Get Out And Do It!

So I just got over being sick.

Monday I was going to do all of these things but I stayed in bed, leaving only to scavenge for food and water. Much later in the day I went outside to read and I immediately felt better. Why hadn't I done this soon? I could have easily walked outside, realized that all I need was some fresh air, and gone through with all of my little projects. Bit of a bummer.

Today is my second day off and I am going to do everything. I'm about to go shower and clean up for the day and then I'm off on my adventure.

So, last Saturday I was going to to Veronica Varlow's online tarot class. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend due to me being an idiot and closing the window, with my one-time code, right as the class started. I was so pissed off.

 I wanted to scream.

 I wanted to cry.

I wanted to break everything in the house.

But thankfully I have friends. May was able to talk me down and he told me to de-stress was a hot bath. I lit some candles, I put on some music (because music is magic and it can change any situation instantly) threw in a bath bomb and I turned out the lights. After a good soak I did feel much better and thankfully Veronica records her classes and I'll get to see what I missed out on. So if you aren't feeling motivated take a hot bath or shower. Wash away the gloom, the negativity, the lethargy, and the funk. Put on some music and get into adventure spirit. Do something today and do it well.

Here's a little playlist I made for my magical bath. Or if you've already cleaned up for the day I like listening to Frank Turner to feel energized.

Alright everyone, you have your assignment. Have a great day and let me know in the comments what you did today

Love,

J.S.

Creative Work Wednesdays: Tarot Readings

I felt the need to write today. I guess because the last few days were kind of sucky and I just feel like I need to do something creative/productive with my life. Also just letting you know this is going to be a lengthy so if you got the time and patience read on.

 I got up this morning and I went off to work. I had this yucky kind of sensation and I just felt down and out. Turns out I got to work thirty minutes so I grabbed out my tarot cards and began to shuffle. I hadn't done a reading for myself in a while and I figured I should do an in-depth reading. I focused on what I needed to do with my life because I felt a little lost and I really didn't know where I should be heading. This is what I got :

I'll go into detail about what the cards mean in just a second but first I want to go about my relationship with tarot. Now I know I've mention tarot cards in the past but I never really talked about how much I used them. I did readings during class and theatre practice for any and all who wanted one but I wasn't consistent outside of that environment. After college I kind of stopped using my cards. I didn't practice with them I didn't really want to learn about them anymore. This was all due to a lack of motivation on my part and also I didn't really feel that connected to my deck. When I bought my current deck I felt something that I didn't feel with my old one. I felt a sense of familiarity and over the months I've really grown close to these figures. Before I did spreads every couple of weeks and now I do one at least once a week. I really love working with these cards and I love the stories that they tell me. I especially love doing readings for my friends. May and I always read each other whenever we visit and its a lot of fun. So I want to do something. For anyone that wants one I'll be doing free tarot card readings. If you want to do this via e-mail or Skype or whatever I'm totally game. I want to get better at reading others and I want to be able to have all my cards memorized.  I've said I've had them for months but I haven't had every single card show up in a reading, yet. So if you want one leave a comment here or on the Casanova Cupcake page on Facebook . We can talk about different spreads (there are tons!) and make a whole adventure out of it. Anyway, onto the card meanings.

Today was the first time I did the Celtic Cross with my cards normally I just do a three card spread but today I really felt like I needed to do something more personal. The Celtic Cross is a ten to eleven card spread and it is a lot more in-depth than one or three card spread. So I thought about my question and then I started to flip over my cards and here is how it went.

1. The Significator-The Prince of Swords-This card represents you and your inner most desires to the question/situation at hand. Some people allow the Querent, the person being read, to pick a card before the reading starts that they feel a connection to and they'll use this as the Significator card. I feel like drawing the card as you're laying out the spread is better but that's just my opinion.Anyway the this card represents me and how I feel currently. The Prince of Swords means that I have a lot of ideas and that I'm talking with friends or others about new ideas. It also says that I shouldn't be sarcastic or use words that might affect my future negatively. Also I'm in a position where ideas are more stimulating. 

