#but the shows i see trend on tumblr rarely even have one item on the shelf

[delicatefury]

I will be the first to admit that I don’t know why marketing makes the merch decisions it does. They have to start manufacturing toys before the show goes on air to capitalize on interest after all, so one question should be why they think these shows they produce aren’t marketable and why they decided to produce them anyways. And another question would be how you show them you are interested in purchasing merch.

But apparently while there aren’t any toys, there is official Owl House merch at Hot Topic and there was official infinity train merch, but the CartoonNetwork store has since disappeared.

TMNT always has merch in the aisles, though. So no excuses there.

I wonder how many people realize that the best way to support the cartoons they love is to… buy the merch?

The official merch.

It really is that simple. It’s why Transformers and My Little Pony keep coming back. It’s why there are so many Barbie movies. Why Kevin Smith’s Masters of the Universe failed but the 3D animated He-Man is thriving. Why Pokemon is the biggest money making franchise of all time and will never not have an anime. Why Bluey, Cocomelon, and other little kid cartoons are having money poured into them while other studios are being cut off ruthlessly. It’s why Frozen and Cars got fucking sequels while The Owl House was reduced to 3 specials for its final season.

Because, for those IPs, people buy the official merch.

Parents aren’t going on Etsy to get a hand-crochet plush of Bluey or Bingo. They’re picking one up at Target. The Transformers collector isn’t buying small batch stickers from a fanartist on redbubble, he’s buying an official hasbro figure at the comic store and his kids a sticker sheet at Walmart. Hand painted cards are never going to replace the Pokemon TCG.

And that’s where companies make their animation budget back. Not through advertisements. Not through subscriptions. Merch.

And it doesn’t matter if the fan stuff is better made. It doesn’t matter if you can commission exactly what you want. As much as it sucks, fan merch is copyright infringement, and the animation companies don’t see a single red cent from it.

You can sign all the petitions you want. You can stream every single one of these cartoons in the background on a repeat to falsify watch numbers, you can post all the fanart and fanfiction you want in an active fandom of millions and it won’t save your show. So long as the cartoon isn’t justifying the expense of animation from official merchandise sales, the companies have no incentive to keep making them.

I’m not saying those actions never work. But the surest way to make sure these companies stay invested in your favorite cartoon, is to make sure their investment in your favorite cartoon pays off.

[arielsojourner]

Still wanting to marry this fic

So I am still obsessed with  @nemainofthewater‘s Shining Universe/dragon!Jaskier universe (her fic can be found here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22562836?view_full_work=true ). So here is another unconnected ficlet written with the author’s permission playing in her sandbox so to speak. Other ficlets on my Tumblr under the tag #dragon!jaskier.

*

It’s the concert of a lifetime and Jaskier intends to be there no matter what. 

Countess de Stael, nearing the end of her years, is sponsoring an arts festival and competition for troubadours, minstrels, and bards from all over the Continent. It is the Countess’s last great show of her wealth and prestige, one last hurrah as a great “patron”  and “lover” of the arts, (and one last attempt to drain the family coffers to avoid her heirs inheriting). Jaskier has fought too long and too hard to gain some height and some much needed years to his human form to miss out. Especially since Vardo Marx is going to be attending as a so-called judge and all the best up and coming talent will be there. He may look barely into his teens (which takes a great deal of effort and strain, since dragon puberty is still many decades away), with nary a hair on his chin or upper lip, but it is enough. 

(It has to be.)

He can at least manage his lute without looking ridiculous. 

“Have you thought this through?” Borch asks with amusement. The older dragon has learned that his adopted fledgling is a source of much entertainment both intentional and otherwise. This festival will prove no exception. “How will you explain your appearance?”  

“Moisturizer and music. I have a young soul,” Jaskier says in all seriousness as he continues to check every item of his wardrobe. Adjustments had been made. Shed scales were sewn into what was once a doublet, now shortened and cut just at his ribcage as a jacket. He has to wear his trousers very high and tuck in his shirt tight but he will make it work. He does have a few twinges of worry that he may look too out of of step with current trends. Who even knows what the current fashion is, what colors and fabrics are in, when one lives in a cave and only rarely wears human clothes? But Jaskier will not let himself be daunted! He will wow the crowds and judges with a performance that would spread throughout the Continent.

He is sure of it! 

Humans are stupid, Saskia thinks with a shake of her head.

“And you think that will be enough?”

“I also plan to wear this!” Jaskier says brandishing a mask made out of the excess fabric of his once doublet. “I will appear as the masked bard. I shall give no name. My calling card will be my flower namesake-- a buttercup --and the Countess will recognize me when I sing and Vardo will suffer and die of bitter jealousy, the hack! It’s going to be perfect! Just wait and see!”  

[surveysonfleek]

1540.

Do you or have you ever owned a cup with your name on it? never. it’s not a name you’d usually find.

What’s the most expensive crafts tool that you own? haha no idea. i don’t own crafts tools.

Have you ever woven baskets of any kind (wicker, paper, cardboard etc.)? nope.

How do you like Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis? one of those songs you just know even if you’ve never intentionally chosen to listen to it.

Speaking of Jerry Lee Lewis, have you seen the biopic about him? no.

How about the biopic about Tina Turner? nope.

Do you like the TV-show Frasier? i honestly used to a catch an ep or two when i was a kid.

What’s something you know by heart? mean girls, line for line haha.

What is something you’re greedy about? money. i wouldn’t call it greed but i tend to be careful with it when it comes to allowing people to borrow from me etc.

How valuable does a coin have to be for you to bother to pick it up? gold.

What would be something you would wait in line to get for free? anything? hahaha.

Has there ever been a leak anywhere in your house? yes.

Have you ever slipped in the shower? no, thankfully!

Have you ever made any decorative crafts? If so, are they displayed? not since i was a kid.

Is it very humid where you are right now? nope. it’s actually cold for once.

What is the most suggestive thing someone has said to you? they were pretty straight to the point haha.

Do you have friends who you playfully flirt with? no.

Doesn’t the Z in the Bzoink logo look like an L to you, too? idk.

Did you ever take that 5000 question survey that was circulating Tumblr? i’m pretty sure i did that!

Have you ever had to change a zipper in your favourite article of clothing? no.

Do you prefer buttons or zippers in general? zips.

Did you grandma have a box full of pretty buttons? -

What’s the most exotic spice in your spice rack? some premixed spice mix. informative, i know.

Do buttons tempt you to press them? no.

Do you have a favourite television host? no.

What’s your opinion on celebrity chefs? i don’t really have any that i follow but they’re cool i guess?

Back when it first started, did you watch ANTM? yes!

Did you know, that there was even a Finnish version of ANTM? Miss Jay made an appearance in the first season, too. no idea.

Are you accident prone? nah.

Have you ever broken something really valuable? most likely.

What do you see as timeless? umm. black dresses?

What is something that you own, that has sentimental value? jewellery that has been passed down.

Have you ever had your own website? haha yeah. back in the geocities days.

What’s your favourite board game? hmmm i think i like cranium the best.

How about your favourite card game? kemps!

What’s something that you finished recently? my food haha.

What’s the smallest town you recall visiting? i haven’t gone out that much lately.

