Oct31

A Pirate’s Life For Me COTD

Posted on by
Standard
A Pirate’s Life For Me COTD

Howdy!! Every year Johnny and I look forward to passing out trick or treat candy in my mom and dad’s neighborhood. We set up a bonfire, play music, and delight in all of the costume cuteness. Of course, the trick or treaters aren’t the only ones dressing up and we couldn’t wait to bust out our pirate costumes for the occasion. I seriously couldn’t be happier with how they turned out and am so excited to share ALL of the content with you! Take a look and stay tuned for more swashbuckling good times coming soon:

Who? What? Wear?

Pirate Costume & Accessories: Spirit Halloween

Vertebrae Heels: Show Story

Being pirates was not mine and Johnny’s original plan. We were thinking of doing Alice Cooper and Cold Ethyl this year. However, we just didn’t feel like piecing together a costume via online shopping. This was how I built my Candy Queen costume last year and it was expensive and a bit of a hassle and we were so not trying to deal with that. After vetoing Plan A for this year, for some reason “pirates” popped into my head and I had my heart set on it. 1) It would be so totally cute. And 2) Finding a costume would be as simple as a trip to Spirit Halloween!

After making extensive purchases at Spirit Halloween, the trick was honestly on us. It was crazy expensive and we probs could have done our Plan A at a comparable price. We loved what we picked out so much, though, that it didn’t even matter. At this point, we both had being the baddest pirates across the seven seas on our mind and nothing was going to change that. With our costumes and beaucoup accessories prepped to go, all that was left to do was wait (im)patiently for trick or treat time.

I hate to toot my own horn about this costume because all I did was buy it, pick out accessories, and put it on but: TOOT TOOT! As soon as this COTD was on in all of its glory, you could not tell me NOTHIN. I felt absolutely amazing in it and I know it sounds silly but I really did feel like a pirate. Halloween is such a magical time because it allows you to be anything you want to be. To get into character and just have fun. Trust and believe that every trick or treater was a matey to me and Johnny and they were all greeted with a hearty “ahoy”. We pride ourselves on being the “cool” house to trick or treat at and I think this year was one of our best yet!

This costume was all treats and no tricks about it. Set sail for all Halloween everything here on lifewithlilred!

What did you do for Halloween? What did you dress up as? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct30

Lil Red’s Book Club: Incidents Around The House By Josh Malerman Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: Incidents Around The House By Josh Malerman Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing a horror novel by Josh Malerman called Incidents Around The House. I see a fair amount of book related posts on my Facebook newsfeed and the first page of this book has shown up several times during my scrolling sessions. The first page is absolutely gripping and I finally decided to give it a go. Once I started reading, I literally couldn’t stop and finished this three hundred seventy page book in one day! It was excellent and I can’t wait to read more by Malerman. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Incidents Around The House for disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

Bela is a little girl who lives with her Mommy and Daddo. She is on summer vacation and has been spending an awful lot of time indoors. Bela doesn’t have many friends to play with, but that’s okay. She has Other Mommy and Other Mommy is her friend. She thinks so, anyways. Other Mommy lives in Bela’s closet and has been visiting in the night for as long as Bela can remember. Sometimes they would laugh and play games, sometimes Other Mommy just watches her.

Although Bela is excited to see Other Mommy when she goes to bed at night, she is scared of her too. Other Mommy has a frightful appearance and has been known to pull terrifying faces, grow gargantuan in size, and slither around the floor like a snake. Other Mommy says that she’s Bela’s friend and that friends should help each other whenever they can. All Bela needs to do to help Other Mommy is let her into her heart. Then, Other Mommy can be Bela and Bela can live wherever Other Mommy goes whenever she slinks back into the closet.

