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Trending How: My Winter Inspirations
- Lauren
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Haiiii!!!
Long time no see ! Alas, it is true, I am but a blogger now, and I am so so happy! I loved being Blog Director, but over 3.5 years ago, my 18-year-old self joined UIC Radio as a blogger when things looked very different. After overseeing blogging for two years, it feels nice to be in the back seat again.
(I also have a radio show, In the Spotlight, and a podcast, Everything is: with the lovely Iva Peric, and you should absolutely tune into both of those, too!)
Anyways! Back to the original program:
As we are currently experiencing single-digit weather and winter break has come to an end, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss some trends and even media I have been seeing and LOVING. As this is my first blog since my terms on the E-board have ended, I wanted to make it a little more personal and almost a reintroduction to who I am. Think of this as a list of my current inspirations but also sort of a mood board. I do plan to go more in-depth on some of these in future blogs, but here is an overview!
-Gothic Winter
Duh. I don't think I need to explain this, but alas, I have a Gemini stellium, so it's unlikely I will ever not explain something.
If you know me, you know I love vampires; I want to look like one, be one, etc. And so, this is really an extension of wanting to look haunting, unnatural, undead, dare I say ethereal... But why is this getting thrown around so much?
It goes back to the media that is coming out or being talked about. With Gothic Fiction novels like Nosferatu, Frankenstein, Dracula, and even Wuthering Heights (kinda— more on that later) being adapted into films in a similar timeframe, it created a surge in Gothic media and a sudden popularization of the Gothic aesthetic.
But what does it look like? Dark, snowy, black velvet, lace, satin, fur, high-contrast, and often, pictures are in cemeteries or in Gothic architecture. Crimson Peak and Sleepy Hollow are two other inspirations behind Gothic Winter, also novel adaptations that belong to the realm of Gothic Fiction.
There is also just something I love so much about Blonde goths, which I think ties in to my love for this aesthetic. The contrast between the very light surroundings and at times pale hair, with the dark clothes and even meaning in the picture.
(Images found on Pinterest)
-Blythe Dolls
I switch between a few things, mainly wanting to look like a vampire and a doll. Blythe dolls have been an interest of mine for a few years now, and I just find them absolutely mesmerizing.
There is something off about them. The disproportionate head to their bodies, and their eyes are mesmerizing. You are even able to change the color by pulling the string on the back of their heads! It's so cool.
I also love how they are all customizable/custom order. Yes, I do want a doll that looks like me, thank you very much.
Blythe dolls were created by an American company in the 70s and were sold for 1 year. The company was later purchased by Hasbro. In 2001, a Japanese company, Takara, was granted a license to produce more dolls. Currently, Good Smile Company is the manufacturer of Blythe dolls; Takara sold their last doll in 2021 before the switch over in 2022.
I believe their rise in popularity grew from the 'Weird Girl' trend. Where it became very popular to like odd things, be eclectic, and have nerdy interests, this was the start of the "Performative" characteristic often mentioned today. (The modern version of being a 'poser',) As there were instances where these displays felt inauthentic and a performance rather than being true to yourself and comfortable expressing these interests.
Their customization features are also a big reason behind their popularity, as often, people are able to have the doll look exactly like them, which is a true rarity.
Here are some Blythe dolls that I absolutely love:
(Images found on Pinterest)
-Supernatural (2005-2020)
CHILL ON ME CHILL ON ME PLEASE I BEG OF YOU!!!!
I know how it looks, and yes, it is exactly how it looks. It's my first time watching it, and in about a month I've watched around 6 seasons... I'm on season 8 now... please, send help. I'm even obsessed with the cast...
With that being said, this show is having a surprising impact on me. Granted, it reminds me of shows I grew up with and others that I love, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars, Once Upon A Time, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Vampire Diaries, anything from Tim Burton, the list goes on. (I know the series started closer to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Veronica Mars, but we are talking about what I watched when I was younger, so... yeah.)
All of a sudden, I am listening to more music from the 70s, Dad Rock, wanting to take a long road trip in a really cool car, having my passion for the supernatural reignited (slight pun intended), and falling down rabbit holes of my favorite queer media (queerbaiting too, ehem, looking at you, Voltron). The first few seasons are truly something special, the horror and visuals are mesmerizing and inspiring.
Truthfully, in the past year or two, I have been reconnecting with horror, or media that has elements of horror in general, for better or for worse, and my current fixation with this show is a consequence of that. I fear I do believe in a good amount of superstitions, at least a little bit, and to an extent in the supernatural, mystical, and mythical. This does mean that I unfortunately get kinda paranoid from the media I consume at times, but oh well. It doesn't help that my cat can see ghosts.
I feel 13 again, it's so horrible, but like in the best way possible.
I love it.
(Images found on Pinterest)
-Vampires
This may be redundant, but, I felt as if I should give vampires their own section, as they have in my heart.
Their mythologies are so interesting and oddly consistent from country to country. There are, of course, variations, such as them having eternal youth or beauty. This notion stems from their being humanoid creatures, evoking the uncanny valley effect.
In some myths, specifically Eastern European, they are called упырь (upyr') (Russian spelling but can have slight variations depending on location) and are most often described as reanimated corpses, growing more bloated as they feed on the living, who wither the more they are fed on.
Irish and Scottish myths have blood-sucking succubus-like creatures, the Gancanagh, seducing young women. They are also only able to enter homes with permission, have no shadow, and are repelled by a cross, similar to the modern-day Vampire.
The Strigoi is another possible inspiration for the Vampire. Coming from Romania, or its Italian counterpart, the Stregone. Witches who are able to transform into animals like crows and beasts, as well as become invisible. Related is the French Stryge, being a bird-woman, who drinks the blood of children.
The origins of the word 'Vampire' are still unclear. The clearest lineage of the English word 'Vampire' is from French 'Vampyre' and German 'Vampir', which in turn derived the word from Serbian 'вампир (vampir)' in the early 18th century. Beyond this is where it gets more confusing, the only thing that is almost certain is that it is from the Old Slavic form 'онпыр (onpyr).'
ANYWAYS, if you couldn't tell, I find the mythology really interesting. It extends beyond Europe, with Africa and Asia having their own myths, and I can go on and on, but I will save that for another blog, maybe.
The lure of vampires is unparalleled by anything else, in my opinion. The undying love and obsession they are associated with, inherently romantic and intimate creatures. The media that exists around them now still varies, like the old myths, but is just-
UGHH I LOVE THEM.
(Images found on Pinterest)
-My Room
That's all folks! I hope you enjoyed this dive into a couple of my obsessions. I had a blast writing it, and maybe spent a little too much time on it... But that's why I'm bi-weekly !
For a finishing touch, I thought it would be fun to share some pictures of my room, as I do think it is a fair representation of my mind and heart (or at least a start to one).
My unfinished room
-Thank you!!
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