Greetings from Toronto

Hello! Just a quick blog to say that Derek and I spent the last few days in Toronto, Ontario celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary (it's technically October 11th) and visited the Shameful Tiki Room. The Tiki bar was amazing, the people we met are all amazing and we loved it so much we went for two nights! Anywho, just want to say "hello" as I have some major catching up to do. *Phew*

How are you doing?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

Vacation Slides : Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Derek and I have been planning our anniversary trip since back in June when we booked our hotel and plane tickets. We decided on Fort Lauderdale for the sun, retro kitsch and because of the Mai Kai, which is a Tiki mecca for us Tikipiles. I'm sure there is no surprise that Tiki was involved in our vacation plans, hehehe!

It was so hot and humid, which is no surprise as we're in Florida, but it was unseasonably warm even for the locals. We spent a lot of time walking, sweating, getting gawked at by other tourists and swimming in the ocean. 

I had to take some obligatory, "hey we're at the beach!" photos. It was my first time swimming in the ocean and it was very relaxing and the waters were very warm. I understand why people flock to the beaches in Fort Lauderdale, yet I had my fill for the next few years. I'm not a beach bunny, but I do enjoy walking and hanging out on the beach in the evening.

I did get a new bathing suit for the trip, it's a 60s style leopard print one-piece. Sorry for the crappy mirror shots, but I was feeling sassy!

One other aspect to the trip that we really enjoyed was staying at the Sea Club Resort which was a hotel built in 1951 originally called the Jolly Roger, but has had massive renovations to modernize the hotel. I really wish the beautiful waterfall in the lobby was still working! We had a comfortable stay, though it's not a lush resort and had its quirks, we love that about staying at old places.

And then there was the Mai Kai.....

It was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Built in 1956, it's a treasure and I hope the people of Fort Lauderdale realize how amazing the Mai Kai is to have in their fair city.

That is JUST the drink menu! It was so massive and tasty!

That is a Mai Tai and the Jet Pilot. Just the first of many that night. Mmmmm mmmm!

Hanging out by the waterfall in the Molokai bar inside the Mai Kai. Derek's shot turned out to be a little artsy. I'm contemplating which side of the menu my husband is going to sample. Hahaha!!!

The Polynesian show during dinner was amazing, touring the gardens at the Mai Kai was a lot of fun and spending a fantastic evening with my favorite guy was magical. 

I should have been more careful, I'm very flammable...and I'm just talking about my hair.

Goths on vacation! 

A tipsy Derek presented me with this beautiful coffin-shaped gem ring by Mordauntes Gem Coffins. I was so surprised and happy, not just for the piece of lovely jewelry, but because I have a thoughtful and loving partner who I've had the pleasure to share my life, dreams and love with....le sigh.

Yep, I'm tearing up a bit. *Wink*

The trip was lovely, but I'm happy to be back home as it's time to get all Autumnal!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Back From Vacation!

I love this vintage barkcloth muumuu I scored for $5 at a flea market!

Just a quick "Aloha!" as Derek and I are back from celebrating our 5 year anniversary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Though our actual anniversary date is October 11th, it's never too early to celebrate!

The Mai Kai was AMAZING and so was the beach, but I'm happy to be home where I'm not melting or blinding everyone with my graveyard tan. Hehehe! 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary to Us

Yesterday was our fourth wedding anniversary and we both commented on how time has flown by. We got married on a chilly night on October 11, 2009 at The Lodge (an old Masonic Hall) with 55 of our closest friends and family. We had a 'creepy cocktail' with hor d'oeuvres, cocktails and a very short and sweet ceremony. It was a wonderful evening indeed and we did it our way.

-My dress, Bettie Page Clothing ($99!)

-hat, Hey Sailor!

-Derek wore a western style suit with his Fluevog boots

Cupcake stand and cupcakes made by our talented friend Leslie.

A lot of our wedding was DIY, I didn't have fresh flowers or lots of decor as the Washington Room at The Lodge was quite regal with its marble pillars, high ceilings and amazing dark woodwork. One thing I do regret is not hiring a professional photographer (we were on a tight budget) to capture the day, but I have a lot of great candid shots that I hold dear to me. 

Ahhh memories! Thank you for letting me share a few tidbits about our special day. Back to anniversary talk, we celebrated with going to Tandoori's a favorite Indian restaurant of ours, it was delicious and full of great conversation. 

Derek got me a Martha Rotten piece that he picked out and I got him an Alchemy Gothic bat necklace. Yes, the necklace is a chicken foot cast out of pewter with the amazing cast bone closure. In Voodoo, a chicken foot is used for protection and believe to be powerful against evil-doer and are believe to work by magically "scratching" one's enemy. I'm not a practitioner of Voodoo, but I am an avid learner of spiritualism in all its forms.

This piece is AMAZING, I am so happy to now own a Martha Rotten piece from my husband who's so thoughtful and knows how to adorn his lady in chicken feets. Haha! 

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Happy Anniversary Outfit & New Tattoo!

Yesterday (October 11th) was Derek's and my 3rd wedding anniversary in which we went to our friend's restaurant Mike A's in the newly rehabbed Hotel Layfette. Not only did we have the pleasure of getting to chit chat with our friend Mike (who also catered our wedding), but we got to meet the owner of the Hotel Layfette. I learned that Rocko, the owner, is a Buffalo native and owns several buildings in Buffalo in which he has rehabbed and strongly believes in making Buffalo the grand city it once was. This bit of information made me very happy since Buffalo is a beautiful city underneath all the urban decay.

Dinner Attire

I opted for pants because of my fresh tattoo on my ankle

The spider brooch was worn on my jacket at my wedding

Newest addition to my collection "Everyday Is Halloween"

The Bride and Groom, 10/11/09. Yes, I wore black!

Thanks for reading! 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla