Happy New Years 2012

Thank you for spending the year with Her Curious Elegance, I hope that we can have a wonderful 2012 together as well!

Love,

Raegan 

xoxoxoxoxo

Her Curious Crafts: Alex Bow

One of the gifts I made for Alex this Christmas was a cute head bow. I didn't have access to a sewing machine over winter break so I made it by hand, it was really difficult! I made it in a medium size, it's hard to tell in the pictures but it's bigger than an Alice bow but smaller than a massive brand head eating bow, I wanted to make something that Alex could wear often.

I chose to make the bow in pink to match the other gift I bought her (a Minty Mix lavender wig that fades to pink at the bottom), I thought that pink at the top and pink at the bottom would look really good. I didn't just want to give her a regular old bow though, I wanted it to be special, so I embellished it with some cute gold charms.

The heart shaped charm at the bottom is my favorite, it's actually quite heavy! I really like the engraved pattern that is on both sides.

I also added two little gold ribbon charms to the bottom of each side. In this picture you can also see the glittery gold hair band that I placed it on.

It was really fun to make something for a friend, I really hope that she ended up liking the present! I think in the future I will make more gifts for my friends special moments.

Lolita Poll

The last poll listed on this blog asked readers "What do you like the most about Her Curious Elegance". 167 readers voted (and were allowed to choose multiple answers) and the results are in! 

78% agreed the Lifestyle Articles were their favorites

43% said that they liked to look at Daily Outfits

35% enjoyed reading Craft Posts more than anything else

16% decided that Poetry was what they loved

8% liked watching Videos

The next poll asks the question "Would you date a person who disliked lolita clothing?". Please vote and let me know what you think!

My Lolita Christmas Gifts

This Christmas was the first year I've ever received so many lolita related presents! My Mum and my good friend, Alex, both gave me thoughtful and lovely presents. I am so touched by their gestures and excited to wear all my new items. Let me share with you what I got! 

Originally I had really wanted the Sweet Fawn coat by Baby, the Stars Shine bright, but upon further inspection it wasn't perfect (I wish it didn't have that stripe right across the breast) and was completely out of my price range. Having mentioned to my Mum that I liked the way it looked she took it upon herself to get me something similar.

We had both agreed that the BTSSB coat was too light, so I was delighted with the HMHM coat's camel colour. We altered it slightly, changing the buttons from double to single breasted. The sleeves and collar are removable, and to add the final touch Mum also ordered me a Bathina fawn collar.

I love the final product, it brings together all the elements I loved from the BTSSB coat at a fraction of the price, plus it was custom sized! Another thing I love about the collar is that I can wear it with regular outfits too, it's so darling!

My next gift was the blended Choco-Latte wig from Gothic and Lolita Wigs. I haven't trimmed the fringe yet but I can't wait to do so, I really want to wear it! Upon opening it I squealed and carefully removed it from it's packaging to inspect. The wig is very thick and is an even more beautiful colour in real life, the photo does not do it justice. It is my first wig to have the cute double ponytails that are beginning to become a signature lolita hair style. I am really looking forward to wearing it!

I was surprised when I opened present after present to reveal 11 pairs of Secret Shop socks! Many would groan at getting socks for Christmas, but not lolitas! To be honest my collection of lolita socks was pitiful, I've had the same 3 pairs for years and they were beginning to look a bit tired. Luckily I'll never have that problem again thanks to my Mum! I love all of the socks, but I especially adore the tea set socks (which I have in 4 colours now).

My dear friend, Alex, also gave me a pair of socks. They are by Innocent World, I love the brand but for whatever reason I don't own anything by them, I'm so happy that my first IW item can be from someone I care about so much. She thoughtfully chose a pair with strawberries and ribbons to match my Chained Berry Memoir jumperskirt my Dad bought for me in Paris last summer. So cute!

Alex also bought me this cute Swimmer watch. I actually didn't own a watch prior to receiving this one so it's both a practical and decorative! The poodle on it is really sweet and I love the heart design on the strap too. I've had my eye on Swimmer stuff recently so it was a lovely surprise.

The last gift I got from Alex was so touching, it was an Angelic Pretty booklet frame. She added a photo of both of us from the first day we met two year ago and also hand drew a picture of me. When I get home I'm going to place on my window so that I can see it every morning. 

Overall my lolita gift haul was way more than I expected! I'm so thankful for everything I received, but most of all I'm glad to have such a caring Mum and kind friend. 

Merry Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas Rufflebutts!

I hope that your day is spent happily with the ones you love.

Thank you for being the best readers I could ever ask for (Santa himself couldn't do better)!

Love,

Raegan 

xoxoxoxoxo

Dear Father Christmas

Credit to Myu-san on Deviant Art

Dear Father Christmas,

I don't need a new jumper skirt in pink or blue,

Don't need an one piece second hand or new,

I don't need a wig in a cute split style,

Don't need a parasol to make me smile,

I don't need tea party shoes under the tree,

I just need someone who'll love me for me.

Please do not give me Chocomint barrettes,

Take back all your Baby and your AP sets,

It's not that I'm ungrateful, I just want one gift,

Somebody special to share Christmas with.

Meet Up Report: Second Annual Christmas Party

It's currently winter break for university students so I've traveled to Tennessee to spend the holiday season with my Mum. I'm lucky enough to have a whole group of dazzling lolita friends in this part of the country, we keep in touch but we only get to physically see each other once a year so spending time with them is like a magical gift from Santa himself! This weekend I attended the Second Annual Christmas Party, this year hosted by Kisha, and it was a whole lot of fun. I had a fantastic time mingling with my rufflebutts, meeting new lolitas and of course admiring everyone's lovely outfits! 

I slept over at Alex's flat the night before, in the morning she made me feel like a princess by curling my hair and doing my make up for the occasion. I think they both turned out really well, it felt so special!

This was what I wore to the party-

Hair ties: Alice Doll

Bow: Forever 21

Kitty scarf: Handmade by a friend

Cardigan: Primark

Jumperskirt: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Bunny Bear: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Boots: Goodwill

My bunny bear, Teacake, met another of his species! I was so glad that Katie brought her bunny bear, Charlotte, we had way too much fun posing them and having them hold their cute little magnet hands (pro tip: if you stick two bunny bear's hands together and try to make it heart shaped it will just look like a rectangle).

This is one of my favorite picturse from the party. We had loli-fied President Obama and were all taking turns posing with him. Kesia is so tiny that she had a bit of trouble reaching him so I swooped in to help! She was not heavy at all but I am a serious weakling a delicate flower so I had to go into She-Hulk mode. It probably didn't help that we couldn't stop giggling.

We all went outside and posed for mini group and individual pictures. The sun was setting fast so we tried to be as quick as we could so that everyone could get a turn. When the last girl was finished we went back inside and chatted as the sky turned black. Before it was time for the meet up to end we all drew a number for gifts, everyone who brought one received one. Everyone had taken care to give something extra cute, I ended up getting a cute puffy Rilakumma sticker set!

We had so much fun at the party that the time flew by and it was over before we knew it. Before departing we all hugged each other individually and then hugged again for good luck. I was so happy to have spent the day with my beautiful friends!

10 Hand Made Lolita Holiday Gifts

Found on Tumblr. I need to know who the artist is so I may credit them.

Holiday gifts can be difficult when you're shopping for a lolita. You could get her brand but it's so expensive, you could get her Bodyline but would she like it? Of course it's the thought that counts so why not make her a present? I always treasure home made presents from my friends, it's not just the item that's nice but the thought and effort that was put into it. Another plus of making your own gifts is that it's cheap and you don't have to wait for the item to ship to you (it might be cutting it a bit close anyway). 

To help you out this holiday season here is Her Curious Elegance's list of 10 Hand Made Lolita Holiday Gifts!

1. Bloomers

Bloomers are a practical gift that every loli can appreciate. They don't take much time to sew and you can decorate them with all sorts of ribbons, bows and lace. 

Go out to your local craft store and try to find some fabric that your friend would like, it doesn't matter if it's a busy pattern or in non traditional colours because they won't be wearing it visibly. For friends who live in cold climates why not line it with faux fur or fleece? You can make a cute flat patch of a bunny, deer or candy piece, and sew it onto one of the legs. 

Here is a good tutorial for making bloomers.

2. Bow

Bows are another item that no lolita could live without, I don't think you can ever have too many bows. These are very easy to make even for beginners and don't require a sewing machine. 

You can experiment with different sizes and materials while making bows. It can be really cute to add little charms to each side or add a jewel or patch to the middle. Thoughtful details makes it interesting and special.

Here is a tutorial for making bows.

3. Decorated Frame

A cute frame from Morbidly Adorable on Etsy

This is an oldie but a goodie. Take a lovely picture of the two of you and buy a plain frame for it. Decorate the frame in any way you'd like. You could cover it in glitter, glue on cut outs from a lolita magazine or even deco it! There is no end to how you can decorate your frame, just put your heart into it and your friend will love it! 

4. Cute Sweets

If you like to bake then you could get creative in the kitchen. Most lolita's love sweet things so why not make some sweet cookies, fairy cakes or even a full blown cake! Holiday themed sweets are extra cute, why not make peppermint icing to frost everything in, or cute little gingerbread lolis?

5. A Lolita Valentine

If you can't post the gift then why not make a Lolita Valentine for your friend? Lolita Valentines are simple to make and mean an awful lot. I've received one before and it really touched me.

Lolita Valentines are great gifts for girls in your community you may not know so well but would love to become better friends with.

The live journal community Loli Valentines updates weekly but make sure to send your friend the link just in case she doesn't keep up with it.

6. Your Own Interpretative Dance Version of A Holiday Classic

These are only for very good friends (ones you know won't put it all over the internet).  Get all frilled up, find a fun holiday song, like Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies, and film yourself doing your best (or worst) dance to it. Burn it onto a cd and give it to her with a card, it will definitely get a giggle or two!

7. Lolita Headdress

If your friend is into old school lolita then I'm sure she'd appreciate a headdress. They can be made in square or round style, just be sure to use high quality lace or it might end up looking a bit dodgy. You can add cute flowers or ribbons to either side of the headdress to make it extra cute. 

Here is a tutorial for making headdresses 

8. A Knitted Scarf

A beautiful kitty scarf my friend made me from a Gothic and Lolita Bible pattern

Knitted scarves can be really cute, and knitting is quite relaxing. Find some soft wool in a colour your friend likes, I personally enjoy the sparkly wool (it's a bit more expensive though). When you're done knitting your scarf you can add cute pom poms to the end and sew on cute little buttons or patches. Scarves are both practical and beautiful!

Here is a tutorial for knitting a scarf

9. Jeweled Gloves

Recently I came across some really cool gloves in a store, they were made of plain coloured wool but had eye catching jewels on them. I had never seen a pair like that before, I really wanted to buy them but they were too expensive! 

You can easily make them for a friend by knitting or buying your own pair of simple gloves and adding minimilistic jewels that you can pick up at any craft store. They are sure to look lovely with her lolita coat!

Here is a tutorial for knitting gloves

10. A Handwritten Poem

If poetry is your thing then why not write one for your friend. It doesn't have to be sappy, deep or even rhyme, sometimes funny or quirky poems are the best. Write a cute little poem that will make her laugh or include some of your inside jokes. If you have difficulty writing then you can find one from online.

In your nicest hand writing copy it down onto some decorated paper, she'll be sure to treasure it. Just make sure to keep in in a folder to keep it from getting damaged.

A TaoBao Winter Collection

Winter Lolita by TheDarkShiva

Winter is the perfect time for lolita, it allows you to wear all your cute layers comfortably and keeps you cozy no matter what! Winter lolita clothing can be gorgeous with it's dark colours, lush velvets and sparkling embellishments, but money is tight around the holiday season making buying brand out of the question for some. But never fear, this year Santa and his elves have been working extra hard with the TaoBao stores to bring you adorable, affordable lolita clothes just in time for Christmas! 

The various TaoBao shops offer a large selection of lolita friendly coats, jackets and hoodies in a variety of colours. Often these items can be lined upon request and be custom made to fit you to a t.

Lolita coats are brilliant because they accommodate your petticoat and allow for the perfect cupcake shape. You should never have to sacrifice your floof just because of the cold. It's important to note that the coats look a little flat if you're wearing them with a non-lolita outfit due to the large amount of fabric used.

Lolita jackets are perfect to wear with both your frilly finest and will spice up a pair of jeans. Often they come with removable fluffy collars (but who would want to take those off?).

Hoodies are rare in lolita but they do exist. They are great for a casual look, maybe you could pair it with a skirt and a cute pair of pastel coloured trainers?

KidsYoyo Violin Embroidery Coat

Surface Spell Feathers With Crystal Coat

Dear Celine Winter Ball Jacket

Infanta Little Red Riding Hood Hoodie

Whether sipping hot chocolate by the fire, exchanging gifts with friends or taking a stroll through the snow you will look perfectly darling in these winter dresses and skirts. With their warm fabric and embroidered details you'll both look and feel like a winter princess.

Though many turn their noses up at off brand there are no shortage of cute little components that match the major brands attention to detail. Unlike Bodyline, many TaoBao shops pay close attention to their labor of love, adding tiny bows and cute lace in the nicest of places. I love inspecting my clothing from TaoBao, there is usually always some little treasure hiding from your first glance, it's great to discover new things about your clothing! 

Surface Spell Iris Flower One Piece

Surface Spell Feathers With Crystal One Piece

Surface Spell Chandelier Jumper Skirt

Dear Celine Bunny Embroidery Jumper Skirt

HMHM Velveteen Chandelier Skirt

Infanta Cinderella Jumper Skirt

Surface Spell British Witchcraft Jumper Skirt with Cape

These cute bonnets, bloomers, socks and hats will put the finishing touches on any lolita coordinate. Usually they are made specifically to match a certain dress or coat which is great if you want a very put together look. It's good to get creative too, mixing and matching your accessories around to make a whole new look!
Lolita accessories make great gifts for frilly friends too!

Surface Spell Hat

Surface Spell Bonnet

Dear Celine Bloomers

HMHM Faux Fur Collar
R Series Socks

Happy Shopping!