OOTD: Public Speaking Engagement

Apparently public speaking is one of the most common fears of Americans, which is something I love, because now my practiced ability of not saying "um" or "uh" and speaking loudly is celebrated as some kind of major talent. So, here's what I wore for a recent public speaking engagement.

Shirt: Thrifted
Skirt: Calvin Klien for Macy's
Shoes: Payless
Handbag: Walmart
Watch, belt: Target
Pearls: Gift

Do you all like public speaking?

Merry Christmas!

For my followers who celebrate, Merry Christmas! For those of you who don't, I hope you have a lovely day with the people you care about most. I'm quite busy with things for work still (no rest for the wicked, I'm afraid) but I do have time to leave you all with my favorite silly Goth Christmas tradition: Gothic Christmas by Within Temptation.
  

 What are you doing for the day?

Two Minute Goth Planner DIY: Planner Charms

For my third planner DIY on this blog I thought I would do the easiest DIY ever. Yes, easier than gluing an embellishment on a paperclip (and significantly less messy.) It takes two minutes and adds a cute touch to any planner.

To complete this DIY, you will need:

• A phone charm hook
• Necklace charms
• Neetle-nose pliers 
• ...
• ...
• ...
• Yup, that's it.

You can probably also guess what comes next. Attach the necklace charms to the phone charm hook (I find one or two look best, more than that tends to look rather cluttered.)

And you're done! To add it to a ring binder style planner, clip it into one of the rings and close the planner. You can add it to the lowest ring to make it hang out more, or a higher ring.

Once it's closed: 

To attach it to a coil bound planner, loop the phone charm through itself to attach it to the coil. 

So that's it! A simple two minute DIY planner accessory that adds style to your planner. If you make a bunch of these you can switch them out whenever you want to change up the decor of your planner. Check Etsy or your local craft store around Halloween time for necklace charms.

Gothic Christmas Decor

Due to my current work circumstances, there's not much decorating I can do for Christmas. After living in dorms for a few years where this was also the case (well, not that I couldn't, but by the end of the semester I was so fried I couldn't be bothered) I'm really starting to fantasize about when I can get an apartment, settle down, and madly dance around listening to Sisters of Mercy while stringing purple fairy lights and skulls wearing Santa Clause hats.

Until then, I am adding to my Gothic Christmas Pinterest board which has tons of inspiration for seasonal dark decor. Here's a sneak peak:


How are you decorating for Christmas this year? Do you like to Goth things up or do you keep them more traditional?

24 More Non-Clothing Gifts for Goths

If you're having problems getting a holiday gift for your favorite Gothy type but you don't want to buy them clothing because you aren't sure about their size or style, have I got a list for you. Back in 2014 I wrote a list of 24 Non-Clothing gifts for Goths, and now I'm back with 24 more ideas to keep you busy.

1. For the bakers, a set of cookie cutters in fun shapes like bats and skulls
2. A throw blanket 
3. A makeup bag or empty palette
4. Patches for adding to a DIY punk vest
5. Reusable plastic tumblers or travel mugs
6. A silicone ice cube tray with shapes like coffins, skulls, bats, and pumpkins (perfect not just for ice cubes but also for making soaps, candles, gummies, and other goodies.)
7. A pack of playing cards or tarot cards
8. Glass display cloches for them to fill up with their treasures.
9. An absinthe kit (if of age in your country)
10. Concert tickets for the coming year 
11. Halloween craft ephemera from your local craft store, I'm sure they'll find a use for it
12. Washi tape
13. Frivolous food items like skull-shaped sugar cubes 
14. Stained glass window hangings/ light catchers
15. Small bird cage decorations (maybe filled with flowers or candles, or empty for them to fill)
16. If they like to light candles (or are a smoker), maybe a pretty Zippo lighter
17. New Gothy patterned hand towels
18. Notecard sets for all their spooky penpaling needs
19. One of the new hard-cover collectible editions of classic Gothic novels 
20. Vintage silver catch-all dishes or trays for their house
21. Literally anything from Disney's Haunted Mansion collection
22. Nail art stencils (there are plenty of gothy or Halloween varieties out there.)
23. A wallet, card case, or coin purse
24. A container for makeup brushes (there are tons of skull ones around)

I hope this was helpful in giving you some ideas! So, for my Gothy readers, what are you hoping for this holiday season?