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Showing posts with label retro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retro. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

A Domesticated Goth


Isn't she beautiful?! Yes, I am talking about our brand new stove. Hahaha! And she has a partner.....


*Cue angels singing* Okay, this may not be that exciting to most, but to Derek and I it is very exciting. When we bought the house, (almost 3 years go) we negotiated to have the appliances as part of the sale. We figured we would use the old appliances until we either remodeled the kitchen or they malfunctioned. Well, flash back to Halloween when I went to use the oven for hot appetizers and the oven stop working. Yeahhhhhhh. Well, the oven came back to life a few times, yet that's what inspired us to shop the holiday deals and Voila! I like to cook (that's how we save boat loads of money....by eating at home), so having this new stove is 'Just Like Heaven'. It doesn't hurt they are both black and for the first time in my life, I got to pick out the features of appliances that suit our needs. All the years of living in apartments and 'making due' with that came with the rental, really makes me appreciate having our own that much more!


I have been concentrating on our bar area inside the house. We do have our amazing 'Hut' aka the garage (blog out our Hut), but in the winter it is very cold out there, even with the pellet stove burning. So, I've been wanting to maximize our little bar area and give it a little makeover, starting with new curtains. There was just a valance on this window, but was inspired by this out-of-print Robert Kaufmann fabric (etsy) to make curtain panels. I wanted to add some pattern and color to the window, but not darken the room. 


I really wish I could find more fabric to make a little cafe curtain for our front door.


The display corner got a make over too. Before...


After! Much needed storage/display and another 'pop' of color to brighten up the corner. We will be adding lighting to the shelves, so we can see our Tiki mugs and other collectibles.


We splurged and got these amazing handmade Tiki shelves from Forward Back Vintage on etsy. They are worth every penny and not only create more display space for our Tiki mug collecting insanity, BUT they look like amazing pieces of art on the wall. Now we can sit on our couch and really enjoy the view into the bar area.


Here's my typical view. Feet up on the coffee table, wrapped in my electric blanket. Hehe!



Another latest addition to our home is this amazing display case that is now in our dining room. I had been actively looking for gold display case for about a year now (finally gave up) and found one at an estate sale for a great price. It's a little smaller than I had hoped, but there is enough room for some of our bone collection and other fun tidbits. 


And just some moody shots of the living room. I was enjoying the view and snapped these.


Mortimer (our skeleton) is festive in a black pentagram Santa hat.


And the weirdo's who live here.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

Friday, October 21, 2016

Kitsch Picks: Raw Bone Studio




Raw Bone Studio makes my weird kitschy heart sing! Robin Rawbone's "retro-inspired whimsical" items include; pillows, umbrellas, dresses, leggings and plush felt ornaments. I really dig the large graphic prints and colors!

Thank you for reading, until next time!


Sunday, August 14, 2016

More Humid Than Humid : It's Too Damn Hot

Dress last seen on blog in 2013!?

As I have mentioned before, we are having a ridiculously hot and humid summer. I'm pretty much running out of outfits to wear for work, as I quickly realized I don't many styles with halters, spaghetti straps or sleeveless garments that are work appropriate. I tend to wear my Tiki/Hawaiian section of my closet to work, as working in a retro store I want to wear retro (40s, 50s, 60) in order to represent the style of the store. Makes sense right? 


Now mind you, I love vintage from many decades, yet this 80s does 50s button-up halter dress speaks to my love of kitsch...and the 80s. Hahaha! I always squeal with delight when I find a tropical print with a black background, it just makes me so happy and it's easy to style. I paired the dress (vintage via eBay) with some over-the-top 80s zebra earrings (vintage-from antique mall), reproduction Coco Jo's Tiki pendant (Charcoal Designs) with a chiffon scarf (estate sale find), vinyl belt I always wear and black flats (H&M).


Side tangent-the 'love' tattoo is a tattoo regret that needs to be covered up.


I love this Rob Zombie meme, just cracks me up. So, anywho I hope you are enjoying your Summer (or Winter) wherever you are and I hope this weather breaks so I can stop living in a tank top and bike shorts. 

