Be Mine.

‘Tis that time of year again. Valentine’s day approaches and couples every where fret over what to do. Flower? Chocolates? Jewelry? So much expectation and so little direction. Why not take some of the fretting out of the picture and be Japanese for the day, or two days as it may be? The Japanese divide our Valentine’s Day up into two holidays. One in February and the other in March.

In February, there is Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) for the girls to give the men in their life gifts. Mostly they give chocolates. There are two types of chocolate gifts. Giri-choco, or obligation chocolates, are usually inexpensive store bought chocolates given to family (brothers, fathers, etc.) or coworkers (especially the boss). The other chocolate gifts are known as Honmei-choco, litterally “Prospective winner” chocolates. These are homemade chocolates (usually by melting chocolate and pouring into molds) that are given only to the “favored fellow”. Honmei-choco are sometimes accompanied by ties or other little cutesy gifts. Also, in more recent years, some girls have been giving Tomo-choco, or friend chocolates, to their female friends. Tomo-choco are usually not overly expensive, somewhat like giri-choco except some girls home-make these chocolates.

In March, it’s the men’s turn. On March 14, the men give the women gifts. Usually they give gifts to their family and those women who gave them chocolates the month before. White Day gifts are usually more expensive. Common White Day gifts are cookies, white chocolate, white lingerie/clothes, marshmellows, and jewllery. Granted these are only common gifts, not a limit.

If you decide to add a taste of Japan to your life with these holidays, don’t think of “tradition” as a fence, but instead a guide line. GET CREATIVE! Maybe you’ll make your special man some chocolates and a card. Add some colour to them, make them fun! Maybe, if you’re a guy, instead of simple gifts, you can make a white party! Wear white, give her white chocolates or other gifts, and a card. Make it yourself! Use her favorite coloured paper, but decorate it with craft pearls and white feathers. Make it something special.

If you’re alone for this special holiday, grab your other single gal pals and have a girl day! Make chocolates together, ice cupcakes, and watch a movie together! Have an awesome time and be happy with your single selves!

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a beautiful holiday!
*kisses*
Princess Raelynn

Charm

I, just today, found a new, magnificent blog. It is by a beautiful princess named Victoria. On there I found a list of what “Every lolita should have.” Here is that same list, with what I have in italics, and what I do not think I, personally, need struck out. This is a self reminder of where I wish to go and where I can go for inspiration. Here is her links: lolita-charm.blogspot.com

•a few sheets of cute stickers, for adding to cards, notes, or envelopes;
•printed notepaper with a cute style;
•a lipgloss in her favorite color, to apply when she might meet someone fabulous;
•a simple, comfortable dress to run errands in;
•a pretty pair of headphones or earbuds for walking by herself;
•a tiara for adding to luxurious hairstyles, for special events;
•one excellent makeup trick that always wows her friends;
•the perfect parasol for sunny days, or alternately -
•a wonderful friend who will share hers;
•a tripod and camera, for taking her own daily outfit shots;
•one completely different outfit that is for her alter-ego, for being in disguise;
•the know-how to plan a meetup;
•a notion of using public transport, like subways, buses, or trains for getting her where she needs to go;
•a list of things she loves about herself tacked to her mirror;
•a pair of shoes that make her steps feel princess-like;
•a conglomerate of style icons she can refer to when she feels out of creativity;
•the trick to applying false eyelashes;
•one excellent wig for when her hair just won’t do what she wants;
•the knowledge that settling is for lesser spirits;
•a classic book for when she doesn’t want to meet the eyes of people staring in public;
•a Tide-to-Go pen for rescuing dream dresses;
•a nest egg for buying the perfect item for herself, by herself;
•a shopping service she trusts;
•a purse that seems to have a black hole in the bottom, willing to accept anything from cameras to entire coats;
•a coat trimmed with fur, to be complimented on whereever she goes;
•a look-book of street snaps and photos she admires, with a list of items she wishes to own;
•a name for her own personal style, which she alters as she wants;
•the ability to take the advice of the Internet, but also to turn it off and do her own thing;
•a petticoat guranteed to give you model-worthy poof;
•one photograph of herself in her first dress to remind her how far she’s come, and one photograph of herself in her best dress that reminds her why she became a lolita in the first place.
Once again, this is not my idea but the idea of Miss Victoria that I can use, with modifications, to get where I want to go.