Mode Merr and Adventures in California

Good Saturday Morning To You, Dear Readers, 

Keloid stitches. Two of them.

    Once again, it has been entirely too long. My last blog was just over a month ago. I have no excuse, aside from being super busy (aren't we all?). As you know, the Piratical Fiance and I went on vacation for a week to California. Upon returning, I got sick, had ear surgery to remove a growing keloid on my ear, I had a hearing for a mystery parking ticket that I had never gotten in the first place, 3 dinner parties, my birthday, a photo shoot, work, etc, etc. 
  

Satin Perfect Skirt & Black Lace Peasant Blouse

   California was interesting to say the least. The weather was beautiful. Our first night there, we went to the symphony. We were exhausted from traveling all day and we both sorta fell asleep during the symphony, but damn I looked good in some Mode Merr! By the time we were back in bed, it was 2 am Eastern Standard Time, which if you do not know, is WAY past this girl's bed time. 

Gingerbread Model of the Winchester Mystery House

   The very next morning, we drove to the Winchester Mystery House. Do you know what that is? You don't? Well, let's fix that...www.winchestermysteryhouse.com
The short version is, Sarah Winchester, (heiress to the Winchester fortune through her husband) believed she was being haunted/cursed by the spirits of victims shot by Winchester rifles. A medium told her the only way to confuse the spirits that haunted her was to never stop construction on her house. For the next 38 years, she had work done on her house 24 hours a day, year round. She told her workers what to do based on what the spirits told her to do. The result is a bizarre Victorian mansion with stairs and doors that go no where, cabinets that had opened to the wall with no storage space, etc, etc all to protect her from spirits. It is one of 2 houses in California that is legally haunted.  

Me in one of the odd touches of the WMH an unnecessary inlet.

   Although he it was not allowed, the Piratical Fiance, lagged behind on the tour in every room. I could not understand why. Turns out, he was taking pictures with his cell phone! Which I have to admit I was thrilled with because I decided that I would really like to live in the Winchester Mystery House. As that is not possible, at least we have pictures. :) This was one of the best things we did all vacation! If you have not done so, go to the Winchester Mystery House if you are ever in San Jose. It is really tons of fun. If you go, try to get on the tour with Donald. He is great!

Medusa Mural First thing I saw on Haight Street

   My next most favorite thing in California was Haight Street. We were lucky enough to go twice. I think I could have stayed there forever. I stumbled upon Loved To Death (who I follow on Etsy) while looking for Post Mortem photography. They did not allow photography in the store (they had a baby coffin that I was obsessed with) but everything was so incredibly cool! There were mounted heads, lots of taxidermy, and exquisite jewelry! I also found tons of great vintage shops (all too expensive for my wallet, but super fun to look through). I did make a purchase on Haight Street. Billy dragged me into the John Fluevog store where I made the elaborate purchase of a pair of Baby Cake boots!!! It was my splurge for the year and I am in love with them. <3

   While on Haight Street, I popped into the Bettie Page store. Ladies, do yourselves a favor, do not buy from this line. I went in because the clothing looked cute in the window. Basically it was all a lot of over priced stuff, that was constructed out of cheap looking and feeling materials. I hate to knock a brand that I was so excited about and desperate to like. :(

Red Velvet Peasant Blouse with Snakeskin print Skinny Jeans

    The Piratical Fiance and I also got to spend 2 days and 1 night in Venice Beach. (If you are old enough to remember Three's Company, the title sequence was filmed there.) Basically its a bunch of drug addicts and homeless people, who are not really homeless (we know because we saw quite a few of them drive to "work") who panhandle. We walked along Venice beach and came across Muscle Beach (no meatheads were working out, though). We even went to the Santa Monica Pier (you know...where The Lost Boys was filmed!) where we found a really terrible Captain Jack Sparrow impersonator. The best part of Venice Beach was going to the Piratical Fiance's brother's pop up restaurant. If you are on the West Coast, google Ari Taymor. You will find out everything you need to know about pop up restaurants as well as how wonderful Ari's food is! And yes, I wore Mode Merr to dinner! How could I not?

Bridgette Blouse and Perfect Skirt

   One of our last nights in San Francisco, we took my future in-laws to a Greek restaurant. (A very modern Greek restaurant.) I took the opportunity to show off yet another Mode Merr creation. (Just a little aside: You can literally wear this Bridgette Blouse with EVERYTHING. I have matched it with just about every Perfect Skirt I own. I am hoping to wear it with jeans in the near future, because, hey, it's just that fabulous!) Needless to say, with all the eating out (breakfast, lunch and dinner) as well as consuming insane amounts of ice cream, I have porked up a bit. Thanks to Mode Merr garments having the super power of stretch, this has not been too much of an issue. Be forewarned, after next Friday's Passover Dinner, I will be going on a diet. There are a few upcoming events that I simply must look my best for!

    Please remember, Angela and of course, Mode Merr will be at Viva Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 5th to the 8th! (www.vivalasvegas.net) I know for a fact that Angela has been working her fingers to the bone for the last month making stock for this event. I am disappointed that I will not be able to attend, but if you are in the area, do yourself a favor and check it out. It promises to be a great event! 


  Until next time!! <3