I Miss Halloween Already {October Updates}

I know, I know... It's November-but I've been crazy busy, so this update is happening a little late.  Let's start with Halloween, because I miss it already.  It was a great Halloween-though a little different.  Every year I host a Halloween party and invite all of my friends.  However, this year I just didn't feel up to it.  I'm still dealing with missing my best friend and the financial and emotional difficulties that come from learning to live alone.  My heart wasn't in it, and it felt like no big deal until Halloween day when something felt... Off.  I also hadn't realized how many of my friends relied on it, because I was asked at least 10 times if I was hosting and why I wasn't.  I definitely have to next year.

This year was also off because I had no idea what to be.  I confess...  I literally woke up Halloween morning and thought-I can be a gypsy!  I grabbed two skirts, three scarves, a tank top, a flowy cardigan, big earrings, lots of eyeliner, and the bells that hang over my front door and just layered them.  It actually didn't turn out bad, and I got lots of compliments to my surprise.

 

I confess that also stayed up until midnight the night before baking cookies.  It's been a long time since I've done that, so it was fun! 

 

Book Review: Thirty Scary Tales by Rayne Hall

Synopsis According to Goodreads:

Thirty creepy, atmospheric horror stories by Rayne Hall.

These stories are 'quiet' horror, not overly violent and gory, although there are some graphic moments.

Please note: these stories have been previously published in magazines, e-zines and anthologies as well as in the Six Scary Tales collections.

British English.

★★★★★ What I Think:

Awwww... There is nothing I love more than Halloween... Unless, maybe, it's a bunch of creeptastic stories to read in the weeks leading up to Halloween.  Yes, that might be better.  Psyching myself up, working up the creep factor in my life before it's time to actually go out and get scared.

I received Thirty Scary Tales by Rayne Hall via my Kindle App free via Tomoson, but I'm going to give you my 100% honest opinion.  I really enjoyed it.  The horror is subtle, but just enough that after each tale ends you're left with a little bit of shock and a whole lot of wondering... Wondering what happened next... Wondering where the character goes from there... But, not enough wondering that it's not an enjoyable and wonderfully creepy ending.

I especially loved this author's twist on zombies. It wasn't your same mindless brain-eating machine every other zombie seems to be, but it's a gray walker... A sort of mythical zombie who is aware of what he might do, and what he eventually ends up doing-and he's fueled by emotion and thoughts and witches magic.  It was fantastic!

I highly recommend you read these scary stories.  Currently you can get it free on Kindle or you can purchase it for only 99 cents!  It's worth it!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Halloween {Musical Mondays}

What is Musical Mondays?

Musical Mondays is a weekly linky party where we share a song we're into for the week, and talk about why we like it-or why it effects us.  Along with talking about music, I host a month-long music related giveaway. 

This week's song:

Halloween

by Aqua

Woohoo, it's Halloween week!  I'm so excited for this weekend!  I'm going to leave this song, because-duh. 

What are you listening to this week?

Please grab the button and link up your Musical Mondays post in the linky!

<a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/search/label/Musical%20Mondays" target="blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/MUSICALMONDAYS_zpse9de9ff4.png" alt="Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos></a></p> <p>

Now for the Giveaway

Enter to win this lovely 5x7 print I purchased from artist Nan Lawson!

This giveaway will run from Monday, October 6th at 7:00AM MST to Saturday, November 1st at 12AM MST.  This is open Worldwide, void where prohibited by law, enterring agrees to all T&C in the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top 20 Movies on My Halloween Watchlist

I love Halloween, and I have a love of scary movies that goes all the way back to my childhood when Poltergeist was something I looked forward to all year, and I begged my mom to let me watch Stephen King movies.  I've always loved Halloween movies, so I'd like to share my Halloween watchlist with you!  Enjoy! 

1. Hocus Pocus (1993): This seems to be one of the top movies on most peoples' lists, and I could not agree more.  In fact I recently learned I didn't have a copy, and promptly logged into Amazon and ordered it!  Now I do!

2. Practical Magic (1998): One of those movies that can't be forgotten.  It's not necessarily overly scary, but it's a staple for me.  One of my favorite movies of all time.  It reminds me of good times and past Halloweens with Melanie.

3. The Halloween Tree (1992):  One of my favorite childhood Halloween movies.  It's strangely creepy for a cartoon, but it should be since it's made from a Ray Bradbury novel.  He has a knack for the creepy-and it's so great.

Meet Melanie Grace of Live Steamy & Ghosts in a Bottle Giveaway

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you all to one of my nearest and dearest, Miss Melanie Grace-and on her birthday no less!  Happy Birthday Melanie Grace!  I have known this girl for about 12 years now, and personally?  She's one of those all-to-rare soul mates.  We've been through a lot together, starting all the way back to our Drama weekend trip to the Utah Shakespeare Festival and being bunked together in a hotel room.  It was after that when we became pretty much inseparable, and our love has only grown from there.  We found love together, we found spirituality together, and most of all-we found ourselves together.  No matter how far away, I know our love for each other will always be there-and we'll always make an effort to stay in each other's lives.  I'm so lucky to know her. ♥

For her birthday, she has a giveaway for you too!   Read on to see it!

Handmade Love: The Dark Stuff

                                                       1. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Candles by Black Cloud Company

                                                       2. Mixed Media Sofia Queen of Heaven by Mulberry Mud

                                                       3. Moon Stud Earrings from Snark Factory

                                                       4. The Void Nail Lacquer from Firecracker Lacquer

                                                       5. Acrylic Owl Painting from In Amelia Art

                                                       6. Hand Crafted Ouija Board and Planchette from Jesse Acosta

                                                       7. Haphephobia Sad Youth Grunge Tee from Above Heaven

                                                       8. Black Leather Dragon Wallet from Pippenwycks

                                                       9. Oversized Talon Pendant from Roots and Feathers

                                                       10. Nightmares Light Up Bottle from Light Up Bottles by Live Steamy

                                                       11. Angelique Taffeta Burlesque Bustle from Gothic Burlesque

                                                       12. Four of Cups Original Drawing by Ryan Sheffield

                                                       13. Epiphany Original Drawing by Carissa Rose Art

                                                       14. Migraine Cracked Face Mask from Live Darkly

                                                       15. Slate and Charcoal Fakers from Peach Treats

                                                       16. Original Stamp Poison Bottle from Live Steamy

They say to appreciate the light you have to embrace your dark.

Do any of these lovely dark handmade items spark your interest?

Bring Out Yer Dead

Do you all remember my friend Max who launched his inaugural game design Eaten by Zombies on Kickstarter back in December of 2011?  You might not, but it was such a fantastic game (there are even awesome expansions for it) and it did pretty well for the first game he'd ever designed, and then it got picked up by Mayday Games and they ran with it for a while.  Now, Max is striking out on his new venture and creating his own company-Ginger Ale Games!  The first game Ginger Ale Games is bringing to the market?  A wonderfully put together game called Bring Out Yer Dead.

Max has teamed up with Aaron Watts to design this game, and it looks fantastic!  I've seen him working hard to make the little coffin pieces, and even design the big coffin backpacks you can get with certain levels of support.  There is so much awesome in this game-the art is certainly not the least of it all.  Just have a look/listen to this overview-and yep, that's my friend Max talking at ya!

There are various levels of support you can sign up for on the Kickstarter page, and I personally snagged the one that gets my name on one of the coffins.  How cool is that going to be to see my name on it?  My name is also in the booklet for EbZ, I think I need to keep this trend up.  YOU can have your name on the board too if you snag a spot!  

You'd also be supporting someone I'm very close to as he goes out and reaches for his dreams-which is something I know all of us (maybe secretly) wish we could do.  So even if you go over and donate a buck, you'll have my gratitude-anything to help get this off the ground!  But I recommend getting a pre-order copy, they're going to be awesome.

Handmade Love: Grimm Grinning Ghosts

                                                       1. Large Ghost Meat Post from DryWell Art

                                                       2. Glowing Ghost Necklace from Unicorn Empire Prints

                                                       3. Kawaii Ghost Hoodie Sweater from Em and Sprout

                                                       4. Ghosts Light Up Bottle from Light Up Bottles by Live Steamy

                                                       5. Phantom Nail Polish from Octopus Party Nail Lacquer

                                                       6. Tiny Ghost and Goblin Necklace from AN Original Jewelry

                                                       7. Haunted Ghost Masquerade Mask from Mystic Magic

                                                       8. Halloween Ghost Mug from Earth and Cloud Studio

                                                       9, Ghosts Halloween Trick-or-Treat Bag from Marine Parents

                                                       10. A Little Lighter Than Usual Perfume from Wylde Ivy

                                                       11. Unexpected Chill Nail Polish from Firecracker Lacquer

                                                       12. Gray Infinity Knit Scarf from S|A Scarves

                                                       13. Vintage Ghosts Fondant Toppers from Les Pops Sweets

                                                       14. Gray and Metallic Chevron Wallet from The Humble Penguin

Which ghostly item is your favorite from this list?

And because it's in my head... Here's the Grim Grinning Ghosts song... This is my childhood.

Handmade Love: The Witching Hour

                                                       1. Light Up Purple & Black Witch Costume from Glamtastic

                                                       2. Night Sky Earrings from Roots & Feathers

                                                       3. Halloween Funny Witch Shirt from Stoyko T's

                                                       4. Kawaii Cute Goth Witch Print from Love, Teacup Kisses

                                                       5. Witchcraft Light Up Bottle from Light Up Bottles by Live Steamy

                                                       6. Bone Runes from Live Darkly

                                                       7. Crescent Moon Necklace from Your Charmed Life

                                                       8. Halloween Witch Hat Wine Glasses from Elegantly Haunted

                                                       9. Witchy Pumpkin Lace Dress from Vera's Eye Candy

                                                       10. Witches Brew Nail Polish from Spectrum Cosmetics

                                                       11. Witching Hour Pillar Candle from Witchcrafts Artisan Alchemy

                                                       12. Halloween Pin Up Art Print from Hilaria Galleries

                                                       13. Purple Cotton Lace Scarf from S|A Scarves

                                                       14. Purple Costume Witch Hat from English Rose Designs OH

                                                       15. Bewitching Halloween Greeting Card from A Cat Like Curiousity

Which witchy item bewitches you?

