tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44512876702521108422024-03-08T08:58:14.420-06:00Multitarian TroveWelcome to Multitarian Trove, my scrapbook of my exploits in collecting. Multitarian means having many forms but one essence. I collect many things--vintage nightgowns, handkerchiefs, maxi dresses, gloves, unusual stuffed animals, misc. Japanese items, foreign coins, foreign language manga, foreign Coke cans (from my own travels only), and I have a budding collection of insect themed perfume bottles among other things. But what it all boils down to is I collect whatever makes me happy.the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-13220443392541635182010-08-17T00:32:00.000-05:002010-08-17T00:32:16.126-05:00Indefinite HiatusSo, I did the worst thing a blogger whose blog is centered around photos can do--I dropped my camera in the ocean. Not my important one, but since I don't currently have access to my processing chemicals, a darkroom, OR a scanner, it means I can't do a whole heck of a lot over here anyway. Mom sent me one of our old ones to use in the meantime, but clearly no one had used it in a while since they sent it with no batteries and I don't have any or the kind of spare cash that would permit me to buy any (those things are expensive!)<br />
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So, perhaps in a couple of days I'll post some pics I took before that unfortunate circumstance occurred. For now, I'm beat. I had a rather sucky day today.the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-27230300947118614462010-06-01T23:10:00.000-05:002010-06-01T23:10:29.209-05:00Exciting times awaitI received word recently that I have been accepted into the University of Hawai'i at Manoa for the fall semester. I am eagerly preparing for this and for my Japanese placement exam. I'll be moving down with a dear friend from Cottey who I haven't seen in two years. Because of my preparations, it may be more difficult for me to update. I will still do my utmost to post when I can, but I have a lot of studying to do. Although, if there's one thing that I collect more than any other, it may be Japanese textbooks! Maybe I'll do a post about them!<br />
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This week has been exciting for other reasons too<br />
<a name='more'></a>Ebay reasons! The holy grail for collectors of all sorts, Ebay decided in my favor in the case I opened regarding the dress I won before and refunded me the cost and shipping! I didn't even have to mail the dress back. Though I really don't want it any more, so I guess I'll donate it. Today I received <b>two</b> items in the mail, a beautiful robin's egg blue rayon chirimen furoshiki and a warm weather vintage Camp corset. I am in love with this corset and I'd love to show you guys, but a lady never shows the interwebs her undergarments.<br />
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No! Today, we look at the garments themselves. Specifically, the prairie dress, a very particular style of maxi dress popular in the 60s and 70s (yes, hippies). I took these pictures today to show a girl who I'm commissioning a choker from what I'm planning to wear it with. So, naturally, all of these I will show today have lower necklines.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This first one I made myself from a 1975 jumper pattern. Naomi helped me immensely with the entire process from pattern fitting to sewing. It took me a whole week. I'm very proud of it, because this is only my second completed garment. We did alter the pattern slightly, adding the ruffle around the neckline using leftover material.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This dress didn't really photograph well. It looks better on me, honestly. I still love this fabric.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This was my second Gunne Sax dress, bought mere <i>days</i> after my first Gunne Sax. Strangely, though ithas spaghetti straps, the fabric is a thick, dark blue cotton. The two satin ribbons under the bust are classic Gunne.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage010.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Faithful readers may recognize this dress from my first entry. It's my first, and favorite, Gunne Sax. I still think it is the most beautiful dress I've laid eyes on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/vintage011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Wow, I got sleepy fast. Good night allthe Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-558191821333071252010-05-20T22:41:00.000-05:002010-05-20T22:41:30.479-05:00Feeling: Productive with a hint of butterfliesI've had a fair amount of drama, productive moments, and lord knows what else at the moment. I'm sorta dazed at the moment. Last week a beautiful vintage maxi dress arrived at my door with a few glaring flaws so I had a bit of a "verbal" sparring match with the seller but ultimately decided to keep it. The day I wore it out, the seams began coming apart and the hem came unstitched. The worst part was I was out with my mom and we couldn't go home, so I was left fearing my dress would fall apart around me. I haven't felt that vulnerable in many a moon.<br />
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I found some of my classmates from my school in Japan via Mixi (the Japanese myspace/facebook/wherever) and messaged them. I was unsure as to whether either was who I thought they were (names were strange) but both were! Today, though I stumbled upon Minma's public diary and he posted about my message to him. It was hard to read (literally). He seems to be a good storyteller. It kinda seemed like he was unhappy about it at first, but then when he says what the message says, he sounds like its a very good thing. At the end, I think he said that if I didn't accept his friend request, he won't come to America his whole life. Very puzzling. Then all the comments were from other classmates about me and one used the term, "yabai," which I'm used to being a bad thing, which wasn't nice to hear! So I sent him a message and got a few things off my chest I've needed to say for a long time; I apologized. It felt good but it's a little nerve-wracking--to wait for a response.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Sometimes collections sneak up on you. I've discussed this before. Some number of years before now, I was at an antique mall with my mom. I believe this was after I came home from Japan, because I vaguely remember looking for porcelain shoes for Okaasan, Sakino wasn't with us though so it would have to be after she went home. Maybe then, this took place in August of 2006. While looking for the shoes, I happened upon an absolutely breathtaking perfume bottle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit033.jpg" width="142" /></a></div> The rod on the inside is to apply the perfume/oil. I love the gradient effect on the bottle itself. It didn't appear well in pictures. What made me love this even more is that it has a butterfly on it. Though by this time I had given up on my goal of pursuing entomology as a career, I have never quite given up my love of insects.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit034.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>I apologize for this one being a little fuzzy. It's hard to shoot things which go up like this with a point and shoot. I think I got good detail on the rhinestones towards the bottom of the photo. Look at me, I cover my lack of knowledge about perfume bottles by talking about photography. Go me!<br />
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I never thought to collect perfume bottles. I don't really use perfume, so what would be the point? While shopping with Naomi about a month or two ago, she called me over to look at the hats at which time I saw this beauty<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit032.jpg" width="302" /></a></div> I don't think it's very old, but how can you resist that beautiful dragonfly? I couldn't buy it then but I made sure that I returned for it when I had the money. Unlike the other, this one has a plastic stopper in it. Now for a detail shot--are you excited? You know I am!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Isn't the detailing on the wings just lovely? Not a whole lot to say here. So there you have it. It's a very meager collection as of now, but I think that for something as specific as this, I'm doing pretty well. When Amy returns from Switzerland this summer and we move in together, she promised to bring me some perfume oils as a souvenir. This will be the first time I've had anything to put in them (but not for lack of trying--I''ve very picky with scents).<br />
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Thanks for reading through this. I'm sorry if the phrasing is awkward in places, I've been writing Japanese all evening (and a lot of the afternoon) so I'm not all in my English speaking mind here. Thanks to everyone who reads, whether or not you comment or follow, I appreciate all of you.the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-17575345053130637642010-05-09T03:23:00.002-05:002010-05-09T03:30:27.127-05:00(RL Alert!) A snippit from now and the futureJust a disclaimer up front: I am in no mood to put up with close-minded people on this particular issue, so if you do not believe in the metaphysical either don't click or please don't comment. I've debated on whether to post this and if it looks like this is better suited for my livejournal or something, I'll delete this then but please just indulge this wish.<br />
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Ever since Naomi and I decided to partner up and start our own brand, we've spent our relationship in a near constant state of feeling each other out--trying to keep an open mind and becoming sensitive to each others strengths and weaknesses, specialities, aesthetics, etc. Today we learned, what was already expected by me, but now we <i>know: </i>I am not meant to be a costume designer. Period. Not for a movie, or a play, or a band; it doesn't matter. At the risk of sounding totally crazy, I'm going to say something, I have a bit of a sense about somethings. It's not a particularly strong one, but (as related to fashion) I get a feeling from different fabrics. Sometimes I go into a store and pick up a bolt of fabric and know what that fabric needs to become, not by looking at it, I just know. And when I go in with a specific pattern/design in mind I am attracted to the fabrics that fit the feeling of the piece.<br />
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Through the course of working with the members of Marquis of Vaudeville on this project, I feel like I've just been run through the wringer. I pull fabrics that are right for the design and would look good on the member it's for, and I get repeatedly shot down. They say the person would not like that fabric ever. I have garments that I don't like the print of, but I have them because they flatter me. They pull other fabrics that the person would like and when I see the fabric, it's like there's a hand in my chest squeezing at my insides. I feel emotionally and spiritually constrained by the sight of it and I want nothing more than for it to be far, far away from me. But I tried not to say anything. Then as we were trying to confirm that Toby wanted the expensive (and amazing) silk for his lining and piping, he found this awful patterned fabric that was busy and glittery and I tried so hard. I don't want them to think I'm a freak but as soon as he walked away I was nearly overcome by the pressure in my chest--my hands were shaking and I was on the verge of hyperventilating.<br />
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I'm just no good at shopping with a specific persons' taste in mind. I just know that if I make what I feel is right, and spare no expense and effort to make the piece everything that it needs to be, then there will be a customer for it. it may not sell for years, but someday, some person will walk into my store (or webshop) and say that that is exactly what they needed/wanted. And I'll know that that's true. But to go in with the customer and say, "this is it, this is the fabric," because I can feel that it is and to have them tell me it's wrong. It's like exposing my soul, and being told it's not good enough. It's heartbreaking. And I'm probably taking it too hard, but I've spent my entire life ignoring and suppressing my "sensitivity" that I'm not in a place where I am even willing to shut it off to please a client. Someday, when I have more experience/control with it, maybe, but right now I need to listen to those feelings when they choose to manifest themselves. If I can't do that with them, then maybe I should step back from this now and let Naomi take over MoV's costumes. Just maybe.the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-67999177835699635242010-04-29T11:40:00.001-05:002010-04-29T11:40:00.375-05:00Is there no hope for this poor Cooperette?I'm not gonna lie, or mince words. I listen to awesome music. I'm not the only one who thinks so. This is largely because, back when I was twelve, my favorite karate instructor played Hey Stoopid by Alice Cooper in the car on our way to a tournament. I was blown away by the song "Wind-up Toy." I asked for a copy of the tape and listened to it non-stop until one day my dad presented me with a brand new copy of the CD. I treasure this still to this day. I feel all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it. Prior to this, I had not heard rock music.I grew up in the 90s, when the airwaves were flooded with shiny pop music. Alice introduced me to the macabre and I have never looked back. After I saw my first concert (in a tiny club) I swore never to attend an arena concert. I loved the freedom of not being restricted to a seat. I lamented that this would mean I'd never get to see my beloved Alice Cooper live, but just yesterday I decided that I should go see him while I still have the chance. So I checked his site and... no Texas stops. How is that even possible? The nearest stops are in Kansas and Missouri next month. I'm willing to go that far to see him, but the person I would normally ask to accompany me has made it abundantly clear that she does not like Alice Cooper. So I am at a loss, what should I do?<br />
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Well, moving on to today's topic...<br />
<a name='more'></a>Today's topic is very special. It is the first day that I am showing a non-vintage collection. Collections rarely, if ever, start with intent. More often than not, one item is purchased or received and that is when you begin to pay attention to that type of object and the more you see, the more you want, and a collection is born. This is a collection that I never intended to start, it began very much by accident.<br />
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In 2005, I spent a little over half of my senior year of high school living in Japan as an exchange student. This marked not only my first trip out of the US, but also my first flight ever! I remember that during winter, Japan becomes dark very early--we're talking 5pm early and I often bought a Coke or Aquarius (if you don't know what this is, you're missing out!) while I waited for my bus after club ended. In the vending machines, you had the choice of 150ml can bottles, 500ml PET bottles and sometimes 450ml can bottles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit022.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>This is the medium size. I bought it from the machine across from my host school and I thought that it was cool the way that it has Coca-Cola in different languages. So, on a whim, I decided to keep it. I think that the can bottle is a little piece of genius. It keeps the beverage cold longer like a can and reseals like a bottle--best of both worlds!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit030.jpg" width="157" /></a></div>Then, in 2008, I went to Italy with my Cottey class. We were only there for a week so my internal clock never switched over to Italy time. My friends and I always would get hungry and find that all of the restaurants were already closed! Even at 7pm, everywhere except the little pizza place across from our hotel. I think we ate there for almost all of our meals in Rome! Our first lunch in Rome, when we ate there, I got this Coke can. I don't know what this movie is that they were advertising, but I found it bizarre/amusing enough to keep. It's very tall, and skinny.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit023.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>This was the one that made me decide to actively collect foreign coke cans. I visited Japan for the second time in 2008 and, for the first time, found regular cans instead of can bottles. As you can imagine, I was pretty disappointed. But there was one thing that amused me enough to keep me from being too upset:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It has instructions on how to open it! How epic is that? Once this style of can becomes more widespread, I'm sure there will no longer be a need to have instructions on the cans. But at least I'll always have this to remember it by.<br />
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Unlike my other collections, I do not accept foreign coke cans as gifts from others. As you can see, I still remember exactly where I was when I purchased each can (the last came from a vending machine in between Shizuoka JR Station/Parche and my hotel, which were right next door to each other) and each has a memory. This makes this a very special collection for me.the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-85699841171524306442010-04-24T23:28:00.000-05:002010-04-24T23:28:41.116-05:00Many apologies for the long break!I've been cleaning! Big big feat for me. I can generally keep my room clean once it is clean, but the second I slip up it just goes downhill--fast. It doesn't help that I'm a college student and I've got roughly 2 1/2 rooms worth of stuff crammed into that room or that I'm a habitual shopper. As anyone who shops as much a I do knows, after a while you have to get rid of some stuff, so I've taken this as an opportunity to do just that. There's more to it than that though. In the past I've compared my room to my head, it's cluttered but it's full of wonderful things. As some of you know already, I'm in therapy right now, trying to straighten out my head. It's time I straighten out my room; really make the commitment. I can't take this on half-hearted. I haven't finished either yet but I'm working on it!<br />
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As my apology, please accept my gift of photos m(_ _)m<br />
<a name='more'></a>When ever I buy a new hanky, before it can be added to the collection it must be washed. I mean, it only makes since when you think of what they are used for! So I've had this pile of hankies waiting to be laundered that's been steadily growing since before spring break and I finally washed them yesterday. Before I did that though, I took some pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This my most recent acquisition is a gift from my best friend Naomi. It is hand embroidered with an identical design on each corner. I have never seen embroidering like these flowers and a whole bucket of internets to anyone who can identify this stitch/technique. My favorite aspect of this hanky is the white tatting going around the edge. After I washed this one, I saw that some of the threads were poorly tied off and since this is such a large weave that means this will not be a hanky I can regularly use.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Normally, when I see that a hanky has staining or holes I put it back, no questions asked. However, I just kept going back to this one until I finally bought it. The discoloration around the sage colored stencil design seems to me to enhance rather than detract from this lovely piece.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>There's not really much to say about this one. I am particularly fond of printed florals and this one just caught my eye.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit010.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>A few weeks ago I had planned to give all of the cash I had in order to settle a debt with a person I had to sever ties with. I bought this because it was only a dollar and I figured if I was going to be made poor I should at least get something out of it. In the end, I didn't end up seeing him again and so I had an extra hanky that I only marginally liked with a rather painful memory attached to it. I probably won't use this one much either.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Purple is one of my favorite colors and it pairs nicely with the mint green that makes up the background. Florals are fairly common (read: VERY common) themes in vintage hankies but this colorway is pretty unusual. I like that the border for the checkerboard pattern is a chain of white flowers--baby's breath, I think. The little yellow flowers are a nice touch too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hankies with designs based solely in the center are quite unusual. This one doesn't even have tatting or pull-work around the edge. This simple floral design reminds me of a watercolor painting. When I saw this beauty at an antique mall in Bandera, Texas, I knew I had to have it. The design is really that light in real life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was because of Naomi and my mom that I began collecting hankies. My mom gave me several old hankies a few years ago that I liked but it wasn't until Naomi took my mom and I to her favorite antique store that the love took hold. Seeing what was out there, it made me want to see more. This hanky in particular is because of Naomi. Though I had many lovely hankies, when I saw Naomi's Valentine's Day themed hanky I was a little jealous! Finding this one made me so happy. I really got lucky.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Naomi and I went to a used clothing store together and when I asked if they had any hankies they initially said no. Then she remembered about this one, which was being used to put displays on top of! Apparently they didn't expect anyone to come looking for one. The moral of the story is it never hurts to ask!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/1st%20batch/saturdayoutfit007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is a very tiny hanky--probably a child's hanky. The pull-work at the edges is a nice detail and the print reminds me of a Japanese print. Because this one is so small, I chose it to be the hanky I keep in my Travel Emergency Self-Care Kit (like a First Aid Kit for your head). When I had group therapy, we were assigned to put one together and bring it to group. I made two--a big one that I keep at home and a small one I keep in my purse to tide me over until I can get home. Along with this hanky, I included a lens cleaning cloth, my favorite chocolate, and the marbles I picked when I graduated from the group therapy (when you finish they give you marbles because "when you arrive, you've lost your marbles and when you finish, you've started to get them back"). I challenge anyone reading this to put together their own Emergency Self-Care Kit and, if you want to, post in the comments what you included inside. Have a wonderful week!the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-74603042723848679802010-04-19T21:38:00.001-05:002010-04-19T21:40:16.401-05:00Not a real update--EGL Meme from non-loli to vintage<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a name='more'></a>I've been debating whether or not to post for this month's theme. I'm not really active in the comm, I've more been lurking since my arrival. Nothing about this timeline has been orthodox. It was hard for me to pick early outfits as I have never considered myself a lolita, really. In fact, it all started with my love of BPN (b/c the Cutie store near my train station in my host city sold it) and I didn't even know what lolita was. So I wondered, "If at the time I wore these outfits, I didn't think of them as lolita, then do they count?" I am still wondering this, but here I am. So if this is really not relevant, I'm sorry. orz Looking back, though, I've gotta say...wow. I made some <em>interesting</em>outfits. XD This is also limited, some of my favorite pieces (and outfits) are not here because I dress up most days and, well, didn't have anyone to take pictures of me.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">2006</span></strong> (I don't know how to make the pretty, efficient timelines so this may be tall)<br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/2006-1.jpg" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/2006-2.jpg?t=1271725508" /><br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/2006-2hanging.jpg" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/2006-2danceoutfit.jpg" /><br />
This was me improvising for my college's winter formal (this was my prom dress)<br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/IMG_1204.jpg?t=1271725560" /><br />
This is a sort-of Gackt cosplay (I was singing one of his songs for the talent show) I just tried to capture the essence, not a particular outfit<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2007</strong></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/IMG_1661.jpg?t=1271725830" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/2007-3ero.jpg" /><br />
The first reminds me of Alice Cooper and maybe the sec. could be ero?<br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/2007-1.jpg?t=1271726091" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/2007-7.jpg" /><br />
the second features one of my favorite things--obi with western clothing<br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/octnov07003.jpg" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/DSCI0132.jpg" /><br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/hangingandbeyong032.jpg" /><br />
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This is a completely different way of wearing my prom dress (you can't see in this picture, but I'm wearing a wedding petticoat)<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2008</strong></span><br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/manauctionAshley.jpg?t=1271726872" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/DSCI0213.jpg" /><br />
Here's that god-awful dress again! I loved that thing--Its a little girls costume I bought from a renn faire ^^; And then another technique I loved back in the day--layering and mismatching various legwear<br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/DSCI0212.jpg" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/graduationloli054.jpg" /><br />
That summer (2nd pic) marked my 2nd trip to Japan and the introduction of more Brand into my wardrobe<br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/SS850223.jpg" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/SS850225.jpg?t=1271727663" /><br />
This coord landed me on the wank community. And while there are things that I would change--I still stand by it. The bow/waist cincher combination is my favorite part and it was inspired by an obi<br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/g-crop.jpg?t=1271728222" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/c70dad28.jpg" /><br />
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My yukata is rori! The second was my entry in the Maruione fashion contest.<br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/lolimeetup898052.jpg?t=1271728573" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/020.jpg?t=1271729781" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/081220_0347.jpg?t=1271728830" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2009</strong></span> (lean year for pics--because of some meds I gained a significant amount of weight and didn't feel very comfortable in my skin)<br />
<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/019.jpg" /><br />
This isn't an actual coord. shot. I was trying the dress on after it arrived.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2010</strong></span> (I rarely dress in lolita anymore, but I'm including this year to show where my style's gone)<br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/alice-somber.jpg" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/bluedressandblackgloves007.jpg" /><img alt="" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/loli%20timeline/steampunkevening.jpg" /><br />
The outside pictures are vintage and I made the middle jumper from a 1975 pattern<br />
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Well it seems a lot can change in just 4 years.<br />
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[EDIT] I fail at actually doing my hair in any particular style.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4451287670252110842&postID=7460304272384867980" name="cutid2-end"></a></span>the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-75029782860893777502010-04-12T19:59:00.002-05:002010-04-12T20:14:39.872-05:00Sometimes life happens... (warning! LONG!!)After all that hype surrounding Friday's concert, you must be wondering why I have not posted on it since then. Well, it was certainly a crazy ride for me and my comrade. We got a late start, as I was teaching her to cross-stitch, and we got lots of attention at the restaurant for our outfits. I wore my beautiful modern floral jumper circa 1975 (handmade by yours truly) and Naomi wore her pleated vintage ribbon minidress (probably also 70s era). I tried to get photos of us in our outfits but the lighting was very poor in the venue.<br />
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Moving on to the show, supposedly 5 bands were there but I remember only 4... The first two were excruciating, made worse by a terrible headache (caused by yelling over the music, so I suppose it was my fault really). But I was happy to get to know Suzo a little and to hear from Toby that he liked not only my idea for a new song but also the Merry CD I made for him!<br />
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I underestimated my extreme focus once Marquis went on. When I focus my attention on something, it's really hard to see/hear/acknowledge anything else. I was excited going to the show to hear this special set but also to take pictures. You see, one of my first passions in life was photography. I've always been a bit odd, I'd say, and I was the only person in my first HS photography class to take to and care about the B/W film portion of the curriculum. I'd work every minute of every class period in the darkroom or processing film even when I didn't have an assignment due--sometimes I even went after school. I abhorred digital and finished those assignments as quickly as possible so I could go back to the darkroom. From my first roll of film there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to live off my photography. In my own way. Going through some tough times in college, before I went to UNT, I would go to the darkroom for hours at a time to ease my mind and get lost in something. But UNT showed me that this dream is unrealistic. Film is dying and it's cruel that I will probably see the death of my much loved art form in my lifetime. Sure, there will always be those hobbyist who will want to use film, but already it's getting harder to procure the supplies and it will only get harder. Soon to get any of it, you will have to special order it. Buying chemicals this weekend, the cleark was so happy that I wanted selenium toner he GAVE it to me--said he hadn't sold any for over a year. How sad. And I lost myself in a tangent, where was I? Oh yeah.<br />
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I happily shot almost three rolls of 3200 ISO film until the show ended after 2am Saturday morning. I don't usually stay up this late though and I got so tired that at times my vision blurred so much I couldn't tell if the picture was in focus or not and I had to, for the first time ever, use my left eye to focus instead of my right. By the end of the set, even this didn't help and because of my own exhaustion I did the single stupidest thing you can do to screw up your film (besides leave your lens cap on--though I can't believe that anyone would seriously be dumb enough to do this on an SLR), I opened it. I thought something was wrong and that the film hadn't been advancing--turns out the dial read "20" not "0." After that everything went wrong and I hated myself for not only ruining a ten dollar roll of film, but for missing the concert I'd looked forward to for two weeks with the prospect of spending upwards to a hundred dollars to send my film out for processing when I was already certain that one roll was ruined. Why "missed?" I was so focused on taking the pictures that I didn't hear the show, not really, and at that point I wasn't sure that it had been worth it. I had a little break-down on the way home.<br />
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But the next day, I convinced my parents it would be more cost effective to just go out and buy the chemicals and process the film myself. So we did. And I decided to take this as an opportunity to try something I've always wanted to try--Sabatier effect on film. Long story short (too late!) I partially developed that roll, exposed it to the light, then finished developing it. It's very unpredictable and can either result in amazing shots or completely ruined film--this is why I decided to use the roll to try this out for the first time. I may have gotten one good shot (which is a godsend!) and I'll let you know how it goes after I get to the rent-able darkroom in Dallas, hopefully sometime this week (preferably Wednesday). Good Evening All!the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-750440472029082222010-04-09T17:16:00.000-05:002010-04-09T17:16:54.105-05:00Marquis of Vaudeville Special Acoustic Show<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Tonight is Marquis of Vaudeville's Acoustic Live! I've been looking forward to this event since I saw them rehearsing last week. If you live in the DFW area and you are free tonight, I highly recommend coming to see this show! Especially if you are interested in eclectic sounding music. They will be performing special arrangements of their songs including a sitar player. When I saw them, it was only their second day practicing with the sitar and it sounded amazing. I promise you won't be disappointed!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">To see more about Marquis of Vaudeville, check out their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marquis-of-Vaudeville/193405844056">Facebook</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you haven't heard them yet, try "An Ordinary Day." It's my personal favorite (that they have recorded ^_~)</span></span>the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-41006331189278299662010-04-08T22:03:00.003-05:002010-04-08T22:09:14.738-05:00Guide to shopping for vintage gloves--Part 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span>I just saw the cutest crabs ever on Survivor! Non sequitur for the win. I received a very exciting phone call today. Ami, my best friend from Cottey, called out of the blue from Switzerland and it was just so wonderful to talk to her. We talked about everything--from nostagia and future plans to catching up. I can see there are wonderful things on the horizon. Nothing concrete, but wonderful, gossamer possibilities.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Before we get started, I would like to reiterate that I am no historical expert on gloves (does such a thing exist?). I don't know which construction techniques are older, or more sought after, or valuable but I know what I can see with my eyes and, well, feel with my hands. I am passing my knowledge on to you.Warning: very image heavy!<br />
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Don't assume that every pair of gloves are vintage just because they are in an antique store. Vintage clothing stores are the biggest offenders. If you have really big hands and absolutely can't find vintage gloves that fit or are looking for gloves for a costume, modern gloves can help you but otherwise, anyone intending to regularly wear gloves should really try to find vintage. After all, they were made in a time when women wore gloves not as costume but as fashion for daily use. Provided the piece you've found is in good condition, it will be much better suited to stand up to the rigors that you will put them through. But how to tell?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the inside of the left thumb of a newer pair of gloves. Modern gloves tend to be constructed this way. There is nothing wrong with the look of gloves made this way, but the seam is <i>right there</i> in the fleshy part between your thumb and index finger. If the fit is not just right (which it often isn't) or you try to grip anything tightly (such as a steering wheel) it can hurt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the inside of the left hand of a vintage pair. As you can see, the seam comes to a point midway up the thumb--the delicate, fleshy part is safe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the same glove, palm side.<br />
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This is the anomaly pair. these are a gorgeous example of vintage leather gloves. They also either different from my other vintage gloves and even directly contradict one of my points!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Wow. That took more out of me than I expected. Tell you what, I'll stop now and pick up the guide later with the question of inside seams versus outside seams! Fun yeah?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-36093461128312389052010-04-07T21:45:00.000-05:002010-04-07T21:45:02.303-05:00A thousand apologies! orzI swear, I didn't forget you guys! I had every intention of finishing my tutorial today and even had a very restful, recuperative, and productive day and my dress came and everything was wonderful. And then <i>it</i> happened. What was it? The FAFSA, that's what. I got it all filled out, and the one thing I screwed up on is the one thing they won't let you change. I have to start all over again. *sigh* Starting tomorrow I'll have a cache of photos so even when I have a setback like this I'll still have a post for you guys but for now I'm gonna eat a popsicle and find out what Cristina's mom is going to do now that her daughter's abusive boyfriend died cause she hit him with her car. And here I swore I'd never get sucked into my mom's soap.the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-19391618089372617682010-04-06T21:40:00.000-05:002010-04-06T21:40:34.822-05:00Guide to shopping for vintage gloves--Part 1Okay! So I learned the perils of announcing the upcoming subjects ahead of time. Or at least of not taking my pictures ahead of time. Yesterday when I was getting ready to take my pictures I discovered my battery was completely dead. Sorry for the delay, but here it is, my personal guide to buying vintage gloves!<br />
<a name='more'></a>I'm no expert on gloves. All of the information here I've learned from my own experience and trial and error. When I get new information I will update and link back to this page.<br />
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First thing I will say, and probably the most important thing, is <b>always try the gloves on!</b> Women used to have much smaller hands then are common now. Often this will be obvious when looking at vintage gloves, but other times the fingers on the gloves will be deceptively long.<b> </b>Always try on both gloves as one hand, usually the hand you write with, tends to be larger<b> </b>than the other. Also be sure to move your fingers around and make sure you have full range of motion. Sometimes gloves will feel comfortable, like they fit, but are difficult to move in and sometimes they will feel like they don't fit, but still grant full range of motion. It's all about what you feel comfortable in! It is also important to remember the material when making your decision.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This pair has most issues with the thumb. The inside, fleshy part of the thumb is actually farther down than my actual thumb (I hope that made sense, it was really hard to explain) and there is more fabric going around the thumb than the hole, causing the strange, balloon effect shown here.<br />
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The three most common materials for vintage gloves are cloth, leather, and suede. Though satin is a common material in modern/costume gloves, it was not often used before recently. Each has it's own pros and cons, and things to remember.<br />
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First, leather gloves tended to be made of very soft lambskin. These provide the most give and can stretch to fit a slightly larger hand. Because of their warmth, these are often unsuitable for warmer climates. The condition of the pieces I've seen has varied wildly from unstretched new pairs and pliable stretched pairs to very well "loved" pairs with no give like this example<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Second, cloth gloves are very common--but the type of fabrics used can vary! Remember, if you don't care for the feel of a pair of gloves when you are holding them in a store, it's not going to get any better after hours of wear. These are much cooler than leather, but are not going to stretch from use<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/glovetutorial002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last is suede, the least common material. Suede gloves are similar to leather gloves but have limited, if any, stretch to them. I also don't recommend suede for driving gloves as the palms of my pair smoothed down after I tried driving with mine.<br />
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That's it for this installment. I hope this has been useful and be sure to come back (hopefully tomorrow) for the second half, Constructionthe Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-31736738078558073932010-04-04T17:36:00.002-05:002010-04-04T22:20:27.347-05:00Happy Easter!Yesterday, I took a trip with my mom to one of my favorite antique stores to buy a beautiful pair of gloves that I'd seen when I was there with Naomi last. I had actually found two pairs, but unfortunately one pair didn't meet my most important standard for vintage shopping. They didn't fit. I hope that they find a good home with someone who can actually use them. It is my personal opinion that these things were meant to be used, and they should be. To keep them stowed away is a disservice to the piece.<br />
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Onward!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>My glove collection is relatively new. It started last year with one pair of ivory gloves that actually fit my long fingers. There was nothing special about the gloves except that they were larger than the others I had seen., I didn't even go to the store looking for gloves, I just thought they might come in handy. Later I acquired a few more, still fairly simple, pairs but I didn't really seek them out. Then it seems that in the past month I've found exquisite pieces that have really piqued my interest.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>From far away I realize that they must look a little like those yellow rubber gloves you use to clean the toilet, but if you look a little closer...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That beautiful detailing extends all the way to the tip of the pinky finger and as you can see, on the inside where beading would be impractical it has simple scallops. To finish off this piece, a picture of them worn!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>An impulse buy I had, tucked away I found this hankie holder:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's in immaculate condition. Women used to keep their nylons and hankies in little satin pouches like this to protect them. This one I don't think has ever been used as it still had a cardboard square inside to keep it's shape. Here I used the hankie that was currently in my purse to model the inside.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>There is a little discoloration on the inside. Probably it was stored in an attic and got bleached by the sun. Also inside I found this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The woman I bought it from thought it was a tissue holder but when I pulled out a large piece of cotton from it, my mom said it must be a sachet bag. The cotton was scented and you'd put it in a lingerie drawer to keep everything smelling nice. This too must not have been used as it still had this little advertisement in it for a scented drawer lining paper.<br />
