All Saints
Moar picspams yay!
So as you've possibly gathered, I have embraced my inner camwhore as late. Here's what I rocked for Halloween. I was going to do a gothed out Dorothy, but it wasn't coming together so I went for a 60's femme fatale vibe. I did my hair myself Friday night (which would be the full-length pic) but went to the beauty school to get it did up proper for Saturday (above). Not for the first time, I found myself wishing I'd been alive in 1964.
As far as festivities, we had a potluck at work, where I made a crudités platter that I plied upon the next couple of parties I went to. I picked up that cute ceramic bat dish at Michael's for a buck, and the Mickey pumpkin is from guess where:
Friday night was a birthday party at sulphuroxide, which despite my being a boring loser and spending a nice portion of the evening reading an awesomely pulpy paperback of his, I had a grand time at:
After another party on Saturday (iknorite?), E and I struck out on Sunday in search of Dia de los Muertos festivities. I've gone out to a festival at a museum in Ventura for a few years, but the museum's apparently moved locations and they cut way back on the party. Fortunately we picked up a weekly and found out about another fete back closer to home. It was a gorgeous day so it was a nice drive, and I always love to see the ocean:
Eventually we wound our way to the cemetery where things were going on and could see evidence of it from the time we crossed the gates:
Like I said, it was a beautiful day. The grounds were lovely, overlooking a field of corn that was glowing in the sun, and surrounded by the mountains on the other sides.
I overheard the guy from this car club talking about how this was the first time they'd come out (this was only the second time this event was thrown) and how they'd be coming out next year. It's hard to see in my shot, but that lowrider's bumpin:
And speaking of cars, this is one of my favorite Dia de los Muertos traditions. I take it this truck previously belonged to a Mr. Gomez (see the driver's side door):
Now for the most important bit, the ofrendas! These are the shrines dedicated to people who've gone before. There are a lot of different ways of doing it, but some of the traditions include three tiers draped in white, photos, representations of the dead's favorite things, marigolds, copal incense and of course, skeletons!
I just adore all the creativity and love you can see reflected. That's Cesar Chavez above, and you can't forget about MJ:
All in all it's a very celebratory atmosphere. Note the playful kids on the way back from what must have been a nearby pumpkin patch:
Also check the mariachis!
The masked mariachi's forehead read "Tú y Yo" or "You and I".
Eventually people began gathering for a parade over the cemetery grounds, including Aztec dancers and people carrying big skeleton puppets.
I've been looking for a good Day of the Dead celebration somewhat closer to home and this was aces. It was a great time, and I will definitely plan to go again next year.
And speaking of closer to home, here's my own ofrenda!
I usually set something up every year, but thanks to the X-Entertainment Die-O-Rama Contest I had some extra fun with the project.
Basically the challenge was to create a spooky diorama within the confines of a shoebox, which I made into a little shrine to my grandparents. I'm fortunate enough to have only lost relatively few loved ones so far in my life, so I try to have some representation of everyone, though.
The Die-O-Rama was created out of a Coach shoebox, a set of Halloween lights, another couple of recycled boxes and an old t-shirt for the tiers, faux flowers and scrapbook supplies that I had on hand, some more that I bought and other keepsakes I had around. The photos, and the Frank Sinatra tape, came from Moms having finally recently given in to sorting through the belongings we inherited when my Grandma DeeDee died (made copies of the pics, of course).
I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely it came out, if I may say so. Got to bust out the hot glue got AND the power drill, so I was feeling pretty snazzy. It's particularly nice when it's lit up:
Thanks for looking. Love ya!
So as you've possibly gathered, I have embraced my inner camwhore as late. Here's what I rocked for Halloween. I was going to do a gothed out Dorothy, but it wasn't coming together so I went for a 60's femme fatale vibe. I did my hair myself Friday night (which would be the full-length pic) but went to the beauty school to get it did up proper for Saturday (above). Not for the first time, I found myself wishing I'd been alive in 1964.
As far as festivities, we had a potluck at work, where I made a crudités platter that I plied upon the next couple of parties I went to. I picked up that cute ceramic bat dish at Michael's for a buck, and the Mickey pumpkin is from guess where:
Friday night was a birthday party at sulphuroxide, which despite my being a boring loser and spending a nice portion of the evening reading an awesomely pulpy paperback of his, I had a grand time at:
After another party on Saturday (iknorite?), E and I struck out on Sunday in search of Dia de los Muertos festivities. I've gone out to a festival at a museum in Ventura for a few years, but the museum's apparently moved locations and they cut way back on the party. Fortunately we picked up a weekly and found out about another fete back closer to home. It was a gorgeous day so it was a nice drive, and I always love to see the ocean:
Eventually we wound our way to the cemetery where things were going on and could see evidence of it from the time we crossed the gates:
Like I said, it was a beautiful day. The grounds were lovely, overlooking a field of corn that was glowing in the sun, and surrounded by the mountains on the other sides.
I overheard the guy from this car club talking about how this was the first time they'd come out (this was only the second time this event was thrown) and how they'd be coming out next year. It's hard to see in my shot, but that lowrider's bumpin:
And speaking of cars, this is one of my favorite Dia de los Muertos traditions. I take it this truck previously belonged to a Mr. Gomez (see the driver's side door):
Now for the most important bit, the ofrendas! These are the shrines dedicated to people who've gone before. There are a lot of different ways of doing it, but some of the traditions include three tiers draped in white, photos, representations of the dead's favorite things, marigolds, copal incense and of course, skeletons!
I just adore all the creativity and love you can see reflected. That's Cesar Chavez above, and you can't forget about MJ:
All in all it's a very celebratory atmosphere. Note the playful kids on the way back from what must have been a nearby pumpkin patch:
Also check the mariachis!
The masked mariachi's forehead read "Tú y Yo" or "You and I".
Eventually people began gathering for a parade over the cemetery grounds, including Aztec dancers and people carrying big skeleton puppets.
I've been looking for a good Day of the Dead celebration somewhat closer to home and this was aces. It was a great time, and I will definitely plan to go again next year.
And speaking of closer to home, here's my own ofrenda!
I usually set something up every year, but thanks to the X-Entertainment Die-O-Rama Contest I had some extra fun with the project.
Basically the challenge was to create a spooky diorama within the confines of a shoebox, which I made into a little shrine to my grandparents. I'm fortunate enough to have only lost relatively few loved ones so far in my life, so I try to have some representation of everyone, though.
The Die-O-Rama was created out of a Coach shoebox, a set of Halloween lights, another couple of recycled boxes and an old t-shirt for the tiers, faux flowers and scrapbook supplies that I had on hand, some more that I bought and other keepsakes I had around. The photos, and the Frank Sinatra tape, came from Moms having finally recently given in to sorting through the belongings we inherited when my Grandma DeeDee died (made copies of the pics, of course).
I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely it came out, if I may say so. Got to bust out the hot glue got AND the power drill, so I was feeling pretty snazzy. It's particularly nice when it's lit up:
Thanks for looking. Love ya!