BJD Resolutions 2015

As my BJD hobby is becoming a great part of my life again, coupled with how easily it fits into what I deem as my personal "Lolita lifestyle", I thought it would be fun to add a secondary "resolution" list pertaining to it. However, as BJDs are even more frivolous than Lolita (as at the very least I do require clothing of some sort), I'm attempting to keep this list a bit on the more low-key side. As much as I would adore to splurge, with money on the tighter side of things this year, I really have to get a bit creative.

Elysium Jamie

Customize Elijah:
Elijah is my Elysium Jamie head hybrid on a MSDoll body. I've had him since 2010 and this poor boy has had almost NO work done on him. In my defense, he requires a pretty heavy modification as his character is half Indian and half Native American, so his super pale resin just isn't going to cut it. I'm going to attempt the perilous journey of somehow getting him to the right shade of brown (whether that be through dyeing or some other means), though after that my creative juices will probably be shot and I'll more than likely send him out for a face-up. Either way, he must be finished! This includes finally getting him an actual outfit that really suits him instead of the leftovers that just happened to fit.

Find proper shoes for all:
I'm not proud to admit that two of my dolls have absolutely no shoes to speak of. None. Zero. Not even slippers. This must be fixed. This year. Period.

Take proper profile pics of all:

This ties into my Lolita resolution of attempting to grow patience with photography in general. I've put a lot of work into my dolls and I'm proud of them. While photo-stories and the like don't particularly interest me, I would like to have at least one, clear, pretty profile shot of each of them to share. Sadly, I only have about three thus far.

Switch out eyes:
I know this is such a simple thing, but I think this really shows the extent of my laziness. One of my dolls, embarrassing to admit, has never had a pair of eyes in his head. The others all have eyes, but many do not have the proper color or material. A few months back I went to a small BJD convention with my sister and actually managed to snag quite a few pretty glass eyes for awesome deals...and they've been sitting in a box since. It's time to stop avoiding it and just get them in their heads already.

One big doll purchase:
Pretty self explanatory, but I do aim to have at least one major doll purchase by the end of the year. This could be a new head (or two or three), a new body or even a really awesome, super intricate fullset outfit. I don't have any specific plans at the moment, but I know with proper saving then I will be able to achieve something special.

Yay for resolutions! I have a very positive feeling for 2015 and I'm excited for all it has in store!

Lolita Resolutions 2015

With 2014 rapidly reaching it's end, I thought I might partake in a good old fashioned tradition. Evaluating the past year, how I and my life has changed, and the new steps in which I hope to pursue in the future. Apply a Lolita spin onto that, and we have Lolita Resolutions for 2015!

I admit, I am wary of referring to these goals, hopes and aspirations as "resolutions". The word has a heavy connotation attached to it, and given how rapidly my life has altered its path over these past few months, it's impossible to say that in just a few more my priorities and circumstances might also grow drastically different. With that disclaimer in mind, onward!

Experiment with my hair
My hair tends to be very flat and often boring. It is naturally wavy but refuses to hold proper curls without half a can of hairspray. My hope is to find at least one new, every day style to wear that's pretty, easy to do, and not just a ponytail or bun.

Take better/more photos:
 I'll be the first to admit it. I detest taking photos. This includes both pictures of myself and taking photos of other people/things. I simply have absolutely zero patience for it and as I'm rather un-photogenic, always wind up frustrated with how I look. Still, on the rare occasion they turn out nice, I do actually very much like to look at them after. And as I expect this to be quite an interesting year, I'd like to try to push myself to actually document it more along the way.

 Invest in underskirts: 
 I have continued to push and push this off, and I realize it's really inhibiting my enjoyment of wearing Lolita. I definitely prefer to wear skirts that are actually at my knee, and I often feel uncomfortable in Lolita that is even just a couple inches too short.

This lovely has been on my wishlist for far too long!

Grow my blouse collection:
This is the bane of my Lolita existence. I seem to have the very, very worst luck when it comes to finding pretty, Lolita or Loliable blouses I can both afford and/or fit into. Over the past few weeks I have come into the very annoying predicament of having far too many skirts (both of the Lolita and non-Lolita variety) with almost nothing but plain tank tops to wear them with! I often avoid the problem by shopping...for more skirts! I really need to focus specifically on blouses and tops as I've already grown weary of recycling through the 3 or 4 I have that are actually suitable for something nicer than the beach.

Socks: 
Just...socks. And tights. I've lamented earlier about my love/hate relationship with tights,but I have this unshakeable belief that many coords look ten times better with pretty, detailed, dainty stockings. While I'll never stop wearing my plain black faithful tights, I am determined to continue working on adding a bit of life into this particular area of my wardrobe.

Find my own personal style:
For as long as I've been dabbling in Lolita and all the research and blogging that's come along with it, I still feel that I don't have a very strong grasp when it comes to my own unique, personal style. More and more lately I've been blending Lolita with non-Lolita pieces and I'm finding that this freedom to experiment has really rekindled my enthusiasm in fashion as a whole. I'm excited to continue searching and finding out what really is going to make me feel beautiful and how I might be able to share what I'm learning along the way with others who are also still on the hunt for their fashion voice.

I realized a little late that this is actually this week's topic for the Lolita Blog Carnival! So I'm going to go ahead and add in some links to my fellow bloggers. As always, thanks for reading!

Raven Snow
The Bloody Tea Party
Diary of a Gothic Lolita
The Kingdom of Frilly Magic
Masquerade Doll
Alice in Lolitaland
OH TRALALA
Geisha Baby
Hello Batty
Lolita Glamour
Classical Doll
Sparkling Girl

Doll Wishlist Meme

As I last left off introducing my sweet BJD Isaiah to the blog, I thought it appropriate to continue the trend a little longer. I had originally intended to briefly introduce the rest of my collection first, but instead I came across this Doll Wishlist meme over on My Doll Adventures, and I thought it looked like fun. So onward with the meme and my crew can be brought in next time.

1. How many dolls are on your wish list currently? 

I currently have three dolls on my wishlist.

1. DIMDoll Marcellina 
2.DIMDoll sleepy eyes Bellosse 
3.DIMDoll Kassia 

Technically my wishlist may constitute as four as I do have one floating head, a DIM Robel (no longer sold on the DIM website), who I do intend to purchase a body for. However, as I'm still undecided on the body and it's not a full doll, I count the wishlist as three.

2. How many Larger (65cm+) dolls are on your list?  
None. The tallest dolls in my collection are about 62 cm and this already feels like an unwieldy height for me.  Although there are some beautiful dolls out there in this size, I already know they're simply too big for me so I know to avoid them from the start.

DIMDoll Marcellina

 3. What about 1/3 sized dolls? 
All of them.Dolls ranging from 55-60cm are my favorite height for dolls, especially those closer to the 55 range. I don't intend to buy full dolls from DIM as I like hybrids (almost all of the dolls in my collection are hybrids of some sort), so I am leaning toward finding shorter bodies for the heads on my wishlist if possible.   

 4. And 1/4? 
Also none. While I prefer this height to larger dolls, I don't really want to accumulate any more. While they're not super tiny, they tend to feel just a bit too delicate for me to handle comfortable, and just a couple inches too small for me all around. I think if they were closer to 50cm rather than the usual 42cm, I might be more keen on them.

 5. 1/6 and smaller?

So there are no smaller dolls on the wishlist either, but I admit not to being completely opposed to them. While I have no plans at this moment to acquire, I can't deny that they don't intrigue me, particularly the pet BJDs. While I don't see myself actually purchasing a human doll in this size as I have no character for one, a pet or animal is a different story as I feel it can be easily separated from the rest of my dolls while still giving me the freedom to dress it up and freely explore the options this size has to offer.

 6. What is your grail doll?
I don't have one and I actually never have. I don't really see the point in coveting a doll that is so expensive or so rare that I have an extremely slim chance of ever really acquiring it. All the dolls that I fall in love with enough to want for myself must fit within a certain set of perimeters, otherwise it's just a very pretty, expensive paperweight that I have no emotional connection to which is an important aspect for me when it comes to dolls. I don't have time to waste energy on pining over something solely because it is beautiful.

7. What is the most expensive doll on your wishlist?
This one's tricky. Because I do plan to hybrid I am admittedly looking at cheaper bodies for the heads as I'm no longer in a place to spend an excessive amount on what will constantly remained covered up with clothes anyway. For the boys (Marcellina and Bellosse), I don't know which head will recieve which body at the moment, so it's up in the air who will wind up as more expensive. For the Kassia head, as she will be the only girl in my collection, I see myself giving in and splurging a tiny bit more on a nicer body for her, so of the three she will likely wind up the most expensive.

 8. What about the most inexpensive doll?
Same as the previous answer, it's a toss up on the twin boys as to who will wind up with the cheaper body in the end.

DIMDoll Kassia

9. Which doll do you most look forward to getting in the future?
Oh gosh, this is so difficult to say because I really do love all three of my future planned dolls. I suppose if I absolutely had to choose, it would be Kassia, as she will be the only one of the three who will actually remain a female while the other two will be turned into males. She will be my first and only girl doll, and for years she continues to remain the only  girl I have remained interested in. She's perfect.

 10. Lastly, can you list all the dolls on your wish list?
 Certainly! I just did for the first question and three isn't a lot to remember ;)

 Tag some people to keep it moving!

Sadly I don't know anyone in the BJD blogging universe to tag! But if you're interested in writing out your own answers, please feel free and let me know, I'd love to read!

Meet Isaiah

Hello again lovely Lolita ladies and gents! Today I wanted to post about another hobby of mine that is also extremely near and dear to my heart, and (in my humble opinion) compliments Lolita wonderfully.

Ball-Jointed-Dolls!

This is Isaiah! He is a Doll in Mind Bellose head hybrid on an Ariadolls 14 years boy body. He's 4 years old (holy schmoly, did I really get him back in 2010?), and just as beautiful as ever! I admit, he is by far the girliest boy in my collection, but I purposefully chose to use him as my BJD ambassador directly because of his adorable girlishness. 

I joined the BJD hobby over 7 years ago in June of 2007, which actually surpasses my dabbling in Lolita by about 6 months! I was rapidly lured in by their beauty after spotting them during an anime convention and absolutely could not get them out of my head. Once school had ended and I had some free time on my hands, I researched them like crazy! I was absolutely hooked and yearned for a few of my own to embody my most precious original characters.

Thanks to a conveniently timed birthday and graduation, I was able to save up for my first, a Dream of Doll Kirill fairly quickly! It was all downhill from there. As I was still an extremely wary newbie Lolita, I focused most of my attention on BJDs, and my collection grew fairly quickly, with three minis, six 60cms dolls and one floating head.

Over the years, as my love for Lolita grew, my darling BJDs have been pushed a bit back on my priority of hobbies. Unfortunately they seem to be sitting in the dust for far too long now, and I'm slowly easing myself back into them, hence this post! I still have plans for three more dolls, twin boys and a girl (my only girl!) as well as finally uniting my floating head with his body. 

By no means do I intend to rush into anything as the hobby still remains expensive and I certainly don't intend to leave Lolita behind. But I'm excited to play with my dolls again and introduce them to this blog. If you have dollies of your own, I'd love to see them!

Happy December! And engagement photos!

Happy December everybody!!

I absolutely love this time of year (specifically because I DO celebrate Christmas, not because of all the cold, and wet and too tight tights), and because Thanksgiving was so late this year, I feel like December really snuck up on me. I'm not complaining though! This is going to be my first ever Christmas with my fiance and on top of that, it'll be the first Christmas in a very long time where my entire family will be together!

I know everyone has there own reasons for how they feel around this time of year, but for me, I receive so much enjoyment in giving gifts, having that aha! moment when out shopping and being able to spoil the people I love. Due to the sudden obstacle of wedding costs (omg!) my budget is quite low this year, but with or without money, I'm still excited to give something meaningful to my friends and family.

Speaking of weddings! I don't really plan to spam this blog with TOO much wedding talk (let's see how well that fares), but we just received our engagement photos we took in Disneyland and I'm so excited! I was really nervous as I don't photograph well and obviously these photos as very special to me so I wanted to love them. Luckily I do!

I'm so happy with them! Thanks for humoring me and until next time!

Lolita Level Up

So I found out about this fun little 'test' over at Teacake Time Machine, and I thought it sounded cute and wanted to give it a shot. I've been attempting to immerse myself into this fashion for awhile now, so let's see just how well I fare. Onward!

LOLITA LEVEL START!

You've been to egl.

You've posted on egl, without an onslaught of 'USE THE MEMORIES' and likewise.
You've bought a lolita mook.
You've picked a favorite brand.
You've ordered your first item.
You've worn a full outfit.
You've worn a full outfit out in public.
You've worn a full outfit and posted photos of it on the Internet.
You know what JSK, OP, and cutsew all mean.
You've bought your first brand piece.
You know your measurements.
You know your shoe size - in American, European, and Japanese.
You know who Mr. Yan is.
You know who Mana is. (+1 points if you know his band. +2 points if you know his brand. +3 points if you know why he's featured in every GLB. +4 if you have a shrine to him in your closet.)
You know who Maki and Asuka are. (+2 if you've met Maki and Asuka)
You've watched Kamikaze Girls. (+1 if you know the real name of this movie. +2 if you know who wrote the book this was based on. +3 if you've also read the manga or novel. +4 if you love the author despite his criminal record).
You own a wig. (+1 if you own more than 2.)
You own a pair of falls. 
You can identify lace on the spot.
You can identify an item's brand on the spot.
You can identify the year a dress was made by a specific brand on the spot.
You can name several different dresses or prints.
You answer stock photo requests.
You mod a lolita community.
You decorate your nails. (+1 if you wear fake nails. +2 if you make fake nails.)
You own a pair of a rocking horse shoes. (+1 if you know their abbreviation.)
You've made your own rose corsage.
You've made anything out of your brand dress's waist ties.
You've made anything out of a matching eco tote. (+3 if you were the first one to do it, you think).
You know how to apply false eyelashes.
You know how to pronounce shirring.
You know how to pronounce Moi-meme-moitie, or Metamorphose tempes de fille.
You know a reliable shopping service.
You bid on Yahoo!Japan or Mbok.
You've been to a meetup.
You've planned a meetup.
You've planned a meetup with catering or more than 20 attendees.
You've met up with lolitas while on vacation to foreign or faraway locales.
You've seen a lolita fashion show.
You've seen a brand fashion show.
You've modelled in a lolita fashion show.
You've modelled in a brand lolita fashion show.
You wear bloomers.
You know how to make bloomers.
You tell other people to wear bloomers.
You draw lolita art, write a lolita blog, or provide the community with some sort of creative services.
You've taken purikura in lolita.
You've decorated your room/house/apartment in lolita style.
You've listened to lolita music.
You've learned kana.
You've learned enough Japanese to read a magazine.
You wear or own circle lenses.
You've been called a princess by a young child.
You've dressed up a friend.
You've convert a friend.
You've been in media (television, newspaper, magazine). (+2 points if it's Japanese media.)
You've learned a handicraft, like jewellery making, embroidery, or sewing.
You've become a lolita mentor.
You've attended lolita events at an anime or multi-genre convention.
You’ve organized or presented lolita events at a convention.
You've visited a brand shop.
You've taken a trip to Japan!
You've dressed up and gone out alone.
You're prepared for inclement or colder weather in lolita (coat, parasol, boots, gloves, other climate-specific items.)
You've learned face contouring.
You've made a lolita valentine.
You've got a lolita pen pal or online lolita friends.
You have local lolita friends.
You know how to modify clothes that don't fit you.
You know how to dress for your body type.
You've been in a street snap.
You've been to multiple world locations of the same brand store (BABY Paris, BABY Tokyo, BABY San Francisco, etc.)
You've created a makeup/hair/sewing tutorial.
You've sold hand-created lolita goods.
You have your own lolita fashion line.
You've gotten a lolita haircut, style, or color.
You've mixed other street fashions with lolita.
You've thrown a lolita party/had a lolita wedding.
You've dressed your child/small children in lolita or kodona style.
You've successfully cross-dressed in lolita style at least once (boystyle for girls and girls' clothing for guys).
You've lolified or made sure all the contents of your purse are cute (wallet, lipgloss, keyring, etc.)
You have a lolita pet (small dogs, cats, rabbits, exotic birds, fancy fish) or have dressed/accessorized your pet (bows or pet clothes).
You've dressed your significant other or dated someone who dresses in J-fashion/alternative fashion.
You've read Alice in Wonderland. (+1 if you've seen the animated movie or other variations, +2 if you've seen more than one variation, +3 if you own more than one variation)
You've dressed as Alice or another Wonderland character in lolita style, or own Alice themed items.
You've made something from a Japanese pattern.
You've found, bought, or made lolita underwear (bras and panties).
You wear lolita daily, or have gone 7 days straight wearing only lolita.
You have lolita calling cards or business cards.
You play a lolita instrument (i.e., piano, violin, harp, French horn... well any instrument really.)
You can translate yen to your country's currency in your head. (+1 if you can convert other currencies you shop with as well. +2 if you read the news to know how the yen is doing.)
You've sold lolita clothing online (secondhand, egl_comm_sales).
Your article or entry has been put into the egl memories.
You take photos of your outfits/daily outfit photos.
You’ve posted to daily_lolita.
You own a petticoat. (+1 if you own more than one. +2 if you wear three or more at a time).
You’ve bought a lucky pack.
You keep a style diary or look-book.
You can put together an outfit made entirely from offbrand.
You’ve bought offbrand or non-Japanese brand.

RESULTS

Adorable Admirer (lvls 1 - 20) You've started studying or liking lolita but haven't taken that leap of faith yet. Good luck!
Resplendant Rufflebutt (lvls 21 - 40) At home within the land of the rufflebutts and spilling frills from every edge.
Victorian Maiden (lvls 41 - 60) A classy lolita of taste and experience, who knows her way around the lolita social set.
Starry Celebrity (lvls 61 - 80) On page six of the lolita world, you've risen to the ring of the upper crust.
Pretty Princess (lvls 81 - 100) Lolita royalty, truly versed in the ways of the lacey ones, the lolita princesses have achieved a special level of enlightenment.
Ultimate Lolita (Boss Fight!) (lvls 100+) Wow, you've gotten over 100 levels? You're the ultimate lolita with unlimited hitpoints. That's actually a little scary...

A Resplendant Rufflebutt! Hmm, that sounds about right. I see I still have a long way to go in the world of Lolita though. We'll see if I make any progress in a year!

52 Challenge: Defining my Style

This is a post I've actually been wanting to write for awhile now, but I admit I've been pushing it off for a bit as my wardrobe still remains in a pretty intense state of flux. But enough is enough. I may be in a strange sort of transitioning phase, but that doesn't mean I don't know what I like or want. Quite the contrary, as I work through weeding out the old and carefully picking out the new, I feel that I have a greater appreciation than ever for the style I someday hope to emulate. So, without further ado...

5 key words that describe my personal style

Elegance

 I'm no spring chicken, this I know. And while some beautiful ladies have the confidence and desire to dress like a cupcake no matter what their physical age, I find that as I've grown both in Lolita, and just in experience, my longing to express a sense of sophistication and grace has only grown. Softer, dusty colors, understated jewelry and an emphasis on fabrics and construction rather than prints have become my new focus.

Cute

While this may seem like it contradicts the previous point, I personally don't think so. Although I am not a sweet Lolita, there is no doubt that most styles of Lolita contain and element of sweetness to them. I am not a hardcore Gothic or Classic Lolita, and I am not above adding small details of added cute to my coords to make me feel lovely.

Romance

While some ladies prefer a dramatic, glamorous or hardcore edge to their, I prefer a softer, overall gentler vibe. Romance, to me, represents so much more than a physical love between two people. It can be showcased through fashion by soft fabrics, delicate details and an overall look of mature sweetness.

Image from BitSweet on Etsy

Whimsical 

A bit difficult to describe, but I feel like a sense of light-hardheartedness is essential in my personal style.  Whimsy gives a sense of playfulness, a small detail that requires a double take and makes one simply want to smile.

 Modesty

It is true that modesty is generally an essential aspect of Lolita, but I find this is a stylistic trait that I've grown very particular about. While many Lolita have no problem wearing ankle socks or sleeve-less one-piece dresses, I try to steer clear from such clothing choices. Certainly there are very warm days where such options are the only ones that are reasonable, but overall I strive to retain a sense of modesty in all my coords.

I readily admit I am not an expert in applying all of these elements in my daily outfits just yet, but they are all aspects which I strive to embody. They continue to inspire me and push me to become and portray the woman I want to be. 

Tight Wars

There's not a lot I like about winter-the gloomy rain, the freezing cold, super short days, dangerous icy roads...the too tight tights. 

Image from My-Lolita-Dress.com

 My battle with tights have been a struggle for me as long as I can remember. As someone who doesn't wear pants daily (I own exactly one pair of jeans that I use strictly for working with horses on the weekends), finding ways to keep myself warm during the winter is essential. For many girls in a similar situation, tights are usually the way to go, especially as they often come in a variety of warmer options such as fleece-lined and sweater knit. Perfect!

Except not.

I'm fully aware that I am not, nor will I ever be, an itty bitty petite woman. But without deluding myself, I like to think I run fairly average in size. That being said, I seem to have a horrendous time year after year in the battle of finding comfortable tights that don't make me feel like my midsection is being sawed in half.

I've tried it all. Sizing up one, or even two sizes. Cutting notches in the waist band. Opting for the supposed more stretchy sweater tights. Ignoring anything that says "control top". I've even tried wearing thigh high socks and pairing them with warm shorts under my skirts! Last year I was very excited to purchase a pair of the famous We Love Colors Microfiber tights that only seem to have amazing reviews online, especially from plus size wearers, about how comfortable they are. No dice. I ended up giving them to my sister instead. 

At this point I have about two dozen pairs of tights, all in varying shades of...solid black. That's it. I don't even bother purchasing any of the beautiful printed tights I constantly see on so many Lolita websites (or the drool-worthy ones that rest so temptingly in my fingertips when I visit the BtssB and AP shops in person), because I already know that despite their M-L size tags, they were intended to be worn by girls much smaller than I. 

A few months back I was so ecstatic to actually find a pair of XXL tights from Claire's-a pair of adorable, almost sheer black tights with little black velvet bows printed on them. I was well below the weight range listed on the back of the packaging, and I was thrilled to finally have a pair of tights in something other than plain black! But alas, I should have known. Even just attempting to slip one foot inside gave me a sinking feeling in my stomach, and by the time I finally managed to wriggle them on, I had never felt more ashamed of my size in my life. Clothes should never make you feel ashamed. I wore them less than an hour and trashed them the second I took them off.

I admit, it's depressing. And after so many wasted dollars on brands that inevitable make me feel like a beached whale, I'm nearing the point where I'm feeling ready to drop $50 on a single pair from Falke or Wolford, just to finally have a pair that won't cause stuffed sausage syndrome. Still, their selection of cute prints is extremely limited, and I can't help but still yearn to cover my legs in adorable little roses or an elegant, lacy pattern.

But, I'm writing this as a ray of hope. I have not given up yet. Last week, knowing my plight and desire for comfortable, adorable printed tights, my fiance surprised me with a pair of gray, heart printed tights from the brand Chinese Laundry. I was hesitant. Nervous. Scared I would once again feel that gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomach that I would be, as usual, too big to look cute. But with his persuasion, I tried them on.

Would you know it...they fit. I fit. They're beautiful, and comfortable and stretchy. I can move and dance and BREATHE in them. I literally have to do everything in my willpower not to run to the nearest store and purchase every single piece of Chinese Laundry clothing they sell.

Maybe other girls don't experience this type of struggle, or perhaps my midsection is just particularly sensitive to pressure. I don't know. But with this one pair of adorable, wonderful, not-too-tight tights, my determination has been rekindled. I will wear lovely tights this winter, and I will feel beautiful in them. The tights may have one the battles before, but now the tides have turned. Change is in the air and now, it's my turn.

Ever A Surprise

I'm engaged!!

I'm a little late writing about it since life has been such a whirlwind since then, but it happened October 31st by Snow White's wishing well at the Disneyland resort in Anaheim, California. Our happy place <3

Do you recognize the dress? Haha, it's the one I bought last month at the swap meet! I knew it was fate! And a close-up of the ring.

I love it!!! It's a .93 carat colorless sapphire set in white gold and tiny diamonds. I could not possibly ask for a more beautiful ring, it's so perfectly me. There's so much to do now, so much whirling in my head, but for now I'll just gush over my beautiful ring and amazing fiance because I'm engaged!!

52 Challenge: Bloomers or no bloomers?

Ah, it's time for another 52 Lolita Challenge blog post! Today we're tackling the age old question:

Bloomers v. No Bloomers

Image from weheartit

 I'll be honest, after my 7+ years dabbling in the fashion, the answer to this question is a bit of a no-brainer.

Bloomers. Always wear bloomers. 

I readily admit, I didn't always used to think this way. In my early days in the fashion, I thought I could get by wearing running shorts beneath my skirts, and in the winter, fleece pajama shorts. Hey, why not? It's not like anyone could see them, and admittedly they still worked the way they were supposed to. But gosh was I uncomfortable!

Even with the length of my skirt, I was constantly paranoid the not-so dainty hem of my shorts could be seen, ruining the pretty, put-together image I had so carefully crafted. And when I did without any shorts at all? Oh boy, do those skirts move! I learned to walk with the grace of a penguin, my arms constantly against my side to ensure no surprise gusts of wind would rise up and display my unmentionables to the world.

I admit, bloomers are not expensive. But they're also not very exciting either. Why would I waste $25 on fancy underwear when I could save just $20 more and purchase a pretty new blouse instead? At least, that was my line of reasoning (and before anyone points out the obvious, I'm a mess with a needle and thread. I've learned through a lot of painful trial and error that sewing is not, nor will ever be, a past time for me). Oh how wrong I was.

My advice to all Lolitas out there. Spring for the bloomers. They need not be super fancy $100 bloomers spun from unicorn hair and angel feathers, but take a look around on Etsy, peruse Bodyline, or sew your own if you're so inclined, but please, at some point (preferably early on) take the time to purchase at least 1 pair of proper Lolita undies. Your tushie will thank you for it later.

Autumn buns

I admit, this has been an extremely slow month. Or rather I should say, it's been a very slow Lolita month, otherwise the rest of life has been zipping by like crazy. It seems like every time I blink another week has gone past and the end of the year is rapidly approaching, whether I'm ready for it or not.

Sadly, I simply have not had a lot of time to engage in many Lolita activities this October, nor do I have much of the energy for it. Aside from another Bodyline shoe order that should be coming in any day now (fingers crossed they fit this time), my thoughts have been geared elsewhere. My boyfriend and I even took a weekend trip to San Francisco a couple days ago, and not only did I NOT wear Lolita, but I think it was the first time in at least a couple years I have not bought a single thing from either the  AP or BtssB boutiques (though I admit I was heavily tempted by a pink headbow from AP that I'd spied earlier online, but sadly I had to bite the bullet and pass it up).

Still, despite my lack of focus right now, I think it's important to keep the cuteness and whimsy of Lolita alive, if only in my mind. So for now, until I manage to immerse myself again full swing into the lovely world of Lolita once more, have some adorable buns enjoying autumn.

Buns!!

 

Happy autumn everyone!!!

Swap Meet 2014

Hello again lovely ladies and gents! This past weekend I attended my very first ever Lolita Swap Meet and I'm very excited to report back! I noticed when the meet was scheduled last year and was very sad I wasn't able to attend, both for scheduling reasons as well as the fact that I was still feeling quite out of the Lolita loop. This year was a different matter entirely, and not only was I able to attend, I sold quite a few things as well!

The meet was to take place between 1-7 pm, and was hosted at one of our local loli's beautiful homes. My boyfriend and I arrived around 12:45 to give ourselves plenty of time to set up, and thank goodness we did because there were already plenty of girls setting up! I've been preparing for this meet-up for a couple weeks now, so I was 110% ready to get going with my display, price tags and deals. Here's what my display ended up looking like:

So much black! As I've mentioned a few months ago, I'm still in the process of purging my close of a lot of plainer, black dresses I've accumulated over the years and never seem to get around to actually wearing. Truthfully I've been pretty bad about it since I'm admittedly a bit lazy and hate going to the post office, especially as I don't own a scale and never know the correct amount of postage to charge.  So this swap meet was truly a golden opportunity for me to bring everything all together and try to sell in person! I also brought a long a few ponies and BJD accessories I've been needing to clear out as well.

I was unprepared for just how huge this event was going to be!! It was estimated approximately 60-70 guests ended up arriving for the day, and there were SO many frills! It was absolutely amazing to have the opportunity to see so many breathe-taking garments up close, not only on the hangers but on my fellow Lolita's as well! Everyone looked so beautiful and as I don't tend to partake in many meet-ups, it was very inspiring to see all the gorgeous coords and meet so many lovely people! Here are a few photos as the event was going on.

And here's a quick snapshot of what I wore that day!

No shoes cause it was all indoors

Yes, more black, but this is one of my favorite dresses as it's extremely comfortable, and since I knew I'd be dressed up all day I wanted something I could move around easily in. I did try to add a few more details however with the gold in both my wristcuffs and necklace and some pearls. I'm annoyed as I have this really adorable gold carousel pin that I also wanted to wear, but I forgot it at home since I was in such a rush and didn't realize until a few hours later. Oh well, better luck next time!

Overall I'm really pleased with how much I sold. In the end, my total broke down to this: 

2 BtssB dresses

2 Bodyline dresses

1 Bodyline blouse

1 Bodyline cardigan

1 offbrand blouse

1 handmade dress

1 headbow

1 pair of Bodyline shoes

Definitely not bad! I reached my own personal goal (I can now spring for this adorable tulle skirt I've been eying on Modcloth) and it feels amazing to have gotten rid of so many things! Not only that, but it feels so wonderful to be able to see my items go onto make other Lolita so happy and feel beautiful! I think that experience of realizing just how much we've made another Loli's day isn't really something we think about when selling online, and it's definitely a lovely feeling. Once I get off my lazy bum I'm going to be putting up the remainder of my items on Lacemarket and finally cleaning out the last of what needs to go.

I'm actually quite proud of myself for not going crazy and spending everything I made! As mentioned, I am in the midst of savings, but I did allow myself one little splurge.

Image from Miss-harajuki.com

Ta da! Isn't she gorgeous!! I spotted this little beauty early on in the day and was absolutely smitten. It was in another room from where I was set up, but every ten minutes or so I would wander over, just to see if anyone else has bought it. I kept trying to get it out of my head, especially since I was so intent on not purchasing anything. But after a few hours my boyfriend convinced me to at least try it on, what could it hurt, right?

It was pure love! I was almost hoping it wouldn't be the right size or fit awkwardly or be too short...but alas, I pulled that zipper up and it was like this dress was made for me. It fits absolutely beautifully and I felt like a regal snow princess. I was trying not to allow myself to get too carried away...but I think how much I adored this dress was clear on my face. After another half an hour my boyfriend wandered away for a few minutes and lo and behold returned with none other than my new lovely white dress! All in all, this little splurge was most definitely worth it!

I had such a lovely time at the meet, and I'm so glad I was able to attend this year. It was so fun meeting so many ladies all at once and I'm really hoping I get to see them again soon!

LBC: 3 Things to tell my beginner Lolita Self

I adore Lolita Blog Carnival's that really challenge me to look at myself and evaluate my own position in the fashion. Although I began wearing my first real Lolita pieces back in 2007, I still feel very much the beginner. Even so, here are some lessons it's taken me almost 7 years to learn, and I only wish I had figured them out just a smidge sooner.

Color is okay

This is a biggie. For a long time, even outside of Lolita, color was a scary thing for me. I was uncomfortable with my body (and still am to an extent), and felt that covering it up with black was the way to go. I was fine with this. I genuinely like the color black and I thought it made things easier to coordinate. However, it's finally dawning on me that when I open my closet and see nothing but solid black frills, my excitement level is no longer as high as it used to be. But I never thought any other color would look good on me, nor did I think I could figure out how to coordinate them, so I avoided them like the plague. Nowadays, while black will always have a special place in my wardrobe, I'm beginning to realize that colors don't have to be terrifying or ugly, and I only wish I had opened myself up to this possibility sooner.

Basics can be fun

Alright, so maybe I'm still struggling with this one a bit. Back then, I knew the basics. Petticoat. Tights. Mary-Janes. Check. I thought I was set. But I never branched out. My shoes were always simple and offbrand (and always black). My tights were always solid (and more black). I thought blouses were boring, and since I figured they would be hidden under a dress anyway I always opted for offbrand. Of course, offbrand is a perfectly valid choice and I'm not saying I should have ignored them completely, but I wish I had given myself the chance a little bit earlier to explore the world of these "boring" basics, and to realize just how beautiful they could be and how much more variety they could give my coords.

 Accessorize

For some reason I used to think that accessories were only for sweet Lolitas. Or maybe I was just being cheap because I wanted to save up for more pretty black dresses. Either way, my accessories were always the same: a small, black hair bow and maybe a silver necklace. Always silver. Again, I think my limited accessory collection was also largely influenced by my lack of confidence in being able to coordinate them properly. It's finally dawned on me that accessories are the perfect gateway for including a pop of color and personality to an outfit, not to mention they tend to be so much cheaper than dresses. Double win!

Looking back I realize I played it safe for a very long time. I suppose I could have made much worse mistakes, but over the years it's turned Lolita into a bland, boring fashion because I never gave myself a chance to try something new. Nowadays, though the process is slow, I do feel like I'm coming out of my black, safe little cave. Golds, browns and creams are slowly making their way into my closet, and outside of Lolita I've begun wearing more blues, silvers and even pink! Fashion is always a learning process, and though I may be slow at making changes, I'm proud of the progress I have made in discovering and shaping a style that truly represents who I am.

Edit: I realize this is also a topic for the 52 Lolita Challenge! So let's cross number 15 off the list!

A Heart's Sound

Northern Star
The Bloody Tea Party
Oh Velveteena
Little Coffee Shop
The Literary Lolita 

How to Leave an Online Review

I do a lot of online shopping, both inside and out of Lolita. And it is the bane of my existence to be searching for information...any information on a garment strictly available online, only to find one or two sad little one line "reviewers" that leave me even more confused than before. I have wasted a lot of time and money purchasing and altering clothes and shoes that can not be returned.  Many times however, these types of mistakes could have been avoided if those who chose to review had the foresight to do so properly. So, partly as an instruction manual and partly out of my need to rant, here it is:

How to Leave an Online Review

image from weheartit.com

1. List your measurements: And yes. I do mean ALL your measurements. Nothing is more infuriating than reading:

"This fit great! I ordered a size Large and though it was a little oversized it wasn't too baggy and hit me write at my knees."

That's fantastic...except I have absolutely no idea how tall you are. And I'm not being facetious here, you would be surprised just how many people expect others to be psychic in knowing their size. For all I know the reviewer could be 5' of 5'9", and that really does make a HUGE difference if I'm trying to decide if a size large will work for me or not. What could hit someone at the knees in a Large size might hit someone else mid-calf and someone else high on her thigh. With a review like this however, she'll have a difficult time figuring that out.  Here's another example:

"I'm 5'4" and 130 lbs, I ordered a Medium and it was too big. Definitely order a size down!"

In this case the reviewer left her height, which is fantastic....but her weight tells us very little. She could be a muscular, athletic 130 lbs, or she could be a svelte, super slender 130 lbs, or a softer, untoned 130 lbs. Maybe she's an apple shape and carries a lot of weight in her tummy, or pear shaped and bottom heavy or maybe she's very large chested with slender hips. We don't know because all she told us was her basic height and weight. We can line up ten individuals of the same height and weight and every single one can be built drastically different, and while some might need to order a size Small like the reviewer, others might need that Medium or even a large based purely on how her body is built.

So, if nothing else, PLEASE list your measurements. At the very least, please include your height, bust (both cup size as well as an actual measurement in inches are extremely useful) and waist measurements. Keep in mind, because every store (and country) is different, telling us you're about a "medium" or a "size ten" mean absolutely nothing. If you're feeling generous it's never a bad idea to include other sizes such as shoulder width if you're reviewing a blouse, or calf circumference if you're discussing the fit of tall boots. Remember, the word average means absolutely nothing. Numbers are what count.

2. List the garments' size : I know this seems like common sense, but you don't know how many times I've run into a review like this:

"I'm 5' and have a 28 inch waist. This hit me just about an inch above my knee and was about an inch too big on me, but it's easily fixed with a belt. Super cute!"

......Okay. But what SIZE did you order? When the options available range from XS-XXL, am I just supposed to make an educated guess? Depending on where the garment is from, a 28 inch waist literally could be sold as a size XS all the way up to an XXL. Yes, hopefully the website selling the item would have a size chart to go by, but I'm sure I'm not the only way to experience the intense disappointment of ordering something that should have fit according to a size chart, only to realize it's about four inches too short and one size too slim to ever fit.

Additionally, it's also quite helpful to list a few basic measurements of the garment itself, such as its length and width. It's not necessary to delve into every excruciating detail, but if something seems particularly strange (the crotch of a pair of pants feel oddly low), it's best to make a note and explain it as accurately as possible.

3. Fact v. Opinion: So it's pretty much a given that any review is going to have some opinion of the reviewer included and that's fine, but don't forget facts as well! It's fine to say you think the shoes delivered are ugly and cheap looking, but don't forget to explain WHY. It's useful, especially with negative reviews, to give clear reasoning (were they scuffed up and dingy? Not the color as advertised? Falling apart at the heel?) as to why you feel the way you do, or else one can simply chalk it up to personal taste when there could genuinely be something defective or misleading about the product that other people should probably know.

4. Photos: Lastly, photos are always nice. These can be of the garment itself, and detail shots are especially useful. Photos of the item actually being worn is also quite handy for those who might appreciate a visual. Of course at times taking a photo of the garment may not be possible, but of the four this particular point I find the least important as long as it is thoroughly described, including specific detail in any flaws or unexpected details (such as hidden pockets, no lining on a skirt, etc.).

I know no one is perfect. We're all human and make mistakes, and I too have made my own share of mistakes when leaving reviews. But I think we can all agree that a few snapshots of a dress or skirt and the exclamation of "It's so cute! I recommend everyone buy one!" hardly counts as a review and shouldn't be labeled as such. Especially in the world of Lolita, where so much is bought  sight unseen, there's no denying that the more information there is out there, the better it is for all of us to make informed choices. 

 

LBC: Most Loliable Place in my Hometown

This week's round of the Lolita Blog Carnival hits at a pretty perfect time for me, as it was only a couple of posts ago I just finished talking about the very subject! That is, the topic is The Most Loliable Place in my Hometown!

I admit, the place I will be discussing is not my actual town. This is partly due to that I feel a bit awkward plastering where I live online, and also simply because where I live is very, shall we say, not very loli. But that's okay, because the place I will be discussing is certainly adorable enough to make up for it! I present to you ladies and gentleman Downtown San Juan Bautista (California, USA).

Downtown San Juan Batista is a little under half an hour from where I live, and it's absolutely filled to the brim with adorable antique shops and interesting little boutiques. There are absolutely no large chain stores allowed, so it's a very small, personable little street where one truly feels welcome.

Unfortunately I did not have time to make another visit on my own before the LBC deadline, so these photos are all courtesy of Google Images. This is but a small glimpse of the many shops absolute jammed packed into this little street. Many of them are decorated with a quaint, shabby chic vibe and are absolutely perfect for any Lolita looking for a new brooch (there are hundreds to choose from!) or a gorgeous tea cup to add to her collection. Antique, vintage and beautiful treasures fill the windows and one can easily spend an entire afternoon exploring, shopping and just plain talking to the lovely owners.

Aside from all the wonderful shops, there are a few lovely little places to grab a snack as well. Margot's Ice Cream Parlor is wildly popular and definitely a treat to experience, and the Mission Cafe is nice for a quick bite of good old fashioned cooking. There's also a handful of amazing Mexican restaurants to choose from, a burger joint and even a little bakery to choose from. Remember, you won't find any chain restaurants around these parts, just good mom and pop food!

I should also mention that the mission of San Bautista is literally right behind downtown and definitely worth taking a look! The church has been beautifully preserved and is absolutely rich in history and beautiful scenery.

Not to mention, just look at that garden!! If that's not perfect for an afternoon stroll, then I may as well hang up my petticoat now. Of course one must remember to be very respectful as it is still an active church and an important historical landmark.

I hope anyone thinking about visiting California and is in the area gives this sweet little place a chance. It's very reminiscent of its roots and the perfect place for any Lolita to spend a day. If you're looking for more lovely Loliable places, please check out what these other bloggers have mentioned below!

A Little Bit of This...

 A Heart's Sound