All that Glitters... [really really brightly]

Good evening, everyone~ and not that I had made note of it, but I am back from a nice visit up north to see the godmother. More from to come [I can hope], because she sent me home with secondhand goodness. Now that I'm back, I'm doing my best to enjoy the last few days of winter break before things get hectic again. I'll touch a little on that, too... in a New Year's Future Plans post. Title... to... *Scratching out ideas.*

The mother and father persons got me a lovely pair of brooches from Premier Designs, the company that the mother person hosted a jewelry show from. Or rather, I should say, they are single brooches, that they bought two of, and as such, I plan to make a double brooch out of it. If you've ever wanted a good reason to hang on to necklaces that you've lost or broken the original piece that went with it, this is a good one.

These particular brooches in all their wide flower-esque sparkliness are reminiscent of the one strung across the mantle worn by Alucard, of the Castlevania series, designed by Ayami Kojima. While also inspirational of Aristocrat, it is a very involved cosplay, that probably won't happen for another few years. But at least I will have these already in my possession when I do get around to it.

I strung them with a Kuroshitsuji necklace, the knife in the middle a nod to the titular butler Sebastian, and his default weapon of choice, utensils. This is for the time being, until I actually need to secure a chain on for extended wear. Naturally, I plan to wear them a lot over the suit jacket and heavier blouses, though because I am slightly paranoid when it comes to losing parts off of jewelry, it may be an exclusive grand-day/night-out piece only. We'll see. I am now encouraged to acquire more, so they can be worn in a more day-to-day ensemble. Plus, more chain goodness to go with the Visual Kei.

Coincidentally, I also got a jewelry box for Christmas as well [from mother persons-side aunt]. I need to clear off space for it though [however it does impede Sebastian from upturning the folder stack].

I hope I can showcase them some more off and on, especially with this slew of new old things I've gotten from Boston~. In the meantime, I hope I've helped you all reach your sparkle quota for the day [...month...? year? ...hour...?].

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak

Into the New Year; A Variance

Good evening, everyone, and happy holidays to you all~! Whether you like to spend time at home with just you and a nice cup of hot cocoa, or travel hundreds of miles to gather with family and repeat your Thanksgiving feast all over again, I hope you all have a great end of the year! Get yourself a little something [or hey, maybe like me, one little-big something], and say to yourself, "I deserve it." because everyone can use a little self-love every now and then.

Before the year wrapped up, I wanted to do a little recap and reflection of my own as it were, and pretend to pass out sage wisdom about fashion lovers and lifestylists through the changing seasons of every year. Let's see where that goes, haha.

Undertaker continues to be my favorite current cosplay, despite the work.

I am reminded of a certain school...

Visual-Kei madness in all it's... madness. The coat will be featured soon~

Who the heck is this? Oh.

So what does this all add up to? Well, for those who might be confuzzled by my last little caption there, I suppose it comes down to this. Dressing in a select style allows for as much freedom as you have imagination. And that even if you are a lifestylist in your particular fashion, there are times when you're just going to have a "normal" day. I know for a fact I have lots of casual days, where I'm back in my graphic t-shirt and pants staple, sans anything remotely Visual Kei.

Well, that may be all well and good if you're the flexible type who doesn't mind having the occasional day out of the petticoat or without the dark make-up. This would seem meaningless though, to those of you die-hards out there who have been at your fashion lifestyle for years now. I applaud your skills and passion towards what you love~! But I can bet you you've had a day or two, maybe when you were sick, or knew that you weren't going to leave the house on a nice lazy weekend, where you may have question "How much?" if any you would dress up that day. But you still made yourself look amazing as always. This isn't a bad thing. What I'm getting at, is that a casual dressing day doesn't have to equal lounge-clothes or, che gasp, normal civilian wear. And how do you do that, even while staying true to your particular style? Simple~

Perhaps the easiest thing ever is to stop before you go all the way. Thought about those cupcake rings and necklaces to match the lone bow in your hair, Sweet Lolitas? Give them a day off, and wear just one petticoat, too. Like lots of necklaces like I do, all sorts of chrome and crucifixes and wallet chains galore, punk generation and Gothic friends~? Put one of each on, and leave it at that. Makes your morning routine a snap, too. You might not know what to do with those extra five minutes.

If you can stand the thought, add, subtract, or substitute some colors in your select style. I've stood by the all black Aristo myself, but I know all white Aristo, along with the regal colors of dark purples, blues, and reds, will look just as amazing [budget willing I finally can get around to adding some of that in]. Haven't got another color in sight? Make-up artists, show your stuff, and instead of a dark shadows or lipstick, try a bright, but radical color; dare you try red and gold phoenix-dragon eye shadow, with a ruby red lipstick? I'm out on a hunt still for blue lipstick myself.

Since we're on a roll here, if you're feeling as though, yes indeed, today I will be Gothic, Lolita, Gyaru, Visual Kei, etc., even though the weather isn't right for all those layers [or lack there of], another thing to try is to switch the garment itself. If you're a skirts all day everyday, why not try a pair of slacks, or gauchos [the pants that look like a skirt because of the flowyness] for those easy-breezy weekends? Are you a graphic t-shirt fan like me? Blouses can have awesome graphics, usually taking up the entire back, that are great when you might be out for just a night.

In the end, of course, everything you do is up to you. You know what you do and don't like, what works for you and what doesn't, so go out there and have fun with it. I'm satisfied with myself to be able to switch up between two fashions [and then some one the side, for cosplay], but know full well that because I am lazy in the morning, I can make due with my t-shirt ensemble. Here's to more trail and error, and amazing looks for the future.

Happy New Year's everyone, and all the best~!

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak

p.s. Sebastian is sharing his well wishes with you all, too. ^_^

*Hack hack hack.*

A Merry Christmas to All

Good evening, mina-sama. It's that special time of the year again, where everyone forgets common courtesy, forgets how to drive, and the rabid shopping beasts within them come out, all for the sake of buying gifts for loved ones over the holiday season. Mmmm~ I feel all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about the road rage and retail carnage.

On a much less sarcastic and indeed more sincere note, I hope that everyone will have a safe and wonderful holiday. If you travel far or near to be with others, take care on the roads, in airport security, or find that good position to sleep in on the bus or train. If you are hosting your family who journey from near and far, remember your gracious host etiquitte, even though you are family, and don't let drama upset the good times that are made to come during Christmas and New Years.

I hope to use this time productively of course, and with any luck there will be picture laden results in the New Year [ever since I obtained cutlery suitable to be scalpels for the planned Akabane cosplay, I seem to be in a sort of high to look for a long jacket/coat pattern]. Are you busy as well during this time? Or are you going to also do that relaxing thing? Curl up with a warm drink and a toasty hearth~ everyone.

With best wishes and hopes for the future, to you and yours everywhere.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak