Yearly Archives: 2009

Of Disapproving Doctors

Snarklings, the Lady of the Manners wants you to know, right off the bat, that this installment of Gothic Charm School was one she found more than a touch difficult to write. But even though the Lady of the Manners fretted and worried about what to say, she knew this was a letter she absolutely had to address. A reader who has labeled themselves Mentally Endangered Spooky Snarkling wrote in with this worrisome issue: Continue reading

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Of Events, Videos, And A Clarification

This is a rather quick update this time, Snarklings. An upcoming event, a new video, and a clarification about one of the clothing stores mentioned in the previous update. Firstly, an event! If you find yourself in the Seattle area … Continue reading

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Of Goth Fashion, With Clicky-Links!

Clothing, Snarklings. Goth fashion is a source of perpetual questions here at Gothic Charm School. Assembling a gothy wardrobe can, at times, be a bit daunting; the Lady of the Manners does understand that. Here, let the Lady of the Manners share with you some of the types of letters that come fluttering into the Gothic Charm School mailbox: Continue reading

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A Review of MAC’s Black Lipsticks

The Lady of the Manners wants you to know, Snarklings, that this is not the giant Goth fashion edition of Gothic Charm School. No, because the Lady of the Manners is still collecting clicky-links and discovering that while she has oodles of advice about Victorian-esque and darkly elegant gothwear, she needs to do a bit more searching around for helpful words and links to give to those of you who favor a more punk-tinged aesthetic.

So! The Lady of the Manners is going to answer a reader question about makeup! Jaleesa asks:

I have to ask you something. What is your thought’s on MAC’s newest products from the “Style Black” collection? Also, what is your thought’s on plus size goths? Other than, I love your book and your site. thank you

Oh yes, the MAC Style Black collection, chock-full of black lipsticks and nail polishes. Haven’t you noticed, Snarklings? The harder-edged/punk side of Goth is a big deal in the fashion world this autumn, which amuses the Lady of the Manners to no end, (even if her stylistic preference is for the more Victorian side of Goth). The Lady of the Manners, being a complete push-over for this sort of thing, scampered down to her local MAC store to ooh and ahhh over the goodies, and ended up getting the Mattene lipstick in Midnight Media, and Glimmerglass glosses in Blackfire and Blackware. Continue reading

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A Quick Note About Two Upcoming Events

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 Parents Disapproving Of Your Evolving Style, With A Short Tangent About Emilie Autumn

Goodness, Snarklings! The Lady of the Manners is sure that all of you have seen the photos all around the Web of President Obama and his family with the Spanish Prime Minister and his family, including his two gothling teen daughters. The Lady of the Manners thinks the photo is adorable, and fervently hopes that the Spanish Prime Minister has been keeping his daughters out of the media spotlight because he wants them to have some privacy, not because he is possibly embarrassed by the girls’ Goth appearance. Because (by the Lady of the Manners’ logic), if the Spanish Prime Minister was apprehensive about his daughters’ gothy tendencies, he would have done what parents of Goths have done for ages, and informed his daughters that the were not going to attend the event dressed like that. But obviously he didn’t, and the whole photo just makes the Lady of the Manners beam fondly.

Speaking of possible parental disapproval, Continue reading

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Of Nicknames. And Of Fan Art!

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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Of Goths Of Color

Snarklings, remember back in early July, when the Lady of the Manners asked for your help in answering a reader question? No? Here, let the Lady of the Manners refresh your memory about what a Snarkling named Oni asked:

Dear Lady of the Manners,

I’m new to your site and would like to say that this is a very reliable source for the Gothic lifestyle and for the onlookers. You don’t choose sides and its nice and equal. Although I face one MAJOR problem in the lifestyle. I’m of African-American descent and have noticed that I cannot find good makeup tips and fashion for us goths of a darker shade, which makes me feel left out. Not only that but many other goths that I have encountered have tended to have a very “racist” attitude toward goths of a darker shade things like “Oh! I have never seen YOUR kind” or “I didn’t know there were black goths around”. There absolutely needs to be more diversity in the subculture and someone needs to break the mold in fashion.

At that time, the Lady of the Manners replied with:

Oni, you are absolutely right, there needs to be more diversity in the Goth subculture. The Lady of the Manners cannot stress that strongly enough, and is sad to read some of the attitudes and comments you’ve had to deal with.

However ”¦ the Lady of the Manners is a well-intentioned white girl, who wants to give helpful advice, but is operating from a position of cluelessness. Which is why, Snarklings, she is turning to you. Other Goths of color, please speak up!

Well, the time has come, Snarklings! The Lady of the Manners has read through all sorts of interesting mail from helpful Snarklings, and hopes that the following advice is what Oni (and other readers!) were looking for. Continue reading

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Of Maintaining Your Gothy Nature And Creativity In Spite Of Ill Health

Well Snarklings, the Gothic Charm School book tour is winding to a close. There is a signing at The Dreaming comic shop in Seattle at 4PM on Saturday August 15, and then … good heavens, the schedule is blank! That isn’t to say that the Lady of the Manners doesn’t want to go out and meet more of you charming people, not at all! No, it means that there isn’t anything scheduled. If you have an event that would like to bring the Lady of the Manners out as a guest, please feel free to contact Gothic Charm School!

Be sure to toddle over to the Lip Service Webzine to read about the Lady of the Manners attending a Gothic Lolita and Ball-Jointed Doll convention. (The very short version is that it was a marvelous time, more conventions should host tea parties, and the Lady of the Manners is planning on attending next year.)

Also, the Gothic Charm School Batty Heart necklace from Rocklove and the Gothic Charm School body butter from Starborn Alchemy are both available now!

Reader question time! A dear friend of the Lady of the Manners wrote in with a serious question, one that might apply to more Snarklings out there:

question: Hello Dear Lady!
It is with awe I watch you continue to take over the world!

I am taking the time to ask you for help.
What does a darkly clad (or insanely clad) one do to remain true to the whimsy when one is ill?
Continue reading

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Of Interviews, Of Upcoming Events, And Of Tightening Parental Restrictions

Snarklings! There are so many exciting things still going on at Gothic Charm School! Such as the lovely new merchandise that the Lady of the Manners wrote about last week: the Gothic Charm School Batty Heart necklace from Rocklove Jewelry, and the Gothic Charm School Body Butter from Starborn Alchemy! Go forth and investigate those clicky-links for more information and to purchase the items. Continue reading

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