Prepping for Frill

Hello Hello!
I've been behind again guys. Boooooo. ;-; There's just so much to get ready for before Frill rolls around! "What is Frill?" some of you may ask. Well, Frill is the first American all Lolita convention. This past year was the first year and I was very eager to attend, reporting with absurd amounts of pictures, on the events and attendants. Suffice to say it was a really great experience and this year it's bigger and better!
They've upgraded from a community hall to an actual hotel, with multiple panels rooms going during the day, a few Japanese brands visiting and actually putting on a fashion show (Which yours truly has been chosen to be part of as a model, by the way) and bigger and better events all around.
I've been planning my attendance for the convention since Christmas when I purchased my VIP pack along with my sister, who is also attending. (It's June 1-2, in case you wanted to know) A few months later and my dear friend Kendall, whom has appeared in multiple posts of mine, decided to join, and a glorious outfit plan was hatched.
There are three times to plan for:
Saturday, Saturday night, and Sunday.
For Saturday, Kendall and I conspired to do coordinating outfits! (Which we also ended up doing on sunday too. Woops)
Cinnamoroll and his friend Mocha!
Cinnamoroll and Mocha are two not as well known characters from Sanrio, the makers of Hello Kitty, My Melody and others. Cinnamoroll had a TV show for a while apparently, though I never saw it and that's where all of his friends came from: Mocha, Chiffon, Milk, Cappuccino and others.
Taking into consideration how well adapted and recognizable the characters could be if done as a lolita outfit that isn't overtly costume, we picked Mocha.

You can see Cinnamoroll and Mocha here, mocha being the brown one with flowers.
I took my outfit that was based off Cinnamoroll, as you may recall:

Which I sketched out for posterity and to keep track of it in conjunction to Kendall's Mocha coord. From there sketched out Kendall's outfit design, which I often do for planned coordinates to get the full visual of how everything will looks. I wasn't trying to get perfect anatomy so some of the arms a might bit wonky. :x

We've done most all of our crafting over this month, from making Mocha's flower hair pieces to dying the lace for the wristcuffs. We even ripped out a few layers of a petticoat to make it suitable for lolita for her! Kendall will be wearing my brown baby scalloped jsk and a brown blouse she thrifted her self, among other things.

For Sunday we both ended up planning on doing more natural mori-girl/dolly-kei outfits. Mine leaning more dolly and hers more mori. No pictures for that one because I haven't managed to ink them, but I'll be wearing my Lady Rose jsk with a flower headband, and I had hoped a peignoir like this one but that's looking like a quickly fading dream unfortunately. But maybe I'll figure something out, fingers crossed!

Kendall will be wearing a white skirt and brown blouse with a flower garland of mine. Her look is really going to be pulled off by her amazing hair and makeup. Her hair is that of a god's and I am infinitely jealous of it. She also has super pale skin that looks really good with dolly blush, which I can't really pull of because it just makes me look sick since it blends in with my normal skin tone really naturally. Forever broken hearted.
Anyway!
We'll start packing this weekend and I am so excited. I've taken all my items to get dry cleaned and I'll be picking them up this week. I need to finish washing the items I have to hand wash and I'll be all together!

And don't worry, you'll all be getting gratuitous pictures of the convention. You won't get away from it, I've been too psyched for too long! I'll even try writing about my experience as a model if I can. It will certainly be an experience, but one I look forward to eagerly.
Till next time,
XOXO

Why I wear Lolita? {Lolita 52 challenge}

It's just like the title says this time around, why do I wear lolita? I haven't done one of these in a while because I haven't posted in a while.  But that's the prompt, and boy what a loaded question. I've actually thought about this a lot ever since I read a questionnaire a couple years ago about lolita. As soon as I read it I really knew the answer-- so, what is the answer? This answer is a few parts.

Lolita is part of who I am. It represents part of me.

I started lolita at a very young age, around 14, back when I didn't really have an identity for myself. The existential question "Who am I" would have hit deep if I had considered it in between contrived stanzas of poetry and bad deviant art uploads. So, when I found lolita, along with some other things, I felt connected and grew around it and into it. Not so much artificially selecting myself for lolita traits but instead just growing in knowledge and experience relevant to the culture around lolita. Everyone grows up with cultural influences that shape them, people who participate in band, high academics, plantation society. Mine happened to be lolita.

