Leibster Awards

Blogging from Italy right now, so a bit limited in my capacity right now! Leibster awards are coming around again, and Cafe LaStrange nominated! Thanks for the nomination! Cafe LaStrange is super active in the alternative blogging community and posts some inspiring diys.

Darkling Tag

Thanks to the always informative The Walrus Room, and to the authentically old-school queen of the night DeusEXMachina for tagging me. Original questions by Graveyard Kittens.

I tag my favorite artist, Lady Fair, and my favorite art critic, Daughter of a Jaded Era.

Simple Questions:

• What is your favorite candle scent? Sandalwood or pipe tobacco. I love manly scents lol.
• Do you have a favorite book? Currently I love the Expanse space opera series by James S. A. Corey. Nothing darker than deep space! The Dresden files is also awesome, if you like vampires and wizards and an urban setting.
• Are you a tea or coffee person? Tea
• What is your favorite brand and color of lipstick? I love my Burberry red lip liner in Union Red, which I pretty much use for everything. (review here)

Ways to boost the dark style blogging community

I kind of notice that bloggers come and go in cycles (and dark fashion too--people leave and come back. That's life.) and sometimes the scene could use some community-building. I have some ideas.

Six Years of The Mutant Stomp Friends!

The 6th anniversary of this blog came and went in the recent past. I started this in 2010. The economy was in shambles and I, like many, was unemployed. My sister and I had the idea to join Lookbook.nu together. (Though my sister never ended up joining.) Being on Lookbook was kind of useless if you didn't have a blog, so the early days were basically outfit shots, which as many of you know take a LOT of time to do. While I did have some content in the early days--like how to DIY V bangs--there wasn't a lot of content. It was pretty much only outfit shots.

A photo from the Lookbook days.  For the life of me I couldn't understand why this was one of my more popular ones (98 hypes). The image quality is terrible and I'm not wearing any of the "it" brands.

Make your own music videos: Triller

Wow I'm excited to share with you an app I tried out, Triller, that lets you make your own music videos! If, like me, you've always wanted to make them but didn't want to sit around for hours and hours editing footage, you'll love this.  And what's amazing is that they've got EVERYTHING. Even 90s German industrial bands. I was worried they were just going to have top 40 stuff.

Halloween Tag

I've been tagged by The Everyday Goth, whose posts on the fundamentals of goth are a joy to read whether you're new to the scene or if you've been in it since the beginning. (BTW I've got some ASCII art in this post, so it might look funny on some browsers)

THIRTEEN QUESTIONS HALLOWEEN TAG!!!
    

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A Blogging Award

First off, shout-out to Just Keep Brains, who nominated me for a Sisterhood of the World Blogging Award. In our virtual goth club, she'd be the one up all night and still looking fabulous while I'd be taking a nap in a booth. I also want her glasses.

Random Things About Me

The Liebster award is back! I'm excited that Bien Aimeé nominated me...her blog is amazing. Her posts are relevant, thoughtful, informative, and she's an amazing artist too. I wish my own blog could have as much poise as hers. I'm always excited when one of her posts appears on my feed. 

I kind of like that she started with the questions first, so I'm doing that too.

The rules: 

1. Post the award on your blog.

2. Thank the blogger who presented this award and link back to their blog.

3. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and who have fewer than 200 followers.

5. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees 11 questions.

new logo

Got a new logo for the blog. The original one that's been up since the beginning (2010) was something that I hand-drew and took a photo of and photoshopped it to look pixelated. Yes, this is what my real-life handwriting looks like:

Recent activity

Part of this challenge. This post covers my going-ons on the interwebs.

A few of you have been posting your Instagrams, so I figure I'll post mine too. My instagram deviates from dark fashion, so no hard feelings if you don't follow. I mostly post visually interesting pictures of what I'm doing around NYC and my travels. If you are interested in NYC and my day-to-day life, feel free to follow.

Recent posts:

Liebster Award

So I've been tagged by Liberty Fox of Where Foxes Say Goodnight (she's also cataloging different types of alternative fashion...worth a look on her blog!) for a Liebster Award. Thanks! Here are her questions:

1. Who would you love to see in concert? (Even if they are dead now, who would you go back in time for?).
NIN in '99. This was before online ticket sales and I waited 4 hours in line to see them...was first in line. They did the lame raffle thing, and by the time it was my turn, all the shows were sold out. I'd later see them in 2005, but the Fragile was still my favorite album. 

Also Stiffs Inc, the beginning and end of Victorian punk, almost 20 years before the steampunk thing took off. Way ahead of their time and a shame they called it quits. 

2. Where is one place in the world you would love to see/travel to ?
Being a manga/anime nerd, Japan. Also Easter Island. Antarctica.

3. What is your favourite colour (other than black)? Pine green

4. What are your obsessions? What gets you out of bed in the morning and keeps you up until late at night?
Playing videogames. I can play 15 hours straight. 

5. What would be your ideal pet?
D'aww I miss my cat. I'd love to have her back.

6. What tips do you have for newbie bloggers? Aka, what do you think makes your blog successful?
I can tell you why my blog ISN'T successful. No clear brand (how am I skuzzlite, 1066X30, mutant stomp friends...etc all at once?!) or focus...no clear identity. Yeah, it's mostly dark-fashion focused, but then again there's this post, posts about my weekend, long expository posts on gaming. Who's the audience? Do I write for them? Well, I'm a little more higher-end fashion focused (so more designer stuff instead of Nightmare Before Christmas backpacks), but my tone is completely contradictory LOL!!!! I also don't post enough to draw regular visitors. 

While that's why my blog isn't successful, I wouldn't say it sucks. I think I have a more original POV, create original content, and have big, nice photos. The most important thing is good content. 

7. Favourite song?
Foetus: Water torture. I love every Foetus album ever. There are entire years of my life where I only listened to Foetus. There are dozens of us! Dozens! 

8. Person/thing/being you always wished you could be. A mermaid? Siouxsie Sioux? Susan Sto-Helit?
A ghost with ghostly powers. More a monster from a fairy tale than Casper. I guess I'll see eventually! Either that or cyborg. I shall be a ghost in a shell.

9. Is goth a really big part of your lifestyle> Do you eat, sleep and breathe goth, or occasionally lounge around with fluffy bunny slippers? (Or both): I'll assume you use the term "goth" loosely. In that case yes. While I don't spend my days ironing Cure patches on my couch cushions, most of my time is spent doing dark (dorky) things.

10. The person you are most proud of: my graduating class in my masters degree. We've gone on to do great things.

I'm late in the game for this, so I'm not going to tag anyone. 

50 Themes Fashion Challenge

Sorry for the lack of posts lately...I've been doing some freelance work...in addition to my full-time/overtime work. My freelance project ends next week, so back to regular blogging then. In the meantime, here's another challenge to add to the list, cause you know I love challenges.

This one comes from Milking the Rolling Cow, who posted it from another blog, Roses and Vellum. Adding it to the other two challenges I'm doing.  Seems simple enough...make a post around the following theme:

1. Introduction
2. Stripes
3. Polka Dots
4. Hot
5. Runway
6. Centered around a hat
7. Witchy
8. Stereotypical
9. Funky
10. Retro
11. Eclectic
12. Futuristic
13. Glittery
14. Diva
15. Preppy
16. Modest
17. Sportswear
18. Ruffles
19. Light
20. Dark
21. Innocent
22. Animal
23. Natural
24. Go Green!
25. Royal
26. Eyes
27. Summer in the Winter (Southern Hemisphere do Winter in the Summer)
28. Cardigan
29. No Animal Cruelty
30. Military Inspired
31. Plaid
32. Tacky that looks cool
33. Travel
34. Faeries
35. Superheroes
36. Fun
37. Monochrome
38. Trench coat (Southern Hemisphere may replace this with style of their choice if they wish)
39. Mary Jane shoes
40. Sunshine
41. Nail polish
42. Lose yourself
43. Vest
44. Birds
45. Cutesy
46. Grunge
47. Gothic
48. Orange
49. Killer heels
50. Happy ending

New Goth Challenge: The Everyday Goth

Hey everyone,

Announcing a new blogging challenge from The Everyday Goth that I'm joining, in addition to the one I'm currently finishing.

1. Post some pictures of a style you might wear if you didn't dress in Goth fashion, and talk about what attracts you to this style. 
2. Do "a day in the life" of you. Take lots of pictures.
3. What has been your biggest hurdle to overcome on being a Goth? Talk about who or what have made being a Goth difficult for you. 
4. Post a link to something you're saving up for. Threaten people so that they don't go buying it before you can.
5. Write some goals for the coming year, blog or wardrobe or life related. Or, if you've done that, write about how they're coming along.
6. Post some music you've been listening to lately, or make a playlist.
7. Plan a meet up. You don't actually have to host it, but write about what you'd like to do if you could. Where would you go? How many people? What would you do?
8. Plan a photo shoot. Who would model (you?) and what would the theme be? The clothes?
9. How do you blog? Write a post on how post on your blog posts come about. What tools do you use, where do you find your visuals, how do you come up with your ideas?
10. Ask for help with inspiration or problem-solving your in-progress DIY projects.
11. How do you store your clothes, jewelry, and accessories? Does it work for you? Are you looking to make a change?
12. Write about why you blog, and what it has done for you so far.
13. Feature some other bloggers. What posts are you loving? Who is especially fabulous this week
14. Confess: what stereotypically Goth things do you not like?
15. Make some themed Polyvore sets, or sets based on life events. (What would you wear to go on vacation in Maui? What do you want to wear to your wedding? What would you wear to a job interview?)
16. Give Babybats some advice you wish you'd had.
17. "This Day in Goth History."
18. Post about the little things in your life that you've "Gothed up."
19. Make a Goth Bucket List. What Goth-related things do you want to do or see with your life?
20. Write about the interests that seem to "clash" with being a Goth, and how they do or don't.
21. What's in your DIY "to-do" pile? Or, what DIY materials have you still not found a purpose for?
22. Name the stupidest piece of advice anyone has given to you about being a Goth. Counter it with some good ones.
23. Post about your Goth-related collections. What are some things you want to add to it? Which are your favorites?
24. List some of your Goth Idols. Who are they and why do they inspire you?
25. Post your everyday make up routine, with product names.
26. Do a "Lately" post of what you've been posting on other websites, like Pinterest, Goodreads, Twitter, or Tumblr.
27. Dedicate an entire post to your favorite Goth song. Post a link to it, transcribe the lyrics, or talk about why you like it so much.
28. Share plans for Halloween or another holiday.
29. Take a stance: what makes someone a Goth? 
30. Write about an article of clothing you've been wearing a lot lately. Post pictures.
31. Review an old DIY you did. Is it still holding out? What, if anything, would you change if you were to do it again?
32. If you're feeling creative, write some haikus (5-7-5 optional) about Goth things and share them. Bonus points for funny ones.
33. Post some pictures of you (or your room, or your hobbies, etc.) at your least-Gothy. 
34. Make a list of some things that, while they aren't Goth, you associate with the Goth subculture.
35. Write a review of a particularly good book you've read recently, album you've bought, or movie you've seen. Or tear apart a bad one. 
36. Take fashion inspiration from something you love (it can be as big as a historical period or small as a photograph you found on deviantArt.) Post about it. Include pictures and links.
37. Talk about a political issue, make a case for why Goths should care.
38. What are some of the things you consider essential for Goths to own?
39. Post some recent reader mail or comments that have made you smile, and say thank you.
40. List some blog topics you'd like other bloggers to post about. What issues do you want their opinions on?
41. Talk about what kind of Goth-related Business you'd own if you could. Fashion, music, wedding planning? What would you do?
42. Post a haul of things you've bought lately, or if you've made a haul lately show the items in action. 
43. Write a bunch of funny responses to common Goth cat-calls. 
44. Confess: What trends in Goth do you not like?
45. List several silly Goth-related pet names, bonus if they're the actual names of your pets. 
46. Write an open letter to someone, or groups of someones. It can be funny or serious, sweet or scathing.
47. What traits in other Goths do you admire?
48. Do you remember the first Goth song or band that you listened to? Did you like it? (Confession: I hatedSiouxsie and the Banshees when I first heard them...oops...)
49. Post items of historical clothing or jewelry that you wish you owned.
50. Describe a Goth-related website or blog that you wish existed. What is it, what features would it have. Is there anything out there that is close, and if so why isn't it right?