Thank you for reading, until next time!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla


Saturday, July 9, 2016

Kitsch Picks: Vintage Galeria




(click on bold text to link to product)

I've been a huge fan of Vintage Galeria since collaborating with them for Auxiliary Magazine (Dia de los Muertos style article) and they made my favorite Peter Pan collar top. I like their selection of bold prints mixed with some modern retro classics and some Halloween-esque designs thrown in for good measure!

Thank you for reading, until next time!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla


Friday, March 11, 2016

Kitsch Picks: Spider Web Cardigans by Mischief Made



(click on bold text to link to products)

I've seen Mischief Made t-shirts being featured on other fashion blogs, but I didn't know they had these adorable cardigans! I'm glad I took a really good look at their awesome etsy shop as I instantly feel in-love with the black spider web cardigan. But, I couldn't deny that I think the jade and coral pink are too cute not to also be featured! Creepy and cute? I'm in!

Which one is your favorite?

Thank you for reading, until next time!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Last Weeks Work Outfits


Pardon my lack of enthusiasm, I was feeling pretty down last Wednesday and was still reeling from (last) Monday's sewer estimates and roof repair. I got really down on Tuesday evening when my positivity about the house issues had a major down turn. I know everything will be OK, but adding to the list that we need a new roof sorta pushed me over the edge.

In fun news, a new tattoo piece was started last Tuesday by my friend Bryan and once it's finished I would love to show you. Seeing as I was healing a fresh leg tattoo, I wore mostly pants last week which resulted no photo worthy outfits. The outfit above is an example of pants/blouse/sweater combo I was rockin' to work.  

Wearing; a geometric print bow blouse (80s, thrift), black sweater I have been wearing all the time (thrift), pants (H&M), zebra print creepers (eBay), earrings (thrift), brooch (from Julie Ann), hair scarf (Sourpuss Clothing).


Saturday I was able to wear leggings as my thigh tattoo was healing nicely, so I opted to pair a t-shirt over a long sleeve shirt, tucked into my favorite black circle skirt by Steady Clothing. I like to wear belts to break up the black, so I added a studded belt that I picked up at the thrift store. I'm also wearing a Black Widow cardigan (old, Sourpuss Clothing), "Kiss My Woof Woof" Eddie Munster t-shirt (Rock Steady via Cats Like Us), faux pearl necklace (thrift), cameo earrings (Target?) and boots from 6pm.com.


I'm feeling a lot better this week and keep telling myself to just take one step at a time. *smile*

Thank you for reading, until next time!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Batty Kalconia Dress by Hell Bunny


Hello everyone! This past weekend was fulls of events, which included another club night that also featured my work as part of the vendor themed evening. I wanted to wear a Cats Like Us garment that represented my tastes and the shop, so choose the Batty Kalconia Dress by Hell Bunny. He got this dress back around Halloween time and I knew it had to be mine. (Plus I help with buying for the shop, so I had it on my radar. Hehe!)


I'm wearing Batty Kalconia Dress by Hell Bunny (Cats Like Us) paired with; black cropped sweater (le bomb shop), floral head band (Spirit Halloween store), spiked platform creepers (ebay?), and purple bat purple (Dungaree Dolly).


Circle skirts are so much fun!


And pockets are rad!


The white embroidered bats on the collar are a great detail.



Thank you for reading, until next time!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Lana Leopard Print Dress by Lindy Bop


I ordered the Lana Leopard Print Dress from Lindy Bop last June via Amazon. I have always been weary of buying clothing off Amazon, but figured since Lindy Bop was a reputable retro clothing brand, I would be okay. Well, other than ordering the wrong size (due to my own fault and resulting in having to get it altered), I am pretty happy with the quality and style of the dress. 


I had been on the hunt for a leopard print dress to wear to work and this one ticked off all the right boxes. I liked the leopard pattern, it had a neckline and straps that I liked (I can wear a regular bra!), fuller A-line skirt and I liked that style is versatile so I can layer it many different ways. 


