🍂 Autumn Updates and Joining the Cute Car Club! 🚗

Goodness, it's been a while. This past month or so brought with it unexpected challenges and events that threw my posting schedule out of whack. As per. 

I started a new job last month and honestly, work has been super draining for me. Not in an "I'm so busy all day and absolutely shattered by the time I get home!" sort of way. More of a "Work is so menial and bland and boring that I arrive home frustrated by lack of mental stimulation" kind of situation. 

I think the main problem is that I love learning too much. I have always been thirsty for gaining more knowledge, for self improvement, for continually expanding my horizons, for feeling like I've achieved something each day. I love helping people and I love creating positive change, even if only in a small way. I love being around intelligent, interesting people who push me to better myself and whose conversations inspire me. I have the complete opposite. As it is, I can more or less do my entire day's work in maybe 2 or 3 hours, and the rest of the time, it's tough going trying to stretch this out. I don't want to look back on my twenties and realise I did absolutely nothing of value with them because I spent them in some dead end job where day in and day out I listen to people who make casual racist, sexist, and homophobic comments, and whose worldviews are entirely built upon the tiny bubble they've never felt the need to venture beyond. So naturally, I'm constantly searching for new opportunities that will get me out of the wildly unsatisfying position I'm currently in.

There are positives to my current situation, though, like the financial stability I couldn't make happen quickly enough via my indie brand, and the experience I can now add to my CV. In addition, someone on my team really came through for me and on their own time fixed my laptop, which I'd spent the last week without because a Windows 10 update pushed it over the edge. It is sheer bliss to be able to get some writing done, and I wouldn't have been able to have that sorted out so quickly had I not made the connections I have here already. Gotta focus on that silver lining!

As expected, I am really enjoying autumn. One thing I have to say about my workplace is that it's set on the most beautiful campus, where so many trees are turning shades of yellow, gold, and scarlet red.

Autumn is the season when I feel most alive, and at my most witchy. I always find myself re-reading  or ordering books on witchcraft, planning Sabbat celebrations, and watching pagan YouTubers around this time of year because out of nowhere, I feel very spiritual again. When those gentle breezes blow their way through the colourful leaves on the trees, with the sunlight jangling down towards me, it always feels as though nature is whispering something comforting and beautiful, and I can't help but turn my face upwards and listen.

     🚗     🚗🚗

A really exciting change I've wanted to share for a while is that on the 1st of October, one of those big life events happened for me and I got my very first car!

My next door neighbour is an elderly lady who holds what I believe is a bridge night at her house with her pals every Tuesday. On one of these Tuesday evenings, an adorable mint green car turned up outside her house, ready for the bridge club to commence. I found out that this car was in fact a Fiat 500. I've never been much of a car person, aside from being an avid player of Test Drive 5 in my childhood (my car of choice was always a purple Plymouth Hemi Cuda) but this car in particular spoke to me as soon as I saw it. Somehow, there was something so lolita about it!

With the help of my dad, I managed to track down a 500 not too far a drive away from us, in really good condition, at a decent price, and low mileage. We set off super early that rainy Saturday morning and when we got to the car dealership, I was surprised by the fact the car was a warmer colour than it looked in the photos. But as soon as I sat in the car I knew it was the one.

And here it is. Mustard yellow and absolutely fantastic.

I may or may not have worn a yellow outfit in case the car at the dealership turned out to be a keeper. I'm glad I did!

Can we talk about how cute the trim of this car is!? I adore the cream steering wheel and yellow dashboard!

My first two weeks of being a proper driver weren't the best, I must admit. I suffered from the worst sort of car anxiety, that had me unable to eat breakfast in the mornings, and breathing heavily the entire time I was behind the wheel on my commute to and from work. On one particularly stressful morning I ended up having a panic attack and had to get the bus instead because I simply couldn't face being on the road. And then... something happened. I realised that so much of the pressure I was putting on myself was hardly about driving itself, but about the place I was going to-- my dreaded work environment. I got behind that wheel again after a few days break and I was ok. I took off my P plates/new driver magnets and drove with an unexpected feeling of calm. Since then, I've gotten to a stage where I actually quite enjoy my drive to and from work! The next challenges I want to set myself include some mini road trips, and eventually I'm going to conquer motorway driving!

I can't help feeling really proud of how far I've come in all this. This time last year I was absolutely convinced I would never pass my driving test, and that I just wasn't cut out for this whole driving thing. Now I feel this great sense of freedom, and every time my skills improve or I manage to do something I wasn't capable of before, I get so excited about it! I'm so happy to have what is essentially my dream car, and in a colour that is very odd and somehow very me!

Are any of you into cars? Do you drive? Do you think the Fiat 500 is as amazing as I do!? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thank you so much for reading, and I'll see you next time, hopefully without such a long break in between posts again! ❤

Cake Crafting at a Café 🍓

I think we all have those days where we want nothing more than to get out of the house and escape the stresses of the working week. That's how I felt last Saturday. I woke up to a grey, miserable-looking day, and the sense that, despite the bleak outlook, I really needed to socialise. I mentioned in my previous post that I had a job interview on my birthday. I was most successful, and started at the job on the following Monday. Disappointingly, the days there were nothing like what I'd been led to believe and I couldn't help feeling rather glum after that first tedious, mind-numbing week. I'm one of those people who enjoys being busy and having a sense of, I don't know, purpose each day, and this new role I'm in really doesn't provide that. As far as stop-gaps go, it could be much worse, but regardless, I am already on the lookout for something more fulfilling where my skills aren't going to waste.

On a whim, I decided to go to a meet with the Otome Sewing Bee, a dressmaking and crafting J-fashion meetup group in London. The workshop for the day was felt cake crafting. I quickly grabbed a few of the felt pieces I had in my fabric stash and a couple pairs of scissors on top of my regular day-out necessities, and set off for Putney. 

I somehow managed to get lost while trying to find the Putney Pantry, the café where the meet was to take place, even though I was using Google Maps. The GPS arrow didn't quite seem to know which direction I was facing which threw me off a bit, and caused me to ignore my instincts and wind up down a slightly creepy alleyway. The accidental scenic route was not unwelcome in the end as I enjoyed my little riverside walk. 

Next, I ended up walking right past the café before doubling back on myself and seeing that it was set a little way back from the road. Through the panes of glass at the front I could see someone in an elegant, classic dress and I knew I'd come to the right place. 

Jessica, the organiser of the comm, soon set me up with some patterns and worksheets, and I was amazed by the spread of materials and supplies she'd prepared for everyone. It's been a while since I learnt any new crafts, and I was pretty excited to try out this one.

One of the pictures Jessica took (I took very few myself, which is most uncharacteristic, but I was rather engrossed in what I was doing! I have to make do with editing the colours of this lovely candid instead). I think this might have been a few seconds before my headdress fell off. I do love a rectangle headdress but if you don't keep an eye on them, they like to make escape attempts! As you can see, we had a huge selection of materials to work with, including a rainbow of embroidery threads.

As well as being a pleasant environment for crafting in J-fashion, with lots of super friendly customers asking polite questions and seeming very interested in what we were about, the Putney Pantry also had great food. My order was simple: a cup of loose leaf Earl Grey, and a fruit scone... but my goodness, it was delicious. It was without question the best scone I've ever eaten-- melt-in-your-mouth good! The accompanying clotted cream and jam were absolutely perfect. I spent much of the workshop savouring it!

The meet was only for three hours, and it wasn't until the final one that I realised I'd not really achieved much in the way of anything. At this point I picked up a needle and thread and began frantically trying to stitch together the felt pieces to cover the cylindrical foam I was using as the base of my cake. I tried to mimic the look of the model cake Jessica had made prior to the meet, and didn't seem to be quite getting the same effect when I came to making some felt frosting for the top. Somehow, though, I managed to turn things around and end up with something I actually rather liked!

Here's my cake! I went for a chocolate and strawberry theme. I can't help thinking these would be lovely as Christmas tree decorations, and would like to make some more in festive colours for this very purpose!

After seemingly no time at all, it was after 5 o'clock and the meet was drawing to a close. Before leaving, though, I made sure to get a picture with Reina, who ended up wearing an outfit that coordinated very well with mine!

It was so lovely to have a catch up with her, as we do not meet up very often and mainly find ourselves chatting in passing at large events. Interestingly enough, Reina was the first lolita I ever spoke to in person, back in 2011, which is so surreal to think of! 

Overall, I'm glad I took the initiative and went to a meet at the last minute. Perhaps I could use a bit more spontaneity in my life. I found the crafting to be quite therapeutic, and it was nice to have something specific to do in London. 

Have you done any crafting recently? Been to any nice cafés? I'd love to hear about it! Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next time ❤

🌞 A Lifestyle Lolita's Guide to a Great Summer! 🌞

Hey everyone! I've been really enjoying the summer so far. Since surviving the heatwave while I was on holiday last year, I've taken a real liking to sunny days and warmer weather-- which is great, because it now means I'm able to enjoy something about every season, even if it's not my favourite one (that award goes to autumn every time).

One thing I do love about the summer is the sense of freedom and opportunity it brings. Rather than having to find things to do in your downtime that's focused on staying warm and cozy like in the winter, you can go out and do so many more things, without low temperatures or insufficient daylight being a restriction to getting the most out of the entire day.

Here's a list of fun summery ideas you can take part in while donning the frills! I have tried to include ideas to suit all kinds of personalities, and focused on activities that are free to do, or very affordable. Enjoy!

☀Arrange a picnic!

There is something so delightful about a nicely arranged picnic. Use cute picnic blankets, prepare an assortment of yummy treats, and carry all your picnic goods in a pretty woven basket. Set yourselves up in a nice shaded area, and you will be content and comfortable for hours of conversation. If you're organising a picnic for a community full of people who don't know one another too well, play simple icebreaker games and team games to get people talking and laughing together.

☀Invite friends over for a garden party!

What could be more fun than relaxing in the garden with assorted ice-cold fruit drinks, served up in pretty glasses or jars with straws. You could try out fun garden games, too, such as pin the bow on the lolita, Twister, bandminton, or something tabletop-focused, such as card games or board games. I would love to play Lolitopoly at some point! Prepare your own treats for your guests (or merely purchase some! It's not cheating, I promise!), and ask them to bring a dish of food to share, too. Burn a citronella candle to keep the flies away. Garden gatherings are a great idea if you wish to stay in your home environment, or perhaps need to for health reasons, but still want to make the most of summer and socialise with those closest to you.

☀Go for a walk!

There are so many places to explore. Perhaps you live close to a river, woodland area, or even the beach. Taking a gentle stroll in lolita is always fun (weather permitting!) Explore any national parks or notable countryside locations you may have access to. Perhaps you're in a very urban city environment, in which case, you can still pass a pleasant hour wandering about the high street or shopping mall. Our local landscape may not always be picturesque, but we can still take a sense of wonder with us wherever we go. And besides, remember those old school street snaps of lolitas on Harajuku bridge? There's really nothing more lifestyle lolita than loitering in the middle of your city in a frilly dress! It's a street fashion after all!

☀Visit a local flower show or botanic garden!

There are some truly gorgeous flowers in bloom in the summer months, and they make a glorious backdrop to a relaxing day out, as well as lolita outfit pictures! They may even provide some inspiration for flowers you might want to grow yourself, or you may discover your new favourite flower. You could try putting together a themed coordinate, either going for one of your favourite floral pieces, or trying out a country lolita look, complete with a gingham dress or boater hat. These environments are wonderful for artistic photo-taking and letting your imagination run wild (truly, these places do seem as though they house all manner of fairies and magickal creatures). Here's a post I made the last time I visited a botanic garden, where I took some of the photographs I'm most proud of.

☀Go to local funfairs, craft markets and events!
Fairgrounds truly evoke memories of carefree, idyllic summer days. Put on one of your less dear coordinates (perhaps cheap secondhand brand or Bodyline) and have fun on different rides. I've always favoured bumper cars and the Waltzer! If you're not into rides, there's still usually so much to see and do, whether it be the hall of mirrors, or one of the many stalls where you can try to win a novelty item. Try to get fun, pretty snapshots in front of the carousel, and indulge in all manner of fairgound treats like candy floss and toffee apples! Check out any local craft fairs, which are fun to browse on pleasant sunny days. Find out more about the kinds of events that are held locally, and see if any of them interest you. Who knows what you might find, and end up taking part in?

☀Too hot outdoors in your climate? Stay in and get creative!
Throw on your most lightweight jumperskirt, and watch lighthearted summer-themed films or YouTube videos, while doing activities such as crafting or flower pressing. For something a bit more involved and food-related, don a frilly apron and and get some ingredients out! Eat refreshing, home-prepared salads with an array of colourful vegetables arranged in aesthetically pleasing ways (looking up Japanese bento images and recipes are very inspiring where this is concerned). You could have a go at mixing colourful cocktails or mocktails, or try your hand at preparing fruity desserts! Try out berry cheesecake recipes, or have a go at making your own ice-lollies or ice-cream! The possibilities are endless, and these are all fun things to do either alone, or with company.

☀Catch up on some reading!

Now is the perfect time to lounge around with a book. Head to your local library and take your time browsing the shelves. Check out your favourite bookshops and see if anything new catches your eye. Head to secondhand shops or charity shops and see if there are any bargains or unexpected rarities to be had. Treat yourself to a lifestyle magazine to flip through at your leisure, be it a Gothic and Lolita Bible (the series of English language ones are my absolute favourite), something cooking-themed, sewing-related, gardening-focused, or pop-culture influenced... whatever it is you're into! Have some books sat around that you never got a chance to read? Make it your goal to read at least one of them this summer! Read in a hammock, a reclining garden chair, on the train, at a café, or simply in your living space with a fan blaring, and unobtrusive music of your choice playing for atmosphere and background noise if you need it.

I hope you liked these ideas! I would love for you to leave any more suggestions you might have in the comments! What activities do you like to do when warm weather comes?

Thank you so much for reading and I'll see you next time ❤

Lolita Fashion and Minimalist Lifestyle

Something that seems to be gaining a lot of traction in blogger and vlogger circles is minimalism-- that is, getting rid of anything that isn't essential to your day to day life in order to simplify it, thus encouraging you to live life more fully than you might if you're heavily focused on your possessions. As soon as I heard about this lifestyle I was very interested in it, and immediately began applying its principles to my life.

I have been watching a lot of extreme minimalist YouTubers lately, trying to decide how I feel about the lifestyle on that level. Honestly, while I am totally behind the idea of simplifying your life (last year it was a series of de-cluttering videos that inspired me to get rid of a load of junk, re-organise my clothing, and feel a lot better for it) I'm not overly impressed by a lot of what I've been seeing these days. Perhaps it's because I sense a certain undercurrent to their life philosophy that seems to say: "if you don't follow this lifestyle you are inherently less enlightened and probably don't lead a fulfilling life." Or maybe it's because it infringes on my lolita sensibilities. By their definition, the fact I own an array of clothes isn't very minimalist of me.

In my opinion, extreme "hipster" minimalism is just the cousin of materialism, only this time with a pseudo-intellectual mission statement. I have felt this more and more as I see videos dedicated to getting the number of items a person possesses down to a specific amount, like 50, and a constant showing off of how few things they own, and how easily they can be transported. Rather than sticking to what I assume the initial purpose of minimalism was, it's become entirely about numbers and one-upmanship for some people. Are they really much different to those who like to have a lot of possessions, who want to complete certain collections or aim to have x-amount of a particular item? I'm not so sure. Taking anything to an extreme level tends to be a bad idea.

Still, I think it's perhaps the excess of materialism that is the more immediate, dangerous cousin of the two, and lolita fashion is something that seems to drive a lot of people towards it whether I like to admit it or not. Discussions in lolita Facebook groups about shopping addictions, getting overdrafts to pay for dresses, and other financial irresponsibility with regards to acquiring new releases are worryingly common. I can't help thinking that some of these people would benefit from applying minimalism to their life.

Despite all this, I don't believe that lolita is completely at odds with minimalism if you go into it with the right mindset. Lolitas get a bad rap at times, and are often described as being materialistic or spoilt by outsiders. It probably doesn't help that some of the most popular lolita videos out there are unboxings, haul videos, and wardrobe tours; these are all very much focused on possessions and acquisition of said possessions, which can cause viewers to feel inadequate and thus view such content as something to aspire to. There are so many lolitas who are incredibly visible and popular online, presenting very attractive, luxurious lifestyles, which seem to have spawned a competitiveness, and a need to "keep up" with other lolitas that was never previously present to this extent.

Interestingly, though, lolitas are often very fluid when it comes to possessing clothing. The secondhand marketplace has always thrived, and many lolitas will sell off items after a mere season, so they can afford new releases from the next one. In this way, wardrobes don't become out of control, pieces get re-used by other lolitas rather than ending up in landfill, and a lolita's life isn't ruled by their possessions as they have no intense emotional connection to them. Some lolitas really do have huge collections, but they are often daily lolitas/lolitas who are able to wear the fashion very often. If all of your possessions have a purpose, aren't taking over your life, and aren't causing you financial instability, I don't think it's necessary to downsize for the sake of a minimal aesthetic, and I believe it's possible to be passionate about lolita without it leading to your eventual downfall.

There are lolitas like myself, for example, who rarely sell off their pieces, and don't really keep up with acquiring new releases, or adopting current trends. I have been building my lolita wardrobe for 6 years and it now fills up a free-standing wardrobe. It's not big. I am not a shopping addict, am pretty frugal when it comes to treating myself to physical items, and have always added to my wardrobe at a very slow pace. When I see something hung up that I'm not into anymore, or I haven't worn for a long time, I sell it. My pieces get a lot of love, and I wear them in heavy rotation. I own a fair amount of miscellaneous junk outside of my lolita collection, but I know that those things are replaceable (and I don't even think I want to replace most of it. I've got so much crap to get rid of, and am looking forward to the space it will free up afterwards, both physically and mentally) and therefore have no control over me. It's funny really-- I actually think getting into lolita helped me to conquer a hoarding mindset I used to have in other areas of my life, because my new focus became quality, rather than quantity. Maybe being a lolita minimalist isn't quite as far-fetched a concept as one might initially think! As with anything in life, it's what you bring to it that counts, and if what you bring to lolita is a healthy mindset towards your possessions, I don't see why it isn't possible to create a lifestyle complementary to both lolita and minimalism.

While I disagree with the increasingly popular, extreme version of minimalism presented in certain circles of YouTubers lately, I think the re-evaluation that minimalism encourages is something that should be a regular part of our lives, and can be really useful where a lolita wardrobe is concerned. As an exercise, I would suggest you take a look at your wardrobe. Is your spending getting out of control? What do you hope to gain by making your next purchase? Are there pieces you never wear? Are there items collecting dust that you keep for "sentimental value"? Do you feel overwhelmed when you think of your possessions? Sometimes we need to be a little drastic with ourselves, and make sure we are not hoarding things or making bad financial decisions just to fulfill what is really a mental or emotional void. Or, quite simply, it might just be time for a spring clean.

And what if you don't want to get rid of rarely worn items? Then wear them! Push yourself to come up with a new way of coordinating your pieces. Show them some love. There's nothing wrong with having a lot of things if they all have a purpose and bring happiness to your life. I haven't yet had a chance to read Marie Kondo's "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" (which I'm told is a good read if you're in an organisational rut), but I do know of the main KonMari principle: keep only the things which spark joy. That seems like a good motto to live by, in addition to all things in moderation.

Do you consider yourself a minimalist, or the complete opposite? I'd love to know about your relationship with your possessions, and how it informs your choices when it comes to your lolita wardrobe!

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next time ❤

A Sewing Project!

Hey everyone!

For today's post, I thought I would share with you how I spent the 1st of April. 

I bought some fabric an absolute age ago with the intention of making a skirt. I pre-washed the fabrics and ironed them ready for sewing and then... that's as far as I ever got with it. I am a perfectionist and this in turn can make me a procrastinator, where I find myself not wanting to embark on something lest it doesn't turn out perfectly. I also become disheartened very easily when I don't understand things, and something I have always struggled with is following instructions. I have a sewing book filled with step by step explanations of various techniques and while I can tell it's a good book, the way things are explained in it absolutely baffles me. I'll look at the image for the first step of a technique and wonder "wait-- how did they get to that stage in the first place!?" My knowledge of sewing theory leaves a lot to be desired. The way I go about making things is to look at things I already have and study every detail, before (with the aid of having watched sewing tutorials or read sewing blogs and taken in the images as best I can) drawing up my own imagined pattern or plan of how that thing was probably made, and finally tweaking it to my current requirements. That's how I approached making the skirt.

I measured the hem of a skirt that I liked the fit of and used that as a guideline for how much fabric I would need. I think the most tedious part of the whole process was dealing with the lining, which my overlocker really didn't like due to me being too stressed to sit and figure out how much I needed to adjust the differential feed to cope with slippery fabric. I think I must have spent a total of about 8 hours making this skirt. The first time making anything is always the worst, I guess, but when I finally finished (well, there's still a couple of things I need to tweak and I have yet to make a matching hairbow), I thought to myself "is sewing really for me because right now I want to chuck my sewing machine out the window and watch it sail... sail down to the ground and before it shatters into a million pieces." I made so many mistakes along the way that I had to go back and correct that I was pretty sick of the sight of all my sewing supplies by the end of it.

Sewing the hem! I chose a super thick cotton lace for the job. I wish it were a little more detailed but I'm fairly content with how it looks.

The finished product! I really like fruit prints so this fabric spoke to me. I was somewhat inspired by Angelic Pretty's Drained Cherry series, and general retro fashion.

 Probably the neatest sewing of my life happened on that hem.

I somehow got the length of the skirt perfect for me. The lining came up a little short but I'd rather it too short than too long. I included a built in pocket on the right hand side (another idea that Angelic Pretty gave me!), and the back of the skirt is elasticated. I didn't include a side zipper because honestly, I think that would have pushed me over the edge. I don't find that I need one anyway, as the skirt stretches enough to just slide on. There's a few things I would change, such as making the elastic a little longer so the waist is more forgiving should my waist measurement fluctuate, and making the elastic for the top channel wider, but these are details that come with practice.

When all's said and done, this came out bloody well for my very first skirt. The aim of the project was to see whether or not this is something I could potentially offer in my shop in future, but honestly, even with improvement on the finer details and finish, and getting faster at making the skirt, I don't really see it being profitable. I would want to charge enough for the skirt that it would cover the materials but also pay myself a decent wage for my time, and I just don't think people would pay the figure I have in mind. My business plan constantly seems to be changing. This time last year I was planning on showcasing jumperskirt designs. Although I'm not glad that I went through a real motivation slump last year and didn't even finish putting together my mock ups, I'm kind of glad I never carried out that plan because I think I would have ended up with dresses I couldn't sell, or would eventually have to let go of for cheap. It's not as bold and varied as I'd initially planned, but I think for now, keeping the clothing I offer as being just bloomers seems to be the way to go because it actually fills a niche, and is going all right thus far.

Speaking of, I'll be doing my first big convention in July, an event called Hyper Japan. I have so much to make and do, but I know I can manage it if I plan it all out properly. It's going to be quite the financial investment (the cost of a weekend's accommodation in London is going to be particularly dear) but all I can do is hope that it will pay off. Wish me luck in selling a decent amount of stock so that I don't regret the "follow your dreams" approach to life I seem to be taking.

That's all for now. I'll save the rest of my weekend anecdotes for another day. Thank you so much for reading, and let me also take a moment to express my gratitude towards those who take time out of their day to leave me a comment as well! It means a lot to me. I don't have a large follower count by any means but I still didn't think it would ever get to this many, especially as I'm obviously a bit of an eccentric. I hope you will continue to enjoy my blog, and if for any reason you decide it's not for you anymore, thank you for the time that you did stick around and I wish you all the best. 

My ending question for you today is, have you gotten up to any sewing/craft/general life projects lately? I'd love to know how they went for you! See you next time ❤

Lolitas in Love: Wunderwelt's New Ad

For those unaware, Wunderwelt is a secondhand clothing shop similar to Closet Child. I've never purchased from them myself but have lusted over many of the lovely old school pieces that constantly seem to pop up on their website, and been pleasantly surprised by how reasonably priced much of it is (I promise this is not a sponsored blog post). They recently released a pair of video adverts for their shop. On a whim, I decided to watch one of them. I happened upon the "dark" one first, and when I did, I felt kind of emotional— a sentiment I've not seen expressed by anyone else thus far. I'm not even sure if I can articulate my feelings properly, but I'll do my best because I absolutely adored what I saw for a multitude of reasons.

I found this advert beautiful. sensual, and incredibly romantic. A few people on Rufflechat (and one particular prat on YouTube) expressed their disdain for the lack of chastity displayed in this advert. I wonder if the outrage is purely because people are desperate to separate lolita from anything relating to sexuality, or if it's the lesbian overtone of the advert people are really taking issue with. Perhaps nothing too deep was thought about in the planning of the advert... and yet I find there is so much in it to take notice of and analyse.

The advert is very simple, depicting two young women taking part in a series of activities together, such as eating, playing with teddy bears, laughing, applying one another's makeup, and sitting together to share loving moments. The overly romantic tone of this video is something I really appreciate, as I feel that lolita is an incredibly romantic fashion on a merely aesthetic level. With this in mind, it only seems natural that this romance could then work its way into the social dynamics between those who wear the fashion. I like the dark, disconcerting moments in which the eerie music almost clashes with the gentle interactions between the two characters. The footage is shot beautifully, and filled with rich, jewel tones. This makes an interesting contrast to the "sweet" Wunderwelt advert, which uses a lot of the same footage, but applies a lighter colour filter and music. 

 

The tone of this version of the advert is more child-like and typical of what we tend to see in lolita fashion advertising, which generally seeks to reinforce the idea that lolita clothing is used to unlock a sense of childhood wonder. I dislike the music chosen for this advert, as I find its circus theme a little too infantile. The relationship between the women in the advert comes across as being a platonic but nevertheless close friendship, and is fairly free from sapphic undertones. I came away from watching it with no real reaction to it because it didn't grab my attention, or do much more than maintain the "kawaii" status quo. This advert is purely an advert, with an obvious focus on creating a lolita-influenced, whimsical atmosphere to reflect the chosen outfits, rather than telling any particular story. Despite being predominantly a sweet lolita, I did not connect to this version of the advert at all.

The "dark" advert, however, was able to draw me in due to its focus on characterisation and context, consistently suggesting that while the two women enjoy spending time together because they share a love of dressing up, they also do so because they are romantically connected to one another, and are in a loving relationship. This adds a whole new dynamic to the proceedings. There is a scene in particular in which one of the women places her arms around her presumed girlfriend from behind, in an embrace that is delicate and protective.

This scene is so beautifully done, with the couple sat in a large cage, with the embraced lolita holding a skull. I see the cage as indicative of them caught in this budding romance, which is set to be lifelong, as implied by the obvious image of death represented by the skull. The slight morbidity also provides a refreshing nod to lolita's once heavily gothic and visual kei influences.

The next scene finds them looking directly at the camera, where the same, gothic-clad character (as before) takes the lead and gently, with a tender caress, turns to face her girlfriend, suggesting they are about to kiss. I found myself watching with bated breath—not only does this scene remove all doubt as to the nature of their relationship, it also implies a sense of rebellion and provocation. Their direct gaze suggests that although they are fully aware they are under the scrutiny of others, they refuse to let this affect their bond.

The advert ends with a few shadowy moments between the two characters, in which they place their hands on top of one another's, and then gently touch one another's faces before the implied kiss is cleverly obscured by a bonnet due to the camera angle.

This is all, of course, just my take on the advert and how I’ve chosen to read into it. The wonderful thing about art is that every person who experiences it adds their own meaning to it. I don't really know what the initial intended message of the advert by its creators is supposed to be, or if there was even supposed to be a message at all. What I do know for certain is that I really love the fact that a lolita consignment shop would present a story of romance between two women as a way of advertising their company. While it's possible they took this approach solely to seem edgy, different, and effectively set themselves apart from their competitors, I still appreciate their decision to include representation for women-loving women (and to use an interracial pairing, to do so, no less).

I think it's best that the lack of sexual undertone to lolita fashion is emphasised, but I do think it's necessary to accept that those who wear the fashion are in fact real people, with their own lives that are likely to involve romantic (and even sexual) exploration. To acknowledge this is not going to be detrimental to the image of lolita fashion as a whole. I like the advert's delicate suggestiveness, such as the slowed down clips of the women feeding one another, and doing one another's lipgloss. I find it an adorable depiction of exploring your feelings for someone else after having been brought together by the same hobby. Had the advert gotten in any way sexually charged, with the two characters undressing one another for example, I would probably have a different view of the advert, and would be more receptive of people's concerns. As it is, I don't see a gentle depiction of two women in love as being particularly risqué or negative.

One criticism I do have is that the romantic relationship is only properly explored in the "dark" version of the advert, which could imply that lesbianism in lolita is taboo, or a secret that must be kept behind closed doors, enveloped in darkness. It’s something we find in modern cinema, even, where films will be given higher age certificates if there is any mention of homosexual romance, as though homosexuality is inherently a sexually explicit, mature concept that younger viewers must not be exposed to while, any heterosexual pairing is acceptable for all the family to witness.

I would like to believe that the darker tone is being used merely to indicate that it's aimed at a gothic, or more elegantly-inclined audience than a sweet one, and the characterisation has been upgraded from a one-dimensional “cutesy” narrative to illustrate this.

I have always struggled to relate to mainstream depictions of what romance and relationships should be due to their heteronormativity. I remember being in my teens and trying so hard to fit in and be like all of the other girls at school, who would talk endlessly about their crushes, who were of course boys—the more “masculine” the better. Admitting that I didn't really have those feelings was a no-no, and I spent years hiding my genuine feelings, which swayed much more heavily towards femininity. Maybe my emotional response to Wunderwelt's advert is influenced by those experiences, and how validated and normal I know I would have felt had I seen it then.

One thing that drew me to lolita fashion in my newbie days is how completely acceptable it was to openly admire other women, and to be part of a community where the vast majority of members were women. Although I have never sensed any kind of homoerotic atmosphere at a meetup, there is sometimes a romantic feeling that none of us even stop to think about, seen in the way we are comfortable fixing one another's hair, adjusting one another's skirt hems, and complimenting one another’s appearances. There is absolutely no shame in any of this, and I am proud of be part of a subculture where people are secure enough in themselves to not flinch away at any same-gender contact while wildly declaring "no homo"— an unfortunate mentality I've found in other spaces, such as education or the workplace.

Those who were upset by Wunderwelt's advert seemed to equate implied lesbian romance with excessive sexiness, or they felt Wunderwelt was pushing some kind of erotic, fanservice agenda. I understand these viewpoints. Due to how unusual this advert is in the realm of lolita advertising, it is unsurprising that some would react with suspicion, and assume the lesbian love story was created merely as a pandering device. Those who praised the advert seemed mainly to be those lolitas identifying under the LGBT umbrella, or simply unconcerned about how outsiders might view our subculture should they stumble upon the advert.

I do not think anyone outside of lolita who chances upon this advert is going to jump to any bizarre conclusions as to what the subculture is about. I think they will merely see a romantic video where the leads happen to be two young women wearing pretty dresses. But honestly, at this point, I don't really care what people outside of lolita think about lolita.

What did you think of Wunderwelt's advert? I'd love to know how you reacted to it! Thank you so much for reading and I'll see you next time ❤

The Dream Dress

Lately, I've found myself really revisiting the first themes and dresses and prints I loved in lolita, inspired by the wardrobe posts being shared on egl in January. I always had an old school, more toned down sensibility about things, but I was also a die hard fan of sweet lolita, and the style of it that emerged around the late noughties. After dabbling for a year or so with high street loliables, Bodyline and finds from Sai Sai in Camden, I really wanted some brand. The first item to go onto my wishlist was Angelic Pretty's Miracle Candy. I wasn't sure if I wanted it in red or black, and if I wanted the jumperskirt or the OP. After a while, I decided it was too over the top, particularly in red, and I'd surely feel too self conscious to wear it outside even if I did own it. This was 2011. 

Fast forward to 2016 and I am a lot more confident in myself, and way less bothered about what people think about how I dress. I decided that if I only bought one dress this year, it had to be a game changer, and Miracle Candy was the only one of those I could think of, and there was only one colourway I could accept. It recently came up on Lacemarket. I pounced, and on Friday 4th March 2016, the dress was finally in my possession.

This is the only dress I've ever tried on that made me feel emotional when I looked in the mirror. I had gotten it into my head that there was no way this dress would fit me. I figured it would hit me mid-thigh and look terrible. But it didn't. The bodice, with its adorable candy brooches and pearl chain, sat where it was supposed to, and the skirt length was just right. I spun around a few times and watched as the glitter in the print sparkled as it picked up the light. What a moment.

The waist bow on this dress is obscenely perfect. 

 I love the detailed hem. Candy patterened broderie anglaise, candy striped ruffle, and adorable dot tulle.

It's funny really, because I don't even like sweets very much. I'm more into fruit and desserts, and I have a few prints with those themes in my collection. I wear a lot of black and tend to shy away from anything with too much oomph to it. But somehow, this dress is so inexplicably "me". 

The bottom line is, I have my dream dress and we're going to run off together to get married.

Do you have a dream dress? Do you own it yet or are you still on the hunt? I'd love to know which pieces get you going. Thanks for reading and see you soon! ❤

Settling into the New Year, and My Wardrobe 2016

Hey everyone! I hope the New Year is treating you well!

Despite a few ups and downs that have already taken place in my life, I'm still feeling pretty pumped for this year. I've avoided setting myself any lofty aims. If there's one thing I've learnt over the years, it's that some things can't be planned for, and even with hard work and the best intentions, life isn't always going to go the way you want it to. I think it's both more positive and productive to have a loose idea of what you would like to achieve in terms of emotional fulfillment, rather than setting yourself a list of strict, specific goals. 

When we have lots of things to do, it can be very overwhelming getting started, especially if you suffer with anxiety. One thing that helps me is having an organiser!

This is mine! It's from Paperchase. This will be my second year using it, though for my 2016 refill I decided to graduate from plain white paper to this super cute floral design, which is a pleasure to see every time I have to write something on it. Writing things down helps me to organise my thoughts, and it means I don't forget or miss anything important. I know this sort of thing doesn't work for everyone, though, so you have to figure out what helps you stay on top of things and motivated. 

I got the idea of having a personal organiser from my time spent in education. Throughout school, we were given free homework diaries, which were essentially spiral bound organisers. I bought myself my own when I got to university, and found that they were useful for any life scenario, not just assignments and essay deadlines. Plus, generally speaking, nice stationery makes me weak at the knees. 

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January, of course, means that it's time for egl's annual wardrobe theme. I love how active the comm becomes each time, even if it only lasts for a month. I find looking at other people's wardrobes both soothing and inspiring. 

It has been a very busy month for me thus far, so I haven't had much chance to look at other people's posts as much as I would like to. But today is Saturday. It's my day off. I have no social plans. Now is the perfect time for me to settle down with a cup of my favourite loose leaf tea and really give all the posts I've missed my full attention! 

I love this mug! It's another cute Paperchase item (as you can probably tell, I'm a longtime fan of that shop). Butterfly designs never fail to make me happy, plus it holds two cups of tea in it, which is most convenient. 

I'm always envious of people who are able to make their wardrobe posts so crisp and clear, with creative setups and gloriously perfect natural lighting. I've yet to make this happen for myself, but hopefully my own post is decent enough!

http://egl.livejournal.com/20027662.html

When I compare my wardrobe to other people's, I notice that it's pretty small! The thing is, I never feel particularly limited by it, and when I wasn't working full time, I still managed to be a daily lolita with my collection. I think the fact I've put so much focus on making it as cohesive as possible has meant that coordinating is very easy for me. Sure, you will have seen me in all my pieces many times before, but probably never coordinated in the same way! I'm very happy with my wardrobe, and I know my 16-year-old self would be mesmerised if she could see where I've ended up now!

Going forward, I would like to add more old school pieces into my wardrobe, as I think it's a style that suits me well, and the pieces are usually understated enough to be worn more or less anywhere. On the flip side to this, I would also like to buy some of the sweet prints that were in vogue when I was just getting into lolita-- all those mid to late noughties prints that almost seem old school in their own right given how much the fashion has changed since then. I would also like to get some new shoes, and stray away from sticking to those Bodyline tea party style shoes all the time. Overall, though, I'm pretty content, and it's a great feeling.

What do you do to get yourself motivated for the year ahead? Have you/will you make a wardrobe post? Do let me know in the comments! See you next time, and thanks for reading ❤