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Wrapping up, my mom gave me an early Easter present.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/blog004.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I recognized this pin and I thought at first that she was re-gifting something that I gave her. But no, she said that I had pointed it out at the antique mall in Denton and she bought it while I wasn't looking. She says it's probably from about the '40s. <br />
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If you are interested in buying vintage gloves, come back tomorrow for my personal guide to shopping for gloves.the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-30172176077092283122010-04-03T23:25:00.000-05:002010-04-03T23:25:53.163-05:00I really meant to do this earlier *sweatdrop*Don't really know how long this will end up being, as I've already taken my evening meds and they <i>knock me out</i>. In the interest of time, I will make this a news post and do an extra big picture post tomorrow for Easter. Look forward to a very special entry for the arrival of a brand new (figuratively speaking) gunne sax that I won on ebay on Thursday. Hopefully it will arrive this week! <div><br />
</div><div>Today I added an event ticker to the blog for promoting the events held by my friend Toby's band, Marquis of Vaudeville. I do this for two reasons. Number one: they are very talented and Number two: my best friend (and partner in crime) Naomi and I are working on a very exciting project--designing costumes for the band! For those of you who don't know, the two of us are planning on having a business together in the future. The costumes will not be ready for this event (not even close, but be keeping an eye out closer to the end of summer for that) but we were at their rehearsal on Wednesday taking measurements and they were practicing with the sitar and, trust me, this is going to be an amazing show that you won't want to miss.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Okay, I better go now before I totally crash. See you tomorrow!</div>the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451287670252110842.post-50664010898102764462010-04-02T15:43:00.000-05:002010-04-02T16:18:56.802-05:00PrimusWow. I've been thinking of making this blog for some time now. It's amazing that it is actually real. I hope the atmosphere is quaint and not terribly kitschy. This is my first blog so please be kind, as I am still very inexperienced and unsure of what's going on! I will try to update frequently when I acquire new pieces and share older pieces when I haven't.<br />
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A little about me to get us started and a treat from my collection.<br />
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I guess you could say I am a punk gone victorian. I first came into myself after living in Japan as a foreign exchange student in 2005 and discovered the wonderful world of Japanese Goth and Punk fashion, particularly Black Peace Now. For the first time I felt comfortable in my own skin! Then after returning to America, I learned about Lolita and fell in love with the clothes of the brand Mary Magdalene. Their clothes were this ever present temptation--beautiful pieces I could never hope to afford. So elegant with their clean lines and beautiful florals (and though I'd have denied this in high school, I love florals)! One day, browsing through an antique store I saw what I thought was the most beautiful dress I'd ever laid eyes on...a yellow floral gunne sax prairie dress. Ever since I feel like I've been caught in a whirlwind of lace, elegance, and my own inner princess. I feel that when you embrace your inner princess, or whatever little purpose is lying in wait within you, you start on the path to happiness. My collections are an expression of my princess and every piece is a part of the journey to find myself. I am inviting you to share in my journey.<br />
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As a special treat, for this my first post, I will share one of my most dear pieces. When my sister and I were growing up, my mom would always buy us Madame Alexander dolls. Me being the younger (and much more interested in them) I was very upset when Madame Alexander dolls became more expensive, smaller, and less beautiful. I was jealous of all the lovely dolls my sister had acquired before this shift occurred. The last doll she gave me (very much my choice by this point) was the first doll that she got as a child. I was given the choice between this doll--a dirty smaller doll with a broken foot, hair coming unglued, and worn out elastic--and a much larger blond bridesmaid doll with no flaws except that her dress was falling apart. Before I even found out that my sister had already chosen the bridesmaid, I claimed the doll with the broken foot. I don't know what made me choose her over the other. I just see so much beauty in her. She has flaws, but so do I. We don't need to be flawless to be beautiful.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/momsfirstdoll021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/momsfirstdoll021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Isn't she lovely? Here's a shot where you can see the pretty yellow checkered skirt underneath her skirt. I can't quite recall which garment didn't actually come with the doll, but her outfit has been changed. I bet that means her collector's value is shot!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/momsfirstdoll022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/momsfirstdoll022.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And lastly, a close-up of the damage on her foot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/momsfirstdoll005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/BlameMisery/Multitarian%20Trove/momsfirstdoll005.jpg" /></a></div>And with that being said, thank you for your time reading my ramblings. Maybe I talk too much, I don't know. I'll figure this blog thing out eventually. Have a lovely day.the Lady Ashukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051405256621374233noreply@blogger.com2