Other Mommy has grown increasingly persistent and impatient for an answer from Bela about her request. So much so, that she has began making herself known to the adults in Bela’s life. Now that Mommy and Daddo know about Bela’s Other Mommy, they must protect their daughter from the evil in their home. But how? No matter where they go, Other Mommy follows and Other Mommy hurts. Will Other Mommy be vanquished for good? Or is Bela letting her into her heart the only solution? Read Incidents Around The House to find out!

Holy wow! Creepy right? Incidents Around The House was an unputdownable horror read from start to finish. I have to say, it was also delightfully refreshing to read some horror that isn’t Stephen King, as much as I love him! Incidents Around The House definitely reminded me of Coraline and this isn’t a bad thing as I am a huge fan of the book and movie. But make no mistake, this is no children’s book and truly feels like a Coraline for adults. I enjoyed every single page and couldn’t turn them fast enough.

Incidents Around The House is told from Bela’s perspective and my heart just broke for this poor girl. She is dealing with something SO scary all by herself. And, even when adults know about Other Mommy, she is still alone. The adults around her are cracking after just one glimpse of Other Mommy, while Bela has seen her every night. Incidents Around The House is, of course, about being brave even when you are by yourself. But it is also a firm reminder of the danger of harboring secrets and how quickly it can get out of hand when it finally comes to the surface. If you are a horror fan, this is a must read!

Overall, I am going to rate Incidents Around The House with a nine out of ten stars. I suspect there will be a lot more book club reviews for Josh Malerman’s books in the future. Also, I cannot wait to see the movie of this book coming out next year!

Have you read Incidents Around The House? What did you think of it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct29

Cliganic Chapstick Review

Posted on by
Standard
Cliganic Chapstick Review

Hello! I am a huge chapstick gal and this love was definitely fostered by my obsession with Lip Smackers in my youth. Lol you just couldn’t beat the scent of them even though I’m pretty confident they did absolutely nothing! As a smoker, my lips get dry easily so I always like to have a chapstick on my person. Several, actually. I have one in my purse, one on my bedside table, and one on my table when I’m working on the computer. A while back ago, I purchased a set of chapsticks by Cliganic and I am most impressed by the product. With winter weather approaching and chapped lip season upon us, I thought we’d discuss this lip chap because I think you will love it:

^^^ This is a cruelty free chapstick!

One of the biggest gripes people have with chapstick is the constant reapplication and I totally get it. If I am using a product, I want it to work right off the bat and what’s the point of a chapstick if you have to keep putting it on every ten seconds? This is SO not the case with the Cliganic lip chap! These chapsticks are made with sunflower seed oil, Vitamin E, and beeswax and they really pack a punch. The formula is so nourishing and rich and you can literally feel it working as soon as you apply it and after the fact.

With just a small swipe across your lips, you are on your way to ultimate and long lasting hydration. I can’t stand when a chapstick feels like it’s just sitting on your lips and the Cliganic lip chaps really do absorb and improve. The best part? My lips still feel soft and smooth even when this product is off! I reapply mine three times a day, at most. Part of it is out of habit but it’s honestly not even necessary because of how well it works. I put some on about two hours ago and even though it has all absorbed, my lips legit feel like I used a lip mask instead of a chapstick. If you want a truly effective chapstick without having to reapply throughout the day, this is the one for you!

I cannot recommend the Cliganic chapsticks enough and plan on buying more once I am out. I couldn’t imagine using anything different since I am already using the best!

How do you soothe chapped lips? What is your favorite chapstick scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct28

How To Handle Home Emergencies Like A Pro

Posted on by
Standard
How To Handle Home Emergencies Like A Pro

No matter how organized you are, home emergencies have a way of showing up at the worst possible moment. IE: A burst pipe just before bed, a power cut on a cold evening, a leak in the roof when it’s pouring down, and so on – you know the kind of thing. The problem is that these things happen fast, and when they do, it’s easy to panic. A calm, practical response can make a big difference to the outcome, and knowing what to do in those first few minutes can save you money, reduce damage, and keep your home safe. Keep reading to find out more:

Start With Safety First:

Before anything else, make sure the situation isn’t putting anyone at risk. For example, if there’s water involved, switch off the electricity before going near the problem, and if there’s a fire or gas leak, leave the property immediately and call emergency services. Then, once you know everyone’s safe, you can turn your attention to limiting the damage.

