Aesthetics of Interior Design

When I grow up and buy a house, it will look ridiculously girly just like this.

My bedroom will look like:

I always thought having seating in bedrooms was so luxe.

My dining room will look like:

No room is complete without a chandelier.

My living room will look like:

Slipcovers really shouldn't be that hard to make. Wall moldings on the other hand...

My entertainment room/study will look like:

For gaming and LAN parties. I'd want at least one room that's slightly more casual with a pop 80s flair.

My kitchen will look like:

Which won't need much anyway since I eat most things raw.

My toilet will look like:

Complete with pink toilet paper.

This best part is that a lot of these things can be bought from Romantic Princess. They're actually not too expensive.

When the eye looks at complicated rooms like the ones posted, it seems like it would be impossible to recreate that, only because you're taking everything in at once. My mother is into interior design (the downstairs of her house looks like a Renaissance castle) so I've seen her do the work and slowly build it up to make it look impressive.

Once you break everything up into sections, it's much easier to deal with. You start from the edges of the room (wall color, flooring, window treatments) as these create the backdrop, and work your way in with bigger focal pieces (furniture), and finish off with everything else (accessories, furniture, plants).

Anyway, if I had a house like that I'd probably have to become a lesbian because no man would tolerate living there. XD

Quake Lolita Clan?

One of my lifelong observations has been the concept of deception in the context of social stereotypes. For example, I find it interesting when girls who are into fashion and taking care of themselves looks-wise also happen to do very well in math and science. Also when a party comes up, and the shy gamer "one of the guys" type girl shows up in a hip-hugging red little mini-dress, and suddenly everyone realizes that she's female. Being a lolita/fashion-conscious computer science major, this is pretty much the story of my life.

I started playing QuakeLive this week, which is basically Quake III for your browser. It's free, extremely fun, and their key feature is this match-making algorithm that suggests matches that are ideal for your skill level (so you aren't discouraged by getting fragged every other second, yet still improve).



Relating to the above, I thought it would be fun to start a lolita Quake clan. We could all practice together just for a few hours a week and make ourselves known as the girls in frills and rail guns. All skill levels would be welcome, as the supporting environment of a clan would surely help everyone improve. The only requirement is that you have at least an appreciation for lolita fashion (no, you don't need to wear it while you play) and of course, that you're looking to have fun. We'll take a vote on our clan name once we get enough members, but some possibilities I'm thinking of are:

- Team Lolita
- Unicorn Clan
- Angelic Rockets

You get the idea.

Quake is a fairly popular game, so there should be like, ten lolita Quakers worldwide? XD If you're interested, feel free to drop a comment or email me. The QuakeLive site is here and like I said, it's as easy as installing the plugin and doing a little tutorial to assess your skill level.

Eau de Lolita

Picking a fragrance can be an accurate embodiment of the aesthetics you wish to project. It's just a matter of finding the right one that works for you, and that means figuring out how a particular fragrance works with your body chemistry.

For the longest time, I used to hate "feminine" floral fragrances, and opted for fresher, citrus smells like CKOne and Tommy Hilfiger. But later I realized that most cheap fragrances happen to smell sweet because it's easy to formulate that type of smell. And the stereotypical middle aged office women around also seemed to all choose that musty, overly-spiced potpourri type of scent to marinade in.

Any time of perfume will be terribly dizzying if you don't use it sparingly and let it mix with your body oils, because you're only smelling the alcohol. It's kinda like make up. I can't just buy the darkest foundation available, cake it on, and expect it to look good. Instead, I find one that works well with my skin tone, and use it where I need it. If someone says, "I like your foundation!" you're probably doing it wrong.



Here are some of my favorite loli-able fragrances:

Princess by Vera Wang: I'm sure millions of lolitas have this just because of the name, and the majestic faceted heart-shaped bottle with the pretty crown top (yep, I'm one of them). Luckily, the fragrance itself is pretty versatile and unimposing. Simple flowers and fruits such as (lifted from the internet): water lily, apple, mandarin meringue, golden apricot skin, dark chocolate, amber, musk, and vanilla. I think it's definitely a fresher light floral that is also chic and modern.

Tea Rose: This is great if you're on a budget as less expensive doesn't inherently mean lower quality. I used this when I was around 16 because it was just a simple rose scent. That's it. Nothing fancy but still classic and pretty. If you just want an old-fashioned genuine-smelling rose scent, this is worth picking up.

Miss Dior Cherie by Dior (pictured above): This is my current obsession because I love the way it smells on me. Definitely on my Christmas wishlist. I would describe this scent as soft and sweet, and most importantly, extremely natural. It's one of those scents that would easily pass as someone's actual body scent when you get close to them. I like that it's not obvious I'm wearing a perfume. I love the commercial for it too. It's by the same director that made Marie Antoinette.

The way I always wore my perfume is subtle and simple- just one spray in the center of my bare chest. I think it smells best there because it's kept warm, dark, and thus it's easier for the fragrance to mix with the oil on my skin for that unique and natural scent (that's why perfume smells differently on different people). Other options are the back of your neck, throat, and pulse points (wrists and backs of knees).

I would strongly advise that when you try perfumes at the store, to test it like you would normally wear it because perfume often smells completely different than when it's on those little cardboards. Yes, this means I can be seen shoving a perfume bottle up my shirt, much to the concern of cosmetologists. XD Don't worry if they seem anxious. I mean, peoples' skin isn't made out of cardboard, so what's the point of testing how it smells on it? Good perfume is formulated to work with your body oils but I'm getting repetitive now. XD

Petit Lapin d'Hiver

Lolitas should love Betsey Johnson's jewelery. Although most of her clothes rest more in the mature and sexy rockabilly scene, her jewelery is quite versatile, innocently kitschy, and whimsical. More importantly, the charms are high quality enamel and there's no plastic in site.



Today I received this snow bunny necklace as a gift. It reminds me so much of AP's Dressing Up Bunny because of the puffy tail and the little choker it's wearing. It also has a heart on it's ear, and comes with a lavender bow. I had a friend who once defined the word cute as "complicated small things" and this totally fits it.

Betsey Johnson's jewelery is not terribly mass-produced, either. I tried to find a stock picture of the above necklace, but there are a million variations of it, ranging from simple to dramatic.

Lolita Modeling

Most lolitas probably already know, but Bodyline is having another bi-annual model contest. Basically, you post some photos and measurements for a chance to have an interview with the founder and boss of Bodyline, Mr. Yan. Then from those interviews, the next step is to see if you are selected to fly over to Japan to be a temporary catalog model for Bodyline.

Will yours truly be entering to win this contest? Probably not. I've had my share of dealings with Mr. Yan after getting to the interview stage during last summer's contest, but after becoming a ~serious model~ on ModelMayhem, I've come to grips with defining and sticking to my own standards. And that means I only work for free if I have at least 50% of the say in how photographs are shot, altered, and distributed.

I don't think Mr. Yan is a creep or a rapist. But I do think people need to know what they're getting into. Bodyline having an international contest is not because they want a foreign model (there are plenty of gaijin in Japan). Mr. Yan is aware of the weeaboo dream of coming to the Holy Land and is more than willing to offer a plane ticket there as the prize itself. This is likely much cheaper than paying a domestic model Japanese wages. I noticed that they're not even offering a $1,000 grand prize anymore, probably because they want to see if they still get a satisfactory selection pool without the incentive of money.

Modeling itself is already an industry reeking with scams and exploitation simply because there is so much supply for the demand. For example, I don't see any terms or conditions posted on the website, and as far as I know, it could be something like, "You will work straight from 5AM to 11PM with no breaks and no pay," and since you'd be a foreigner in Japan, your rights would be limited. If you try to negotiate the terms, you run the risk of simply being sent back home.

I'm really glad that I'm not a paid model, because that's just an open door to all kinds of sketchy treatment. I already have a profession, and modelling is just a hobby, which means no one can expect anything from me since they're not paying me. I model for myself, and to create my own art.

I was negotiating something with a photographer who wanted to pay me for some ballet modeling, and the conversation turned to him trying to creep his way into convincing me to do some bikini shots (this is some random middle aged guy I've never even met, not to mention that my profile clearly states I don't do bikini/lingerie with people I don't know). Upon telling him that I model for myself and not for money, he became appalled. The fading line between art and profession disturbs me sometimes.

Anyway, the only feasible way I would consider modeling for Bodyline is if the following conditions are met:

1. The plane ticket is purchased for a week ahead of the shooting, as to give me some actual vacation time in Japan. I will pay for my own accommodations.
2. I bring an escort of my choice to all shoots and excursions.
3. I get three evenly dispersed meals a day, as well as water breaks as I need them.
4. I work no more than eight hours a day. Bodyline will pay for living accommodations for me and my bodyguard while I am working for them.
5. I get to teach your staff how to actually do hair and makeup so as to not make models look like Vietnamese child prostitutes. I won't charge you. You're welcome.

There, I think that's fair. I know, it's not gonna happen.

Princess Says: Screw boring colors!

Cold weather making you dreary? There's no rule that says you have to wear nothing but dusty black and frumpy brown during the later autumn and winter months. It saddens me to see nothing but rows of boring black winter coats in the department stores. Why not turquoise? Or orange? Even pretty white coats are sparse because you'd have to take them to the dry cleaner's once a season and that would be simply terrible. Any actual interesting coats are usually low quality and unlined because it's assumed you won't wear them everyday. Just because the economy isn't great doesn't mean people have to dress like conservative widows. Jeez.

At least bright opaque tights have been all the rage this season (I have them in hot pink, lime, purple, silver and lavender). Fall is arguably the best season for fashion because the temperature allows for maximum comfort for layering.

Even though this blog is for lolita, there's no reason lolita can't be bright and use eccentric prints. Angelic Pretty and now Baby have leopard print coats. Now let's just turn up that hue. I'd love to see Magic Whip coordinated with lime green tights and a lavender cardigan.

Here are a couple of recent outfit posts, from today and yesterday:

Pink + Green Forever


One of the only two decent hot pink coats I've seen this season. This one is by Guess and it's very high quality (fully lined, warm, and many little details). I love how pleated mini skirts look peeking out from coats of this length- it reminds me of Japanese schoolgirls for some reason. Actually, I hardly ever see anyone wearing over-the-knee socks either. o_O

Neon Pony


Like fairy kei but with higher saturation. Later, I hooked my My Little Pony keychain onto a belt loop. Instant decora!

Émilie Simon

Lately I've been listening to Émilie Simon again. She is a French singer and her music style ranges from soft melancholy to electronica to light rock. She has an adorable voice, and sings about things like flowers and the weather. Her music sometimes reminds me of depressed French girls laying in bed with smudged mascara and cigarette laced between fingers, which is fine if you don't take it too seriously. Like Dragonforce. :P



I think lolitas and other aesthetics will appreciate her somber Desert music video, in which she plays a pretty rag doll stuffed with roots that whimsically grow flowers when exposed.

Fleur de Saison is more upbeat video of hers that's all about the seasons. It's quite pretty and interesting to watch.


!!! She has the mint Stratocaster I posted!

On Jewelery

Okay, AP's Star Night plastic jewelery is pretty adorable, but before you go out and blow $50+ on something you could make yourself, consider just what supplies you could easily attain if you don't already have them at home.

I never buy jewelery unless it's actually made of the material being mimicked, or unless it's really cheap (like how plastic jewelery should be). The reason for this is that I was really into the jewelery-making scene when I was 11-12 years old, and if a freaking preteen can make decent looking jewelery with standard supplies, then there's no reason to toss money at something you can whip up in a couple of lunch breaks at your work desk.

So let's look at this AP necklace. It's really only a (fake) gold chain with a string of beads tied to it, then a few dangling beads and charms on headpins and jumper rings. The most basic, easily attainable supplies at your local corporate craft store are:

- 1 gold-plated adjustable chain (if you have aunts, you probably have a million of these)
- 1 thin gold star charm (gold/silver charms are easy to find)
- Gold beads (called spacer beads, sold by the supplies)
- About 12 headpins
- 4 faceted crystal beads (Swarovski beads will do)
- Pink round glass beads
- Smaller frosted white glass beads
- Jumper rings
- Needle-nosed pliers

There you go. That's basically everything minus the star charms. For specifics like these, Etsy is a great place to go for weird or unusual charms. Oh, look what I found within a couple seconds of Google searching. Now you and all your friends can have Star Night necklaces! I can't find the smaller star charms right away, but I think these faceted ones will actually look much prettier.

As for the main charm decoration, you could get some big glitter pieces, adhere a few stars with a toothpick, and then spray adhesive to set. If you want to risk making copyright goodie-goodies tear their hair out, you can use a couple of "A" and "P" decal stickers in an old fashioned font (these are found by the scrap booking section), or you can use your own initials for a more personal flair. Your choice.

College for Lolitas

I decided to write this post on today's Lolita Secret post which contained an unusual concentration of college-themed drama. Basically, I think both "sides" are right. It's true that Ivy Leagues are not for everyone, nor are they an indicator of intellect, experience or hard work. It is also true that not enough lolitas (or American kids in general) take their future seriously.

Take it from a lolita who has been there, and done that. I was the first in my immigrant family to ever attend college, so I had absolutely no one to mentor me, much less donate a dime to my tuition. I figured everything out by myself in one big culture shock (the best education comes from immersion). Here is my college advice since I know several high school aged lolis read this blog.

1. Figure out what you want to concentrate in and RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. There is no such thing as a school that is good for everything and the quality of your school will depend highly on what you choose to major in. If everyone went to a $50K school regardless of what their major was, we would have a whole lot of people with tons of people-skills, little technical skills, and tons of unnecessary debt. State schools aren't as bad as everyone makes them out to be- it really depends on which state school specifically, and which major within that school.

