The Best Ad Ever

For those of you who haven't seen this ad from Kotex, I have to show you. It's a parody of ads for women's products that euphemize the whole menstruation thing with images of yoga classes filled with spandex or twirling on the beach in slo-mo.

Not only is this the first honest sounding ad for feminine products I have seen in a long time, but Kotex actually had to fight networks that would not allow them to use the word "vagina." I'm totally serious. Like, talk about tampons and stuff but don't go talking about where it goes. We should never mention our "down there lady bitsies". Furthermore, Kotex acknowledged its own bad ad history by featuring footage from past ads in this one. Three cheers for Kotex for finally letting the world know we get periods and when we do we don't frickin run up and down the beach in slomo in our little white bikinis. Most of us don't do that period or not. Pass the truth and the ibuprofen.

Courage on Ice: Why An Olympic Performance Stirred My Heart

Apology to my readers: I meant to post this much earlier, but was held back by schoolwork.

Those who know me can tell you that I'm not really the kind who is interested in athletic events. I grew up being picked on by the "popular" girls and the "jocks" and thus my desire to watch sporting events had to emerge back over time. I've actually never gotten to do something "talented" continuously since childhood. I know so many girls who were fortunate to take ballet since age 5, not back when they were age 5. I even tried ice skating at one point, but I was not cut out for anything it seemed, either in terms of talent or more-often-than-not in terms of our financial ability to continue. I eventually found my niche, of course, as a scholar--not an athlete, not a performer, not a dancer, not as any of the things I wanted so badly to be when I was a little girl. I often get depressed and think I'm not good enough for anything, even the dream I pursue now--and I'm positive many other women my age and of various ages empathize with this. So what made the difference?
My mother. My hard-working, tough-talking single mother whose personality couldn't be farther removed from mine if she tried: I love frills, and gothic literature, and textbooks, and fashion, and finery; she loves sports, the simple life, men (used to be boys when she was my age, which I don't give a hoot about), and making burp jokes that embarrass me . She's the doe-eyed tomboy, I'm the finicky princess. But despite all these differences, we came together over my education--she believed in me, in my ability to win scholarships and to do something no woman in my family has ever done: graduate with a college degree. And I can safely say, without her I wouldn't be a senior in college in the top 10 of my class. My mother is the most important person in my life. She gave me strength.

Now, my mother seduced me into watching the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics this year and I'm very glad she did. It introduced me to a figure skater from Canada named Joannie Rochette. She performed her best in the final portion of the competition. She wasn't as technical as Mao Asada nor as precise as the winner Kim Yu-Na, but she had something propelling her blades that brought tears to my eyes: her love for her mother, who died of a heart attack only days before her daughter skated on Olympic ice. It was their dream: a mother's dream for her daughter, and a daughter's chance to let her mother see her success. And even with her mother's death heavy on her heart, she didn't let her down. Joannie Rochette literally skated her heart out: Every moment was so passionate, I felt like it ceased to be a skating competition and really transformed into a celebration of love, a moment of spiritual transcendence.

Photo credit: Getty

This is the NBC footage of her short program. I encourage everyone to watch it, even if you're not a big fan of figure skating. Normally, during performances, the announcers make calls (like in any televised sport). You'll notice they were speechless throughout her program, and as viewers could tell from the cracking of emotion in the broadcaster's voice as he returned, in awe of her dedication and courage. Not only did Rochette find the courage to skate in spite of the circumstances, but her powerful performances earned her the bronze medal and a spot on the Olympic platform.

I was honored to see an uplifting performance honoring the bond of mother and daughter, the most powerful relationship in my own life. So I'm taking this time on the blog to thank Joannie Rochette, and to thank all the other daughters who love their mothers and the mothers who believe in their daughter's futures. I need to wipe my tears now and return to homework, but I hope I leave you all in strength and in love. Merci pour votre courage, Joannie. I picked the right year to watch the Winter Olympics.

Classic Lolita Designers Look Toward Spring

To get back to a Spring feeling, I'm checking out some Spring collections. Today I'm looking at Japanese classic lolita brands' newest looks and accessories for a bit of inspiration.

Innocent World

First on the new items page for Innocent World, this clear umbrella with a roses/ribbons print is perfect for April showers, and feels lighter than a solid color umbrella might. Also counts as a lolita fashion item you can use outside of the fashion. Here is the umbrella and an offbrand alternative if you like the look but maybe not so much the print:

(The plain clear one is available at Target stores and at Target.com)

This dress/jsk from the same brand seems to be embracing a retro feel, with a belted look and a bowtie back reminiscent of the 50s/60s. This looks like it could definitely be worn with or without a blouse, making it very versatile as a piece.

Simple, and very elegant.

UPDATE: New print for spring: Antique Pansy.
(I'm loving the blue and green!)

Victorian Maiden

Next up is Victorian Maiden, whose new items are in my opinion very reminiscent of traditional Victorian aesthetic similar to the costumes and styles in such recent films as The Young Victoria. Very beautiful and with a sense of...what can I call it? Regal bearing perhaps? Although the pastels are very bright. They also released their free desktop calendar for March/April, which is my current desktop. I love the model they're using--she reminds me of Emily Blunt. Here is the coordinating separates for the print she's sporting, and the headpiece:

VM has some additional pieces for your feet and your wall. VM, MM and JetJ seem to release shoes less often than other brands :

Mary Magdalene

One of the most popular classic brands, Mary Magdalene used a heavier-looking print fabric for their Spring look. The colors are much less pastel than other brands, and there is a lot of intricate trim embellishing the straps and collar:

I'm a really big fan of de-masculinizing suit pieces, so as one might imagine I love their new suit jacket with bow-tied back. Overall very pleased with their new items:

Juliette et Justine

Last, but certainly not least (expensive) is JetJ, a very opulent brand. It looks like their Spring line isn't entirely up yet, but we have some items, one being this multi-tier chiffon (?) skirt and a rose print write dress with interestingly modern color options. I have a feeling more pieces are coming:

So there you have it--some fashion to look forward to for Spring. My next post will actually go back to Winter and deal with a more personal story. Tata!

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.