Know Where To Turn Things Off:

A lot of emergencies are made worse because people don’t know where their stopcock or fuse box is, which is why it’s worth taking a few minutes as soon as you can to learn how to turn off your water, gas, and power quickly. This small bit of knowledge can stop a minor issue from turning into a disaster because doing something like turning off the main water supply right away can make a huge difference if a pipe bursts.

Act Fast To Contain The Problem:

Quick action often means less damage, so if water is leaking, use buckets or towels to stop it spreading, and if the roof is letting water in, a temporary cover can protect belongings until help arrives. Why do something at that point even if you’ve got help on the way? It’s because even a few simple steps in those first moments can save a lot of stress later on.

Call In The Right Help:

Some jobs are best left to professionals, especially when it comes to plumbing, electrics, or structural issues. If a burst pipe has caused flooding, getting water damage restoration experts in quickly can prevent mold, protect flooring, and stop further problems from developing. The longer you go with water damage, the more issues are certain to arise and the costs of repair will continue to go up. It’s a good idea to have a few different water damage restoration businesses on standby so a team can be readily available. To get started, simply enter a search for “Water Damage Restoration Deal NJ” (or your local area) to look into well reviewed professionals. Be sure to call with any questions you might have and take note of them so you can be better prepared in case of an emergency.

Keep A Basic Emergency Kit:

You don’t need to turn your house into a survival bunker, but having a few basics ready can make emergencies easier to manage. Your kit could include a flashlight, spare batteries, a few tools, sandbags or sealant, and a copy of emergency contacts can all help you act fast. Even if you never end up needing to use your kit, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and have one ready anyways.

Home emergencies are stressful, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. Keeping a calm head, a bit of preparation, and knowing when to bring in professional help can make all the difference!

Featured Image By: Slyzyy

Oct28

Whatever’s Clever COTD Bloopers

Posted on by
Standard
Whatever’s Clever COTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the Blooper Reel from my Whatever’s Clever COTD! This makeshift costume was worn for an evening of Halloween frivolity and I felt like a star in it. Was it the most cohesive look? Not exactly. Was it cute AF? Absolutely! I loved wearing it to go to a Halloween event with my nieces and to the Factory Of Terror. I will say, however, it was hilarious rolling into the Red Robin in this fit when Johnny and I grabbed dinner before the haunted house lol! Take a look at these yikes shots and then let me tell you about my stuck in the bathroom experience:

No idea what to do with all this hair!

Crouching tiger hidden devil

The light! It burns!!!

Clearly I have to practice my hair flip in this wig lol

Hanging on for dear life because…

YIKES!!!! Lil Red *almost* down

She sticks the landing!!!

SO. This skeleton bodysuit by Tipsy Elves is fabulous but it is a pain in the fanny to zip up. While I was getting ready at home it was a huge struggle to zip – it looked like it wasn’t getting stuck on fabric, it just straight up wouldn’t zip up. Trust and believe it felt like a major accomplishment when I finally got it! After taking COTD pictures, Johnny and I made our way to the family Halloween outing with our nieces and about halfway through, my worst fear happened. I had to use the bathroom. AHHHHHH!!!!

I went to the loo, did my thing, and sent a silent wish that my bodysuit would zip up once more. Let’s just say that the wish didn’t come true. Try as I might, the zipper wasn’t budging and I was stuck in my bathroom stall wrestling with my costume. I grabbed my phone and proceeded to call my mom and sister and had no service. My series of SOS texts weren’t going through and I was completely stranded. This was not the place to be walking around with my assets on full display.

As I continued to try to zip the bodysuit, I was getting more and more frustrated and even broke a sweat lol it was bad! I figured my best chance of emerging from the facilities was to ask for help from the next person who came in. About ten minutes later, my savior opened the bathroom doors: A kind woman in a yellow Yoshi costume with her little kid dressed as Luigi. With my tail between my legs, I explained the situation and she was ON. It. She told her kiddo “go to the bathroom, I have to help this nice lady” and within ten seconds, my bodysuit was zipped back up. I hugged her so tightly and told her she saved my life!!

This bathroom saga took at least twenty minutes and when I finally rolled back into the arts and crafts area my family was in, they all asked where I was. I told them I was in the bathroom the whole time and asked why no one came looking. They all assumed I was really doing my business and that couldn’t have been further from the truth. I was in there fighting for my life! Regardless of how annoyed I was, freedom was so sweet and I fear I would have been in the can all night if it wasn’t for my Yoshi goddess. Bless this woman and her family!!!! ❤

For the remainder of the night, I made my time in the bathroom work sans unzipping my suit. Note to self: Once the zipper on this bodysuit is up it is staying up!!!!

Have you had any embarrassing situations recently? What happened? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct27

Whatever’s Clever COTD

Posted on by
Standard
Whatever’s Clever COTD

Hello! This past Friday we jam packed an entire weekend into one night because I got my Covid shot earlier in the day and knew I would be down for the count for the rest of the weekend. Johnny and I had a super fun time meeting my sister and sweet nieces for a community Halloween event and then it was off to the Factory Of Terror for a fabulously scary time. As we were in for an evening of spooky season festivities, I decided to get dressed up to surprise my nieces and show out at the haunted house. I didn’t want to bust out my sexy pirate costume for a family event so I just pieced together a few odds and ends for a devilishly good makeshift COTD. Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Skeleton Bodysuit: Tipsy Elves

Coated Skinny Jeans: Seven Jeans, TJMaxx

Devil Platforms: Dolls Kill

Devil Horns: We got these from a vendor at the AC/DC concert!

Ombre Wig: Spirit Halloween

I think the cross earrings were from Target!

My Halloween costumes always err on the side of sexy and that was so not the route I wanted to take for my night out. With limited not saucy costume pieces to pick from, I decided on simply pairing my skeleton bodysuit from Tipsy Elves with a pair of coated skinnies. Originally, this bodysuit was worn with a super mini red tutu but I didn’t want my assets hanging out for all to see lol! In theory, my little Tipsy Elves number is great. It kept me fully covered and offered some spooky flare. In practice? Not so much as I definitely got stuck in the bathroom at the community Trick or Treat SMH. Read more about that during tomorrow’s Blooper Reel! Where was I? Oh yeah…

So, the bodysuit and jeans were exactly what I needed to feel dressed up without going all out and the rest of my look was up to accessories. Does a skeleton bodysuit and devil horns and platforms go together? Not necessarily! But, hey, anything goes on Halloween and I had to work with what I had at home. To keep things feeling costumey, I used my dynamite devil platforms from Dolls Kill. I could have paired this look with my vertebrae platforms also from Dolls Kill. However, those were very tall and probably wouldn’t have been the best to stomp around in at a haunted house. The devil heels were much more compact in their height and I already planned on wearing the devil horns so whatever’s clever! 😀

Next on the agenda was hair and finishing touches. Rather than bother with doing something funky with my own hair, I decided to wear the curly ombre wig I got for my pirate costume. These luscious red locks were SO fire and I think it really helped tie the look together. You guys have no idea how weird it felt having that much hair! My AC/DC devil horns perched atop my new mane beautifully and gave a fun nod to vintage Halloween vibes. With that, I popped on a pair of cross earrings and was ready to go in my makeshift COTD. 🙂

Whatever’s Clever was the name of the game for this COTD and I honestly love how it turned out. Also major ups to everyone who called me a baddie that evening – mama loves you!! xxxx

Have you thrown together a Halloween costume before? How did it turn out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct26

