Vampire Anniversary!

Today is my and L's 23rd wedding anniversary! Happy anniversary to us! Here's to my partner in life, crime and goofing off. 

"I'll have no part in this portrait, Woman!"

As we couldn't do our usual celebration of jetting off to the metropolis of Vancouver for our weekend of shenanigans, we decided to do a themed photo shoot of us - as vampires!

L and I are both into vampires, just because, well, vampires are cool! We have seen nearly every vampire movie, including What We Do In the Shadows (link here), and the TV series by the same name (here, 2nd season starts soon!), both of which are about vampires living in the modern world, but being a bit out of their element.

We both built our outfits out of stuff we have in our costume collections and in our closets with that as our inspiration.

• Suede Jacket - Danier Leather, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in November 2013 for the Unlimited Women Awards Gala
• Blouse - Renuar, thrifted; last seen here in March with lounge-y leopard
• Skirt - Twinset, consignment; last worn here in February to see Beautiful with Mom
• Boots - Truths Teah, Fluevog; last seen here (2nd outfit) for my brother Dave's 50th birthday brunch

This rich red suede Danier jacket is trimmed with black braid - the frogs clasps are the same material.

 Some nice big shoulder pads going on there! I always feel like the little drummer boy in this.

Vizzini was nosing around while I took pictures.

"What madness are you up to, Woman?"

The fun kind, Vizzini!

"This skirt is very suspicious."

I built my outfit to look like someone who is a bit out of their time.

"It smells like kitty treats."

I am a totally cool modern vampire.

This fluffy, lacy skirt is so fun to wear.

"I'm ghosting you."

I layered this very useful Victorian-looking blouse under the jacket, with a brooch at the neck, and a stomacher with a belt over it.

 I always like my layers to look right, even if I don't take the jacket off.

If you look carefully, you'll see someone hiding under my skirts.

I picked him up, but he was way too interested in my brooch.

"No camera can catch me."

The stuff:

I walked a few blocks in these boots - they're super-comfy. Both L and I wore Fluevogs as an ode to our usual anniversary gifts for each other.

Thematic bling:

The black thing is a stomacher that I bought at Dots over 10 years ago - I recall it was really cheap (like $2.99?) as they didn't know what it was. 

• Belt - Pringle of Scotland, vintage fair
• Sunglasses - some cheap Hallowe'en pop-up store years ago
• Brooch - vintage fair
• Spider ring - c. 1986, gift from Mom & Dad, Mexico
• Snake ring - c. 1985, BC Museum Gift Shop
• Earrings - thrifted
• Lace cuffs - LA Express, c. 1994

The lace cuffs on my outfit are actually separate pieces - they are just elasticated lace and they pull on. This makes them wonderful for costumes, both for the look and because you can pull them off to eat. Bonus! 

L happily put his own outfit together. 

I bought him the walking stick many years ago for Christmas. The top hat is from Roberta's Hats; the tux jacket is thrifted (it's vintage Christian Dior!), as is the velvet vest (a Christmas present from me this past year), and the striped cotton trousers. His shirt has ruffled cuffs with vintage cuff links, and the front placket also has ruffles (it's vintage 80s). And of course, the shoes are Fluevog.

He's wearing a bunch of costume rings, a dagger brooch, a rattlesnake belt buckle, and a vintage pocket watch that I bought for him about 20 years ago. 

Now... let us start the entertainment! Are you ready?


Welcome to our home!

 It is really not that hideous Craigdarroch Castle! It is our home! Really!

L, come out and say hello to our guests.

"Hsssss! It looks too sunny!"

Do not be cranky, my love! Be nice for the people. Come out of your lair. Come, come.

It is a terrible day for vampires. Very sunny and pleasant.

I must protect my delicate skin. Fire is so unsightly and leaves marks.

Do not stare, passersby! We are normal everyday people.

Definitely not vampires. Ha ha! Who would think that?

It is a good thing L has thick hair or that horrible sunshine would burn his head right off!

Just like a normal person! Only not with the burning, of course.

I await your arrival, my friends!

 Where are you? Hello! Hello?

Ah, I guess you are all staying inside.

I must also get out of this awful sunlight.

Really, it's March.

 It should be cloudy and raining, like normal weather for people to go out in and not be burned.

I will be safe here, do not worry.

L would also like to cajole you into joining us.

Welcome! Please come in!

If you were a vampire, you could glide up the stairs. Not that anyone here is a vampire. Who would say such a thing? Don't be silly.

Woe is me! Another anniversary with L!

Twenty-three years of sucking blood from the innocents good times. There has been no blood sucking. Maybe just a little.

Ah, my love, remember that time that person came to a party and disappeared?

No, I didn't eat him!

I sealed him in this column here! I mean, he took a cab home. No one ate anyone! Ha ha!

But enough of that! I remember when we got married! It seems so long ago...

I wore my Mom's wedding dress (here), and we had so much fun (here).

No one died. I mean, lots of people have died since then. People die, it happens.

But L and I are still together. We haven't killed each other yet! I've become immune to his poison, and he keeps waking up when I try to smother him. We are just a couple of kooky kids!

It's not all sunshine and roses, don't get me wrong.

I can be a very evil vampire cranky normal person.

But I'm getting better.

L, I think I'll keep you, if you'll have me.

He's a challenge too, though.

Always casting spells at me. So tiring.

 Stop that! Remember last time? We had to pay to patch the hole in that lady's roof!

That's better, my love. How handsome you are. Just like a real man and not at all a vampire.


The song "When We Were Vampires" by Jason Isbell is one of my all-time favourites (YouTube link here, and link to the lyrics here).

It is a very sad song, about being with someone for a (hopefully) long time.

Maybe time running out is a gift,
I'll work hard 'til the end of my shift,
And give you every second I can find,
And hope it isn't me who's left behind.

It reminds me to be grateful for every day we have together.

To really live, and to be in the moment.

And never, ever be afraid to be who we really are...

...which is definitely NOT vampires!