Kawaii

Squee! 'Beads Love' has been released.

I'm very, very excited. (^__^) My Vox Banner, Beads Love, is now available with the newest Vox release! I've been waiting for it to come out for a while now, and it's such a nice little surprise to see that it's available for other people to use. I really love what the Vox team did with the entire look of the Beads Love theme-- it's exactly what I was hoping for when I created the banner.

Vox Banner Contest: Beads Love

I have sentimental attachments to this banner because of the photo I used in it. It was one of my favorite picks from one of my very first photoshoots. I've always loved beads, but I was really drawn to this necklace in particular. I was hoping to appeal to several different audiences with this photograph, and hopefully, I pulled that off.

Because I've fallen hard for making Vox banners, I thought I'd have a little showcase of the ones I've made that were my favorites to create. I used my own photography for most of them. I try to use as much of my work as possible so I can spread the word of me, haha. I'm going to be graduating soon and I'll need a good reputation for possible career opportunities. ^_^ I'll hopefully be able to find some job that can pull together all this crazy inspiration coming in from all directions. I'm trying not to worry about the future right now, heh.

I also want to add that none of these banners were made for public use. They either belong to me and/or the specific person that requested the banner. Thanks to everyone who challenged me with their ideas! I had so much fun working on them.

Snowberries Banner

Sister in the Clouds Banner

Rozen Maiden Banner

Plushie Maz Banner

Plum & Bunnies

I've had fun doing every banner I've ever made. I know I still owe some people banners, but the ones that I have yet to do are more difficult and require certain tools that I don't always have access to. I will get around to doing them. Thankies for being so patient! <3

Virtual Addictions 101.

A Little Dance

I really appreciate all the help from everyone that purchased an item (or items) from me at Kawaii's Flea Market. The market will remain open for as long as need be, so feel free to email me with orders for whatever items are still available. The Effy heart bracelets, especially the red, were very popular. They're perfect for birthday and anniversary presents! I'll mention another item for sale later on in this entry. ^____^

There are times in my life when I like to take breaks from the internet norm. I've become so dependent on journaling/blogging sites for entertainment and friendships that I tend to forget about my own reality. That's the main reason I take a small hiatus every once in a while. I think everyone needs a breather from the computer every now and then. I'm kind of in the middle of one right now, hence the fewer entries and leaving less comments in other Voxes. Once I get out of my hiatus period, I'll comment like crazy. Just you wait!

Several friends on Vox have written entries in their own Voxes about how guilty they feel for not writing enough in their online journals. I always try to tell them not to worry about being able to update very often. Here's my theory: what point is there to write in a journal (online or tangible paper) if you don't live life? The answer is that there is no point. Without experiencing daily life outside of the internet and communicating with others and touching pieces of your individual reality, there would be no real substance within entries. (Substance is a must.) It's important for people to take breaks and get out there and not spend every second online.

Sight

I once made a speech for a class (a Journalism course) about internet addictions. I talked about the games people become obsessed with and other random activities that people fall into the habit of depending on for all sources of fun and relaxation. As wonderful as they are, they can be addictions-- addictions that are, at many times, not taken seriously by others, yet harmful to those that experience them. For example, there is the case of the father who locked his little girl in a closet for days because he was too busy playing World of Warcraft to tend to her needs as a child (eating in particular). She died in the closet. There was also the case of the teenage boy who took his relationship with a gaming character on a role playing game to a crazy extent-- so far that when she "broke up" with his character, he committed suicide. Addictions can range from smoking to online gaming; most people don't realize how serious internet dependence has become.

During the speech, I briefly mentioned my own addiction to the internet a few years back. I've always been the quiet person in a group, the one who keeps to herself just because she's happier that way. I don't have the need to put myself out there to be happy. I just love sitting back in my own world, and my own world happened to consist of online journal sites like Open Diary and Livejournal. I would spend hours learning and memorizing HTML to create the perfect journal. I'd then pour myself into creating graphics for my site. After a while, I would shut myself away in my room while everyone else in my house actually experienced life. What happens as a result of addictions? My mood became gloomy and depressed; I gained more weight because of my time sitting rather than walking around; I lost interest in real life friends. I just wasn't a happy person. I fell out of that addiction though and I started treating myself, as well as others, a lot better. I'm now very content with my life because of the amount of control I have. It's amazing what a little wake-up call will do to a person.