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Long Walk By Stephen King (As Richard Bachman) Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: The Long Walk By Stephen King (As Richard Bachman) Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman). As a huge horror movie gal, I am most interested in seeing the movie based on this book that recently came out. Of course, I had to read the book first! After reading through the sweet and cute as can be Chocolat series, I was very excited to delve back into my usual horror and suspense novels. I can’t think of a better place to start than with Stephen King – especially since spooky season is upon us! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on this book for graphic violence, child abuse, sexual assault references, harm to animals, and disturbing content all involving children. If you’re up to it, let’s get to it:

The Long Walk is the nation’s favorite yearly pastime. It is a contest in which one hundred teenage boys simply walk under the watchful gaze of soldiers and the mysterious Major. The catch? You must maintain a pace of four or more miles per hour. Should you hit below four, you will receive a warning. There is no additional warning after the third one – you will be dead before you blink. One by one, the boys will be eliminated until there is one lone Walker to claim the prize: Fame and money beyond your wildest dreams and wishes granted. This is a contest that is not for the faint of heart and for boys who have nothing in their lives to lose.

Ray Garraty is our primary contestant and has a strong backing from his state of Maine. Did he enter The Long Walk for the glory, for repentance, or because he has a death wish? Who’s to say? But he is here and he is going to give it his best shot. Some boys compete in The Walk with a plan like to lone wolf it or frustrate other people into making mistakes. In Garraty’s case as with many others, they linked up in groups. Regardless of how you go about The Walk, there can only be one winner. There are no runner ups, no honorable mentions, and death is imminent for ninety-nine other competitors.

Despite these horrible circumstances, the boys trudge on. Armed with nothing but the clothes on their backs, a canteen of water, and food concentrates they must withstand whatever The Walk brings: Stormy weather, the delirium of no sleep, intense mental duress, and the pain that shoots through every inch of their bodies. Yet, they walk on. They walk until their death is the only option they desire. Only the strongest will survive. Will it be Garraty? Read The Long Walk to find out!

I have really mixed feelings about The Long Walk because it was written in a way that told us so much but also told us nothing. The Walk was, obviously, the focal point of this book and was the main character. It surpassed Garraty as the lead meaning that we knew next to nothing about the boys competing and everything about The Walk itself. This left little time to learn full back stories of the key handful of competitors and I wish that that was explored more. In a way, it was a mercy on King’s part. There were several teens that you wanted to see succeed and knowing more would have made their probable failure even more harrowing. The thing is, is that I’m nosey and still would have liked a bit of background information. On the other hand, it gives you the opportunity to draw your own conclusions.

Although I have some qualms with where the plot lacked, that is not to take away from the fact that is was expertly written, as always, by Mr. King/Bachman. He has a style that is undeniably his own and it continues to radiate. The way he describes horror is almost in a casual sense, then he surrounds the situation with joy wherever it can be found. A funny joke told by one of the boys, a competitor helping a fellow Walker to their feet, a rally by someone you thought was done for. In these moments of beauty, whatever painful situation that comes next hits even harder. There were sections in this book where it literally felt like I was being punched in the gut. Love or hate his books, there is no arguing in that they are a masterclass in pure horror.

Overall, I am going to rate The Long Walk with a six and a half out of ten stars. It wasn’t my favorite King/Bachman novel but it was still pretty good. I am looking forward to seeing the movie!

Have you read The Long Walk or seen the movie? What did you think of it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct25

Crafty Halloween Home Decor

Posted on by
Standard
Crafty Halloween Home Decor

Hello! It is no secret that Johnny and I live for Halloween decor and our apartment is decorated for the happiest season of all all year round. At work, my Johnny is definitely the elder emo of the bunch and his work station is decorated with Halloween goodies too. Earlier this week, he sent me a picture of a craft that one of his coworkers made just for us. We were so genuinely surprised at how thoughtful this was and have it proudly displayed in our living room. I am absolutely in love with it and wanted to share it because it’s something that could be easily replicated. It can also be made to fit the upcoming holiday season too. Check it out:

Johnny and I were aware that his coworker makes crafts like this bottle nightlight and never expected to have her make one for us. It honestly came as a shock and we are just so appreciative for it because it’s so totally us! His coworker claims to not be crafty but we most certainly say otherwise. There are countless fun little details to this display. The spider, skeleton beads, and eyeball flowers took a simple craft into something really special. The bottle of Witches Brew set the tone and it bloomed from there!

A craft like this would make a fabulous gift and I can picture it perfectly for the holiday season. Start with a bottle of sparkling grape juice, Christmas ale, or a seasonal wine and add some twinkling fairy lights. For the flowers, I’m thinking poinsettias with sprigs of holly and a spray of glitter or fake snow. Then, it could be decorated with tiny ornaments, icicles, peppermints, or snowflakes. Any holiday staple that speaks to you! There is nothing better than a homemade gift and this is a great route to draw inspiration from. ❤

This Halloween craft was the perfect treat – no tricks involved. What a kind, generous, and wicked cool gesture! ❤

Have you made any crafts recently? How did it turn out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct24

Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Posted on by
Standard
Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Hello! Halloween is just around the corner! Are you ready? I sure am! In fact, I’ve been ready since last Halloween. 😀 It goes without saying that everything is SO. Freaking. Expensive nowadays and I completely understand not wanting to shell out for a costume if you are attending a party or an evening at the bars. As much as I love spooky season, I’m genuinely bitter by how expensive my own costume was. If you want to dress up on a budget, there are still plenty of options for you to show out in your Halloween best. Let’s explore a few last minute, budget friendly costumes that you can make with pieces you probably already own:

Robot:

If you’re like me, you are an early bird holiday shopper. Or, you might also be like me and love to online shop period! What does online shopping mean? Lots of boxes! Perfect for jerryrigging a robot costume. With a few boxes and spray paint, you’re in business for a classic robot fit. Simply pair your creation with a black long sleeved shirt and black jeans for underneath and viola. Just don’t try and take over the world when you’re wearing it! 😉

Scarecrow:

If you have a pair of boyfriend or baggy jeans and an old flannel, look no further. A scarecrow costume is the one for you! Bonus points if you have a straw hat but that could easily be found marked down in store for summer clearance or at a costume shop. You could even attach a few decorative crows or birds from a craft shop to your shoulder. You will need some patchwork makeup to sell this look so opt for bright oranges and yellows for this to make it pop. How easy is that?

Devilishly Good:

Love wearing the color red? Love it! If you have a pair of red jeans, a red top, and some funky red shoes or heels – turn this into a devilishly good COTD. Hit up Spirit Halloween for a pair of devil horns and a tail or staff if you’d like and your costume is good to go. This can also be done with an All Black Everything motif!

Your Favorite Person:

A few years ago I had absolutely no time to costume shop but still wanted to dress up, of course. So, I decided to dress up as my husband! After raiding his wardrobe, I came up with a COTD that was a huge hit and was so proud of the reaction I got for such a scrambled costume. This is a fun idea for couples, besties, or siblings so have a wardrobe swap and you’ve got a costume without spending a dime.

Prom King/Queen:

If you have a fancy suit or still own your prom dress or perhaps a bridesmaid dress – be king or queen for the day prom style. You can even make it scary by going as the Carrie version of prom king or queen! Complete the look with a crown and sash and you have my vote for Best Costume. This is your time to shine if you have kept your prom relics so break it out again for the one time!

If you have a majority of the pieces for these ideas, it will cost you roughly twenty to twenty-five dollars to purchase the remaining accessories you need, makeup, or spray paint. Make these last minute costumes your own and no one will be the wiser that you balled on a budget to create them!

What was your favorite Halloween costume you have worn? What are your Halloween plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct23

Factory Of Terror Date Night

Posted on by
Standard
Factory Of Terror Date Night

Hello! If there is one haunted house to go to in the greater Northeast Ohio area, the Factory Of Terror is the place to be. It holds the record for the largest indoor haunted attraction in America boasting four different haunted houses, three separate bars, a dance floor, tarot readings, and axe throwing too. Every year you go is completely different than the last and you will never experience the same thing twice. It is absolutely amazing and my favorite place to go when spooky season hits.

Johnny and I had a date night to Factory Of Terror this past Friday and it was such a scary good time! I was also lucky enough to win my first radio contest EVER and scored two free tickets to the haunt. I couldn’t believe it and was literally on cloud nine. What’s better than a free night on the town to a place we planned on going to anyways?! SCORE! This was my third time going to the Factory Of Terror and I think it was the best year yet! Check it out:

^^^ Be sure to peep my TikTok for the video tour!!

Walking into the Factory Of Terror is like walking into a great big scary playground and the fun starts as soon as you set foot on the property. Character actors roam and are ready to sneak up on anyone that passes by. It makes something mundane like waiting in line for entrance wristbands into part of the experience and sets the tone perfectly for your night of spooky delight. After getting our wristbands, our first move was to hit the Poison Ivy bar for test tube shots. We opted for a blue concoction that tasted like straight up blue and was delicious!

After hitting up the Poison Ivy, it was off to the first haunt called the Forsaken Asylum. The bones of this haunted house hasn’t changed but the interior was totally different and transformed into a freaky hospital. It was filled with jump scares galore but the best part was twofold. Halfway through the house, there was a huge slide that you went down on a burlap sack. It was a wild ride! The ending was also excellent as it was a maze of mirrors. Johnny and I were running into the mirrors left and right and eventually a creepy doll character actor helped show us the way out lol. Not so scary after all and we were most appreciative. ❤

Next up was our favorite of the bunch – the Industrial Nightmare. This haunted house took us into the bowels of a factory complete with steaming pipes, compressed air switches on the ground, and glowing green lights to guide us through the pitch black setting. Everywhere we turned were “injured” employees from factory accidents and their scares couldn’t be beat. Some of the actors were legit perched on the ceiling, others were on bungee cords to leap out in front of you, and just being followed around in the dark was enough to send shivers down my spine. The highlight of this haunt had to be when the front of a train literally looked like it was coming straight towards you. I screamed so loud it could have shattered glass. It. Was. Awesome!!

The third haunted house holds a special place in my heart because it is Factory of Terror’s take on my favorite horror film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This is their staple haunted house called Massacre On Mahoning and while the theme remains the same every year, the inside always changes. For someone who is such a huge fan of TCM, going through this haunted house was a treat filled with tricks. Its setting was exactly what you could imagine if you are familiar with the story and was a pure celebration of one of the greatest, most influential horror movies of all time. I just loved it. 🙂

The last haunt to visit was called The Abyss and it simply delighted me and Johnny. For the first half of the haunt, we walked through almost complete darkness and were able to be guided by waist high walls to keep us on the path. After making it through this portion, we were welcomed into a sunken pirate ship and we were so there for it since we are being pirates for Halloween this year! The Abyss was so visually appealing once we made it to the light but it was also pure FUN. While we were waiting in line, we made friends with one of the actors and he made it a point to sneak up on us throughout the haunt. After we emerged on the other side, we all shared a great big hug and he asked us if we had a blast. It was a resounding YES on our part!! ❤

My first job was as a character actor at a haunted house and being at the Factory Of Terror hit me right in the nostalgia. This place is so incredibly special and all throughout the night I couldn’t help thinking how much fun it would be to work there. Our hats go off to the spectacular cast and crew that make the Factory Of Terror possible because the work that has gone into it is awe inspiring. We can’t recommend it enough if you are in the area!

What is the best haunted house in your neck of the woods? What are your Halloween plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah