Tearing My Hair Out

It is with some regularity that Firefox decides to throw a temper tantrum and deletes all my bookmarks. I have just noticed that the Victorian folder I had created is completely gone. ARRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
There was a link to an absolutely fantastic blog that featured oodles and oodles of fantastic steampunk/neo-victorian/goth-y goodness and I cannot, for the life of me, remember what it is called. It first came to my attention when it featured this stunning absinthe decanter from the Victorian Trading Company.

I know I'm not providing a lot of information to go on, but if anyone could help me find this blog again (I think it was on wordpress?) I would be eternally grateful.
In the meantime I shall just peruse the glorious and drool-worthy wares that the Victorian Trading Company offers...
case in point:

Railway Station Dancing Doll Music Box
Singing Bird Boxes - Silver Warbler Box
I could go on and on and on for days and days posting the photos of their finery.

So, yeah...any help in finding that blog would be GREATLY appreciated.

Bloody Fantastic!

Greetings ghouls and boils:

As Halloween (the holiday I hold most dear) draws near it's important to allow your baking to reflect the spirit of the season. So, in the spirit of ghosts, zombies, blood and guts I give you the following:

Courtesy of Etsy's How-Tuesday:
Sweet Tooth of the Tiger makes Bleeding Vampire Cupcakes


read the rest of the article by clicking the How-Tuesday link above.

If zombies are more your speed then I give you:
beatblack's Lunch Meat necklace:

ChristineRenee's

Zombie Escape Plan journal

Do have a newborn? Are you looking for a mobile to hang over the crib? Then try

SaltyandSweet's

Six Feet Under Mobile (one of the absolute most awesome things I've seen in ages!)


How bloody fantastic...
Have a spooktacular evening.

Watch as Your Jack-o-lanterns Cower in Fear

I really don't think this post requires any explanation...

taken from ectoplasmosis.com

Busy Little Bee

I've been a busy little bee the past few days. Between job hunting, getting pieces ready for a photography contest and networking like a woman possessed, I'm exhausted. It wouldn't be quite so bad if I had a decent night's sleep, but alas, such was not the case. I had an odd dream of taking photographs of ghosts dressed in Victorian era clothing with my old polaroid camera while a friend of mine (who was, in this dream, schizophrenic) stenciled his living room walls with black spray paint and orange construction site webbing. He wasn't the least bit phased by the images I was capturing on film. Odd. But I digress...

I've had a busy week and the weekend looks as though it will be equally hectic...but tonight should be fun and interesting. I am the newest member in training for River Valley Paranormal Research and Investigations (RVPRI) and tonight, tomorrow night and Halloween night I will be joining them at a large tuberculosis sanatorium. I joined them last Saturday and it was a rather interesting evening. Hopefully this weekend will prove to be even better.

I almost forgot to mention: I was accepted as an artist on Trunkt. I would love it if you would stop by, take a look and say hi.

Today I leave you with this:
I thought I'd google the term "skunks in love." I found this at http://www.antoniol.com/
Too bad they only make it in children's sizes, cause I would totally rock this.

A Morning Cup of Attention Deficit Disorder

I am predisposed to bouts of fixation/obsession. Not a creepy kind of obsession, mind you...more like a "Wow, I love this! How have I managed to live without it this long!?" kind of obsession. What am I currently obsessed with? In the interest of time, we'll go with the short list today, shall we?

Obsession #1:
Choward's Violet Mints
These things make me drool just thinking about them. Admittedly, they might not be to everyone's taste, (I had one friend say it was like sucking on a sachet from someone's underwear drawer.) but I think they're divine. They taste like violets. Yes, violets and they're yummy in my tummy. They have a slightly powdery, sweet floral taste. Give 'em a try. You can order them direct through Choward's or at Target.com

Obsession #2:
Cheerwine
I first discovered Cheerwine while I was rehearing for a production of "Fumed Oak" when I was 11 years old. By the time I was 12 I couldn't find it anywhere. Jump waaaaay ahead to 2006...I was in a theater watching what was quite possibly the worst film ever made when what did I spy in the background? A Cheerwine vending machine. This brought me hope that my beloved soda was still being manufactured. Lo and behold, it is. Can I get a woohoo? WooHoo!

Obsession #3:
These gorgeous items by these etsy sellers

Etsy Buy Handmade downanddirty

One question (or rant, depending on your point of view):
When did reporters (in all forms of media) become so confused? It seems that journalists are editorializing. There are no ethics in journalism anymore. Reporters are to give the facts, not opinions...with all the spinning and slanting that has been going on this election year (hell...the past 10 years for that matter) it's a wonder that everyone isn't completely dizzy.
"Obama is a socialist." "McCain is a racist." "What common food item in your kitchen is killing you right now? Tune in at 10 for the answer."
The news media is filled with rumors, lies and sensationalism. They prey on fear to gain viewer/readership. A newspaper shouldn't endorse a candidate (I'll bet there's fair and unbiased coverage there, eh?) *ahem...Washington Post...ahem...Boston Herald...ahem*
The news outlets should all be ashamed of themselves. I shudder to think what will happen if the media continues down this road void of ethics and real information.

I leave you with this:

A Morbid Bit of History

Last Friday night I ventured out into the pleasant Ft. Smith evening to enjoy an evening of chills and thrills on the Murder and Mayhem tour offered by the Fort Smith Museum of History. Though most of the stories were harmless and far from frightening, there was one that made my stomach churn and my hair stand on end:

*warning: the following story is graphic and disturbing in nature*

In 1958 Bobby Joe Burns was a 28 year old paranoid schizophrenic with a drug habit. After being admitted to a state mental hospital for a second time, Bobby Joe's mother, Edna, requested his release. Little did she know that this would lead to her gruesome death at the hands of her troubled son.

On Monday, January 27, 1958 the severed head of Edna Burns was found at Immaculate Conception Church inside one of the vestibules. Bobby Joe, claiming he received consent from his mother, proceeded to drug and mutilate her. Later claiming that he was performing an ancient Aztec ritual, Bobby Joe removed her tongue, part of her nose, one of her eyes and then decapitated her. ( One version of the tale claims that he then plugged a radio into her neck.) He also made references to Revelations 20: 9-11 ("They invaded the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them. The devil who had led them astray was thrown into the pool of fire and sulfuf, where the beast and the false prophet were. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them."). Bobby Joe Burns spent the remainder of his years in a mental hospital. Although unconfirmed, he is believed to have passed away some time during the 1980's.
For more information on this and other bits of Fort Smith history, visit the Fort Smith Historical Society.


I told you it was disturbing.
*shivers*

Immaculate Conception Church:


Bobby Joe Burns:



a letter from Bobby Joe Burns

Snap Snap Click Click

Since all my art and craft supplies are packed away in boxes (due to my recent move) the only outlet I currently have is my photography...and I've been shooting like a woman possessed.

Here are my newest pieces available at downanddirty.etsy.com:
(click the photos to see larger images)







Aside from fleeing a hurricane, endless driving, packing, flat tires and tetanus shots, I'm settling nicely into my life here in the mountains. Now I'm just patiently waiting to find my art/craft supplies and for the leaves to turn.