Incense: A New Obsession

I love incense.  I have only recently discovered this.  In fact, as of three weeks ago I never would have thought that I would love it.  However, since then I have discovered that incense is awesome.  I don't know what it is about it that makes it so obsessing.  It certainly smells good, but I think that the real reason I'm attracted to it is the ambiance.  Something happens to the room when you light a stick of incense and watch the smoke rise up in little curls.  Just knowing that it's there and smelling the scent makes you feel....aesthetically pleased.  It's like brewing a pot of loose tea not because it tastes significantly better than bagged tea, but because it's more artistic.  I guess I just like being snobby :-)  I now burn a stick of incense every night when I go to bed.  Thankfully, you can get seven sticks for a dollar at the ren. fair, but I can tell I'm going to run out fast.  Here's to all the things we do not because it's necessary, but because it's beautiful.

Gothic Fairy

This costume was not the most premeditated one.  My dear friend Annalee came over to my house one day and we wanted something to do.  Since I had recently discovered threadbanger (a really cool site with lots of diy videos) and watched their fairy wing video, I suggested that we make some.  They turned out really cool.   

As you can see, my gothic sensibilities decided to come out :-)  We also made masks to go with them.  Last year I decided to wear my wings to the Ohio Renaissance Festival.  Putting together a costume to go with them wasn't that hard, since most everything else I own is gothic and red.  I did make several elements, such as the skirt and vest.  The skirt was actually a longer skirt that fell apart and I revamped.  

Aren't the boots sweet?  Yes, I know, I'm a sucker for boots. We had lots of fun that weekend and I got more complements than I'd ever gotten.  Funny how that works, I didn't actually put that much effort into it.  I wore it again this summer to the Highlands Fair for mask weekend, since I did have a mask to go with it.  

These pictures were actually taken on saturday, the day we were going to go.  When we got there, however, we discovered that due to severe weather the fair was closed.  Bummer.  So we had to get all dressed up again after church on sunday.  We had a wonderful time however, and I managed to spend a total of $10 dollars (not including the entrance fee) which is a record for me. 

I love the dragon mask, it's so funny.  Well suffice it to say that we had a great time and I was very glad to get it all off when we got home.  I have also decided never to go to a ren. fair without a large pouch again, because trying to fit a phone, a car key, money, and business cards into a little leather pouch, to say nothing of getting them back out, is not fun.  My dear sister Raven (or Lydia which is her proper name but nowhere near as cool) went as a......something middle-eastern and dangerous.  Her costume was also put together at the last minute.  She made the sash and pantaloons on friday, with a little help from me.