Category Archives: General

Nocturnal House: ‘Salem’s Lot

Posted on September, 2011 by Lady of the Manners

Welcome back to The Nocturnal House, Snarklings! Before I start talking about the book I’ve chosen for this post, let me go check the windows, find one of my antique rosaries, and perhaps turn on a few more lamps. Why? Because this visit to The Nocturnal House is about a vampire book that honestly does scare me. Even though I’ve been re-reading it for years, it scares me enough that I won’t read it after dark. (Well, I shouldn’t read it after dark, but sometimes my desire to be involved in the story overrides my common sense, and then The Husband has to gently remind me to stop freaking myself out and go read something else. Continue reading →

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Of New School Worries

Posted on August, 2011 by Lady of the Manners

Hello Snarklings! August is, as many of you know, Back To School time. (The Lady of the Manners apologizes to her readers in the Eastern Hemisphere for her Western Hemisphere bias. It’s just one of those things.) This time of year fills the Lady of the Manners with a nostalgic urge to shop for school supplies; yes, she really does want a new big box of crayons. Oooh, and new blank journals, and fountain pens, and ink …

But Back To School time also means the mailbox at Gothic Charm School sees swarms of letters asking about school related topics. What to do about dress codes, of course, which the Lady of the Manners has talked about before:

Of Dealing With Vague And Repressive Dress Codes

Of Parental Nicknames, Of Wrongly Being Called Emo, And Of Dress Codes

Of Goths and School Dress Codes – Gothic Charm School

There are the questions from Snarklings worried about bullies, which is perfectly understandable! The Lady of the Manners has talked about that topic, too, and hopes that all of you will read (and re-read) that post:

Of Dealing With Bullies

But amongst all of those Back To School -related questions, one from a gothling named Carley caught the Lady of the Manners’ eye: Continue reading →

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The Nocturnal House: Dracula

Posted on July, 2011 by Lady of the Manners

Welcome to The Nocturnal House, Snarklings! It seemed like the best thing to call the new section of Gothic Charm School wherein the Lady of the Manners talks informally about books, because over the years, the Lady of the Manners has stayed up far, far too late into the night, reading vampire books.

Yes, vampire books.You see, I read a lot of vampire books. Well, lots of books in general, but a vast amount of my personal library are about the fanged children of the night. Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, General, Nocturnal House | Tagged , , , | 63 Comments

An Assortment Of Questions And Answers

Posted on May, 2011 by Lady of the Manners

Hello Snarklings! It dawned on the Lady of the Manners that maybe she should try to quickly write a post while also carefully creating the post about the Vampire Masquerade Ball and the reviews of Heavy Red and Spin Doctor. So! A mixed assortment of questions from readers, with (the Lady of the Manners hopes!) helpful answers. Continue reading →

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Of Goths And Prom

Posted on May, 2011 by Lady of the Manners

Hello Snarklings! Gracious, the Gothic Charm School mailbox has been jam-packed with questions asking for gothy outfit suggestions for Prom. For the non-US Snarklings, Prom is a formal school dance, and dressing up in fancy clothes is a big part of it. (Sometimes making poor choices and Drama-with-a-capital-D are also part of Prom, but the Lady of the Manners isn’t going to be talking about those aspects of it, and instead will fervently hope that all of the Prom-attending Gothic Charm School readers are able to avoid those sorts of problems.) Continue reading →

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Of Finding Everyday Goth Clothing

Posted on October, 2010 by Lady of the Manners

Mainstream fashion, Snarklings. That is what the Lady of the Manners is going to talk about now. (She is also going to cast a wary eye at the ever-growing mountain of letters in her inbox, but will perhaps tackle those at another time.)

However, to tie those two topics together: much of the email the Lady of the Manners receives here at Gothic Charm School falls under one category, which is creating a Goth wardrobe without going bankrupt. (With, occasionally, a side of questions about how to do such a thing when one’s parents frown upon shopping online or at stores that are known to cater to the subculture.)

Snarklings, it is entirely possible to pull together a Goth look without shopping online or at places like Hot Topic. In fact, the Lady of the Manners is going to state that it is easier now than has been for ages. Mainstream stores such as Target, Macy’s, H+M, and Forever 21 all stock items that could (and should!) be in a Goth closet. Basics such as interesting tights or leggings, black skirts and trousers, black tops, jackets (be they fitted, or oversized and drapey), all sorts of accessories … Continue reading →

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Of Halloween Shopping.

Posted on September, 2010 by Lady of the Manners

The Lady of the Manners is going to start off with a disclaimer: this installment of Gothic Charm School is primarily going to be of use to the Snarklings in the USA. The clicky-links of coveting lead to assorted retailers that may or may not ship outside of the USA, so be sure to read all the fine print about shipping and whatnot before you buy something!

So what is the Lady of the Manners going to burble enthusiastically about? Snarklings, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Halloween season is upon us! Now is the time to stock up on goodies festooned with bats and skulls, on stripy tights and fishnets, and on candles and candle holders! Continue reading →

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Of Parental Nicknames, Of Wrongly Being Called Emo, And Of Dress Codes

Posted on June, 2010 by Lady of the Manners

Look, Snarklings! A new lesson at Gothic Charm School, even if it was somewhat later that the Lady of the Manners had hoped for. (The flu, dear Snarklings, makes doing anything very difficult. Try not to contract whichever strain of it that is going around.)

As promised in the previous lesson, the Lady of the Manners carries on with the second round of questions from the younger readers of Gothic Charm School. Questions about talking to parents, being called emo, and not being allowed to wear Goth clothing to school. Continue reading →

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A Quick Note About Two Upcoming Events

Posted on October, 2009 by Lady of the Manners

If you are in the Seattle area, Snarklings, you will be able to find the Lady of the Manners at the following places this weekend:

Saturday, October 17, 2009 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Signing at Comics Dungeon!
250 NE 45th Street
Seattle WA 98105
(206) 545-8373

Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Running around at the Mourning Market!
www.mourningmarket.com
1950 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98134 Continue reading →

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Of Nicknames. And Of Fan Art!

Posted on September, 2009 by Lady of the Manners

Forgive the delay between posts, Snarklings. Firstly, the Lady of the Manners wanted to make sure that the post about Goths of Color had a goodly stay on the front page. Secondly, the Lady of the Manners is recovering from the flu, and has not felt up to writing anything more in depth than the occasional ennui-laden LiveJournal entry. But! The aches, chills, and fever have finally gone away, and the Lady of the Manners feels clear-headed enough to do more than glance fuzzily at her inbox!

One very flattering question that appears in the Gothic Charm School mailbox frequently is if there are going to be more Gothic Charm School videos on YouTube. Yes, Snarklings, eventually. The Lady of the Manners has been discussing some ideas with her brilliant and talented friends who helped create the first three videos, and there are Plans Afoot! But the Lady of the Manners is unable to give you even a vague projection of when a new video may appear, as there is much wrangling with the schedules of everyone involved to be dealt with, first. But yes, more videos are going to happen! Continue reading →

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