Monday, November 1, 2010

Grab Your Depends and Buckle Up

If there's one thing Californians take seriously it's going all out on Halloween.  I remember visiting around this time of year when I was just out of high school - what stood out in my mind were homes decorated more for Halloween than our homes in Canada were at Christmas.  It's a big deal down here!

Confession:  I'm not much of a Halloween-er (more of a Halloween-ie, I guess).  I've got a few strings of pumpkin lights and purple bats, and I give out yummy candy, but the dressing up and/or getting scared part is something we've never gotten into.  My idea of fun on Halloween is mowing down the candies and going to get some contraband a pumpkin spice doughnut at Krispy Kreme.  So while we were on our way to do just that last evening, we happened to drive by a house in my neighborhood that goes off every year.  This family decorates for weeks leading up to the big day and while I've visited during the day, have not gone by their house at night...until this year.  Prepare yourself for a picture frenzy.  It was too good to pass up.

On Thursday we took a walk by and noticed some of the following:
Seems normal enough - a few preparations under way.
Upon closer examination, maybe more than a few...
especially 'Thriller' blasting out from the backyard. And an entire haunted house built onto the front.
No jokes!
We were greeted by this locked gate, 
and the owner encouraged us to come back to see the finished result.
But there was the issue of the coffin...uhm, may-be not.
But as we headed up the street last night, curiosity got the better of me.
Check out the crowd - there was a VIP line and everything!
At least 200 people were in 2 separate lines and it wasn't even 7pm.
By the time we parked the car and came around front ghouls had come out of a crypt in the yard, 
and taken to the street doing a dance routine to 'Thriller'!!
Suddenly the yard was looking a lit-tle more spooky than before.
mmmmkay?!?   
Those poor suckers going in..within seconds all you heard was bloodcurdling shrieks. 
I was standing on the side of the yard when I heard a noise behind me.
OH HELL NO!  I scurried off to the side SO fast!! 
And barely missed being clipped on the ankle by the bagged body he 
was dragging behind him.  AHHHHHH!
He just continued slinking along down the sidewalk through the crowd
while little trick-or-treaters screamed and cried their heads off
Apparently something got caught in his throat along the way
(That kid's scarred for life.  You know I'm right.)
I had barely finished wiping the sweat from my brow when looky looky who 
set his sights on me AGAIN?!?
I swear it could smell the fear!  Our camera is too slow at night or the Chef
would have captured it literally sniffing the air as it got closer and closer to me!!  SICK!
~~SHUDDER~~ 

There were so many people waiting in line to get into the mausoleum part that the owners build on every year especially for Halloween.  We were there for over an hour and the line barely moved because they could only take three people at a time and all three, regardless of age, came out pale faced and shaking with hoarse voices from all their screaming - that we very clearly heard outside.  Even though one of the staff kept coming over and offering me a single space I was all, "uh, no thank you".  Being one on one with the ghoul was more than enough for me thank you very much. {wuss}

I hope you had a safe and fun Halloween weekend - Happy Monday!  Any fun stuff like this in your neighborhoods?

Before you go - check out Lisa's blog In Dramatic Fashion!! She did a Style Snapshot that had me articulate my fashion inspirations, aspirations and some things in between.  Thanks so much Lisa - it was great fun!


72 comments:

Joie de Viv said...

OMG! That is AWESOME!!! Nothing quite like that where we live. But I WAS reminiscing about a house who used to set up a spoky maze every year in the garage/yard/downstairs in my parents neighborhood. they would run it every year for a week around Halloween. It was a sad thing when they moved.

xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

that is so beyond cool!!!!!!! I seriously love it, I hope to one day be the freak who is that into Halloween and goes all out. I love Halloween but I would imagine that this could even change the opinions of someone like you who isn't into it that much like you said. hahah, I love all of the insane makeup and the dancing! I'm seriously jealous that you got to do this, it seems like the most fun time ever. Loving your hair, did you go darker or am I making things up??? I want to come to your neighborhood!

annelise said...

WTF?! Seriously?! That's completely insane, in the best way. I love it when people make some hardcore effort.

this free bird said...

You should totally come here next year. It was off the HOOK. I noticed a lot of red cups roaming around, too (if you know what I mean). Seeing how much fun they had totally made me regret not getting my house all covered in webs and fun, crazy stuff like I've done in the past. I felt like such a jammer! Hopefully next year!

And ps-my hair's still the same. I've been whining I might want bangs and need to color it, but your compliment just bought me a couple more weeks or so at least. THANK YOU!!

xoxo,
c

this free bird said...

annelise - seriously!! go big or go home! hahaha

Anonymous said...

Confession - I do not like the scary aspects of Halloween. At. All. No scary movies, no scary costumes, just give me candy and dressing up in something pretty, thank you.

I don't think most people believe me, but August actually likes wearing his clothes so I don't have to fight him to get him dressed lol. There are certain things (his jersey, his LL Bean jacket, the Halloween t-shirt) he gets really excited about when he sees them, so he runs right over to let you put it on him. True story!

We'll talk whenever it works for your schedule! No worries :)

Leia said...

I have never ever seen anything like this! When i was in high school we had halloween carnivals and had fun making the haunted house but our spaghetti brains and crunching leaves in the dark were amateur compared to all this! How awesome!

Leia

fashion clocked said...

ha this is absolutely mental, insane genius, disturbing... unbelievable- wow thanks so much for sharing... my jaw literally dropped for the whole post! The bodybag man is seriously hideous! I am not a fan of the underwear and devil horn efforts of outfits people where here all too often for halloween- now this is what I call halloween!!!Katie.xx
fashion clocked

Collette Osuna said...

FABULOUS Pics hunnie...wow.....Im not much of a Halloween person either.....

Stop by and say Hello ♥
Statements in Fashion Blog

Anonymous said...

Wow, this was just someone's house? They should charge admission... can you imagine the candy they must have to purchase?! Off to check out Lisa's blog.

p.s. I know you will like my giveaway! It's a Williams-Sonoma gift card! xo

Lori said...

What fun Carrie but not for me! I would have more than likely had a heart attack! Some people go all out don't they ~ I am with you tho ~ I carve my pumpkin and hand out treats ~ that's it! Happy Monday to you... xo

Jessica said...

Oh man! Hahaha! This is such insanity! I bet it was even more incredible in person. Makes my jack o'lantern seem pathetic in comparison!

Unknown said...

that's actually terrifying. ew, i can't believe that goblin was hounding you like that! nightmares...

Chas said...

That is so awesome!

Closet Fashionista said...

HAha I love this!! I would have NEVER wanted to go in there....*freaks out*
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Diana Mieczan said...

OMG..I love love love this! Its really terrifying...what a great place!
Happy Monday,sweetie pie

Secondhand Stella said...

Wow, that house is amazing! I can't ever imagine getting that into Halloween, though.

Lilacandgrey said...

I am sooo not Halloween-ie either...actually I didn't even dress up this year (1st year ever) and it felt really really good!
I can't believe how some people get CRAZY into it!
<3 Cara
Lilac and Grey

kate said...

Looks so crazy! A street dance routine to Thriller!! That's awesome!

Meghan said...

Wow that is crazy! I had a pumpkin out... Looks like a lot of fun!!

Daniela said...

ahahah I love this! I went to salem last night and ran away screaming from a clown. Pictures to come !

Nikki said...

OMG Crazy!!!!!! I'm such a baby when it comes to haunted houses. In my home town we have a "haunted fire house" thats pretty scary... I havent been since I was a teenager though. I was brave back then :)


xx
Nikki

Shop T.O. Live said...

OMG! That is serious Halloween fun! I don't know if I could have gone into the house (the outside is definitely creepy enough). Wow, good for them, it's so fun to be festive and really get involved in the community.

Isabel said...

i dont get into halloween :S lol. i didnt know you were canadian!?

hip hip gin gin said...

Well, we do live in Salem MA, so basically the whole town is like this on Halloween. And several weeks before. But no way man, I do not participate in that whole fiasco, I do candy, cute trick-or-treaters, and the carnival food that always sets up just yards from our house (not fabulous for the girlish figure I'll tell you). But the scary stuff? No way. Haunted house? NEVER. Although I was intrigued by the witches circle that they had last night, but still didn't really feel like braving the crowd and the freakyness to check it out.

Marissa said...

You look thoroughly creeped out, but this looks amazing! I love Halloween; it's by far my favorite holiday. Nothing like this in my neighborhood unfortunately. The boy and I did dress up as spaghetti and meatballs though. :) Not so scary, but we did get plenty of compliments.

Laura said...

WOW some people really do get into this Halloween lark! I'd just rather sit at home and eat the candy :P

L x
Half Dressed

Taylor said...