For Sale: Kunzite Ring

My advice is this: get out there so you have something to write about, something new and meaningful to you. Why not? ^^; I'm trying to do the same thing right now. Even if it's going outside to take photos of something I find beautiful, I've found that just one photo can inspire an entire entry.

A little timeout: And now I'm going to stray from the topic of addiction to point out a very special auction I'm holding for my mom right now. She's in the process of selling some jewelry, and I'm helping her. Right now, on Ebay, is a beautiful kunzite and diamond ring that was originally retailed at $3,060.00 USD on Shop NBC. It is now for sale on Ebay with a starting price of $850.00, which is less than half of the original price. As mentioned in my Flea Market post, my mom has exquisite taste for jewelry and is only aquainted with the best of the best. If you're interested in it, here is the Ebay link to my auction. There is no reserve price!

Vox Event: Welcome to Kawaii's Flea Market!

In order to muster up some money for a much-wanted dolly, I have decided to part with several personal items. I thought it would be fun to throw together a mock flea market, which is most likely a first for Vox. I'd love to know that the presence of my future dolly was made possible because of you lovely Voxers. I'm excited to start this, and if you have any questions, don't hestitate to ask.

Welcome to Kawaii at Vox's first Flea Market Sale, my second event here at Vox. ^___^ I'd like to welcome you to my store by showing you around. So please, feel free to browse, and make sure to ask any questions that arise. I'd be happy to answer anything you're wondering about! You'll most likely want to read through all the details if you are interested in a particular item, because that will clear up any confusion that make come up later on. I shall walk you through each section that I have arranged (with careful consideration and organization) so you can sit back and enjoy the products I have available. Thankies for reading/looking and have a good time. ^^

(Please make sure to do two things if you're interested in something you see: 1) leave a comment, and 2) email me and give me the name of what you would like to purchase.)

First Booth: Custom Blythe Mohair

Description:

Up for sale is a beautiful customized Pow Wow Poncho Blythe named Melba. She has an SBL face mold and has been rerooted with peach mohair. Her face has been sand matted and has had a light green eyeshadow applied, along with a peach lip stick that looks just lovely with her mohair. She will come with everything you see her wearing in the photo. For more information, please check out the thread with a full description of her sale over at TIB, which is located here. You can also view more pictures of her (that are larger) over at my special Flickr account set, which is located here.

Price: SOLD

Second Booth: Mark Ryden's Fushigi Circus Art Book

Description:

Up for sale is Mark Ryden's latest low brow art book, Fushigi Circus. It is a gorgeous cloth-bound book that contains works from many of his art shows, including Blood, The Meat Show, and Bunnies & Bees. This copy is brand new and has never been taken out of its original plastic wrap. I bought this book as an extra. (The pages inside the book you see in the photos were taken from my already opened book, one that I will not be selling at this time.)

Details:

• 123 pages
• Height: 9"
• Width: 6"

For more photos of this book, please refer to my special Flickr account set that is located here.

Price: $40.00 USD SOLD

Third Booth: Super Smash Mario Bros. Melee Gamecube game

Description:

Up for sale is Gamecube's Super Smash Bros. Melee game. I received this game as a free gift and it has never been taken out of its original plastic wrap. It is brand new! For more photos, please refer to my Flickr account set that is labeled "For Sale," which can be found here.

Price: $15.00 USD (usually retailed at around $25.00)

Fourth Booth: Trick (the brand) Faery Journal

Description:

Up for sale is a very pretty Faery Journal that was made by the company Trick. The outside cover art is of a pink faery girl (in the foreground) with a moon (in the background). The back of the journal contains another print of the moon. The pages of the book are a light pink with a faded faery decoration on each page. This journal has never been taken out of its plastic wrap. It's brand new! For large photos of this item, please refer to my special Flickr account set that is located here.

