tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75137862902205109492024-11-01T06:39:42.662-04:00Charming Monsters is a fashion blog, focused on gothic lolita, grimoire and mori girl style, with a dash of old-skool goth and nerd chic thrown in for added flavour.Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-44846497400955248862011-01-21T14:37:00.000-05:002011-01-21T14:37:24.046-05:00

The Flasco blog has been posting images of Excentrique's upcoming Spring 2011 collection over the past week and I am seriously smitten! Once again, they're presenting a blend of classic tailoring, corset details and military styling; the simplicity of the lines reminds of Atelier Boz, although the stripes give a bit more interest than Boz's usual solid colors. Love the stripes-on-stripes mix in

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-30158608359075579642011-01-20T22:45:00.002-05:002011-01-20T22:45:00.720-05:00

One of the problems I'm having with blogging about clothes right now is that I'm trying very hard not to go looking at new stuff that's coming out right now, lest I break my resolution to stop shopping until my Japan trip in May. Logically, I can keep reminding myself that it's the best idea, especially since I'll save enough on shipping and customs fees to get even more goodies, but temptation

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-76896138391519486672011-01-19T09:37:00.004-05:002011-01-19T09:37:00.192-05:00

Looking for a funky alternate to Innocent World's sold-out book purse - and for significantly less money? Check out this awesome book purse tutorial! I have some cute hardcover books left over from my wedding centerpieces which would be just great for this (they were purchased for their cool antique covers, not for their questionable prose!). Clutches aren't really my thing, but maybe I'll luck

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-76209512239606935592011-01-04T10:33:00.000-05:002011-01-04T10:33:22.970-05:00

I hope everyone had a happy holidays! Like most people, I have a few resolutions for the coming year. They're not too exciting, I suppose, but it's always good to have goals to focus on! 1. Stop shopping! That sounds pretty drastic, especially for a fashion blogger, but it's not quite as terrible as it sounds. My husband and I are going to Japan in May for our belated honeymoon, and I want to

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-47714501382216411762010-12-23T09:36:00.000-05:002010-12-23T09:36:04.843-05:00

Kelsey of I Do Declare has posted some photos from the Dances of Vice runway presentation last month. Her designs just keep getting better and better! One of my goals for 2011 is definitely adding a piece from her to my collection :) Metamorphose is launching their winter sale items already. A few of the items I had my eye on, including their Old Rose JSK, have already sold out, but if you dig

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-40321817598023198392010-12-22T14:00:00.000-05:002010-12-22T14:00:00.054-05:00

I'm counting Pina Sweet as an indie brand, although they do get frequent features in the Gothic & Lolita bible, enough exposure that most Western lolitas have at least heard of them a few times before. Even so, they definitely don't have the advertising clout of the big brands, and their limited operations scope puts them in the indie category as far as I'm concerned. Like most Japanese

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-49766907605523021292010-12-22T09:17:00.000-05:002010-12-22T09:17:56.837-05:00

One of the most memorable lines from the Japanese Fashion panel run by Martha (of Moss Garden) last Otakon was her comment while explaining the main source of Dolly Fashion items in Japan: They buy it here. It struck me as true then - Dolly Fashion pulls many elements from vintage European style, especially from the Gunne Sax/Little House on the Prairie era, which is more common in vintage

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-21858356056707729182010-12-20T10:17:00.005-05:002010-12-20T10:17:00.271-05:00

Dreaming of checking out Baby the Stars Shine Bright's San Francisco store, yet lacking the travel budget? Check out this video shot at the September Ice Cream social by Kalamari Kastle instead!

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-58550083846084623072010-12-15T09:53:00.002-05:002010-12-15T09:53:00.401-05:00

Princess Doll is a long-established Japanese indie brand, specializing in subdued classic designs. Their signature styles include empire-waisted babydoll dresses, detailed or gathered bodices, skirts with ruffle hems and off-center bows near the hem. For the most part, they stick with solid colors or light floral prints, although they do branch out into more Victorian-wallpaper prints and

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-15889647951324012722010-12-14T10:18:00.002-05:002010-12-14T10:18:00.280-05:00

I've mentioned shopping services a few times now, without really clarifying what they are - it's one of those things most lolita fashion followers just assume everyone knows about! A shopping service is pretty much what it sounds like: someone who will buy things for you and then ship your purchases to wherever they need to go. Obviously, this is incredibly handy for lolitas who live outside

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-30928816827291473682010-12-13T09:35:00.010-05:002010-12-13T09:35:00.734-05:00

This one's for all you pirate guys & gals, a sweetly sad little sea shanty about love and loss among the pirates (well, the gay ones). Not very frilly, but still adorable!

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-78035729338643905012010-12-08T14:15:00.008-05:002010-12-08T14:15:00.515-05:00

Highly sought-after by the ubergothic are the rare items from indie brand Antique Beast. They've been around since the early days of Gothic & Lolita, and they continue to turn out a handful of designs each year, always sold out in early reserves and cherished for many years by their owners. And is it any wonder? If you dig old-school gothic elegance, Antique Beast has you covered:

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-42228364392454485632010-12-08T11:17:00.011-05:002010-12-08T11:17:00.514-05:00

According to this blog post, Meta is doing an in-store sale on two of their more recent prints, Twinkle Journey and Old Rose. Old Rose is a classic-style print in muted colors, and Twinkle Journey is the infamous unicorn print. Strangely enough, the Twinkle Journey items are completely sold out on their website, and have been for a while. I know the print is very popular among Western lolitas,

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-43882799218122734452010-12-07T19:28:00.000-05:002010-12-07T19:28:32.300-05:00

Starting at 5 pm Japanese time on Wednesday, December 8th (so, 3 a.m. the same day for those of us living on the east coast of North America), Meta's offering a special set featuring their Honey Picnic print. Ordering info is here. The set includes a JSK or OP, socks, cardigan or blouse or bolero, and an accessory. Meta chooses the color and style for all items, as usual for lucky-pack style

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-54089695130417677692010-12-06T12:00:00.002-05:002010-12-06T15:15:39.956-05:00

There was a really interesting article about the vintage clothing industry in my local paper today: On the Front Lines in the Vintage Clothing War. So many people, when they think about donating clothing, imagine their cast-offs just go straight to the racks of their local thirft shop, but that's not the case any more. The sorting and shipping of second-clothing, especially quality vintage, is

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-63048579774873039802010-12-06T09:45:00.017-05:002010-12-11T09:18:20.219-05:00

I'm sure many of you have seen this already, but for those who haven't (and for myself, to keep track of the link), today's Monday Movie is LoliGirls: The Story Behind the Frills and Bows, a short independent documentary focused on three Lolita Fashion lifestyle ladies in Conneticut. I found the documentary to be interesting, although I wish it was a bit longer, so there would be more time to

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-33632571968722136082010-12-03T15:12:00.004-05:002010-12-03T15:12:00.094-05:00

Guess who just found 3 yards of black & white striped fabric buried in the depths of her fabric stash? Which means guess who's making herself a new black & white striped dress this winter? YAY! Of course, that's going to have to wait until after I *finish* the four semi-complete sewing projects I also found while going through my sewing stash. *sigh*

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-10366629380566014332010-12-03T10:57:00.003-05:002010-12-03T10:57:00.823-05:00

Once or twice a year, my beau and I throw a Purge Party for our friends. It's a chance to go through everything we own and ask the ever-difficult questions: Why do I own this? Do I ever use it? Why am I still hanging on to it?!? Hard as this can be, it is also wonderfully freeing. Making room for new things is great, and so is getting rid of stuff that's just gathering dust. I find it 

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-20132955555143774532010-12-02T10:57:00.003-05:002010-12-02T10:57:01.076-05:00

One of my new favorite illustration & fashion blogs is Fashion From Old People, wherein two fabulous artists (Emily Carroll and Vera Brosgol) dish up their interpretations of historical fashions and the ladies who might have worn them. The fashions run the gamut from Rococo and Victoriana through 1950s retro, with a link back to the reference photo of the dress that inspired the drawing. It's

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-64401450681892810032010-12-02T09:07:00.023-05:002010-12-02T09:07:00.155-05:00

Like many other lolita fashionistas, I am currently making grabby hands in the direction of Alice & the Pirate's newest reserve dress, the Kuranosuke Stripe Jumper Skirt: *Swoon* It's a Burton-loving gothic lolita's dream come true! I even adore the little bustle on the back, although it is a bit more narrow that really suits the fabric and design. That said, it's not as if I don't already

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-9867295426671877622010-12-01T10:37:00.000-05:002010-12-01T10:37:08.945-05:00

My apologies for neglecting this blog so shamefully. I've spent the past few months in an ever-increasing frenzy about the wedding preparations, and then recovering from the whole process. I also signed up for NaNoWriMo, the national novel-writing month, and spent Novemeber banging out 50,000 words of my new book. It's been an amazing, awe-inspiring whirlwind of joy and creativity, but it knocked

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-22076244814174159012010-08-09T10:17:00.000-04:002010-08-09T10:17:21.696-04:00

For the hardcore lifestyle lolita, how about some gold-plated food? Found via the Inspire Me, Now! tumblr, this food spray comes in gold and silver, and is available from The Deli Garage (under "Food Spray"). The site claims the spray is harmless and tasteless, but I'm not sure I want to be the first to give it a try :) That said, it could be a great finishing touch to a fairytale photo set

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-66062644794111065782010-08-05T09:30:00.000-04:002010-08-05T09:30:23.463-04:00

I'm hoping to get caught up on posting this weekend, with details about my adventures with Otakon, group ordering and more, but work is keeping me crazed until then. When this popped up in my blog feed, though, I just had to make a quick note of it: What brand do you think that is? The  bows, the two-toned frontpiece, the hem pintucks - it all screams Innocent World, right? But look

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-994999262575711592010-07-12T18:53:00.001-04:002010-07-12T18:54:35.829-04:00

Ack! Sorry for the lack of posting - summer is the busiest time of year for my work, and I've been hacking away pretty steady for the last month or so. Plus, a local heat wave has made me less than inclined to dress up, so I've been a bit boring lately in the fashion department. I did attend a fun meet-up the weekend before last, which I'll post about as soon as I've uploaded the pics from my

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513786290220510949.post-46834230057204321882010-06-13T13:33:00.000-04:002010-06-13T13:33:08.584-04:00

June 1, 2010 A simple, casual coordinate with my new Metamorphose JSK. JSK, Socks, bloomers: Metamorphose Shoes: Baby the Stars Shine Bright Parasol: Alice and the Pirates Bag: Aldo T-shirt: no idea I wanted something simple, since I've been working a lot lately and don't really have time to fuss with clothing and accessories. This worked okay, I think, although it's not something I'd wear

Charming Monstershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01730762325902660638noreply@blogger.com0