Sunday, October 23, 2011

A Home for Lydia


As some might know I write my blog under the pen name Lydia Deetz. Why? Because I am a Beetlejuice fanatic and Lydia's character fascinates me.
If Lydia were real I think she would be very pleased with the home I have put together in her honor.

Home

~Foyer~
Foyer 2





~Living Room~
Living Room


~Dining Room~
Dining Room
~Bedroom~

Bedroom


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Old Halloween Photos

Some old photos of All Hallows Eve to get you in the spirit?
Some filled with Spirits perhaps?






















Monday, October 17, 2011

All Hallows Eve Nuptials

A big part of me wanted to get married on the holiday that I hold so dear.
While I decided for a springtime wedding instead I would imagine had I had a All Hallows Eve Wedding this is how it might have looked.

Date: October 31st
Location: Somewhere in New England
Guest Attire: All Black
Wedding Colors: Black, Orange, and White


Invitations




Veil + Make Up


Wedding Dress


Nail Polish






Groom's Tux






Ring Bearer



Mix of these for Flowers + Bouquets

Boutonnieres


Reception

Drinks



Hors d'Oeuvres


Dinner



Candy Bar


Wedding Cake with Beetlejuice Topper (of course)


Guest Gifts



Send Away

For more Halloween Wedding Inspiration check out our Pinterest!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

NYC Haunted Houses

We are loving Refinery29's post on the scariest haunted houses in NYC today!
Check it out!

Blackout Haunted House
At Blackout Haunted House nothing is off-limits and it incorporates every type of torture. One spooky feature? You are required to navigate your worst nightmares, all alone (don't worry, you are given protective eyewear and a flashlight). This house gives new meaning to the phrase, "are you afraid of the dark?", and if the answer is yes at any point, yell "safety" to be taken back to daylight.
Where:
54 West 39th Street (between 5th and 6th avenues ); 718-522-7171.
When:
Now through October 31. Mondays 7 p.m. through 11 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursdays 7 p.m. through 11p.m.; Fridays 7p.m through 12 a.m.; Saturdays 5 p.m. through 12 a.m.; Sundays 5 p.m. through 11 p.m.
Price: $30

Definitely the most theatrical of the haunted house experiences, Sleep No More is a scary performance art piece that turns the abandoned McKittrick Hotel into a haunted experience that channels Shakespeare's Macbeth, in a light (or darkness) that you have never seen before. Throw on your Venetian carnival style mask and follow your favorite character through various ballrooms, hospitals, and nurseries as they dress, kill, and try to wash out all that blood.
Where:
The McKittrick Hotel 530 West 27th Street (between 10th and 11th avenues); 212- 904-1883.
When:
Now through November 12, Monday through Thursday, 7p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Price:
$75–$95, for a range of premium tickets

Who better than entertainment technology students of CUNY City Tech to put on a thrilling Halloween production? This "theme-park-quality" attraction has been going on strong now for 12 years, and with a $5 dollar price tag, this is the perfectly-priced way to get in the Halloween spirit. We give these spooky students an A+.
Where:
186 Jay Street (Vorhees Theater NYC College of Technology Campus); 718.260.5588.
When:
Thurdays (starting October 20) 1 p.m. through 5 p.mm, Fridays and Saturdays (starting October 21) 1 p.m. through 5 p.m., 6 p.m. through 9pm, Monday October 31, 1p.m. through 5 p.m.
Price:
$5 for GA, $4 for Group

Get ready to play with with the gruesome creatures and tortured souls that haunt the 100-year-old estate ground— this is no amateur playhouse but you might scream like you're a little girl. We know we're bound to reach unmentionable octaves our of fear.
Where:
215 South Country Road, Bellport; no phone available.
When:
Now through October 29. Weekdays and Sundays 7 p.m. through 10 p.m, see website for more times.
Price:
GA $20, Fast Pass $25

Nightmare: Fairy Tales
This year's fairytale theme puts a gruesome and "nighmareish" twist on some of our favorite childhood stories. Try not get to get lost in the woods (à la Little Red Riding Hood) as you go from cottage to cottage. And, you might want to bring some breadcrumbs to find your way back, because this haunted house is sure to frighten more than just the children.
Where:
107 Suffolk Street (between Rivington Street and the Williamsburg Bridge); 212-352-3101.
When:
Now through November 5. Thursday, October 13 7 p.m. through 11 p.m., Friday, October 14 6 p.m. through 1 a.m., Saturdays 5 p.m. through 1 a.m., for additional times, see website.
Price:
$30 in advance, $35 at door, $60 VIP, $100 Super VIP

As if wax figures of celebs weren't already creepy enough, Madam Tussauds in Time Square is taking it to the next level with a special eight night haunted house event. Make your way down the museum corridor as hundreds of eyes watch your every move. This night of un-living celebs is sure to be scarier than waking up next to one without make up in the morning. Plus (ahh!) the biggest fright of all: real, live tourists!
Where:
234 W. 42nd Street (between 7th and 8th avenues); 866.841.3505.
When:
Thursday October 20 through Sunday October 23, Thursday, October 27 through Sunday 30 9 p.m. through 12 a.m.
Price:
$25, Buy Online, $22

Take a ride on the horrifying side, at this year's "Creepshow at the Freakshow." It's a mix of fears ranging from faulty rides to murder scenes. This year is guaranteed to be dirtier and bloodier than ever, with "drunk ride inspectors, creepy ticket sellers, and lots of dead and decapitated bodies." But not to worry, the crimes you witness won't go unpunished—at the end of the show, audience members will be sworn into the most dreadful jury duty (isn't that the scariest part of all!?).
Where:
1208 Surf Avenye (between Stillwell Avenue and West 12th Street); no phone available.
When:
Now through October 31. Fridays through Sundays 6 p.m. through 11 p.m., Wednesday Oct 26 and Thursday Oct 27, 6 p.m. through 11 p.m.
Price: $10

