Lifestyle – Vamp Jenn's Corner

Inside the Black Moon Cosmetics Boutique in LA

March 14, 2026March 25, 2026by Jennifer VasquezLeave a Comment

Black Moon Cosmetics now has a brick-and-mortar store in Burbank, California! The brand launched an online shop in 2015 and has grown an amazing following of dark beauty enthusiasts who adore their products. They opened at the beginning of 2026 and are located just a few blocks away from what is known as Burbank’s “Horror Row,” a street lined with spooky small businesses. I finally paid a visit to the makeup store and am here to give you a peek behind the curtain.

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Events, halloween, News

Spooktacular Midsummer Scream 2026 Announcements

March 7, 2026March 25, 2026by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments

David Howard Thornton as Art The Clown at Midsummer Scream 2025 (Photo credit: Al Ortega)

Recognized as the world’s largest Halloween and horror convention, Midsummer Scream is returning for summer 2026, and it promises to be bigger and better. This year is extra special because it marks the 10th anniversary of the event! It all started in 2016, and the horror con continues to come back annually to haunt the Long Beach Convention Center in California. Many exciting announcements have been made regarding what’s in store, and I’m about to share them with you.

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Literature, occult, spirituality

Achieving Self-Alchemy in Cherry Parra’s ‘The Left Hand Path of Tarot’

February 6, 2026March 7, 2026by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments

Vamp Jenn's copy of The Left-Hand Path of Tarot by Cherry Parra — Vamp Jenn’s copy of *The Left-Hand Path of Tarot* by Cherry Parra

As I’ve navigated my spirituality over the years, I tend to align with teachings from the Left-Hand Path. I was intrigued when The Left Hand Path of Tarot by Cherry Parra was brought to my attention. It’s my first time coming across a book on tarot presented from the Left-Hand Path perspective. It’s a text that encourages practitioners, from novices to advanced readers, to lean into the shadow to ignite self-growth.

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holidays, Lifestyle

9 Valloween Gift Ideas for Your Ghoulentine

January 24, 2026February 17, 2026by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments

Photo credit: Alexandru Acea via Unsplash
Top featured image photo credits: Deadly Sweet, Disturbia, and Spooky Cat)

Let’s redefine what Valentine’s Day is all about. It’s not just a romantic holiday for heterosexual couples. Love and relationships come in many forms that deserve to be recognized. It’s about celebrating the love we have for ourselves, friends, and family (pets included). It’s about celebrating queer love and love for diversity. And that’s what I want my Valentine’s Day gift guide to reflect.

The items on this list definitely steer away from traditional gifts you see promoted by mainstream media. They’re for the individual who embraces the unusual and macabre. Whether you’re treating yourself or a special someone in your life, I hope you find something that enriches your Valloween.

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Culture, Lifestyle

Puerto Rican Horror Hostess Melanie Ramos Welcomes Audiences Into Her Dark Universe

January 5, 2026January 11, 2026by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments

Horror hostess Melevill (Photo credit: W.V.)

From the depths of hell comes the demonic horror hostess of your nightmares—Melevill! This is the alter ego of Melanie Ramos, a multifaceted artist who hails from the South of Puerto Rico. She developed a fascination with the horror genre at a young age and now dedicates her time creating a variety of horror content.

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entertainment, Events, holidays, Lifestyle, Nightlife, Travel

Odd & Macabre Events 2026

January 2, 2026January 30, 2026by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments

While one year has gone, another has begun. That means it’s time to look ahead to see what spooky surprises 2026 has in store. Every year on Vamp Jenn’s Corner, I like to compile a list of events that are taking place worldwide throughout the course of the next 12 months. My Odd & Macabre Events Calendar highlights all sorts of gatherings that fall under the strange and unusual umbrella. My hope is that it makes it easier to discover spooky events happening near you.

I include horror cons, immersive experiences, macabre holidays, dark art exhibits, Halloween haunts, and so much more. Some events are returning, so you may have seen them on my past calendars. I try to feature as many things as possible that take place across the globe, so a variety of locations are covered. I also do my best to keep this post updated and add more functions as I learn about them. Here’s a taste of what morbid and bizarre happenings you can expect in 2026. Please do bookmark and share this page. Enjoy!

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holidays, Lifestyle

Macabre Holiday Gift Guide 2025

November 11, 2025January 4, 2026by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments

At Vamp Jenn’s Corner, we find a way to make every holiday strange and unusual…even Xmas! If you dread having to come up with gift ideas for family and friends, you’re not alone. While shopping can be a drag, I enjoy finding unique items to share in my annual Macabre Holiday Gift Guide. It’s a helpful resource if you’re searching for things that are creative and different. I’m highlighting a whole new collection of pieces from small businesses. Take a look and see what spellbinding treasures you find for the special people in your life. You may even be tempted to add some of these to your holiday wish list. Merry Creepmas!

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Events, halloween

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Delivers All the Frights

October 27, 2025December 3, 2025by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments

One of my favorite Halloween events to attend in SoCal is Dark Harbor at The Queen Mary. After a three-year hiatus due to Covid, the event returned for the first time in 2024 much to my delight. It came back more thrilling and terrifying this year, so I wanted to share some highlights.

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Culture, holidays, Literature

‘A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding’ Teaches Kids About the Day of the Dead

October 14, 2025October 27, 2025by Jennifer Vasquez9 Comments

Woman holding a kid's picture book — Vamp Jenn reading *A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding*

El Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries between November 1st and 2nd. It’s believed that the spirits of loved ones come back to visit the living. The occasion, which has roots in indigenous Mesoamerican traditions, is meant to honor the memory of the deceased and embrace death. While many adults look forward to the Day of the Dead, the concept behind it can be difficult for children to grasp, especially when they believe death is meant to be feared. However, a children’s book titled A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding sets out to change that.

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Events, halloween

Terrifying True Stories Presents a Special Experience for Halloween Season

October 7, 2025October 16, 2025by Jennifer Vasquez5 Comments

Vamp Jenn at Terrifying True Stories by Candlelight

Earlier this year, Terrifying True Stories hosted an event called Victorian Horror Stories in the Dark. They’ve returned with another immersive experience for spooky season titled Terrifying True Stories by Candlelight and I was grateful to be invited to attend. It was thrilling to be back at Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles to take part in the activities and witness macabre storytelling unfold right before my eyes.

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Category: Lifestyle

Inside the Black Moon Cosmetics Boutique in LA

Spooktacular Midsummer Scream 2026 Announcements

Achieving Self-Alchemy in Cherry Parra’s ‘The Left Hand Path of Tarot’

9 Valloween Gift Ideas for Your Ghoulentine

Puerto Rican Horror Hostess Melanie Ramos Welcomes Audiences Into Her Dark Universe

Odd & Macabre Events 2026

Macabre Holiday Gift Guide 2025

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Delivers All the Frights

‘A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding’ Teaches Kids About the Day of the Dead

Terrifying True Stories Presents a Special Experience for Halloween Season

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