This was true. I have had a lot of ideas and I've been talking with May  about some projects I really want to try.

2. What covers you-The Star-This card is place on top of the first card. This position represents your current conditions. 

The Star says that now is a time for you to relax and recharge. For you to enjoy spiritual ideas and concepts. To let ideas pour out of you and nourish the ones you love. To take the time to be the "super star" of your own life. Dwell on the positive and not the negative.  Express your creative urges and create or enjoy something artistic. I have been taking a lot of time with myself and I have been working on some ideas I had about stories and routines but there had been a lack of motivation in the past few days.

3. What crosses you-The Five of Swords-This card usually represents the obstacles that you have or will face. The Five of Swords represents defeat. If you a fighting a battle that you cannot win then accept it and move on. Trying to "cheat fate" or loss for a few extra moments is an empty and hollow victory. If victory cannot be achieved just walk away from it. It's not worth it. This storm shall pass, let it, and get out before you lose something important.

This sums up most of my fears perfectly. I don't like fighting and I don't like confrontation. I do worry about how things can play out and I worry about the losses I might face. But this card also gives you a wonderful reminder. "This too shall pass". The storm may rage on but the storm is not forever. Just roll with the punches and you'll make it out ok.

4. What is beneath you-The Lovers-This position represents the basis of the question you have. The Lovers is one of my favorite cards of this deck. The Lovers represent your relationships and how they reflect your own inner balance. Whenever you get them make sure that whatever is attracting you from who, what, and where you are isn't reflecting  the dissatisfaction you feel towards yourself. Also The Lovers don't always represent romantic and sexual love. In this case they represent two allurements that are fighting for my attention.

So the two things that are "alluring" me are my spiritual life and my physical life/career. I feel this deep spiritual need for something more, something magical but at the same time I'm looking at what I want to do with my life career-wise. I have also two ideas I want for a career which could also explain their appearance. Either way this is what I'm looking at right now and trying to decide where I need to be going.

5. What is behind you-The Two of Wands-This means what past influences and/or conditions that have brought you to your present state.

The Two of Wands represents planning, becoming independent, and established. This is the time for you to map out your plans and ideas before going back to the day to day reality of working out the details. So a while back or so I was in the position to map out my ideas and get them started and I feel like I have. I wanted to have a group session with my friends about magic, I wanted to have a list of routines for upcoming shows, and I had ideas for NaNoWriMo that I started working on as well. Also I've started experimenting with soaps and was grabbing more supplies for future projects. This bleed into my current situation and all the ideas that are buzzing around my head.

6.What crowns you-The High Priestess-The card in this position  represents the way in which you want to see the situation to progress in the future. This is the goal you should keep in mind as you work towards it.

The High Priestess is another of my favorite cards. She represents meditation. Whenever she pops up in a reading she is saying take a step back, breath in, and quietly go into yourself and become aware of your eternal connection to what is and what will be. The strength you gain from this knowledge will bring you insight. She also represents harmony with your intuition. And yeah I would love from this to go this way. I draw inspiration from The High Priestess because she is aligned perfectly with the universe. She follows the cycles and the rhythms of the moon and earth and she my epitome of magic. 

7. What is before you-The King of Swords-This card represents the short outcome of the situation. These are the events that must be prepared for.

The King of Swords is all about ideas and not getting distracted. You can be stimulated by ideas and intellect but don't get so distracted by these that you start daydreaming instead of actually manifesting these ideas. Your ideas are important. Don't lose sight of them and make them real. Also be aware that other people who would love to share your thoughts and they could also be stimulated by you. So things I need to be aware of. Stay focused and don't go off into La La Land and daydream my time away. This is a problem for me because I'm great at picturing an idea reaching fruition but sometimes I just picture it and I don't really do much else. Tarot also gives you hard truths. They don't coddle you. They tell you like it is.

