Tuesday, September 21, 2010
My Tempestuous and Epic Footwear Love Affair
I can't explain it. I just don't know what comes over me. It's a fever, a pure madness that comes upon me every time I see a well-dressed lady wander past, or pass a Payless, or even simply watch a lavish period film with lots of dancing.
I'm just daffy in love with shoes.
Yes, me. The girl who would happily frisk barefoot in a field of daisies like Persephone pre-yoinking is an unabashed shoe-fan. I suppose it's like my love of blond and red hair, or slim girls, or OTT Sweet Brand. I will never have it, though I may struggle and torture myself in vain. I have huge feet, you see. I wear a size 11 narrow shoe, with long, somewhat monkeyish toes and orthopedic issues that put many fancy and artsy shoes and boots well out of my reach. Even if they fit, can I walk in them? For how long? Would I be better off just hacking off my toes like Cinderella's stepsisters or would foot-binding do it?
Most of the time, I'm in bare feet, unless I'm going to be in the grass (hello, Mr. Hookworm), or going into places that require shoes. Even when I wear shoes, unless I'm too nicely dressed to be in any old thing or being a showoff, I'm in one standard pair of athletic mary janes. My last pair was suede and was destroyed by a rainstorm at a two-week-long outdoor event, leaving me in tears, until my mother gave me a pair of t-straps. My mother is the queen of hand-me-downs. Every so often, she'll lose a few pounds and hand me a few old dresses, or will buy a fabulous pair of shoes, only to find they don't work with her broken toe (she used to be in ballet, and has a permanent lump where she broke her foot dancing), meaning I get them. So far, it's the only pair I can wear regularly. I have tons of shoes and they mostly just sit there.
I wish I could wear the others more often. I try to do so, with disastrous results. I've worn stiletto heels to LARPs, expecting to sit most of the time, only to be crippled because my meeting kept being moved and I had to trot all over.
Girls, I know some of us are shoe-hoarders. Not all, but some, certainly. I beg you, don't become like me! Buy a few pairs you can actually wear and leave it alone! Or else, find outfits for every pair and hire some people to carry your sedan chair!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
So, you're probably wondering what the heck happened...
I promised you all a post.
I slacked off.
I'm sorry.
See, I occasionally hit a point in my year where I go all floppy. My laundry piles up, my dishes don't get done, and my emails go unanswered. I don't know why, or why it always kicks me when I think I'm doing so well.
Two weeks ago, I was okay. I made another skirt! I started my NaNo plottings in earnest! I helped clean the kitchen and bathroom! I babysat for eight hours! I was standing with one foot on a ridiculously oversized globe and a big lavender pirate-loli flag in hand, while Military Choirs sang the praises of industry and virtue, my hair blown by a breeze in ways that curly hair can't actually pull off. I was a goddamn champion! This was the kind of thing I needed to do!
And then, the morning came. And suddenly, I was all limp and lifeless, like somebody had seen my big old globe and taken a thumbtack to it. I lay in bed one morning and realized that I hadn't done shit in days. I don't know precisely when I'll be over it, but when I come back, hopefully, I'll have more to write about.
See you all soon.
I slacked off.
I'm sorry.
See, I occasionally hit a point in my year where I go all floppy. My laundry piles up, my dishes don't get done, and my emails go unanswered. I don't know why, or why it always kicks me when I think I'm doing so well.
Two weeks ago, I was okay. I made another skirt! I started my NaNo plottings in earnest! I helped clean the kitchen and bathroom! I babysat for eight hours! I was standing with one foot on a ridiculously oversized globe and a big lavender pirate-loli flag in hand, while Military Choirs sang the praises of industry and virtue, my hair blown by a breeze in ways that curly hair can't actually pull off. I was a goddamn champion! This was the kind of thing I needed to do!
And then, the morning came. And suddenly, I was all limp and lifeless, like somebody had seen my big old globe and taken a thumbtack to it. I lay in bed one morning and realized that I hadn't done shit in days. I don't know precisely when I'll be over it, but when I come back, hopefully, I'll have more to write about.
See you all soon.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
A Very Unlikely Prince Charming, or The Ogre and the Princess
(In the spirit of aristocratic ladies of bygone days and to sing the praises of my man, I offer you a fairy tale of my own devising, as a Hime Month Treat. Yes, it's a bit of shameless self-indulgence, but tomorrow's post will explain why.)
The Ogre and The Princess
A Slightly Shady Fairy Tale
By Brenna Beattie, Comtesse d'Alouet
Once upon a time, in a very dark and chilly cave beneath the forest, there lived an ogre. His hair was never cut, his teeth were sharp and his temper was so tremendously violent, thunderstorms would get distracted and come to play "lightning darts" around him when he roared. This unfortunate trait made him difficult to befriend and to live with, but the few forest elves and gypsies who could tolerate his irritability found him a stalwart, if reclusive friend. There were also the cats. Every stray cat in the kingdom knew they could come to him for a gentle pat and a bowl of chicken, even a chat if they so wished. But, being cats, they didn't linger much.
He knew princesses. Oh, yes, he knew them. "Bothersome beasts," he'd grumble, as he caught the lightning and bottled it for the fairy queen, "All sunshine and daisies and not a brain in their heads. Always getting lost, always screaming when you ask if they've lost their way, and forever trampling a soul's fairy rings. Not to speak of the princes they drag in here, and the shepherd boys and the knights and, worst of all, those seventh sons of seventh sons! They stab and they poke and they shout and they steal!" He'd never met a princess he could stand, though certainly he'd tried, and had admired some of them, the quiet ones with dark hair and shy ways. But, he always wound up disappointed when he tried to meet them.
One evening, when he was out gathering lightning with the braver of his forest elf neighbors, he chanced to see something flitting through the trees by the lake where the mermaids played. Curious, he came closer for a look. It was a girl, with long dark hair and shining eyes, playing with the owls and bats that came out in the dark of night. He would have stopped her to chat, but he noticed the glimmer of a crown in her hair and pearls in her earlobes and decided that he wasn't going to go looking to be screamed at.
"Who was that princess?" he rumbled to an elf with raven wings.
"That one?" said the elf, "She's Princess Marie-Branwen. Her father's a merman king, or maybe a selkie duke, but her mother's a lampad, the nymphs that live in the dark places of the world."
"I've never seen her before," mused the Ogre, "And where's her prince?"
"She lives half of the year by the sea with her papa," said a nosey little pixie, "but, in autumn and winter, she comes to the woods above the caves to hunt with her mother. She hasn't got a prince. Her mother won't have them snooping underground and her father won't have them muddying his waters."
The Ogre returned the next night with the elves, hoping to see her. There she was again, dressed in brilliant colors like sunset and autumn and playing marbles with pearls alongside fairy babies. He could see now that she was a little different. Her crown was set with dark, smoky gems and her pearls were all black and gray. Her gowns were embroidered not with songbirds and cherubs, but with owls and ravens. She didn't have a golden ball or a wand, but she carried a little mirror made of smoked silver and a little key made of sea glass on her belt. She smiled like the crescent moon and she laughed like a waterbird in the night, and the one prince foolish enough to wander into the glen that late at night fled when he heard her laugh. The Ogre felt a funny little tingling in his chest when she did and this was new. So new, he was a little frightened, so the Ogre lumbered home to hope that it would go away.
But, it didn't go away. The Ogre was very confused. Not only was there a funny tingle in his heart, but he felt like he'd swallowed a bucket of pixies and he couldn't stop thinking of long dark hair and black pearls washed bright by the sea. This continued long into the winter, when the lampades played in the snow and hunted in their fur habits of black, gray and white. It grew every day until, at last, the Ogre was quite angry. He roared and snarled and snarled and roared, until the snow shook and shivered down from the trees and a very confused prince came to the forest seeking the dragon making such a fuss. When he found the Ogre, the Ogre lifted him off his feet with one mighty paw and roared full in his face.
"How did you do it?" the Ogre screamed, "Did you put something in my food? Did you drip it in my ear? Tell me or I'll rip you to bits!"
"I didn't do anything!" said the Prince, "I rather like ogres, actually!"
"Then, why am I sick all the time?" the Ogre demanded, "I feel tingly and tickly and fuzzy and fluffy and all I can think of are pearls and dark hair!"
The Prince (whose name was, typically, Charming) had a Princess, with hair the color of carrots and a grin like a jack-o'-lantern, and thinking of her and how he'd promised to be home in time for supper gave him an idea. "Why, Master Ogre," said the Prince, "You haven't been poisoned! You're Starstruck!"
"Starstruck?" The Ogre scratched his fuzzy head. "I've heard of being Elfshot and Mummyrotten, but what the dickens is Starstruck?"
He set the Prince down and the Prince sat down on a rock to explain. "Sometimes, the stars hit just the right point in the sky and over your bed, and they twinkle just so. It leaves a little seed in your heart, and then one day, you see something that sparkles and flashes just right. All that light mixes together and--POW--you're starstruck!"
"Is it fatal?" the Ogre worried aloud.
"Not usually," said the Prince, "but, it's rather inconvenient. It makes your head light and fluffy and you can't think or sleep right."
"I have to put a stop to this!" the Ogre said firmly, "What do I do?"
"I'm not sure," said the Prince, "but my Princess, Jane, would know. Let me go and I'll be back tomorrow and we'll tell you!"
"Isn't there a faster option?" asked the Ogre.
"Well... You might try drinking something warm and going to bed early."
The Ogre thought this was a silly idea, but he lumbered off to bed, leaving the Prince to run home to his Princess and ask her advice.
Princess Jane listened to his story, while she dished up soup and hot sandwiches, and came up with a plan. She sent a message to her wicked stepsisters, who'd been turned into dragons for their villainy and had learned their lesson. One was still happily a dragon, but the other had a successful business as a witch for hire (fairy-godmother by appointment). The next day, they went to the Ogre and Princess Jane introduced herself.
The Ogre had not slept well and was rather grumpy, so he merely squinted at Jane and grumbled, "You're a funny-looking princess."
"Not all princesses have hair like sunshine and smile like roses," said Jane mildly. The Ogre groaned. That made things worse and now he was thinking of brown eyes and crescent moon smiles.
"What do I do?" he moaned.
"Go find the thing that started the feeling and introduce yourself, then, go talk to the dragon Matilda, who lives in the cave by the sea. She'll know how to make it stop."
The Ogre thanked Princess Jane and hurried off, eager to stop feeling odd. He found the lampades eating lunch and skating on the frozen lake. Princess Marie-Branwen was there, with snowflakes in her hair and a fluffy black fur ruff that framed her face just right.
"Hope I find you well, Your Highness," said the Ogre gruffly.
"Good afternoon, Master Ogre," said the Princess warmly, "You look a little pink in the cheeks. Are you well?"
"I'm starstruck," the Ogre muttered, "There's nothing for it but a trip to the shore to see Dragon Matilda."
"You could walk along with me, if you like," said Marie-Branwen shyly, "I'll have to go soon myself."
So, together, they walked to the shore as the trees budded pink and white with the spring. They talked a little as they went and the Ogre found that the Princess wasn't too fond of bright sunlight or hot days and rather liked long hair on a male. He confessed that he loved cats and wasn't much interested in blond haired girls. By the time, they reached the sea, the Ogre was shocked to find that his symptoms were worse, especially after she left him at the mouth of Dragon Matilda's cave. But, the Ogre was no fool. He forced himself to be respectful as he approached and bowed to the dragon and told her of his trouble.
"...And it's gotten worse!" said the Ogre, "I can't stop thinking about black fur and stars in the sky! Please, Dragon Matilda, what do I do?"
"The trouble is," said the dragon, silvery smoke curling from her nose, "that you aren't starstruck at all. You're twitterpated. Lovebirds have been singing somewhere near you and the music has infected your mind and your heart. I can fix starstruck, but twitterpated is another matter. Go and find the Princess Marie-Branwen and ask her for the smoky mirror on her belt. Stare in it until you can see three things about you that are noble and good, then go to see the Sorceress Belinda."
So, the Ogre went to the bottom of the ocean where Princess Marie-Branwen danced with the other mermaids and asked to borrow her mirror. She gave it to him with a blush and a smile and he went and sat on the rocks on the beach, staring and staring. True, he wasn't an ugly ogre and he wasn't the meanest ogre that had ever lived. But, what was noble and good about him? Well, his hair was soft, that was good, right? And he was nice to animals, when they were nice to him. And, he supposed that he was helpful enough if you didn't scream bloody murder at him.
Try as he might, he could think of nothing better about himself. He brought back the mirror and received another invitation to walk with the Princess. As the leaves turned red and amber and gold, they strolled back to the woods, arm in arm and then the Ogre set off alone for the mountain where Sorceress Belinda lived. To his complete outrage, he was worse than before. But, he forced himself to be respectful again as he told the Sorceress of his troubles.
"You aren't starstruck, you aren't twitterpated, you're in love, you silly ogre!" the sorceress laughed, "And you've only just missed Princess Marie-Branwen, who came to say the very same things! If you hurry you can catch her and tell her!"
The Ogre was very surprised, but asked, "If I do, will I be able to have a little peace?"
"A little, yes," said the sorceress, "But, love isn't always easy or peaceful. Sometimes, you may fight, or fear, or cry, or get angry. You have to work very hard, and sometimes, the working isn't enough. Sometimes, love doesn't last. But, I think it will last long enough. Now, go and catch your princess!"
And so the Ogre went and caught the Princess and told her how she had hair like a black pearl and a smile like a mirror, and she told him how he had hair like a rabbit's back and eyes like lightning. If it wasn't the most romantic courtship in the world, it was the most successful and, though they haven't always been happy and "ever after" remains to be seen, they are quite content in their little chilly cave and should still be for quite some time!
The Ogre and The Princess
A Slightly Shady Fairy Tale
By Brenna Beattie, Comtesse d'Alouet
Once upon a time, in a very dark and chilly cave beneath the forest, there lived an ogre. His hair was never cut, his teeth were sharp and his temper was so tremendously violent, thunderstorms would get distracted and come to play "lightning darts" around him when he roared. This unfortunate trait made him difficult to befriend and to live with, but the few forest elves and gypsies who could tolerate his irritability found him a stalwart, if reclusive friend. There were also the cats. Every stray cat in the kingdom knew they could come to him for a gentle pat and a bowl of chicken, even a chat if they so wished. But, being cats, they didn't linger much.
He knew princesses. Oh, yes, he knew them. "Bothersome beasts," he'd grumble, as he caught the lightning and bottled it for the fairy queen, "All sunshine and daisies and not a brain in their heads. Always getting lost, always screaming when you ask if they've lost their way, and forever trampling a soul's fairy rings. Not to speak of the princes they drag in here, and the shepherd boys and the knights and, worst of all, those seventh sons of seventh sons! They stab and they poke and they shout and they steal!" He'd never met a princess he could stand, though certainly he'd tried, and had admired some of them, the quiet ones with dark hair and shy ways. But, he always wound up disappointed when he tried to meet them.
One evening, when he was out gathering lightning with the braver of his forest elf neighbors, he chanced to see something flitting through the trees by the lake where the mermaids played. Curious, he came closer for a look. It was a girl, with long dark hair and shining eyes, playing with the owls and bats that came out in the dark of night. He would have stopped her to chat, but he noticed the glimmer of a crown in her hair and pearls in her earlobes and decided that he wasn't going to go looking to be screamed at.
"Who was that princess?" he rumbled to an elf with raven wings.
"That one?" said the elf, "She's Princess Marie-Branwen. Her father's a merman king, or maybe a selkie duke, but her mother's a lampad, the nymphs that live in the dark places of the world."
"I've never seen her before," mused the Ogre, "And where's her prince?"
"She lives half of the year by the sea with her papa," said a nosey little pixie, "but, in autumn and winter, she comes to the woods above the caves to hunt with her mother. She hasn't got a prince. Her mother won't have them snooping underground and her father won't have them muddying his waters."
The Ogre returned the next night with the elves, hoping to see her. There she was again, dressed in brilliant colors like sunset and autumn and playing marbles with pearls alongside fairy babies. He could see now that she was a little different. Her crown was set with dark, smoky gems and her pearls were all black and gray. Her gowns were embroidered not with songbirds and cherubs, but with owls and ravens. She didn't have a golden ball or a wand, but she carried a little mirror made of smoked silver and a little key made of sea glass on her belt. She smiled like the crescent moon and she laughed like a waterbird in the night, and the one prince foolish enough to wander into the glen that late at night fled when he heard her laugh. The Ogre felt a funny little tingling in his chest when she did and this was new. So new, he was a little frightened, so the Ogre lumbered home to hope that it would go away.
But, it didn't go away. The Ogre was very confused. Not only was there a funny tingle in his heart, but he felt like he'd swallowed a bucket of pixies and he couldn't stop thinking of long dark hair and black pearls washed bright by the sea. This continued long into the winter, when the lampades played in the snow and hunted in their fur habits of black, gray and white. It grew every day until, at last, the Ogre was quite angry. He roared and snarled and snarled and roared, until the snow shook and shivered down from the trees and a very confused prince came to the forest seeking the dragon making such a fuss. When he found the Ogre, the Ogre lifted him off his feet with one mighty paw and roared full in his face.
"How did you do it?" the Ogre screamed, "Did you put something in my food? Did you drip it in my ear? Tell me or I'll rip you to bits!"
"I didn't do anything!" said the Prince, "I rather like ogres, actually!"
"Then, why am I sick all the time?" the Ogre demanded, "I feel tingly and tickly and fuzzy and fluffy and all I can think of are pearls and dark hair!"
The Prince (whose name was, typically, Charming) had a Princess, with hair the color of carrots and a grin like a jack-o'-lantern, and thinking of her and how he'd promised to be home in time for supper gave him an idea. "Why, Master Ogre," said the Prince, "You haven't been poisoned! You're Starstruck!"
"Starstruck?" The Ogre scratched his fuzzy head. "I've heard of being Elfshot and Mummyrotten, but what the dickens is Starstruck?"
He set the Prince down and the Prince sat down on a rock to explain. "Sometimes, the stars hit just the right point in the sky and over your bed, and they twinkle just so. It leaves a little seed in your heart, and then one day, you see something that sparkles and flashes just right. All that light mixes together and--POW--you're starstruck!"
"Is it fatal?" the Ogre worried aloud.
"Not usually," said the Prince, "but, it's rather inconvenient. It makes your head light and fluffy and you can't think or sleep right."
"I have to put a stop to this!" the Ogre said firmly, "What do I do?"
"I'm not sure," said the Prince, "but my Princess, Jane, would know. Let me go and I'll be back tomorrow and we'll tell you!"
"Isn't there a faster option?" asked the Ogre.
"Well... You might try drinking something warm and going to bed early."
The Ogre thought this was a silly idea, but he lumbered off to bed, leaving the Prince to run home to his Princess and ask her advice.
Princess Jane listened to his story, while she dished up soup and hot sandwiches, and came up with a plan. She sent a message to her wicked stepsisters, who'd been turned into dragons for their villainy and had learned their lesson. One was still happily a dragon, but the other had a successful business as a witch for hire (fairy-godmother by appointment). The next day, they went to the Ogre and Princess Jane introduced herself.
The Ogre had not slept well and was rather grumpy, so he merely squinted at Jane and grumbled, "You're a funny-looking princess."
"Not all princesses have hair like sunshine and smile like roses," said Jane mildly. The Ogre groaned. That made things worse and now he was thinking of brown eyes and crescent moon smiles.
"What do I do?" he moaned.
"Go find the thing that started the feeling and introduce yourself, then, go talk to the dragon Matilda, who lives in the cave by the sea. She'll know how to make it stop."
The Ogre thanked Princess Jane and hurried off, eager to stop feeling odd. He found the lampades eating lunch and skating on the frozen lake. Princess Marie-Branwen was there, with snowflakes in her hair and a fluffy black fur ruff that framed her face just right.
"Hope I find you well, Your Highness," said the Ogre gruffly.
"Good afternoon, Master Ogre," said the Princess warmly, "You look a little pink in the cheeks. Are you well?"
"I'm starstruck," the Ogre muttered, "There's nothing for it but a trip to the shore to see Dragon Matilda."
"You could walk along with me, if you like," said Marie-Branwen shyly, "I'll have to go soon myself."
So, together, they walked to the shore as the trees budded pink and white with the spring. They talked a little as they went and the Ogre found that the Princess wasn't too fond of bright sunlight or hot days and rather liked long hair on a male. He confessed that he loved cats and wasn't much interested in blond haired girls. By the time, they reached the sea, the Ogre was shocked to find that his symptoms were worse, especially after she left him at the mouth of Dragon Matilda's cave. But, the Ogre was no fool. He forced himself to be respectful as he approached and bowed to the dragon and told her of his trouble.
"...And it's gotten worse!" said the Ogre, "I can't stop thinking about black fur and stars in the sky! Please, Dragon Matilda, what do I do?"
"The trouble is," said the dragon, silvery smoke curling from her nose, "that you aren't starstruck at all. You're twitterpated. Lovebirds have been singing somewhere near you and the music has infected your mind and your heart. I can fix starstruck, but twitterpated is another matter. Go and find the Princess Marie-Branwen and ask her for the smoky mirror on her belt. Stare in it until you can see three things about you that are noble and good, then go to see the Sorceress Belinda."
So, the Ogre went to the bottom of the ocean where Princess Marie-Branwen danced with the other mermaids and asked to borrow her mirror. She gave it to him with a blush and a smile and he went and sat on the rocks on the beach, staring and staring. True, he wasn't an ugly ogre and he wasn't the meanest ogre that had ever lived. But, what was noble and good about him? Well, his hair was soft, that was good, right? And he was nice to animals, when they were nice to him. And, he supposed that he was helpful enough if you didn't scream bloody murder at him.
Try as he might, he could think of nothing better about himself. He brought back the mirror and received another invitation to walk with the Princess. As the leaves turned red and amber and gold, they strolled back to the woods, arm in arm and then the Ogre set off alone for the mountain where Sorceress Belinda lived. To his complete outrage, he was worse than before. But, he forced himself to be respectful again as he told the Sorceress of his troubles.
"You aren't starstruck, you aren't twitterpated, you're in love, you silly ogre!" the sorceress laughed, "And you've only just missed Princess Marie-Branwen, who came to say the very same things! If you hurry you can catch her and tell her!"
The Ogre was very surprised, but asked, "If I do, will I be able to have a little peace?"
"A little, yes," said the sorceress, "But, love isn't always easy or peaceful. Sometimes, you may fight, or fear, or cry, or get angry. You have to work very hard, and sometimes, the working isn't enough. Sometimes, love doesn't last. But, I think it will last long enough. Now, go and catch your princess!"
And so the Ogre went and caught the Princess and told her how she had hair like a black pearl and a smile like a mirror, and she told him how he had hair like a rabbit's back and eyes like lightning. If it wasn't the most romantic courtship in the world, it was the most successful and, though they haven't always been happy and "ever after" remains to be seen, they are quite content in their little chilly cave and should still be for quite some time!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Five Awesome Things About... Hime-Loli
Sorry, it's been so long since my last post. I've been a little unwell the past few days and finally feel up to making a post. That, and it was hard to come up with something for this month's 5AT post, which I had meant to write up on Wednesday. Oh, well! Better late than never!
So, what's so awesome about the Hime-Loli style?
5. The History
Bad reputation aside, Marie Antoinette is what most Hime-Lolis are aiming for looks-wise. The girl had everything, charm, beauty, a heart of gold (part of the reason she went bankrupt wasn't the clothes, it was all the charities she was giving to). Not to mention, a wardrobe that was simply incredible. In the wake of the 2006 New-Wave-flavored biopic about her, new interest has bloomed and "Madame Antoine" as well as her contemporaries (Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, among others). With the trumpet sleeves and extravagant ruffles, one hopes that these Rococo-inspired outfits would do them proud.
4. The Accessories
Oh, lordy, the accessories. If you've ever wished to be prom queen, Cinderella, Holly Golightly, or just plain wished you had an excuse to wear a tiara and drip with gems and pearls, this is the style for it. Most people wear just a tiny tiara, but, I see no reason why a larger tiara wouldn't work on those of us with a little more heft (NOTE: If anybody knows any reason why I shouldn't wear a non-mini tiara, speak up, I need to know this stuff). Pearl chokers, lockets, rings, you name it. Without overdoing it, of course.
3. The Motifs
Cinderella's Coach, Sleeping Beauty's Spindle, Snow White's Apple... If it has ever been seen in a fairy tale, you can find it on a Hime-Loli outfit. Admittedly, some of my dream coords have yet to be made (No Frog Princess, No Kaguya-Hime or Mulan, and I have yet to see a single Bride of Bluebeard), but that's not to say that a person with enough industry couldn't make one.
2. The Silhouette
While not nearly as grown-up as Gyaru or Aristocrat, there is something undeniably elegant and a bit more mature than regular Sweet. The neckline hits just a bit lower, the skirts are a bit fuller, the sleeves drape and float. The style is everything your inner girly-girl (if you have one) could ever wish for.
And the Most Awesome Thing about Hime-Loli is...
1. The Way It Feels
If you've ever wanted to be a princess, queen, or other fairy tale heroine, this is the way to go. Go ahead, wear that tiara and that over-the-top hairpiece, doll up to the nines! Even adults need to pretend, just a little bit, and why not do it in style?
I promise! Next month's 5AT will be better! Until next time, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
So, what's so awesome about the Hime-Loli style?
5. The History
Bad reputation aside, Marie Antoinette is what most Hime-Lolis are aiming for looks-wise. The girl had everything, charm, beauty, a heart of gold (part of the reason she went bankrupt wasn't the clothes, it was all the charities she was giving to). Not to mention, a wardrobe that was simply incredible. In the wake of the 2006 New-Wave-flavored biopic about her, new interest has bloomed and "Madame Antoine" as well as her contemporaries (Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, among others). With the trumpet sleeves and extravagant ruffles, one hopes that these Rococo-inspired outfits would do them proud.
4. The Accessories
Oh, lordy, the accessories. If you've ever wished to be prom queen, Cinderella, Holly Golightly, or just plain wished you had an excuse to wear a tiara and drip with gems and pearls, this is the style for it. Most people wear just a tiny tiara, but, I see no reason why a larger tiara wouldn't work on those of us with a little more heft (NOTE: If anybody knows any reason why I shouldn't wear a non-mini tiara, speak up, I need to know this stuff). Pearl chokers, lockets, rings, you name it. Without overdoing it, of course.
3. The Motifs
Cinderella's Coach, Sleeping Beauty's Spindle, Snow White's Apple... If it has ever been seen in a fairy tale, you can find it on a Hime-Loli outfit. Admittedly, some of my dream coords have yet to be made (No Frog Princess, No Kaguya-Hime or Mulan, and I have yet to see a single Bride of Bluebeard), but that's not to say that a person with enough industry couldn't make one.
2. The Silhouette
While not nearly as grown-up as Gyaru or Aristocrat, there is something undeniably elegant and a bit more mature than regular Sweet. The neckline hits just a bit lower, the skirts are a bit fuller, the sleeves drape and float. The style is everything your inner girly-girl (if you have one) could ever wish for.
And the Most Awesome Thing about Hime-Loli is...
1. The Way It Feels
If you've ever wanted to be a princess, queen, or other fairy tale heroine, this is the way to go. Go ahead, wear that tiara and that over-the-top hairpiece, doll up to the nines! Even adults need to pretend, just a little bit, and why not do it in style?
I promise! Next month's 5AT will be better! Until next time, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Catch-Up Day Post: Harvest Punch and the Trial Run of the Ghostbuster Skirt
Harvest Party Orange Spice Tea Punch
1 part ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
3 parts orange spice tea, brewed and cooled
Pour the cooled tea into a bowl or pitcher, then add soft drink slowly. Chill with ice or ice cubes made of apple or orange juice.
&hearts *~ &hearts ~* &hearts
So, I finished the skirt and discovered to my dismay that something had gone horribly wrong. When I measured it, it was the perfect length to be worn with a petticoat. Then the petticoat I was making turned out to be a hot mess. It will probably be gutted and reused in other ways later, but there's no way it's going to give any lift to a skirt. So, I dug out my senior prom petticoat, tucked it up just so, judged it to be the right amount of poofy and tried the skirt on. Somehow, it had GAINED 2-4 inches of skirt. I don't know how or why, but they were there. Now, I'm a tall girl, with a long body, a waist that nips in an inch above my navel (which I'm told isn't normal) and long legs. I probably need a longer skirt than others anyway. But this skirt reached past my knees. I wore it anyway, to see how it would behave in a public setting. It's a bit too bland right now and I'll have to fix it, but it's good for a start.
My mentor D. suggested a few things and I'm probably going to take it off the waistband, stiffen the waistband, add an overlay of orange tulle and maybe some other punky accents (safety pin card symbols, a gray patch pocket, etc.). I considered making a pleated wrap skirt as per one suggestion, but that's been a nightmare to plot out so, probably not. I'm going to take a few inches off and lengthen the ruffle, at least, and see how that hangs.
1 part ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
3 parts orange spice tea, brewed and cooled
Pour the cooled tea into a bowl or pitcher, then add soft drink slowly. Chill with ice or ice cubes made of apple or orange juice.
&hearts *~ &hearts ~* &hearts
So, I finished the skirt and discovered to my dismay that something had gone horribly wrong. When I measured it, it was the perfect length to be worn with a petticoat. Then the petticoat I was making turned out to be a hot mess. It will probably be gutted and reused in other ways later, but there's no way it's going to give any lift to a skirt. So, I dug out my senior prom petticoat, tucked it up just so, judged it to be the right amount of poofy and tried the skirt on. Somehow, it had GAINED 2-4 inches of skirt. I don't know how or why, but they were there. Now, I'm a tall girl, with a long body, a waist that nips in an inch above my navel (which I'm told isn't normal) and long legs. I probably need a longer skirt than others anyway. But this skirt reached past my knees. I wore it anyway, to see how it would behave in a public setting. It's a bit too bland right now and I'll have to fix it, but it's good for a start.
My mentor D. suggested a few things and I'm probably going to take it off the waistband, stiffen the waistband, add an overlay of orange tulle and maybe some other punky accents (safety pin card symbols, a gray patch pocket, etc.). I considered making a pleated wrap skirt as per one suggestion, but that's been a nightmare to plot out so, probably not. I'm going to take a few inches off and lengthen the ruffle, at least, and see how that hangs.
A New Month, A New Theme!
Happy September, everybody! While there were only three votes for September's theme, we had a tie breaker and this month's theme is... HIME-LOLI! Thanks to everybody who voted and, indeed, to all my readers! There won't be a poll for the next while because I was actually smart and planned for October and November. Those being my busiest months (NaNo prep and NaNoWriMo), I planned ahead.
Coincidentally, this is also my birthday month, so there maybe some silliness with me wearing tiaras. It's a weakness. No matter how classic or punk I am, I'm a Sweet Potato Queen at heart (I'll talk about them later in the month) and I adore tiaras!
Since I was a slackass, today is going to be a catch-up day. I'll post the last of my posts for the August party theme and report on the sewing project, which has by no means reached its conclusion, but will probably be on hold for the foreseeable future (meaning the next couple weeks).
For those of you going back to school, I wish you lots of brain power to study on and lots of happy memories for later. To everyone, I wish you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
Coincidentally, this is also my birthday month, so there maybe some silliness with me wearing tiaras. It's a weakness. No matter how classic or punk I am, I'm a Sweet Potato Queen at heart (I'll talk about them later in the month) and I adore tiaras!
Since I was a slackass, today is going to be a catch-up day. I'll post the last of my posts for the August party theme and report on the sewing project, which has by no means reached its conclusion, but will probably be on hold for the foreseeable future (meaning the next couple weeks).
For those of you going back to school, I wish you lots of brain power to study on and lots of happy memories for later. To everyone, I wish you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Clothes, Naturellement!: A Guide to Dressing in Country Lolita
A Profile
Style: Country Lolita
Alias: Country Loli
Subset?: Yes, Sweet Lolita
Most Common Distinguishing Features: straw hat headdresses, picnic baskets/wicker purses, gingham, floral prints, fruit prints
Summary: Country Lolita could be thought of as being Sweet Lolita's more wholesome sister. While she still revels in cute and wears similar colors, the parfaits and candies are replaced by lighter fare, strawberries, cherries, apples. She's outdoorsy, hence her straw hats and sturdy baskets. Think of Marie Antoinette's love for all things pastoral and natural. Country-Loli is sweet without pretension, deliciously simple and adorably romantic.
Apparent Influences: Anne of Green Gables, The Wizard of Oz, The Secret Garden, picnics
Examples:
&hearts This Mary Magdalene OP has a very simple and uncluttered cherry print and is accented lightly, accompanied by a basket of fresh strawberries and a little straw hat.
&hearts This red gingham dress (brand unknown) shows its Sweet Loli ancestry in its ribbon rose and lace accents, as well as through the matching doll dress and hat. Frizzy curls seem to be the most popular hairstyle in many examples, but braids and pigtails are just as appropriate and adorable.
&hearts Here we have another example of fruit prints, this time, a cherry print and a strawberry print by Angelic Pretty. The daisies, apron and hats give their outfits a bouncy, lively air. This is hardly a delicate style. There's almost a sense that these girls have been playing in a meadow all day and come back for homemade shortcake and french toast, with berries they picked themselves.
Must-Haves for Fans of the Style:
&hearts The Strawberry Splendor Skirt by Sweet Rococo is a fresh and uncomplicated take on the traditional brand Country offerings. It comes in black and pink and comes from a company with an excellent reputation.
&hearts For the Lolita who loves to cook, the Anne of Green Gables Cookbook by Kate MacDonald is a charming and fun offering, full of recipes, excerpts and darling illustrations of the scenes that inspired each recipe.
&hearts Nothing is more classically country and elegant than the scent of lavender. Provided allergies don't get in the way, L'occitane's Lavender Home Perfume can bring that relaxing, timeless scent of lavender to your rooms and linens, as well as soothe jangled nerves and help lull the sleepless to a relaxed state.
I hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse into the Country Loli style, as much as I've enjoyed the research. Until another day, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love, and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
Style: Country Lolita
Alias: Country Loli
Subset?: Yes, Sweet Lolita
Most Common Distinguishing Features: straw hat headdresses, picnic baskets/wicker purses, gingham, floral prints, fruit prints
Summary: Country Lolita could be thought of as being Sweet Lolita's more wholesome sister. While she still revels in cute and wears similar colors, the parfaits and candies are replaced by lighter fare, strawberries, cherries, apples. She's outdoorsy, hence her straw hats and sturdy baskets. Think of Marie Antoinette's love for all things pastoral and natural. Country-Loli is sweet without pretension, deliciously simple and adorably romantic.
Apparent Influences: Anne of Green Gables, The Wizard of Oz, The Secret Garden, picnics
Examples:
&hearts This Mary Magdalene OP has a very simple and uncluttered cherry print and is accented lightly, accompanied by a basket of fresh strawberries and a little straw hat.
&hearts This red gingham dress (brand unknown) shows its Sweet Loli ancestry in its ribbon rose and lace accents, as well as through the matching doll dress and hat. Frizzy curls seem to be the most popular hairstyle in many examples, but braids and pigtails are just as appropriate and adorable.
&hearts Here we have another example of fruit prints, this time, a cherry print and a strawberry print by Angelic Pretty. The daisies, apron and hats give their outfits a bouncy, lively air. This is hardly a delicate style. There's almost a sense that these girls have been playing in a meadow all day and come back for homemade shortcake and french toast, with berries they picked themselves.
Must-Haves for Fans of the Style:
&hearts The Strawberry Splendor Skirt by Sweet Rococo is a fresh and uncomplicated take on the traditional brand Country offerings. It comes in black and pink and comes from a company with an excellent reputation.
&hearts For the Lolita who loves to cook, the Anne of Green Gables Cookbook by Kate MacDonald is a charming and fun offering, full of recipes, excerpts and darling illustrations of the scenes that inspired each recipe.
&hearts Nothing is more classically country and elegant than the scent of lavender. Provided allergies don't get in the way, L'occitane's Lavender Home Perfume can bring that relaxing, timeless scent of lavender to your rooms and linens, as well as soothe jangled nerves and help lull the sleepless to a relaxed state.
I hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse into the Country Loli style, as much as I've enjoyed the research. Until another day, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love, and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Lolita Lit 101: Anne of Green Gables
Shrub Monkeys #76, Used with the artist/author's permission.Okay, kids, time to get academic! Have a No. 2 pencil and paper ready... Ah, who am I kidding? I'm not going to quiz on this! But, I do think it's time to get into another post series I have planned for you all--Lolita Literature 101 (Sans Nabokov Edition)! Every month, I plan to go over some book that I feel every lifestyle lolita should at least try. Not love, I won't put that pressure on people, but at least attempt to read for some sort of cultural or, indeed, subcultural merit.
This month being Country-Loli Month here at SFL, I'd like to discuss one of the classics, popular here in North America and over in the birthplace of Lolita, Japan: Anne of Green Gables. Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery and published in June of 1908, this novel introduced us to the daydreaming, orphaned, Canadian redhead, Anne Shirley, and kicked off an eight book series (which is better than the Potter kid can boast! Just kidding! I'm a Hufflepuff at heart). Montgomery said she was inspired by a scrap of writing she found from her school days, in which she described a couple that had sent away for an orphan boy and had accidentally gotten a girl, instead.
The tale begins at Green Gables, a farm in the little village of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. The owners are brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who decide to adopt an orphan boy from an orphanage in Nova Scotia to help around the farm. However, there's a mix-up, and the orphan delivered is the eponymous, 11-year-old girl. She's clever, freckled, and detests her name, wishing she'd been a Cordelia. If you must call her "Anne", she insists it must be with an "E", because it's more distinguished. She proves herself to be a chatterbox and extremely imaginative, much to Marilla's constant aggravation and Matthew's constant delight.
She soon meets and makes friends with Diana Barry, Jane Andrews, and Ruby Gillis, and becomes a rival of Gilbert Blythe (see the first two frames of the above comic, and you'll see why). Throughout the book, she manages to get into numerous scrapes, including dying her hair green in her quest to be a brunette, getting Diana drunk by accident, and nearly drowning in an attempt to reenact the funeral of Elaine, the wife of Lancelot. Her intelligence and courage more than make up for her foibles, though, and she endears herself to many along the way. Despite her awkward beginning, Anne comes to consider the pastoral Avonlea and its environs as home, no matter where she goes on her path to adulthood.
As a child, I was a precocious reader. Anne of Green Gables was one of the few books my mother didn't feel the need to put on a higher shelf. It was also around this time that I wound up watching the 1985 miniseries on PBS, and it seems she's had an impact on my life. I've tried to change my name often in my life. Teachers could never say it or spell it right on the first try and I rued the fact that my father had been so adamant about my name (Mom's first choice was Brianne). I gave up in the 8th grade, resigning myself to the fact that it was my name and there was no changing it. Just as Anne wished for dark hair, I've wished to be a blond, then a redhead, after it was gently pointed out that blond hair would look ghastly on me. I've dried my hair to a crisp in search of glorious, "Anne-ish" auburn hair. So far, no luck, but I'm a bit more determined in that respect, I think. And, even before I discovered lolita, I wished for a more elegant and romantic life, often daydreaming, just like she did:
"...Now I'm going to imagine things into this room so that they'll always stay imagined. The floor is covered with a white velvet carpet with pink roses all over it and there are pink silk curtains at the windows. The walls are hung with gold and silver brocade tapestry. The furniture is mahogany. I never saw any mahogany, but it does sound SO luxurious. This is a couch all heaped with gorgeous silken cushions, pink and blue and crimson and gold, and I am reclining gracefully on it. I can see my reflection in that splendid big mirror hanging on the wall. I am tall and regal, clad in a gown of trailing white lace, with a pearl cross on my breast and pearls in my hair. My hair is of midnight darkness and my skin is a clear ivory pallor. My name is the Lady Cordelia Fitzgerald. No, it isn't—I can't make THAT seem real."
She danced up to the little looking-glass and peered into it. Her pointed freckled face and solemn gray eyes peered back at her.
"You're only Anne of Green Gables," she said earnestly, "and I see you, just as you are looking now, whenever I try to imagine I'm the Lady Cordelia. But it's a million times nicer to be Anne of Green Gables than Anne of nowhere in particular, isn't it?"
It seems that Japan is quite taken with her, having two animated series based on the books made. Some of the earliest Lolita designs from the 70's (when the first Anne anime debuted) even resemble her long calico frocks and pinafores, though those silhouettes seem to have fallen out of favor.
Culturally, Anne might very well be one of the earliest fictional foremothers of Lolita style. She struggled to make her life a little more beautiful and cheerful, no matter how dark and dreary things got, and her charm and wit made her friends no matter where she went. I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever dreamed high and still managed to keep their feet on the ground.
That's all for today, folks! Until another day, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sewing for My Lazy Self: Marisa's Ghostbuster Skirt, Part 2-ish--The Actual Work
Not long ago, I posted about sewing a skirt and petticoat for a convention I was going to. Well, okay, the planning out part. So, I actually got started on Saturday last, convinced that this was really much easier than it looked. After all, it's an elastic waist skirt and the same pattern could then be modified to make the sash waist skirt I wanted.
Oh, how wrong I was.
I've mentioned it before, but let me say it again: tulle and I get on like a house on fire. You know, smoke, flames, people running around and screaming, massive property damage. As it is, I got two yards of very fine tulle and began making the "poof layers of the petticoat, but then decided I'd overdone it and took a little out. Then I gathered it and discovered that, now that it was gathered, there wasn't really enough to go around my waist and hips. Fine, I said, and resolved for what feels like the umpteenth time in this project to lay the whole mess aside and go to bed.
I awoke this morning with the resolution that, before my noon appointment, I would add the strips back on, gather those new strips, and attach them to the skirt and damn the consequences. While I'm out, I will be buying more tulle, because even for a casual petti, this petticoat is not nearly fluffy enough. And Wednesday, I will sew the gray and orange skirt. Come hell, havoc, or high water, I will have this done and I will be wearing it at the con and the demons of crappy sewing and failure can all just bite me. If I have to sit at the registration desk while I volunteer and run a damn sewing machine in between floods of guests, that's what I'll do!
See this? This is my determined face.
So, until another day, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
Oh, how wrong I was.
I've mentioned it before, but let me say it again: tulle and I get on like a house on fire. You know, smoke, flames, people running around and screaming, massive property damage. As it is, I got two yards of very fine tulle and began making the "poof layers of the petticoat, but then decided I'd overdone it and took a little out. Then I gathered it and discovered that, now that it was gathered, there wasn't really enough to go around my waist and hips. Fine, I said, and resolved for what feels like the umpteenth time in this project to lay the whole mess aside and go to bed.
I awoke this morning with the resolution that, before my noon appointment, I would add the strips back on, gather those new strips, and attach them to the skirt and damn the consequences. While I'm out, I will be buying more tulle, because even for a casual petti, this petticoat is not nearly fluffy enough. And Wednesday, I will sew the gray and orange skirt. Come hell, havoc, or high water, I will have this done and I will be wearing it at the con and the demons of crappy sewing and failure can all just bite me. If I have to sit at the registration desk while I volunteer and run a damn sewing machine in between floods of guests, that's what I'll do!
See this? This is my determined face.
So, until another day, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert, I'm learning as I go!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Simplicity for the Complicated Girl
We live in an intricate world. The media and our peers fire conflicting messages at us, tangling us up in knots while everybody fights the war of individuality vs the status quo. It's not like the Lolita lifestyle is much easier. We pine for a simpler, more archaic life, while we rush to lay hands on the latest gadgets so laden with plastic roses and crystals and gumdrops, it's a wonder we can still lift them and drench ourselves in fantastical confections of lace and ribbon. It's no wonder more people are reporting anxiety disorders and depression these days (not that the past was all that rosy, but we have names for most of it now). Everyone is exhausted!
Is it any wonder things like yoga and meditation are so popular these days? We need time to slow down and recharge. Sometimes, we just need to turn back to the simple and let all the convoluted elements of our life wait.
If you've read some of the posts here on SFL, you know I'm a bit of a hippy. It's my weakness, I'm afraid. I'm willing to believe six impossible things before breakfast, seven if you catch me while I'm still in bed. But, meditation has been proven to have physical and mental health benefits beyond calming you down. Don't believe me? Look it up! You can probably find more reliable sources than the ones I have linked, but I trust these guys. To sum up for the link-phobic: Meditation has been shown to improve perception, boost compromised immune systems, and, of course, reduce stress (which can lead to all manner of other health problems).
Now, don't fall prey to the stereotypes. You know the ones: holy men and women chanting in the midst of nature in perfect lotus position. You don't need to spend years in a convent in the mountains to be able to meditate. To give an example: when I was in high school, the county (possibly the state, it's hard to remember) instituted a "moment of silence" before the Pledge of Allegiance for prayer and quiet contemplation. I'm a little uncomfortable with public prayer, but I would use the time to calm down before the most stressful class of the day. Somehow, I always had either math or a really tough elective in the morning, so, I could bury myself in a few moments of peace at least before I got slammed with the really tough questions like "If a is 111, what's a(4+6)". And, funny enough, just focusing on some blissful wilderness scene in my head and thinking of quiet music made my grades just a little better. It wasn't until college, where there was no reminder to put on the breaks and cool down, that I had a meltdown.
Here are a few simple meditation exercises I've started using that you can try:
--Find a time of day when you have at least five minutes uninterrupted. Set a timer, if you must, but put it where you can't see it or keep checking the time. Sit or lie down comfortably and picture someplace quiet and happy. Don't be concerned with what other people think should be happy. Your "happy place" could be a grove of birch trees in the snow or a graveyard at midnight, or even an abandoned warehouse. If it makes you feel safe and peaceful, explore it in your mind. Wander around, touch things and make note of how they feel and sound and smell. Maybe leave a little gift for the other people who might visit or just to remind yourself that this is a sanctuary.
--Find or make a string of beads. Make it your own, with charms, favorite colors and stones. Don't worry about matching it to any outfits, just make it personal. Then come up with a word or set of words that have deep meaning to you. They can be as simple as "peace" or "love", as timeless as a familiar prayer or the Litany Against Fear from "Dune", or even a few lines of poetry or an affirmation, like "I am beautiful, clever, and loved". Make sure it's something you remember easily. Whenever you have a five minute period to yourself, take it out or hold in it your pocket and recite those words you've chosen, using the beads to count or just holding them and thinking of how they make you feel. Don't worry if you lose the beads or they break. You can make another, but it's simply a symbol to keep you grounded in reality.
--Choose a pebble or a shell or some other small trinket. It could be something you found in nature or some souvenir from somewhere. Keep it with you or simply envision a small object like that in your mind. When you feel the pressures of your life getting to be too much, imagine pouring all the tension and worry and negativity into the object. Picture the object as a machine of sorts, taking the gloom and frustration and cleaning it up, recycling it into positive feelings and energy, or even just burning it away to nothing, leaving you with nothing but calm, pleasant feelings.
Now, don't overdo it, or run out and sign up for Kundalini Yoga. Like any good thing, misusing or overusing it can be harmful. Kundalini syndrome comes to mind. If you think meditation might help with any serious issues, talk to a medical or psychiatric professional first. Don't start digging into the heavier stuff without seeking professional help first. If you have a religious tradition you belong to, ask a clergy member or faith counselor about methods of meditation or prayer you can try and if there are ways to do it safely and unsafely. Also, don't throw out your medications just because you feel better now that you're doing this. Meditation is not a cure for anything, just a treatment.
There are other ways to simplify your life. Too much laundry to do? Next time you do a few loads, decide on which items you can live without, don't really wear anymore, or otherwise no longer want. Give them away to friends, sell them or donate them. you may find that your dream print collection can be pared down to a single jsk or skirt and, really, how many colorways of a single print do you need? Living space a mess? Try just picking up 15 things a day and putting them where they belong, for three weeks. Not only will you pick up the habit, but you'd be amazed how much of a difference 15 things can make. Can't decide what to eat for dinner? Try eating something simple, like a bowl of breakfast cereal, or rice and beans every so often. It'll clean out your palate and give you an easier time choosing what delicious dish you feel like having tonight. Face keeps breaking out? Try using a few less products or go old school with your cleansing regimen. I broke down and started using just cold cream, straight rosewater for toner, and a honey and oatmeal scrub when I'm really desperate. Generations of women can't be wrong (the Romans were using a recipe very close to our modern cold cream).
The simple things allow us to better enjoy and appreciate the complexities of our lives. Whenever I catch myself getting cynical and grumpy, I sit back and take a moment to enjoy the underrated pleasures of life. Then, when I've had that time to regroup and recharge, suddenly I'm feeling so much better about the whole world. Try it out some time. You may be surprised how much confusion you can do without.
Until next time, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert! I'm learning as I go!
Is it any wonder things like yoga and meditation are so popular these days? We need time to slow down and recharge. Sometimes, we just need to turn back to the simple and let all the convoluted elements of our life wait.
If you've read some of the posts here on SFL, you know I'm a bit of a hippy. It's my weakness, I'm afraid. I'm willing to believe six impossible things before breakfast, seven if you catch me while I'm still in bed. But, meditation has been proven to have physical and mental health benefits beyond calming you down. Don't believe me? Look it up! You can probably find more reliable sources than the ones I have linked, but I trust these guys. To sum up for the link-phobic: Meditation has been shown to improve perception, boost compromised immune systems, and, of course, reduce stress (which can lead to all manner of other health problems).
Now, don't fall prey to the stereotypes. You know the ones: holy men and women chanting in the midst of nature in perfect lotus position. You don't need to spend years in a convent in the mountains to be able to meditate. To give an example: when I was in high school, the county (possibly the state, it's hard to remember) instituted a "moment of silence" before the Pledge of Allegiance for prayer and quiet contemplation. I'm a little uncomfortable with public prayer, but I would use the time to calm down before the most stressful class of the day. Somehow, I always had either math or a really tough elective in the morning, so, I could bury myself in a few moments of peace at least before I got slammed with the really tough questions like "If a is 111, what's a(4+6)". And, funny enough, just focusing on some blissful wilderness scene in my head and thinking of quiet music made my grades just a little better. It wasn't until college, where there was no reminder to put on the breaks and cool down, that I had a meltdown.
Here are a few simple meditation exercises I've started using that you can try:
--Find a time of day when you have at least five minutes uninterrupted. Set a timer, if you must, but put it where you can't see it or keep checking the time. Sit or lie down comfortably and picture someplace quiet and happy. Don't be concerned with what other people think should be happy. Your "happy place" could be a grove of birch trees in the snow or a graveyard at midnight, or even an abandoned warehouse. If it makes you feel safe and peaceful, explore it in your mind. Wander around, touch things and make note of how they feel and sound and smell. Maybe leave a little gift for the other people who might visit or just to remind yourself that this is a sanctuary.
--Find or make a string of beads. Make it your own, with charms, favorite colors and stones. Don't worry about matching it to any outfits, just make it personal. Then come up with a word or set of words that have deep meaning to you. They can be as simple as "peace" or "love", as timeless as a familiar prayer or the Litany Against Fear from "Dune", or even a few lines of poetry or an affirmation, like "I am beautiful, clever, and loved". Make sure it's something you remember easily. Whenever you have a five minute period to yourself, take it out or hold in it your pocket and recite those words you've chosen, using the beads to count or just holding them and thinking of how they make you feel. Don't worry if you lose the beads or they break. You can make another, but it's simply a symbol to keep you grounded in reality.
--Choose a pebble or a shell or some other small trinket. It could be something you found in nature or some souvenir from somewhere. Keep it with you or simply envision a small object like that in your mind. When you feel the pressures of your life getting to be too much, imagine pouring all the tension and worry and negativity into the object. Picture the object as a machine of sorts, taking the gloom and frustration and cleaning it up, recycling it into positive feelings and energy, or even just burning it away to nothing, leaving you with nothing but calm, pleasant feelings.
Now, don't overdo it, or run out and sign up for Kundalini Yoga. Like any good thing, misusing or overusing it can be harmful. Kundalini syndrome comes to mind. If you think meditation might help with any serious issues, talk to a medical or psychiatric professional first. Don't start digging into the heavier stuff without seeking professional help first. If you have a religious tradition you belong to, ask a clergy member or faith counselor about methods of meditation or prayer you can try and if there are ways to do it safely and unsafely. Also, don't throw out your medications just because you feel better now that you're doing this. Meditation is not a cure for anything, just a treatment.
There are other ways to simplify your life. Too much laundry to do? Next time you do a few loads, decide on which items you can live without, don't really wear anymore, or otherwise no longer want. Give them away to friends, sell them or donate them. you may find that your dream print collection can be pared down to a single jsk or skirt and, really, how many colorways of a single print do you need? Living space a mess? Try just picking up 15 things a day and putting them where they belong, for three weeks. Not only will you pick up the habit, but you'd be amazed how much of a difference 15 things can make. Can't decide what to eat for dinner? Try eating something simple, like a bowl of breakfast cereal, or rice and beans every so often. It'll clean out your palate and give you an easier time choosing what delicious dish you feel like having tonight. Face keeps breaking out? Try using a few less products or go old school with your cleansing regimen. I broke down and started using just cold cream, straight rosewater for toner, and a honey and oatmeal scrub when I'm really desperate. Generations of women can't be wrong (the Romans were using a recipe very close to our modern cold cream).
The simple things allow us to better enjoy and appreciate the complexities of our lives. Whenever I catch myself getting cynical and grumpy, I sit back and take a moment to enjoy the underrated pleasures of life. Then, when I've had that time to regroup and recharge, suddenly I'm feeling so much better about the whole world. Try it out some time. You may be surprised how much confusion you can do without.
Until next time, this is Brenna, wishing you lots of luck, love and living space! Remember, I'm no expert! I'm learning as I go!
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