Seattle, WA

Photograph of me back when I had Purple hair. :)

(All photographs in this post were taken by me and were taken of Brady and I in 2013.)

It's no surprise that one of my favorite vacation destinations without a doubt, hands down, is Seattle. (Portland being a close second.. Well actually there's a tie for second... I'm unsure if I like New Orleans more or not. haha)

So I thought it would be fun to share some photographs I've taken while out in Seattle, WA for you guys to enjoy.

I adore old creepy carousals. This one on the Pier has the best creepy vibe ever; actually the whole pier has a hair raising vibe about it.

Below are some pictures from my number one spot to hit up every time I visit Seattle called 'Ye Olde Curiosity shop' which just so happens to be on the hair raising pier I just mentioned previously. 

(1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104) 

I must admit that the museum of curiosities is more so a gift shop with awesome random strange oddities hanging upon all the walls but still yet I do recommend this to any creature of the dark reading my blog post. <3 Once leaving the museum you'll stumble on this sign:

GO ON THE GHOST TOUR. DO IT.

Seriously so much fun. The people providing the tours are very friendly and exciting to listen to. They back up each story with news paper clippings (yes real news paper clippings) and actual video footage of tragic events which now cause current day hauntings.

Photograph above was the view from Brady and I's hotel room.

This picture above... I can't get over how deferent I used to look. >_<"

Having starbucks at the original, very first to open, starbucks cafe. 

My handsome husband Brady being dashing and majestic.

The following photos are all taken in the EMP Museum which I also highly recommend you guys to check out.

(325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109)

During our visit in 2013 the museum had a Nirvana Exhibit and a totally separate Hollywood Fantasy Hero's and Villain's Exhibit set up.

A Shirt that Kurt Cobain had handmade as a teenager.

Another shirt Kurt handmade.

David Bowie's costume for the movie Jim Henson's Labyrinth.... The two photographs of masks below are also from Labyrinth. (the ballroom scene with Jareth and Sarah)

The animatronic mask from Pan's Labyrinth.

Next time I visit Seattle I'll be sure to record video to show all of you on my youtube channel Kazlovesbats.

Stay Spooky, 

Allison Eckfeldt

Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City

The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City has to be one of my favorite spots to go with my sketchbook and draw still life. It's such a strangely calming place... Full of benches in front of the skeleton showcases which makes life much easier as an artist who wants to just chill and zone out drawing these complex structures gifted to us by the earth.

(all photographs are from 2013 except the one single photograph under this sentence. )

If I was a little kid I probably wouldn't have been interested in this place simply because of the lack of color everywhere but as an adult I could get lost in this building for hours. 

I think I stood in front of this glass tank watching the beetles clean these skulls for a good thirty minutes... I couldn't peel my eyes away to venture around to something else.

This is an old photograph of me from a few years back... I used to have black hair, which only lasted for about two months before I had switched to purple.

All in all I seriously recommend checking this place out...and if you are a artist I recommend bring along your sketchbook as well.

Stay Spooky,

-Allison Eckfeldt

Esoterik's New Album Atonement.

My band Esoterik (www.esoterikmusic.com) had a photo shoot not too long ago in April and I wanted to share some of the photos with all of you. (Click on images to view them larger...)

Esoterik has been my passion for the past two years. I have been in Vocal classes every weekend, writing lyrics non stop and creating promotional material nonstop... This is my baby. My creative outlet. 

I'm so ready for our new 10 Track album 'Atonement' to be released.

It was scheduled to be released this year February 2015 but as I'm sure you've guessed we pushed back the release date. We were offered the opportunity to work with a professional and of course couldn't pass down such a blessing. 

Brady has the exact release date but I'm waiting to share that information...

So instead of getting bummed out on having to wait to share these tracks with my fans I've devoted my time to improving my vocals and creating the next album. Creating the next album? Yes that's correct.

I normally start writing loads of lyrics and pass them down to Brady so he can pick his favorite and compose a track accordingly. Our two man process normally takes at least a year so by the time our newest album 'Atonement' is released we'll have material to keep the ball rolling. ;)

I really look forward to sharing our creation with all of you.

Soon. SO SOON. <3

Stay Spooky,

-Allison Eckfeldt

Oklahoma City Renn Faire 2015

(Photo above: Me in my Renn faire outfit.<3)

I wait impatiently every year for the Renn faire season to start... I love the smell of incense and turkey legs mixed with a dash of the sweet smell of mead. (though not nearly as good as European mead.) In my head I always imagine myself, friends and family members getting smashed (drunk) while singing medieval songs, laughing, roleplaying, and carrying on as if we came straight out of The Lord of the Rings.

Beer and Renn faire go hand in hand in my mind!

However since The Oklahoma City Renn faire is on a College Campus it makes it a completely dry experience. (Dry = no alcohol.)

Just imagine my moaning and whining when I found this out upon arriving.

Normally my husband Brady and I just make travel plans for The Castle of Muskogee (A WONDERFUL PLACE FULL OF ALCOHOL. >.>) but this year we decided that we should stick closer to home....so rather than making the 3 hour drive we made a 30 minute drive downtown to the Oklahoma University College campus.  

Once we walked onto the university grounds we were pleasantly surprised by all the people who dressed up and by how friendly everyone was.

My eyes scanned the grounds and my body was drawn towards all the clothing venders; My husband and oldest brother couldn't keep me contained. haha!

I usually buy a new fox tail each time I visit a renn faire but I resisted this year... I was eyeing that light brown and silver tail however...

My oldest brother James and Husband Brady wondering about...

I loved the detail and craftsmanship of both of these men's costumes so I had to get a photograph with them... I love the Norse Viking look. I really need to sew up something along those lines for next year...

James, Myself and Brady <3

Bavarian Roasted Nuts stand... Of course we had to partake!

I mean half the fun of an American Renn faire is all the unhealthy treats.

Some friendly sparring... James actually used to be apart of this organization. When I was younger I used to watch him spar all the time with friends.

I ended up purchasing an Ocarina. :D FINALLY!! I've been eyeing these for the past 8 years... I'm hoping to get pretty boss at playing... 

The men playing Axe throw and Knife throwing games.

A Incense stand. <3

Towards the end of our adventure we stumbled on a tent devoted to vikings. Apparently we have a viking organization in Oklahoma? Pretty cool; though I doubt viking artifacts were found here as a couple signs were stating inside the tent.

However I did love looking at the history books on vikings they had on one of the plastic tables.

All in all the trip was very fun, memorable, and full of magic.

(I wish there would have been beer.)

Stay Spooky!

-Allison Eckfeldt