The success of some majors rests heavily on networking and people-skills (law, most liberal arts). For these, I would suggest looking at the best big name school you can afford (after estimated scholarships, grants, and loans). For those interested in hands-on technical skills like automotive or massage therapy, community colleges offer the facilities to gain hands-on skills right away. For hard sciences, you're going to get by on your abilities and knowledge moreso than on who you know, so I would pick a well known corporate employer, and find out which schools they like to hire from.

2. Take as many AP classes in high school as possible. I cannot stress this enough. I took four, but I wish I had taken more as this is the wisest investment for an American college-bound kid. Seriously, these are the biggest time and money savers and I am surprised more parents and schools don't push them more. For a mere $85 (which can be waived if you don't have the financial means to pay), you get a chance to skip a $1000-$2000 course in college! It might seem like a pain in the ass now, but trust me, a little bit of hard work in your junior and senior years of high school will save you a ton of free time, which you can then use to take more advanced courses and graduate up to a year sooner.

3. Learn to play a little game called Hide Your Assets. The way financial aid works in the US is that your parents' riches are counted as your own, even if they refuse to help you out and prefer to "make you work for your education". Luckily for me, my parents were as poor as hobos because they spent all their money on twelve years of private schooling for me, so the government was kinder to me than most. But I know that plenty of my friends had awful financial aid packages because their parents made too much money (which they refused to use to fund their children's education).

Personally, I believe this is wrong on the part of the parents, as government aid is intended for students who have absolutely no financial means of paying for their education. With the way the economy is these days, kids don't just magically transform into self-sufficient adults the second they turn 18, especially if they wish to pursue a college education. Therefore, I believe parents are responsible for making sure their children require as little from the financial aid pool as possible.

First of all, make sure that your parents stop filing you as a dependent. If you are independent, it means that your parents will receive smaller tax returns. On the other hand, your financial aid will improve. If you have thousands of dollars saved up in your banking accounts, take it out three months before you apply for aid. Having cash around is unsafe, so invest it in something weird like a nice Persian rug or a few Puppet Circus OPs which you can sell back later. Don't invest it in something like a new car or a snow mobile, as these things count as assets. If you have any BMWs laying around, consider trading down to an older yet reliable Toyota Corolla or something. That's pretty much all you can do yourself. Your parents could always downsize the house, downsize the cars, sell any vacation homes, etc, which would also help.

4. INTERNSHIPS! I cannot stress the importance of actually having a decent amount of real life experience in your major prior to graduation. There are so many kids out there who work hard in the classroom, but when it comes down to a real life situation, they haven't a clue as to how to handle it. In-school work and internship work are both very different and businesses love internships because they're basically cheap labor in exchange for you putting them down on your resume. Ask your school about upcoming job fairs and take a three month internship during the summer so you aren't distracted by school. A lot of companies even offer relocation assistance, so don't let the location stop you if it's somewhere particularly reputable. Experience is so important to companies, that I would confidently say that it is preferable to have good internships over good grades rather than the inverse. You'll know when you have enough when you can just Google companies in your field and email them your resume (and they call you in for an interview immediately).


One thing I deem as highly underrated, is the importance of high quality primary school education. For some reason, most Americans take advantage of public K-12 education and then think that it's completely reasonable to expect their children to become geniuses in four years of top college education. Knowledge is a lifelong endeavor and it begins from Day 1. With the atrocious quality of public primary education in the US, I am extremely thankful that my parents gave up everything they had to send me to private Catholic school as I certainly would not be who I am today. Both my private schools were excellent in their English and writing departments, so not only am I fully bilingual, but I write much better than the majority of monolingual Americans.

Even if the fairy tales are bullshit, I cannot dismiss the superior discipline that Catholic education requires. Private school is where modern kids learn strange forgotten arts such as cursive penmanship, sentence labeling, and how to memorize and recite long archaic prayers. Parents complain about how it's impossible for their children to sit still during mass? By the age of eight, not only did we hold perfectly still, but we managed to file ourselves into the Communion queue and sing like little angels. Overall, I think the lack of structure and discipline are the bane of the upcoming generations.

Bootie Bounty

I love booties, and I love high heels with lolita. I also like looking at high-end fashion and replicating that couture look. So why not combine all this?

Despite popular belief, there is nothing wrong with giving lolita a sexy and sophisticated interpretation with the use of sky high runway-inspired footwear. Booties themselves look adorable with full skirts so I think the match is perfect. It sure beats Angelic Pretty's pink engineer boots.


AP with Marc by Marc Jacobs


Baby with Gucci


IW with Christian Louboutin


AP with Steve Madden (not high end I know, but I knew this color would be good for something)