I love the way it looks.

What more can I say? I don't know why, it's just part of me. I adore the look. The supreme girliness and unabashed self appreciation that goes into wearing lolita. I also like the fact that its technically an alt fashion and is really weird and out there.

The community is relatable and connecting.

While the lolita community has a lot of draw backs to it, the drama, the cattiness, it has a good side too. It brings together people from many walks of life and allows me to meet new people. And beyond that I feel like I belong. I fit in somewhere. It's hard to say that because everyone is encouraged to strike out on their own but honestly, people need support, people to relate to. That's what the lolita community does for me. I can ask advice, and talk to people, have things in common with people everywhere from Scandinavia to Japan.

So basically, lolita is just right to me. I didn't think about why when I did it, and now I only think why because I'm asked. It's ineffable and it's my fashion.

Lolita Transformation!

Hello hello!
Recently I've been displeased by the lack of lolita content on youtube, partially because I just want to watch so much all the time and I've run out but also because there's just not all that much! So I've resolved to help contribute some (also because I like making content). I've made videos in the past but they were a good long while ago and I really just have not wanted to do any because I didn't have editing capabilities. I do now though and boy do I love it! This is my first new video and it's a classic as far as lolita videos go: A Transformation video.
Enjoy. <3

Bringing back the Sunday Drive

Not a challenge prompt today! I know, shocking. But I have something I experienced that I need to share, and that is the Sunday Drive.
For those of you who don't know, the "Sunday drive" is a concept which was particularly popular in 1950's America in which, on a Sunday, you got into your car in some relatively presentable clothes and just drove through town or the country side. sounds kind of silly doesn't it? But last weekend I got a bad itch to move and see things and that is just what I did. Armed with a cardigan, my keys, and my phone only, I hopped into my car and set out into the roads around my father's house.

Assuming you don't make a point to know all the little details of my life (Even if it is fab) let me explain, my father's house is about 10 minutes out from anything resembling a suburb or town and 30 minutes on the interstate away from a respectably sized one. So, long story short, old houses, dirt roads, and trees abound. Everywhere.
I let my dad know I was going on this drive, to which he offered advice on what roads to take. And I should say, I've lived at this house my whole life, part time after age 6 and I knew the area pretty well but not well enough to be acquainted with all the little roads so I was quite open to his suggestions. After learning his directions, I set off, eager to go somewhere or do something other than surf tumblr.
I gotta say guys, I expected it to be pleasant but it was so much more than that. It was so many things I needed to have the time to do. Let me explain;

It was time to spend alone with my thoughts and with a clear head. Driving occupies your hands and enough of your brain to not be bored but little enough for you to still think naturally.
I turned the radio on scan, stopping it wherever I heard something that I thought interesting. It was a time to do things without any pressure or assurance. You just make decisions based on what you feel like.
I didn't have anywhere to be or anywhere to go. It was cathartic for me to be able to decompress and not rush anywhere or have to hurry around. I could go as slow or fast as I felt like without stressing.
I stopped whenever I saw something I was taken with because it was a back road and had little traffic. A few times I actually pulled over to the side of the road to pick flowers or rabbit's tobacco.
It was really just a time for me to breathe and think and move and not worry about the consequences of any of it. It was freedom for a while.

So what to do with this information?
Go on a Sunday drive yourself. Here are some tips:

