Cakewalk.

I have not posted in a while. I do apologize, but I've been in school for fashion design and illustration. So far I find it quite easy, but there is a lot of homework. Trade Tech, the school I'm attending, is cramming what takes about for years into only two. The downside is all the supplies I need. Over a hundred dollars for art and sewing supplies alone! My grandmother is going to kill me, she's the one who buys my books and materials since I do not have a job.

I follow Squeenix (Square Enix) through Facebook, and their latest post was about a unisex perfume made with the image of Cloud Strife in mind BEING ON SALE. Laughs ahoy!

Any thoughts? Personally I love Cloud (can you say "sexy"?) and I am a fragrance freak, but I'm not entirely sure if I want it. Besides it is expensive! They also have a Sephiroth perfume too, but I am definitely passing that up; dude creeps me the f*ck out! I wonder if there will be a Squall/Leon perfume or even one for Tifa...?

In more lolita related news, I'm at odds about Angelic Pretty's new French Cafe series.

Skirt/Apron version

I usually don't go for AP's clothing because they tend to be overbearingly sweet and my wardrobe in more or less on the classic-side. However, I find this to be quite cute in a Emily Temple Cute kind of way. But I am worried that it might clash with what I have now, even if I get it in black. I'd probably opt for a skirt, maybe the mini-skirt version (Although I am bit weary of mini-skirts on my plus-sized body.) I'm sure Dream of Lolita will make a replica of the entire series within the next week!

1 Can of Biscuits...

The pace my life is going is becoming slower, and slower, so there isn't much too blog about. I think this is now just a diary. Yesterday I went grocery shopping on my own for the first time. I know that doesn't sound super exciting, but it was a learning experience finding good deals and taking avantage of sales on a $25USD budget, figuring out what you need versus what you want. I went over-budget by a measly two cents!

Designing clothes is becoming a little hard as well. Naturally I want to be unique, but I am being influenced by a lot of things and ideas, it's hard to choose. Sometimes I wonder what do I like the most...My newest inspiration are ballerinas. Second runner up is mori-girl, and of course the controlled variable is lolita. Perhaps I'm thinking too hard...?

In the meantime, my best friend let me borrow her copy of Hetalia on DVD. It's keeping me in stitches! Oh, America!

Oh.

Ah, there are two things that I need to do that are on a time schedule, in other words "Do eet nao"...

Finish drawing ten designs by February. I am finding it easy to come up with designs that are not just lolita designs (thank you Ai Yazawa for your inspirational manga!)Unfortunately I can't draw a fashion figure to save my life...Now I really can not wait for class in February so then I'll know! I'll post what I have soon.

And...Start on that manga that I said I was going to create...At least the conceptual art? Or write it out like a novel? I need more paper

I'm still working on those other goals, like get skinny. Speaking of which, there is another reason why I want to lose weight. COSPLAY! I always wanted to cosplay; it's like another form of art that I would love to partake in. I don't do it now because I felt that I did not have the right body to do so considering 99% of female anime and game characters are thin, or fit, rather. As a plus-sized girl I can probably be an Animal Crossing character, now that I think about it. Hmm...

The accordion, since it cost soooo much, is going to be on hold until I have a career where I'll make a lot of money for an apartment and the accordion and then some.I still have time on this Earth! So I think I will use the money I have so far to do some much needed shopping and go to Anime Expo this year, maybe.

Like a Real Diary

Hello one and all. How are you? This isn't really a blog anymore, more like a diary with lolita and otome-kei in-between. That's okay though. Everyone needs an outlet right? I really need one. I even changed the layout! I was inspired by Jane Marple's Jam collection(?). I'd love to wear their clothes, but from my understanding buying from them as an oversea customer is like searching for the Holy Grail--it is not easy!

As of late I've been thinking about...a lot of things! First off, I want to learn how to play an instrument before I die, so I chose to play the accordion (Just like Yuka from Kokusyoku Sumire!) It's not the typical choice since they are considered kind of dorky; most people like to play more "Rock Star" instruments like the guitar or the drums or the popular piano for the more classical inclined, but I love the way accordions sound. They can sound creepy or cutesy or just plain elegant depending on the song, and so stereotypically French!

As you can well imagine, accordions are one of the more expensive musical instruments (not to mention not as "readily accessible"as guitars and drums and violins) . I am literally saving every penny I can find! Over $1,000 for this one, but it's so pretty!

"Morgane" Diatonic Button Accordion by Hohner.

Obviously expanding my empty wardrobe will be out of the question, but I can wait. I'm pretty patient when it comes to certain things. Obviously, owning an accordion is only half the battle.

Now the second thing I've been thinking of: people in general. Right now my friends are at Anime LA, a small-scale anime convention in Los Angeles. I'm not joining them because for one I do not have the money and I'm becoming more and more of a recluse each passing day, thus making me SUPER lonely. I don't even want to see my own friends anymore; I don't hate them, I just can't. I used to go to cons, but all those people--albeit friendly--make me nervous. It doesn't help that my mom gets mad at me for being this way, but it seems like she is always mad...I'm almost used to it now. What can I do?

Lastly, on a lighter note I am designing more. I've read the entire Paradise Kiss manga for the fifth time, just for the gorgeous clothes. Miwako and her older sister Mikako continue to be a source of inspiration for me. I wish Happy Berry was a real brand, such cute clothes. Ai Yazawa is very talented. Jane Marple and Innocent World is inspiring me as well. I'm glad I have a wealth of beautiful labels to inspire me at my disposal. I will be going back to school in February to take fashion design! I cannot wait!

It is midnight now! I should get to bed.

♪ Nanaaaa, Na Na Na Na Na Na Naa...Nan Nana Na Na Naaa...♪

Why hello there, how art thou? I wrote a post on EGL about blogging, with the help of the good people of the comm, for the good people of the comm. I'm no expert on the subject--I'll post crud from Youtube in a minute!--but since there were a lot of new blogs popping up and a lot of dead blogs in the past I thought I'd do a "guide". I like to be helpful when I can, and I learned a lot myself! No more center alignment!

I've also added Disqus, a widget that enable me to respond back to your comments. Strange though, when I look at the blog I don't see your comments. But the good thing is I technically still have it on my dashboard-thing, so not a huge loss there.

That's about it for the blog stuff. I'm planning on buying the first two Katamari games for my PS2 tomorrow. Man, my  best friend Serenity had the first, Katamari Damacy, and I. Fell. In. LOVE! The the characters are adorable (I love all the cousins! I can name almost all of them), and gameplay is very simple, but very fun and funny! When I get more money I'll buy rest of the series. Hopefully it'll still be available; Unless it's a really bad game, video games typically have a very short "shelf-life".

But I think the biggest part of the experience is the music! It's not cheesy, cutesy game music that matches the vivid colors of the game, and of course it's not the other extreme either (rolling to METAL?!?)The soundtrack is a nice mix of music that's perfect to put in your MP3 player: J-pop, jazz, electronic, kids singing...cutting-edge stuff. What is your favorite video game?

 

 This is my favorite song from the OST!

♪Ding! Fries are Done, Ding! Fries are Done...♪

Dear readers! Wonderful, supportive, bored readers!

I would like to wish you all a great ChristmasHanukkahKwanzaaNewYearandWinterSolstice. Seriously though, what the hell is Winter Solstice? They didn't teach us this in elementary school.

Anyhow happy holidays. Stay warm, have some nice hot holiday ham, and try not to bite Santa when he breaks into your house tonight (or he won't give you that Holy Night Story dress you asked for!) 

Why is Peter Griffin relevant? He's singing this to the tune of "Carol of the Bells".

The Ugliest Princess in the Land...

Would you like to know a secret? I love this dress.

My word!

This strangely charming dress--this "Rolls Royce" of Ita dresses-- speaks to my love of all the manga that influenced me to dress--no, become a lolita. Ah, it is a shame that every variation of this dress is poorly executed: the worst lace, wrong shape, overly-large bell sleeves and why are those buttons there?! This dress always, ALWAYS gets a bad wrap and everyone steers clear from it...except the most tasteless of otaku (I am an otaku and I am sorry for saying it like that, but I'm afraid it's true.)

I wish that one day I will have a dress like this. A more beautiful version than what is being sold now. I want to display it proudly on me or maybe even in my home on a pretty mannequin. This shall be my first major project when I finally learn to sew.

Delicious Cake!

It's amazing how time flies. When I finally realized it was December, I was thrown into a loop. And it's almost the mid-December! Madness, I tell you, MADNESS!

 Lately I've been craving sweets badly. In fact, one day I actually had a lunch similar to Momoko's from Shimotsuma Monotagari; FOUR different pieces of cake! They weren't too bad either, although I wasn't satisfied. This may sound weeaboo-ish of me since I do love anime, but I really prefer Japanese-style sweets. I'm not talking so much about the traditional ones such as mitarashi dango--which is awesome and gooey--more like "Western" desserts that are tweaked to fit the Japanese palette. The cake is sooo much fluffier and lighter, with balanced flavors...totally guilt-free in my opinion! I'm want to make one...actually I am going to make one, which brings me to my next point.

Considering it is the season to give, I've decided to make a roll cake for a close friend of mine, instead of buying one (even though I can find TONS of delicious-looking varieties on Rakuten.)

Yummy! This is made with lotus fruit seeds.

 

 

It'll be something basic, but I am thinking adding strawberries to the cream (otakus love strawberries!) and make the cake with either rice or soy flour...and maybe replace normal eggs with an egg substitute, just to make it healthier. Any tips?

Kamijo Fangirl (non-Rabid, Thank Goodness.)

"Why can't more guys be like Kamijo?!"

I've found myself subconsciously thinking this when I listen to Versailles. Albeit I hate to be one of those fan girls, I'm not ashamed; he's dead sexy and has the voice of an archangel!

But enough of that. While we are on the subject of Versailles and angels, this song I'd like to share is from there latest album! Doesn't it remind you of Christmas in Ireland?



Since Jasmine-You (bass) unexpected death, they temporarily filled the void with You from Manterou Opera for a live show in 2009. Currently they have a new bassist, Masashi, and he is pretty good (and good looking, hahaha). But they still consider Jasmine-You to be a member, "eternally".

I love this band.

Chilly...

So I've wiped the slate clean with my blog. When I think about it now I'm not too sure why I did so, but there was nothing of importance so nothing will be missed.

It has been raining on and off all day today. At one point, when I went outside to catch the bus to work the sun was shining so brightly I almost couldn't keep my eyes open...or at least I thought it was. Yet, albeit it was so bright it wasn't the least bit warm. Of course all this was temporary. Suddenly it became cold and rainy again. My baby Claude (he's my little spider) and I tried to keep warm, but Claude has his jar and it temperature probably doesn't faze him just like everything else doesn't. Do you get cold Claude?

Times like these reminds me of how nice it would be to have a lovely, warm coat. I have one, but it is school coat; old, freakishly ugly, and doesn't keep me warm enough. I want a nice one; the kind the little girls where in those old movies while they line up with other children to meet Santa Clause at Macy's. The kind girls wear when they go ice-skating during the Victorian era. Something that looks very much like this:


My dream coat. Look at that gorgeous detail! I would buy this in a heartbeat. Sadly, buying based upon a bodily function is not for those who just don't have the money. Like me. And it's sold out on Qutieland! Perhaps I should ask Santa...