What’s the longest distance you’ve had to go to work or school? an hour drive to work.

Would you learn a new language, if you didn’t share one with your lover? huhhh?

Do you have friends who are constantly tagging you in challenges on FB? no, that trend is dead.

When it comes to chocolate, do you prefer nougat, jelly or caramel filling? caramel!

Are you more concerned about winning than just participating? not necessarily.

Has somebody you know taken their own life? yes.

What is a number that has some significance to you? Why is that? 7. just because! many reasons.

Do you prefer onions, leeks or chives? i like all of them tbh.

What’s the most adult thing you have to do every day? work. lol.

What’s the most immature thing you like to do every day? nap.

Have you seen the movie, Clue? If so, isn’t it fab? no.

Do your cheeks get flushed easily? Do you blush easily in general? i feel my cheeks flush but idk if you can see it on my face.

Are there any social cues you miss entirely? sure.

When someone doesn’t smile back at you, what’s your first thought? lol i just think they’re miserable.

Is there a person who melts your heart just by looking at you? sure.

Have you ever had tom kha kai? It’s a Thai coconut soup, and it’s amazing. We serve it at work. nope.

Have you, or anyone you know ever been rude to a server? i’m sure i would’ve experienced this before.

What’s something you’re opinionated and very vocal about? When’s the last time you had to verbally defend your stance? many things.

Have you ever played BitLife? I sort of got hooked on it, it’s like sims but in text form. no.

What’s something you regularly order online? clothes.

When’s the last time you made a penpal? haha when i was a kid.

Do you often make friends online? hardly ever.

Do people ever try to get something from somebody through you? As in, they ask you to ask the person they should be asking in the first place. If that makes sense. sure haha.

What do you think when you see a couple holding hands? nothing?

Is there anything you’re forced to share with someone else? nope.

What’s something stripy that you own? clothes.

How about something polka dotted? clothes.

What is something you find absolutely appalling? rudeness.

Do you like elevators? can’t say i do but it beats climbing stairs.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say “midnight madness”? joy rides.

What is a country you would never want to visit? never say never.

When you’re angry, does it ever get physical? no.

What do you do, when you’re immensely happy? smile and laugh.

What made you scream out loud the last time you screamed? i forgot. frustration maybe.

Can you hear your neighbours through the wall? rarely.

What is something that frustrates you to no end? waiting for someone who’s late.

Do you wear shoes indoors? yes.

Who is your favourite stand-up comedian? i don’t have one.

What’s the weirdest video youtube has suggested to you? idk.

What’s the funniest infomercial you’ve seen? -

Is there a drink that just goes right through you? water.

Is there a food item you can’t eat because it doesn’t agree with you? milk and dairy.

Do you playfully compete with someone about something? haha no.

Would you rather swim or run? swim.

Do you like the smell of tar? not really.

Have you ever been to a sauna? yes.

Does your doorbell ring unexpectedly often? not usually.

Is your favourite fictional character a human, an animal or something else? aladdin!

Have you ever helped a stranger? If so, what did you do? probably. i’ve helped with directions a lot.

Do you share hobbies with any of your friends? What do you do together? board games!

Do you have any flags on display? If so, what flag(s)? no.

[tlbodine]

A Decade of Horror Recommendations

With 2020 approaching, we’re reaching the end of a decade that has been uncommonly good to the horror genre, especially the last few years. Here’s an overview of some of the stand-out titles and my recommendations. Feel free to ask me about any of the titles on this list and I’ll happily share my more in-depth thoughts on them! 

Note that, of course, I have not seen every movie that’s come out in recent years, so I’ve probably missed some titles -- feel free to jump in with your own recommendations! 

Also this post is really long and has gifs, so I’m putting it under a cut. Sorry for the dash spam, mobile fam. Tell Tumblr to fix their shit. 

2010: Supernatural Horror Starts Making a Comeback 

Some stand-out films: 

Insidious: An important film for modern horror history, helping to usher in the new wave of paranormal/hauntings/demon films. It lays the tropes for a lot of the films that would get big in upcoming years. I thought it was pretty solidly decent. 

Devil: A clever script about being trapped on an elevator with the devil. It’s a bit too ambitious and doesn’t quite live up to those ambitions, but it’s solidly decent and refreshingly original. A hidden gem for the year. 

Black Swan: Maybe the height of Darren Aronofsky’s career as a household name. Not my favorite of his movies, but a pretty solid psychological suspense. 

Frozen: No, not that one. This is a clever movie that embraces a narrow scope: some teenagers get stuck on a ski lift and have to endure the elements and some hungry wolves below. Not a great movie, but worth watching as a study in what you can do with limited resources. 

Black Death: Quick shout-out for a dark and grisly historical horror involving witchcraft and torture. It’s not a fun movie to watch, but it’s got Sean Bean and Eddie Redmayne, and I feel like both original screenplays and historical horrors are rare enough to warrant support. 

2010 also had its share of predictable franchise tie-ins (a Saw movie, a Resident Evil movie, remakes like I Spit on Your Grave and The Crazies, etc.) The Horror Renaissance was a few years in coming. 

2011: The Year of the Predictable Remakes 

So many franchises getting flogged to death this year -- tripe like SCRE4M, Final Destination 5, Human Centipede 2, a Hellraiser reboot literally no one watched, and Paranormal Activity 3. Blech. BUT. 2011 also brought us a couple of my favorite movies ever: 

You’re Next: I would credit You’re Next with re-defining the “final girl” in horror. Also it’s a damn good home invasion movie with buckets of gore and a smart script. 

Cabin in the Woods: This one’s a bit divisive -- some folks really hated it I guess -- but it’s such a loving deconstruction of horror, and it’s wholly original even while being comfortingly familiar. Also it’s hilarious. 

2012: A Few Important Titles

I feel like 2012 was full of movies nobody has actually ever seen or talked about. But some of the good ones that I’d recommend: 

Sinister: Like Insidious in some ways, but maybe better.  Also, “Snakes don’t have feet.” Honestly just a very good, solid demon/haunted kid movie. 

V/H/S: A must-watch for horror buffs. It didn’t invent the found footage genre, but it did refine it and really show off what it could do best. 

Smiley: OK so like. This is not really a great film, but I think about it a lot and recommend it a lot. It’s stuck with me quite a bit somehow, and in some ways it feels very much ahead of its time as a creepy prediction of what internet culture would be like at the end of the decade. “We did it for the lulz.” Seriously, watch this movie today, and remember that it was made eight years ago, and see if it gives you chills too. 

I guess I should also mention Prometheus here, which lots of people liked. I was not one of them, but it was a heavily talked-about film I feel like and of course an Alien franchise tie-in. 

2013: The Year the World Remembered It Liked Horror 

This was a big turning point year, launching some new franchises instead of just re-treading old ones: 

The Conjuring: I personally hate all of these movies, but they are huge and you can’t swing a dead cat in the modern horror fandom without encountering one of them. The first Conjuring film was at least decent. For extra credit, watch it as a triple feature with Insidious and Sinister and do a compare/contrast. 

The Purge: Not only the start of a successful franchise but also a pop culture phenomenon and a damn good movie to boot. 

Mama: I love this movie. I have this movie on DVD. It’s kind of bittersweet and may not completely follow through on all of its promises, but it’s still quite good and has some lovely performances. 

Warm Bodies: Not really a horror -- kind of a romance -- but it warrants mention here because zombies were a hot item in 2013, and that’s a current special interest of mine on account of having a zombie book of my own coming out that is more than a little influenced by this story. (the film is a pretty good adaptation of the book, although honestly you could just skip the movie and read the book and get a better experience.)  

Willow Creek: I feel like I recommend this movie a lot, but that’s just because I think it’s very good and a very smart use of its own resources. A found footage mockumentary that actually manages to make Bigfoot frightening. Totally worth the watch. 

Mr. Jones: Here’s another hidden gem, also in found footage style (I feel like that was a prevailing theme in the years after V/H/S) but it’s surprisingly fresh. It’s a folk horror piece that doesn’t go at all where you might expect despite its thoroughly well-trodden ‘couple in secluded house’ setup. 

A bucketful of remakes and sequels this year too, including an Evil Dead reboot, V/H/S sequel, Insidious sequel, etc.  I should also probably mention World War Z, which was not actually very good and also had nothing in common with the book of the same name, but does mark an important moment in the mainstreaming of the zombie revival, especially considering it came out the same year as Warm Bodies. 

2014: Fuck Yeah People Actually Like This Shit Let’s Make More 

I feel like maybe our current horror renaissance started this year. Some recs: 

The Babadook: No surprises to anyone who follows my blog, but I love The Babadook and I will defend it to the bitter end against its detractors. It is one of my favorite horror films of all time and one of the best of the decade. 

It Follows: Ok confession, I actually did not like this movie at all. I thought it was ridiculous and over-hyped. But it makes the list because a lot of other people really, really loved it, and I accept that they saw something in it that I didn’t. Watch it and make up your own mind (and report back with your findings). 

As Above, So Below: This may be the most claustrophobic film ever made, and it deserves to be studied on that merit alone. It’s also pretty creepy and I suspect a lot creepier for folks who are unnerved by Christian horror/mythology (I am not, but I know lots of folks really are). 

Housebound: A hidden gem from New Zealand, this one is worth a watch because it takes a familiar haunted house premise and gives it a surprising and honestly delightful twist. 

Jessabelle: Not a great movie, but deserving of a spot here because it���s a Southern Gothic and features a main character in a wheelchair, which I think is neat. 

13 Sins: I feel like I’ve written about this movie for the blog before, and I recommend it a lot. But it’s clever and is a great early example of the “killing game” genre that has become increasingly prevalent (I mean, aside from the Battle Royale/Hunger Games version). 

It was neat to see so many original horror stories (as opposed to reboots/franchises) coming out, and that’s a trend that would continue (and is something that makes horror one of my preferred genres - there are more original stories in it than in many other types of film). 

2015: Hell Yeah Let’s Ride This Horror Train 

So many excellent movies this year! Ahh! 

Crimson Peak: Guillermo del Toro’s love letter to the Gothic. What I love about this movie (aside from Tom Hiddleston) is it plays all the tropes straight. It’s not trying to be a new spin or reinvent the genre or break all the tropes. It’s just a gothic horror story, told exactly like what it is, by a guy who makes damn good movies. I felt like that was really brave and surprising at the time. 

The Visit: M. Night Shyamalan had basically made a joke of himself after a string of awful movies, but this movie was enough to earn back a bit of respect in my book. It’s a clever premise and a smart use of found footage. 

The VVitch: Creepy-ass slow-burn supernatural historical horror, sign me up. I actually don’t like this movie as much as a lot of people (see above: religious-themed horror doesn’t push my fear buttons much) but it’s beautifully made, thoughtful, and artistic in a way that makes people sit up and pay attention to just how good the horror genre can be. 

Krampus: This movie is extremely silly and I love it. A holiday favorite I watch every year now. It’s hilarious, and imaginative, with some really creepy visuals and a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. 

The Invitation: For me, some of my favorite horror movies are the ones where the film is uncomfortable to watch before the actual horror stuff starts up. This one has an almost unbearably tense build-up and pays off in an incredibly satisfying and creepy manner. 

2016: Horror Goes Hella Mainstream

I feel like 2016 was another year of just...lots of kind of fun unique premises tossed out like spaghetti to see what would stick. And I am here for it. 

Don’t Breathe: Home invasion gone wrong is a great trope, and this one gets extra points for having the single most disturbing sequence utilizing a turkey baster I’ve ever seen in film. 

Hush: Speaking of home invasions. This one is pretty standard fare -- homeowner fights back! -- but the deaf main character is a neat twist. 

Lights Out: It’s pretty cheesy at times and the plot sort of falls in on itself, but the opening sequence is genuinely frightening and the movie almost literally killed @comicreliefmorlock so that’s a commendation I guess? 

Train to Busan: An Asian take on the zombie survival story. It’s a really good movie (if horribly bleak) and it does such an excellent job of making you genuinely care for all of the characters. 

The Autopsy of Jane Doe: A really neat premise with some wonderful slow-build horror. The storyline kind of goes off the rails, and it asks a lot of questions it doesn’t answer, but it’s quite good regardless. 

The Forest: I was disappointed with this one -- it just failed to live up to my expectations -- but it’s decent, and it’s a good attempt at capturing the creepiness of Japan’s Suicide Forest. 

Before I Wake: This one was sad more than scary, I thought, but it fits so neatly into a certain aesthetic that I am always a sucker for -- dreams and nightmares bleeding into reality, yes please. 

Split: Say what you will, I thought Split was amazing, and James McAvoy deserves a goddamn Oscar for his performance in this movie. 

The Monster: A hidden gem that’s worth watching to see how well it delivers on its premise: two characters stuck in a car with a monster outside. It’s not amazing, but it’s neat, and sometimes it’s nice to have just a straightforward creature feature with a bit of emotional heft for good measure. 

2017: Did Somebody Say Blockbuster? 

In hindsight, they’ll probably say 2017 was the start of the horror renaissance, but we’ll all know they’re a few years too late. Still, this was another great year: 

Get Out: Funny, dark, deeply uncomfortable and with some real meat to it -- Jordan Peele knows how to make a great movie. This absolutely deserves all the awards. 

It: Not a perfect movie, but a good adaptation of a difficult-to-adapt book. The kids are great. Pennywise is menacing, but that fucking flute lady is the scariest part. 

It Comes At Night: I didn’t like this one much, but a lot of folks did so it makes the list. See above re: It Follows. 

Gerald’s Game: Everything that’s wrong with this movie (ie, the ending) is wrong in the original story, so where this movie fails it’s a matter of sticking too close to its source material. But the premise is truly, genuinely horrifying, and the degloving scene almost made me vomit. So that’s cool. 

Happy Death Day: Another horror-comedy, with a healthy dose of self-awareness. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s what allows it to be fun. 

The Babysitter: This movie is hilarious. It’s also super bloody and clever and clearly made by people who love slashers, and the affection shows. 

The Ritual: So-so in the acting and pacing, but the creature design is A+ and the concept is really neat. Seriously just watch this one for the monster, it’s super cool looking. 

I should probably mention Mother here, but I can’t speak for it as I haven’t gotten around to watching it yet. It’s a very divisive film. One of these days I’ll watch it and let you know.

2018: There’s More Where That Came From 

If 2016 was the year of filmmakers just trying stuff for the hell of it, 2018 was the year of talented filmmakers and studios realizing that, oh shit, you can make really good horror movies with mass appeal. 

A Quiet Place: I’m glad I caught this one in theaters, because it really deserves to be watched in a dark, quiet room where no one dares to make a sound. The ending left a lot to be desired, but it was a clever premise. 

Hereditary: The best horror movie of the year imo. Painfully uncomfortable - I’m not sure I could watch it again - but highly recommended. 

Apostle: Watch this one in a triple-feature with The VVitch and Hereditary. A really good period piece with a character you actually want to root for. 

Bird Box: I didn’t like this movie much, but it was hugely popular. I bought the book recently and suspect it is much better. Still, it’s worth a mention for its impact on mainstream viewers (lots of people who don’t like horror really liked this movie). I won’t budge from my initial opinion that it’s just A Quiet Place meets The Happening, though. 

What Does 2019 Hold? 

We’re only halfway through the year, so we’ve got some time to see what is coming down the pipe. Lots of things to look forward to! But some solid titles so far this year that I’d heartily recommend: 

Us: Jordan Peele is at it again. It may not be as good as Get Out  -- there’s some plot holes where the internal logic of the world is at odds with the message it’s trying to send -- but it’s thoughtful and gives plenty to chew on. And there are places where it’s just unbearably tense and creepy. 

Brightburn: I had high hopes for this movie and was not disappointed. This is a super (ha, ha) good film. 

The Wind: A Gothic on the American frontier. It accomplishes what I think It Comes At Night was supposed to do, but more effectively (for me anyway). Bonus points for being written and directed by women. Double bonus: Caitlin Gerard, the main actress, is also the lead character in Smiley. 

I have not yet watched Velvet Buzzsaw, Ma or Midsommar this year, but I really want to. I’m also looking forward to the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark film despite having some reservations about the whole concept. 

[thesoundofaghost-mp3]

May's tutorial on how to take 2000s looking pics! This is not just for scene and/or emo kids, although ofcourse yall can use this!

Here are a few things you can do to make pictures look like they were taken in the 2000s!

What better way to look 2000s than when you use 2000s technology?

Exemples of things you could take a pic with are: an ipod, or any mp3 player actually, 2000s looking cd players, PS2 controllers (make sure it actually looks like you're playing or believe me, someone will notice!) or xbox controller (if you use older consoles of any type, the vibe might look more 90s but if you manage you can still make it work)

If you can't take a picture next to or with 2000s technology... anything? Well maybe you can take a selfie with a fliphone, or a T Mobile Sidekick (if you have one, lucky you!) or even a Nintendo DS if you've got one of those with the camera! Mirror selfies were also a thing of the (mid?) 2000s if they were taken with an actual camera! Let's also not forget the webcam pictures!

Here's one I took for example:

Special "effects"/ Editing:

One thing that makes almost all pictures look so much more aesthetic/better: putting the flash on! I promise it works almost all of the time, the picture will look more high quality and clearer even though it is the same quality as without! If you think your outfit might not be too great or you'd like to make it look like it was taken with a low quality phone, blur the picture! It could also just look artistic, which works just as good.

As for the editing, Glitter, like edits made on Blingee, turning up the contrast, putting a filter (or a few) that give off a blue hue or darker, add in your FriendProject profile number, or your nickname in a grungy font, or photoshop yourself in front of a cute butterfly background!

The poses and angles!

Taking a picture with only this information might not be enough to make it look as 2000s as you want it to be, so now let's see another thing; the poses and the angles! Especially when you take a selfie, do not understimate the power of the "myspace angle" as you might've heard before, the super high angle from which you take the selfie, in which you could include your whole outfit. I know, out of experience, that the position in which you have to try and stand to get your whole outfit in the picture is very, VERY uncomfortable, but trust me it's worth it!

Here's an example:

Other angles/poses you could use are for example the ones in which you position the camera, phone or whatever you take your pictures with at your feet, put a timer or make someone take the picture for you, in an angle at which your feet will look bigger than your head and your whole outfit will be visible again! This one's hard to explain but here's an example, again from one of my pics because I couldn't find one from someone else: (putting "myspace picture big feet" on google, does in fact, not work)

Shoutouts from most known myspace celebs were a big thing back then, with the name of someone (or their own, partly to prove they aren't catfish) written on their hand or a piece of paper, as well as showing off fake tattoos made with sharpies, or something like "I love you!" on the palm of your head, so standing there showing it, could, somehow be a pose? I guess so... oh well, this is still something that would've been on this list!

There are many more (like for example the ones where your legs look broken as you sit on the floor, or the one where you are showing off your room plastered with posters..) but just know not to just stand there looking lost (unless that's what you're going for), be either VERY dramatic with the poses or super casual, no in betweens or you'll probably look awkward!

Dramatic makeup and hair!

Of course... To keep on being dramatic, because the 2000s very much were, (as every decade, in their own way, but you get what I mean) hair was often in crazy colors and or haircuts! Even if you were neither emo nor scene, celebrities like Christina Aguilera or Kelly Clarkson, to Matt Tuck (that's right!) had highlights in their hair, or just dyed parts of their hair, usually blonde, black or red, but chalk haircolor exists in many colors, so go crazy on that!

See here:

Not only that but side ponytails, extensions, crimped hair, face framing bangs, spiky gelled hair etc. Even if you aren't emo or scene, your hair can cover one of your eyes for the picture!

Makeup had to be very visible, especially as a scene kid or emo kid with the overflowing amount of eyeliner, and colorful mascara or anything that you could find to be original and "artsy" really, but also for any other person! Makeup looks that were usual attire were for example: LIPGLOSS, blue, purple, white or eyeshadow, frosty pink lipstick, a lot of mascara, colorful eyeliner, rosy cheeks, or lined lips (darker on the outside) but none of that would be complete without thin eyebrows! Fake tans are also a go-to if you're feeling it!

Now, if you're too scared to use hairchalk or dye your hair, and you aren't too good at makeup, no worries, you've still got other options!

Props and accessories!

Big sunglasses.. yes, even indoors! Rimmed glasses, Colored lenses, "Bug eye" sunglasses, there are many to choose from! Scarves, very unnecessary but pretty cool looking! Hoop earrings were also in! For guys too, jewelry was often worn, for example diamond earrings, shell necklaces, as well as the typical "gangsta wear", you would've guessed it: the dollar sign necklace or chunky golden chains/necklaces. They were ofcourse not first worn during the 2000s, but they were definitely still very much worn then! Other jewelry often worn were silly bands, wristbands, kandi bracelets and necklaces. You can even wear fake piercings!

As for headwear, still many to choose from, like trucker hats, both for guys and girls and anyone who'd like to wear those, bandanas, fedora hats, (do not recommend, 80% of the time you'll look awkward, but you can't know if you're part of the 20% that could rock the look if you don't atleast try, I guess) "baker boy hats" and big huge bows for all my scene beans out there. Belts. BeLtS! A lot, too much, 3 of them, or one big one, just find whatever you have and wear the goddamn belts! Fishnets! Fingerless gloves! They were very much in, and not just for scemo kids!

