the greatest show on earth

circus girl image (upper right) by todd bates

here i am next to my muse and inspiration behind this year's halloween costume - the beautiful ringling bros. & barnum and bailey circus girl pictured above and captured by photographer todd bates. 

isn't she absolutely beautiful? i don't remember how i ran across her picture but i was immediately mesmerized by her and her expression and wondered more than ever what it would really be like to live and travel with the circus. my authentic vintage circus costume was acquired this summer at a yard sale - i almost died when i saw it and couldn't believe it actually fit. i couldn't believe my further luck when i found out the ringling bros. circus would be performing in toledo this halloween weekend - what a crazy coincidence! i just had to snap some pics for the full effect and added a few shots of my circus memorabilia for a little circus montage.

i spent all day saturday running around in this thing and most of today - i never want to take it off! don't think it didn't cross my mind to just sneak into the circus with my costume to join up and run away with them - but, i figure i should stick to working on one dream at a time and i've already got my little vintage shop. :o)

happy tricking & treating!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

mad monster party?

a new halloween eve tradition we've started around here is a viewing of mad monster party, now that it's available on netflix instant. 

this has got to be one of my most favorite things of all time!! i am a huge, huge fan of stop motion animation, especially the vintage stuff - it's so fun to look at all the amazing models and inventive ways they came up with to film splashing water, explosions, and hilarious song & dance numbers. the style and feel is reminiscent of rudolph, the red nosed reindeer but it's a full hour and a half long. 

every frame of this film is gold - it was so difficult just picking out these few to share with you. from the quirky monster characters to the corny jokes, francesca's numerous wardrobe changes to phyllis diller's contagious laugh - this gem from 1967 has got to be one of the funnest ways to get into the halloween spirit! 

happy halloween everyone!!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