A Couple of Things Coming to a Close!

As the saying goes all good things must come to an end, so this is just to let you know that two good things are coming to their end.

The first is the Forever in Black Indegogo which has 35 hours left as I type this and the second is that you only have three days left to enter my giveaway for the Vampire Bunny.

Lolita 52 Challenge Week Four: Favorite thing to put on my head

My bonnet!

I made my bonnet a few years back, and it's probably my favourite thing I have ever made, I also love to wear it :)

It even helped with my application for the last TV project I did (I wish they'd hurry up and air it...It's ages since I filmed and I'm bursting to talk about how fun it was!).

My Pick of the Oscars Red Carpet Dresses

via Fuck Yeah Cheno

Probably a super obvious one for me to pick, there's black, there's sparkle and it's Giorgio Armani...Yeah I'm THAT predictable at times.

via Snakes, Lace and Vulcanised Rubber

Salma Hayek's dress is pretty tame as far as red carpet dresses go, but I love it, and it really suits her figure.

via Snakes, Lace and Vulcanised Rubber

Our first bit of colour from Olivia Munn, the draping of the skirt is very unusual and interesting, and I like the Romanesque gold detail on the bodice.

via Snakes, Lace and Vulcanised Rubber

The beadwork on Catherine Zeta Jones's dress is just amazing.

I had to post video of Adele because I just couldn't find any pictures that do her dress justice, I think this one would be my favourite to be honest if it wasn't for...

via Shit Anthropologie Sells

This beauty! It's like Gustav Klimpt had a party on an oil spill and gave birth to something amazing!

I feel like Eve Stewart needs a special mention for wearing cat ears to The Oscars!

Dove Original Compressed Antiperspirant Review

I was sent two full sized samples of this antiperspirant about a month and a half ago by BzzAgent to test out.

The claim is that this little can holds just as much antiperspirant as the large cans and so will last just as long a 150ml can, which seems like quite a claim!

I don't usually use Dove, or any of the other antiperspirants that are adopting this new compact size, I usually use deodorants that are around the same 75ml size, however I usually only get four weeks out of them at the most, wheras the first of the two sample cans of Dove only just ran out on me this morning.

With less packaging and a smaller size, this is of course more friendly to the environment than the larger cans, which seems to be a big selling point for them (it's written all over the can), however there is no mention anywhere on it of it not being tested on animals, and when I looked up Unilever I discovered that they do animal test. Surely being cruelty free would be even better for the environment?

This antiperspirant also claims to last 48 hours. During my testing of the first bottle I had a trip down to Leeds and forgot to pop a deodorant in my bag, and by the following day I personally didn't think that it was still working, however I was fine all of the previous day just from the one application in the morning. Your mileage may vary.

So in my opinion, this was a pretty good product, but I doubt I'll buy it again, I prefer the ones I regularly use, which aren't animal tested.

Ziad Ghanem AW10/11 Finale (possibly NSFW if your workplace hates pasties and bare bottoms)

Today I decided to post this video that Queenie found earlier and I sort of fell in love with!

I do love a fashion show that also includes a bit of theatre, this, well this has bucket loads of it.

From the first swoosh of that gorgeous, brocade cloak, it's clear that this show is something special, and it doesn't disappoint!

I am a fan of burlesque, but I have been pretty disappointed by burlesque revival surge we've seen in the past few years, thudding across a stage in a tacky ebay "corset" with tiny feather fans and all the grace of the ballet hippos from Fantasia is not burlesque.

Imodesty Blaise commands the full attention of the catwalk with her powerful stride, and manages to showcase not one but three outfits (my favourite being the green)

Take note, THIS is what a corset should look like: A streamlined piece that hugs the wearer's body, not a shapeless mess made in a sweat shop.

What follows is literally the most diverse group of models wearing some of the most beautiful pieces  I've seen in a catwalk show in quite some time!

In closing, I can only really describe this with a tumblrism:

UNF!

Five things: February 2013, Week 4

The Death of Chatterton

Ophelia for boys - The Kissed Mouth tells us all about her love affair with a Henry Wallis painting, a truly fascinating read.

Beam Me Up - Star Trek Art Show at Q-pop - Geeky Glamorous visits a Star Trek art show... I never thought I'd use "adorable" to describe anything other than Tribbles in this fandom, but there are some seriously adorable pieces in this post!

This week sees the triumphant return of Vegan Black Metal Chef! This week showing us how to make a lasagne Lucifer himself would be proud of... Seriously if you've never encountered Vegan Black Metal Chef before you really should!

Cat vs Human gives us literally the best version of Rapunzel I have ever read!

The Winter Queen of Bohemia super interesting article about Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia.

Style Guides: Shironuri

Minori via Tokyo Fashion

Shironuri is more of a J make-up style than a fashion style, as while the clothing of Shironuri fans is changeable and unique to each person, what links them is their pale, ghost like make-up.

Shironuri make-up takes it's inspiration from Geisha and historical Japanese theatre make-up styles. The object is to become un-naturally pale, as though you have never seen day light in your life.

What sets Shironuri as a street style apart from Shironuri as a traditional make-up style is the experimental extras, sometimes Gothic "panda eyes" are a feature, other times the wearer will pick one accent colour (Minori often adds the colour of her wig as an accent colour, as in the gif above where she used a pink wig with pink lashes and flower accents.).

Via Occult Series

Wears of the Shironuri style often have meet ups and events (much like Lolitas do), and it's only really in the pictures from these events that you can really appreciate the amount of  variation in their clothes!

Louise Grey AW13

In a change to our regularly scheduled BLACK BLACK BLACKIDY BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACKness, I decided to share some colour!

I'm not usually one for big, bold patterns, but there's just something about this collection that appeals to me that isn't just the "rubbish bag chic" accessories they have going on!

Just a quick heads up, if you want to be in with the chance of winning an adorable Vampire Bunny there are only nine days remaining!
Enter Here

The Amazing Things You Can Learn About Yourself On The Internet (gif heavy!)

Not my Blingee, or my living room! I don't live here, hence the file name being "band rider.jpg" not "myskankyasslivingroom")

So it's come to my attention that there are some weird rumours going around about me, it also appears that some of the rumour-mongers seem to skip the text in my entries and just look at the pretty pictures, thus this entry will be gif-heavy so they can't miss stuff (because I'm an all inclusive PC SRSter like that, and I'd hate for any of my readers to feel left out because of their chronic laziness!)

My Snog, Marry, Avoid appearance but with extra added va-jazz!

On e-fame... Ain't nobody got time fo' that!

In all seriousness, fame isn't really something I have a "need" for, Snog, Marry, Avoid and the as yet un-aired E4 pilot show I did for a laugh, TV is fun and ridiculously easy to get onto.

My blog again I do this because it's fun and opens up so many doors and new opportunities, I've met people in real life because of this blog and managed to land the opportunity to help out with the styling for the Dracula's Fashion Bite show last year, and I'm not going to lie when Sarah asked if I was "Queens of the Wild Frontier" before she introduced herself to me at the Brahm Stoker International Film Festival last year I did make a bit of an inner squeeing noise, but no "e-fame" is not really a motivation of mine.

OMFG IT'S A SHINY PIKACHU!

No, no I do not have Aspergers, or ADHD or anything like that, as far as I'm aware I don't have any learning difficulties.

I dress like this because I like to dress like this, I don't need an excuse, and I don't think that everybody that doesn't like how I dress is a "jealous fatty hater".

If we all dressed exactly alike and all liked the the same thing the world would be boring as hell.

Amazing sparkle parties!

Rumour has it I have no friends... This is simply not true at all, currently I have the best circle of friends I have ever had and could ever ask for. I love my friends and anybody that had really encountered me in real life and who wasn't just a twisted up ball of unfathomable hate would know this as I rarely go anywhere without a couple of them.

