Not sure why, but that Halloween Feeling hasn't been hitting me as intensely this year -- which is why I haven't been updating this blog or my Instagram much.
That didn't stop me from feeling absolutely delighted about exploring the selection I found at Nordstrom Rack this weekend, however:
I bought the fuzzy skull blanket -- I mean, who needs yet another Halloween-themed blankie? Me, that's who.
It seems like they were just beginning to put stuff out. Lots of fun bed & bath related decor.
I will be attending a Beetlejuice-themed immersive theater event in a few weeks called The Netherworld Experience at the Curioporium in Hartford, CT. Beetlejuice has been one of my top favorite films since I first saw it on the big screen eons ago and I wanted to find a fitting shirt to wear for the evening. I searched and searched thru many many different styles on different online merchants and finally, I saw this and knew this was THE one I had to have, by NerdChamber on Etsy:
As you might know, I am a huge Kringle Candle fan, especially around Halloween time. They just announced their pre-order is happening on 1st August (just in time for Lughnasadh, an ancient Irish festival marking the beginning of the harvest season). I didn't buy any of these ones last season but I think I will this time around!
Comparing it to my post about it last year:
New/Different:
According to the Kringle website, in 2021 there will be 16 different candles! In 2020, there were only 10 (if I recall correctly). The selection seems to be some repeats from last year, plus new ones. There are some scents returning, although some of those classics are being described as new & improved formulas. I've added descriptions from their Instagram site where available. This post will be updated as Kringle posts more info.
The scents this year include:
[* New Scent for 2021! / ** New scent formula]
(All info from Kringle Candle's official site & social media)
Teaser video below!
As with last year - This is not a paid promotion! I just love their stuff. 🎃
Welcome to my second post about The Big E, past memories of the fair, and what I love about it. If you're just tuning in, you can read the introduction post here.
One good reason to enjoy The Big E is all the cool stuff for sale: everything from hot tubs to wine to shoe-cleaning kits to grandfather clocks, shoes, cosmetics, luggage, jewelry, beef jerky, saunas, candles, clothing, steam mops, toys, chainsaw carvings, personalized items, cowboy hats, every kitchen gadget you can imagine, and a zillion other things.
There truly is something for everybody at the Big E, and opportunities to shop are literally all throughout the fair grounds. There are the two huge exhibition halls, a crafts common, and vendors up and down every road. The individual state buildings have wares for sale as well.
One of my favorite areas to browse and/or shop is the Craft Commons. As the name suggests, the vendors there tend to sell things that have a seasonal, more hand-crafted aesthetic, although there are certainly more things like that to be found elsewhere on the grounds, too.
I just learned that The Big E's website now lists a marketplace page where you can shop online from quite a few of their yearly vendors - I'm pretty excited to check it out. It won't feel quite the same of course, but it will help ensure that the vendors I love most will survive the financial hardship of missing out in 2020's fair.
Champion Party Supply in the Interbay neighborhood of Seattle, has been in operation for 80 years. Its website offers a little bit of the company's history, including its various location changes over time. The store managed to successfully survive gentrification: it was forced out of its former location of 20+ years after the building it had been in was purchased by real estate developers, reopened in 2015 and has been at its current spot ever since. Fortunately, their larger floor space and dedicated followers helped the store to thrive, where many small businesses who fall prey to gentrification do not, and Seattle has a LOT of it right now. But, I digress.
Because of the pandemic, I haven't been going out to the stores to see all of the Halloween stuff like I normally do each year - but I wanted to make at least a couple of trips. Instead of just going to Michaels or other big box stores, I'm choosing to save my excursions for smaller businesses and the hidden gems they always seem to have. A quick search for 'party supply' on Yelp brought Champion to the top of the list, and since we hadn't been there before, that was our Saturday destination.
I am pleased to announce the official launch of my original Halloween designs, which for the time being is via Teespring.
There are two designs which are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors, as well as die-cut stickers. As an intro offer I am discounting everything at 15% off til September 30th.
PETRICHOR & PUMPKINS on Teespring
If you've been reading my blog, you'll remember my post from last week about buying a supposedly-haunted scarecrow pumpkin man on Ebay, who was once somebody's grandma's beloved Halloween decoration that now scares the kids and unnerves the adults. Nobody wanted him, so I decided to welcome him into my home -
And he finally arrived!
I instantly fell for his happy grin. He was a little pricey, but shipping is kind of a lot for large objects like this, so it's to be expected. I added him to my Ebay watch list, but kept thinking about him.
One of the most intriguing things was the background story that the seller wrote up in the description box. I'm sure they must have made it up to help sell him during Halloween shopping season, but I found it entertaining all the same.
GRANDMA'S VERY LARGE & SCARY VINTAGE HALLOWEEN LIGHTED SCARECROW PUMPKIN DRESSED IN BURLAP OVERALLS. RARE!!!
My Grandma Named Him Freddy Back In The 80'S.
This Creepy Pumpkin Scarecrow Measures A Healthy 22” High & 15” Hand To Hand...
I Can't Put Him Out Anymore. Both The Kids And The Dogs Freak Out!!! Even Though He Doesn't Move Or Talk, He Just Stares Straight Through You With This Evil Smirk On His Face. The Dogs Won't Come Out From Under The Bed And The Kids Can't Sleep Alone...
In Our Home He Sometimes Changes Positions Slightly To The Left, Then Again To The Right. One Time We Came Home From Dinner Out And He Was Completely Turned Around!!! I Think He Is Possessed And I Want Him Out Of My Home Now!!!
It Seems When We Play The Creepy Sound Music At Halloween Time His Smile Gets Larger And Sometimes We Hear A FAINT SINISTER LAUGHING.
This Belonged To My Grandmother & She Loved This Pumpkin Scarecrow. She Proudly Displayed Him Prominently Every Halloween Season. She Had Him Back In The 80'S. There Were Never Any Problems Until She Passed. He Sat Entombed In His Sealed Box For 7 Years Before We Even Realized We Had Him Up In Our Attic!!! This May Explain The Constant Rumblings And Sudden Change Of Climate Up In The Attic That We Did Not Understand Until Now. Once We Discovered Freddy We Excitedly Added Him To Our Fun Halloween Decor. But Halloween Has NEVER Been The Same Since Then.
How We Inherited Freddy Is Anyone's Guess. We Have Offered It Back To My Grandmothers Surviving Children Several Times But For Some Reason We Are Shut Down Upon The Mention Of This Creepy Decoration. THEY DO NOT WANT IT IN THEIR HOME!!!
ALAS, It Is Time For Freddy To Find A New Home. Maybe Your Experience Will Be Different. Maybe Better... MAYBE NOT.
Please Give Freddy Another Chance. He Was Once A Beloved Part Of Our Family. Perhaps With Your Family He Will Find Happiness Again....
Freddy Is In Really Good Vintage Condition. His Burlap Overalls Show Minor Signs Of Normal Distress. The Pumpkin Head Is In Outstanding Condition. His Hat Comes Off So The Bulb Can Be Replaced. He Is Not A Toy To Be Played With.
This Is A Indoor Decoration & Truly ONE OF A KIND.
