Important Purhcasing Info
I'm a little bit of a shopaholic. I love beautiful new things, and I love to go shopping, but I (thankfully) have an appropriate understanding of the amount of funds I do have any any given moment, and when it is and is not appropriate to buy something just for the heck of it.
I've been looking back at my spending for this year, and realized that while I do shop for myself - and apparently tend to buy large quantities at a time, three or four times a year - mostly I buy things for my family: gifts, groceries, dinner out, drinks, etc.
That shouldn't suggest I don't have big purchasing dreams of my own. I seem to have an ever-growing list of (mostly) practical things I'd like to own that tend to get lost in the daily shuffle. It's amazing how easy it is to blow all that money you've been saving on a sewing machine when you need, well, food.
My birthday is coming up, and while I harbor no delusions about what I can afford for myself, I do know that it's highly unlikely I'll be getting any presents from the nuclear family. Which is alright. I live here, I understand the financial situation. Admittedly, it really takes an adult perspective to realize how close my brother's birthday and mine are, and to expect volume over quality is something that I've left behind years ago. My mother loves us and means well, but one or two amazing presents is far more preferable than a mound she had to break the bank for.
Practical Purchases
1. Sunscreen
This might seem like a weird request, but it's recently been brought to my attention that my sunscreen has chemicals that accelerate the growth of malignant skin cancers. WHICH IS CLEARLY FABULOUS. I want to get one for me, and one for general family use, because the last thing anyone needs in this house is oozing sunburn sores OR any sort of skin cancer.
Speaking of which ...
Victorian MaidenInnocent WorldBaby, The Stars Shine Bright
2. A Parasol
I'm very sensitive about my skin. I'm positive I could stand to be a little healthier with a light and healthy tan, but I just don't prefer it. What can I say? I've been a Goth at heart since age 13 and I ADORE pale skin. Not to say other skin types aren't beautiful, because they are, but I love being a pale'un for myself.
The best way to protect oneself from the sun in the summer - and even, around here, in the dead of winter; the sun reflecting off the snow can be just as bad as the summer sun - is with an umbrella or parasol that blocks UV rays.
Having said this, one of the reasons I don't have a generic one easily bought anywhere, is for stylistic reasons. I've been holding out for a Victorian Maiden or Mary Magdalene parasol. The reasons for this is because both companies create clothing for traditionally-sized Japanese women and, of late, have been running increasingly smaller. A quick look at the websites tell me that Victorian Maiden averages a waist size of 65 cm max; Mary Magdalene, 67 cm max. Last time I measured myself I was 76 cm, which means that my clothing would have to stretch comfortably to 78-80 cm to fit properly.
This, which is more in the range of traditionally-sized Western women, is overweight for my body type. At the same time, I realize that in order to get down to a 63cm waist I would have to be anorexic. I accept that these clothes weren't meant for people of my body type and I'm not going to fit into them. It's sad, definitely. They're excessively pretty for a Classic Lolita like me, but I can always commission or learn to sew myself to get what I want. Good fitting clothes are more important than brand name or waist size.
One TL;DR block of text later, we reach the point: Even if I can't fit into the clothing myself, I still enjoy the brand aesthetically, and I'd like an accessory or two to incorporate into my wardrobe. Thus, parasols. Unfortunately, they don't have one up I like right now, so I'm trying to wait patiently.
BrotherJanomeSinger
03. Sewing Machine
Once upon a time, in Sheboygan, I did have a sewing machine. Truth be told, it was a piece of shit that I believe was manufactured in the early 1920s. It had a horrible metal footpad that did murder on your feet and made this god-awful grinding noise when you tried to sew, never twined the bobbin properly, and constantly slipped threads. It didn't do anything except one straight machine stitch, and had no way to attach important things like a surger or embroidering machine to the main unit. On the other hand, I got it for free as a gift from my Grandmother, whom I'm almost certain picked it up for nothing at the St. Vincent de Paul store my Grandfather then helped operate.
Skip ahead to 2010 where I find myself a member of a Western fashion community devoted to a Japanese fashion that doesn't tend to favor my, or my cohorts, measurements. There is a huge re-purposing and sewing contingent in the community for just this reason, not to mention the freedom of design sewing your own garments gives you. I've always wanted to learn to sew, and I did enjoy sewing in middle school, but the only thing we ever sewed was a locker caddy. (Which, might I add, I still have. It still serves it's purpose and it still LOOKS AWESOME DOING IT.)
I also have no delusions about my current ability and the fleeting nature of new hobbies - I don't want to go out and buy the most expensive industry-grade machine with all the dials and buttons and attachments. I just want a simple machine to learn on, and if I decide down the road I want to pursue it more fully, I can always buy something more capable.
This is a saver item because, even at their cheapest, I don't have $300 to just throw down on a sewing machine. But I'm working on it!
Needful Things
My birthday is coming up and I want to buy myself something. It's as simple as that.
01. Bodyline Steampunk Corset Skirt
When I first got into the Lolita scene seriously I did some back-log reading at egl and daily_lolita. I noticed lots of people had this really amazing Steampunk-esque lolita skirt, so of course I scowered Bodyline for it only to find that it had sold out, and had been sold out for quite a long time. I resigned myself to trolling the sales community hoping that someone would want to part with theirs.
Fast-forward to a couple weeks ago, when they re-released the skirt. Of course, the prices are more inflated now what with the exchange rate fluctuations, so it costs five dollars more than it did. BUT THAT WON'T STOP ME. :)
It took me a long time to decide on the colour. I was waffling between the orange and the red - and it's probably a good thing the veridian is sold out because that would have even further complicated my selection process - but I finally decided on the orange. Most of my wardrobe and want list have muted browns woven throughout, so at the very least it will match on its own.
As of yesterday I joined a Bodyline group order out of Knoxville, purchasing this skirt and the JSK below. It's closed early because she reached her price point of $600 early, so it's looking better and better that I'll be able to get my items before my birthday!
02. Bodyline Sax Empire JSK
First of all, for those of you not in the scene, JSK stands for Jumperskirt.
I've never really been one for Sweet Lolita. It's too pink and pastel and over-the-top (generally) and ... truth be told, childish, for me. Not to harsh anyone else's pastel-tinted squee, because there are certainly Sweet Lolitas I love to follow off-LJ and in daily_lolita like uttate, shelbycloud and theosakakoneko, to name only a few.
Initially, I was looking for this JSK in black, but it is either sold out and hasn't been restocked, or I'm confusing the dress with something I saw elsewhere; both viable options. The pink colorway was just atrocious - very "Pepto Bismol" pink - but I stared at this floaty sax JSK and I sort of fell in love with it. I have the accessories to dress it down with some black, as well, in case the blue is too overpowering. (As an aside, in the Lolita community, the light blue in question is referred to as "sax blue" or just "sax").
It doesn't really fit into my wardrobe, per-se, but I figure I can wear it as a "mainstream" dress without a petticoat as well, so it should get twice the use out of it! And you all know how much I love a cute summer dress.
Absinthe Cafe BootsWalking BootsDay Boots
03. Victorian Boots from Clockwork Couture
J'Adore. Clockwork Couture is my favorite Steampunk store, not only for it's affordable prices (and you'll laugh when you see it, I'm sure, but the prices are CHEAP compared to the rest of the Steampunk world) but because of the design and the variety of design. They have airship uniforms and Victorian bustle skirts in the same place!
I can't decide which of the three I like the best, but for starters I'll probably go with the day boots. Calf-length boots are a bit hit-and-miss with me, so short boots or ankle boots work best when shopping over the internet. I'm still agonizing over the size, though.
I don't know if I'm actually going to buy these yet, or if I'm going to hold off and wait. I'm always wary of ordering shoes online - not once have I gotten the right size on the first try.
I've been looking back at my spending for this year, and realized that while I do shop for myself - and apparently tend to buy large quantities at a time, three or four times a year - mostly I buy things for my family: gifts, groceries, dinner out, drinks, etc.
That shouldn't suggest I don't have big purchasing dreams of my own. I seem to have an ever-growing list of (mostly) practical things I'd like to own that tend to get lost in the daily shuffle. It's amazing how easy it is to blow all that money you've been saving on a sewing machine when you need, well, food.
My birthday is coming up, and while I harbor no delusions about what I can afford for myself, I do know that it's highly unlikely I'll be getting any presents from the nuclear family. Which is alright. I live here, I understand the financial situation. Admittedly, it really takes an adult perspective to realize how close my brother's birthday and mine are, and to expect volume over quality is something that I've left behind years ago. My mother loves us and means well, but one or two amazing presents is far more preferable than a mound she had to break the bank for.
Practical Purchases
1. Sunscreen
This might seem like a weird request, but it's recently been brought to my attention that my sunscreen has chemicals that accelerate the growth of malignant skin cancers. WHICH IS CLEARLY FABULOUS. I want to get one for me, and one for general family use, because the last thing anyone needs in this house is oozing sunburn sores OR any sort of skin cancer.
Speaking of which ...
Victorian MaidenInnocent WorldBaby, The Stars Shine Bright
2. A Parasol
I'm very sensitive about my skin. I'm positive I could stand to be a little healthier with a light and healthy tan, but I just don't prefer it. What can I say? I've been a Goth at heart since age 13 and I ADORE pale skin. Not to say other skin types aren't beautiful, because they are, but I love being a pale'un for myself.
The best way to protect oneself from the sun in the summer - and even, around here, in the dead of winter; the sun reflecting off the snow can be just as bad as the summer sun - is with an umbrella or parasol that blocks UV rays.
Having said this, one of the reasons I don't have a generic one easily bought anywhere, is for stylistic reasons. I've been holding out for a Victorian Maiden or Mary Magdalene parasol. The reasons for this is because both companies create clothing for traditionally-sized Japanese women and, of late, have been running increasingly smaller. A quick look at the websites tell me that Victorian Maiden averages a waist size of 65 cm max; Mary Magdalene, 67 cm max. Last time I measured myself I was 76 cm, which means that my clothing would have to stretch comfortably to 78-80 cm to fit properly.
This, which is more in the range of traditionally-sized Western women, is overweight for my body type. At the same time, I realize that in order to get down to a 63cm waist I would have to be anorexic. I accept that these clothes weren't meant for people of my body type and I'm not going to fit into them. It's sad, definitely. They're excessively pretty for a Classic Lolita like me, but I can always commission or learn to sew myself to get what I want. Good fitting clothes are more important than brand name or waist size.
One TL;DR block of text later, we reach the point: Even if I can't fit into the clothing myself, I still enjoy the brand aesthetically, and I'd like an accessory or two to incorporate into my wardrobe. Thus, parasols. Unfortunately, they don't have one up I like right now, so I'm trying to wait patiently.
BrotherJanomeSinger
03. Sewing Machine
Once upon a time, in Sheboygan, I did have a sewing machine. Truth be told, it was a piece of shit that I believe was manufactured in the early 1920s. It had a horrible metal footpad that did murder on your feet and made this god-awful grinding noise when you tried to sew, never twined the bobbin properly, and constantly slipped threads. It didn't do anything except one straight machine stitch, and had no way to attach important things like a surger or embroidering machine to the main unit. On the other hand, I got it for free as a gift from my Grandmother, whom I'm almost certain picked it up for nothing at the St. Vincent de Paul store my Grandfather then helped operate.
Skip ahead to 2010 where I find myself a member of a Western fashion community devoted to a Japanese fashion that doesn't tend to favor my, or my cohorts, measurements. There is a huge re-purposing and sewing contingent in the community for just this reason, not to mention the freedom of design sewing your own garments gives you. I've always wanted to learn to sew, and I did enjoy sewing in middle school, but the only thing we ever sewed was a locker caddy. (Which, might I add, I still have. It still serves it's purpose and it still LOOKS AWESOME DOING IT.)
I also have no delusions about my current ability and the fleeting nature of new hobbies - I don't want to go out and buy the most expensive industry-grade machine with all the dials and buttons and attachments. I just want a simple machine to learn on, and if I decide down the road I want to pursue it more fully, I can always buy something more capable.
This is a saver item because, even at their cheapest, I don't have $300 to just throw down on a sewing machine. But I'm working on it!
Needful Things
My birthday is coming up and I want to buy myself something. It's as simple as that.
01. Bodyline Steampunk Corset Skirt
When I first got into the Lolita scene seriously I did some back-log reading at egl and daily_lolita. I noticed lots of people had this really amazing Steampunk-esque lolita skirt, so of course I scowered Bodyline for it only to find that it had sold out, and had been sold out for quite a long time. I resigned myself to trolling the sales community hoping that someone would want to part with theirs.
Fast-forward to a couple weeks ago, when they re-released the skirt. Of course, the prices are more inflated now what with the exchange rate fluctuations, so it costs five dollars more than it did. BUT THAT WON'T STOP ME. :)
It took me a long time to decide on the colour. I was waffling between the orange and the red - and it's probably a good thing the veridian is sold out because that would have even further complicated my selection process - but I finally decided on the orange. Most of my wardrobe and want list have muted browns woven throughout, so at the very least it will match on its own.
As of yesterday I joined a Bodyline group order out of Knoxville, purchasing this skirt and the JSK below. It's closed early because she reached her price point of $600 early, so it's looking better and better that I'll be able to get my items before my birthday!
02. Bodyline Sax Empire JSK
First of all, for those of you not in the scene, JSK stands for Jumperskirt.
I've never really been one for Sweet Lolita. It's too pink and pastel and over-the-top (generally) and ... truth be told, childish, for me. Not to harsh anyone else's pastel-tinted squee, because there are certainly Sweet Lolitas I love to follow off-LJ and in daily_lolita like uttate, shelbycloud and theosakakoneko, to name only a few.
Initially, I was looking for this JSK in black, but it is either sold out and hasn't been restocked, or I'm confusing the dress with something I saw elsewhere; both viable options. The pink colorway was just atrocious - very "Pepto Bismol" pink - but I stared at this floaty sax JSK and I sort of fell in love with it. I have the accessories to dress it down with some black, as well, in case the blue is too overpowering. (As an aside, in the Lolita community, the light blue in question is referred to as "sax blue" or just "sax").
It doesn't really fit into my wardrobe, per-se, but I figure I can wear it as a "mainstream" dress without a petticoat as well, so it should get twice the use out of it! And you all know how much I love a cute summer dress.
Absinthe Cafe BootsWalking BootsDay Boots
03. Victorian Boots from Clockwork Couture
J'Adore. Clockwork Couture is my favorite Steampunk store, not only for it's affordable prices (and you'll laugh when you see it, I'm sure, but the prices are CHEAP compared to the rest of the Steampunk world) but because of the design and the variety of design. They have airship uniforms and Victorian bustle skirts in the same place!
I can't decide which of the three I like the best, but for starters I'll probably go with the day boots. Calf-length boots are a bit hit-and-miss with me, so short boots or ankle boots work best when shopping over the internet. I'm still agonizing over the size, though.
I don't know if I'm actually going to buy these yet, or if I'm going to hold off and wait. I'm always wary of ordering shoes online - not once have I gotten the right size on the first try.