A lot of people segregate 40s/50s/60s retro style (or new vintage) fashion into only being for "rockabilly" or "pinup" types, which is fine and dandy, but in truth they are classic silhouette's that are classic for a reason. I could write a whole blog just about how styling garments to fit your taste regardless of what umbrella term it falls into a genre sense, but no one needs that. In other words, wear what makes you happy and what you feel flatters you.


Break all the rules! *Wink*

I'm wearing a the Lana Leopard Print Dress (Lindy Bop), cowl neck sweater (H&M), white skull earrings and necklace (Kreepsville 666), Shrunken Head brooch (Charcoal Designs), vinyl belt (from Julie Ann) and brogue style boots (Paxton byDirty Laundry)

Thank you for reading, until next time!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Rough Week


I'm having a bit of a rough week already and it's only Wednesday. Just general melancholy over some minor health issues I've been having which lead to doctor's appointments. My energy level towards figuring out outfits and has been low to none, so I threw on this shirt dress from eShakti. My go-to for work=a shirt dress.


Time for work, but I need to still need to find a sweater.

Sisters of Mercy tile necklace from etsy (I forgot the seller)

I realized I forgot to put earrings on! Hahaha!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla




Thursday, March 26, 2015

Kitsch Picks : Meteor Jewelry Co.



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

Friday, February 27, 2015

My Favorite Skirt and Checkers

+checkered top: Voodoo Vixen +skirt: 80s thrift
+earrings: vintage 80s +atomic brooch: The Crave Yard


Another way I styled this checkered Voodoo Vixen top, with my favorite thrifted 80s skirt and my favorite lace back cardigan. 


Was trying to look cute...


then I made this face at Derek as he walked up the stairs. Hehe!

Thank you for reading!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Monday, December 1, 2014

Holiday Style Blog


Yesterday I did a little style photo shoot for work for a holiday style blog and Derek was my lovely test model and assistant. Hahahaha! I love doing little projects as I get to mess around with my camera, photograph some lovely gals and I get to be creative and flex my stylist muscles. Feel the burrrrrrn!

One of my best friends, Melanie

Andrea, who is now my upstairs neighbor! Woo!

Judy, part of my Tiki crew and such a dear heart!

And me!

Alternate shot of the dress paired with my favorite vintage hat

It was a fun day, frustrating as I don't know what the heck I'm doing with lighting, but I am thankful for my models who took time out of their Sunday's to help out! 

And I'm always thankful for my little helper elf. Yeah, I just had to. 
Haha!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Monday, November 24, 2014

Things That Make Me Go Hrmmm : Adora BatBrat Video

                        

I was inspired to post this video by Adora BatBrat to prompt discussion of style.

Working in a retro boutique our style's mostly focus on 40s, 50s and 60s clothing, but I don't just lump everyone together into a 1950s look. Hell, I'm a goth and I love retro cuts and styling because it is classic in the sense of the way the clothing is designed!

The pin up and retro rockabilly look has become more popular with "former goths" and I don't agree with Adora just generalizing that we have "lost goths to this look". We have had many discussion's (at work) as to why a lot of people make a transition to a more retro style and I personally believe it makes sense. If you want to (or have to) wear more color, still want a dramatic look and wear clothing that still makes you feel unique, retro clothing styles make sense to me. But, no one said that you can't infuse multiple styles into your own personal style! Keyword : personal!

I do have to express that anyone is allowed to change and evolve their look/tastes/style/etc, but it disappoints me when people look their noses down at styles (*cough goth cough*) that they think are immature or childish. Your style is not a costume, it's an extension of you and how you like to express yourself.

In closing, I'm not condemning Adora BatBrat for her opinion, but I thank her for inspiring me to write this blog.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Kitsch Picks : Charcoal Designs


+Pink Flamingo brooch +Shrunken Head brooch (no link, I bought this one. Hehe!)


Oh. My. Goodness. I think Charcoal Designs has stolen my little kitsch-lovin' heart! I snatched up the Shrunken Head brooch so fast that I didn't see that they are having a 31% off sale with the coupon code: GOBATTY. So much awesomeness in this shop!

PS-The pink flamingo pin backed on astroturf=brilliant!!!!

Thank you for reading!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla