A little creativity...

...goes a long way. ^.~

I may not have been complaining much here, since that's not what this blog is about, but I get a bit frustrated at winter since I can't always wear Lolita. Especially not since I'm still at University, and the days are so very long. One of the downsides with the fashion is that it trades pretty for comfort (unless you are wearing Casual), and while that's okay if you are wearing it just over the day or a few hours, being in a full get up from six in the morning to eight in the evening just doesn't work.

So during long days and days when the weather is terrible, I wear pants and regular clothes (which in my case means dress pants and classy combinations), something I'm not comfortable in and don't like. It just isn't me. So in order to make those clothes a bit more fun, I've been a) looking around for some more punk'ish clothes and b) perk up clothes I do have. I did a bit of a test today, taking one of my white turtle neck jumpers (one that is a bit too big - well, not a bit...it's medium and I wear extra-small in those...) and made it a bit more fun with pink lace ruff and some felt hearts and satin bows. <3 I have to say, it turned out pretty cute, and I'll be able to wear it for casual outfits. I'll probably adjust the jumper and start on the others once I think up a nice design. I usually wear the white turtle necks as a substitute for blouses in school, as they are easier to wash often. It's practical. They'll be a bit more fun with some lace on them though. ^.~

Do you try to perk up 'regular' clothes sometimes? Or think about it? Here's a trick for you: if you are sewing in a stretch fabric, like most tops are these days, put a piece of paper beneath the fabric. That way, it doesn't stretch out and get pulled out of shape as you sew. Happy creativity! <3

Odd one out

(From SuperLovers)

There's been quite a lot interviews lately, for several different reasons, but some of them on the subject of Lolita. I've had questions through the years about my style, but most of them along the line where I buy my clothes. When I say that I sew most of them, people are surprised, and I'm a bit curious why.

Sweden is one of those countries where fashion is pretty main stream. Nothing really sticks out, and if it does, everyone has it so it's still main stream. (That said, just because many wears it doesn't mean I think it looks good... *thinks of a lot of leggings*) But if you can walk through store upon store and think 'there's nothing here for me', then there isn't many choices left. Either you sew or import, or find that obscure little shop nobody knows about. I'd say I do all of those three.

There is so much interesting fashion out there (especially from Japan, and sometimes Korea) that you just don't find here, because they'd not have enough customers to get by. Of course, finding things this way means you have to sift through a lot of things to pick out the items that suits your style, I've to this day not found any brand where I like everything. Most of my things follow a certain...hm...feeling, I suppose. I don't buy clothes to fit in, I buy clothes and accessories because they appeal to me, sometimes because they will match something.

I think it's a mistake to not buy clothes with your heart, since I feel they reflect the You quite poorly if you do. That said - of course 'regular' clothes have their time and place as well, but even then, I don't dress up in just about anything. You'd never catch me in jeans, for example. I just think that it's a shame so many people are terrified of dressing in something that sticks out. People like me and others who dress differently shouldn't have to be thought of as 'brave' or some such nonsense. It's not a matter of being brave at all. I'm not afraid to go out dressed in clothes I like because I'm not ashamed of the person I have become, and I'm not afraid what people will think about me, because if I walked around worrying about such nonsense, I'd not be able to take a single step forward as the person I am today.

I'd be walking around as someone else.

A pink story

It's been sort of a running gag lately among my class mates at University, but I really do love pink. I just gravitate toward pink things, the latest addition to the collection: a pink kettle. It doesn't really matter what it is - if I plan on buying one, and it comes in pink, then why not? *giggles* I do have a feeling a certain somebody will draw a line at a pink car, though... But quite honestly, I'd probably buy a white one and decorate it with pink stickers. There's no such thing as 'too much pink' in my book, but pink certainly comes out better in combination with white.

To be honest, I hadn't really reflected over how much pink things I have, and that my Emacs (sort of a programming tool) had pink background was to begin with just funny things, as I'm now the only girl in my class (I'm studying to become a programmer). But when I was setting up for a lecture a little while back, I took off my pink earmuffs and pink mittens, hoisted up my pink backpack, pushed my pink bento box (with pink chopsticks in a bag with a pink snap bow on it...) aside, took out my pink pencil case, and from it I retrieved my pink pencil with the pink ruler and pink markers... It's a small wonder my notebook and cellphone isn't pink as well!

The funny thing is that for some reason most of the pink shades settle in two nuances - the one on the kettle, and a lighter, pastel colour which work well together. Now, don't look so shocked. I may love pink, but I don't overdo it to the point where it gets tasteless. ^.~ But I suppose that depends on your own personal view of pink.

But I just love pink! <3

Rose jam recipe and dolls

(Here's an excellent recipe for Rose Jam. <3 It's really sweet.)

This morning, when I ate my toast with rose jam, it struck me that I haven't updated this blog in ages. One would think I'm no longer lolita, and that I moved onto greener pastures, but fear not - I'm still here. <3 I'm still studying, though, and much of my spare time the last few months has gone into my dolls.

Not only do I still sculpt dolls (and have one in the last stages of completion, you can follow the progress here.), but I also got a Crobidoll Lance home in December (12/12/12 to be exact), which is now named Aria and is a very spoiled boy. <3 Aria is on the receiving end of my whims lately, which has earned him not only clothes but other things - like jointed hands, a laptop... *sigh* I told myself long ago that I'd never buy a bjd - they were so expensive, and then I go and fall in love with Lance, who cost as much as a brand new computer, and the rest is history. Unlike most doll owners, I don't have any long wish lists and difficulty to decide between dolls, but I have a wish. I want to get Zoltan - the prince that Aria is following around. I haven't decided what sculpt he will be yet, though... I'm having troubles finding a sculpt that looks...royal enough. I will most likely get him a Spirit Doll body, but I'm not sure about the head... I liked the look of Souldoll Chiron (human, normal skin), but I'd need to mod it to fit on the Spirit Doll body.

The second option is, of course, that I get a Spirit Doll body and make the head myself... *sigh* We'll see where we end up. ^.~

School starts again tomorrow after the winter holidays, and to be perfectly frank, I don't feel ready for the new semester. I'd have needed a week or two longer before I can go full throttle, but that's not an option unless I very suddenly and unexpectedly turn a millionaire...

Shopping

It's been a while since went shopping for Lolita-related items, especially in the stores here since they seldom have anything cute that isn't meant for children. When I do shop, it's usually just online. However, a new store has opened in town, with loads of import from China - everything from clothes and bags to make up and Vocaloid-figurines. :) I've been meaning to go there for a while, but I haven't had time. Today, before going to the Go club, I did take a quick peek inside.

As you can see, I went on a pink spree... As there wasn't a lot of time, I didn't get to explore the place further, but I did buy some things. Most of them something you'd never find here, so I'm really happy! <3 Did you ever see cuter panties? <3 And the tiny butterfly hair clips are adorable. <3

Some day - hopefully not in a too distant future - I hope to have time to go there again and buy a new coat, as they had one that was just too CUTE! <3 And not expensive at all!

Pomegrenade candy and Snuggle Bunny

 
This weekend have been back to lolita, since I've lately been so wound up over a lot of things that I haven't been able to indulge myself in cute things. I started back on track with a new dress, and now it's been rolling on like it should - back to the regular afternoon tea, sewing, beading, making cookies and listening to relaxing classic music or utter cuteness. I feel so much better when I can wrap myself up in lolita, because it's where I feel the most at home. Nothing is quite the same as sitting in an all too big armchair in a lovely dress, draped in a shawl and reading a good book with a cup of tea and bisquits, listening to Royal Strings. It's at times like this I remember just how at odds I am with the stressful modern society, and how ill it fits me and my personality. So I sit back wrapped in ribbons and cotton, eating sweet pomegrenade candies shaped like hearts. <3 I'll have to buy more of those next time I'm in town.

One of these days I'm going to take my beloved and the camera out to take some snaps in the lovely early autumns weather, but today I'm afraid there is a drizzle outside and quite cloudy.  It's lovely weather for a walk, but not for taking pictures.

I'm making progress with the doll I'm going to cast in resin as well, but she's not finished enough for that yet. I think October-November is a realistic schedule, as I expect I will be kept very busy by school very soon.

And with that, I'm rounding up with a very cute playlist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AyXc7s8l3A&feature=BFa&list=PL8CD807167EB9331A

The doll is nearly done!

I'm almost there now! :D Shin'ya is almost, almost done. He just lacks one foot, and then I have to do some very minor adjustments to his knee joint because he's kicking a little bit. :) One month, that's how long he took to make! I'm getting faster! :D

Isn't he pretty? I'm very pleased with the sculpt of this doll... He looks so sweet and innocent even without his hair (Which I'm expecting to receive in the beginning of September.).

I also had a request for a pattern on a cape, and here it is. :)