Sunday 31 January 2010

Lolita Level

^_^ I saw this on ~Lolita Life~ and thought to try it out. I love doing these!


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 you 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 modeled in a lolita fashion show.
You've modeled 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 jewelry 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.
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.



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...



I scored a 52 :D I've actually only just graduated from being a Resplendent Rufflebutt! Hahaha. XD

Thursday 21 January 2010

Lolita Meme~

I saw this lolita meme in a few blogs and decided to do it too ^_^ It feels like ages since I last did one!



COLOURS

What colours can be found in your Lolita closet?
Mostly black and white, but it's sprinkled with a few pink, blue, red and brown items.

What is your favourite colour with Lolita?
Green and pink has always been my favourite colour combination! But I also like black and white very much.

What is your least favourite colour in Lolita?
Brightly coloured things. I really hate bright shades of purple with black.

Which uncommon colour do you want to try out?
Purple! Pastelly shades, darker shades: I really love purple and would LOVE to have it in my lolita closet!


DESIGN

Are you more a Onepiece, Jumperskirt or a Skirt person?
Well, I haven't tried on a one-piece before, and I haven't got a jsk that's not ita and fits, so I just wear skirts. I do think I look nicer in skirts, but I also like how some jsks look.

Which cut do you like the best?
I like all of them! A-line, bell-shaped, pleated.. They all look so cute to me :3 But if I really had to pick one... I think A-line is my favourite.

Print or no Print?
I like no prints, but there are some prints, like classic floral, stripes, chandeliers and wrought-iron gates, that really catch my eye!

How does a dress/skirt have to look like that it will be a "must have" item for you?
Elegant prints, colours or cuts really do it for me. I like simple, un-OTT things with a clean cut and a few ruffles, but little lace. Of course sometimes I go completely nuts over sweet styles!


STYLES

What is your favourite style in Lolita?
Classic, aristocrat and (not OTT) sweet, in that order.

Which style do you wear regularly?
I haven't worn lolita enough to have a regular style :P But looking at my loli-closet, it looks like it'll probably be a cross between sweet and classic.

Which style you want to try out?
I'd like to try aristocrat and gothic lolita! I think both look sooo elegant... I do have a couple of items that could work in both styles, but I don't have anything else that would make the outfit look those styles.

Which style you never want to try out/wear again?
Wa Lolita. I wear kimono (proper kimono!! Not the kimono version of ita) and I just can't stand how wa-lolita looks. I love the simple straight lines of kimono, and seeing it with poofy skirts and lacy petticoats just turns me off. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind a proper kimono made in a lolita print! XD Or maybe a proper kimono/obi/hakama/etc accented with lace.


BRANDS

Brands yes or no and why?
I'm currently saving for my first brand clothing! :D I bought a pair of Btssb hair-ties when I visited their Paris shop, but I want clothes. I fell in love with just about everything ^^;; They all look so pretty, and the quality of the cloth felt different - better! - in my hands. Their socks are also waaaaay better than my $12 Bodyline ones. Not to diss my Bodyline socks - they're comfy and great for casual outfits :D I've recently discovered that I actually can fit into some of Innocent World's clothes, so I'm going to buy a skirt/blouse set when I have enough money!

Which brand is your favourite?
Innocent World, Mary Magdalene, Btssb and Victorian Maiden, in no particular order.

Which is your least favourite brand?
Eh, maybe h.Naoto. They aren't bad, and they do have some nice things, but I'm not too fond of the punk-loli look.

Ever had a good/bad experience with brand?
Mmm, well in Paris, I couldn't speak French, so I spoke to them in very soft, hesitant Japanese ^^;; I think I embarrassed myself, but at least I got the info that I wanted! They were very nice and pleasant, and the lolita attending the cash register was soooo cute! :D The only bad experience was that I couldn't fit alot of things! ;_;

Will this experience encourage/stop you from buying brand?
It doesn't stop me, but it doesn't really encourage me either. I like them, but I can't fit most of them, so for now, I'm content to just sit and watch and save money for whenever they come up with something I like and fit.


OTHER

Did you ever got surprised by a piece of Lolita?
I was really surprised that the Bodyline shoes I got fit perfectly and were really comfortable! In fact, I was so happy that a few days later, I ordered a few more items from them...

Did you ever got disappointed by a piece of Lolita?
I bought a bolero from Bodyline that said it could fit my bust size. Unfortunately, my arms are a little too big for the sleeves, and it looks really ugly on me! ;_;

In the same order, I also bought a "separate" from Bodyline. It's under one of those not-to-buy-it's-ita categories, and did look as bad as they say. Buuut.. it really does fit very nicely. I've made a few adjustments to the shirt, and it looks great! Once I took off the cheap-looking bits, or hid them with better ribbon, it looked very pretty. I haven't modified the JSK yet, but I'm currently thinking of a way to do it. Maybe this disappointment can be saved!

Things that you like about Lolita?
I once wrote a long list of why I like lolita, but the basic summary is this: it's versatile, it lets me escape into my own little world as far as I can, and it gives me such a thrill to be dressed so prettily. I'll have to make a post about it someday! :)

Things that you dislike on Lolita?
I dislike the cattiness on some online forums. I dislike how some people try to push their views of lolita onto you. I also dislike the attention I get from wearing it, as well as the weird looks, mocking laughter, rude comments and all, but I'll put up with it if it means that I get to go out with lolita friends! (Not that I have anyone I can meet up with at the moment...)

Do you have a Lolita fashion idol, if 'yes' who is it?
Uhhh.. as odd as it sounds, I don't have an idol ^^;

Does Lolita affect your every day life?
Yes! I'm always looking out for things to buy online, or pretty pictures and information I could use. When not at the com, I'm daydreaming of clothes I'd like to have, or coordinates to put together. Sometimes I sketch out clothes that I'd like to make once I learn how to sew properly. When I'm out, I try to navigate my way to fabric shops, and other jewellery shops to find for things I can use with lolita. Then of course, I flip through my books and magazines to stare at all the pretty pictures and to find "inspiration"... And, of course, I'm always trying to sneak lolita pieces into my everyday wardrobe :P So far the easiest are shoes and jewellery. I put them on to make my day feel extra special, or to cheer myself up on a bad day!

Do you buy Lolita related things, like cute looking furniture?
Not very often. Mostly bags and accessories. Lolita-esque furniture would've fit right in with my old room, but in its current decor theme, it'd just look plain silly. But I do look out for cute things, in case I ever suddenly get a house and need to decorate, or something XD

Do you read/buy the Gothic Lolita Bible?
Yep! I only have 2 copies, but I'm looking to get more the next time I go to Kinokuniya. I'm a bookworm, so it's actually really shocking that I only have two copies of the GLB!

How to you describe your fashion style to others that don´t know about Lolita?
Eh, I dunno... I haven't exactly had someone ask me before ^^;; My family just said that as long as I like it, and will make use of it, I'm free to wear whatever I want (and not in their presence in public :P)

Is there something you want to say to your fellow Lolitas?
Um.... Hi? ^^; Keep on going, girls! (and guys :D) You're all wonderful inspirations to me :) I hope I'll be able to learn lots from you!

Wednesday 20 January 2010

Pink & Pearls Sweet Lolita Outfit

I got a new parcel of stuff from In The Starlight last week, and decided to try out one of my new skirts.

Pink and white is such a classic combination for sweet lolita. Of course, with the white polka dots and lace on the skirt, wearing white was a foregone choice.

Pink & Pearls Sweet Lolita Outfit


The ITS petticoat I bought the last round wasn't actually enough poof for me, so I wore another petticoat underneath. The 2nd petticoat is actually a very thin, flimsy little thing, but underneath the ITS one, it worked wonders!

Just to show my bag. The frills are looking a little limp and sad there....
Pink & Pearls Sweet Lolita Outfit


The blouse looks kind of rumpled here, but it has a laced up back. That, and my awkward pose, may have contributed to rumpliness :P

Pink & Pearls Sweet Lolita Outfit


I decided to use pearl accessories to echo the faux pearl beads that decorate the skirt. If only I had a crown, then I could almost pass this off as a hime lolita outfit! Especially with that big big hair.... (New wig :P)

The blouse is also from In The Starlight, but is from an older purchase. I just haven't taken a photo of it till today ^_^ It fits well, and looks quite cute! Most importantly, it fits my arms and doesn't cut off the blood supply to my hands... :P


Outfit Statistics:
Blouse:
ITS
Skirt: ITS
Hairbow: ITS
Petticoat #1: ITS
Petticoat #2: tailor-made
Socks: Bodyline
Shoes: Bodyline
Bag: Coast
Necklace: Top Shop
Bracelet: uhh.. my mum's drawer? ^^;

Monday 18 January 2010

Brand?

I spent the weekend reading Lolita Secrets and EGL whenever I wasn't in class. After reading so many snipes about brand vs non-brand, I decided to visit some of the brand websites.

Now, I'm always a regular visitor on the brand websites, but I only go there to look at the clothes. I never thought of buying brand, simply because they were too expensive, and Japanese sizes are far too small for me.

But this time, I went to Innocent World and looked at the measurements for each item I liked. Lo and behold! for a number of things, I can actually fit the larger sizes! I was so excited about fitting brand that I started looking up everything that could fit me. And suddenly, that JPY20,000 price tag doesn't look so unreasonable...

I had to force myself to close all the windows and go to sleep.

But now I really really really want to buy a brand item. I'm considering buying that gorgeous skirt from Innocent World in their webshop, but I think I'll wait till I can go down to Singapore and have a look at Black Alice's stock.

I really want to get my first brand clothing!

P/S: Fear not! I doubt I will ever turn elitist. I love my ITS things to ever ditch them for brand :D

P/P/S: The only reason why I'm contemplating buying brand is that some of their designs are just so cute, and replicas aren't easily found. That, and I'm curious :P

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Brown Gingham Outfit

This is the second outfit from my dress-up session a while ago.


Brown Gingham Lolita Outfit

Brown Gingham Lolita Outfit


I really like this brown gingham skirt, so I was very excited to get it. Of course, having heard that I would need a differently shaped petticoat for A-line skirts, I bought one from ITS.

I wasn't really in the mood to wear all white-and-brown with white blouse, white socks and brown shoes, so I paired it with my white GLP blouse with black neck-ribbon. I also gave it a slightly darker feel with black stockings, shoes and hairbow.

Uhhh the book was a random accessory I snatched up right before taking the pics, because my hands felt oddly empty and I haven't got the right bag for this outfit ^^;;; I feel like it makes this outfit look a little cosplay-ish, or too into the librarian fetish look, but oh well. I like it!

Oh, and ummm please excuse the skirt's unironed state ^^:;;;;

What do you think?

Outfit Statistics:
Blouse:
GLP
Skirt: In The Starlight
Kachuusha: In The Starlight
Petticoat: In The Starlight
Stockings: Boots
Shoes: Marks & Spencer

Saturday 2 January 2010

Dark Roses Lolita Outfit

I recently received a huge parcel from In The Starlight bearing one skirt, two overskirts, a shirt and a petticoat. Unfortunately, I was rather busy, so I didn't have time to try on anything till yesterday, when I had a few free hours to myself.

Here is the first outfit I put together! I'm quite happy with how it turned out ^_^
Dark Roses Lolita Outfit


Showing the poof of the skirt. It does look almost exactly as it did in the pictures, but somehow, I think it can go a little poofier. I blame the petticoat!
Dark Roses Lolita Outfit


The back. HERE is where I think the petticoat can do better!
Dark Roses Lolita Outfit


The overskirt is a little loose, but that's my fault - I gave them a slightly larger measurement than I actually needed, since my waistline fluctuates around an inch every few days.

What do you think? I heard that although black and white is very commonly seen, it isn't something that should be tackled by beginners since it's very high-contrast (highlights all the bad parts) and hard to do properly. But I think it looks decent.... Right? XD

Anyway, there's another outfit that I tried out, but I'll save that for another post some other time ^_^

Ta!


Outfit Statistics:
Blouse: iSocks (local offbrand)
Skirt: In The Starlight
Overskirt: In the Starlight
Kachuusha: In The Starlight
Petticoat: iSocks (local offbrand)
Stockings: Boots
Shoes: iSocks (local offbrand)
Bag: iSocks (local offbrand)

Friday 1 January 2010

Happy New Year!

Just a quick one to say...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My family and I went to Sage for New Year's Eve dinner, but we didn't stay for the countdown. Instead, we went to a friend's house, where we saw fireworks dangerously upclose. We're all sooty now! Haha.

Am tired. G'night people! Have a nice holiday :)