Tag: Halloween

Fright Fest

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Fright Fest

Ugh. Is it Monday already? I’ve been going non-stop since I left my office on Friday afternoon and it feels like I didn’t get enough time to take a break and actually get some rest. I’m not complaining much, of course- since my weekend was a lot of fun- but I fully plan on falling into my bed when I get home later on!

Where do I begin? With the exception of a beautiful wedding reception I attended with a friend/co-worker at the 228 in Sterling, Massachusetts- which is a big barn tucked away outside the city that has been converted and renovated into a lovely function hall- my weekend was all Halloween and horror movies.

On Friday night, with plenty of blankets, cushions and snacks in hand- a group of my friends and I headed out to Rocky Woods Reservation in Medfield, MA. to catch a lake-side, outdoor double-feature screening of “Friday the 13th – Part 2” and “Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood” (my favorite). While it definitely got a bit cold outside- the weather held up nicely and remained clear- so it wasn’t unbearable. There were a lot of other people there, too- and it was so much fun laughing together at the cheesy gore and bad 1980s fashions while enjoying a couple of hard ciders and some popcorn.

There were a couple of different versions of Jason Vorhees running around the place, too- and while I managed to avoid them for most of the night- one caught me on my way out after the movies wrapped up and I was heading back to my car.

Big shout-out to the Coolidge Corner Theatre for putting together the event and for Lookout Farm Brewing for the really delicious cider. I can’t wait to check out their taproom soon to scope what else they have to offer on their menu.

I also made it a point to swing by the annual Rock and Shock Convention in my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts for a little while. Focused primarily on the horror genre, the convention- which occurs at the DCU Center downtown every October- features loads of interesting panels, surprise guests, live music and local vendors dedicated to all things spooky and scary. This year, much to my surprise and delight- I ran into Tom Payne- who plays Jesus on “The Walking Dead”. Jesus is one of my favorite characters in the comic and on the show- so snapping a photo together absolutely made the trip worth it for me.

He’s just as pretty in person as he is on television, folks! He was a sweetheart.

While I was at Rock and Shock, I popped by a couple of vendors to splurge on myself a little, too. My first buy was at the booth for Fiona’s Fright Soap– where I picked up a set of three detergent and paraben-free body soaps. One, a “Mummy” themed bar that smells like oatmeal. Another, a “Friday the 13th” themed bar that has a more fruity fragrance- and a third one inspired by Eleven in “Stranger Things” that smells like, you guessed it- waffles and maple syrup.

I’m so excited to use these!

I also picked up this awesome steel Ouija pendant necklace from a large booth in the center of the vendor area- and I apologize for not getting their company’s name since it appeared they were sharing space with about 2-3 other shops at the time. I saw this and knew I had to have it- even if it means spirits could potentially communicate with me through my neck when I’m wearing it. It has a wood detail that I am just in love with!

Overall, I had a really great weekend- and even though being back at work is a little bit of a bummer- I have more fun stuff planned this coming week (and weekend!) that I’m pushing towards!

And all that being said- I’ve got to kick into overdrive and get some stuff done today. Enjoy the beginning of your week, everyone!

xx

– Ashley –

Ghost Hunting…

by Ashley DeLarge2 Comments on Ghost Hunting…

Happy Friday the 13th, everyone! For those of you who are superstitious- be extra careful while you’re out and about today! As for me? Well, after work- I’ll be heading out with friends to catch honorary screenings of the first two “Friday the 13th” movies at Rocky Woods Reservation in Medfield.

Speaking of Medfield, by the way…

One of my favorite places to visit in Massachusetts (and it’s only about 45 minutes away from me)– is Medfield State Hospital- a long abandoned former mental institution that was first opened in 1892 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Although the interiors of the numerous buildings spread out across the area are off limits due to asbestos and hazardous conditions after decades without routine maintenance, the grounds are still open to the public for those looking for a unique place to go hiking, biking, or- as my most recent OOTD post proves- want a semi-creepy backdrop for photos.

I’ve gone up to the grounds countless times over the years, and I’ve found that this time of the year is usually when it’s the best to visit- and not just because the place is pretty spooky- but because it’s not too hot (or too cold!) to be spending a significant amount of time outdoors, and even though much of the area is overgrown- the bugs aren’t nearly as distracting as they are during May or June, for example.

Usually when I’m visiting- I’m the only one there. On a couple of occasions I’ve been one of maybe a handful of visitors- but Medfield State Hospital is almost always eerily quiet- so imagine my surprise when I went up to take a look around with friends this past weekend and was greeted by an entire Boy Scout Troop who were camping on the grounds overnight as part of a Halloween-themed excursion.

(Side Note: That’s actually an insanely cool idea and I wish I’d thought of it!)

The kids were very sweet and were thankfully respectful of the buildings. Although they were all running around during the entirety of our stay- not once did I see them doing anything potentially dangerous or destructive. They actually carved Jack-o-Lanterns to place on the exterior steps to a few of the former wards and administrative buildings- which added a little something extra in a few of my pictures. It was pretty cool.

There are security personnel on-site 24/7 who do occasional drive-bys to monitor the property- and even they seemed excited about the appearance of a few unexpected pumpkins scattered around.

If you’re ever in New England- this is definitely a neat place to drop by. Just make sure you bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes and a fully charged camera/phone with you!

And now, it’s time to get some work done. Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

xx

– Ashley –

OOTD: Witchy Woman

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on OOTD: Witchy Woman

I’ve owned this little black, back-less dress since high school- where I first wore it to a Honor Society dinner and caused quite a commotion when some of the teachers in attendance (and a few of my more conservative peers) thought that the cut of it was a little too risque for a formal event. At the time- I was offered a cardigan to cover up with.

It still fits perfectly, but since then- I typically only wear this out and about around Halloween- since it has a bit of a “witchy” vibe to it. Sure, a lot of it may be because of the way that I dress it up with black leggings/tights, knee-high boots, my go-to wide-brimmed hat and a piece of spooky statement jewelry- but I think the way the fitted bodice transforms into layers of tulle cut at different lengths has something to do with it, too. There’s just something about the silhouette this gives me that makes me feel like I just stepped out of a scene from “The Craft”.

And I always show off my back in it. No more cardigans for me!

For not having usual straps (the ones on this little number wrap around my shoulders at the most peculiar angle and in the oddest way)– this dress is still pretty comfortable. It’s been warm and humid outside in recent weeks- so it was nice to have something so light and breezy to walk around in, like during this past weekend while I was out with some friends and taking some photographs up at my favorite haunt- pun intended- Medfield State Hospital. The eerie scenery had me feeling especially festive.

And for that aforementioned spooky statement jewelry? I knew right away I wanted to wear my blackened steel Edgar Allan Poe pendant necklace from Fable and Fury– a gift from years ago that I still absolutely love and wear all the time throughout the month of October. Paired with a oxblood red lipstick and a smoldering smoky eye? You’ve got a bewitching look that can be pulled off effortlessly during post-office cocktails AND that Halloween party you were invited to and forgot about until the last possible second.

I’m so ready to rock this again this coming weekend- but I’ve got a few more tricks (and treats) in my closet that I’m just DYING to share, too!

Okay, I’ll stop with the bad Halloween puns. I promise.

We’re almost near the weekend, everyone! Hang in there!

xx

– Ashley –