In Australia Halloween isn't a particularly celebrated occasion.

Several suburbs scattered throughout the cities will have children trick-or-treating, but it's not anything too exciting.

i was lucky enough to grow up in a suburb full of enthusiastic American expats, and Halloween was simply the most amazing day of the year - without fail.

i'm very much a sugar and sunshine type of girl, but i suppose there is some darkness to both of those. Sugar can be so saccharine and alluring, in a somewhat intoxicating sense, almost to the point that it's addictive and dark. And without sunshine there is no shadow, and there is no darkness.

Halloween reminds me of my dormant appreciation of the macabre - of things a little darker and more sinister than my usual cotton-candy, rainbows and sparkles penchants and the perspective that generates them.

i like silvery cobwebs and black lace and sad stories.

i like thunderstorms and wavering candlelight with all its phantom shadow-shapes.

i like porcelain dolls with tattered dresses and wearing black nail polish and dark fishnet stockings beneath pretty little  pastel dresses, just short enough to bare the slightest glimpse of a garter every once in a while. Dark make-up and romantic soft-curled hair. Deer in the headlights - but basking in it.

i find the dark so alluring, enchanting, breathtaking.

i think there is something in it that we draw upon. Perhaps when we're hurting, sad, mad, scared...  It is something that connects somewhere with our emotions in quite a profound way.

Or, perhaps, i'm alone wearing this sentiment on my shoulder.

But, i have always connected emotions to the soul, and the soul to artistry and expression.

Of which clothing and fashion is a personal physical manifestation.

i spent Halloween as Wednesday Addams, aged into a young lady from the solemn little girl she used to be to me.

Burgandy ribbon roses, black lace, black hair dye, charcoal eyes - darker than smoky, and that demure, venomous and sinister composure.

It was a nice break from shiny-shiny, white bows, glittery shoes and yellow sundresses. i feel like i did her justice, and let myself indulge in those darker things i appreciate so.