What influences my Goth style/How I get out of a Wardrobe Slump

Read more about the challenge here. Haha, what will I do when I'm done with this challenge?

My fiction writing and my roleplaying characters influence my style a bit. Also other books...it's kind of like method acting...or cosplay. Also, NYC itself is pretty inspiring for style. You've got everything from gutter punks to the high-end dark couture. For a while, when I worked at an art book publisher, I was heavily inspired by the gallery scene: mostly big black baggy things with a hipster flair.

me at an indie arts and culture magazine launch party

gutter punks in williamsburg

Darkstalker Girl: A Goth-y Blog Challenge!

Darkstalker Girl (her blog seems to be gone, but this post lives on) made the following for Goth-y types. I'm totally doing this! It'll probably take me a year, but I'm doing it! I'll link them as I do them.

So, Goth challenge 2013:

1.  5 pieces that every Goth wardrobe should have, regardless of style
2.  5 movies for Goths
3.  What my own Goth lifestyle is like 
4.  Favorite thing to put on my head
5.  My wardrobe turnover
6.  My favorite Goth brand
7.  Why I wear Goth fashion?
8.  Why don't I wear Goth all the time?
9.  5 keywords that describe my personal Goth style
10.  How I first found out about Goth fashion
11.  3 trends I wish would come back
12.  Combining other fashions with Goth
13.  Goths I have met in real life
14.  Goths I would love to meet (meh not doing this)
15.  3 things I wish I was told when I was a Baby Bat
16.  10 facts about my Goth wardrobe
17.  My first concert/festival
18.  Trends I thought I would never get into, but I now love
19.  Trends I thought I loved, but now I'm not too keen on
20.  How satisfied I am with my current wardrobe
21.  Plan for a trip! A week's worth of Goth outfits I can fit in a small suitcase
22.  How I accessorize
23.  What influences my Goth style
24.  What's in my makeup bag
25.  Best places to wear Goth fashions
26.  How I get out of a wardrobe slump
27.  Purses that I love
28.  Corsets or no?
29.  Goth-ing things in my everyday life
30.  How long it took me to build a complete wardrobe (no need to blog about it... it's never complete!)
31.  Impulse buys that were totally worth it
32.  My best deal
33.  Something that I made
34.  Wardrobe blunders! Things I bought that I ended up regretting!
35.  What I thought when I got my first real Goth fashion item
36.  Nails to match my favorite looks
37.  Something that's not my style, but I love anyways
38.  Favorite hair style
39.  Most versatile Goth item I own
40.  5 inspirational fictional characters
41.  Fondest concert/festival
42.  The ways in which I fit the cliche
43.  The ways in which I do not fit the cliche
44.  How strangers react to my clothes, and how I react to their reactions
45.  Something that was a gift
46.  Parasols: Vital or frivolous?
47.  The item in my wardrobe that was the hardest to get
48.  My "signature" outfit
49.  My favorite Goth book and movie
50.  What's in my closet, but I haven't worn yet!
51.  Predict the next Goth trend!
52.  How Goth has changed me