• No distractions. If you can leave your phone at home and just take a camera all the better. This is time for you.
• Don't let guilt get you. If you want to pull over on the side of the road to pick some flowers, damn sure do it! Don't let the idea that you shouldn't or other drivers will think you're weird doing it stop you. What does that matter anyway, you're not breaking any laws.
• Don't have a return time. If you set a time to be back home then you'll constantly be concerned with getting back by then, detracting from the experience.
• Have a map or a GPS. This way, you wont be worried about getting lost or having to stay on main roads. Have a fall back on so when you go adventuring it wont matter, because that's an important part of this-- impulse. Follow whatever you feel like, just mind your blinkers.
• Have a way to document. A camera is good, or a camera phone. Don't get to caught up in recording everything though!
• Look for dirt roads and countryside. Driving around town is nice, but it can be a bit restricting. Stop lights, traffic, loud noises. Ditch that and find some back roads with trees and maybe some cows if you're feeling really frisky. No stop signs, little traffic. It's great.
• Dress for the weather. Yes, you're in a car, but don't think you're going to be the entire time. If you find something amazing, get the hell out of the car and investigate! These things are things you shouldn't be missing just because you're "supposed" to be on a drive. This is all about you uninhibited.
• If you want to scream, or beat a tree with a baseball bat, or do cartwheels, do it! This is your time, and no one is going to get you in trouble for doing what you want to (so long as it isn't private, watched property. Ie. You can get away with smashing a tree in a huge forest type area or the back of a field. Not so much in a suburb....well, if it's not your tree)

That's it. Go forth. Drive

A day in the life {Lolita 52 Challenge}

Well, today's prompt is "What my own Lolita lifestyle is like" and I'll be honest with you; I had a hell of a time quantifying it. Lolita and the lolita lifestyle is such an integral part of who I am and what I do its not active decision making. Its just my tastes and my attentions. So with that in mind.....

(Unknown source)

My lolita lifestyle is striving to live in fairytale palace, a Versailles skyscraper, and a royal dinner party. My lifestyle is having a heart of diamonds and pearls, and having expensive taste and no regrets. My lifestyle is waking up in the morning and reaching for my petticoat without even thinking. It's being able to rattle of my outfits from the past 4 meetups and not being able to remember what I ate for dinner. It's walking down the street and feeling confident enough to look every person that passes in the eyes and smile at them. My lolita lifestyle is believing in my own personal aesthetics and appreciate my preferences. It's not buying into what I'm supposed to like and instead buying into what feels right to me.
I wear fake beauty marks because I feel like it. I own more tea cups than an old lady. I can identify the time period something takes place in by the fashion in it. I've walked into a Baby the Stars Shine Bright store before and almost cried. I've watched Kamikaze Girls over 7 times. And for that matter, I've written analysis' of Momoko's quotes and their philosophical impact before.
When it rains, I don't think "I should have worn pants today." I think "I really need to invest in a good lolita rain coat." Which is then quickly followed with remembering that one I saw on Baby's website last fall. Heading to school 3 out of 5 mornings at least dressed in lolita without a second thought. Getting a car and bringing a spool of ribbon to decorate it.
That's my lolita lifestyle, everyday. Its a LIFESTYLE. It's every day I am awake since I've gotten into the fashion. Because its me. Lolita is a punk, lolita is a lady, lolita is a rebel, lolita is angry, and happy, and excited, and outgoing, and lolita is how I feel.

A Day at the Cinema {Lolita 52 Challenge}

Today's prompt from the 52 challenge is "5 movies for lolita" and wow, have I been waiting for this. I adore movies, from cinematography to plot line. Easy to say, I'm going to have fun with this.
*There will be no spoilers, since the point of this is to give recommendations.*

Lets kick this off with the obvious and ENTIRELY NECESSARY movie:
1. Kamikaze Girls: A movie about a lolita with emotional and committal problems who by accident becomes friends with a yanki girl gang member. Despite all that this movie has many comedic elements and is rooted in comedy. The overarching themes are friendship, believing in yourself, growing as a person and being a god damn bad ass. I have watched this movie 6 times and would recommend it highly. The original book is by Novala Takemoto.

2. Marie Antoinette: Let me say right now, this movie has the shittiest story telling. There is basically no REAL plot. That out of the way, holy Jesus the costume and set designing is BRILLIANT. I recommend this movie if for nothing else the beautiful eye candy. The soundtrack is rather surprising as well. Very contemporary. The movie is basically Marie Antoinette's life starting at her move to France to be the Dauphine till her imprisonment. Things to be on the look out for- Her affair, the lack of difference between grown women and kids in clothes, the door space v. skirt width.

3.Fight Club: Distinctly un-lolita but to be frank, I don't care. This is a movie everyone needs to see. I don't care if you're a scene kid, a lolita, gyaru, goth, whatever. Watch this movie. Everything about it is perfect. And I can't tell you anything because it'll ruin it. I believe in Tyler Durden.

4. Princess and The Frog: A relatively recent Disney movie from the 2000's, set in the 1920's jazz age New Orleans about a woman overcoming struggles and finding love. Except its way better than that. It's got a woman named Charlotte (Lottie for short) and she is the most magnificent creature. There's no dislike-able characters in this movie and the musical numbers are PHENOMENAL. It's about princesses, adventure, princes, magic, and music. You can't get any better than that!

5. Kurage Hime: This is actually an anime instead of a movie but I absolutely love it. Its about a nerdy girl with no confidence becoming a super confident girl who will make her dreams come true. Add in a boarding house of nerdy girls, a cross dresser who is so fabulous it hurts and an overarching theme of believing in yourself, this movie was made for lolitas. Watch it any time you need a little boost for yourself.

That's it! My recommendations for any lolita looking for a night in! Until next time!
<3

Seven Days of Christmas Coordinate Countdown

I love Christmas. What a great holiday. And this year I'm doing something special to build up for Christmas- A seven day countdown of Christmas themed coordinates starting as of yesterday! Haha, yes. This is the plan:

~18th Tuesday: Victorian Caroler  Btssb bonnet, candy violet skirt, high collar blouse, pink fur dear Celine coat with capelet, cream tights, pink oxfords

~19th Wednesday: Clara (Nutcracker)- Glitter trump, peasant blouse + short sleeved blouse, pink oxfords, flower knee highs, braided updo

~20th Thursday: Santa- Red btssb bustleback dress, santa hat, brown boots, cream tights, brown belt, brown purse

21st Friday (Travel Day): Mouse (Not a Creature Was Stirring, Not Even a Mouse)- Brown Jsk, curly on-top-of head curls, brow blush +pink nose blush, BTSSB blouse, Lace tights, brown oxfords, fur ankle cuffs, white fur ear warmers

22nd Saturday: Snow angel- White skirt, peasant blouse, white headbow, white wristcuffs, joker style pearls, Gold heels, gold star clip, lace tights

23rd Sunday (Travel Day): Gingerbread Girl- Brown Jsk, pink tights, brown ankle socks, pink oxfords, pigtails, brown bows, pink necklace, 80’s pink shirt

24th Monday: Mother Mary- Chantilly replica skirt, Blue top, blue bow, gold cross/crucifix, blue oxfords, knit tights

25th Tuesday: Candy Cane- Red Btssb dress, cream sweater vest, red knit sock/white knit sock, red heels, High side ponytail w/ curl, red sweater

The days that say "travel" are the days I'm either going to or coming back from Atlanta where I'm visiting family for an early Christmas. Some Sacrifices will have to be made, and changes in plans but I'm doing it! Here is yesterdays outfit:

Victorian Caroler~

(I'm sorry for the poor photo quality on this one. Web-cameras are not professional for a reason. Haha.)

My outfit was:

Bonnet- BTSSB

Bustier + Skirt- Candy Violet

Blouse- Offbrand

Cream tights- Offbrand

Pink Oxfords (not shown)- Golden Pony

On the Importance of Trying

Some nights I will stay up too late talking to friends or playing video games and I know that in the morning I'll feel extremely tired. Then, I'll go to sleep. I'll wake up in the morning and, lo, just like I predicted, I feel terrible. I'm tired. My limbs feel heavy. I can barely keep my eyes open. I'll tell myself that I just won't bother getting dressed that morning. I'll just throw on some random shirt, something on my legs and shoe myself with whatever I find. Then I reach for a pair of jeans and stop.

I can't wear those jeans.
I can't wear that old t-shirt.
I can't walk past my makeup table.
I can't give up.
I can't give up.

It's a one sentence confirmation of my worth. I get dressed in the mornings because I enjoy it, because I want to, and because I am denying apathy.

Self-Love is a buzz word for persons of the especially female persuasion existing in the modern world for a reason. (For those of you who don't know, Self-Love is the active love and appreciation of yourself as a sort of counter to the normal body hate and under appreciation of oneself) Loving yourself is important. It makes you more productive, happier, more confident, and a slew of other things. Tons of outspoken and successful women are speaking up for it. People like Gala Darling and Angelina have especially spoken up for it. It's certainly becoming increasingly important today.

But what does that really have to do with my inability to wear sweatpants?
Because putting effort into what I do is an affirmation that what I am doing and what I am are both worth it. This is my emotions, my sense of beauty, I'm putting out into the world, but not for anyone else. This is just for me.

And some mornings you may wake up tired, sad, exhausted, willing to just scream and say fuck it to trying. But you need to try. You need to say that you are worth it because you are. You are the person who understands you the most. The person who knows your favorite color. You are your own soul mate. And you should treat yourself well. You deserve it.
So maybe nobody notices when you paint your nails with that new color. It makes you smile, don't give it up.
So maybe your art isn't as well known as someone else's. It doesn't have as many comments. Do you like your art? Does it speak to you? You create, don't give up.
So maybe it's easier to wear that pair of ratty old flats than hunt down that new pair of heels that you love. It's early in the morning. It doesn't matter. But it does-- for you!
When you put effort into things, you are affirming that it has meaning and worth and power. And it does because you do. You are powerful and strong and worth the effort.
Don't ever, ever give up.

Horror Stories are so Romantic

I enjoy the theater as much as the next girl....Ok, maybe a little more. (Or a lot) But, because I don't exactly live in a haven of the arts, plays, ballets, and so on tend to be a bit sub par in composition or selection. I'll give things a try but when a high school production rivals a real theater you've got some problems. Things are a little different right now though; I love holidays, especially Halloween and they really get me in the mood to PARTICIPATE. With that as base, I couldn't help being excited when I found out a local theater was putting on a play version of Frankenstein!

The inside cover from the production pamphlet. All the inside was done in style, with cast's pictures drawn instead of photographed. I just about died!

Frankenstein was a book from the Gothic portion of the Romantic period written by Mary Shelley. The romantic period was the same period that produced Cyrano De Bergerac, which is my favorite play of ALL time...Like ever. Really, in spirit, I am right along with the romantic period on so many levels, but I'll spare you the history lesson, yeah? Long story short, I was very enthusiastic about it.
When I go see things, movies or plays, I like to get into the theme. When I went to see the Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940's I did victory rolls and a little pre-greaser style. Since Frankenstein was in the Romantic period I, obviously, went with that. And as it turns out, the Romantic period was rather creative. (I mean, more than I thought it was.)

 Dem sleeves (source)

Doing my best to replicate the nutso sleeves (which I love dearly, but seriously, come on!) I layered a short sleeve blouse with slightly puffy sleeves over a peasant blouse of mine with 3/4-ish length bell sleeves. I used my red bustle back dress, which was a little bit of a jump, but only by about 25 years. I did a braided updo with a flower for a mix with regency, which was also around the same time and probably very close to the Gothic part which was towards the end.This was the result.

Not too shabby if I do say so myself. It also got wonderfully cold when we left the theater so I brought along a cardigan and scarf which also looked really cute if a bit more modern

And after all that, my opinion on the play? OH GOD MY FEELS. There was very heavy if almost entirely well done pathos and a really great set. We had first row seats and when the monster rolled off the table it was all of 5 feet in front of us. I though it might roll onto us!! It wasn't almost anything like the book. The sympathetic characters were different and in fact the entire plot was different, but I think it was much much better of a story that way.
Over all it was a good night, a really really good. I need to see more shows.

Until next time!

How to Make Deer Antlers

Mori has been on the rise among those interested in japanese street fashion and among lolitas, and it has been for quite some time. For those of you who don't know mori is basically supposed to look like a "forest princess". Lots of layers, cluny lace, germanic aesthetics, forest animals, etc. Myself, I have a little pet attraction to it. Totally adore it, but because I'm broke most of the time I have to be more reserved in how far I go with the style. Not because I have to watch my money or anything but because I literally just don't have much to create with.

My first pair of antlers for Frill

Now, it's no secret I am not the craftiest person in existence, beyond a back stitch and a glue gun and you've lost me. But clay is something I certainly have in my crafting pool and I set out at the beginning of the summer to make a mori-esque outfit for Frill and since I still wasn't over the deer fur trend I decided I was going to do a deer themed coordinate. This post is about how to do a part of that after quite a few requests: Deer antlers!
Now, this tutorial is very easy and very adaptable. You can change, mess around with, and embellish as you see fit!
You will need:

• A cup of water (you don't need a huge amount)
• Paper Clay in a natural white color
• Wire
• something you'll be attaching the antlers to like a headband or a garland like above (If using a headband I suggest something stiffer than what I use, like metal)
• Any lace, paint, chalk pastels or other accenting stuff

To start of take a hunk of clay about as big as your fingers when they're curled up plus a little and then another chunk about 1/3 the size of it. Set aside the smaller hunk.

 Roll out the larger one into a thin-ish roll a little bigger than your middle finger. At about 16 cm it's long enough, you can make it a little longer and thinner or shorter and thicker but consider that it's going to weigh when you attach it to the headband.

Decide which end is the outward end and taper it a bit into a pointy tip.

 At this point you may notice some ugly dents, nicks, or empty spaces like below. Get rid of these by wetting the clay with the water you have and rubbing relatively lightly but quickly over the area until it's smooth and uniform.

 It should look like this now: Twist it so that the top 2/3's is curved in an arch afterwards.

Now take that smaller piece of clay and do a much stubbier version of what you did before. It should be around 1/3 the length of the other piece and have a much sharper tapering.

 Now take the flat bottom part and with something stiff and smallish like a tooth pick or a piece of wire rough up it up. Then dampen it with your finger and some water. Go back over it to rough it up again if necessary.

 Curve it so that it arches vaguely too.

 Now assemble the two parts.Attach the smaller point about 4 to 5 cm from the base. It'll look like this when you stick the two parts together:

 Dampen your finger and rub the two parts together pushing them together with your nail and then smoothing it out as necessary

Now take a small amount of clay (very small) and get it really mushy and wet. It should be paste like.

Put it on over the seam where you attached the two parts and rub it in so it blends into the rest of the clay and up into the crevice at the top. Make sure it's covered all the way around. You'll need to do it again with the other side and some more clay to make sure it has full coverage.

Curve both pieces of the antler the same direction, facing inwards.

 Cut out the bottom at an angle (try and lose as little height as possible) that is also facing inwards. This will make it easier to mount the antlers.

Repeat this inverted and you have your two antlers.

Wait a few days until they are COMPLETELY dry. 3 days is a safe bet.
~~~~~~Three days later~~~~
Take one of your antlers and the thing you wish to attach it to and a good length of wire. wrap the middle of the wire around the bottom of the antler. Position the antler to where it should sit on the headband and wrap the wire around the base.

Repeat on the other side

Now you'll either want to leave the wire as is, which is cool, or you'll want to cover it up. You can do this with ribbon, leaves, lace, etc. If you're using a laurel then the leaves should naturally cover it up. I used ribbon for this pair.

The end! Good luck with your endeavors!

Inspiration Central: Gala Darling

In my recent post Urbanite Antoinette (which is my new favorite article, by the way) I mentioned I got the inspiration for the post from  Gala Darling: The pop, primary international playgirl. I found the blog about 5 months ago via my dear friend Mana Starre, the best pinup hime I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and the blog has rapidly usurped Parfait Doll as my favorite blog.

 The lovely lady herself

Gala Darling, the blog, is a mix of fashion, lifestyle, beauty and inspiration. Gala, the founder of the blog and the radical self love movement, started the blog strictly on fashion but has expanded to quite a few other topics now. Everything from self fulfillment to makeup and back.

My favorite posts are the link carousels which always have the most interesting information on them. You really get a lot of different things to think about or new perspectives to consider. The life articles are also really wonderful. When she addresses real life problem or experiences it helps guide a way of living that isn't directly feeding into the basic model. The life articles are usually hinging somewhere between personal discovery and awareness.

I really love the blog and Gala herself as a source of motivation and inspiration. It helps me find a direction for my blog and offers advice to help me in my personal discovery. The blog and author are both incredibly successful and really very inspiring. Her fantastic articles and success are both great motivators in themselves to improve.