Shivers of Delight

I can't get enough elegantly macabre jewelry.  Vampire Gothic is located in Brooklyn, NY. That's where the hip vampires live so you know this jewelry will be tasteful. Ha. Skull Ring Fang Necklace Thorn Bracelet Moon Necklace Lucifer's Crown Ring Fang Earrings Thirteenth Hour Necklace I'm going to be featuring a few Etsy finds this week. I've done the searching for you so that you have more time to play Pokemon Go.

Some days it is hard to post light-hearted looks at death when there is so much real horror in the world. So much of it is violent and senseless.  I suppose that's why I do what I do. I'm trying to harness death and take some of the sting away. Some days it can't be done. I had a post planned for today, but my heart isn't in it after last night's news of the murder of so many innocent people in Nice. Sometimes the pain of the world overwhelms me. It doesn't feel right to be frivolous today.  The last few weeks, months, years are starting to take a toll.  I hope you'll understand. The Laughing Heart Charles Bukowski you life is your life don't let it be clubbed into dank submission. be on the watch. there are ways out. there is a light somewhere. it may not be much light but it beats the darkness. be on the watch. the gods will offer you chances. know them. take them. you can't beat death but you can beat death in life, sometimes. ...

I don't know much about Idle Hand Shop , but the rings they make amuse me. The creatives are lovers of horror films. I'm sharing them with you. Spooky Cuff Ring Ghouly Ghoul Ring Macabre Misanthrope Bracelet I'll Swallow Your Soul Bracelet Best Witches - Best Friend Rings 666 Hail Satan Ring This jewelry is a polite, subtle way to let people know they need to back away slowly.  I like that.

I have talked about Caryn Drexl's photographs before ( blog post ), but it's been awhile since I check in with her blog and shop and I'm so happy I did. Besides surreal, conceptual photography, Drexl is also creating mixed-media pieces. I'm really fascinated by her work. Drexel has recently signed up at Patreon . In case you're unfamiliar with Patreon, it's a crowd-funding service that hooks up artists with patrons. It's a great way to support your favorite artists and be one of the first to learn about their newest creations. Take a look at what she is up to now. Cada: mixed-media art doll Sweet Little (batty) Betty The Anesthesia Inhaler All That Is Clear It is in the Eye Haggard Drexl's pieces take my breath away. 

I hate that the stores are all starting to take down the summer items and restock with back-to-school things. Stop trying to end it! Halloween will be here and gone before we know it.  Let's stay in the moment by looking at some summery clothing from Gloomth & The Cult of Melancholy . Perhaps not your typical cruise wear, but I guess that depends on where you cruise.  I featured a swimsuit from Gloomth last summer. I'm still eyeing it. Eloise Gothic Victorian Swimsuit Robe du Crane Formal Gothic Dress Haunted Circus Star Carousel Dress Damsel Cotton Dress Seance Cotton Party Dress Victorian Bird Babydoll Dress I think I need one or two of these dresses to wear while I'm watching Penny Dreadful.

Can we ever have enough t-shirts? If you're answer is "no" then you have to check out Fennec Design .  Their designs are all original and are printed with eco-friendly, non toxic inks. The combinations of skulls and botanicals are fun.  I like that they're in black, in case, like me, you tend to spill a lot of food. It's true, I'm not really spooky. I'm just messy. Witch Mountain Cat and Mouse Skeletons Rabbit Skull Antler Collage Bat Skeleton and Chicory Sea of Misfortune Dog Skeleton and Dogwood The shop also has stickers and patches to sell. Buy one of each.

In the last several years, after hauling all our Halloween decorations from the crypt (otherwise known as the basement), spending weeks arranging them around the house, gazing at them, and then repacking them for their ten-month slumber, I changed tactics. I started making purchases for a mood rather than a holiday. I decided that the pieces I loved best would remain as part of our decor year-round. That meant two things: they needed to be of a certain quality (mainly made by an artist) and they can not literally or figuratively scream "Halloween!" That's why I'm attracted to the re-styled vintage porcelain dishes from Angioletti Designs . These would definitely fit into the mood of our home. They are beautiful, playful, and dark.  I think that describes perfectly the look I'm trying to achieve. 3-Piece Gold Rose Skull Tea Set Bride and Groom Skeleton on Silver Dinner Plate Pink and Gold Tea Plate with Cicada Skull Gold Tea Cup and Saucer 3-P...