Swapoween 2014 Recap

As many of you know, I co-host a blog called Chaotic Goddess Swaps, a blog where we partner bloggers up to send fun packages to each other.  One of our most popular swaps is Swapoween, a yearly swap where bloggers send fun Halloween-themed packages to their partners.  This year I was paired up with the lovely Kelly, from Kelly's Kinda Crazy.  Look what she sent:

• A $25 Starbucks Gift Card-so generous! 
• Bat Earrings (which are super adorable and I can't wait to wear them!)
• Fuzzy pumpkin socks. These are perfect as the weather is getting colder.
• Sleepy Hollow-I seriously love this movie.
• Reese's Pumpkins.  My. Favorite. 

Such a great package-and Kelly is awesome so you should definitely head over and say hello! 

Sad you missed this swap?  We'll soon have an announcement for our 12 Days of Christmas swap!

Handmade Love: Pick of the Pumpkin Patch

                                                       1. Happy Pumpkin Spice Season Fall Card from Lily & Val

                                                       2. Pumpkin Spice Lip Balm from Stella Kenton Body Shop

                                                       3. Made to Order Pumpkin Playsuit from I'm Your Present

                                                       4. Pumpkin and Black Cat Witches Bag from Cheeky Leopard

                                                       5. Pumpkin Pie Scented Soy Candle in Beer Bottle from B's Wax

                                                       6. Pumpkin Lotion & Sugar Scrub from The Green Canary

                                                       7. Pumpkin Light Up Bottles from Light Up Bottles by Live Steamy

                                                       8. Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece from The Little Succulent Shop

                                                       9. Halloween Pumpkin Nail Polish from The Nail Junkie

                                                       10. A Pumpkin Gift Halloween Art Print from Strangeling

                                                       11. Halloween Pumpkin Photograph from Raceytay

                                                       12. Silver Tiny Pumpkin Earrings from AN Original Jewelry

                                                       13. Howlite Pumpkin Necklace from Rhonda's Treasures

                                                       14. Felt Kawaii Pumpkin Keychain from We Love Stitches

Which is your favorite pumpkin item here?

Hey shop owners!  Want your item featured for the holidays? Reserve your ad now!

Let's Do the Time Warp Again {Halloween 2013}

I don't think that song has left my head for days... I'm pretty sure I'm dreaming about it too, seeing as I wake up several times throughout the night singing it, and the minute I'm in the shower in the mornings it's back blaring loudly in my head.  Doesn't make me love it any less... but still...

This weekend was my big Halloween party, and I was not disappointed.  It was so much fun and the friends who came out were such a blast! There was good music, good booze, and a really great time. I got much too drunk... drunk enough that I don't remember a lot of the photos that were taken (that's partially because Courtney took my camera over so I didn't take them lol!) or where all the bruises on my legs came from.  I don't usually forget things when I drink at all, but to be fair I almost always forget bruises when I'm sober too.  I do remember getting bumped into, losing my balance, and falling on Ken hard enough that he dumped his entire glass of booze on my head.  That's fun.  lol

In other happenings this weekend, Friday night Josh and Ken went on a man date to see a play, and I got to join them for dinner, which was a lot of fun! 

Also on the actual Halloween night we hung out with our neighbors a bit, who were having fun scaring little kids trick or treating on our street.

How was your Halloween?

Red Lipstick, Edgar Allen Hoe, A Crush, The Disney Villian Cell Block Tango & Getting in Her Pants, Politely

I confess... It's Friday and I took the day off to get my house pretty before the party tomorrow!  I think I'm going to be a creepy doll for the party, but yesterday I was a cat in a batman shirt.  I was telling everyone I was the nerdy offspring of Batman and Catwoman.  I definitely know I need to wear red lipstick more often.

I confess... I'm super excited to play Cards Against Humanity this weekend.  I ordered all the expansions!

I confess... I FINALLY got back into hula-hooping.  I'd forgotten how painful it is at first-not just the sore muscles but the bruising around your midsection the first couple of times. Ouch.

I confess... I'm starting to think I really have a thing for cross-dressing.  Not only do I love Doctor Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but I love this Edgar Allen Hoe costume.  Yes, I both think it's clever and kind of hot.

I confess... There were some fun costumes at work.  Here are two of my managers:

I confess... I have spent too much money this week-but I finally bought frames for a lot of my art and I'm so excited to actually have it hanging up on my walls instead of just stacked on a shelf waiting to be.  I also had to buy supplies for the party and a new toilet seat cover-seeing as I broke ours lol.

I confess... I have a crush.  I wont elaborate too much, but it's a bit unnerving.  I can't even remember the last time I had a "crush".  I mean yes, I've dated a lot and had feelings for people I've dated, but the last time I had a "Oh I really like him but he doesn't know it yet" kind of crush was probably when I was a teenager.  It feels kind of silly.

I confess... This video was fun and super clever!  Here's a little tune to get stuck in your head:

Linking up with: