I decided to opt out of a Hallowe'en costume on Friday, but I still stayed spooky, getting in wearings of some of my favourite seasonal items.
I paired it with this ginormous pouf of a skirt, which I layered a slip under to keep it from creeping up my tights - success!
The office was pretty quiet - it was a rainy, gloomy day - so I went with this spooky leather jacket that I illustrated myself a few years ago.
- Snake Jacket - Q2 Collection, vintage 90s, thrifted, illustrated by me; last seen here (2nd outfit) in December 2024 with red cords
- Crinkle top - Baden Baden, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in July to the theatre
- Cotton skirt - Kaliyana, consignment; last seen here in July (that's a personal favourite look)
- Boots - 7th Heaven Mega Racer, Fluevog; purchased here with gift cards, discounts and Limbo/Botched sale proceeds for $799.00
- Sleeveless coat - Only, thrifted; last worn here in April
I had fun showing it off to my colleagues who were there - many of them had never seen it. If you want to review the details, go here.
I did a pretty good job on this - not bad for my first try of a jacket.
I walked to work in my new boots, which was - as I told pal Carol - "an act of shoe-pidity", as they were stiff in the heel and gave me blisters. I hopped the bus home in the rain.
Incognito. I was very happy to wearing a hat in the sea of umbrellas.
It's not cold enough to need a big coat, so this wool sleeveless one always come in handy. I added a cluster of pins to one of the big shawl lapels.
The stuff:
I'll massage the heel cups some more and keep wearing these boots (with some moleskin next time) until they soften up.
- Leather purse - Lodis, thrifted
- Silk scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
- Leather gloves - consignment
- Hat - Delux, Saanich Fair, c. 2008
- Zipper rose pin - V&A Museum gift shop, London, 2010
- Snake brooch - consignment
- Rose stick-pin - Mango's
Bold bling:
I removed the cheap brass chain from the heavy heart locket and threated an old skirt-tie through it. I liked being able to adjust the length, and the tie disappeared against my top.
- Belt - Notes du Nord, thrifted
- Carved carnelian bangle - consignment
- Hinged Lucite/gold teeth bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, gift from L
- Silver snake ring - BC Museum gift shop, 1985
- Silver/onyx spider ring - gift from Mom & Dad, 1996
- Heart locket pendant - DEFY, local, gift from L, 2014
The heart is a locket, with pictures of my "boyfriends" in it, a gift from L many years ago (picture here, and it's not who you think!).
I've introduced Barnabas and Whateley to the ritual of opening up the bedroom window and giving them a sniff of the neighbourhood. We look for birds and squirrels, and they are VERY excited about it.
"I see a car!" "I see a giant squirrel!"
That's no squirrel! That's a DEER at the base of the tree!
Hallowe'en night itself was quiet for us - L and I played boardgames, listened to music and enjoyed the kittens carousing around us.
"I'm in a box!"
Barnabas dropped one of his squishy balls in the box and attacked it for a while.
Then Whateley had to sit in the other half of the box, while Barnabas lounged in L's seat.
"It's my seat now." "Where did the Man go? He needs to see me in the box too!"
We were up bright and early Saturday morning - lots to do, places to go, a party to prep for.
"Turn the light off, I'm sleeping!"
Well, SOME of us were up!
I can't help it, they are so cute!
I styled up my new-to-me Jeremy Scott X Adidas tuxedo jacket for brunch at John's Place.
Thumbs up. I undid the chestal pocket and stashed my phone in there.
"I'm also trying to nap, please get out of my face."
I can't help it, they are so cute!
I styled up my new-to-me Jeremy Scott X Adidas tuxedo jacket for brunch at John's Place.
I showed it off to Shayne, who was boggled by it.
- Tuxedo jacket - Jeremy Scott X Adidas, consignment, NWT; purchased here with gift cards and earned Limbo cash for $289.00
- Merino wool sweater - Lord & Taylor, consignment; last seen here in March with white jeans and a plaid duster
- Tartan trousers - H&M, consignment; last worn here in April with my Ringmaster jacket
- Yellow booties - F-Stop Etta, Fluevog; last seen here (2nd outfit) in April for weekend brunch and shopping
I took it off while we ate.
You can't go wrong with primary colours.
But it was all about the snuggly jacket.
After brunch, we did a massive grocery shop for the party.
I liked the jacket.
Add more tartan!
This was a fun outfit, would wear again!
The stuff:
The heels on these boots make them very easy to walk in.
- Leather purse - Steve Madden, thrifted
- Scarf - thrifted
- Buttons - freebies
- Leather gloves - Picabo, Powell River
Bold bling:
I needn't have worried. The kittens left it all alone (they were more interested in the closet where the decorations are stored). I spy Whateley on the post!
Nothing fancy, just a few favourites.
- Bakelite bracelet - vintage 60s, vintage mall, gift from L
- Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
- Silver snake ring - BC Museum gift shop, 1985
- Silver lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
- White gold hoops - Francis Jewelers, gift from L
- Necklace - Club Monaco
After prepping all of the various cheese, veggie and meat trays, and getting all my bowls and platters ready, I pulled out my boxes of Hallowe'en decorations, and put a bunch of things up high where little kittens wouldn't get to them.
He settled down on some blankets near a couple of very old skulls.
L owned those when I met him!
But where is Barnabas?
"I heard there was going to be a party, and I want to stay up late."
Note the arm over his head! That face!
The décor was admired, but I took it all down again on Sunday morning.
However, L and I are Goth-y all year round. This is our vampire display, which stays out (the web is temporary).
And here we are, in all our glory!
My favourite black wig, my lace top and this fabulous velour 1999-2000-era gown.
I gave us both "Alice Cooper eyes" and we had complimentary black and red outfits (not planned, but there's going to be a lot of black at a Goth party!).
I'd planned on wearing the blue round glasses, but I ended up taking them off early and forgetting about them. I have contacts in, FYI.
- Top - Culture; first worn here in March with a red plaid dress
- Dress - Algo, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $24.95
- Shoes - Summertime Moonbeams, Fluevog, consignment; last seen here in August with cerulean silk
- Shoes (below) - Swordfish Marquis, Fluevog; last worn here in October for work, dinner and a concert
I'll probably wear this dress sans top at some point (after all, it has handy bra-strap holders).
But it was amazingly comfy and I loved it with the black lace top underneath.
It has a big rear slit, which showed off my "Bite Me" tights.
I didn't last long in these heels - they're very clompy and I didn't want to annoy our downstairs neighbours (plus my feet hurt), so I swapped after a couple of hours.
The stuff:
Little painted/bejeweled skulls on an old pair of upcycled shoes. I love this kind of creativity!
The stuff:
My grommet shoes were perfect.
- Lucite/crystal bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
- Silver snake ring - BC Museum gift shop, 1985
- Silver/onyx spider ring - gift from Mom & Dad, 1986
- Metal rose earrings - Betsey Johnson, gift from Cat
- Cross necklace - JS, gift from L, c. 2006
I lined my lips with black eyeliner and filled in with dark red.
Rock on! Let's have a look at some of our partygoers, shall we?
My pictures of Rosanna were terrible, and in general, most of pictures were bad, as I have no close-up vision when I wear contacts. Thanks to Rosanna for sending me these.
She's a pin-up peacock Goth! She thrifted the dress (a reproduction vintage), made the choker (including painting the cameo) and head-piece. Take a moment to admire that she does not have bangs/fringe! That's an amazing roll!
I loved the snake tights.
Here's her partner Greg as a "Max Max"-style Goth, and friend Michael, all in black and looking very angsty.
Mieka is an adult now and gets her own invitation. She did amazing make-up.
She bought the angel/moon pin in Paris recently, and the horseshoe nail brooch belonged to her grandmother.
You crazy kids! We missed you, Katya! (she wasn't feeling well).
Mieka is an adult now and gets her own invitation. She did amazing make-up.
"I'll just sit here with my Goth people for the next hour."
Barnabas was a total Lap Kitty the entire night! He climbed up on random laps, utterly charming all of our party folks.
It was Game Seven of the World Series (baseball) and Canada's Toronto Blue Jays were in the final! We had the game on until it ended - it's the only time we've had no music going at a party for the first two hours! Unfortunately, they lost, but eh, whatever - I don't care about baseball, so let's get to the party!
Michael was a Cyber-Goth and is wearing a light-up harness with "tattoos" drawn on his head. Randall in the Hawaiian shirt was the Anti-Goth. "I'm here to cheer you all up!" he said - he had a rainbow shirt on under the blue one.
Okay, crank up the Cure, Depeche Mode and all the metal you want, DJ L! Let's get this party started.
Alison and Tony are looking fabulous! He's a Plague Doctor (in a beret).
And she's a death's head moth!
I love the two feather antennae!
She very kindly gave me these two pins for my birthday.
There's a mark on the angel pin, but I can't read it.
So very sweet of her to think of me.
The horseshoe nail pin looks handmade.
That's some shoddy soldering...but I like this one best.
Neighbour Emma was ready to slip Barnabas into her purse and dash home.
So thoughtful!
Vero and Justin arrived.
My pictures all looked very blurry like this, sigh.
Nice try! Emma bought that purse on our shopping trip together in the summer, aw! Love it!
Marian and Rod arrived.
Posing with Cat, looking very Gothic, ladies, very nice!
Marian gave me a bag of Hallowe'en candy, some truffles and these hilarious napkins.
Alison, I need a picture of you with Cat!
She kept flapping her wings!
The "gauntlet" aka the Kitchen Party.
I see Cat, Greg, Yvonne, Ross (black hat), Rod (great make-up!), Ciara's date Michael, and Tony.
Casey arrived! Oh my GOSH!
I wouldn't let him come in until I took his picture! So good!
Mid-party, and I thought you might like to see how the cats handled things...they are on the scratching post in the background. Whateley slept through most of the party up there, giving people head-bumps, and Barnabas hopped from lap to lap.
Ross and Vince having a chat.
Whateley finally came down near midnight. They did not go after the food AT ALL.
Everyone was so shocked and surprised at how blasé they were about 20+ people and loud music.
Peak party time - Carolyn and Ron are finally here! They were at another party but ended with us.
Caro was in Corporate Goth (that's a Halston blazer and her mom's wedding dress!). Vero had an awesome black leather jacket on. I stopped taking pictures after midnight!
At 3am, after L and I had cleaned up, our little boys were back chilling out.
"Can we go to bed now?"
Absolutely! L and I slept in...and totally missed that it was the time change weekend, a nice surprise and bonus to get another hour in our last day of the weekend.
I hope you all enjoyed our shenanigans, my friends! Thank you for being along for the ride.
Your parties always look so elegant! What a stylish crew. I was at home handing out candy in my tombstone costume, which was a lot of fun.
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