8. Your personality-The Magiciain-The card here represents how you must conduct yourself in order to achieve your desired final outcome.

Oh boy The Magician. This card means that if your willpower is consciously and aggressively directed, you can accomplish all that you visualize. You are challenged to go into the world and use your skill and intellect to make a change for the better. Go and make some magic. I really like this card too. This is the attitude that I really should be having. I should be directing my energies productively and making something of my time rather than wasting it.  Well I'm psyching myself up to start acting like this and I'm ready to make magic.

9. How others see you-The Hermit-It's pretty self-explanatory. The card in this position represents how other people perceive you. Your family, friends, or even co-workers could help with support or the energy you need to meet your desired outcome.

When I saw this card I laughed out loud. I do feel like a lot of people see me as a hermit because I don't really understand social media and I don't go out that much either. But both of those are habits I'm trying to break. Besides staying in and not talking to people The Hermit also represents the obvious, introspection. But this can be a good thing. It's saying don't look outside yourself for the answer but instead look inward. This introspection can lead to self-improvement and with mature deliberation things will be resolved. All your answers may not immediately be revealed.  

10. Your hopes and fears-The Seven of Swords-This position is either a hope or a fear depending on the nature of the card. 

The Seven of Swords represents opposition. It advises that to avoid opposition you must be logical and persistent and not resort to trickery and deceit. You must face the facts that some problems are self-created and that only by identifying them and breaking the repeated negative patterns of your behavior will you cease in adding addition energy to said opposing forces. This one was a little on the nose. I already know what my bad habits are. For instance starting a new project or idea and then loosing motivation for it or not managing my time well. This good representation of what I fear. I'm afraid of being stuck and not moving forward. Of failing at yet another idea. I don't want that to happen. If I follow the attitude of The Magician I shouldn't have this problem

And finally, 11. The final outcome-The Hanged Man-The final outcome! The card here represents the result of the entire course of action taken. It is the culmination of all of your efforts.

The Hanged Man is all about getting a new perspective. This is period in your life may seem restrictive but you are being forced to become more introspective, to listen to your higher mind and inner self. Waiting has its place in any plan. Don't try and be a martyr but at the same time don't be afraid to make sacrifices or be afraid to adapt to changing circumstances. If you feel stuck, trapped, or in a rut "pick yourself up by your own bootstraps". Again a little on the nose but helpful all the same. If things are challenging then I need to adapt in a way that makes it easier on myself. I need to look at things from a new perspective and get out of my own rut by picking myself up and getting back out there. 

After really looking at the cards for a minute I feel more energized and more willing to get back out there. I feel the creative flow again and I'm going to focus on my ideas and not let them spiral out of control. I'm going to meditate and make some magic.

 I really do hope to hear from a few of you about readings.  And as one of my favorite magical women in comics always says

(Enter Freely and Be Unafraid)

Love,

J.S.

Overcoming Obstacles

Yay I have my computer back! It had to have a power button replaced but now he's back and I can write again.

So after reconnecting with my inner self I knew that there was something else that I really had to do that I had been putting off for a looooong time. So I had my very first art contest and I gave a winner video a short time afterwards...but I was a little late getting the prizes together. So why did it take so long? Well on many occasions I was going to purchase my materials but then I was out of money because I spent on bills, or other projects that I felt like were more important which is a terrible excuse. Commitments should always come first. Then there was the disconnect that I felt and it really took a toll on me. It's amazing how a certain mindset can affect you. Things slip through your fingers and when you look at the calendar and so much time has gone by...it can be a bit disconcerting. I felt like I couldn't write because I hadn't done the prizes. It had been such a long time and in my head I thought people would be like "where's the stuff you promised?". I felt like I couldn't do something because I had to finish my promise first. But sometimes you need a break to step back and really look at a situation before you can handle it. So I did. I looked at myself for the first time in a long time and I kissed the mirror before getting back into the swing of things.

