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The things that go bump in the night...

Sunday, April 7, 2013


For those of you who do not already know this about me... I love ghost hunting!  I have been into ghosts since I was very young and have always felt some sort of connection to the unseen. When I was 3, I knew that my uncle (who I had met only once before) had died before anyone else knew.  That is when I think my awareness of all things creepy developed and since then, things have happened to me that I just can't quite explain. 

I applied for Ghost Hunters Academy on the suggestion of Dustin (from the show... he sent me a Tweet about it) and am a proud Facebook friend of Britt Griffith (also from Ghost Hunters).  Seriously, whenever I comment on something he posts on his wall and he comments back, my face turns red and I jump up and down (and subsequently comment back to him that I am jumping up and down, in which case he replies that I'm a dork and it just goes one and on from there).  Anyway, the show was canceled, so I never really got my shot.




Not to give up after my near brush with televised ghost hunting fame, a few years ago, I started an amateur ghost hunting group.  We were primitive.  I mean we had flashlights that work by crank, a digital voice recorder, a 6-year old digital camera and not much nerve.  I'll never forget my first actual ghost hunting experience.  It was at a place called Devil's Gate, which is ranked within the top 10 haunted places in Illinois, and happens to be in the town where I currently work.  I'll tell you the story about it some other time, but trust me... after listening to the voice recordings we got that night, I didn't sleep for a week!  I love creepy stories, but after I had my own sort of recorded personal encounter, I was shaken! 




Last weekend, while I was staying home alone, I made the misguided decision to skip a wine tasting and met my dear friend, Emery, for coffee around 9 PM.  I'm not sure how it happened, but after catching up about life, the girl he wants to date, and how hard it is to find a job these days we somehow ended up chatting about ghosts.  A mere 5 minutes later, I was slipping out of my 5-inch heels and into cowboy boots (which I just so happened to have handy in the trunk of my car) and we were headed to Devil's Gate for some investigation.  Now that I have my iPhone, I've got all the tools I need to conduct actual investigations.  We wandered around a bit, but the car was illegally parked, so it was the quickest ghost hunt ever!  

Next, we headed to Diamond Lake Cemetery.  It was founded in 1858, which is crazy considering my suburb is essentially in the middle of nowhere (ok, it's 45 minutes North of Chicago,  but still... nearly 200 years ago, there was NOTHING here!).  We were using an app developed by a lovely company called SpudPickles.  The app is called Ghost Radar and when I first discovered it years ago, it terrified me because all the words it would say always had something to do with what was going on at the time I was using it.  This time, the app kept spitting out names, which is creepy since it usually just says random words.  At one point, we found a headstone that had fallen over.  The name on the headstone was "Maria."  About 30 seconds after discovering this, Ghost Radar spat out "Maria," which sent a chill or two up my spine.  It started raining shortly thereafter, so I went home to my big empty house and spent about 4 hours trying to fall asleep.

Today, I figured I may as well head back in the sun for a quick daytime investigation.  The place is super peaceful when it isn't dark out!  There is nothing scary about it at all! 







How is that for Monday Morning Motivation?  Do you have any ghost stories? 


Tank c/o Diane VonFurstenburg
Kimono c/o Forever 21
Booties&Earrings c/o Charlotte Russe
Trousers c/o H&M


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55 comments on "The things that go bump in the night... "
  1. I'm TERRIFIED of ghosts D: You brave soul hahaha, look forward to hearing your story about Devil's Gate!

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    Replies
    1. I want to do a photoshoot out at the gate, but the problem is that the lighting is hard to catch so it looks spooky with the way it is situated and the way the sun sets. I may need to borrow a photographer to make it happen, but as soon as I get the shoot, I'll share my story!

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  2. Thank you so much for the follow and your lovely comment.^^
    Sure,follow you back on gfc. Do you also follow me on bloglovin?
    let me know follow you then back...
    Lovely greets

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  3. The pictures are amazing! They honestly turned out so cool.

    Laura
    http://www.lauraneuzeth.com/

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    Replies
    1. The editing process was fun. I must have looked silly meandering around the cemetery with my camera and tripod, but I'm pleased with the results!

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  4. Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog and following me.
    I am following you back too =D

    Such a brave post! I get a little uneasy around cemetry's.
    But this is such a cute outfit.

    Anne xox

    http://4theloveofpancakes.blogspot.com.au

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It isn't nearly as creepy during the day as it was at night... in the rain... with ghost hunting equipment that was getting feedback!

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  5. No ghost stories...because I'm afraid of ghosts and graves :)
    I had heard of you too afraid to hear the sounds.you're very brave:))

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    Replies
    1. Going home after hunting in the cemetery was scary, but I survived and it is actually quite peaceful during the day.

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  6. Thanks for following me, follow you back! :)
    Those are great photos, love it <3 great blog!

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  7. i got scared to go thru ur whole post
    i have a chicken heart lol
    but i luv ur outfit
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I didn't want to scare anyone! Just wanted to put a new spin on a spooky place!

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  8. Great look :)

    xx MJ
    http://shopaholic-thoughts.blogspot.pt/

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  9. Beautiful pics! I love ghost stories, but I scare those too much so I can't read those. Still I really want you to tell those more! :)

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    1. The weird thing is that I love reading ghost stories, I love ghost hunting, but I CAN'T stand scary movies! That is what gives me nightmares... not actual experiences from wandering around abandoned buildings and such! I'm so strange!

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  10. love the photos tone!
    thx for the comment! wanna follow each other? let me know!

    join my belated blogversarry giveaway : a RTW top I designed myself!
    http://bellespell.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. thank u for your beautiful comment on my blog. I followed u too. So beautiful pics a like the b&w ones. I am sorry for my horrible english I just learn it in school :P :D have a nice day hun. :-*

    http://terezbk.blogspot.sk/

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  12. wowww!! Love your post!! I just saw your blog and you have a new follower!!! would you like visit my blog and if you like it we can follow each other on GFC? have a lovely week!! xx

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  13. That is pretty scary for me! Eeekk! But glad you can do it. And still look amazingly pretty here :)

    ★♡ Follow Each Other? (^_^) ♡★
    My Thoughts on Follow Each Other Requests
    A blow by blow account of my experiences on such requests & more ...

    ❤ ~Chai
    http://chenmeicai.blogspot.com
    http://www.facebook.com/ChaiChenPage
    Follow Ice Goddhez via Bloglovin'
    Follow on NetworkedBlogs via Facebook
    Follow me via Google+

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  14. babe! your style is great!!

    i follow you

    www.memyheelsandi.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Omg...welll bit scary :)))) great outfit indeed !


    Hugs dear !

    http://angrycupcake28.blogspot.it/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not scary! I really wanted to show that cemeteries and ghosties and such don't always have to be frightening!

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  16. I love how creepy but somewhat cool the photography in this post is!

    xox, cheri
    http://www.cheritrendystyle.com

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  17. Hi sweetie really beautiful photographs sweetie.
    Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog, now I´m following you in GFC and Bloglovin´

    xoxo

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  18. Thanks so much for your comment on my blog! I love your style and just started following you. You are so strong to continue pressing on while your soldier is away! I admire your courage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well thank you for saying that! I just want Soldier Boy to come home and know I need to stay busy to make the time go by faster!

      Delete
  19. I'm SUPER SCARED of ghosts!!hi dear! thank you for the comment on my blog and for following, I'm following you back :D

    http://steph-g.blogspot.com/

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  20. Cool photos!!!!!
    I'm following you darling!
    Keep in touch!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Replies
    1. It is a great local gem. Most people don't even know it is there!

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  22. I love the jacket together with the top! Suits you perfect.

    Like you blog design - kind of vintage but in a clean and decent way!

    Greetings,
    Frl. Schnee

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  23. So greats pictures! Really creatives! I'm so happy to follow you dear!

    ReplyDelete
  24. i adore the blazer and love the expression on your face. great pics

    xx m

    thisishowwerule.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. NICE BLOG! Do you want to follow eachother?
    I WAIT FOR YOU SOON!
    so cute (:D) !!

    LOVELY KISSES FROM ROME
    Federica smartchicdietreadbooksandfly.blogspot.it

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love your pics.

    Thanks for your comment and I'm following you back :)

    http://petitemini.blogspot.se/

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love old cemetery's but maybe not at night....
    xo
    girlintheyellowdress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was definitely more comfortable to visit during the day... with sunlight... and not close to midnight in the rain!

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  28. Oh my god,how did you fall asleep,I would be terrified,even though I grew up next to a cemetary!I`m too scared to go there at night,but I still love all the things about ghosts and the supernatural,it`s a topic,that I really find interesting!

    Hope you post more,about those spiritual encounters!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you have any stories? Growing up next to a cemetery would be quite the experience!

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  29. Beautiful Pics! I LOVE all things paranormal, so interesting! I used to watch Most Haunted all the time but sadly no longer have SKY so can't watch it anymore. I would love to go on a ghost hunt... just got to get the courage up to go on one!x

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    Replies
    1. I'd say, you should go on one, but go with a group of experienced hunters and maybe some friends. Just remember that despite what we see in scary movies, ghosties can't REALLY hurt you and are just what remains of people who once lives (just like you or me!)!

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  30. Love these pics!! You look amazing! The blazer is perfect!
    Following you on GFC now!
    Follow me back please! We can follow each other, it would be a pleasure! ;)
    Here are my links:
    THESPARKLINGCINNAMON
    kiss, Francesca

    CHECK OUT NEW POST ON MY BLOG: DR. MARTENS 1461 RASPBERRY

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I love this kimono! It was an epic consignment store find!

      Delete
  31. Your outfits are so fab and the photography is amazing! Love your blog :)

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  32. Thanks! It was an epic consignment shop find!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for your comment hun, but you're not a follower actually.
    I'm following now, come back and follow :)
    toothfairygardy.blogspot.gr
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grrrr... My Google has been so weird. I logged in the other day and saw that over half the blogs I follow were gone... I've been collecting them back!

      Delete