Courtesy of Refinery29.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Real Haunts

Into the supernatural and not the 'man-made' haunted house? If you are searching for the real deal check out the most haunted places to visit in the U.S.
Lizzie Borden Bed + Breakfast and Museum
Fall River, MA
In August of 1892 a wealthy businessman and his wife are found brutally murdered in their Victorian home. The accused was their youngest daughter, Lizzie Borden. However Lizzie was found not guilty and the truth was never known of what happened that evening.
Feeling adventurous? You can now stay in their home as it serves as a first class Bed and Breakfast. Or if you are too scared opt for a tour instead.
The house will soon host
an in-house Ghost Cam project. From the safety of your own home, you can conduct paranormal investigations at one of the most famous haunted houses in America. Several rooms will be made available over web cams at least one night per week. And many more nights when the house has no guests!

The Winchester Mystery House
San Jose, CA
Winchester Mystery House™ is an extravagant maze of Victorian craftsmanship. Countless questions come to mind when people wander through the mansion such as, what was Mrs. Winchester thinking when she had a staircase built that descends seven steps and then rises eleven? There are literally miles of twisting hallways with secret passageways in the walls. Mrs. Winchester traveled through her house in a roundabout fashion, supposedly to confuse any mischievous ghosts that might be following her. It is estimated that 500 rooms to 600 rooms were built, but because so many were redone, only 160 remain. This naturally resulted in some peculiar effects, such as stairs that lead to the ceiling, doors that go nowhere and that open onto walls, and chimneys that stop just short of the roof. Columns were installed upside down that some suggest this was done deliberately to confuse the evil spirits. And Mrs. Winchester was said to have involved the spirits themselves with nightly séances to help with her building plans and for protection from “bad” spirits which is why it was deemed "the house built by the spirits".
Amityville Horror House
Amityville, NY
In 1974, six members of the DeFeo family were found brutally murdered in their home. Convicted of the murders was their eldest son Ronald DeFeo Jr. A year later, the Lutz family purchased the home for $55,000, moved in and quickly moved out a short 28 days later after reports of unexplained paranormal activity including strange odors, unexplained cold drafts, levitating several feet off the bed and an apparition that took the form of a demonic pig-like creature.
The house was listed for sale last year and I haven't been able to find any information on if it has sold yet. It was listed for $1.15 million. Any interested buyers dead or alive?

The Queen Mary
Long Beach, CA
During World War II, the Queen Mary operated under the alias of “Grey Ghost” and was responsible for transporting thousands of troops across the seas. Once docked in CA there have been reports of hearing children crying in the nursery room, used as the third-class playroom, and a mysterious splash noise in the drained first-class swimming pool are cited. In 1966, 18-year-old engineer John Pedder was crushed by a watertight door in the engine room during a fire drill, and his ghost is said to haunt the ship. One of the most haunted spots of the ship is Cabin B340, which is no longer let out due to the extreme paranormal activity, believed to be the result of the murder of an 8 year old girl. There is also said to be the spirit of a young girl named Jackie Korin who drowned in the second class pool and continues to haunt the first class pool room on board the ship. A young woman by the name of Sarah was said to have been murdered in the first class women's change rooms by an unknown man and haunts the first class pool with Jackie. Some visitors say they have seen women wearing early 1930s bathing suits in the pool areas. It is also said that men screaming and the sound of metal crushing against metal can be heard below decks at the extreme front end of the bow. Those who have heard this believe it to be the screams of the sailors aboard at the moment the light cruiser was split in half by the liner. Book a night in one of the cabins if you dare. Or for those less committed to life and death aboard the ship opt for a reservation for dinner or take a guided ghost tour.

The Myrtles Plantation
St. Francisville, LA
The Myrtles Plantation, circa 1796, is a Bed and Breakfast of antebellum splendor. You will see fine antiques and architectural treasures of the South and discover why The Myrtles has been called one of "America's Most Haunted Homes". There have been dozens of deaths caused by illness, poisoning and murder in this home. Visitors and former residents have claimed to have witnessed many strange occurrences including waking to find themselves completely tucked into their beds, furniture moving on its own, a grand piano playing by itself, mysterious hand prints, objects and people appearing and disappearing randomly in photographs.

Alcatraz
San Francisco, CA
Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, Alcatraz was a federal penitentiary 1934 to 1963 with infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons. Many people, though, are unaware that in the 19th century the island served as both a harbor defense fort and a military prison. Prior to that it was inhabited for years by Native Americans. So one can see why it is the most haunted places in the U.S.

Eastern State Penitentiary
Philadelphia, PA
Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cell blocks and empty guard towers. It operated from 1829-1971 and was the first to establish the policy of separate confinement, emphasizing principles of reform. Confinement was severe locking inmates in their cells for 23 hours a day prohibiting communication with others. And punishment was harsh including ice-cold water baths then hung up from a wall for the night, confined to the "Mad Chair" where inmates would be strapped so tight it would stop circulation as they were left for days with no food until they went "mad". If inmates refused to obey the no communication rules they were made to wear the "Iron Gag" which was iron collar clamped to the tongue then chained their wrists behind their backs. Many died from their tongue severely bleeding before the torment was over. With torturous methods like these there is no wonder ghosts still haunt those cells.