EEEKS, I do not like the scary either!!! This totally reminds me of the block aka Christmas card lane that goes over the top during the holidays, they even have people selling hot cider on their drive ways, and horse/carriage rides (not sure where they rent those from!). But essentially from dark 12/15-NYE it is amazing, people and then news form all over SD go!

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

That wrapped package on the ground...is down right scary! My neighborhood is blah-zay compared to all this!! How fun and festive. What will that street look like on Turkey Day??!! :)

Marie a la Mode said...

Oh my God, how fantastic is that house? Now THIS is what Halloween should be like every year! Seems like they put a ton of effort into it! I so enjoyed reading this post : )

Tiffany Kadani said...

This is crazy and totally scary! Gah!!!! U love your commentary on it though. Hilarious!

Nikki said...

I'm not much for Halloween other, but that does look like a fun tradition. I'm glad there are so many enthusiasts out there to make up for me.

Margaret said...

That is insane. Very creative, but I sort of feel sorry for all the children...that would have been wayyy too intense for me when I was little (but I was terrified of Care Bears, so what do I know).

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

We had hardly any trick or treaters...boo! Looks like Florida could take a lesson from Cali. HA!

Valerie said...

Oh my, this is INSANE!!! What a fun way to celebrate halloween. You look terrified, Carrie. Haha. I love that they had zombies dancing to thriller. Hope you had a great weekend!

xo
Valerie

Unknown said...

This is hilarious! Looks like quite the display they put on - i love it when people get so into Halloween!

Jude said...

Oh my gosh, that is sooo over-the-top, I love it!! (And if that thing came slinking down the street towards me, I would've have maybe screamed like crazy and run for the hills!) We used to have neighbors in London who went crazy like this for Christmas, they started a month before and by Christmas day, you could see their lit-up home from the other side of the Thames! They were the neighborhood standouts - gotta love it :)

Josie said...

Haha, this looks like an absolute BLAST! So spooky. I'm not a huge Halloween fan either but I can enjoy a little spooky fun now and then.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Sophie said...

hahahah omgggg this is so crazily over the top, but i absolutely love it! I wish I could have gone to see it, but i would be exactly the same as you. I would never go in to the actual house haha. All the costumes look soo good.
xx

A Crimson Kiss said...

Gahh-how terrifying! I adore getting dressed up for Halloween, but there's nothing fun about someone else scaring the pants off you! When I see haunted houses (or hayrides, or anything else), I run in the opposite direction!

LyddieGal said...

That is so awesome! I can't get over the line. No one I know of has gotten that involved in halloween, but it looks like it would have been super fun.

I love your creeped out face, don't lie, I bet you secretly loved being followed around by a um... hummm, what is he?

Anyway, glad you had a great halloween!

Chic on the Cheap

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

Woahhhhh! That's unreal and there's no way I would have gotten close enough to that guy to get into a picture with him. Scary!!!! And that skeleton in the coffin, yummy.

My neighbours (in Canada) were pretty into Halloween, and the guy living below them was a carpenter. One year they built a pirate ship in the front yard, which was pretty awesome!

Gorgeous Glam said...

wow, that is pretty scary! lol, we don't have anything like that around my hood ;) and a krispy Kreme sounds pretty good!! xo

Danielle Moss said...

LOVE these. And I don't do scary. Did you see my costume yet? I think you'll LOVE it. I was the Zoe but TONS of people asked if I was an Olsen twin. People had some strong reactions to my costume.

Ended up pouring my vodka soda into my starbucks cup :)

Laura said...

oh my gosh... that is unreal!!!!!! :) i don't know if i have ever seen any house like that crazily decked out before EVER! amaing. haha

Anonymous said...

Carrie! Congrats! I love the collage of photos she chose.

Stacey said...

I'm bound to have nightmares now:-). At least, the hubby is here to console me-hehe! Anyway, it seems as if they take Halloween very seriously in your part of the world-very cool indeed! Off to check out your fashion article.

Annie said...

Wow Carrie, I have never seen such a thing. I have seen it for Christmas, but not for Halloween! Fun/funny.. Hope you're having a great Monday! xo

heather said...

You are so cute! How I MISS these big Halloween events and haunted houses! Cali has some pretty awesome things. At least we did manage to paint the ole belly here :) Pics soon, though I guess t will actually be tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! That is very intense. This is my first year living in my own house.... my roommates and I stocked up on candy- only to have 3 trick or treaters. Oh well. Maybe we'll do something like this next year to draw in some more! I can't imagine having that much time though. I wonder if they do it themselves or hire someone to put it together...?
Bisous,
Rachel
lovealamode.wordpress.com

Lila said...

For some reason I couldn't get some of the images but it sounds fabulous and creepy in one.

kelli g. { bug miscellany } said...

wow, that sounds um, INTENSE!

i totally crapped out on Halloween this year. instead i spent it wedged into a flying sardine can, and listened to people hack up all kinds of germies that are now coursing through my bloodstream....sigh.

Claire Kiefer said...

Thought the exact same thing as Caitlin about your hair--that it looks darker and so shiny and so freakin beautiful! Love it! I've always envied dark hair.

That dude with the body bag is not acceptable. I'm all about Halloween, but that crosses a few lines. FREAKY! I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't dress up this year in favor of sitting on my couch and watching the world series (followed by a scary movie). Copious amounts of Halloween candy were involved. ;)

Joyti said...

It looks like you had a great Halloween!
Do you feel like Halloween is becoming 'smaller' every year? I've lived in California my whole life, and it seems like fewer kids come out to trick or treat, fewer people throw parties...

this free bird said...

Indie.Tea - in my neighborhood it's still pretty big - lots of decorating and kids trick or treating. Lots of adults in on the action, too. I noticed last night that several homes giving out candy had their doors wide open and the owners were all dressed up for the kids, too. It was really great!! The one thing I did notice was more houses than usual not giving out candy at all...I was thinking recession?

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

Heck no! I would not go in by myself either - and I LOVE being scared!! That house is amazing! They really do it up!

I actually get sad every Halloween because people don't celebrate like they used to here in CA. If you think it's a lot now, you would be blown away by 10-15-20 (!) years ago :)

Amber said...

wow that was a heck of a line but that house looks so flippin cool, I may have just waited around to get inside

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Holy balls that's insane! I would have been so creeped out!

Happy Monday, sweetie xoxo

Lisa Griffin said...

hahahah love this! there were no major decorations here in nyc, except for this creepy neighborhood garden across from me that i've been avoiding. it was decorated for a week with random pumpkins and i have no idea where they came from! we used to travel to different blocks when i lived in ky to see creepy houses like this!
www.indramaticfashion.com

Kelsey Ann said...

THIS IS WHAT HALLOWEEN IS ALL ABOUT!! omg these photos rocked! i kinda wanna spend the night in the haunted house tho..even tho its scary, its quite beautiful as well!! :)

ryan said...

OMG that house is hilarious! Your photos just made me laugh out loud

OneCraftyFox said...

That is crazy, girl!! And apparently, so was he, lol. I had no idea Halloween was such a big deal down there. Yes, in Canada we might go a bit overboard for Christmas, but... pffft... at least Santa is *real*!!

Wait, what?! Santa's not...?? *covers ears and yells "La la la la la, I can't hear you" repeatedly*

justagirlLaura said...

My jaw is on the ground! That is carazay! I can't decide if I'm incredibly impressed or feel a little sorry for them. I'm gonna go with the former.

STYLE'N said...

Best Halloween pics yet and definitely a bit creepy! (thanks for your sweet comments!) Hope you are doing well. naina

Courtney Erin said...

Wow, I want to go to there. Seriously.

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

Kara said...

Just peed my pants. Thanks a lot.

I'm not really into scary Halloween. Ever since I turned about 16 and saw the Ring, I can't handle scary any more. It's like as soon as I saw that goddamn slimy deranged girl climbing out of the TV, I became a complete and total pussy. Sad.

Unknown said...

That looks like sooo much fun. I ended up going to the West Hollywood Parade on halloween night which is always a blast.

Dawn said...

Oh
MY
WORD!!!!!
I would NEVER
EVER
EVER
go there!
Not in a zillion years.
I think you're very brave just to look at the place.
I am sleeping with my light on tonight-
just from looking at those pictures!
(And here i was doing so good staying away from the scary this year!
;))

k said...

oh my gosh...that looks like a riot! and hysterical...and scary. I'd pee my pants for sure. FOR SURE.

Anonymous said...

That is sooo cool! Halloween is such a disappointment over here in Europe and the kids' trick or treating... pathetic. I've already decided I HAVE to go the US for Halloween sometime!

kimbirdy said...

i love LA. :)

Ashleigh said...

Why can I not see your pictures lately :( :( :(
I am a total Halloween enthusiast!

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