Not only is it about things you can wear, but also things you can use for the picture, you can look cute while holding a plush toy, (bonus points if you've got a gloomy bear, hello kitty or gir plush!) mysterious while holding a notebook/ diary of some sort or nerdy with your favorite book, but a lot of pictures get much more fun when they are super random, for example like kiki kannibal, just casually holding a lamp in her garden...

Clothing!

Now, this one will be short as I will mainly give you guys links to some articles that talk about 2000s fashion, but here's a thing: If you're going for a very "in your face" kind of style, go fully crazy lol! Scene kids get your neon green tights or red ripped skinnies out and wear all of the colors, preps wear your shiniest Playboy logo shirt, goths and emos you better wear your nicest black knee high converse, all of it!! Go fucking over the top because truly, it was rarely ever over the top in the 2000s! Also, did I mention? Cringe culture is dead, nobody cares if you somehow manage to truly go a little too far! If you're feeling yourself, don't hesitate to show a little skin, (I don't mean totally naked, duh, especially if you're a minor plz no it's usually a very bad idea) ain't nothing wrong with mini skirts or crop tops! (guys, GUYS please wear them too if you feel like it, I promise you a lot of us think that's hot okaythatsall)

Anyway, here's a few articles on the fashion/clothes! Most of these include also accessories etc but you'll find a lot about clothes!

Includes men's clothing too!

https://www.complex.com/style/best-fashion-trends-of-early-2000s/

Yes.. I know.. Buzzfeed.. But oh well, it's still showing the clothes and fashion like we need! There isn't much for guys here, but there is inspo to take from it lol!

https://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/forgotten-early-2000s-trends

Now, I know what this one says... apparently all of these trends were"mistakes"... Well who's gonna laugh when 2000s style makes a comeback? Definitely not them, once they look back on this article!

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/fashion/g2898/worst-2000s-fashion-trends/

This article includes men's fashion and also includes a link to buy the items! That is, if you've got 35$ to spend on a cap for example... Which I don't, but that's okay, it's got pretty good examples of the fashion!

https://spy.com/gallery/2000s-fashion-trends-throw-back-style/

And since I couldn't find a good article on 2000s alt fashion, I made a Pinterest board with a few exemples for Scene, Emo, Goth, Mallgoth/Goth, Visual Kei and Cybergoth! There isn't a lot yet, but you'll get the general idea :)

https://www.pinterest.fr/mayskelly/2000s-alt-styles/

I hope you guys like it, and try it! I think I may share my favorite attempts if enough people do it on my instagram story and here, and tumblr as well if anyone participates in this!

[tumblunni]

@summon-daze​ Tagging you cos tumblr reply system is shit and people don’t get notified if you reply to their replies and stuff GAH

summon-daze said: ooooh. Some more festival ideas: crafting festival (make stuff and show other villigers)?      

Yay! That was another of my fave ones from Rune Factory! I didn’t mention it on this list tho cos I’m not sure if it would work in this game project. I think like it depends on what the main gameplay is, whether certain festivals would work? Like here I wasn’t planning on having a crafting system, and I dunno how to justify having one when there wouldn’t really be any of the usual uses for items. Like I was planning for battle sequences to only happen rarely as festivals, sometimes during romance routes, and as the optional extra special wedding sidequest. So if battles happen rarely it would be not very fun to have to use items for them, cos you’d be collecting a bunch of stuff that you have to wait hours to find out if you even need to use it!

But crafting could work if its a different sort of item? Like you could craft stuff that gives exp boosts to your social stat training activities and helps you unlock more romance routes. or you could craft exclusively clothes and accessories and then they’ll impress the love interests who like that particular fashion trend. But on the other hand I kinda don’t wanna go too extreme with the idea of the fashion contests, since this is a basic game using preset rpgmaker template stuff. I can’t really draw the protagonist wearing everything cos his sprite is this big anime man that someone on the rpgmaker team drew, and i have No Idea how to mimic that art style, just how to recolour the sprites a little. Alas! But I still really like the idea of fashion contests so i might just do it but you only see a bunch of icons of the costume pieces, not them in full detail on an animated man. Another british-made dating sim called Lucky Rabbit Reflex did that!

Also I was planning that the cooking contests could work kinda like Chopped? Like.. not a full huge crafting system of a million dishes, you just get given your list of ingredients during the contest and get like a set of quiz type options to try and figure out what to make with it. or maybe it could be like a trading card game and you’re drawing ingredients from a deck and using penalty cards against the enemy...? or hell, maybe all these different minigames could be using the rpg battle system but you have different skill sets! like ‘I cast Stir Dat Flour on foe Cake!”

...man I’m starting to forget that this was supposed to be A Simple RPG, lol Maybe these could just be ideas on the backburner for an expanded remake if it ends up being popular?

summon-daze said: also yes morty is a good dude

AWW THANK YOU! I’ve barely even talked about him though, lol. if people are already liking him then that’s a good sign! I’m planning on maybe being a bit silly and doing some oc text post meme things to help explain everyone’s personality and stuff ^_^                     

[aminah-hime]

Since it’s the new year, I decided to take the Lolita Level Up Quiz 2.0 by F Yeah Lolita! When I originally took this quiz during my first year in lolita, I was at the “Just Starting Out” level. Let’s see where I’m at now!~

You have a favorite brand

You own a petticoat

You own multiple petticoats in different cuts and/or lengths

You own a parasol

You own an item from a brand

You own a novelty item from a brand (plates, mugs, stuffed animals, home decor, and other "non-wearables")

You own an item from Bodyline

You own an item from a Taobao brand

You own an item from a Western indie brand

You own an item you bought of eBay, Amazon, or a shady website and it came out okay

You've bought brand directly from their official store

You've bought a lucky pack

You bought an item in reserve

You own a complete Lolita outfit

You've worn a complete Lolita outfit in public

You've worn a complete Lolita outfit in public and it wasn't even on Halloween or at a convention

You've bought and sold on an online Lolita community

You've paid retail price for a rare secondhand brand

You've paid double the retail price for a rare secondhand brand

You've paid less than 20% the retail price for secondhand brand (ex: you paid $40 for a piece that originally cost $200)

You've bought from a Japanese auction

You've ordered from a shopping service

You wear clothes you've made for yourself

You wear a print you've designed yourself

You wear clothes you've had custom made for you

Have had brand pieces altered to fit your size or style

You've been wearing Lolita for over a year

You've been wearing Lolita for over 5 years

You've been wearing Lolita for over a decade

You have enough Lolita outfits to wear a new one every day for a week

You have enough Lolita outfits to wear a new one every day for a month

You've converted an interested friend to Lolita

You wear brand with your "normal" wardrobe

You don't have a "normal" wardrobe because you only wear Lolita

You know how to handwash your Lolita clothes

You know how to wash a wig

You've worn a wig, circle lenses, or false eyelashes

You've worn a wig, circle lenses, and false eyelashes all at once

You own a pair of rocking horse shoes

You own a pair of tea party shoes

You own a purse shaped like something ridiculous

You own an old school rectangle headdress

You own a bonnet

You own Lolita roomwear or pajamas

You own a Lolita item that was released this past year

You own a Lolita item that was released over 6 years ago

You own a Lolita item that was released over 10 years ago

You own every item released in a favorite print/series

You've worn something on your head that was never intended to be worn on a head

You've worn a trendy accessory (deer horns, halos, peignoirs, eyeballs, etc)

You've worn Sweet Lolita

You've worn Classic Lolita

You've worn Gothic Lolita

You've worn Old School Lolita

You've worn Boystyle

You've worn one of the lesser worn Lolita substyles such as Punk, Ero, Wa, or Guro

You know the difference between a JSK and an OP

You can name at least 5 prints

You can tell which items are from which brand just by looking at them

You can tell which items are from which brand just by looking at them, even if they're not a print

You can tell which year a brand piece came from just by looking at it

You've taken Lolita outfit snaps

You've traveled to visit a fancy looking place just to take outfit snaps

You've started a trend that others have followed

You own a Gothic & Lolita Bible

You own every single Gothic & Lolita Bible

Your picture is in a Gothic & Lolita Bible

Your picture is in a Gothic & Lolita Bible because you're a model for a brand

You own a Lolita sewing pattern book

You've made something from a Lolita sewing pattern book

You've seen Kamikaze Girls

You've read Kamikaze Girls

You've met Novala Takemoto

You've met Misako Aoki

Misako Aoki has made you an official Lolita ambassador

You've met one of your favorite Lolita designers

You've learned how to sew/craft just so you can make your own Lolita clothes/accessories

You've decorated your house/bedroom to match your Lolita wardrobe

Your Lolita wardrobe is part of your decor (ex: you display your hats on a shelf, keep a mannequin dressed up on display, etc)

You've been interviewed for a newspaper/magazine article for wearing Lolita

You've made friends through Lolita

You've made friends in foreign countries through Lolita

You've celebrated International Lolita Day

You have a separate facebook profile just for Lolita

You're known by a different name when you wear Lolita

You've twinned with someone

You've tripleted with people

You've been part of a group of clones

You've taken purikura in Lolita before

You have a purikura app on your phone

You've had to explain what you were wearing to a stranger

You've been called a princess by small children

Old ladies have complimented you and remarked how nice it is to see young people dressed so nicely

You've been called Bo-Peep

You've been asked if you were in a play

You've been asked what you were cosplaying as, or compared to an anime character

You're a member of online Lolita communities

You're active in online Lolita communities

You mod an online Lolita community

You mod an online community of over 1,000 members

You've attended a meetup

You've attended a tea party meetup

You've attended a brand sponsored tea party

You've traveled multiple hours to attend a meetup

You've hosted a meetup

You've hosted over 6 meetups

You've hosted a meetup with over 20 attendees

You've been to a Lolita swap meet

You've attended a large scale Lolita event or convention

You've been on staff at a large scale Lolita event or convention

You've been to a Lolita panel at a convention

You've hosted your own panel at a convention

You've seen a Lolita fashion show

You've modeled in a Lolita fashion show

You've seen a brand fashion show

You've modeled in a brand fashion show

You own your own Lolita clothes/accessory line (POMPIM is currently in hiatus, but I’ll come back to it soon!)

You've hosted your own brand's fashion show

You have visited a Lolita shop

You've traveled to another country just to buy from Lolita shops

You own and run your own Lolita shop

You're friends with a brand shop girl

You are a brand shop girl

You run a Lolita blog (traditional, tumblr, vlog, etc)

You run a Lolita blog with over 1,000 followers

You have been called "e-famous"

You have been called "e-infamous"

You've been featured on TV for wearing Lolita

I got a score of 59! Two points away from becoming an Experienced Lolita! A lot of these are a bit harder to do, but I can say some goals I’ll do for this year will be to buy a headdress, try a new style, attend a tea party, and wear brand with my regular clothes~

[gogo-wild-but-cute]

Lolita-me

I decided to take the Lolita Level Up Quiz 2.0 by F Yeah Lolita!

I’ve started to wear lolita clothes for Santo Stefano (the day after Christmas, national holiday in Italy) 2008, during my long christmas+newyear+birthday period back from Japan to my homecountry.

I am basically at the same level that at that time, because I am not into lolita fashion - or any other kind of fashion - very much. I love to change my style almost everyday and I am very ecleptic. In addiction, I don’t like labels a lot and I love comfortable clothes, so I am rarely a super-professional lolita, and I prefere a sort of “just a bit more than casual” lolita.

Anyway, this test looks like fun! So, here I go!

I’m curious to see my result

You have a favorite brand

You own a petticoat

You own multiple petticoats in different cuts and/or lengths

You own a parasol

You own an item from a brand

You own a novelty item from a brand (plates, mugs, stuffed animals, home decor, and other “non-wearables”)

You own an item from Bodyline

You own an item from a Taobao brand

You own an item from a Western indie brand

You own an item you bought of eBay, Amazon, or a shady website and it came out okay

You’ve bought brand directly from their official store

You’ve bought a lucky pack

You bought an item in reserve

You own a complete Lolita outfit

You’ve worn a complete Lolita outfit in public

You’ve worn a complete Lolita outfit in public and it wasn’t even on Halloween or at a convention

You’ve bought and sold on an online Lolita community

You’ve paid retail price for a rare secondhand brand

You’ve paid double the retail price for a rare secondhand brand

You’ve paid less than 20% the retail price for secondhand brand (ex: you paid $40 for a piece that originally cost $200)

You’ve bought from a Japanese auction

You’ve ordered from a shopping service

You wear clothes you’ve made for yourself

You wear a print you’ve designed yourself

You wear clothes you’ve had custom made for you

Have had brand pieces altered to fit your size or style

You’ve been wearing Lolita for over a year

You’ve been wearing Lolita for over 5 years

You’ve been wearing Lolita for over a decade

You have enough Lolita outfits to wear a new one every day for a week

You have enough Lolita outfits to wear a new one every day for a month

You’ve converted an interested friend to Lolita

You wear brand with your “normal” wardrobe

You don’t have a “normal” wardrobe because you only wear Lolita

You know how to handwash your Lolita clothes

You know how to wash a wig

You’ve worn a wig, circle lenses, or false eyelashes

You’ve worn a wig, circle lenses, and false eyelashes all at once

You own a pair of rocking horse shoes

You own a pair of tea party shoes

You own a purse shaped like something ridiculous

You own an old school rectangle headdress

You own a bonnet

You own Lolita roomwear or pajamas

You own a Lolita item that was released this past year

You own a Lolita item that was released over 6 years ago

You own a Lolita item that was released over 10 years ago

You own every item released in a favorite print/series

You’ve worn something on your head that was never intended to be worn on a head

You’ve worn a trendy accessory (deer horns, halos, peignoirs, eyeballs, etc)

You’ve worn Sweet Lolita

You’ve worn Classic Lolita

You’ve worn Gothic Lolita

You’ve worn Old School Lolita

You’ve worn Boystyle

You’ve worn one of the lesser worn Lolita substyles such as Punk, Ero, Wa, or Guro

You know the difference between a JSK and an OP

You can name at least 5 prints

You can tell which items are from which brand just by looking at them

You can tell which items are from which brand just by looking at them, even if they’re not a print

You can tell which year a brand piece came from just by looking at it

You’ve taken Lolita outfit snaps

You’ve traveled to visit a fancy looking place just to take outfit snaps

You’ve started a trend that others have followed

You own a Gothic & Lolita Bible

You own every single Gothic & Lolita Bible

Your picture is in a Gothic & Lolita Bible

Your picture is in a Gothic & Lolita Bible because you’re a model for a brand

You own a Lolita sewing pattern book

You’ve made something from a Lolita sewing pattern book

You’ve seen Kamikaze Girls

You’ve read Kamikaze Girls

You’ve met Novala Takemoto

You’ve met Misako Aoki

Misako Aoki has made you an official Lolita ambassador

You’ve met one of your favorite Lolita designers

You’ve learned how to sew/craft just so you can make your own Lolita clothes/accessories

You’ve decorated your house/bedroom to match your Lolita wardrobe

Your Lolita wardrobe is part of your decor (ex: you display your hats on a shelf, keep a mannequin dressed up on display, etc)

You’ve been interviewed for a newspaper/magazine article for wearing Lolita

You’ve made friends through Lolita

You’ve made friends in foreign countries through Lolita

You’ve celebrated International Lolita Day

You have a separate facebook profile just for Lolita

You’re known by a different name when you wear Lolita

You’ve twinned with someone

You’ve tripleted with people

You’ve been part of a group of clones

You’ve taken purikura in Lolita before

You have a purikura app on your phone

You’ve had to explain what you were wearing to a stranger

You’ve been called a princess by small children

Old ladies have complimented you and remarked how nice it is to see young people dressed so nicely

You’ve been called Bo-Peep

You’ve been asked if you were in a play

You’ve been asked what you were cosplaying as, or compared to an anime character

You’re a member of online Lolita communities

You’re active in online Lolita communities

You mod an online Lolita community

You mod an online community of over 1,000 members

You’ve attended a meetup

You’ve attended a tea party meetup

You’ve attended a brand sponsored tea party

You’ve traveled multiple hours to attend a meetup

You’ve hosted a meetup

You’ve hosted over 6 meetups

You’ve hosted a meetup with over 20 attendees

You’ve been to a Lolita swap meet

You’ve attended a large scale Lolita event or convention

You’ve been on staff at a large scale Lolita event or convention

You’ve been to a Lolita panel at a convention

You’ve hosted your own panel at a convention

You’ve seen a Lolita fashion show

You’ve modeled in a Lolita fashion show

You’ve seen a brand fashion show

You’ve modeled in a brand fashion show

You own your own Lolita clothes/accessory line (Started last month!!!)

You’ve hosted your own brand’s fashion show

You have visited a Lolita shop

You’ve traveled to another country just to buy from Lolita shops

You own and run your own Lolita shop

You’re friends with a brand shop girl

You are a brand shop girl

You run a Lolita blog (traditional, tumblr, vlog, etc)

You run a Lolita blog with over 1,000 followers

You have been called “e-famous”

You have been called “e-infamous”

You’ve been featured on TV for wearing Lolita

a’rite...

61/100 - it looks like I’m an experienced lolita...

I don’t really think I am - but probably the fact that I lived in Japan for a while helped me in scoring something more than expected! :P

Anyway That’s the result and I’m ok with it. I am not into lolita that much, as I said, butI like it and to wear it from time to time is fun! Especially, I like to mix up styles and to give to every outfit a special, personal taste!

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: Speak, Fan, and Enter! Heroes & Gatekeepers in "Akiba's Trip"

Speak, Fan, and Enter! Heroes & Gatekeepers in Akiba's Trip

By Dee Hogan

  In the nerd Mecca of Akihabara, an invading force called The Bugged Ones has begun possessing visitors and residents, turning passionate geeks into superpowered bullies. Only a ragtag team of vigilantes calling themselves “Electric Mayonnaise” stands between them and world district domination. Our heroes must defeat The Bugged Ones by exposing them to their only weakness: Open air. As a certain hunter of elves once said: “Forgive me for stripping you!”

    As that description probably suggests, Akiba's Trip is an up-front, silly fanservice show about stripping people that takes its ogling about as seriously as it does its story. While I'm not usually a fan of the 'service, Akiba's Trip has charmed me with its enthusiastic characters and overall joyful tone as it takes its audience on a wacky, loving tour of the many hobbies and fandoms that make up the Akihabara district. And, unlike many series about nerd culture, Akiba's Trip and its cast are positive-minded dorks more than happy to share their passions with others.

    Right from the start, it's clear that the series is a celebration of trivial pursuits, less interested in the Lonely Suffering Nerd™  and more in the bonds that can build from sharing common interests. This general optimism is embodied in our short-sighted, shallow, but well-meaning protagonist, Tamotsu. While he has a hint of the hipster to him, taking pride in his “unpopular” interests, and while it's suggested that his life outside of Akiba is, er, less than ideal, he's almost never snobbish or bitter about it.

  As demonstrated when eccentric cosplayer Arisa nabs the last rare figure on the shelf before he can, Tamotsu doesn't sulk or demand her Nerd Credentials to see if she's “worthy” of the item. Instead, realizing that she's a fan of the series, he asks to talk with her more about the series, declaring them “already friends” because they “share a value.” Arisa later bonds with team leader Mayo for a similar reason. In Akiba's Trip, being a geek is seen as an opportunity rather than a curse, allowing people to swiftly form friendships with like-minded people.

    This interest in building a community extends, magnificently, into the second episode, when our heroes face off against the owner of a military equipment shop who refuses to sell products to “casual users”—or indeed anyone short of a military expert. “I have no need for unfaithful cockroaches who are driven by trends!” he roars. “My shop is only for knowledgeable elites, who truly deserve to have hobbies!”

  Our antagonist is literally a militant nerd gatekeeper, and Akiba's Trip sees him for what he is: A jerk, both nuisance and threat to other fans and the culture as a whole. In a moment of true heroics, our flawed protagonist unhesitatingly shuts him down, reminding him that “You have to treat newcomers well. That's the only way any content can survive.” He also points out that “everyone started off as a casual user,” which the Militant Gatekeeper frantically tries to pretend isn't true but obviously is.

  It's a brief, perfect exchange, highlighting the two greatest flaws of hostile nerd hierarchies and gatekeeping ideology: (1) That thing you love will stagnate or even die if others don't discover and fall in love with it too, and (2) there was once a time when you couldn't tell a shounen from a shoujo either, so maybe cut the kids some slack, okay? Rather than scoff at newbies and “casuals,” Akiba's Trip encourages fans to share their passions, teaching instead of testing.

    The Militant Gatekeeper is by far the most thematically on-point villain thus far, but every possessed antagonist has generally been depicted as someone who took their hobby too seriously, focusing on authority or profit instead of the reason they got into this field in the first place: Because it was fun. To Akiba's Trip, passion is productive; zealotry is destructive. This is as true in fandoms as anywhere else.

    The entire tone of the series carefully toes this line between joy and mockery, which keeps it from becoming either too cynical or too conceited. It's a show about goofing around, and it finds value in that without deifying it. Akiba's Trip depicts its geeky district as a vibrant, welcoming place where anyone with an interest can come to play, hopefully with friends in tow. It may be a silly fanservice show about stripping to save the day, but that sense of hospitality is infectious. I just can't stop returning to its door.

  Akiba's Trip is available for viewing now on Crunchyroll

  About the author, Dee Hogan

Dee is a nerd of all trades and a master of one. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and East Asian studies and an MFA in Creative Writing. To pay the bills, she works as a technical writer. To not pay the bills, she devours novels and comics, watches far too much anime, and cheers very loudly for the Kansas Jayhawks. You can hang out with her at The Josei Next Door, a friendly neighborhood anime blog for long-time fans and newbies alike, as well as on Tumblr and Twitter.

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[aghatine]

Lolita Level Up Quizz !

To start with 2017 I just rechecked FyeahLolita ‘s Level Quizz here’s are my answers !

You have a favorite brand    1

You own a petticoat              2

You own multiple petticoats in different cuts and/or lengths  3

You own a parasol  4

You own an item from a brand  5

You own a novelty item from a brand (plates, mugs, stuffed animals, home decor, and other "non-wearables")  6

You own an item from Bodyline  7

You own an item from a Taobao brand  8

You own an item from a Western indie brand  9

You own an item you bought of eBay, Amazon, or a shady website and it came out okay    10

You've bought brand directly from their official store  11

You've bought a lucky pack  12

You bought an item in reserve

You own a complete Lolita outfit  13

You've worn a complete Lolita outfit in public  14

You've worn a complete Lolita outfit in public and it wasn't even on Halloween or at a convention  15

You've bought and sold on an online Lolita community  16

You've paid retail price for a rare secondhand brand   17

You've paid double the retail price for a rare secondhand brand

You've paid less than 20% the retail price for secondhand brand (ex: you paid $40 for a piece that originally cost $200)

You've bought from a Japanese auction  18

You've ordered from a shopping service  19

You wear clothes you've made for yourself

You wear a print you've designed yourself

You wear clothes you've had custom made for you 20

Have had brand pieces altered to fit your size or style 21

You've been wearing Lolita for over a year   22

You've been wearing Lolita for over 5 years

You've been wearing Lolita for over a decade

You have enough Lolita outfits to wear a new one every day for a week   23

You have enough Lolita outfits to wear a new one every day for a month

You've converted an interested friend to Lolita  24

You wear brand with your "normal" wardrobe  25

You don't have a "normal" wardrobe because you only wear Lolita

You know how to handwash your Lolita clothes  26

You know how to wash a wig  27

You've worn a wig, circle lenses, or false eyelashes  28

You've worn a wig, circle lenses, and false eyelashes all at once

You own a pair of rocking horse shoes  29

You own a pair of tea party shoes    30

You own a purse shaped like something ridiculous  31

You own an old school rectangle headdress

You own a bonnet   32

You own Lolita roomwear or pajamas   33

You own a Lolita item that was released this past year  34

You own a Lolita item that was released over 6 years ago

You own a Lolita item that was released over 10 years ago

You own every item released in a favorite print/series

You've worn something on your head that was never intended to be worn on a head 35

You've worn a trendy accessory (deer horns, halos, peignoirs, eyeballs, etc)    36

You've worn Sweet Lolita   37

You've worn Classic Lolita  38

You've worn Gothic Lolita   39

You've worn Old School Lolita

You've worn Boystyle

You've worn one of the lesser worn Lolita substyles such as Punk, Ero, Wa, or Guro     40

You know the difference between a JSK and an OP  41

You can name at least 5 prints     42

You can tell which items are from which brand just by looking at them      43

You can tell which items are from which brand just by looking at them, even if they're not a print

You can tell which year a brand piece came from just by looking at it

You've taken Lolita outfit snaps   44

You've traveled to visit a fancy looking place just to take outfit snaps    45

You've started a trend that others have followed

You own a Gothic & Lolita Bible  46

You own every single Gothic & Lolita Bible

Your picture is in a Gothic & Lolita Bible

Your picture is in a Gothic & Lolita Bible because you're a model for a brand

You own a Lolita sewing pattern book

You've made something from a Lolita sewing pattern book

You've seen Kamikaze Girls

You've read Kamikaze Girls

You've met Novala Takemoto

You've met Misako Aoki

Misako Aoki has made you an official Lolita ambassador

You've met one of your favorite Lolita designers  47

You've learned how to sew/craft just so you can make your own Lolita clothes/accessories

You've decorated your house/bedroom to match your Lolita wardrobe

Your Lolita wardrobe is part of your decor (ex: you display your hats on a shelf, keep a mannequin dressed up on display, etc)

You've been interviewed for a newspaper/magazine article for wearing Lolita

You've made friends through Lolita  48

You've made friends in foreign countries through Lolita 49

You've celebrated International Lolita Day   50

You have a separate facebook profile just for Lolita

You're known by a different name when you wear Lolita

You've twinned with someone

You've tripleted with people

You've been part of a group of clones

You've taken purikura in Lolita before

You have a purikura app on your phone

You've had to explain what you were wearing to a stranger 51

You've been called a princess by small children  52

Old ladies have complimented you and remarked how nice it is to see young people dressed so nicely  53

You've been called Bo-Peep

You've been asked if you were in a play  54

You've been asked what you were cosplaying as, or compared to an anime character  55

You're a member of online Lolita communities  56

You're active in online Lolita communities        57

You mod an online Lolita community

You mod an online community of over 1,000 members

You've attended a meetup                                    58

You've attended a tea party meetup                      59

You've attended a brand sponsored tea party   60

You've traveled multiple hours to attend a meetup  61

You've hosted a meetup                                     62

You've hosted over 6 meetups                            63

You've hosted a meetup with over 20 attendees

You've been to a Lolita swap meet

You've attended a large scale Lolita event or convention   64

You've been on staff at a large scale Lolita event or convention

You've been to a Lolita panel at a convention

You've hosted your own panel at a convention

You've seen a Lolita fashion show    65

You've modeled in a Lolita fashion show  66

You've seen a brand fashion show   67

You've modeled in a brand fashion show

You own your own Lolita clothes/accessory line

You've hosted your own brand's fashion show

You have visited a Lolita shop   68

You've traveled to another country just to buy from Lolita shops

You own and run your own Lolita shop

You're friends with a brand shop girl    69

You are a brand shop girl

You run a Lolita blog (traditional, tumblr, vlog, etc)   70

You run a Lolita blog with over 1,000 followers

You have been called "e-famous"

You have been called "e-infamous"

You've been featured on TV for wearing Lolita

Here are my Results !

61-80 points is the realm of an experienced Lolita! You've probably been active in the fashion for a number of years, have a fairly large and diverse wardrobe, and have attended (and hosted!) your fair share of Lolita events. You're most likely well-known within your local, and online, communities. You're probably practically an expert on the fashion and have probably introduced, or at least guided, a few friends along the right path in the fashion. Your next step is most likely to do a closet cleaning or some wardrobe organization because you probably have a few years of accumulated clothes.