Lifestyle – Vamp Jenn's Corner

Macabre Holiday Gift Guide 2025

November 11, 2025November 11, 2025by 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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Events, halloween

Midsummer Scream Officially Kicks Off Spooky Season

August 23, 2025September 28, 2025by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments

Midsummer Scream has done it again and delivered a spooktacular event filled with the most amazing tricks and treats. For many, the Halloween and horror convention officially kicks off spooky season. This is the eighth year that Midsummer Scream has been bringing frights and delights to the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. It’s the peak of my summerween and I make sure to never miss it if I can help it. Let’s take a look at some highlights.

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Fashion, Lifestyle

Theplaincircle vintage Showcases the Dark Elegance of Vintage Fashion

July 27, 2025September 1, 2025by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments

Photo credit: theplaincircle vintage — Photo credit: **theplaincircle vintage**

Within the diverse landscape of Germany, a crafty designer is reviving vintage pieces of clothing and restoring their novel charm. Jenny is the founder and owner of theplaincircle vintage, an online shop specializing in vintage fashion that exudes dark elegance. Her small business is not only preserving fragments of history but also contributing to sustainable fashion.

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halloween, holidays, Lifestyle

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Guide

July 23, 2025September 22, 2025by Jennifer Vasquez5 Comments

I’ve heard many people say that the countdown to Halloween is just as special (if not even more special) than the actual holiday itself, and I can understand why. While October 31st is a momentous occasion, the excitement really builds during the preceding months and days it takes to get to that point. That’s when the Halloween decor shopping and festivity planning happens. Plus, the spooky season has officially become a two-month long celebration, going from September through October, with Halloween events happening across the U.S.

So, I create this guide every year releasing it on the 100-days-to-Halloween mark (July 23rd) to help everyone bask in the lead up to All Hallows’ Eve. It’s filled with information I think people would find handy to help them prepare and get into the Halloween spirit. Discover places to shop, costume predictions, music to listen to and more!

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Events, halloween

Midsummer Scream Co-Founder David Markland Opens Up About Creating the World’s Biggest Horror Con

June 17, 2025July 27, 2025by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments

Photo credit: Jay L. Clendenin For Midsummer Scream

If you haven’t heard of Midsummer Scream, let me just say it’s become the world’s biggest Halloween and horror convention. Since 2016, it has haunted the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA, annually. I started attending in 2018 and have covered it on Vamp Jenn’s Corner ever since.

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Culture, History, Lifestyle, Literature

9 Books on the Goth Subculture

May 21, 2025July 11, 2025by Jennifer VasquezLeave a Comment

Much has been written about the goth subculture, ranging from scholarly literature to pop culture reads. I must admit that I have not read many books on goth. When I first started getting into goth as a teen in the late 90s/early 2000s, I got most of my information from the internet and personal experiences and observations. At the time, there weren’t many books published about the subculture, so I learned about it by browsing the web via goth chat rooms and websites that were around then.

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Events, halloween, holidays, Lifestyle

A Macabre Guide to Halfway to Halloween

April 18, 2025June 17, 2025by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments

Photo by Zachary Kadolph on Unsplash — Photo by Zachary Kadolph via Unsplash

April is a very special time but not because Easter usually takes place. The month is the official halfway mark to October, which means it’s halfway to Halloween! I know some people may roll their eyes wondering why there’s a need to think so far ahead and speed through the year. However, I don’t see it that way. Half-o-ween is more of an occasion to keep the spooky spirit alive and serves as a reminder that everyday can be Halloween if that’s what makes us happy. It’s become such a big deal in the Halloween and horror community in my area that there are even a few events happening to celebrate it. I thought it’d be fun to round up some of the relevant content I’ve created on Vamp Jenn’s Corner and feature it here. Enjoy, and I hope you find a special way to commemorate Halfway to Halloween.

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Category: Lifestyle

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

Midsummer Scream Officially Kicks Off Spooky Season

Theplaincircle vintage Showcases the Dark Elegance of Vintage Fashion

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Guide

Midsummer Scream Co-Founder David Markland Opens Up About Creating the World’s Biggest Horror Con

9 Books on the Goth Subculture

A Macabre Guide to Halfway to Halloween

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