Loli By The Pool

Today I went tanning, which gets in the way of the loli standard of beauty that "pale is pretty". Other beauty rules appear to be "bangs are essential" and "you must be less than 110lbs". I'm sorry loli gods but I do not fit these rules and I never will.

For a while I've been very on the fence about tanning as I want to fit in with the doll like image that comes to mind when you think of lolis, but today I just decided to go do it. I live in a tropical climate for goodness sake and I'm sick of sitting under a parasol while everyone is playing in the pool!

I don't think that being pale should be a prerequisite for being a good loli, you can have darker skin and still be considered beautiful. And I feel prettier with a bit of pigment in my skin!

On a silly note when I was getting ready for the pool my roommate had to chastise me for trying on my new navy knee socks with my bikini as they made "a totally cute coordinate". She couldn't talk me out of the headbow though! <3

Her Curious Elegance Vlog

I made my own channel for Her Curious Elegance on Youtube! Yay! I also made my very first V-log, I hope that you like it and that I don't ruin the idea of me you may have already had in your head. I'm sorry but the sound goes a little wonky at places, but I added annotations so you still know what I'm saying. I hope that you enjoy it, I'm sure there will be more to come (this time with better sound quality).

How to Buy Loli: A Guide for the Uninitiated

If you have a daughter or son (or girlfriend/boyfriend/good friend) who is interested in loli, and you are accepting and supportive of this then you are already a Super Mum (or Dad. Or girlfriend. Or boyfriend. I'm just going to assume you are a parent though so I don't have to keep adding that). Learning about the fashion with your children is pretty much one of the coolest things you can do, my mother occasionally browses loli websites with me and we exchange opinions on the clothing. It's a small act but the fact that she wants to participate in something that means so much to me really touches my heart.

So maybe you are already doing that, you know exactly what your daughter/son likes about the fashion and feel that you would like to surprise them with a loli related gift (essentially making you cooler than that mum who bought their fourth grade daughter a pony). I won't try to sugar coat this; buying loli clothing can be confusing and expensive. Sometimes the shipping can cost almost as much as the garment you are buying! But remember, it is the thought that counts, and I'm sure your daughter would be just as touched if you bought her some knee socks instead of a dress complete with matching bag and shoes (helpful hint: if buying loli proves to be too troublesome then go on the hunt at your local shops for adorable knee socks and umbrellas).
 
There are many ways to buy online, but for almost all of them you will need to have a Paypal account. Once you set this account up you will need to link it to your bank account so that it is able to access your money. This can be a pretty scary idea because if someone were to get ahold of your password you'd be in big trouble, so what I did was open a separate account in which I only put money in for specific loli purchases (for example if I'm buying an item for $30 I put the money into the account and send it using paypal which leaves the account balance at $0. That way if anyone got my password there would be nothing to steal).

Most brand websites offer tutorials on how to buy their clothing as it is difficult to navigate a website successfully in another language and each site is a little different. Here is a list for how to place orders from different sites (keep in mind that the prices are in Japanese Yen. You can use this currency converter to see how much an item would cost in your currency).

Baby the Stars Shine Bright- Click on the "Overseas" icon for detailed instructions.

Angelic Pretty

Innocent World

Metamorphose

Anna House- Click on the "Please read here for more overseas mail order information" link which is on the left hand side of the website. Note that all prices are in Hong Kong Dollars.

There is no guide on the Bodyline site because it resembles English websites in the buying process. You click on an item you like, select the color and size and add the item to your cart. When you have everything you want you hit "Look Cart". Then you proceed to pay for your order in the standard way, using Paypal as your payment method. Qutieland, which list it's prices in Hong Kong dollars, follows the same style of check out.

Shipping can often be expensive, especially if you are buying a single item or shopping from different stores. If you are buying multiple items it may be easier to simply buy from a shopping service. My shopping service of choice is Mai Ozawa (gothicljapan@hotmail.co.jp). Mai lives in Japan and has access to almost all of the brand shops. If you send her an e-mail with the picture, name, size and price of the items you'd like to buy from each shop she will personally go and pick them up for you. After she has everything you need she will package them all together and mail them to your home, eliminating the need to pay separate shipping fees from the different stores. For her service you pay her 20% of the total order, but usually it still works out a lot cheaper, especially if you buy in bulk.

Remember, loli clothing usually comes in limited sizes so make sure that you know your childs measurements in centimeters to ensure that a garment would fit them. Also, it can take much longer to receive your loli package as they ship internationally, so make sure to order your items at least a month in advance as to ensure their arrival for your childs birthday or Christmas.

I hope that this entry has helped you to buy online for your daughter or son. If you have any further questions just leave me a comment!

The Secret Loli

Recently I have been very busy with work, too busy in fact to wear any loli whatsoever. When I get home I just change into pajamas, do homework and then go to bed. But somehow by not wearing the fashion as often I have started to think about it often and long for my frills more strongly than usual. It reminds me of when I was a secret loli, before I had bought or worn even one article of clothing. It is my belief that no matter what one wears you can be a true loli if it is in your heart.

It takes a very special person to be a loli, they have to be brave and true to themselves. There are many girls out there who compliment the fashion but say they could never wear it. But what about the people who yearn to wear it but for whatever reason cannot? These girls are just as much true lolis as the ones with closets full of matching brand sets. If loli fashion appeals to you, and you desire to wear it with every fiber of your being, then you are a loli already and you always were.

I was a secret loli for years before I bought my first piece, which happened to be an Anna House blouse. Upon it's arrival I actually cried, I was so happy to finally be able to express what I felt had always been inside. Now when I put on an outfit after wearing mainstream fashion for a long period of time I feel a great surge of relief very similar to when I got my first blouse. It is a great comfort to look in the mirror and think "This is exactly who I am, inside and out".

But even when you aren't wearing the fashion you are a loli. Whether you are at work in an office or grocery store, whether you are in class studying or taking care of your children, no matter what you are wearing you are still a secret loli. It's almost magical in a way.

Waking Up From The Dream Dress

Have you ever been so looking forward to a certain loli item, only to be severely let down? You order it with a squeal of delight, you are giddy as you wait for the package to arrive, when it finally gets to your house you tear open the box, clutch your prized item and then what? Recoil? Cry? Walk away? Whatever your reaction you feel that something deep down is not right, you paid for something beautiful and the dress you are holding is missing the magic. You have woken up from your dream dress.

I've had this happen to me a few times, sometimes no matter how much you wanted an item it just isn't right. It doesn't fit in places, the color is not how you imagined it or you just don't love it. It's ok to feel disappointed but realize that this is the peril of online shopping. You don't have an oppertunity to see what the garment looks like in real life, feel the material or try it on. It can make you feel that you've wasted your money, especially since many loli brands do not accept refunds or exchanges.

But don't give up! You paid a lot for it, and if you aren't satisfied you should sort something out. If the problem is a sizing issue then head to your local tailor and see if they could alter it for you. If you just plain don't like it then don't just let it sit in your closet gathering dust, pass it on to a girl who will really love it. On EGL Community Sales you can often get full price for a new item, especially if it has never been worn and still has the tags.

If you just aren't sure about the way the dress looks then send pictures of yourself wearing it to you friends and ask for some coordination advice. Maybe you don't like the way it looks with your pink tea party shoes and pink bow, but your friends might suggest something different which will change the way the outfit looks entirely (like blue tea party shoes and a blue bow! I'm just kidding, we can be more original than that).

Having a dream dress let you down can be upsetting, but don't let it affect your day. Loli is just clothing and although it can give you a mood boost it shouldn't alter your feelings so dramatically that it can cause you to have a bad day. If the item really isn't working for you then move on, get dressed up in something you already love and feel good about yourself!

Stop Tempting My Wallet Innocent World!

I will forever be loyal to Baby the Stars Shine Bright, my favorite brand, but today I was casually browsing the Innocent World website and could have bought everything I saw! I don't own anything from Innocent World, but I think that's going to have to change! Here are some of my favorites that are for sale right now.

Classical Chair Skirt in Short Version- This has got to be one of the cutest skirts I've ever seen. I love everything about it, the print, the length, the colorway but especially the lace up ribbons at the top. Just look at the detailing, it's gorgeous! It is something you could dress up or down for any occasion, unlike some Innocent World pieces which look like they are formal wear only.

H

Heart Scallope Pochette Bag- This bag is beautiful and is a refreshing break from the star, candy or heart shaped bags that we usually see. The little bow and detailing around the edge is understated yet beautiful. It's grown up, it's elegant, but it's still adorable! 

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Pullip Tiphona Doll- This is the item that really inspired this post. I'm not a huge doll person but I just fell in love with this particular doll. She is so beautiful, I love her gorgeous eyes, her luxurious hair and of course her cute little outfit. The new Pullip dolls are currently up for pre-order and I have placed one on my wishlist as my birthday is coming up (although I doubt anyone will be willing to fork over $150 for a doll for me, albeit a beautiful one). The other dolls they released are cute too, but I just can't stand their faces, they look like angry children! I love this doll because I think she embodies the simple elegance that I admire the most about loli fashion.

HOW Old Are You?!?

In a few short weeks I will be turning twenty two, which in the scheme of things really isn't old at all, but I've been beginning to have a minor freak out about it. I only have eight more years until I'm thirty which is a scary thing in itself, and the other day I found a wrinkle on my forehead! A wrinkle!! My mother, of course, thinks I'm silly for getting so worked up about it, but I think a huge part of it is that in a few years I will be expected to give up loli fashion.

It seems that the expected age range of lolis is anywhere from the teenage years to about twenty five. If I were to follow that plan I would only have three more years to enjoy this wonderful fashion, and frankly that just isn't enough. Why should I give up something I love just because I have a few birthdays? To me it just doesn't make sense!

So it got me to thinking, what age is the right one to give up loli? To be honest I don't think there really is one. The age in which we give up loli is going to be different for everyone, and it will be based on different factors for each girl. Some may give it up because their career becomes more consuming, others may start a family and feel they no longer have the desire to continue with the fashion, others may simply grow away from it or decide that it's time to put the frills to rest. But others still may just stop buying pieces and wear the loli they have a little less than they once did, and that's ok too. No one expects us to be ruffle-butts forever but that doesn't mean we one day have to quit cold turkey just because we're turning twenty five, twenty seven, thirty, or thirty five!

So I suppose I can stop freaking out about my upcoming birthday, besides, there is more to celebrate than worry about!

Love Letter To Mr. Yan

This is a little song that I made up while I was at work today. It is all just in good fun so please don't take it too seriously (especially the part about the print). It's my love letter to my Prince Yan!

Mr Yan,

Will you be my man?

I know that you are just misunderstood!

Mr Yan,

Fly me to Japan,

I want to get furious with you!

I love your flowing hair,

Do you condition?
I bet you do!

I want you Mr Yan,

There is no replica of you!

So please call me your sweetheart,

And dedicate a print to me,

Forget "Love Nadia",

How about "I Love You More Raegy"?

Mr Yan,

Will you be my man?

I know that you are just misunderstood!

Mr Yan,

Fly me to Japan,

I want to get furious with you!

Dearest Yan,

I will be loyal, and ever cute for you,

But you ignore my e-mails,

When will you ever get a clue?

Good thing I know your address,

And phone number off by heart,

As long as you don't call the cops,

Our love affair can start!

Mr Yan,

Will you be my man?

I know that you are just misunderstood!

Mr Yan,

Fly me to Japan,

I want to get furious with you!

I want to get furious with youuuuuuu!

Tokyo Rebel Contest

This is my photo entry for the Tokyo Rebel Photo Contest which will be judged by Misako Aiko! A lot of work and effort went into this picture, I'd really appreciate it if you voted for me! Just go to the Tokyo Rebel photo page, click on the album marked "Fashion Photo Contest", click on my picture and submit a rating!

Thank you so much, wish me luck!

I Am A Weapon of Massive Consumption

We live in a society of voracious consumption, we routinely crave new things in a programmed quest to feel complete, but the second we buy something it loses it's newness and so we can never fulfill ourselves in that way. Everything in our culture compels us to feel this way, yet we are also made to feel guilty about turning inward and focusing entirely on ourselves. No matter how much we try, it's almost impossible to escape this mentality. Lolis are no exception.

In a world where shopping=happiness we are the leaders in that belief. We even have entire live journal communities dedicated to cataloging and praising others for new purchases. We talk constantly about new items brands release and the sales community is still thriving despite recent problems the feedback database has been experiencing. But is getting new things the only focus of the loli community, and if so what kind of monsters are we turning ourselves and each other into?

Shopping in itself is not a bad thing, it only becomes negative when it becomes an obsession and puts us in a difficult financial situation. However, our items shouldn't be considered worthless after the first two or three times we wear them. In a fashion as expensive as loli, few can afford to continue with the standard mentality of "more, more, more". It's important for lolis to appreciate what we have, and try to be content with our wardrobes. Think about it for a moment, if you could never buy anything for your loli wardrobe ever again, could you be ok with what you currently own? I'm sure the majority of us would answer no, so in an effort to change that we should take a moment to be thankful what we already have.

Go to your closet and look at your clothes. What are your favorite pieces? Touch them, appreciate them and remember how special they make you feel. In an effort to control your ever expanding wardrobe, maybe you could stop buying new pieces so frequently and focus on buying smaller things that would improve your existing coordinates.

Here is a short list of things I love about some of my wardrobe:

• I love the sweet pockets on my BTSSB tartan JSK.
• I love that my Harajuku Lovers pumps are the perfect shade of pink.
• I love how well my KidsYoYo blouse fits.
• I love the detailed print on my Alice and the Pirates cutsew.
• I love everything about my Wizard of Oz Jsk.

We may never be able to change the way we think about buying, but maybe we can shift our thoughts a little so that we may put less emphasis on it and more on appreciating what we have. After all, lolita is about how wearing our clothing makes us feel and how is can transform a normal day into something extra special! I feel that too often we forget about that, but let's never lose sight of that magic!

Dress Up Box: Easter Bunny

It's a good thing that I don't really celebrate Easter because that day I was violently ill. My good friend Ji-Young came over at 6am and took care of me all day, I feel so bad because now I learned that it was her only day off in 17 days! I am so buying her flowers!

Today I felt well enough to get out of bed so I decided to get dressed in something other than pajamas! It's a pretty casual coordinate which I chose not to wear a petticoat with as I was just lying around the house watching movies and napping. My roommate plonked her Easter ears on me and I can't say that I really objected!

My roomie instructed me to pose like a bunny, I am now deeply regretting that choice. I would have taken more pictures but I just wanted to lie down.

Ears: Target? Wal-Mart? I'm sure she got them somewhere like that.

Cutsew: Baby the Stars Shine Bright

Skirt: Bodyline

Socks: Baby the Stars Shine Bright

 To me the real holiday is the day after Easter because all the chocolate is half off, so I'm a little bummed out that I didn't get to buy any, but luckily for me a friend picked up a few Cadburys Cream Eggs to share! Yummy!

~*Bonus*~

Ji-Young had to go to work today so she gave me a copy of her university graduation photo so that she'd still, in a way, be watching over me. It's such a tiny picture, the smallest frame I have is a 2 inch by 3 inch which was way to big, so in true loli fashion I decided to decorate the border of the photo! Yeah...didn't work out so well. Crafting+huge amounts of medication=fail!

I only decided to post this because I think it's kind of funny in a sad way. Oh well, at least it looks ok from far away!

Puricuteness!

Purikura, as you may already know, are trademarked photo machines that allow you to add cute images and effects to your pictures and print them out as stickers. The are quite common in Asia but there are not too many in the Western world, although there are machines with similar themes. The pictures are cute, fun and happy, but what are you to do if you don't live near a machine? Never fear, Puricute is here! 

Puricute is a website where you can upload your own photo and do all of the things to it that you could do in a Purkura machine from the comfort of your own home, you can even order stickers! It's quite fun although I'm not that brilliant at it yet, here are a few of my latest!

I decided to go with a blue theme here because my skin has taken on a rather blue hue from my computer screen. The reason I had to use my webcam is because my camera battery is dead and I am too lazy to buy a new one!

This Puricute is themed "cover up Raegans dirty kitchen" (hey, it's hard sharing one kitchen with seven girls!). Puricute is also great for covering up your dirty room in an outfit shot! My only gripe with Puricute is that the pictures turn out very small which makes it difficult to actually see your outfit. By the way, this was what I wore today on my day off.

I like this one the best just because the picture quality is better. It's from my last meet up, isn't the bear cute?

I hope that you have fun making your own Puricute pictures, you should make some for your friends and post them to Loli Valentines!

I'll Be There For You

In this world there are beautiful people everywhere, but sometimes I think we loli's forget. It seems that we are obsessed with finding fellow lolis to befriend, but sometimes the most fufilling relationships you will ever cultivate are with people who aren't part of our subculture. A person can be amazing no matter what they are wearing.

So many lolis cry out each day that they feel desperately alone. Don't limit yourself, there is no reason to feel lonely. Get out there, smile and make some memories with people that you love. And if you are feeling low on friends then try to meet new people, wearing loli is an excellent conversation starter! Don't ever pass up the opportunity to be someones frilly friend!

I want to say thank you to all of my friends, the ruffle butts, the "normal" ones and everyone in between. And I want to say a special thank you to all my readers. This blog is so fun to write but what makes me happiest is knowing that you are reading it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Cottage By the Sea

A castle or a penthouse is really not for me,
Instead I want a cozy little cottage by the sea.

With a garden, full of flowers,

Of all colors all in bloom,

And instead of paint or wallpaper,

Books will surround each room.

Books will hold up the mattress,

Neat piles will line the stairs,

Books will lounge upon my table,

And sit next to my armchair.

My main room shall be yellow,

My bedroom shall be pink,

My bathroom will be lavander,

Or blue, or green or mint.

Either way it's going to be quite beautiful,

I think.

And maybe if I'm lucky,

I will have a secret place,

Where I can keep my vanity,

And all my frills and lace.

I will lock it every night,

Around my neck I'll wear the key,

It will be a special princess room,

Tucked away for only me.

For now I sit and dream,

About my cottage by the sea.