are made by Relpo and Lefton, yet if you see one that you love, just nab it! The only reason why I know about all this stuff is by turning over the pieces and looking at the markings and then researching the companies. I'm sorta a dork like that. Hehehe!!!!

Our planters were found at flea markets and thrift stores. You never know where you may find them!

Gurley Candles

Our witch has the original label on the bottom with a .59 cent price. Crazy!

This one mildly cracks me up because the Gurley Candle Company is based in my town of Buffalo, NY and I grew up with my Mother owning a bunch of their candles. If I would have known that I would be collecting all this Halloween shenannigans, I would have not let me Mother sell all the candles at a garage sale. Ha! I love all these candles, but refuse to pay the high prices that some sellers want, I just wait until I come across them organically. While writing this and doing a little research about Gurley candle's, it turns out the Vermont Country Store bought the molds and does some reproductions!

Noise Makers, Paper Decorations & Other Party Supplies

Photo from Pinterest. Look at their majesty!

In my mind, the party supplies are what hardcore crazy vintage Halloween people collect. You have to be a little bit nuts to spent time and money looking for relics such as; noise makers, paper decorations, cake toppers, candy containers, etc. These items were used for parties and often were discarded as one time use party items or were stored in a basement or attic to rot. I want it all, but I don't kid myself as the prices for of these items are high and it's due to their rarity. Sigh...... BUT, have no fear as the Beistle Company is reproducing their vintage designs (they have been around since 1900) and you and I can own some of these beautiful pieces! Yippppie!!!!!!

Our noise makers and a one of the candy containers we own 

I'm not an expert by any means, yet it's fun to get excited and share knowledge. I'm always learning and will always enjoy seeing other people's collections, decor items and decorating ideas. Happy Spook-tober everyone!!!!!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

Tryin' To Stay Cool

Hello friends! How are you doing? Me? Well, I'm warm.....to be exact, I'm sweaty. Oh so glamorous to admit, but it's the truth. The question is: why did I bother to put any makeup on?! Surprisingly my eyebrows haven't slide off my face. Hahahaha!

I've been wearing my hair up and off my face, as humid hot weather does not agree with big teased hair. (Boooo!) The hair got pulled up into a ponytail, misc. pieces are bobby pinned up and I tied a piece of tulle around my ponytail and made a bow, Voila!, new favorite hair accessory!

Wearing; dress (thrifted), lace up flats (eBay), earrings (thrifted), Unicursal Hexagram pendant (Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo, New Orleans), Trick or Treat Graveyard Purse (by Sweet Midnight via Cats Like Us), sunglasses (Cats Like Us)

Gosh, I really love this purse!!!

How do you try and stay cool when you are feeling hot and sweaty? *Asking this question while sipping a iced filled margarita* 

Thank you for reading, until next time!

Featuring a Munsters Necklace

Eh, I didn't know what to title this blog, but it does feature a Munsters themed tile necklace! I bought this necklace at a local tattoo studio a few months ago and didn't know what to wear with it until I was inspired by the Vampiress dresses' collar (also styled here) and watching The Munsters early yesterday morning. 

I also styled the dress with my rhinestone spider brooch that I wore on my wedding day and some beaded earrings I picked up for a few dollars at a consignment shop. I find that you can get some really nice 'basic' jewelry pieces from thrift shops, estate sales, etc. 

Wearing; Vampiress dress (Hell Bunny, older style), Munsters necklace (hand made via 125 Art Collective), spider brooch (???), earrings (thrifted), studded brogue shoes (old, via 6pm.com)

Taking the skirt out for a 'spin'

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend. Ours will be filled with work, finishing up decorating for Halloween, working on our costumes and cleaning the interior of the car. SUCH AN EXCITING LIFE WE LEAD. Hahahaha!!!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

Kiss Me Deadly

Hello friends! Yesterday we got back from a short trip to visit family in Virginia and though it was extremely lovely to see everyone, I feel like I am so behind on everything. 'Everything' meaning Halloween decorations and costume planning, I feel like I blinked my eyes and September is almost over!

Though we only put up a Halloween tree (so far), I've already been celebrating the upcoming Halloween season with my outfits, and the latest has included the Kiss Me Deadly dress by Hell Bunny. I have jumped on any opportunity to add lovely, cute and creepy pieces to my wardrobe as I had been patiently waiting, saving and plotting for all the Halloween fashions. *Rubs hands together*

Wearing; Kiss Me Deadly dress (Hell Bunny via Cats Like Us), faux knee high tights (Hot Topic), Mary Janes (vintage Dr. Martens via eBay), bow headband (old, gift from Melanie)

Shout out to Sharon over at Goth Gardening who is my dress twin. She looks amazing in the Kiss Me Deadly dress and I just wanted her to know I was thinking of her!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

Harlow Halloween Blouse by Hell Bunny

I'm pretty excited to be able to start showing you a bit of my 'Halloween Hunt' that I got from work. Though I know haul seems to be a popular term to use when it comes to blogging and Youtube, yet I am going to call it a 'hunt' as I'm more stalking Halloween rather than gathering. RAWR! Hahaha!

The Harlow Halloween Blouse was something I snatched up right away as I had been thinking about it since I saw Hell Bunny's catalog and fell in love with the sheer pattern and Peter Pan collar. This style flew out the door at work, which is not surprising as it has jack-o-lanterns, bats, spiders and spider webs (oh my!), along with a 60s vintage vibe that I know some people totally dig without even knowing it. Side tangent-Most often 60s retro vintage gets ignored, as people usually think 1950s when it comes to dressing in retro inspired clothing.

Wearing; Harlow Halloween Blouse (Hell Bunny via Cats Like Us), belt I always wear (old, Target), skirt (Steady Clothing via Cats Like Us), bat heel pin (Black Willow Gallery), bow headband (old, gift from Melanie), striped button earrings (from Cats Like Us) Mary Janes (vintage Dr. Martens via eBay)

Have you been Halloween "hunting" and if so, what have been your favorite find(s)?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

The Halloween Hunt Has Begun!

Ohhhh, I'm so excited as the Halloween Hunt 2016 has officially begun! I have to admit I kicked it off all by myself when I stopped at Michael's craft store for some felt (for cool project I will share in a future blog) and picked out some chalkboard coffin's that can hang on the wall. I bought them as an idea to use as a frame for some of our antique casket plaques.

Can't wait to add these to the living room wall!

Oh wait! Silly me kicked it off even earlier as I bought fabric from Joann Fabrics to use as curtains for our Halloween Kitsch-en! Sheesh, I have a bad memory. Hahaha! This pattern makes me heart sing and I am so glad I waited till I found the perfect fabric to match my color scheme. PS-I made the striped valances too!

Today's trip took us to Joann Fabrics (with Derek this time) and we picked out the solar powered skulls you see in the background. I can't wait to see what they look like once they are all powered up from the sun. They had smaller jack-o-lantern lawn stakes (I may need to go back for those) and smaller purple skulls. So beyond cool!

We also picked out a few kitchen towels and something we've been needing...a drying mat! I couldn't believe that Joann's had Halloween themed drying mats, I was so happy that I started jumping up and down in the aisle hugging my bundle. So happy, in fact, that we decided to buy two and have one as a back up. Sigh, I love this time of the year.

Have you started finding Halloween treasures?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Matching Spiders

It's funny that I have had the cardigan and the skirt for quite some time not realizing they basically match! Both the sweater and the skirt have black widow spiders on them and both pieces are from Sourpuss Clothing from two different Halloween seasons. Yay, for new outfit ideas!

p.s-those are pig skulls in the background, my husbands project.

Wearing; spider cardigan and skirt (Sourpuss Clothing), button-up blouse and silver hammered metal necklace (2nd hand), knee socks (Target), studded creepers (TUK Shoes).

Derek was taking out the recycling and garbage, so I (naturally) flashed him and then asked him to get in the photos. Hahahaha!!! Oh yeah, I always wear shorts under my skirts and dresses.

Have a great Saturday!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Put Your Pumpkin On My Shoulder

skirt featured here

Even though I wear "Halloween" items to work all year round, it's nice to really concentrate my wardrobe efforts at this time of the year. In other words, I'm wearing it all....together! Hahahaa!

I featured this Headless Horsemen brooch by Summer Blue Jewelry on a Kitsch Picks and I couldn't stop thinking about it. Wearing brooches and pins have always been something I add to outfits, it brings in a little flair and adds a little something to an other wise plain sweater, dress, etc. I always think that more is more when it comes to accessorizing. Just dooooooo it!  (said in a creepy ghostly voice) Hahahaah!!!!

Do you have a favorite brooch or pin?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Skeleton Hands

Our friend Leslie is such a dear, last week I came home from work to discover she gave Derek this awesome skeleton hands top (that she made) to give to me! How awesome is that?! Black and white. Check! Spooky motif. Check! Made with love by a friend. Check!

I'm not inspired to sew for myself, but once I put on this sleeveless boat neck style top, I knew I wanted to try and make this style for myself. I love the fit! Maybe I'll try and draft my own pattern......maybe. 

I'm not taking this off!

I am always grateful to have such thoughtful and talented friends. Thank you Leslie!!!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Halloween at This Old Goth Haus

Welcome to This Old Goth Haus : Halloween addition! I'm so excited to share some bits and bobs of Halloween decor at our haunt! Of course, the outside decor looks so much better lite up, but doesn't make for a great photo. Boooo!

Halloween wreath on the front door.

Lanterns and tissue paper bat balls hang from the archway. Our vulture is perched on the Tiki idol along with a lantern on the side table.

(Pardon the cords) Blow molds and light up pumpkin spider and bat. So silly and fun!

No surface is safe! Tombstones and witches and vampires, oh my!

I had to have that pile of skulls, it just makes the house so much more cozy. LOL!

The credenza is full of Halloween fun!

The kitchen shelves just got put up, so we can display our vintage pieces and blow molds. 

Having a vintage Halloween-inspired kitchen just makes me smile! 

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into our world, it's been so much fun decorating the house for our first Halloween! I've already bought lots of candy as we can't wait for the trick or treaters!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla