Fashioning My Cyber Microcosm: Liebster Award

Although I don't have anyone to tag, I must thank Aristocratic Elegance in allowing me the opportunity to join the Liebster fun. Hopefully one day I can update this with people whom I tag to continue this meme fun.

The Rules: Each person must post 11 things about themselves. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you. Create 11 questions for the people you tag. Choose 11 people and link back to them. No tag backs.

11 Things about me:
1. I love to travel-- I've been to Vegas, Maui, Toronto, Vancouver and parts in between. My biggest wish is to visit Germany one day.

2. I don't have any other piercings besides single pierced lobes.

3. I don't have any tattoos... though I have plans for that to change.


4. In Jr. High I shaved off my entire head of hair in front of an assembly and camera crew for cancer for kids-- best and worst decision I ever made-- and since in those years I was a hardcore "babybat", it "worked" with my look so to say hahah!

5. I have a "try almost anything once" rule (super addictive drugs and super dangerous stunts excluded) and oddly enough has not let me down yet...

6. My sweet tooth is truly insatiable. Halloween is a blessing/curse.

7. The only ailment my teeth have suffered is sensitivity... which is surprising considering the above.

8. I am gothic in aesthetic, but hippy in music hehe-- I love New Age and Chill Out with a splish splash of Jazz... I do listen to Rammstein rather religiously and some classical, though, which is as close to goth as I get.

9. I'm quite "superstitious"-- I believe in destiny, fate, karma and all that jazz.

10. I love movies so much I invented a game called "Movie Quote" whereas if I use a movie quote in my every day speech (which I do very often, no joke) I yell out "MOVIE QUOTE" and my hubby has to try to guess who and which movie it was said in.

11. Though I am Hispanic in heritage, I speak very broken Spanish-- I can't type it and I certainly cannot read it.... the shame!

11 Questions from Aristocratic Elegance :

1. Have you dyed your hair? If so, what has been your favorite color?
 Yes, I have-- many colors during my babybat years before I shaved it all off. My favorite color was violet, which I hope to redo someday.

2. Do you like to be very busy on vacations? (lots of walking, visiting local sights, etc.), or relax?
It depends where I am, really. In Hawaii I did nothing but lay on the beach by the waves and let them wash me away and back in. In Vegas I did lots of partying, lots of sight seeing, and some shopping heheh.

3. What is your favorite instrumental music?
Without a doubt it is cello in combination with the accordion.

4. Which do you prefer, rain or sun?
Once again it's situational. Where I live I prefer it when it rains because the cloud formations and lightning shows are immeasurably beautiful... though it's rather annoying since when it does rain there is a very high likelihood it knocks the power out.

5. Hobbies or things you always wanted to do as a child but never did?
I guess I'm lucky in regards to hobbies-- there isn't anything I wanted to do that I eventually didn't... but with things... I've always wanted to backpack through Europe. I don't think that's the safest thing these days.... at least I'd be super reluctant if it ever did come up.

6. Favorite sandwich?
I'm not fond of sandwiches to begin with... but if I had to pick a favorite, it's an Italian sausage  sandwich.

7. Last place you walked to?
I didn't have a destination in mind, but I did do a little walk outside just yesterday.

8. Last book you read?
In its entirety? The complete works of Edgar Allan Poe-- but then, I am always reading him regardless of what I am currently reading... which at the moment is the Foundation series by Issac Asimov.

9. What fictional world would you like to live in?
A world where I can comfortably live off my trade heheh.


10. Would you rather take personal transport (your own car, bike, motorcycle, etc.) or public transportation?
Ideally public transportation, and it has to be as good as I had it in my home city. But present living situation forces one to use a car since everything is so far from everything else.

11. Something you would definitely not want to have with you if you were ever stranded on a desert island?
Oh this is tough... it's hard to think in those terms considering being stranded on island, desert no less, is bad enough... but I guess a lazy or unwilling person. It's hard having to survive let alone for another as well.

My 11 questions:

1. If you could live anywhere and be anything, what would it be?
2. Have you seen any kind of "wonder of the world" attraction, and if so which? ( ex. Grand Canyon, Northern Lights, Eiffel Tower, Stonehenge...)
3. You're a chef-- what's today's special?
4. In the past month (not "ever"), what was one limited item you wanted SO badly but ended up not buying and deeply regret that decision?
5. You just won a $500 gift card, where is it for and what will you buy there?
6. How do you resolve a conflict? "Make love not war, man" or "Let's find the happy median" or "DEMS FIGHTN WORDS!!!1!"
7. You just won backstage passes-- what show/band are they for?
8. Au naturel or Eau de toilette (no perfume or perfume)? If you chose perfume, what is your favorite scent or scent combo?
9. When you die will you be buried or cremated? And during your funeral will your casket be open or closed, and why?
10. What's your idea of a romantic or awesome day out?
11.  If you could learn an ancient fighting style, from which culture would you pick?

I tag: (no one at the moment)

Please don't be shy to ask to be tagged-- I'll be sure to update this with your blog if you do. If you don't have a blog but still feel like answering the questions, feel free to comment!

P.S. I know that au naturel means naked-- I just wanted something that went with the latter choice ;)




 

Skeleton Closet: The Vintage Vest.

I always seem to have this issue of not feeling like I look goth during the summer months despite wearing black all over. So as often as I want to, I'll be posting up my outfits for the public to decide whether it's just black clothes or gothic summer time flair.

Last year while I was still living up North, I came upon a vintage shop downtown called USED-House of Vintage. My build is teetering on the larger side, so despite finding many beautiful things my thick ribs and small bust kept making fitting situations awkward and tight.... until I saw a little piece of awesome peeking out from a chest. When I uncovered it, it was one of the most beautiful vests I've ever laid eyes on and it fit!





It is from a company called DAM American Concept; I haven't done much research into it, and a quick google search yielded nothing of note.
It has a mesh front with a floral pattern sewn onto it with ribbon. The back is velvet with a lacing detail to cinch it. The buttons are tattered and I am not really fond of them-- but I haven't found buttons that I'm happy with to replace them.

 

 In this outfit, I incorporated the vest with a cotton black camisole I found at the thrift store by Urban Behavior, and another thrifted find being the black mesh and lace petticoat found at the same thrift store as the vest. I got the beautiful semi-flats at an outdoor fleamarket with my husband years ago, but I've seen the style bounce around in stiletto-pump form.

To top it all off I wore a hairbow and necklace I made.

Obvious steampunk influence

So... Goth or not?

Mortem's Tricks or Treats: The Rockabilly-Kitsch Apron

 I recently became the owner of a brand new piece of household machinery. The SE400 Brother Embroidery/Sewing machine.

 It's simple and rather limited as far as embroidery machines go, but profoundly fun to noodle around with above average home use.

Or so I assume!...

I've only had this machine for a little over 2 weeks now, so I haven't quite explored all its features and capabilities.
Add to the fact that all my supply and materials are back in the snowy North; I have very little to really acquaint myself with this machine.
But having a wonderful and concerned husband, he drove me to buy a little bit of materials in Flagstaff.

If anyone I know is reading this, they know that the minute "buy supply" crosses my head, suddenly everything turns hazy! Any idea I might've had floats away into oblivion. So he patiently waited as I strolled through isles pulling out bolt after bolt of fabric and trims... that is until the third run through...

He got fed up and grabbed some day of the dead fabric he saw me purchase before, and told me that THAT was what I was getting-- now match it!

Easy enough! I grabbed a prepackaged quilting square of purple fabric, and matching pom pom trim; which in all honesty, piqued my interest at first, and the reason why it was sooo easy to make the matching decision. He and I mesh so well... *end sap*

I'd like to add that there were a myriad of more useful things I could've made-- at the store with the fabric, I had no idea that an apron was what I was going to make with it all. But as the people who know me know, I love to cook gourmet! (my personal and secret blend of herbs in my fried chicken, and roasted garlic and herb scratch burgers topped with my own secret sauce are favorites amongst my husband and his co-workers!) And when my cauldron in the kitchen starts its bubbling I create quite the mess. So it almost came to me instinctively to make the apron.

Back at home, I was having issues with my rather large spool failing to fit on the rather small holder on the machine; I always stock on large serger spools of black thread because I go through it faster than I do a case of vanilla cola.
After tinkering a little trying to figure an easy way to use it, I decided to go digging through items in the house that I could fashion to serve this need.
So I came up with a cutting board holder with removable pegs, some various paper clips, and some duct tape....

Minutes later, I had MacGyver'd myself a spool holder:

Necessity breeds ingenuity!

I didn't tape the pegs down in case I needed to move them over to use it with a twin needle later.
And after some needed time getting to know my machine, I realized that I spent more time smiling and having fun than I ever had with my previous machines. I never had to unstitch and redo seams at all (a problem which at first I thought was me and a lack of sewing skill!)-- it was bliss. I drafted the pattern for this one myself, using container lids and other such tom foolery, as I don't ordinarily work with premade ones.

P.S. I've decided to help any potential readers skip my "fluff" entirely in regards to my posts. Keeping my titles relevant to the body of the post. Creepy Craft Crusades is the title I will use when the post pertains to my love affair with crafts.

P.P.S I use post script too often already! Hah! 

All images and designs copyright Madame Mari Mortem©. Do not copy or reproduce without the explicit consent of the owner.

Fashioning My Cyber Microcosm: The Face Routine Part 1

In this my second post and part of my steadily forming "Foundation" series, I share my obligatory 'days in the life of me' cleverly titled "Fashioning My Cyber Microcosm" whereas you get to live and learn vicariously in my status quo. So onto the show!

This is my face the minute I wake up:

Not pleasant at all. Note the haggard expression and reddened eyes

My face, just like anything else in this life, requires attention and patience-- lest I wallow in self-loathing in front of a mirror pinching, picking and poking.
I have combination skin; meaning at any moment it can transform from dry and cracked as the dessert, to greasy, lumpy and uncomfortable.
It's hard times finding a happy median for this external organ.


This is what I use to fend off grease, gunk and other junk that accumulates on a daily basis:

Just add water; preferably hot.

 The first thing I do is open up my pores to allow for thorough cleaning and susceptibility to any other products and/or medication I will apply during this whole process. The key is in the hot wet towel which I leave on my face for about a minute before continuing onto cleansing....

About the only expensive item in my facial repertoire is my cleanser at a whopping $13 for the little container of Angels On Bareskin by LUSH Cosmetics. It took a lot of convincing and crying over breakouts to finally make me pay that much for something I go through, well... on a daily basis.

All you need is a pea sized amount; this is just slightly more than that

But I don't believe that after trying this I'll be so quick to try the newest thing yet! It has helped my skin pull itself together more than cussing and begging has ever done. You don't really use that much, and as such the little tub turns out to be more than enough to last you a few months of daily washings. Plus you can't beat that earthen lovely lavender scent. My only gripe is that it's tremendously crumbly and will leave crumbs and residue if not rinsed thoroughly. 
 As much as I wish this was enough, it isn't so. After said cleansing is done I must confront any breakouts that for me are aggravated by abrasive touching AKA: washing.
I feel that as a precautionary measure, I must warn you that this next step is not for the faint of heart... or skin.

Many have told me of the awesome rejuvenating powers of tea tree oil. Ridding ailed skin of blemishes and other attack-on-the-eyes on your skin. But like I am warning you for the sake of it, I too was warned only to use it in a diluted form.

While my skin is still dripping wet (which also means pores are still open) I apply tea tree oil onto a cosmetic cotton pad and dab the ailing areas on my face; my cheeks, jaw, and forehead.Working quickly while the skin still feels spongy like after a shower.

After finding various diluted ways and not reaching the potency I wanted, I decided to say 'what the hell' to all those warnings (I am in no way advocating that you do the same!) and use it in its purest 100% state. And let me tell you... it burned like mentholated gel!
But once my vision was restored (I jest) and the initial burning had died down... sweet clarity! Sweet bliss, could it be? In just minutes my skins reddening was less than before and my breakouts were visibly shrinking!

Alas, all things are too good to be true... for in drying out my breakouts with the tea tree oil, I essentially dried out my skin. It was visibly dry like a sponge that was left out in the sun if I didn't apply the moisturizer before the tea tree oil gets soaked into the skin. When your skin is normally dry and tensions are normal, it means that your pores are closed and not much will be all that effective.

To this day, I haven't really found a lotion that cooperates with my regime as I want it to.
 For now I use this lotion that my mother gave me from a mail order company called Yves Rocher.

Still not completely convinced about this product

I've normally had a lot of success with Yves Rocher and their hair and perfume lines, but this the first time trying some of their skin care products and I must say I am underwhelmed. It's not bad, but it's not good either.

But anyway, there you have it; my facial routine and my battle for skin bliss.

Refreshed and eager!

P.S. As a rule I only wear t-shirts to bed and to hang about the home... but since this is post not pertaining to fashion but personal care, I chose to go the easy way and just wear the atrocity.

The Intro

Greetings fellow bloggers and blog readers.

Like people pitted with the epithets ghoulish and weird, I absolutely adore all things dark and seemingly strange when it comes to what I surround myself with. Though, it's not unusual for me to display my fanatical type of love towards things regarded as kawaii or even mainstream either.

I like what I like, and what I like is crafts, gaming, movies, sci-fi and Hallowe'en... You will very rarely catch me deviating from these subjects.
I appreciate thoughtful writing, and though at times I can be very wordy and my grammar might leave a lot to be desired, you can be sure that I make every attempt to instill my heart into every post and every word I lay before you; in a world where quick and easy is abundant and much ado about nothing and everything is gone, I'd like to think my corner is a place where those seeking stories about mundanities in the life of a strangling (to which my life has plenty of! Hah!) can find some solace.

You might have noticed I sew. A lot. One could say I live and die to sew.
I haven't had any formal training or personal tutelage in the subject of sewing, a topic that seems to dominate my blog more than I really intend, but c'est la vie when you're as passionate about a particular subject.
I taught myself to sew (and still yet) through observational deduction, books, and of course, the occasional online video-- this is not meant as a boast, more so an embarrassing admission to what is likely a mountainous task of undoing the profusion of bad form I have inadvertently garnered through the action of becoming self taught.

I do hope you find inspiration here, in the blog of your neighborhood eccentric archetype!

Disclaimers:

• My designs and many photos (unless otherwise noted) are my intellectual property, please do not copy without my explicit consent-- I share my designs in good faith.
• I am not a professional; my advice is not scientific fact, it's just very simply and dangerously my own opinion. Use any advice written herein with your own discretion. I am not responsible for any negative consequences made by your choices.
• I am the mind behind Strange Coven, a spooky purveyor of retro Halloween-centric handmade delights
• I am currently open to writing sponsored reviews. However, I would like to keep the overall theme of my blog rather consistent; if it's gothy or is vintage inspired, I shall consider a collaboration. Bear in mind, my reviews do not always guarantee glowing recommendations to my readers.
• Current banner created with elements from :Pixlr Photo Edititing and The Graphics Fairy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Contact Info:

Email me at: mari.mortem@gmail.com