Ghoulish, Dreadful, Macabre and Gruesome

It seems we try so hard to come off with really creepy, intense Halloween costumes and while sometimes we, as modern folk,s pull out all the stops and succeed, it turns out nothing is scarier than the Halloween costumes from early in the last century. This imagery is from all around the web and was compiled last year by Faux Magazine.

Welcome to the Freak Show

So I really dig making stuff. And when I came up with the idea to do a Halloween Party this year I must say I was a tiny bit influenced by last years reading of Geek Love in developing the invitation. And now this year, American Horror Story is doing "Freak Show," I felt it only appropriate to celebrate with the same.

Instead of sending flat cards I did a three dimensional invite and thought to hand them out when I saw folks! It was a blast to make and the husband really enjoyed getting in on the engineering of it. Our kitchen table was laden with tiny legs and arms to create the conjoined twins.

I wrote a special poem for the invitation itself.

Meet Arthur and Anslemo, The Siamese Twins

You'll shriek, you'll gasp, you'll wheeze and spin.

Come one, Come all for only one night.

A carnival of Freaks, my what a sight.

The Three Legged Man, The Bearded Lady

Everyone there, just a tad shady!

Please Join Gwen and Bulent

The Ringmasters, Under the Big Top

When: Saturday October 25th

What Time: 7:30 to Midnight

Where: Our House

Attire: Dress as Your favorite Freak or

 Side Show Pass Around

Other: Bring some food or drink to share.

PLEASE RESPOND by the 20th of October.

And then the entire little ditty:

Sorry about this one. I wish it was more in focus.

Hazel Village

This past weekend was my niece's first birthday. Riley turned 1 and fun was had all. I wrote her a little poem so she won't forget us, living all the way out here in California. Kinda cute. It expresses how I feel, anyway. And, I don't want her not to know who we are. Uncle Boo and Auntie Wendi.

Riley, not a little baby anymore

Ten tiny toes and fingers still, like before

Now they are one and so is she

As Riley ages more and more pretty will be

I can’t wait to see how her life will unfold

So many adventures; stories better than gold.

My best advice to you my dear, sweet niece

Please love yourself, each special little piece

You, my Riley Quinn, are the only one

So unique, so priceless and so much fun

Remember, that although Uncle Boo and I are far away

You are so close to our hearts and we will never stray.

When you turn six I’m sure you’ll tell a joke and be funny

Happy 1^st Birthday Sweet Pea! Enjoy this Juliette Bunny!

I was shopping for my sweet girl's birthday present. I had several stipulations though (not that I am high maintenance or anything). I wanted the gift to be a soft friend. I wanted it to be very personalized and I wanted something that would be lasting. 

I found a treat so unique; so magical, that I was simply prepared to pay any amount of money! And enter Hazel Village. Look at this...it makes me scream and clap and dance with joy! This little Story, "Juliette's Painted Trunk" is the reason I chose Juliette for Riley. (For copyright purposes, I have only included a wee bit of the story pictures). Click here to see this and other stories from the imagination of  Jane Van Cleef. You will be utterly enchanted.

Visiting Friends

Here are a few blogs that I highly recommend visiting. I enjoy them anyhow...
Perhaps you will too. They always have:

• A fresh perspective
• Pretty pictures
• Clever ideas
• Good Vibes (which you know I like to proliferate)!

Also, they are portals to dream worlds. It's some good old fashioned escapism!

Hooked on Houses is on my Blogroll because I. LOVE. IT.  Julia's niche, all about awesome realestate, is remarkable. I love to go there and eat my heart out.

Bri Emery is the Founder/Director at Design Love Fest. It's a crisp clean blog and she is so charming. You can't help but become enraptured by her and her view.

Creatively Driven is rad. Loretta is real and wonderful. Down to earth and seems like a person you could have coffee with, during which meeting you'd likely learn all about the world.

Bekuh B. has a simple yet pretty blog full of daily inspiration and creative insight.

Kids Stuff

I have lots of friends with littles. And I have some friends with new littles on the way. I even have friends with Grand-littles. And especially, I have a niece who will be turning one on October 3rd (that will be it's own post) and a little nephew, too!

Here are some precious things from Etsy that I really admire for the wee ones.

1. Pixie Hat
2. A Tiny Romper
3. Polka Dotted Leggings
4. Majorly Awesome Soft Friend
5. Bunny Dish
6. Critter Pillows

A Shiny, New, Ramped Up Blog!

So I went to Etsy and scoured all kinds of designers and blog templates until I found just the right fit for  P and P! I came across Lisa's Menagerie where I became mesmerized not just by her blog templates but also by her mixed media art pieces. Lisa has been amazing! She is very professional and knowledgable and even though I know this process has been frustrating for both of us, she kept both of us on the steady. For more information visit her Etsy store or at Pixel Anthology which provides a much more comprehensive view of the things she does. Thank you, Lisa!

WARNING - EXPLICIT - Fun, Exciting, and Unusual for Poppies

But I had to share this. It's a music video some friends shared on Facebook and while I am not on Facebook (I have an account but can't be bothered to engage), my husband often shares things with me, especially when it might evoke a giggle. He showed this to me just this morning and giggle I did! It involves a party. It starts with a tiny earthquake which rolls into a full out emotional, rageful, sexy romp coupled with a catchy beat. The video/song is DJ Snake and Lil Jon, "Turn Down for What."

I'm not heavy into rap per se, but every once in a while, something turns up which becomes (to quote German phraseology) an ear worm. This is one such "song." And the video is how I feel inside sometimes. I hope lots of people feel this way otherwise (and unfortunately) I suspect I may be certifiable.

Enjoy!

Adrien Broom - Surprise!

I have seen a few things. Not tons of stuff, mind you - a few things - more than the average Joe...well, Josephine in my case, I suppose.

I've been to a few other countries. I speak (albeit marginally) another language, I can cook world cuisine and I married a Mediterranean man. At this point, I feel like I've been surprised, titillated, hypnotized, mesmerized, wowed, and awed as much as I can be. It's disconcerting to walk into middle age thinking this.

I went to art school knowing full well that I need - no, thirst for - stimulation; that's just me. As, I've grown older, I find that it is harder for me to feel viscerally stimulated. And then there was today...

Today, I searched #somethingnew. And what came up was a world of color by Adrien Broom. She is a Connecticut artist whose imagination matches that of Erin Morgenstern in The Night Circus. Her creativity and vision is captivating at the least.

She has started "The Color Project" which I found on My Modern Metropolis. Her art is nothing short of genius. As I look at my Art History background, I remember studying artistic movements. We are in a new movement currently but which lacks a name. In a world where Dystopic novels are translated to the screen and where electronics have taken the place of relationships, it is comforting to see that imagination and expressiveness still win out. Enjoy this part of her series but please follow the links above so you can see more of Adrien's fascinating virtuosity.

You also know how much I love Vimeo. So here is a film that chronicles a behind the scenes look at this artist and her art.



Behind the Scenes of Orange from Adrien Broom on Vimeo.