(A picture where I felt truly magical and fully with myself mind, body, and spirit)

So after I felt my magical renewal I knew what I had to do, I got to work with my crafty self. Doing this was so much fun and I really can't wait to make more bobbles. For a first time craft I felt really good about these. I had never worked with wire before and the more I worked with it the better I got. The next thing was the soaps. I was really worried about making them just as I was with the necklaces but I turned on some calming music and the next thing I knew I had three bars of soap done. I made an extra one for May and I hope that he and the winners from the contest enjoy it. I already got a confirmation from one of the winners and I can't wait to hear about the other two!

(Magical Crafting)

So I got over a hurdle even if it took some time. And for anyone that is struggling know that I love you and I know that you can do this. You can kick ass and you can do anything if you just put your mind to it. And if you want some ideas on how to get out of a funk try reading this post.

Have a great Tuesday everyone,

Love and Icing Kisses,

J.S.

Reconnecting With Your Inner Self

It has been many, many months since I last wrote. I don't know when or how it started really all I know is that one day I opened my computer to write and then I froze. I tried countless times that day and the weeks after to write something but something kept seizing my heart and my brain couldn't connect to the words that I wanted my fingers to type.   became scared, no, terrified, to write. In my head I would say 'it's been too long', 'no one would want to read this anyway', 'I don't know what to write about'. I wanted to write something personal but I have this weird thing where I hate showing vulnerability. I have this stupid thought that when laid completely bare no one will like what they see. Time and time again I have been proven wrong by that.

There were a lot of changes were going around at the time and I just shut down. I had this light, this connection, and it all seemed to have vanished as the days wore on. I forgot what it was like to feel pride and magic in my writing. I kept waiting and waiting for a magical renewal like a concert, a con, a burlesque show, something, but every time I was disappointed. Why, why wasn't I feeling that connection that I felt so long ago? And then it happened last week when May and I were auditioning for a show. We were both having horrible days. Plans to go out to Tyler fell through, again, and I felt like it was all my fault because of my crazy work schedule. May was upset because the plans changed, I was upset because I had a stressful day at work and I didn't even feel like auditioning. I just wanted to go home and curl up into a ball and cry my eyes out but I didn't. May was sad and I can't bear to see my family hurt so I pushed aside my negativity and we went back to his place and got ready for my video.

As I drove back to his place something echoed in my mind from years ago. As you all know I love Veronica Varlow. Once she appeared on MTV's Made to help a wonderful girl, Andrea, become homecoming queen. Veronica asked Andrea to find a picture of when she, Andrea, was last happy. When I got to May's house I scrolled through the pictures of myself. When was the last time that I was truly 100% happy? When did I last feel that magical connection where everything seemed to sync up and make sense? And then I found this picture:

My debut performance. I looked so happy and I remember feeling that connection to my inner self. The person I saw myself being in my head, the person I always wanted to be. As May did my make up we just chatted about life and things we wanted. Every now and then I would glance at myself in the mirror and I would smile and felt my heart swell a little. But it wasn't until May was lacing up my corset with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' 'I Hate Myself For Loving You' was playing in the background did I feel that connection I had missed so much. I felt something click inside of me and instantly there was a change. I was happy and I was in the moment again. For moment I thought that I had lost that feeling as we had a couple of technical issues with the camera but after the last try I was there again. I was myself and I felt the magic.

I felt alive and wonderful. I had missed this side of myself so much. Here was my confidence, here was my magic, my strength, my power, my love. Why had I shut it out for so long? Did I just forget or did the day to day life just take its toll? Honestly, I don't know what happened. I just got lost but now I think I found my feet on the right path again. I never want to lose it again.

For those for feel like they lost a piece of themselves you can find it again. Think about the last time you felt that surge of energy, that freedom, the magic of your soul. Trace your steps back to that moment and recreate it. Draw it out, get dolled up, sing, dance, laugh, spin, and reach out. That piece will be there and when you find them, they will smile back at you. 

Love always,

Jay 

The Magic of Tarot

Welcome back to another segment of Tell Me About It Tuesday.

After reading Veronica's post about tarot yesterday I felt inspired to write about my own experiences with the tarot.

(Strength from the Paulina Tarot)

Magic has always interested me, especially when I was younger. I was drawn to it. I didn't get interested in tarot until I was about nine or ten years old. I'm almost a little embarrassed to admit this but it was from a T.V. show called The Vision of Escaflowne.

The show was a about an average high school girl named Hitomi. She was on the track team and she also told fortunes for her classmates via tarot. I just remember being so entranced by the cards and her ability to know their meaning just by looking at them. She ends up getting whisked away to another planet called Gaea and her psychic powers become even more powerful. It's a good show and I do recommend it to any anime lovers.

(A picture of some of Hitomi's cards)

I couldn't believe that someone could actually know your past, present, or future by using something as simple as cards. I wanted to have my fortune told by someone but being that I was a little kid and my parents frown upon something like this, I kept it my dream to myself. Then one day in my freshman year of high school my friend Amber brought her own tarot deck to class. I don't remember the name of it. All I can remember was that the cards had cartoon-ish looking dragons on them. She did a few card spreads for us and then asked if anyone of us wanted to have our own reading. I jumped at the chance. She told me to think of a question and only that question. So I closed my eyes and focused on my question while shuffling the cards in my hands. I gave her back her cards and she started the spread. I don't remember all the cards that were used. All I remember was the last card. The card that was supposed to be my answer.

I was about seventeen when I bought my first deck which was the Rider-Watie Deck. I thought that this would be a good one to start with since this was the deck I saw the most. I used this deck a lot in college because I had friends that wanted advice about something in their lives and I was more than happy to get the practice in. It wasn't until my friend Mark showed up for on of our plays that noticed his deck, the Revelations Deck.

I didn't know about the vast possibilities when it came to the cards. This is when my friend, Tanya, asked me if my deck spoke to me or if I ever felt drawn to it. I told her not really. I just got it because I thought it was a good one to start with. She told me when buying anything magical you need to feel something for it. It needs to speak to you. And it took me a while to find the right cards but after all this searching I finally did. 

(The Zerner Farber Deck aka The Enchanted Tarot)

This was the first card that I saw and I fell in love. I finally understood what my friends meant. I felt drawn to these cards. I could hear them calling out to me. And they have been very helpful in all my readings. 

If any of you are ever interested in tarot and want to see what kinds of decks are out there I recommend Aeclectic Tarot or Tarot.com  although you can find decks pretty much anywhere. Just remember when purchasing your deck 

1) have a connection with it. If you feel drawn to it or if it speaks to you or maybe you can already see a story when you look at the cards. You need to feel something for it.

2) Never haggle for the prices of magical items. Just my advice.

Or maybe you don't really feel like tarot is your thing and you want to try orcale cards. There are a huge selection of those are well. In fact May-May uses them. His cards are the Oracle of Shadows and Light.

Well that's all I have for you today. And if you ever want a reading from me all you have to do is ask ;)

Icing kisses,

J.S.

This Is Our Life Thursday: Graduation!

Oh I have been dying to write about this.

This is what I saw as I gazed at the computer a couple of months ago. It was a sign. I had asked for a closer burlesque opportunity and here it was staring back at me. Immediately I saw there was a class and signed up the very next morning. A lot of people said I was crazy to drive to Dallas every Sunday for six weeks. It was too far, gas costs too much, blah, blah, blah. I knew I was in the right place. The first moment I knew that was when I met my teacher Dirty Blonde.

(Here she is!)

Seriously best woman alive, ever. I was nervous at first because I really didn't think I was learning anything. But after the second class things seemed to click. At one point we had to perform our routines for the classes and get feedback from her and the other students. When it was my turn she gave me some good advice on where on how to the use the stage to my advantage and the best piece was to just have fun. 

"You're a natural. You have this infectious smile and I already know they are going to LOVE you"

And so it came. It was Friday, July 17th, and I had already my make up on from the show. We did a brief run through of the show to make sure all of our tech stuff was taken care off and we headed up to the dressing room and waited for our names to be called. 

I was nervous. Terrified, really. Not about performing or being on stage, but of what the audience was going to think. Would they like it? Would they think it was stupid? Would anyone cheer? I took a breath and squeezed my potion bottle that I got from Veronica and focused. I felt better and then I was at the bottom of the stairs behind the curtain that led to the stage. Waiting for my cue to walk up steps to the stage. My heart was pounding in my chest.

"Give it up for the male harlot, Mr. Jay Scarlet!"

The crowd erupted into cheers and I glided up to the stage. A long crimson cloak covered me and hid my face. The music started off slow and haunting and it picked up to a faster a beat. I slid off the cloak and turned around and the screams got louder. 

(The first reveal)

And I owned that stage. I heard nothing but screams and laughs and whoops. It was so amazing. I felt that spark again. I was exactly where I wanted and needed to be. And then it was over. I tilted my head and blew a kiss to the audience before walking off the steps and then running up the stairs laughing like a little kid. I went downstairs, in a borrowed bathrobe, and watched the second half of the show and loved every second of it. The guys I got to work with I feel like we're going to be friends for a very long time. 

So after the show I was told to go to a small 24-hour diner that was just a block and a half away from the theater and have "stripper breakfast". To better initiate myself to the fabulous world of burlesque. Although I was just starving from eating all day and I really wanted pancakes. So the crew and I went to the diner and ate and soon everyone showed up in tow. Unfortunately I had to open at work the next day (always take the next day off people, just my piece of advice) so we had to leave.

Right before I left I took Dirty's hand and said thank you again and again. Thank you for starting a school in Dallas, thank you for helping me on my first real burlesque routine, thank you for the opportunity, and thank for everything else. Her reply was: "Thank you for coming, thank you for performing, I am so glad that I got to meet you, you're a natural"

I love her I really do. She is fantastic, fabulous, and fierce. And she invited me to come back in September to do another boylesque show. Of course I'm going to do it. I have to see all my brothers and sisters again.

 (The first being Chess Shires)

(Eros Jones)

(Ida Bubbestein)

(MT Molotov)

(Lyric Laveau)

(Mitch Kitsch)

(G.I. Jim)

(Vincent Vermuth, brother to Vivienne Vermuth who did my kick ass make up)

And the last but certainly not least is Stephan the Southern Fried King of Burlesque. This guy was so amazing and so great to work. He's very talented and I would really kill for his fantastic legs.

So yeah that's it. I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday the photographer who came to the show is still uploading pictures so when I get more trust me I'll be posting them. So you'll guys will just have to be satisfied with the one on top and one of whore face.

Also a huge thank you to everyone that participated in the art contest. It's going to be very tough to choose but I will let you know by next Thursday. 

I love you all and I hope you have a magical weekend.

Icing Kisses,

J.S.

Wayward Mermaid Confessions And Nervous Feelings

So what do you guys think about the new look? To be honest I just got tired of staring at nothing but darkness so I wanted to add some color and life to the blog. I like it this new look a lot better than the last one and I hope you guys do too.

So this week I have two things I wanted to talk about. The first one is something that I've actually wanted to talk about for a little while now. When I first started blogging when I was 17 I wanted to have a place where I could put all my thoughts and feelings and not be judged or criticized for it. But every time I started I always kept back something.

I can't say that.

People will think I'm weird.

No one would want to read that. 

I never really felt like I had a safe space, other than my journal. Then a few weeks ago May-May and I were working on music and he asked if I wanted to go swimming. I love the water so of course I jumped at the offer. We changed into our trunks and swam around and around and just talked. It was very open and freeing just to talk to a friend about crazy ideas for the future, thoughts on romance and love, and small fears that we were both hoping to get over.

"So what do we call this?" he asked me as he swam over to the other side of the pool.

"I don't know....I always kind of felt like a mermaid in this pool ever since you made those tails."

"Hmm...Mermaid Confessions?"

"Wayward Mermaid Confessions!"

And whenever we want a to have a magical discussion we say "Wayward Mermaid Confession?" and then grab our trunks and our tails and head to the pool where the moon and the stars are our only light.

(a picture of Selene my mermaid goddess)

But I wanted to extend that magic to all of you. I want the blog to be a place where people can say something that they are afraid to say elsewhere, or to ask questions that they are too afraid to ask. This is a safe place for everyone. Here we are all family and there is nothing but love and acceptance.

The second thing is this. 

Tomorrow I perform at the Dallas Academy of Burlesque and I'm already starting to get butterflies. The thought of being on stage thrills me to no end. I can't wait for that but still something in me shaking and partially freaking out. This was something that I confessed to May-May and he told me that maybe the reason why I'm nervous is because I just jumped into the class. There was some thought before I signed up but it was more a snap-decision. Part of me agreed with this but another part had a different reason. I am a firm believer that you shouldn't care about what strangers think of you but we all have insecurities and to say that I don't have any would be a lie. I am worried about messing up on stage or people thinking my routine is stupid or any number of things that could go wrong. I know I can't listen to these thoughts though. Thinking something bad will happen will actually cause something bad to happen. Positive thoughts will make positive things happen. So tonight after I get back from work I'm going to take a nice hot bath and light some candles and relax. 

(drawn by the amazing Colours07)

So that's what I have for you all this week. Also if you haven't checked out my art contest you really should. And one more thing, I'm adding two new segments to the blog. Memory Lane Mondays, done at the first of monday each month, and Tell Me About It Tuesdays where I'll give you guys insights on what May and I like to do when we're not doing C.C. business. Also if you guys want to email us any thoughts or questions (casanovacupcake@hotmail.com) we are more than happy to listen and/or answer.

Til next time,

Icing kisses,

J.S. 

I Believe In Fairies

As you all know I believe in magic. I always have and I've always have believed in all magical creatures, especially fairies. 

Now while we were at Anime Matsuril I found this amazing woman selling charms and necklaces. I stopped by her and asked her about a pretty fabric flower. She began to tell me about how back in the day people in Japan would take scrap kimono materials and fold them into flowers for necklaces. Instantly I fell in love with it but then something else caught my eye. Little porcelain cut outs and I asked her about the pieces. She told me that she took pieces of porcelain and then took ink stamps and pressed them over the pieces. The one I saw was a little fairy girl smelling flowers. I asked her about it and she told me her seven year old daughter helped her make that charm and that it was her daughter's favorite. I told that I had to have it and the fabric flower. She put them on a ring for me and told me that she was happy that the charms were going to a good home. The rest of that day I had nothing but good luck and met amazing people. I then dubbed it the Magical Fairy Necklace.

(Here is said necklace)

Now fairies can be very helpful creatures. They can bring life to your garden, bless you with good luck, but what they love more than anything is to play tricks on people.

(Courtesy of Jeph Jacques from Questionable Content)

Click the link to see the full size strip

I got tricked by some fairies earlier this week. I had come home from hanging out with May-May and I folded up my clothes before going to bed. The next day I went to go to town and I couldn't find my wallet. I knew that I had left them in my pant's pocket from the night before but my pants were nowhere to be found. Thus began the search. I ripped my house about, as well as my car, trying to find my missing wallet. I only had  about a day or two's worth of gas, plus I had groceries that I needed to buy and Mother's Day and birthday presents. I spent yesterday and today digging through the same places over and over again. At that point I knew something was amiss. I knew I had left my clothes in the house. So when I eliminated all possible places for my wallet to be I turned to the only explanation left. Fairies. Fairies love to take things and hide them. Its one of the easiest ways to trick humans. They were just playing a little joke on me but enough was enough. I chanted a little lost and found spell over and over and over as I continued my search. Finally after I checked underneath a chair in the living room for the billionth time I looked up and there they were. My missing clothes sat there all nice and neat. Quickly I grabbed my pants and I pulled out my wallet. I said thank you to the fairies for returning my things and I swear I heard laughter.

(from angelajordan)

Another thing is I've always wanted to be a fairy. I've always wanted to fly, dance on water, and play with all  kinds of animals. And finally I've decided to do something that I've always promised myself but have never done. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend A-Kon this year due to previous engagements but I am going to go to A-Fest. And on one day while I'm there I am going to dress like a fairy. I already have the materials to make my costume and even my very own fairy wings. It's going to be amazing I already know and I can't wait.

(Twig The Fairy)

So tell me what magical things do you believe in?

Love,

J.S.

Everyday Magic

Hello, Sprinkles!

First off I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for being so amazing. All of you have made May and me very happy with all of the positive comments, the likes, and telling everyone and your grandmother about us. We feel very loved and blessed and we are working our little Victorian butts off to make you all proud. And hopefully we will be seeing some of you guys face to face in upcoming tours (we pray). Please stay tuned as the official release date of the CD is fast approaching. Not to mention all the new merchandise. 

So today I wanted to write something personal before we jump back through the twisted metal gates of the Bastille Asylum. I am a believer in magic. I do believe that it exists and that sometimes magic just seems to speak to us.

Two weeks ago May-May had made himself a mermaid tail and I asked him to make me one too. He did and the next week I tried mine out in the pool. Ever since I was a little boy I had always wanted to be a merperson. The idea of having a tail and swimming through the sea, collecting sunken treasure, and playing with dolphins and other little fish had always been a fantasy I wanted to make true. And now here I was in the water with a bright turquoise tail covering my legs. It wasn’t easy at first but I was able to finally swim with it. I felt at home in a way and I won’t lie I very much wanted to belt out Part of your World from the Little Mermaid. For a brief hour or so I felt like mermaid. I had visions of sitting on a rock near shore and brushing my hair with a fork and holding a piece of broken glass to gaze at my reflection. I looked over at May and he was a natural. My pyromaniac pirate friend was an absolute perfect mermaid and I was so happy to share this with him. We talked of the ocean and songs and other magical things.  I really wished I had an underwater camera so I could show you all how amazing it was. Maybe the next time I’m over at May’s I’ll get a picture of each of us in our tails. Wouldn’t that be a sight ;) ?

But the magical thing about it all was that a terrible storm was fast approaching our little mermaid paradise. The sky rumbled and cracked with lightning and yet not a single drop of water nor any powerful wind breached our sanctuary. We swam for a long time and we could see the storm was very much upon us yet it never fully reached us. Maybe it was the sea nymphs and fairies. Maybe they thought we were their kin and protected us. All I know is that as soon as we dried off and headed inside the sky opened and the rain fell.

Another moment of magic was just two days ago. I went to go visit the love of my life and he was talking on the phone with his aunt. After he finished we hugged and said our hellos and he smiled happily and told me that I needed to go see something in his room. I walked in and I saw something I hadn’t seen in a very long time. A fort, a fort made of pillows and blankets. He jumped up and down and I couldn’t help but smile and laugh with him. It was another magical moment when we crawled under the fort and held each other and watched movies later that night. I felt like I was six years old again. I remember making similar forts to read my books or watch movies or to hide under if I was ever scared. That same feeling of safety and happiness washed over me as we spent hours talking about the week and the future. We laughed as we played with the fringe and tassels from the blankets. It was wonderful. The fort felt impenetrable to the outside world and even time itself. As we snuggled watching the movie I felt the best magic of all. Love.  And just like that another happy memory in my life was born.

I guess the message in today’s post is that magic is all around us if we look hard enough. It can be something as fantastic as being a mermaid or something as simple as building of small fort and being with the one you love. Never forget the magic, Sprinkles. Take joy in all the small things.

With much love and icing kisses,

J.S.

P.S. I hope you’re ready from some new characters. The Asylum is about to gain some new members.