Gunne Sax featured on the Grimoire blog!

Those who know me know I love my Gunne Sax dresses.
They are old-fashioned, fun, flirty, apologetically feminine, and oh-so antique chic. As a collector of 60s/70s vintage, Gunne Sax by Jessica McClintock are my favorite finds. So I was really excited when I stumbled across this new entry on Grimoire's blog. Lo and behold--a lovely navy Gunne Sax! It's interesting to me, because I never even thought of the antique doll /dolly-kei style and prairie revival style as being compatible. But it works very well, since the Gunne style is so in tune with looking old-fashioned and antique. I mean, search etsy for "gunne sax" and just look at the wide range of beautiful Edwardian and Victorian style blouses, etc. that McClintock created.
I haven't really gotten into the antique doll look with my own fashion, but I find it quite beautiful and intriguing. Grimoire's boutique would definitely be on my list of shops to visit in Shibuya! I messed around on polyvore in an attempt to make a coordinate combining aspects of Grimoire/Dolly-kei and Gunne styles. It somehow ended up being horse themed (probably because I'm the one who made it):

It could probably use some work, since I'm not very experienced with dolly-kei, but I just couldn't resist. Vintage ponies! I think I'm incurable, lol.

tata, beatrix

Strawberry Shortcake!

Ah, the 80s and early 90s and childhood memories. American Greetings created a slew of popular girls' tv animation characters (ex: Rainbow Bright, Lady Lovely Locks), but none has become quite as long-runningly successful as Strawberry Shortcake.

Old versus new: I feel the trademark style of Strawberry Shortcake kind of dissolved in the 2000s. They look like any character you might find on Dora the Explorer even :-(

Unfortunately, like the My Little Pony franchise, Strawberry suffered an--in my opinion--overdone makeover to make her "hipper" and more of a "tomboy." I say that because she's wearing jeans and almost everything cutesy has been deleted from her wardrobe to make her look "sleeker," "simplified, and up-to-date (and somehow like Where's Waldo?). I know this is probably an attempt to make her character more gender-neutral (while still marketing exclusively to girls), but I'm going to really, really miss the cute and original-looking costumes the characters wore. Just look at the above difference! The new designs are BORING. The only thing identifying each character is their hats.

But I choose to remember her as she was, and I made a new polyvore coordinate to celebrate her quirky, girly style:

So here's my question to all of you: Did you have a favorite childhood cartoon/tv show/book/etc that was remade recently in a way that made you shudder? The closest thing for me currently is the new Transformers movies (yes this frilly, girly girl loves metal music and is addicted to the original Transformers series. Ba-weep-grana-weep-ninny-bom). How do you feel about sequels to childhood classics or revamped characters/plot? What studio exec scarred your precious childhood memories?

I want it to be Spring!

So, my net has been down/slow for awhile thanks to the nasty snowy weather we're still having here in the mountains. Additionally, my college studies have piled up with my recent illness, so that also contributed to the lack of post-age. I did get to watch the Olympics with my mother which was a very wonderful time. I'd been away from home so long, I forgot how much I missed tv dinners and walking the dog. But now that March is here, I want to be active again--go outside, feel sunshine and go on a picnic by the lake! I will post something about the winter games, though.
Here's a polyvore I did with an VM dress to hail in the spring:

Rosey Spring by beata-beatrixx

I'm entering a polyvore contest that's coming up on jeunefille666's youtube channel to make an offbrand/vintage lolita look. She only has a few vids up now, but I have to plug her a bit here because she's classic/aristocrat and also into "antique doll" as well, and it's refreshing to see that in a very sweet-dominated lolita world. I subscribe to couple loli-vlogs amongst other various youtube channels, so if you have any faves I'd love to hear them.

Keeping it Country In the Winter Time--Country Lolita, that is.

Country Lolita is not really considered its own subset of lolita fashion, yet we know it when when we see it. Country Lolita is probably my favorite lolita style, a derivative of sweet/classic lolita that is more geared towards the outdoors. Prints tend to be ginghams, calicos, images of fruits (especially berries), and florals. Accessories usually include a straw hat/bag, and a hat or bonnet for the outdoors. I also think one could throw in an apron and maybe some nature-themed jewelry. I would even go a step further and associate prairie revival aesthetic with aspects of country lolita.

Because this style is geared toward the outdoors, it's more common to see it in the summer and spring when the weather outside is agreeable toward less layers and lighter clothes. However, taking the country look into the winter is possible. I made some coordinates to illustrate, mainly for classic country, but most of these can apply to sweet styles.
Steps for Country-fying your winter lolita wardrobe:

Country Lolita for the Winter 1 by beata-beatrixx featuring Vince Camuto shoes

1. Bundle up!: The Innocent World op has a high neck and long sleeves for warmth, and the jsk feels less opulent because the print is less ornate (no lofty cherubs or princess prints here), making it suitable for country lolita. I've accessorized with thermal leggings and earmuffs, but go a step further and add a cardigan or coat that coordinates well and readies you for being outdoors in the cold. Ruffles and knits seem to go well with country since they look more outdoorsy and opened. Avoid heavy velvets or satins, faux fur is fine. Look for flower or leaf motifs on outerwear and woolen fabrics. Some good examples of cardigans: 1, 2, 3 and of coats (one lightweight, one capelet, and one heavy): 1, 2, 3

2. Keep it on the darker side: While country lolita tends to be airy and lighter, in the winter time you can offset this by choosing darker hues. My example is this Innocent World op in a dusty brown plaid print. Brown is a wonderful color to work with because it's dark but not as harsh as black. Try to use a color palette that matches nature--only nature in the winter, with dark greens, browns, deep pinks and berry reds, and navy blue and white. Avoid bright pastels or neons .

3. Nature is in the accessories: Choose jewelry and hats/bags that relate to the countryside. In the first coordinate I include a straw boater hat with a brown trimmed brim as well as floral earmuffs with a dusty rose print and brown bows. If a straw bag/basket is a too summery, substitute wicker which is stiffer looking and more appropriate. Instead of asking, "what would a Victorian lady wear to a picnic in the country?" ask yourself "what would a country girl during the Victorian era wear for the winter?"

Country Lolita for Winter 2 by beata-beatrixx featuring Eric Javits hats

4. Use winter appropriate themes that fit the country style. Floral prints should feature roses, lilies or other winter-blooming flowers. Berry prints (without gingham as it's too summery) are great for the winter season because they fit the festive vibe of the holidays. Avoid prints/fabrics with a shine or metallic effect, as this will detract from the overall nature theme. The jsk or skirt in this second coordinate is a perfect example of a country theme in a winter palette--forest animals munching on a cornucopia of berries and apples.

5. Going out with my boots on: Boots, especially classical granny boots or riding boots, are perfect for bringing country into the winter. They are outdoorsy and weather appropriate. Sweet country lolitas might choose boots with cork bottoms such as these which bring an echo of straw or country grass, or scalloped laced boots like these which recall Victorian style boots. I love the idea of riding boots because it brings to mind horses and being on an old country farm.

6. Let your hair down or wear it in braids. This is pretty standard for country lolita since it is more casual while still maintaining its own unique aesthetic. Over-teased or uber-curled hair is too over-done for a country maiden. If you have frizzy hair, embrace it. Some examples of hairstyles for country lolita: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. If you are of a more Rococo persuasion, you might try to emulate Marie Antoinette's country hairstyles as seen in Sophia Coppola's film (images from The Costumer's Guide to Movie Costumes): 1, 2, 3, 4

So those are my tips for taking country lolita into the winter. Hope this was enriching, tata!

Playing around on Polyvore: Victorian-inspired look

Feeling like something very feminine and romantic, very Victorian:

Petals and Lace by beata-beatrixx featuring Forever21

Items in this set:
Crochet Cardigan W/ Sash, $35
Black lace & sequin blouse, 20 GBP
Lace Ruffle Mesh Skirt, $30
Boutique Floral Pump, $25
Victorian Revival Fancy Framed Rose Necklace, $22

(I'm really loving polyvore now that I've started using it more. It's like your own version of that program Cher uses to pick her daily outfit in Clueless.)