Most of the Lolitas I have met in real life have been pretty nice, welcoming people too and as far as I'm aware I'm not "pre-banned" from all of the meets and cons in the UK.

I don't really do loli-meets though, as I've said here before they don't really interest me that much unless they are either a special event (ie: a Lolita meet at Goth Weekend, or a Festival I'm going to), or a convention with a guest or panel that I want to attend.

Nothing against people who do attend meets, to each their own and all that, but I find them a little boring to be honest.

So I was humming Nu Metal songs and this seemed like a good idea.

I don't believe I do have a "Mightier than thou" attitude, and as I have said to my friends and to my readers many, many times if you think I'm out of line on something, let me know, you might be right and I might just need it pointing out to me!

I'm not going to be humble to people who make shit up about me and then post it anonymously on 4chan though, if you're one of those people, not sorry your opinion doesn't count... Also you should probably like get some help or something, that shit's not healthy.

Or even "Coca Cola"...Gosh darn it Blingee!

And while we're at it...

Things I have done with bands

1. Carried their stuff around.
2. Blown their...Kiddie's paddling pools up!
3. Bought them sex toys on that one occasion that "random sex toy" appeared on a rider (I didn't demonstrate it though).
4. Made their food.
5. Fetched their take aways.
6. Brought them florescent bulbs, batteries, plug adaptors, Deep Heat and various other essentials that had been forgotton or left at a previous venue.
7. Talked... A lot... Most of them are super friendly people and like to have a bit of a chinwag.
8. Drank with them.
9. Had vodka poured on my chest (I was wearing clothes, it was hilarious, but it did get absorbed into my skin and cause me to keep yelling "I HAVE VODKA ON MY TITS!!!" repeatedly at my friend...Oops.
10. Shoe shopped
11. Ate curry
12. Discussed how to pronounce Pret A Manger, which countries have the best Falafel and a lengthy discussion about Argentinian Steak (despite the fact I'm never likely to eat it).
13. Danced
14. Sat in airports with them for hours because half the band were on another flight which was delayed.
15. Walked their drunk asses back to hotels! (hilarious in retrospect, not so hilarious at the time when you have to snatch open vodka bottles away from them to hide them in your handbag so they don't get arrested on the way to said hotels).

Things I have not done with bands

1. Done coke or any other illegal drug. 
2. Prostituted myself for food (or anything else for that matter...What the actual hell do you think I am? A hooker sea-lion or something?)
3. Anything even remotely sexual (aside from being in a monogamous relationship which I committed to, most people I've worked with aren't really my type, and I have to be professional anyway.)

Because a Blingee session that doesn't involve Snoop Dog droppin' it like it's hot somewhere is just bad and wrong.

So now that we have that cleared up, I'd like to ask that people neither make up, nor spread rumours about me. Grow up and move on with your life, instead of wasting it stalking mine.

After this I won't be asking nicely.

Thank you :)

(I'd also like to apologise to regular readers for the gif assault)

Meadham Kirchhoff AW 13 - London Fashion Week

Modern, man-made fabrics mixed with historical tailoring and a bit of a Frida Kahlo theme... Why would I not love this show?!
That PVC ruffled apron needs to make it's way directly into my wardrobe...Do not pass go, do not collect £200!

Lolita 52 Challenge Week 3: What my own Lolita lifestyle is like

Looking sweaty, missing half an eyebrow, hugging Stefan from The Pleasures after they played for us in 2011...Wow how short is my hair there!

So when I was full of busy last week I ended up not getting to post a Lolita 52 week challenge post...Thus this week you get two!

This is kind of a hard one to answer for me  because I don't really buy into the "Lolita lifestyle" thing, but I do wear Lolita most of the time, so I guess I'll just tell you about my lifestyle?

This is what a band rider usually looks like...We very rarely get requests for jars of brown smarties or hookers...

So mostly I get paid to carry around stuff for bands and arrange their sandwiches into an aesthetically pleasing arrangement...It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Also it makes the actual gig parts feel way more rewarding, plus I've had the chance to meet and hang out with people I've admired since my teens, which is always a bonus!

Celtic Moon Cards

Forever in Black

I also take the opportunity to help out friend's crafting businesses whenever I can to keep tip-top on my sales technique, this is also good practice for when I am finally able to set up on my own.

 Styling Violet White's wig at Dracula's Fashion Bite

Because of my hair blogging (must get camera fixed so I can continue with this!)  I managed to get a gig last year doing some of the hair styling for the Dracula's Fashion Bite Fashion Show at the Brahm Stoker International Film Festival!

One of the highlights of my year!

All About New Year's Eve 2011

Tia, inappropriately licking Dalek Spike!

In my spare time I like to party with friends...Trust me Goths know how to party! 

Digging Veggie plots!

I've been working on a vegetable garden lately. So far we have broad beans, garlic and onions planted in it. Looking forward to getting the potatoes in next week :)

Amsterdam with Kev :)

Placebo at M'era Luna last summer :)

I also like to travel!

And this folks...Is my crazy life :)

Lolita 52 Challenge Week 2: 5 movies for Lolitas

1. Mister Rococo

I'm not a huge fan of films that feature Lolitas, it's nothing against Lolita itself, it's just that a frilly dress doesn't usually make the most exiting of plots, but Mr Rococo amuses me.

It's the tale of a Lolita who takes up masked wrestling to try and win back her boyfriend.

It's very funny imo.

2. Marie Antoinette

So I guess the rest of my pics will be films that inspire me in Lolita more than Lolita films.

I love this movie, while it might not be the most historically accurate take on French history, it is a wonderful art piece...Also DEM DRESSES UNF! 

3. Sleepy Hollow

This also is a great inspiration to me  dress-wise, some day I will get around to making a Lolita length version  of the black and white striped dress.

4. Brahm Stoker's Dracula

This film is basically accessories porn to me...HATS!... Jewellery! Fantastic hairdos!

It's also very clearly the version of Dracula that the Malice Mizer short film Bara No Konrei (Bridal of Rose) is based on.

5. Alice in Wonderland

An obvious Lolita favourite, but you may not have seen this one. It is the very first one, filmed in 1903!

Going Green With Hemp Products

Going green with hemp products can be both life-changing and fun. There are plenty of products easily available that will transform your everyday living into a green and eco-friendly lifestyle. With natural and organic products you can be both fashionable and eco-friendly.

Since Hemp does not need any pesticides or chemicals to grow, items made primarily from hemp are organic and help in a variety of ways. Clothing and accessories are better for the Eco system and environment we live in. If everyone were to take part in this movement we would succeed at slowing down the balances of life for an extra couple of years. In today’s society we can take simple everyday occurrences that don’t cost much at all and that will benefit the Earth. It takes small, almost unnoticeable steps – steps which are both fashionable and fun.

Along with this being the new trend, we are also preventing diseases and all kinds of complications. By using organic products we are not exposing our bodies to the harmful chemicals that the average clothing and accessories expose us to. This in itself contributes to a healthy lifestyle. By using organic products that can easily be reproduced naturally, we are eliminating the factory style manufacturing tools and diminishing the harmful toxins released for the ozone to absorb.

Hemp is a plant that is so versatile that everything – the root, stem, leaves, and seeds – are used, and this makes it totally sustainable. Many companies who use hemp even limit their overseas transportation to ships, using less fuel and releasing a fraction of emissions in the process of you receiving the product.

If hemp products are continuously purchased by the leading manufactures together we can save the essences of the world as we know it today. If more hemp is produced in turn more green will be planted providing more clean oxygen in our atmosphere. With more clean oxygen we can then move to diminishing issues such as breathing problems and respiratory issues.

If enough hemp is processed and people begin using it in their everyday lives we can broaden the usage of it and begin using it many different ways including fuel, food, clothing, and much more as far as concrete housing and paved roads. Having a material that can be used in every aspect of life as we know it is uncommon and should be taken advantage of. We have been given a perfectly good product that is both universally capable and one hundred percent economically viable, too. We can also expand the horizons and use it as a protein builder and foundation.

Another upside to purchasing hemp clothing and accessories is the simple fact that it lasts longer than the average material found in common stores. It also holds natural dyes much better so as your clothing will last longer and fade less looking newer for longer. Companies like Greenwood Hemp offer dozens of hemp products that are user and eco-friendly. All of these products help the environment and with enough usage can also help each of our individual lives.

Join the movement to a greener world with fewer diseases and happier lives! Think of this the next time you look for clothing or accessories online and do your part in moving forward and encouraging others to do the same.

Five things this week, February 2013, week 3

Photo by Ben.By.Me

1. Alice in Wonderland group photo shoot

I got involved in a Alice in Wonderland themed group photo shoot yesterday, with several photographers and models I have never worked with before. It was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to seeing all of the photographs. So Ben.By.Me has uploaded her photos and you can check out her album on her page linked above.

2. Literature’s Weirdest Relationships

Rosie Lugosi's run down of ten of the weirdest relationship in literature.

3. How to Make a Floating Heart Backdrop

Hank and Hunt shows us how to make a backdrop of floating hearts to jazz up your photos!

4. Working on a few new projects I'm not allowed to talk about yet!

5. And finally a big hello to our new readers!

HELLO! :D

Carmen Marc Valvo Fall 2013 - New York Fashion Week

ALL OF THE PRETTY!

Seriously this one ticks all of the visual boxes for me there are a lot of interesting textures going on in this one.

Five things February 2013 Week 2

1. These amazing United Nude x Iris Van Herpen shoes!

2. The Forver in Black Indiegogo Campaign is off to a great start!

3. Richard III found under a car park!

4. The hairstyling in the Noa Noa show at Copenhagen Fashion Week last week, most of the clothes in this one aren't really my thing but...DEM BRAIDS! UNF!

5. Planning for future photo shoots :)

The Paradise Hair Tutorial - Jocelin style 2

Lolita 52 Challenge: 5 pieces that every Lolita wardrobe should have, regardless of style

1. A basic blouse

Nothing to fancy, it doesn't even have to be Lolita specific, a lot of high street stores carry loliable blouses. Be on the look out for Peter Pan collars and puffy sleeves.

2. A petticoat with a medium amount of poof

3. Plenty of long socks!

4. Loliable footwear

Again this is another item that doesn't have to be stupidly expensive, just look out for round toes and chunky heels.

5. BLOOMERS!

Sand AW13 - Copenhagen Fashion Week

This is a mixed collection of very well tailored male and female fashions.

I actually don't find the female collection all that mind blowing, there are some nice pieces here and there, and I like the corsets, but I much prefer the menswear.

I know it's probably to much to ask but I really hope the riding boots catch on...I do like a man in nice boots!

I realise this is probably a strange thing to say as a vegan but I like the leather wear in  this (I'm just going to pretend it's that really good quality PU that you can hardly tell the difference with...Yeah...), I think it goes very well with the military details used in the jackets and coats (I love the furry side-caps to, those are almost cute without being childish).

I'm not a huge fan of the short drainpipe trousers though, personally I think they'd look a lot better with an extra inch or so of fabric, I've seen this in a few people's collections lately and I hate them, I think they look pretty silly and they remind me of being a kid who's parents couldn't afford to keep buying her new trousers whenever she grew...Please "budgies" trend, please just don't catch on...Stop being a thing! 

A Couple of previews from my photoshoot with Kate McGinley Photography

Photos in this post by  Kate McGinley Photography

I'll post the rest of the photos when I get them.

I'm very happy with the photos that I've seen so far though :)

Also featured in this photoshoot is Nepthysis