Lace Lovely Nail Tutorial With Konad!

I've always loved crazy nails. Even when you feel like hell or are working through a tedious amount of paperwork, your nails can cheer you right up. I love to see my nails as I hit the button on a radio or calculator; clicking on a keyboard. And of course lolitas are interested in their nails! The huge, over-the-top acrylic styles are just gorgeous, complete with piercings, huge add-on cabochons, and even 3D cake figures. But false nails make me nervous. I can just imagine ruining my nail bed! Even so, I wanted some cute and decorative beyond the usual manicure. But workable. Enter Konad Nail Art.

Konad is a nail decorating system from Korea that they call stamping. Essentially, you use their special plasticky polish to mold your own tiny decals and then stamp them onto your nails (and cellphones, they say, but I haven't tried that yet). I ran across it looking for ways to add lace to my nails, and as you can see - it works!

I started with dusty pink rose color on my nails, and then a topcoat over that. This will keep your color from wearing off if you need to take off the design. (I've included videos for you to learn the stamping process, but I will make one with my own tricks if anyone is interested). Then use spread the special polish on the plate, scrape the excess, pick up with the stamper, and stamp. It's not foolproof and there is a bit of a learning curve, but after only messing with it twice I now have a pretty decent success rate.

Labels: cosmetics, tutorial

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 6:17 PM 6 Comments

Urban Fairies

I got freshly colored up (now with 100% more aqua!) and ended up taking some lovely photos with Miss Lumpy yesterday. I feel this is one of my best fairyloli coordinates to date! Click the image above to go to my Flickr with the rest of the photos :) I'll also be doing a small tutorial and review of my nail design and nail products (they're pink with white bows and hearts, on natural nails!), so be on the look out!

If you're interested in the products/items used in this shoot, you can see my daily_lolita entry.

On another note, the CTcon fashion show is only one week away! Hope to see you there!

Labels: photopost

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 8:38 AM 0 Comments

Lifestyle Misconceptions

It's been quite some time since I wrote the original article explaining lifestyle lolitas, and for a long time I thought, well, it's been written - what else do you need? It's been said, Victoria. Talk about fashion/nails/magazines/ANYTHING else instead.

But lately I have seen a few common misconceptions about lifestyle lolitas that go beyond what I had originally addressed. I'm not sure where these ideas are coming from - certainly not the main community, it seems to me, because lifestyle is little discussed there if at all. But someone has put round the idea that lifestyle lolitas are practically another breed of species all together from the average lolita, let alone the human race! For example...

Q: What do lolitas eat?

A: Anything they like! Well, in general, you should try to drink your eight glasses of water a day, eat something that hasn't been fried (like vegetables and fruits!) and a good yogurt culture doesn't hurt. You know, the typical things you read in womens' magazines about boosting your brain power. Eat almonds. Whatever. The point is, lolitas have a perfectly normal diet. I've seen several questions like this and I'm always a little surprised. I... ate strawberry shredded wheat for breakfast. Is that any more or less lolita than, say, oatmeal? Do the lolita points go up if I sprinkle the oatmeal with mini-marshmallows? (A whole other system of points counting? The brain spins.)

Q: What does a lolita wear to camp/fight fires/be a rodeo clown?

A: What anyone else wears to do these things! Fashion is one thing, but sometimes clothes are purely utilitarian. I prefer to dress lolita or at least otome style on a daily basis, but that doesn't mean I don't have the sense to keep a spare set of pants in the backseat of my car. If you suddenly need to change a flat, you'd probably be very happy to pop on those jeans, right? Function over fashion - it happens! If you need to consistently dress for function and hate not having a lolita identity (let's say you spend most of your time in a lab coat), then try something more permanent, like doing your nails or styling your hair (no matter what, I know I can count on a head of pink, aqua, purple, and blonde hair! It helps :)

Q: What mannerisms/personality do I need to dress in ___________ substyle, or just lolita in general?

A: Lolita manners are not a new discussion point. It's generally agreed that you should be, at the very least, civil and thoughtful of others in your actions, and follow the usual manners you learned as a child, such as please, thank you, holding a door for the person behind you, napkin in your lap. We have manners because they help us navigate through society and social interactions with, the idea goes, the least amount of catch-ups and awkward pauses (I think that American culture is built around the idea of avoiding the awkward pause, but I digress...)

But when one starts to take this idea to the extreme, such as: all sweet lolitas must be sweet and sugary and hyper, or Gothic lolitas are all refined and aloof, and classic lolitas speak slowly with a very historically-inspired speech patterns, or perhaps pirate lolitas say, 'Arrr!'... It's starting to go a bit off the deep end (this is why a lot of non-lifestylers think lifestylers are crazy, guys! Take note!).

Lolitas are human beings. I know perhaps we try to escape that and pretend to be princesses, paupers, or dewdrops, but we are people who simply has a specific kind of aesthetic taste (and in the case of lifestylers, similar hobbies and world views around that taste). It sometimes seems to me that some of the newer, freshly excited lolitas see the lifestyle as a very complex LARP (live action roleplay) that never ends. They dress up, go about their lives with mincing steps, put Hello Kitty stickers on their notebooks, and subsist off of sponge cake for a week until their stomachs hurt. That's what lolitas do, they say. I'm one of those. That's what we do. But to me, this seems to be less committed than it is a phase, a game. The true lolita does not just play at being her idea of a lolita. She doesn't have to be. She simply is one, and that means going to work, wearing her clothes when she has time, and eating a decent tuna sandwich for lunch. It means going for a jog on Sunday mornings, in track pants, and when you get back, enjoying your favorite blend of tea. It is called a lifestyle because it is life.

This may seem to be common sense to you, my fantastic readers, but it is surprising that common sense is no longer so common. One of my main goals for my blog, and by extension, my vlogs on the Charm Channel, is to show that lolitas are real people, in any of their forms. We have been romanticized and reduced until we are something less than we are. Do not let yourself be simplified down into a least common denominator. The archetype of the lolita is powerful, but nothing like so powerful as the personality and heart of a real person. It is merely a small part of a much larger, more beautiful painting that is you.

Labels: discussion, lifestyle

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 12:27 AM 5 Comments

Fanplusfriend Review: Drop Pleat Skirt and Military Jacket

Lately I've had a flutter in my heart for Gothic and aristo styles of lolita. Like a tiny black butterfly (and yes, you can kill me for that cliched simile, if you like!) I've had a such an upswing of interest in our darker sisters. I finally bit the bullet and ordered two pieces for my winter wardrobe, both from Fanplusfriend: a long drop-pleat grey skirt and a grey military jacket. I received my items today! There are no photos yet, which I will explain below (hence the stock photos). However, here is the rundown for anyone interested in placing an order with them, or interested in their aristo items.

The items are beautiful. They make me feel like some dark era Snow White or gypsy witch in a fantasy version of England, or Romania.

The skirt is ankle-length and made of a heather grey cotton, toned blue. It is lined with a grey silk that is attached to the cotton at certain points with very good stitches. It is quite huge - it has a great deal of fabric and it is heavy! It is meant to be worn over hoops, believe it or not, but I did not order hoops (I admit it: I'm intimidated!) and it can be worn without for a more casual, straighter silhouette.

However, this skirt is quite long on me. I ordered the length specially at 35 inches instead of 41 (can you imagine have a 41 inch long skirt on a 25 inch waist? You'd be quite tall and thin both! I could only dream of being so wonderfully tall!) and even paid an extra $5, however I received the standard 41 inches. I even pinned it up myself with straight pins as a test and yes, just a shortening will work. I'll be bringing it to my local tailor tomorrow to get her opinion (hence the lack of photos, but there will be some - and hopefully a video - by the end of the week!) I may also ask for small hooks along the sides so as to 'hoist' the dress temporarily for greater movement and shorter length. If this works out, it will be included in the photos.

The jacket is also beautiful and extremely versatile - I'll be wearing it with much more than lolita, and if you were interested, it would even look pretty fierce with - gasp! - jeans! The look is sharp-edged and boxy, but with flounce layers of box-pleats to keep the look feminine. The style could be described as: 'My fiance joined the steampunk wars and left me only his uniform jacket'; or a princess whose country has gone to war and turned to vigilantism. As a nod to this, I think it must be worn with a tiny tiara and absolutely huge, teased side ponytails.

The fit could be smaller in the waist, but I ordered the items slightly larger for insurance. To remedy that, there is a working sash that ties in a bow to the side, with belt loops that add a very military touch; but there is also the possibility of the wide, black elastic belts that are popular right now for an instant modern update. Emphasizing a small (natural height, slightly above the belly button) waist is in right now for mainstream fashion and is even leaking into lolita, prompting belts worn at the smallest part of the torso (can be bow-shaped for extra points!). I think this is especially attractive when added to a large or bell-shaped skirt, as it draws attention to the silhouette. I often use things in a larger scale to me to make myself look smaller and more doll-like or delicate, and this is the case here. The large skirt and boxy jacket look like I am smaller when paired with delicate black heels and the illusion of a tiny waist. By using proportions, I play up the fact that I am considered petite by American standards. I won't go into dressing for your shape here, but it's something to consider.

The communication between Fanplusfriend and I went quite well - I didn't have very long wait between communications. They shipped the items as soon as they were made and arrived even before other things I had ordered earlier. And the tracking number followed them right to my door. So as long as I get the length cleared up on the skirt, I'd say it has been a very good experience! And I'll be updating on that, so keep your eyes peeled!

Labels: aristocratic, fashion, review

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 10:27 PM 5 Comments

Inspiration Station!

I follow a lot of blogs and communities that focus on two things: beautiful pictures and positive thoughts, preferably backed with beautiful words (and more beautiful pictures!) I admit that I use them the way an addict uses a drug: for a number, a hit, a boost, a sudden shot that turns my imagination to turbo-drive. It spins out into a world of rainy fairytales, ruffled pleats, and drink-me bottles. That's the place where I get my inspiration, and from there is turns into other things - like poetry, or blog posts, or outfit ideas, or photoshoots. Keeping yourself supplied with a steady flow of unusual and beautiful things is important for you as a person, as a soul. And as lolita, it's doubly important - because, I believe, we are so much more sensitive to visual affects. I've had friends describe the need to experience beautiful things (like a piece of music, a painting, or simply a cloudscape) as much as SAD sufferers crave sunlight. It can drag you from a depression, or cause you to see things differently; it can cause you to create something in homage, or simply say, 'No, it should be like this - ' and then create that! It can do so much for one's sense of self and sense of... universe, for lack of a better term.

To this end, I provide you with a few such gems to keep your inspiration-o-meter full! Doctor's orders, to keep you with all of the Vitamin Lovely that you need :)

1. There's Always a Reason to Smile 2. Inspired By 3. Adults Deserve Fairytales Too (Neil Gaiman and photo by his novel/movie Stardust) 4. laceandflora 5. pearlsandtea 6. Romantic Princess 7. Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle (fascinating period costumes and dark medical intrigue) 8. L'empire des Dentelles 9. Herr Drosselmeyer's Doll (beautiful song by Abney Park and showcased in this wonderful Princess Tutu AMV)

as always, click the image for a larger size. You'll see the details much better this way!

Labels: inspirational, link carousel

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 6:19 PM 3 Comments

Lolita Blogging: Is It For You?

Recently the author of Princessly Living asked the community as a whole about how to make her blog more productive, and I replied with an absolute mountain of text. There's a lot to blogging, probably lot more than people realize, especially at first. And just as Miss Lumpy and I predicted, lolita blogging has been on the rise. No sooner were the words spoken than lolita blogs started popping up everywhere! Maybe you've even thought of it lately - starting a blog about your favorite fashion or take on lolita. A little url, some graphics, and a bit of typing - can't be that hard, right? Well - it is and it isn't. Here are some tips if you'd like to get started:

• Choose something you're passionate about. In the case of lolita bloggers, they're obviously interested in lolita. But narrow in a little closer - do you want to write about culture, fashion trends? Recipes, activities, or events? Maybe you want a jack-of-all trades style? Or is there are specific substyle you'd like to cater to in your audience? Can you feel like you'd be able to churn out a new thought or idea about your chosen subject at least once a week?
  
• Audience: who are you writing for? I started out writing for mostly a lifestyle sweet lolita, generally because that's who I am - but as it has grown and I have grown, it's expanded beyond lifestyle and certainly beyond just sweet. I'll be debuting my first Gothic style soon, keep watching! Today I stitched things together out of black veils...
• A blog requires more skills than just writing, though a good writing ability is important (if it's written in a boring tone, or never gets the point, your readers won't be coming back!), you also need other skills. Running a blog is like being a one-woman (or man!) magazine: writing, editing, publishing, designing, and marketing your work. I do all of my own graphics, for example, and all my own coding and networking.
• Network! This is the fancy, capitalist name for 'making friends'. This actually one of the most fun parts of having your own blog. Read other blogs and get to know the people who read yours. Reach out to your audience. If someone has something you think your readers would be interested in (like a new fashion line, a specific makeup, maybe a book coming out) - go with it! You'll meet some very fabulous people this way, and you and your readers are both entertained :)
• Market your blog and yourself. If there are people who you think would want to read your blog, tell them about it! Mention it until people are absolutely sick of you, because out of the thousand who are sick of it, one new person might be interested. And if one person gets something out of what you've written, then that's enough :) And as to marketing yourself: guess what - you're a part of your blog! Hiding behind the screen isn't going to help much. People want to make relationships, to develop an attachment to your blog. Have a distinct voice in your writing. Take photos of things you find beautiful. Film your own videos, and let people know what you look like!
  
• Love your blog. If I didn't have other commitments and did have a limitless supply of funds, I'd spend all my time working on bettering my blog. Buying products to tout, going to events to cover, shooting photos. It could easily be a full-time job for me (alas I also work, go to school, feeds the cats, you name it). It takes time and dedication - not only time on your part, but time on the part of the blog. It's like a lavender plant - it is cultivated over years, not a short peak week. Speaking of which, LC is coming up on its one-year anniversary! Very pleased to say :) Exciting things going on then!

The most important thing about blogging is to love doing it. It's definitely not for everyone - sort of like exotic pets. But if you can be brave and open, it can lead to quite the magical adventure. Don't go in with expectations or thinking of it as a means to an end - do it because it genuinely makes you happy. It certainly does for me!


p.s. - Why yes I did slap a bow on this bloggin' poodle, how did you know? Honestly though, who doesn't love apricot poodles?!

Labels: guide

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 7:03 PM 11 Comments

The Last Shoot Until The Big Day!

Sunday was a bright summer day on set with LoliGirls again! Unfortunately my camera got left at the house, but Megan from Kato Productions got some great photos :)

It was also a full day because it was our first formal meetup with all of the models for our Connecticon lolita fashion show. Over a table of cupcakes and ice water (it was really hot yesterday! As you can see I opted out of blouse and socks both) we discussed all of the logistics, from the lineup to shoe sizes to security. Schedules were coordinated and carpools arranged, and quite a few 'that's what she said' jokes were cracked. After we took measurements (with Miss Julia on tape measure and myself as secretary), we concluded our meeting.

So, want to know more about our fashion show? This year we are putting on a full-fledged lolita fashion show in the main events hall on Friday, July 31st, at 5:30 PM. Last year we only put on a panel, but there was such a demand for our return from congoers that we arranged for something a little more epic :) We'll be showcasing examples of all styles of lolita dress, including various boystyle and aristocrat. There will also be a short preview of the documentary LoliGirls: The Story Behind the Frills and Bows, and a special audience participation show. So if you're planning on coming, come dudded up so you can show off in the spotlights! If you're in Connecticut or any of the surrounding states (Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, or New Jersey) we'd love for you to come! Of course, if you're not able to make it, rest assured that I'll be covering everything for you on Lolita Charm ;)

After we closed up the meeting and filmed our commercial for the opening ceremonies (you'll see it on the big screen at CTcon!) we headed out to Blue Back Square in West Hartford for a little more on-location filming. This was the easiest shoot we've done yet - we sipped iced chai lattes (the official drink of LoliGirls' star actresses, I believe we always order them!) while the public reacted around us. We also had a special guest today, our CT lolita friend Jesi (shown above) - she taught me how to make lucky paper stars while we were on set :) I'm really glad she came with us that day, it was a lot of fun. And as usual after shooting, we retired to a nearby cafe for eats - this time at Cosi's, one of our usual haunts for a good soup and sandwich.

Sunday was the last shoot for LoliGirls until the fashion show (two weeks)! I am quite sad to be done with it so soon, we've had a lot of fun filming this movie. I really hope we get the backing to make a full-length sequel - I hope our journey doesn't end here!

Labels: ctcon, documentary

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 12:12 PM 11 Comments

Lolita Perfume

Often the topic of lolita makeup and beauty comes up, and quite often on this blog. But there is one topic that is often forgotten, perhaps because it is only known in person, and not on the Internet: the delicate beauty that is perfume. As a child, I bought a very cheap bottle of scent that was colored bright yellow, said 'mellow' on it with a picture of a sofa, and smelled enough to take the paint off your nails. Ever since then I haven't had much luck with perfumes. But the idea of it is still haunting me: the notion that a particular scent makes someone think of you; that it lingers on the notes you lend to the shy boy in your English class; that you too can have the essence of a wild rose or white lily.

But what kind of perfume would go best with lolita? How do you avoid getting stuck with a Tequila-smelling, couch-labeled spray? Never fear - I've got a few suggestions.

• Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Perfect for any kind of lolita, from gothic to classic to sweet and in between. Long popular with the Gothic and Lolita set, they carry many complex scents. One of my favorite collections is their Mad Tea Party, based on various passages from Alice in Wonderland. A sample of their scent The Mock Turtle is described on their site as: ' Not quite Turtle Soup: blurry aquatic notes, with a confusing, contrary splort of iris, ambrette, green apple, vodka, white mint and a squish of lime.'
• Demeter Fragrance Library - Also the place to go for unusual and true to life aromas. Some examples of their perfumes are Crayon, Snow, and Angel Food Cake.
• Lush - I'm not lucky enough to have been to a Lush store before, but I have heard such good things about them that I'm on the hunt for one near me. They aren't specializers of perfumes per se, but they also carry other beautifully scented products that'll leave you smelling like sugar. One that sounds very delicious is the Candy Fluff Dusting Powder. Another bonus? Their products are natural and many are vegan.
• Department Store Perfumes - I find a few perfumes marketed by designers or celebrities are also lovely. A few such are Princess by Vera Wang, Nina by Nina Ricci (beloved to me because of her Adams' family and Penelope legacy as well as it's Snow White-like, apple shaped bottle), and the ever-mentioned Lolita Lempicka.
  
• LuckyScents - If you're looking for something unusual and hard-to-find, this is the place to go. They also have an excellent article called 'Perfumes - The Guide'.
• DIY - If you're still at a loss for the perfect perfume, try mixing your own with essential oils. You can usually purchase these at apothecaries and metaphysical shops. You can also whip up your fragrance according to its magical properties - like cinnamon for energy and lavender for calm. And a plus - nobody else will have quite your signature scent. Also, our friend cameofigure adds: "Not all scents you buy are essential oils, but if you have an actual, labled essential oil, you should put it in another liquid- such as grapeseed oil, or top-shelf, odorless vodka. Many essential oils can cause rashes, or burn-like reactions when applied directly to the skin. Very not cute." An excellent point! Please be careful when putting anything on your skin!
  

I hope you enjoyed this little olfactory-pleasing journey with me! Please share any favorites you have :)

Labels: cosmetics

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 12:02 AM 11 Comments

Looking Your Age in Sweet Lolita

For years I've looked much younger than my real age. Ever since I turned 18, people began to mistake me for a girl as young as 10, and generally pinpoint me at around age 15, or 16 on a good day. My real age? 20! I'm not sure if it's my Gemini cusp characteristics coming out or the sweet lolita, but either way - it can get a little old (another pun!)

But I do love sweet lolita. Poodles, ribbons, bows, and cupcakes? How could I resist? But is there a way to avoid getting offered the childrens' menu every time you don your favorite Angelic Pretty dress? Or what if you're just not as young as you used to be, but still love the style? Here are some tips to keep your sugar sweet:

Labels: fashion, guide

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 3:00 PM 7 Comments

Ma Cherie Nail Tutorial

I believe that lolita fashion is about the details, and that includes your nails! Sometimes I too fall victim to have chipped polish in lolita, but I try to avoid it. I'm also not a big user of false nails, especially for daily wear. Nail piercing and giant acrylic ice cream cones are fun, but I can't see myself using a calculator or typewriter with them... or even blogging! So I devote special time to designing myself lolita manicures that are using your natural nails only. An hour or two painting your nails while watching television can save you both the hassle and pain of ripped falsies, and save your money from salon visits.

I did a modified, daily-wear version of this ad from Miss Dior Cherie. (As always, click for larger image.)

This tutorial is workable for all big styles of lolita (Gothic, Sweet, and Classic) and could look cute with Himeloli or Himegyaru as well.

You will need:

-Sally Hansen's Sugar Bare or any soft peach or powder pink
-delicate shimmer in peach or gold
-Sally Hansen Hard as Diamonds Topcoat (i really recommend this. No smudges, long lasting... it's the best.)
-Black Lace Creme from Wet 'n' Wild, or any opaque black
-pink or clear crystals, these are Swarovski flatback style

Start with clean fingernails with the appropriate length and filing. The Dior style uses square tips for that bow-tie look but I'm not a fan of those, so mine are just rounded.

1. Coat all nails with soft peach until you get opaque coverage. Let dry.
2. Apply coat of delicate shimmer.
   
3. When dry, carefully paint on French manicure with the black.
   
4. Use your topcoat to apply a layer of clear when the black has dried (black might have a tendency to run if wet).
5. Take out your package of rhinestones. I use the tip of my finger pressed into the top of the crystal, but you can use tweezers if you want. Apply the rhinestone so that it overlaps the black and pink. You can gently nudge it a teeny bit if you need to; not too much though, or else the line will actually fold.
   
6. Add a second layer of topcoat over the entire nail and over the crystal. This seals in the rhinestone and stops it from falling off. After a few weeks you will probably start to notice missing crystals, but by then it is time to do your nails over anyway.
   

Labels: cosmetics

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 12:15 AM 3 Comments

July Style Tips

• Go on a hunt for wildflowers and then press in the pages of a fat book. A few pretty ones I like are forget-me-not, blue-eyed grass, and Johnny Jump-ups.
• Got new things coming in the mail? When they arrive, model yourself a little fashion show and have fun strutting your catwalk. Bonus points for including your friends or video/photos.
• Be careful not to get too much sun! I use Bare Escentuals makeup which has a dose of SPF 15, to protect my skin.
• Give yourself a new manicure every few weeks - it will always make you feel polished. Currently I have a black and pink French going on with rhinestones - tutorial and photos to come!
• Make a dessert or dish with whichever fruit is in season in your area. Cherries and peaches are in season here, and I'm looking forward to peach cobbler!
• If you're on summer break, now is the time to experiment with new makeup and hair ideas, as no one will see you with botched eyeliner at 8 am on a Monday. Some ideas: learning how to make a Clara Bow lip, the famous bow hair, or trying faux nails for the first time.
• Believe it or not, now is the time to start planning and thinking about next season's wardrobe! If you're in the southern hemisphere, the summer clothes popular this season might be going on sale soon; for the northern hemisphere, start picking out more autumn and winter appropriate things. The snow will be here before you know it!
• Enjoy impromptu lightening storms from the shelter of your window or garage, with a pot of iced peach tea and perhaps a friend.
• If it's too hot for your tastes, take a trip to your local (air-conditioned!) mall and hunt lolita goodies at places like Claire's, Forever 21, or even Hot Topic. Air conditioning is also supposed to help with seasonal allergies, which I am unfortunately experiencing.
• If you can find one, head to a drive-in movie with a gaggle of girls. To bring: crazy shaped gummy candy and a batch of cupcakes - preferably frost your own with a spare knife and a tub of icing!
• Throw on your favorite cutesy swimsuit and bow and make rainbows with your garden hose! Letting the chalk run on your sidewalk art is also a great use of summer water :)
  

Labels: style tips

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 1:13 AM 6 Comments

On the Set of LoliGirls: Take 2!

Thursday was another filming of the upcoming documentary LoliGirls! It was another excellent take.

We began our day at the Curiosity Shop, which is a vintage shop of all novelties. Some of the pretties we spotted included: Victorian eyeglasses, embroidered gloves, beautiful furniture, antique lockets, crazy fur stoles, and the most fantastic hats since 1920. My treasures were a pair of black leather gloves embroidered in very tiny stitches. On further inspection they were revealed to be from France. My other find was a very pretty gold and pearl crown pin that I'll wear on the lapel of my coat this winter.

Unfortunately the day was just as hot as yesterday, and the air conditioning was cut to reduce background noise. On just such a day, our saviors were fabulous iced chais! I love chai tea but usually enjoy it hot. These absolutely hit the spot with a gingerbread-nutmeg flavor. We also had takeaway from the nearby wrap and sandwich shop, supplemented by fresh cherries when returning to the studio.

At the studio everyone started unpacking lolita clothes for the next segment of the film. The above photo is the entirety of our bounty - about one quarter of each girl's wardrobe. So you can imagine how much each of us really have! It was even more expansive when we skipped over to the impromptu fashion show aspect, and realized we could clothe three girls four times in twelve distinctly different outfits. The fashion show was an absolute ball. There is nothing more fun that dressing up in your friends' clothes, everyone grappling for control of the computer to choose the next song, and stomping around perfecting your runway Clydesdale step. Of course it shortly degenerated into a dance and hula hoop party.

See what I mean?

Labels: documentary

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 10:45 AM 6 Comments

Coffee and Kittens: On the Set of LoliGirls

Yesterday Miss Lumpy, Miss Julia and I attended another filming for the upcoming documentary of LoliGirls! I'll try not to give too much away about the film, but thought that you might reading a bit about the process and the experience of being a documentary subject.

Most of my work has been in photography modeling or some runway work, so it was something else all together to take direction in front of a camera. As a film maker for my amateur vlogs, I know that you sometimes take much more than you'll actually use. Or sometimes a take doesn't got the way you'd like, and thus the blooper reel is created. Nothing too crazy occurred, but I'm such a klutz on my feet, so...

We visited a coffee/teahouse in Wallingford, CT, for our set. It's a charming place called 'Coffee And...' which offers an array of sweets, pastries, and delicious teas and lattes. The day was really quite hot, so we decided to sample the chilled peach tea. I really recommend it! I'm not a big fan of iced tea but this was very delicious without being too sweet or too bitter. We also had some tasty macaroons with sprinkles, jam-filled tarts, and a scrumptious item that was two flavors of cheesecake... covered in chilled dark chocolate. If you're in the area I definitely suggest giving them a visit! The staff was very helpful to our filming endeavor as well :)

As last time we were kitted out with microphones to pick up our individual sound. Mine was strung right up the back of blouse and bustier, I felt like a marionette! Until this project I'd never realized that sound was such an important part of film, but it really does make all the difference! Even tiny background sounds can be picked up.

After filming there, we headed back to our director Kate's studio for a more formal filming. A big excitement is that she has a new kitten named Bean, who as a constant, lovable distraction!

It was also my birthday, and they surprised me (and Miss Julia, whose birthday was the week before) with pink cupcakes and icing! It was very sweet, I can't think of anything else I would have liked to do for my birthday :) Thank you everyone!

You can view more on set production photos at the LoliGirls Official Website.

And I'm happy to say that Kate has also given an interview on the film and making of it here!

Labels: documentary

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 1:36 PM 2 Comments