Under De-Construction

Good evening, everyone. For the record, the title took two more minutes than usual [aka, those two minutes] to come up with, aaaah. I guess we all struggle with it. Our Golden Week is here~ and so soon, already gone... awww... I have to say, it's not as if I've been doing anything. It's actually quite terrible, I was sleeping. Sleep, sleep, sleep, SLEEP. And I think I'm caught up, but I still just want to sleep. Somewhere between the shut eye, I did something semi-productive.

Since the weather's warming up, it's hard to wear the full layers of Aristocrat and not become a hot mess [although I am temperature retarded, so I might be okay]. So I'm going to do my best to switch it up to Visual Kei, and emphasize the accessories and make-up. However, there's a important aspect to Visual Kei clothes that can make it easier for even beginners to build up a wardrobe. Aside from a norm of darker colors, deconstruction is your friend.

So, thinking to make a wide-necked shirt, sort of shoulderless, I did the thing anyone does now a days, and Googled how. I came across Salinabear on Youtube, who has a wide array of videos on how to tear up your T-shirt in a cool way. And I sure as hell have a lot of T-shirt's to tear up. I tried a look from this video, and cut down the back as in this video. Here's my results~!

My first subjects~ [why haven't I seen these shirts in forever?]

For a shirt more baggy than the ones in Salinabear's videos, I like how this came out.

Oh, and then I went out. [a pair of pants I haven't seen in forever.]

I was going to use the white shirts for the cut up the back, but I wrote stuff on the back, haha. So I dug around for another one that was a little smaller [the vast majority of the T-shirt's I have are also nightclothed sized from when I was a kid].

I ended up double weaving it, too. Don't be afraid to cut wide for this one.

I probably did something wrong as far as making the boat cut on the top, but eh, it's fine.

I'm not ready to cleave up my special graphic T's just yet, but perhaps I'll get some in the future, and with the extras I'll give it a whirl.

What's your opinion of pre-torn clothes? Do you think torn clothes are ever appropriate? If you have holey jeans/shirts/etc, how did you get them?

Oh Golden Week, here and gone. Please just a few more days~
Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaac

White and Eyelets and Hair, say what?

Good evening, everyone, hope your end-of-weekend is proving to be as it should be; relaxed, so one can enter into the week refreshed [even moreso if you have tomorrow off~]. My weekend started on Friday, and what a splendid three days it was. Friday was a SpaWorld day, and hardly anybody seemed to be around~ so it was as if we had the whole place to ourselves~. Saturday, I went down to the Gaylord National Harbor for one-day Katsucon [more on that to come]. And today~? 

Well, today I did work, and went to GSO rehearsal. Since laundry day was pushed back from being out all day Saturday, I had less things that were climate appropriate and decent to wear. But~, if the post title is any clue, guess what I managed~?

I couldn't have planned it better~ the perfect pair of eyelets all around~

Lo, despite a few posts back saying I wanted to get an all white Aristocrat ensemble, with the recent completion of the Nudy Boy shirt, I now have a nice coordination for a casual all white Visual Kei. I am not displeased by this. It's fun to come up with new things from ideas of something slightly [or even not at all] related.

I went with the checkered suspenders this time, rather than the one black, one white.

I don't have any white foot wear [yet], and I ran out of the house in a rush after stringing up the sleeves [since I can't use the same ones for the legs if I want to wear this combination, ahaha], so... barefoot marquis.

I also tried to do something with my hair. Emphasis on the 'try' and the 'something.' I double pinned the top part down, before changing it to up [V-kei is all about gravity defying mess o-dyed parts, haha]. I liked it well enough to take some pictures. Maybe I'll replicate it tomorrow and see how practical it is for work and class.

I approve of taking pictures of myself in the bathroom mirror if it's this way; after all, if you just turn the camera around, you can look into the mirrored camera and see what it's focused on, and avoid the flash.

I single pinned it here, but I'll probably double pin it if I wear it for a whole day.

And there we have it~. I'm glad I can showcase more Visual Kei, as this is the other major half of the blog. I say that, and then already know the next post[s] will be heavily cosplay related [but that too, is a part of the blog, my Triforce of me~...!]. Please indulge me this, if you will.

Do you ever do one color outfits? Do you find you break up the one color with a contrasting/complimenting colored accessories? And what's that rule about wearing white again?

February is soon coming to a close~

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak

Nudy Boy Shirt Complete

Good afternoon, everyone~ I hope the week went well for all. We finally had another dusting of snow yesterday, and by dusting, I do mean maybe and inch, the promptly melted in the three hours I went back to sleep. I almost wondered if I hallucinated it. If you all are getting snow, do a ritual-dance-something-or-other and send it to the east coast, please. I'm feeling cheated out of winter, it's no fun just having blistering cold winds [even if they blow my long coats out].

In other news, you might remember way back when, I had plans to turn my Nudy Boy shirt [the first one with Engrish over it] into a replica of my black Visual Kei pants; using my new best instrument of modification, eyelets, I made a T-shirt and detached sleeves. Since I didn't use siding, this was a relatively simple project by comparison to the pants [and the white Aeon ones as well], taking just under 2 hours.

Here's the shirt before.

In a store that usually sells things like this for $60, I was pleased to get it for $20.

The most important thing for this project was to correctly measure out the space for eyelets when hemming the cut sleeves back. It all goes a little something like this:

T and sleeves with hemmed ends.

Eyelets in.

1. If you decide to use siding for your sleeves, then you won't have to measure out extra to fold back. If your shirt in question is thicker, like denim, then you won't need to do either. This is for no siding. Depending on the size of your eyelet, you will have to adjust the measurements of how much you hem the shirt back. For 1/4" eyelets like I had, I just folded back the sleeves about 2.5 cm. Add that to the end of where you want the eyelets to go, because you're folding that part back. Cut a little extra for seam allowance. Repeat the same for the now-detached sleeves.
   
   
2. Turn your shirt and sleeves inside out, pin, and sew all around.
   
   
3. If you want, you can turn your T and sleeves back out the right way, unless you're okay with measuring and cutting the holes for the eyelets from the inside out. I recommend doing it from the outside. Measure how far apart you'd like your eyelets [and remember, you have to add the same amount to each detached sleeve, so make sure of how many you have], and trace the inside of  DEEP END eyelet over each mark.
   
   
4. Cut out the hole through both layers. Watch your fingers!
   
   
5. Put the DEEP END of the eyelet through the outside, and the shallow end on the inside. Get a nice sturdy surface [a garage floor or spare 2x4 works great] and hammer away~!
   
   
6. Thread the T and sleeves together with your string/ribbon of choice.

Finished, all strung up~

Tada~. Magnificent results, if I do say so myself. And not one chip of nail or polish. I'd say that's pretty good. Aaaaand~ being primarily all white, it'll go great with the Aeon pants~. Now I have the urge to find a white rose hair piece...

Do you use eyelets for clothing projects? What's a handmade item you absolutely love? Got a DIY project in your head that's not working out on paper? I'd love to help. ^_^

Into next week~ [and let's get those snow-dances jiving, everyone.]
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Gift Card Dilemma

Good morning, minna-sama, have you been keeping well? The world environment all around seems to be getting more and mroe difficult, but don't get down on your luck yet. Remember well wishes and prayer, and move forward into your aspirations always. Spring is coming around the corner, so I am in the hope that the warmer weather will help shape up a better attitude all around. I'm also hoping to play the Spring Aristokei card. Which brings me to my dilemma.

A few weeks ago, I helped Momma out by retrieving her keys from Panera [she's in Delaware, coming down to Maryland, so it was quite a stretch and she couldn't come back the day of once she was already back]. More so than I deserve, I feel, she was uber grateful, expressed in several phonecalls to myself and the mother person, and e-mails, and overall overwhelemed me with praise. I was very flattered; the mother person is theorizing it's because Momma has 'wants-a-grown-daughter' syndrome.

To top it all off, Momma sent me a $20 gift card to Khol's in the mail the other day. And while I don't think I'll be able to use it right off the bat with a spring break cruise around the corner--and with Khol's prices, I certainly won't be able to cover the cost of one thing on it--it's something to look forward to in furthering my Aristo wardrobe. I had just been thinking about getting a new blouse, and then with some more eyelets, I would recreate this little number here.

[The back of the shirt is all that really matters, and should the sleeves be so inclined to it, I may put the design in there, better seen in the red one.]

But wait... I could buy that super wide brimmed hat I saw, and then I wouldn't have to worry about making one for my Akabane cosplay...

Or wait... I could buy another pair of dress pants with pockets, and then stud them with a cut from my leather pants...

Or wait... I could buy tall platforms [with a 'heel' rather than a chunk like my Demonia ones], so I can switch things up with my current ones...

Or wait... I could buy some more cosmetic things, so I can be further motivated for smoky eyed Aristo/racoon eyed V-Kei on a more regular basis...

Or wait... I could buy those chain belts, and that would save me the trip to Hot Topic, and the multiple links go good with a variety of things...

In case I've somehow managed to disguise it from you thus far, I am a very indecisive person. Especially when the choices are all super appealing, and ultimately, I can still choose not to do anything. I am pulled in all directions. I am leaning towards the blouse, because I am eyelet crazy and the above shirt makes my gears turn in how to recreate it. But when I get there, I have a feeling all the other choices I'm debating and more will pop out at me and entice me to choose in a wardrobe deathmatch which is worth spending free money on.

So I offer it to all of you. If you had a giftcard to Khol's [even if you don't shop there] for $20, what would you buy? Blouse? Pants? Hat? Cosmetics? Other? Kohl's actually does have quite the variety, including waffle irons and Nerf Guns, so just about anything could be on your wishlist.

Ahhhhhh, ahh~ haruyasumi wa~... suteki da ne~ I hope everyone will have an enjoyable spring break, if you are privileged with it. If not, do something extra special relaxing over the next weekened. You owe it yourself.

Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Perpetual Elevens' [and the skirt; picture+video!]

Good afternoon, mina-sama. Did everyone have a good thanksgiving break? I had a pleasant time venturing out to the semi-countryside that is Mt. Airy to see good friends, and make merry with damn good food and delightful company. Truly, I have much to be thankful for, even without material goods. I continue to pray for the happiness and good fortune of my loved ones.

I will admit though that I did go and get up fiendishly early to participate in the madness that is Black Friday shopping [I may also see what I will see to the tune of Cyber Monday]. Semi-countryside-dom has it's advantages. Things were relatively orderly, I got a good parking space, and when it was all said and done, I was only out for 45 minutes before returning to the hotel to sleep a couple more hours until breakfast. The otaku side of me comes out as I made my largest purchase at Gamestop, securing myself a PSP at last, and acquiring Dissidia Final Fantasy, Soul Calibur: Broken Legends, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII as my first stock [I will probably purchase Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep closer to Xmas, and at Target, since I have unconvered a gift card]. Intermitenly as I write this, I play a few quick battles on Dissidia [I'm leveling up Sephiroth]. Didn't know this marquis was a gamer too, eh? ^_^

I had a very peaceful time. I hope a similar good time was had by all.

Now then, as alluded to in the last post, I came upon a skirt from way back when as I was hanging up the skirt I bought from the thrift store. This is a pleated skirt--granted, there are only four, and it's very wide pleats [more like in stiched seams so it wouldn't be one big slate of skirt]--with a waist band if you could call it that, that has a button, and a zipper fasten. The button waist band saved me the trouble of having to add one to thread through the D-ring loops I bought, so all I really had to do was rip the seam that the zipper was on, rip some of the seam on the waist till it was 3/4 [so should I call it a 3/4 skirt...?] and then resew it back down into a nice clean edge.

The original skirt, still whole. It's a little hard to see with the black on black, but the pleats are there, if you can see them.

The above is cut out and pinned, and the bottom is with the hem finished. It was mostly a matter of making sure the folds were neat.

And for the sake of contrast, put some tissue paper between just to show. It's a bit long even if I have shoes on [only the Demonia boots make it seem appropriate length].

One of the simplest projects I've ever done that has yielded magnificent results. Now I also have some guideline as to how I want to make the skirt out from scratch--as it were--and out of the thirft store skirt. The one from scratch may still end up being my favorite since it will have a colored lining, but we'll see.

Also, it's essentially still a skirt, so I've worn it very frequently since I've made it, including out on my Thanksgiving travels. It makes a very bold and dramatic touch to my Aristo wardrobe, and anything in between. I do now have an increased fondess for windy days.

I have tried walking with skirt and the Crow in combination, and let me just say, it only looks awesome on paper.

Worn on as sundry of occasions. [it may be hard to tell in the last one, but I'm wearing the leather pants I got a the thrift store, and the dubbed "priest cossak" from the Undertaker cosplay outfit.]

As promised, I'm getting a little fancy up in here, and to show how the thing moves as I do, I made a little video. The lighting is iffy, pardon. But the essence is there. And it's just another example of how well it works with basically anything you'd normally wear a skirt with.

I'm suiting up more and more for this rumored-to-be-colder-than-ever winter season. Got anything on the ball you've been working on? Spotted a must-have winter coat? How have you all been adjusting to the chillier weather?

I've got a lot of work ahead of me, please forgive a long absence in advance, mina-sama. I'll walk tall and strong, to the best of my ability, and give all I've got.
Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak

Thrift Store Shopping

Good evening, minna-sama. I'm sorry I've been away so long, I've been... in a difficult position, really. I'm doing things I hate, and I hate them because I am bad at them. I haven't had my head in the right place to post for a while, do forgive me. The holidays are a wonderful way to brighten my spirits, as is the completion of a project [yes, another spur of the energy moment thing], and so I return with hopefully two posts back to back [or at least, today and tomorrow] as to catch up with aristocrat and visual kei related things that have in fact been happening.

Jingu Bridge has been going splendidly. Truly. We're going to have to work out a few things here and there and work on preparation, but that's all well and good; the club is just starting, and it's the latter half of the semester, so we're having a great trial run of how things will work out for the spring semester. The group project for my global literature class on Visual Kei went smoothly as well; no one wanted to volunteer to be dressed up, but that's alright, I make my own suitable manequin. Perhaps showing them Neo Ark [Phantasmagoria] was a little too scaring... but, as it were, that's updates for that.

A couple weekends ago, I went to the thrift store near me [that I readily know of]. I was reminded why I both love, and to an extent, dislike the thrift store. One the one hand, there always seems to be scores of little heathen brats running around, and either screaming their heads off for no apparent reason, or crying excessively loudly for their parents. But if you can ignore that, the upsides outweigh the atmosphere's downsides. Prices are amazing, and if you have a little more time than I did to look, you can almost certainly find something that you were looking for [or perhaps not even, and that's never really bad]. I went with the intent of buying some white blouses--ahh, white blouses? what the hell...?--and a long skirt, so that I could expirement with something premade for making the half skirt [see previous project entry]. I also happened to pick up another pair of slacks, since my trusty black ones with pockets are having wardrobe malfunctions with the zipper, and some leather pants. In total everything came to just over $30, with the leather pants being the most expensive thing of course.

Since there is no fitting room at the thrift store, I immediately tried things on as soon as I got home to see if I properly eye-balled the sizes of things correctly. Here are my finds.

A long black skirt, made out of rayon I believe, so it's stretchy compared to the sateen fabric I bought to make my own from scratch. The plan is to cut down the seams of the sides and hem the back, creating a half skirt. With the extra I cut off, I would make a waist band to go through D-loops I bought a while back to put on my slacks.

The shiny white blouse--with breast pockets--that was the cheapest thing of the day, and the pinstripe slacks. They lack pockets, unlike the black ones I adore, and they have a bit of red in them, which immediately makes me want to add a touch of red into my Aristo. I don't know why I don't think add to V-kei, although that might be because there's limited colors [excluding Hizaki of Versai] in V-kei... though white isn't excluded... anyway. I wore this some day during the week, with the tailcoat jacket. I like the shirt a lot, a lot.

The leather pants, that are just a tad too long, and just a tad too tight. So tight in fact that I took a picture as soon as I got the button closed, not trusting myself to be able to fit into these again by the time I posted it because they were that tight [coincidentally, I have put them on with much less struggle two times since then, and before now]. I'm not sure why the shirt seems off-white, pale creamy at the top there... but it's all white, as the other picture shows.

Upon hanging the skirt up in my closet, I came upon an interesting discovery; lo, another skirt. This one was from the uniform of my high school's orchestra. It's very long, and has four pleats down said long sides, along with a band that has the button fasten, and a zipper. Had I recalled before hand that I still had that in my posession--since it was exactly the sort of thing I was looking for to base a already made beforehand turned into half-skirt on--I would've bypassed the skirt at the thrift store. Be that as it may, since it's a different material, I'm going to use it as well, regardless. I may choose to sell it once it is made, but we'll see how that goes.

To be sure, since I had the uniform skirt, I chopped that up quick like, and the results I will show in my next entry. Look forward to it, I'm getting fancy with a video, desu ne.

For whatever reason, when I was younger, I was a little turned off by thrift stores, and I think it was that atmosphere--aside from the crying kids--of... fervor and scurrying around. Now it's just the tight isles and screaming kids that make me pulse point when I step foot in there. A neutral scowl keeps them at bay however...

So, if you've got one near you, and you're just plain fed up with brand or replica prices, take a stroll down to your local thrift store. You never know what might turn up, and for REAL cheap no less. For those of you who have gone there, did you ever get a great find for a steal price? Got one nicer than mine? Love to go if it's nearby.

Whether with friends in your area, traveling back home or hosting family, or with the company of yourself, I wish everyone a splendid holiday, good food, great memories, and safe travels.

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak

Aristololi Patterns

Good evening, mina-sama. I have been frightfully disgustingly busy. Well, not all disgustingly busy, some of it I did consent to... [you may choose to take that as you will]. But on the whole, not keeping up in anyway in the slightest with being Aristocrat. Visual Kei has been upkept a bit in semi-casual. With Halloween beckoning ever closer, I've been on the mindset to perhaps lay some groundwork on my Ukoku Sanzo cosplay; I have a feeling that will probably wait until December though. Undertaker will be making a return to campus, and I think I have decided to wear it during class, not during work. My hopes are to finish either a new mask, an eyepatch, or both before the Thursday and Friday before Halloween Sunday. Pictures abound perhaps.

Toriberry, Nobu, and this Marquis' fashion club is being set into motion, steadily. Toriberry and I have a lovely Japanese Classical Literature professor that graciously agreed to our request to have her as our sponsor. Toriberry made flyers in a frenzy [in a good way] and they look smashing. We're planning to make a forum website, and once we gather some more members and make an official in person meeting date, sans the SGA recognition, Jingu Bridge: A Harajuku Fashion Club will be complete. The possibilities ahead do give me a calm pleasant feeling to hope for the future.

On the subject of things for the future, we come to the main topic of today's post. Toriberry recently acquired an issue of Gothic & Lolita Bible, the staple mook for all Lolitas or fans of Japanese fashion in general. I say that because G&LB does feature new lines from other designer stores besides Baby the Stars Shine Bright and Angelic Pretty; among the others is my new personal favorite, Atelier Boz. In the back of every volume is--in addition to a beautiful comic by an artist I can't remember--a pattern spread of some of the items featured in the issue for more adventerous and skilled types to delve into making. Toriberry graciously allowed me to snip out said pattern sheet, and now resting safely out of harms way, I've set down a couple more projects for the future. For the record, here's the spread of the pattern sheet.

It's actually quite a convoluted mess really. But I'll make sense of it.

This is one of the projects I hope to complete. One of the exact jabots I had drawn inspiration from, looking online at the Atelier Boz site.

This pretty little overskirt number I have promised to Toriberry. I'll do my very best love, and I'll try to do it timely before spring. She has a red color scheme in her Lolita thus far, so I'm on the look out now, if she doesn't bring me something first.

The jabot is the main piece for me, but I'm also interested in the pair of sleeves, tie, and top hat they feature. The top hat is meant for big-haired dolls, but I'll probably just change the scale of it to be fullsized for my head.

Patterns are exciting to me, especially with the finished projuct show and worn in coordinates you may be inspired to make or coordinate your own clothes from, looking throughout the volume. You don't have have any homemade piece to get those similar styles and accentuating pieces. Just keep your eyes out for things you can do easily.

Jaa, mina-sama, I am laying down and losing feeling in my fingers, which creates a very surreal feeling as I type. Have pleasant dreams, everyone

Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

A Noble Photograph

Good afternoon, mina-sama. Finally, finally, oh grandeur days, the weather has truly come to embody autumn. After the hotter-than-average summer we experienced over here in the west coast, I was positively desperate for cooler weather, and not just because of my then-new delve into Aristocrat fashion. Long sleeved garments are so much fun. I may near equal number of T-shirts and long sleeved shirts [ranging from v-necks, blouses, and turtle-necks], all of which I love to wear, but when a T-shirt is still too hot for the 90+ degree weather you're experiencing, it does make one long for a freak snowfall in July.

October in particular is an especially fruitful month, not just for the dropping of temperatures, but for the changing of the foilage that brings about inspiration for meet-ups, parties, and contests. Halloween on campus is always a splendid affair. I can't imagine what's going to happen when it actually falls on a weekday [it's been on Saturday and Sunday so far]. I'll be bringing Undertaker to campus. You doubt this? Watch me. It will probably be on a Thursday, when all I have to do is work, gufu fu fu... [you see, I'm already in the spirit of things]. Dressed down masked Sebastian or a over-the-top Visual Kei coordinate may be in store for Friday, when I have classes. Toriberry is keeping tabs on meet-ups in our area, and I believe one is to be had sometime in November, if another one doesn't pop up before then. But even without, there is a Aristololi related Halloween contest to be had, and I am all a fervor at the thought of my entry.

For those of you who are curious or would like to enter, by all means, peruse the site. It is 'Exquisite Corpses: A Doll Part Competion' http://dollpart.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/exquisite-corpses-halloween-comp/

Under the rules it's states no cemetary or graveyard shots allowed--although I don't have any nearby anyway--which got me thinking immediately about using a dark forest background. Luckily for me, I do happen to have a forest right outside my house down the street, and it is never in foliage as far as I'm concerned. The trees are always bared, and they are numerous and tall, close together and yet far apart. A perfect setting to stand somewhere off-center in an all black Aristo coordinate, just to throw off the eye that is traveling warily over the spooky scene. Also, because of the no-straight cooridnate shot rule, I was once again immediately struck with the ideas of which accessories to use. My newly made cane is a dear, I love it to bits, and I had a thought to use that first. But call it a strange coincidence, I happen to have a candelabra, and several still tall crimson and white candles. And so I had yet another dark eerie touch to add to my photograph. Seems like all I need is a darker night just as the sun sets west of the forest, a good spot not too deep in the forest to set up and pose, a pose, and I'm all ready to go. Unfortunately, I have a few kinks in my otherwise very simple plan.

While no incidents have ever been reported in that forest [as it doesn't lead anywhere save for the sound barrier walls in front of 50 West], it's still rather chilling at night. As in it can make the best of us a bit paranoid. Sometimes for me all it takes is that one small sound that was probably a bird or squirrel to get my senses on overdrive, suspecting every crunching footfall not my own to be another person, and another person who has malign intentions, to be near. However, the sun sets opposite to the forest, so it can still be somewhat light outside and the area will be dark enough for a good shot. But there's still the matter of setting up my camera, for I fear that proposing this idea to the mother person will result in it immediately being shut down, as opposed to offering me help with the shot itself, and providing a safety in numbers, however few our numbers would be [and again, it's not as though there's anything necessarily in the woods that one needs to be cautious of]. Also, I would like to make sure I don't set the forest on fire with the candelabra. So dashing back and forth from where I set my camera to my chosen pose spot would be quite risky, hence why I would like assistance. But then, neither Otousan or my mother person don't know how to take good shots with my camera [this is puzzling considering Otousan has a great Nikon camera and takes very good shots for whenever he does it for whatever he's taking a picture of].

Sigh, perhaps I should try to take a shot on campus. There is a cathedral, and a dorm that is rather run down and dilapidated, but since I am rarely on campus at night, I don't know if that would work out well. Perhaps I'll brainstorm some more, try adding a different touch or focus, and come up with something I can do indoors. I gave back Julian too soon, haha.

Interested in the contest, mina-sama? Have an idea but not sure how to work out the logistics? Want to see me dressed up in a certain way? I take all comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to bounce off your ideas for your own photograph or any helpful tips for me. I'll be very much obliged to any and all ideas. And also, what are you plans for Halloween? Do you celebrate it? Have parties with your friends? Chaperone you younger siblings? Stuck outside passing out candy? How do you spend your very spooky October 31st?

A dark splendor that consumes all...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Projects for the future, additional II

Good evening, mina-sama. Today will yield another short post, as I have this ominous foreboding feeling that lingers in the back of my head that I should perhaps be doing something constructive to my studies. I woke up very very late yesterday, and the last lingering bout of this sore-throat plus cold seemed to enjoy conglomerating all in that one morning so as to make me feel like utter crap. So I looked online to make sure I could catch up with readings, and finished the Japanese worksheets I had for Monday... So I read 100 pages of the Tale of Genji, and even memorized two CCs... *Looks around.* Damnit, I did work, stoppit with this feeling~! Hmph! And so I will take my mind of such chills down my spine with more pleasant fare.

Projects~! I think of more of them! I am astounded sometimes by all the things I suddenly feel compelled to do now that I have a particular focus, a sewing machine that's out and more readily available [as opposed to having to unwrap it, etc.], and, oh yes, a bit of disposable income helps, so that I don't have to politely beg the mother person for fabrics. Aristocratic is fascinating, as is Visual Kei. I may one day splurge a bit and buy specialty designed contacts. I've heard white irises are quite popular. Oh, top hat first though; yes, though I had as much of an idea to make my own--and I still might attempt--along with my cane, the cane is obviously much simpler, although a top hat does work in my head...

The half-skirt and the Nudy Boy shirt will be coming along sometime before the year is out, I hope, because after all, I wanted to wear them during the cooler months. Also, another jabot will probably be in the works, now that I have one under my belt and better know the mechanics of it. I have not forgotten these, proposed earlier along with Aeon pants and my cane. However, recent events--sickness mostly--have motivated a few more projects.

1. Face-mask. I already have one in my possession actually. I acquired it at Otakon 2007 [oh my, three years ago already?]. It's black, and has a butterfly on it, but it's peeling away in tiny chippings. Tis so sad. When I wore it last during class so I wouldn't have to constantly get up to hack up a lung, I gots to thinking about making another one, with some of the rest of the sateen. I'll need small ribbon, or black rubber bands/elastic to make the ties, but that's no trouble. I think it's just a matter of the correct measurements--it'll be a rectangle, certainly--and then since it's black, I have to find some way to imprint a design on it. It probably will be a yin-yang. I would try my hand at embroidering, but it's just a mask, no reason to turn it into a bigger project than necessary. The mother person has white fabrics about, so I will probably make an inverse one, and fabric marker a design onto it, fabric fitting.

2. Eye patch. I believe I had a thought to do this way back in middle school actually. I am a little skeptical about it though, in terms of actually wearing it. I don't know which eye to wear it on. My right eye is weaker, so if I wore it on my left, I might not be able to see as well. But if I wore it on my right, I would fear half-use would make my right eye weaker still. Plus, I'd be wearing it out under my glasses. Well, maybe not, if I am doing something like walking around; I'm nearsighted, but not bat-shit blind. It terms of making it, I might use spare sateen, and a bit of stuffing fabric [something a bit thicker, you know? I can't think of the name of it at present], and then I suppose it's just a matter of shape, and how to affix the elastic/ribbon into it. Elastic might just be easier overall for when I'm tying my hair back with a fat ribbon. I may or may not put some emblem on it too. A cross, an ornate X, a longevity symbol, etc.

3. Corset backings. By which I mean adding corset backings to some of my blouses that don't have darts, nor can be easily temporarily pinned. I pinned my black and white striped blouse for Sunday [GSO rehersal], but as I was doing laundry it popped. Ah. Bad. A similar thing happened to a purple shirt I made about five years ago [it's actually quite fitting for Wa-Lolita, although it's got a v-line... so maybe not], and I'm tired of restitching the ties back into place. So I'm going to experiment first with a T-shirt and test out two ways to add a darting of some sort that I could loop a string through and tie into a more contoured shape. I had a thought to make a thin stretch of fabric like the ties, and then make loops along the back and stitch them in place, but I was suddenly struck as to make a wider piece, sew it into the shirt down the back, and then add eyelets down the wider piece. Immediately I thought "Oh damn I'm becoming addicted to eyelets." But suddenly I am discovering so many uses for them. So I might forgo the Nudy Boy shirt a little longer to try corset backing in some of my other blouses. This way, come warmer weather, I can settle for just one layer and still have it look Aristo.

Think these are pretty clever ideas? Well don't feel left out, you probably have some ideas of your own, even if you don't know it yet. You can do it! While I do count myself very creative, you don't have to have a light bulb go off in your head to come up with something original~! [or even not original, in the case of reproducing cosplays and such.] There is inspiration in things all around you, not just in clothes to clothes, but furniture to clothes, food to clothes, mediaaaaaaaaaa to clothes or other, etc, etc, etc~! If ideas still don't come to you, but you really have the drive to make something if an idea did strike you, then take a little time on a lazy weekend, or whenever you think best, and brainstorm a little. Think about a new thing you want, be it a blouse, pants, or an accessory of some type. Look around your room, or at pictures on your walls, whatever. Before you know it, you'll have jotted down some notes or a sketch and that's half the project right there.

Pictures may soon arise of some casual coordinates I've been wearing for picnics. Also, some notes and ideas for a Harajuku Club that Toriberry and Nobu and I shall be a part of. It is exciting to think about. Aaaaaand~ Halloween is almost upon us. Getting into the spirit, everyone? I certainly hope so... heh heh heh... *Candelabra.*

And so on that note, pleasant dreams, mina-sama... take with you what you will from reality, and twist it into your phantasmal dreams~
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Miniature Post--Marquis cooks a meal: Lunch II

Good afternoon, mina-sama, I'm taking a brief interlude from work to add a little something. I've been really bad about making lunches these days, I only made one last week, which means I was having to buy foods. Only I was running short on the monies because I hadn't been to the bank in two weeks, and so I didn't actually end up buying that much after all. Oddly, I didn't feel starved, but I sure as hell wasn't feeling awake come Thursday evening.

Tonikaku, here's last Thursday's picnic bento, had with Nobu aaaaaaaaand... *Taps chin.* Eventually Spanish-man and Vodka drinker came by for a bit...

Fresh pineapple was had [and skillfully cut up by yours truly], tamagoyaki, and tako hot dogs. I didn't know what to put in the green and I was already really tired, so I put in some buttered toast. I likes my starch.

So, as stated before in last bento filled post, I sort of go for what I have and what's tasty rather than the aesthetics. I still like my bento to look nice for whatever I've got in it though, all the same. It was tasty, and my pinneapple was swarmed by a bee. And I had a nice picnic overall.

As promised, a brief interlude be thus. Enjoy your afternoon and return home safely, mina-sama.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Jabot Complete, jikan douri da.

Good evening, mina-sama. My earlier thought about clementimes giving me that random burst of energy seem to still hold true, oddly enough. Biology and kinesthesiology is important everyone. Without a head piece for last Sunday's meet up, I was feeling an urge to have some other sort of piece in my Aristo coordinate, and since the jabot was already on my list, I put aside the Nudy Boy shirt to get it done by then. I don't know what I'm going to do come time to make the half skirt and Nudy Boy shirt, since the rest of those clementimes don't look so good... [perhaps grapefruit is in order].

So among other things from a trip to Jo-Ann's maybe a month ago, I bought this lovely black sateen swatch to be my neck frills. My plan was instead of making a collar that fastened in the back, or came around into the front to tie, I was going to thread a ribbon through the opening in the collar and have that tie in the back. That way, on those days when I didn't have a brooch or pin to put up, the bow would serve as it's own additional decorative touch. When I make a tiered one, I'll probably do the same thing; and I won't have to worry about getting more ribbon because I can simply pull the one I have out of the single tiered. I will probably go and buy white ribbon, to mix and match, as well as compliment the white sateen jabot that will eventually come about. If I don't screw up, I may make a black and white tiered, in white-black-white, and black-white-black. Ahh, such lofty aspirations... and maybe I'll get my technique down by then.

Now then, without further ado, here is my tutorial for making a jabot [like mine, where there is no fastening in the back].

For ease and convenience, gather all your materials together. Not pictured are the sewing machine, iron, and scissors; you know you'll need those of course. Because my jabot didn't have a fasten in the back like a button or those metal snaps, I cut down on costs, complexity, time, and additonal effort. I don't imagine adding the metal snaps would take much more than making the collar part longer, and following the directions for affixing them to your fabric. You can still follow this tutorial up until that point, where instead of leaving an opening, you'd sew the collar piece down and add your fastener of choice. As far as the measurements go, I had a yard of ribbon [since it's going front-back-then front to tie], about 40 x 14 inches for the jabot frill itself, and about 10 x 35 inches for the collar [it's going to be folded over, don't forget]. Also, sateen was an incredibly difficult fabric for me to work with, because it became unthreaded easily. What am I trying to say... it frayed easily, and I was contantly pulling the loose threads out. Pinking the edges may have helped, but I didn't spare the time to bother with it. Sateen does flow nicely though, and is super shiny. It's up to you which fabric you wish to use of course.

The first thing you'll want to do is cut out your rectangle that's going to be the gathered frill in your jabot. If you know of a different shape that you want it to be, cut it out in that way, but just be mindful that the ends will pull up when you gather, so it's not necessary to make things rounded persay. Then create and even hemmed edge around three of the sides. I did the bottom first, then folded the sides on top, since it was easier to hide that little overlap in the corner. You can snip out a tiny bit if it makes it easier. Then gather the unhemmed top and hand stich it into a gather. I found that making the stitches smaller up top allowed for more ruffling to come down through the rest. Depending on the size of your gather, it'll look a little something like the above. Set that aside to start working on the collar part.

When doing the collar part, you'll want to make sure it's not to thick or thin, for when you're going to turn it inside out. Because I was putting a ribbon through mine, I made it a bit thicker just for insurance, but it still fits under the collar of my blouses well. This is also where you want to decide how long around you want it to be. If you're opting to fasten it in the back, measure a comfortable circumference around your neck with a little slack for the seam. If you want it to go from front to back to tie in the front, double the circumference, then add extra for tying a knot or bow, depending on what you'd like. Cut out the appropriate length for the collar, and sew the edges of the sides down. Next, sew the top and bottom, but make sure to leave some space for the gathered piece in the middle. If you'd rather sew it all the way across and just sew the gathered piece to the back, you can do that too, but be mindful that you'll be feeling that ruffle against your neck, and it might be uncomfortable or tickle, depending on your fabric.

Next, turn your collar piece inside out. This is the first one I made, and it turned out being to thin for me to comfortably stick the ribbon through, so I cut another piece; the steps are still the same though. Pin the sides of the empty space you left for the gathered piece, then go ahead and iron down the crease. This'll allow you to remove the pins to repin the hemline with the jabot tucked into it, without having a mass of pins everywhere between the layers.

So it'll be something like this. All that's left is to bite the bullet and sew everything into place. If you want a little more stability than just the pins, go ahead and baste the gathered part to the back side of the collar, and re-pin it down. Try and get it so you have the ruffles in a place you want them, since you can't move them once they're down; don't worry, it won't affect the bottom as much, you can still shift those around, they just tend to move back if you fastened a top part overlapping.

The end result looks a little something like this. ^_^ The ribbon is threaded front to back to front and tied as it would be if around my neck. And there be my jabot made in a few hours over two days. I wore it with my coordinate and it looked right at home. I iam mmensely pleased with it, considering I was going crazy about it's overall look with the muslin, the sewing machine threw a fit, the fabric kept fraying, and I had only two days to do it once I finally said "Damnit, DO IT!" I'm going to wear it this evening in fact, with my cane accompanying.

Now without giving too much away, that's all for that. Next post will reveal all~ ahahahahahaha! *Koff.* Nghhhh, I hurt my throat promoting SM and GSO on Thursday... It feels really scratchy. *Sigh.* Way to add to my unenthused and overall unwell feeling.

I bid you goodbye for the moment, mina-sama, so I can tend to somethings and get tea into my system.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Cane Completed

Good afternoon, minna-sama. I'm a bit behind as I meant to do this Saturday, however better a little late then before it's first debut, ahaha. It's debut will either be sometime this week, or the meet-up next Sunday. I am looking forward to it very much. I still haven't decided and food things. I don't know if I'll be able to get down to Super Grand on Saturday. More food as thusly been acquired in the house, so I'm looking into a few homemade things... we'll have to see.

Now, onto the very exciting news. I have finished my cane. As I thought, it was neither terribly difficult nor expensive [considering the finished product], and since it was completed so speedily, I don't have step by step pictures. However, hardware and carpentry is a little easier to instruct with just words, so I hope that will suffice. If you don't want to put out for a $40, $50, $80, up to a $100 or more accessory cane, then look no further. Doing it yourself opens a world of possibilities to custom fit it to your exact specifications. And it'll save you a bundle, even with the more expensive tools you could buy.

You don't need very many tools, but it is essential to have a power drill. If you don't have one, you may want to look into getting the hole for the handle done at your local hardware store. If it's Home Depot or Lowe's, the first "cut" should be free. You need a dowel--choose your own thickness, but mine was 7/8ths inch--a foot to put on the end [because you don't want the end of your cane to get splintery or weathered], a handle, and paints. The dowel I got at Home Depot for about $3 [since it was solid oak], and it was already the right height for me. If you need something taller than what they have, try looking into long planks to be cut down, and if you need something shorter, as mentioned, the hardware stores usually offer a first wood cut for free. Try measuring at home to know your comfortable height. My rubber foots I also found at Home Depot, in a four back, for about $2.50, under furniture ends. Make sure you get one with an opening that is slightly smaller than the width of your dowel, because you don't want the dowel to slip out of the foot. Paint is optional, if you choose to go for the wood--or if you happen to get a silicon, metal, or plastic rod--look. Finish gives it a nice polished look, to be certain. I happen to stop into Michael's on my way back from handle shopping and they were having a sale on spray paint; a can of silver and black were $0.99 each.

The handle proved to be the most difficult to locate, and also is the most expensive piece. What I ended up using--in case you cannot read the print--is a draipery end. It was able to screw off from the rounded metal piece, thus being a stand alone makeshift handle. For the pair, it was $12 at Target. If you have a Bed Bath&Beyond near by, you can also find similar designed ones there, but I found they were more expensive. When picking your handle, keep in mind it's comfort in your hand. Even though you might not lean on it to assist in walking, you'll still have to keep a hold of it, so get something that fits and feels good in your hand. Though I originally wanted a multi-faceted crystal like thing, the glass globe is growing on me. Also, keep in mind it's additional height being added to the dowel, and be sure to accomodate when picking the height of the dowel and handle [and be conscious of whatever height you might stand at in shoes you're likely to wear while accessorizing with your cane].

Now with all your parts gathered, it's time to get to work. Set down some paper on a flat surface--outside is ideal...--and put the footer end on it. You don't have to spray paint this if you don't want to, but I did for effect; contrast to the black of the cane, and compliment to the grey-silver in the handle. Follow the directions on the can if you've never spray painted before. For your dowel, the body of the cane, you might have to get a little creative on how to do it all without making a mess of your hands. If you don't mind that, go ahead. I put on a glove and held one side, giving a good coating, then holding as little of the painted end while doing the rest. Just keep in mind your foot will be covering an inch or two of the bottom, so if there's an uneven coat or marks from stickiness and fingerprints, don't pay it much heed. I hung the dowel on my clothesline between coats of paint and acrylic finish, but use what you can to make it work. If you did paint your footer, it's up to you if you want to give it more than one coat.

After you give the color you want, spray on a finish of some sort to give your cane some gloss. I don't know how much something like that costs--it may be the same price as any regular can of spray paint--I just happen to have a dozen or so cans of variety polishes in the garage. The high gloss finish works the best. Two coats looks best, more is up to your tastes. I put the foot on at this point, to protect one end.

Next comes the fun part; yay for powertools. I recommend practicing your drilling [to make a straight hole] in a spare hunk of wood, and using a hole slightly smaller than the screw of the handle, to ensure a snug and tight fit. If you don't have plywood hanging around, just go for it, and go slow. Tap out all the sawdust that builds up in the hole. Even if you think you've drilled the hole deep enough, go another inch. I ran into trouble with a hole I thought was deep enough, but apparently wasn't [that or it was too tight to screw in deeper]. If you've done it right--so to speak--then the handle will screw in right plum to the top of the dowel and bottom of the handle, and tada, cane complete. If you run into trouble like me, don't panic. Hopefully, your project can be saved.

Luckily for me, the screw in the handle was double sided, going up into the knob itself. I unscrewed that part, drilled back into the handle, and was able to use the extra room of the handle to screw it plum to the dowel. If your handle isn't like that, you may want to use pliers to unscrew it back, and make the whole deeper, or if you can feel it getting tight with a lot of the screw still exposed, go back and drill, making it a tiny bit wider all around by scraping the sides. Hopefully though, you won't run into trouble. But whichever way it has to be achieved, once you've got the handle on, you're all done. Good job! Admire your handiwork.

Tada~ behold the finished product. I am immensely pleased with it, and am ready to take it with me to the meet-up. It's of a workable height even in barefoot, but I know with my dress chunk shoes, the height'll be an excellent fit. I am eager to walk about with it, but I think I'll wait a little aside from the meet-up for cooler weather, unfit to ride my bike in.

You can do it too, minna-sama, just break out your creative juices and see what you too can come up with. As for me, I'm onto my jabot next. I hopefully can finish it by this weekend, as an accentuating neck piece would go nicely with the tailed jacket vest. [Afterwards, it's on to the half skirt, Ukoku Sanzo cosplay, and Nudy Boy shirt.]

And the image begins to fall into place... the aura of prestige and poise befalls the stage... wherein a lone Aristocrat stands...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

The Week in Review

Good afternoon, minna-sama. While my morning was less than pleasant, it seems one of my reliable skills is to be able to tolerate things I don't like with surprising ease and grace. And so I am back in a place I have come to feel rather comfortable in, though it is damn chilly as always, and decided to get to this before something else undesireable reared it's ugly head once I returned back home. Imagine that, feeling better at work then I do at home. Tsk, what is my little world coming to?

Well, per my less than optomistic prediction, I was unable to come and post during the week at all. Le sigh. I hope this doesn't become a trend, or before I know it, I'll drop off the face of this blog too, despite my best interests. So though it is a bit of a stray from the motis operandi of being an Aristo, I'm going to do a bit of a recap of the week.

The first day started with me going to the building I hoped I had my first class in--which it turned out I did--going into a computer lab, and quickly transcribing my schedule down onto an index card. Luckily, it didn't take much since it's the same for ges-sui-kin, and I have free days on ka-moku. In addition, I also memorized the rooms after the day was over [hell my physics class is in the same lecture hall as last semester. I sit in practically the same seat]. I seem to have a knack for taking sociology related classes with a dolldrum teacher, thus not setting me up for a pleasant experience. My physics teacher reminds me of a cross between my high school Japanese teacher, and my highschool AP physics teacher. It is interesting combination, to be sure, however he teaches--to an extent--and arranges grading/syllabus like Alan, previous PHYS106 teacher. And so paperwork was handed out and assignments were to be had.

The first picnic of the semester with Toriberry didn't quite go as planned, but that's alright, we'll get there. Also, I went in early to work, and boy did they need it. Poor bossman wasn't running around like a chicken with his head cut off, but he sure was in a bit of a frenzy. However, it was really only those first fifteen minutes that things appear to be crazy, because once I got there, not only did I feel so much better, but it immediately calmed down. Maybe this is me. I am a sedate being after all. And mid afternoon I caught up with Kahori and visited Professor Liley again. Still wants donuts.

Wednesday was like Monday, only I was already falling behind. A LITTLE. ONLY A LITTLE. I ran into a few more people, waved in passing, chatted for a few, natter natter. Had to hurry my butt back to CBCB to drop off my bike to take the shuttle home. Oh yay.

Thursday was like Tuesday only less chaotic and better. I had Gamer Symphony Orchestra meeting--first of the semester--that evening. I worked in the morning, picniced with Chiii--which turned into picnic with Chiii, George, Martini, and Bill--and had my splendidly made bento, all before heading back the chapel for our meeting. Tis exciting, we've a lot lined up. I wore my Castlevania: Symphony of the Night shirt [subconciously again, as I did for the past two first GSO meetings] and my Castlevania: Judgement Aeon pants. Seems I am video-gamed out when I want to be, whether I know it or not. We've got about thirthy new members it seems, but we'll see who decide to stick around with us. The music line-up is phenomenal. Come visit out GSO store and support our orchestra outside of concert attendances [which are free~!].

Friday was like Wednesday, only it was Friday and thus the weekend. After physics, I hung out with Chiii again and played LoZ:Wind Waker for a bit. Cute miniature Link is a cute miniature Link. And we rode the tornado over, oh yay~. Having a bike made running a bit late completely managable, to which I am entirely grateful. *whew.* Speaking of said bike--which I believe I have at last named Fang of the Church Petros Orcini--I seem to be getting better at getting around in the mornings and in general on campus. I still thinks DOTS is one damn conspiracy, and I'm going to ream them a new one since I didn't get my free bike-lock yet. It is still a kenshin damn pain trying to go up the campus drive hill, but the victory is sweet going back down. Haaa, I'll get there.

I'm hoping for more productiveness, and more focus in these weeks. Next weekend is the meet-up, ne? It's on a Sunday, not a Saturday. I'll have to remember to get directions and bring small bills... I wonder if I can get food... hmmm, it wouldn't be enough to prepare just my own bento... I went grocery shopping, let's see...

Ah, what a perfect lead into my projects and food! I've completed my cane, minna-sama! Next post is definitely that, and progress on the jabot and other projects. I am so pleased; please tell me what you think when you see it.

I'll be tending to some work while I can, and so on that note I depart. Until the next time, hopefully sooner, minna-sama.

Of hand to kenshin... is what I thought.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Deadlines; Cane and Meet-up

Good evening, mina-sama. Well, the countdown begins. To what? To all sorts of things. So much is happening coming up, it's just as if I was transported to this time last month. I wonder if I'll be able to keep up. This time next week, I'll have finished my first day of classes. This time tomorrow, I'll have had a picnic with Toriberry I hope. This Friday, Dir En Grey is touring with Apocolyptica, making a stop at the Ram's Head Live in Baltimore; I'm putting myself into a Dir high by listening to Uroburos and Withering to Death nonstop. And after that, perhaps the next prominent thing coming up? Why, a Lolita meet-up of course.

Now, before anyone tilts their heads cutely with a perplexed look on their face, and asks why might an Aristocrat be going to a Lolita meet-up, I will say it straight. I was invited [by Toriberry no less]. And I would love to attend. A gathering of Lolitas of punk, classic, sweet, casual, gothic, all of them, and they will all be surrounding me~ heh heh heh... [oh dear, my sketch side surfaces. *Beats it down.* Back, Sketchiness, back!] But seriously, I mean that in a non-sketch way; I'm looking forward to a very enjoyable experience and lots of picture taking.

For anyone local in the area, the meet-up is scheduled for September 12th, a Saturday, at 12pm. We're going to meet in a park near the Metro stop Dupont Circle in D.C., at 25th and P Street Northwest [for those of you semi-local but still unfamiliar with D.C. the Northwest is important].

I have an image in my mind of what to expect, but so long as it isn't worse than that, however it turns out will satisfy me. However, I am a tad bit skeptical on being able to go, because it's in D.C.; I have a wary mother who grew up there, and grandparents who lived there, but somehow that doesn't equate to me having any sort of knowledge on what sort of city it is and how it's laid out. That's why I looked up directions. Dupont Circle is sort of the metrosexual capital of the nation, but... we'll see. I might also have to work that day, and during those hours specifically [unless I can switch with someone, which is my desperate hope]. Washington D.C. is far from a very-safe city, not by any stretch. And although any spot on the Metro lines are usually more densely populated and tourists packed--thus a bit safer--the thought of a gaggle of Lolitas, "petite" young ladies who are armed only in their cuteness, gives me a vibe of paranoia I can't quite shake that there will be disturbances. And so not only for the sake of Toriberry or myself, I really want to go. If I end up being the only Aristocrat there, I at least want to serve as some sort of deterrant for any wayward characters.

Which is why I am working steadily on my cane over my jabot and shirt cut-sew at the moment. Home Depot brought me two steps closer, in having a right sized dowel without having to be cut, and rubber stoppers to put on the end. Going with my mother yielded other advice for what to do about the handle; while I had been looking in cabinet and bathroom faucet knobs, she suggested to look at drapery ends. This would've actually been great if not for the ends being so large. The ones that were of a good size were sold in a whole kit for the drapery rods. I was really tempted to ask for just one of the ends if they would sell it to me. But I have sights for one last trip to an antique store to see what can be found there. In the meantime, I will get to spraypainting. Hopefully between now and September 12th, I'll have that done. I would hate to have to break it over someone's head, right after having it finished, but I suppose if I can make one I could make another... Oh, and to protect the Lolita meet-up from devestation, to unite all Lolitas [and Aristos] in our Nation['s capital]~...

Say what you will, I've always been a fan of Kojirou.

To-ni-kaku...

I also hope to have something done about my hair by the time of the meet up. In a previous post, for the newly acquired jacket, you will see I had combed forward bangs and the rest done in a bun. I'll elaborate on my hair in another post, but I will say the combed forward bangs is an idea I've had for a while now, since I've seem to have lost my original bangs. If I can make the curling iron work, I will probably put in a big long curl as opposed to letting it be straight. But anything I do with my hair for the meet-up is to supplement my lack of a tophat. When I acquire a tophat, I will probably go with the the loose, all down, the low ponytail with a thick ribbon, or the all--or maybe sans bangs--in a bun. As with footwear, headwear at the top shouldn't be neglected, serving as the one dsyfunctional part of your ensemble. When I post the hair entry, I am welcome to ideas of styles and suggestions.

I am hoping by then that the weather will be assuredly cooler, so that my jacket can go out for a spin. If I get the cane done quickly, then the jabot will be next. And I'm trying to decide how Asian is too Asian to bring snacks for a gathering of girls in a Japanese Street Fashion icon. Does dorayaki strike anyone's fancy?

Now then, as one last thing, a bit of a confidence booster to Toriberry, my dear, and any Lolitas who are nervous in going to meet-ups. I may sound confident now, but that might be because it's a ways off, and I am technically an "outsider" mingling heavily in, but here goes~!

Did you not tell yourself to be confident, my dear? Tell yourself that everyday from now on and forevermore, so come the meet-up, it will be just another walk in the park [pun intended]. You are blossoming beautifully into a Lolita, a step at time as you can manage. Right now, your casual is to die for to me.

Don't be intimidated by these more experienced Lolitas. Try to learn from them instead, should they prove to not be bitchy. In whatever more solid niche of Lolita you choose to go under, take away tips and advice for clothing, accesories, styling that again, you can apply in your steps at your own pace. Make your lack of tact work into asking those simple questions, who what when where why, and how much?

Don't worry; I'll be there right beside you [as long as stupid shit doesn't happen that impedes me going]. If you start to feel a little overwhelemed, you can come to my side and take my arm, which I offer welcomingly. You won't be alone. We can always just sit back and talk amongst ourselves--in Nihongo--about whatever, feasting on onigiri or whatever we end up packing. And you won't have to feel so Loli-ed out, since I'll be Aristo.

So much to do, so little time...! But what an experience this will all be, yes? Let's do our best towards the future, mina-sama.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak