{ Insomnia }

I can't sleep. Insomnia has been hanging around and being a big bastard in my life for roughly twenty years now, and it has ranged from being annoying to downright crippling. I still struggle with it, and I've yet to figure out a surefire way to eliminate it from my life. I've tried everything (except for giving up coffee, which will never, ever, nerver erver happen. Please stop tssking me and shaking your head. I know what I'm doing. I gave up coffee for six months during my first pregnancy and all it did was make me ANGRIER when I was lying awake at night.) and despite my efforts to rid myself of this affliction, insomnia remains my awful, enduring constant. So, in conclusion, I can't sleep and I don't know what I can do about it. Now let's talk about how I bide my during my wakeful nights! 

I look up crap on the internet!

What I initially search for often leads me to beautiful things, but it doesn't take long for the brain raccoons to take the wheel and steer me in the direction of some truly weird shit - but that is for another post. I'm here to show you the pretty stuff - lookie:

OVATE - This incredibly beautiful, Montreal-based brand creates the most elegant, lovely pieces. I try not to purchase new (unused) clothing unless I know it was handcrafted by an actual person. I absolutely love seeing a designer embrace the beauty of texture found in natural fibers - I want all of the Ovate - I've spent many a late night with saucer eyes coveting.Follow Ovate on Instagram here to see more!

La Abeja Herbs - Created by herbalist and folk healer Sophia Rose, La Abeja Herbs provides tinctures, elixirs, salves, herbal blends, oils, teas and other medicinal magic. It's awesome, Y'all. After bookmarking several of her concoctions, I finally broke down and purchased her Kava Oil blend and it is wonderful stuff. Not only does the Kava oil smell super pretty, it makes my neck and shoulders feel like I'm not a stress-fueled, knotted-up, hunched-over Goblin person. You can follow her on Instagram, here

Janna Tew - I found this make-up artist's Youtube channel by accident and I am so glad. I love an unconventional approach to beauty. My favorite video tutorial of hers illustrates how to achieve the effect of having cried glittery, lavender tears. It is most excellent. You can follow her on Instagram, here.

 

I hope you all have better luck falling asleep than I do, but if you don't, feel free to check out all of my recommendations for making your sleepless time feel less fruitful.  

 

{ Closet Goth }

I've identified as a closeted goth for many years now. Which is to say, I don't outwardly present as goth, but I like the stuff affiliated with goth culture (Coil, eyeliner, horror movies, black, ennui...you get it). To describe my closet, I'd have to paraphrase Sarah Vowell (who was quoting Johnny Cash), 'It's dark in there.' (Also, lacy). My style is a marriage of Jodorowsky's El Topo mixed with straight-up Grandpa - more of a 'Desert Goth', if you will. 

Anyways, I love witchy, dark things and - since you are here - you might also. Instagram has been a real treasure trove for discovering makers and sellers that I wouldn't otherwise have access to. Here is a list of some of the excellent finds that I've been eyeballing lately!

 

* Divina Tarot Deck - I already own Mary Elizabeth Evans' fantastic, illustrated Spirit Speak Tarot deck - it's the deck I've used most for clients and is a personal favorite, so clear and direct and it comes from a place of positivity and self love. I love it to pieces. So then I discovered that she created this OTHER illustrated deck and you guys... YOU GUYS. I want it. It looks so good y'all. I have so many tarot decks already and I'm learning this really old, complicated one and I really don't need another tarot deck...and yet....sigh. Please, one of y'all please get it and then come over and let me play with it? (Follow Mary Evans on Instagram, here. )

* Sisters of the Black Moon - This bombass shop looks amazing y'all. You could give me literally anything they sell in this joint and my little black heart would weep from happiness. It's beautifully curated and they carry one of my favorite lines. Worth checking out if you don't already stalk them online, *I mean follow them. (Pssst! Follow SOTBM Here!)

* Omnia Oddities - Another thing I love that I don't need more of is jewelry, but that doesn't stop me from deeply coveting the exquisite pieces at Omnia Oddities. All of the pieces created by Omnia Oddities are so darkly unique and lovely, the rings in particular trigger my 'grabby hands' response. If only I were born with more fingers.... 

You can follow Omnia Oddities here, you won't be sorry!

 

The Woman In Black, from El Topo, being awesome and looking dope. Siggggggghhhhhhhhhhh