Breaking and Making some rules.

So I have most definitely decided to do Hime gyaru. I may have said this some posts back, but I'm gonna go a bit more into depth. I really do enjoy the aesthetic and lovely dresses. Though it isn't really an everyday type of thing. However the idea of all that shiny fabric for dresses ain't gonna fly. And can be highly unflattering. And There is also trying to distinguish what would be considered Hime Gyaru enough. I do intend to break a few rules. It's not about being a rebel or anything like that. It's about being able to wear clothes that are flattering. Now I know Petticoats are not really a thing for Hime Gyaru. Just a personal preference. I like the poof. And I think it can easily pass as one fashion or another. I prefer a non OTT style as well. I think simplicity is can still be elegant, and the dramatic pieces should be left to one or two things in particular. i.e dramatic hair and maybe some heavier makeup. But 3 billion bows is much...well that's an exaggeration of course, but sometimes that many bows is really fucking tacky and you end up looking like a fool. This of course is just my personal opinion I also have to think about the lengths of my skirts and dresses. Too short and with my err current weight....I would definitely be asking for it in terms of  being blasted out on the street and in the online community.

Hair is also another concern of mine....or more appropriately a place where I'll probably break some rules. I have an undercut which can be a little challenging. Summer is pretty much a no with me and wigs right now. It'll be way too damn hot to even do anything beyond maybe a photoshoot. Not to mention getting it to stay in position would be kinda challenging.  Now I can work around this with a weave more or less. Plenty of ways to protect my hair and still have something to play with. But I won't have the traditional hime gyaru hairstyles. While it is obviously a more recognizable, It isn't for everyone, and 5 hair pieces is not my idea of fun. And I want to be able to do hair that isn't gonna take entirely too long to do on a regular basis. Yes not very Gyaru of me, but I'm for practicality and ease in as many places as possible. If I can make my hair less of a task I can put more effort into other places. Like my make up. Which isn't terrible, but right now it'll probably be something that takes me a little longer to do. And considering at this stage in my life where I have a standard wear at my job which I can't really change. Even if I make it look cute...my work apron isn't cute lol. And I don't know if I could get away with altering it or something.

Now to make this post less texty here are some clothing inspirations :3

I know some of these are actually hime lolita, they're still inspiring to me. That's all for now. Birthday's in a few days and I hope to definitely have something to share.

College Prep

Alright this post is just as it states. Now College will start in fall and I'm not sure how work and college will work out. I know people do it but I'm not registered for classes yet. Needless to say I need not only new clothes but I need more up to date equipment. This is to keep me more organized since I've found another tablet that I sorta want...Not a cintiq....I can'd even begin to afford that not even an intuos 5 which would be nice but 800 bucks. I probably could get it when I start doing commissions. Anyways Let's start with my art needs.

A desktop. The HP Omni has pretty good reviews and is the least expensive option, with a 500 GB hard drive. I've never had my own hard drive, but my experience with space on a hard drive...definitely need more than I currently have on this laptop. This of course will be great for working at home and without having a hot ass box ( read: tower) under my desk. It's streamline and doesn't take up too much room which is another plus for me.

The Acer Aspire AS7250-3821. Now I know I have a laptop...and while the one I have is good for basic things, internet search and word pad etc. etc. It probably wouldn't be the best for college work. I simply don't have the room on my laptop for everything. I can't keep too much music on here and because I tend to multi-task with internet and my drawing programs ( when I had my tablet) It took a lot out of my laptop. The task manager said otherwise, but I go by what I see happening and not always what my task manager says. Not to mention my current laptop only has windows xp, which is fab, but not for college and since I have no doubt I'll probably need programs like photoshop, flash and various others. A new one would probably workout for the better.

The Wacome Bamboo. It's bigger, great reviews and comes witht the following programs

• Corel Painter Essentials 
• Adobe Photoshop Elements
• Autodesk Sketchbook Express
• Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0 WE3
• Definitely looking forward to this. The pen also looks a lot more stable, but still will have to treat it with care. It's under 200 so I can't complain too much. Most likely will have this before I get the new laptop or desktop. 

The other things I need, I'm not really gonna get pictures of. Which really all I need are some sketch books. A sharpener for my prisma color pencils and a blender. Rulers maybe some new bristol boards and if I'm lucky some A4 paper. I may invest in my own printer at some point. Only because it would be less of a hassle. Of course it would be an all in one printer. -shrugs- 

Now onto the fashion part. The idea is that I won't have to throw out the entirety of my closet. Since September is like 5 months away and I'm trying to lose weight I have clothes I can still wear...now the problem is are they...gyaru worthy. Winter is almost a given that I'll wear mostly black because of the weather. Which is great for Goth gyaru. But I want to amp it up a little more. The other problem...my job. Not that it's a problem, but there is a dress code I have to follow, which isn't hard, it's just this is going to be a first for me. The last time I had a job, I never did anything before I actually had to go to work so I was always in either pajamas or pulled on whatever if I had to go somewhere before hand. This also means I'll probably have less days to work, most of them I'm sure will be days I don't have school depending on what that schedule looks like. Can gothic amekaji be a thing? lol. I have an idea of what I can do coord wise, just to be simple and warm. So I will basically be looking at styling.

Long T-shirts are fun, Modifying one that's already made
is a lot easier than making one from scratch.

This would be more in the beginning of fall but it's easy to pull off and not a hard coord at all.  Not exactly that shirt but you get the idea. 

These would be great, because they can don't take up much room so long as they're folded and put away. It's just making sure they're not too plain. I don't know if a print would be particularly good for this type of shirt, but giving it maybe some iron on designs. 

Hell even an applique would be nice depending on what it is. 

It really depends on personal choices and tastes. I'm sure not everyone will like them and there will be a couple of "This is not Gyaru." But come on not everyone can fit name brand and while it would be lovely to own a piece or two. I don't need a closet of name brand clothes wearing me, thank you very much. 

These are skinnies, but they are sweet and them boots...I need them stat. But I like this styling. Especially when it's paired with over sized tops or tunics. Solids and certain prints are always in when it comes to skinnies, leggings and yes even jeggings. I've seen bottom weight fabrics in stripes and some florals. 

Really like harem pants. Though I think they usually look better with sandals, I'm sure some mid calf boots would go great with them.  Yes they're a little summery but considering the weather has been weird they'll be good for the beginning of fall or just be made with a more cool weather fabric. And while jeans are always good to have in the closet. I don't want a closet full of them either. I don't know if I'm a fan of jeans with rips in them, so I really need a few pair in different washes and I should be good. I need to see what else can be worn with them though. I know form fitting tops look great with harem pants, but their should be other options. 

This is actually pretty damn clever. I've never tried layering like this before. 

I really like the look of layered clothing. And it's something I would like to try. Though I think this would be better for himekaji and probably gothic gyaru. It's still really nice. 

I really want all their outfits, but Fiona first. Love the hoodie.
Big bunny ears and all.

But as seen with Fiona in the middle there ( which I have every intention of making a similar hoodie) it can be done. There are plenty of options, and the length Fiona is wearing is about tunic length, which is great to wear with leggings, skinnies, or jeggings as well as regular jeans. Any shorter and it could be worn with a cute skirt or a nice pair of shorts...Stocking and otks would be necessary for the cooler weather. I would like to be cute, fashionable and warm, lol. 

 

Another good look for fall even though I would probably wear more jewel toned colors for the season. And as a project I'm gonna attempt knitting a Ski hat wit a big pompom on top. Should I attempt stitching some words into it? Dunno. I'll ask my friend Terri about mapping out patterns or stuff like that. She has more experience than I do. I will probably alternate between wigs and such. I think I only get away with my undercut now because it has grown in a little since my last shave which was probably 3 weeks ago. But it'll be cool and shaved head + cold air is not really fun at all. But I'm looking forward to the up coming projects. And I could get everything done before fall so long as I'm consistent. Anything involving skirts and dresses or anything over the top will probably be left for outings with friends . Also though I have in mind some circle coats I want to do. Saw some cute Giraffe fleece ( I know that's more udoli but I love giraffe print.) And For me, Even though I can buy clothes and probably will when I find some I really like. Making them is so much more exciting. 

Manaka is fierce!

But All in all if it isn't something I can sew unless it's just really that fab or I can't decipher how I could sew it, I am sure a good chunk of my wardrobe will be handmade. I just wish I had a bigger closet. I need to go through my shoes. I have lots of heels which is not a problem to me, but I do need some more flat shoes. Some of the fancier boots that I like are upwards of 200 dollars...which is real splurge if you ask me. And maybe just once I will though I know my mom wouldn't understand it for sure. 

I think I'll make a list for myself just to keep track of projects. Jegging/leggings won't take long or much space since I don't have to put them in my closet. It's just a matter of getting the fabric and when I lose weight I can always take them in. The hoodies and coats will require a little more work but Aren't difficult to make either. These items aren't new to me. Making dresses.. if it ain't something that stretches and doesn't require a particular cut. They are quite a task to take on. At least cutting an pinning. The sewing part is a little easier. Hemming is just a pain in the ass however. Especially if you're like me and I like things that flow and hang nicely. But all the clothes in the world won't look complete without accessories. Jewelry I try to keep as simple as possible. I don't have too many things with like rhinestones and stuff. Mostly because too much can be a bad thing. And the point of the gyaru is to be free, fun, sexy ( whatever that means lol), and unique, without looking cheap, guady, ratchet or taudry. And it's a really fine line you're walking there. Having mirror will also be your best friend. But Jewelry has never been something that I went over the top with. I hardly wear more than a necklace or two at a time when I do wear them. Same with bracelets. The only jewelry I wear more of that isn't a piercing are my rings. Two is the standard, but I will wear more if I feel they will complete a look. I have my eye on a piece of jewelry I saw at T.J Max. A Hand of Fatima to be exact. It had some...I'm gonna say either rhinestones or cubic zarconia on it. Simply beautiful. 

Next weekend I'll be posting about my workout regimen. It's still forming. Right now it's mostly strength training because of my flat feet. I need arch supports to lessen the pain of cardio. 

Body aspirations

Well this isn't a post about weightloss, it isn't a secret that I'm trying to lose some weight. This is more about body modifications. I am not heavily modified in my opinion. I've only got two tattoos, one which I'm gonna have to retire...don't worry it'll be back. But I've got 4 piercings in each ear and one 00 stretched ear ( I have to redo the other one and have yet to re-pierce the left one to start.) I want more though. Not sure how well it would work for a girly style as Hime Gyaru or even Lolita, but I want sleeves. I have some idea as to how I want them too look, but nothing too concrete yet. But here are some tattoos I want to get soon.

Yes I do like other written languages that aren't Japanese. But I also love what they say. I want both, one on the top of each wrist. These speak to me personally And I really can't wait to get them.

 The Auryn, is right from my childhood. Placement wise I don't know where I'd get it ( if I can't get it tattooed I'll get a necklace haha.) The Neverending Story is probably one of my favorite movies of all times and I watch it. A lot.

Bumblebee. This cute little fuck guy. I just cannot. Look at the fuzzy little bugger.  But me and my other intend to get one each. Bumblebees are really sweet and aren't as nasty as many people think. Me and mom just have to find a good artist in Jersey. Not sure if this is the exact picture I will use, but it's still cute. I would also like to get a back piece, my own design of course, I just need to err flesh it out so to speak. Lol. Sorry I was never one for getting a flash tattoo, although I don't have amazing work (yet) done, I think flash tattoos are a cop out and just about anyone can have them. I want a chest piece ( yet another thing my mother tells me not to get.) Will probably get one when I'm on my own, of what not sure. That is quite a commitment piece and requires a great deal of contemplation so I have no regrets.


Now two mods I don't think I need to really have pictures for are pointed ears and  fangs. Two things I have wanted since I was a child. My ears are mildly pointed on their own but I want them to be more pointed. I know there are two methods. The most common involves cutting and and some stitching, the other  is reshaping which I need to learn more about. Fangs. I actually have an estimate for. And is at the top of the list modification wise since it's probably going to be the least painful.

Now to keep people from being to squeamish I found some already healed pieces. But scarification is so beautiful. I really love to get some work done incorporated in my sleeve and another portion of my body, later on. I find it fascinating but I'm probably gonna need some support getting this work done. 

She is so adorable. 

More work I want done but have to wait till I'm out on my own and established is my philtrum or the piercing more commonly known as a Medusa.

This just a sampling. I've been debating getting tattoos on my legs, If I'd did it would most likely be on the upper thigh and maybe the ankle. I'm not really into leg tattoos for myself.