Details:

• Height: 8.75"
• Width: 6"

Price: $7.00 USD SOLD

Fifth Booth: Vintage Rings (Miscellaneous Assortment)

Up for sale is a miscellaneous assortment of beautiful vintage rings that I have collected over the years. Before you receive one (or more) in the mail, the ring will be polished. Please make sure to note that any shine that is lost is due to old age, a factor that only makes each ring more stunning with its vintage and antique appeal. Keep in mind that this jewelry is vintage and can be considered costume jewelry, therefore, the status of every stone and metal may not be known. Also, please do not expect perfect condition, as if they were brand new. Part of the charm and appeal is the time-worn look. ^___^ This booth will be divided up into two sets. Please pay close attention to the details of each ring. More pictures of each ring in larger dimensions can be seen over my my Flickr account, which is located here.

Every ring is between a size four and five (unless otherwise noted).

1. Sterling silver marcasite ring: Marcasites surround almost the entire ring, except for the back, which slowly fades into a smooth band of silver. The ring is marked 925 on the inside, which means that it is authentic sterling silver. (Price: $10.00 USD ON HOLD)
2. Fashion turquoise ring: Two tear-shaped pieces wrap around to make the front of the ring. Whether this ring contains real turquoise is unknown. This is an unmarked ring so I cannot determine the true metal it is made out of. (Price: $5.00 USD SOLD)
3. Mesh metal with fake diamond: This vintage ring wraps around and has an open back, which makes the ring easier to adjust to a few ring sizes. The stone is clear and looks like a diamond, although, the real stone is unknown, as is the metal. (Price: $5.00 USD)
4. Silver amethyst-looking ring: This ring has a net-like front that wraps around into a smoother metal in the back. It is marked 925 on the inside, which means that is authentic sterling silver. This ring is size seven. (Price: $12.00 USD)
5. Sterling silver with marcasites and clear stone: This ring contains several marcasites that surround the stone on each side in the center of the ring. The stone is not a real diamond, but it appears to be a clear stone that looks like one. The inside of the ring is marked with 925, which means that it is made of authentic sterling silver. (Price: $12.00 USD SOLD)
6. Sterling silver with purple heart: This simple ring is made of sterling silver. It is marked with 925 on the inside of the ring, which means that it is authentic. The purple crystal looks like an amethyst, but the actual stone is unknown. This ring is size six. (Price: $8.00 USD ON HOLD)
7. Fashion ring-- pearl with gold setting: The status of the "stone" is unknown, although it looks like a pearl that is surrounded by one diamond-looking stone on each side. The metal is a darker yellow, which gives it a gold appearance. The code 10KP is on the inside. (Price: $5.00 USD)
8. Oblong blue/purple stone sterling silver ring: This ring is made of authentic sterling silver; it is marked 925 on the inside of the ring. The stone, although labeled as being unknown, looks as though it could be jade. (Price: $10.00 USD)

Sixth Booth: Diamond Heart Bracelets (Four Colors)

Up for sale is an Effy Collection special. Effy is a very well-known jewelry designer. My mom originally bought the last of these bracelets (in bulk, so there is more than one bracelet per color available). My mom only buys the best of the best of jewelry, so only expect beautiful diamonds with a lovely setting. These were originally priced at $149.98 per bracelet, but a special price will be offered here. They are all brand new and have only been removed from their boxes for photos. They will come with a box and their original Effy cards. There are four colors for sale (from left to right in the pictures): purple/lavender, pink, sky blue, and red. Here is the original description of the bracelets:

"This lavish bracelet is created in 14K white gold and features an open heart design with bead set diamonds measuring 9/16" x 9/16". This is set on a leather bracelet measuring 6-1/2 - 8-1/2"L x 1/2"W that comes in your choice of colors with an adjustable clasp and safety catch. There are eleven diamonds for a total diamond weight of approximately 0.055ct."

More photos of each bracelet at different angles (in larger dimensions) can be seen over at my Flickr account, which is located here.

Price (per bracelet): $40.00 USD

Seventh Booth: Photography Prints by Kawaii at Vox

And finally, I would like to offer my own artistic services. Up for sale is an offer to print off my photography (one or a few of your choice), photos that are located at my Flickr account in the following sets:

• Blythes
• Swiss (BJD)
• Pinkys
• Aesthetics
• Tokidoki
• Vinyl Toys

My Flickr account is located here. I do have the right to reject certain photos, mostly ones that contain my own image or any image of people in my life. I would prefer it if you would request any photos that contain inanimate objects. ^^; (I am also open to photos you may have seen in my Vox account, but I'll have to approve each photo first.) Make sure to email me the size of the photo you wish to have. If you would like, I can also determine the best size possible since I'm familiar with how my photography appears on paper. You may choose whether you would like glossy or matte prints!

Please take into account that each photo required quality photo paper, ink, time and effort.

Price (per photo): $5.00 USD

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Contact, Shipping, Payment and Background Information

Contact: You can email me at [email protected] with any questions you have. Also, make sure to email me if you wish to purchase one or more items.

Shipping: I will ship to anywhere in the world, both within the United States and without. I will only be able to determine shipping prices based on the size and weight of your item(s) as well as your location, so we will have to find the total amount due through email.

Payment: I will only accept Paypal as a method of payment. I will have to turn down any other methods. Sorry!

My Background: On a side note, I would like to add that you should, in no way, have to doubt my abilities as a seller. I am doing this not only for my benefit, but yours as well. I take every Voxer into consideration. I am an avid Voxer who has created a solid and good reputation among those in my neighborhood, and I would never jeopardize my friendships or my status as a Vox user. Also, if you want more concrete evidence of my buyer/seller past, you can check my Ebay username: chinadoll_farm, which has 100% positive feedback!

Thankies for looking, and please, come back anytime. ^___________^

Lauren

A belated Heart Day and the sniffles.

I would like to apologize to my wonderful Vox friends for being patient with me. I'm sorry, but I haven't gotten around to checking up with your Voxes in the past few days because of my cold. I want to dedicate this entry to all of you, because you really are all my Valentines. I may not be a huge enthusiast towards this holiday in particular, but I do like showing a little spirit every now and then. So Voxers, here's a Valentine entry just for you. <3

Heart Day Candy

Unfortunately, when bad things happen, they happen all at once. (-__-) I've had to take in a cold and more side effects from my birth control pills all at once, and it hasn't been very fun, especially around this time. The day before Heart Day, the 13th, is my little anniversary (four years, five months this month) with Shawn. We don't celebrate anything for the smaller dates, but we do like to see each other. Sadly, Shawn had an exam week during that time, so I didn't get to see him until the next day. It was nice combining the two "events" together though. ^_^

Like I said before, I'm not a big contributor to Heart Day. My days of working at Hallmark revolutionized the way I viewed a lot of the unnecessary holidays around the year, so I guess the whole day seems cheapened now for some reason. The funny thing is how unprepared I am for small gestures of adoration from Shawn though. I think the gifts I enjoyed the most (and this may sound silly) were the small icons on Facebook. Earlier in the week, I had complained, teasingly, that I hadn't received any from anyone. Sure enough, Heart Day came around, and Shawn left me five cute little virtual gifts on my Facebook page. I'm touched by the more insignificant gifts for some reason, tee hee.

Happy Heart Day, Plum

Later on that day, after classes, Shawn came over and we exchanged some homemade gifts. (We're merely lowly college students with not exactly strong incomes at the moment, heh). I had made him a portfolio of some of my photography of subjects I knew he loved: Plum, Yukimo and a photo of Shawn and me together. I decorated the portfolio with "Shawn" written all over it. I wanted it to reflect the innocence of a high school romance. I figured that would only be fitting since that's when we first met and had our first Heart Day together. (I signed the back of the portfolio: Lauren, Plum & Yukimo.)

Shawn then gave Plum and me our presents. (He had already bought Yukimo a new wheel a few days prior to Heart Day.) He had carved two hearts out of wood and then sanded them to make them perfectly smooth. Mine contains a special message shared between Shawn and me, and Plum's is Blythe-size for her little hands. I'll make sure to take photos of our wooden hearts later on. Apparently, I'll be expecting small Heart Day gifts throughout the year, not just on the 14th. He already finished another present, and I'm excited to see what he's created. Having a creative boyfriend really is fun. I never know what to expect for presents...

I had taken a sick day that day so I was rested for Shawn's visit. Overall, it was a really nice and simple holiday, which seemed just right this year. We're very easygoing people, so we like to keep the day and the gift-giving as simple as possible. I hope that everyone else had a great Heart Day, even if you're like me and don't completely go all-out with celebrating it. There's something still nice about acknowledging that you have someone, even if he/she/it is not a significant other. Sometimes it's just a good day to recognize everything that you do have. The only thing I really missed having was my health! Tee hee. Happy belated Heart Day, Voxers. I'll try to catch up with everyone within the next few days once I'm better. ^____^

Bunny chopsticks on macro, a new fetish. (QotD)

Show us some macro photography.
Submitted by NomDeCocon.

I love my macro. ^_~ (Obviously.) I loved macro the first time I used it on my sister's Olympus camera. I think my decision to buy an Olympus camera was probably due to the fact that I loved Beth's macro so much. "Macro had me at hello." *snuggles* The great and wonderful part of photography (which I especially find in macro) is the art of choosing which photos to use for a project or just development in general. To be able to pick from hundreds of photographs that I take, and having the power to decide which ones evolve into what I want to be considered art, is such a beautiful and rewarding process. I had fun making the banner for this entry.

Bunny Chopsticks <3 !

Anyway, I chose to photograph my new little loves, a pack of bunny chopsticks for my hair (even though it's too short right now) and my new sexy kawaii journal. I bought both of them, along with a rather spunky black and red dress, the other day when Beth and I went out. I'm not a shopping person. In fact, I loathe the idea of having to try on clothes. I do, however, like going out once in a while when I'm in the mood. Plus, Beth was being nice and said she would buy me anything I wanted.

Beth discovered a crazy-cute store that's only a few minutes away from here that's called Starship. Milwaukee has very little activity in the fun, cute and funky direction of style/knick-knacks. Starship happens to be right down the street from my other favorite store, Green Fields. Both are independently owned (I believe) and carry clothes and cute random "things" that I adore. I really felt like I stumbled upon my end of the rainbow when we first went to Starship. Thank goodness for creative people who decide to open stores in rather blah cities, tee hee. ^^;

Sexy/Kawaii Journal

Bright, colorful things like the chopsticks really make the dark, gloomy days go by more quickly and with a lot less stress. I feel like I'm constantly contradicting myself here at Vox, because on one hand, I show the bright, fun side of my life (kawaii love), and on the other hand, I show the dramatic and serious side of who I am. Personally, I like the mixture, but I sometimes get worried that a stranger that stumbles upon my corner of the internet world might become confused at the polar opposite ends of who I am. I kind of like the idea of how puzzling one person can be, so I guess I'll just continue with my cute and serious fetishes. Mwa ha, take that, world.

My week has kick-started off with a Monday Oceanography exam. (Exams, bunny chopsticks and sexy journals are the ingredients to life, if you didn't know...) Going into an exam knowing that the grade will count for 25% of my grade is always a plus. I don't believe in hammering my poor mind with information for weeks on end, and at the same time, I also don't believe in cramming information in at the last minute. I like to fall somewhere in between the two; I study for one or two days before the exam, studying for a few hours here, a few hours there, while making sure to take small breaks in between. I've found that my method is very effective-- for me anyway. I'm just happy that this morning is over with. I'm rewarding my studying efforts with a free night, which means macro photography of bunny chopsticks. ^__^

"The Crack"

I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Normally, my sleeping problems are due to my inner thoughts going a little crazy, but this time, the cause is something more tangible: a real, live person. Because of this person, I can't sleep in my bed; I can't sleep the regular eight hours every person should try to get; and I can't think straight during the day. The culprit? He happens to be a person I've never met before. In fact, I can honestly say that I've never had such an inner hatred built up in me so much as I'm experiencing now. The problem? He snores. The problem sounds ridiculous, but his nasal problems are affecting my everyday (and every-night) life. I'm going insane, and I think a little part of my happiness dies everytime I attempt to lay my head down on my pillow and then get physically shaken by the deep, nasal hiccups from the neighbor below me.

Oh, Love...

I've never met the guy. In fact, I dont' think I've ever even seen him in my building. What I do know about him is that he's a jerk-- not because of his snoring issues, but because he really is a mean, gross and disgusting example of a human being. Months ago, I woke up to him screaming at his roommate (a girl). Hearing the words "fat" and "bitch" and "slut" are not happy words I want to hear in the middle of the night. Not only that, but he's a smoker. I don't particularly like smokers. Sitting by them in class and having to inhale the stench that comes off of them is one thing, but hearing the very distinct smoker's cough 24/7 is another problem. He and his roommate are both smokers and have a continuous nasty cough that echoes throughout my apartment at any hour of the day.

Sadly, I have resorted to sleeping out on the couch where it's a little more peaceful. Yukimo runs in her wheel all night, but that sound is soothing compared to the hacking and snoring that is so fierce in my room. (-___-) I'll admit some behavior that I'm not proud of... I've stomped on the ground. I've yelled and thrown mini-tantrums. I've plotted to find ways to politely tell the guy to shush up. I don't have enough hardcore evidence of a "disturbance" to report to my landlords, since the yelling happened a few months ago. I can't report the jerk for snoring so loud that I want to kill myself, but I'm waiting for the perfect opportunity to pinpoint another yelling match from him and/or his roommate.

Because of the jerk's sleeping habits, my sleep routine has become just that: a routine. I don't even unmake my bed most nights. I just take some blankets and sleep on the couch. My nights are either extremely rough or just decent enough that I can function the following day. Some weird side effects of the whole change in my sleeping routine is that my dreams are all over the place. I'm a firm believer in dreams being affected by the way a person sleeps-- the direction he faces, the position he sleeps in, the objects in the room and their placements. The aura of everything in a room can affect a person's sleep, and my dreams are getting jumbled full of extreme emotions and people I haven't seen in years. Even though my need to change where I sleep annoys me, I'm still intrigued by all the new thoughts that are going through my mind. I feel a bit crazy sometimes.

Yay to beautiful films; nay to everyday chick flicks.

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette is going to be released on DVD on Tuesday, February 13th, 2007. ^__^ I normally don't make an entry directed specifically towards a film, but in the case, I want to make an exception. I'm a huge Sofia Coppola fan and I support all of the work she's done over the years. My love for Jeffrey Eugenides' The Virgin Suicides first ignited my obsession for Sofia's work when I first watched her book-to-film adaptation. (I'll have to post photos of my entire Eugenides' collection sometime. I have some very rare pieces that have come to define my literature collection, pieces that I'm very proud of.) Plus, I think my taste in movies says a lot about me. I take it very seriously, so having an entry dedicated to film (in general) is a must. I really think that the taste a person has towards movies says something about him/her. I like hearing what others prefer and what they absolutely hate. It's fun and I learn a lot about people by observing in that way.

I think I'll work backwards. When I came back from the theatre after watching Marie Antoinette, I had a smirk on my face that wouldn't go away. As expected, the teeny bopper crowd showed up in the theatre I was in, meaning the bouncing teenage girls who decided to swamp the once-comfortable theatre with high-pitched gossip and bubbly excitement for the movie we were all about to watch. (The sad thing about going to the theatre is how the entire experience of watching the film can be ruined by one person-- or in my case, a million Barbies.) I knew what would be coming after Shawn, Kathleen and I left the theatre, because it happens whenever I go out to see movies.

My Marie Antoinette Postcards

"What? I don't... get it."

That is usually then followed by my muttered, "Oh, dear god." >_< Anyway, the confused utterances from the little people around me were transformed into more of a confused silence that night. (I went opening day.) After we got home, Kathleen talked with some friends of hers who also saw the movie, and they pretty much put that whole "confused silence" jig into actual words. "That was stupid. I didn't get it."

What people didn't realize about Marie Antoinette was that the film was not intended to be a full-blown chick flick. Sofia is very smart in how she films, but those who advertise are even more money-making savvy. They knew that if the audience saw that there would be little love story and a very thin obvious plot, then the box office would not make the desired amount of money it was aiming for. So what did these commercial kings do? They threw in a hip, love-cutesy rock song while showing Marie frolicking in fields in pretty dresses and eating pink-frosted cupcakes. To teeny boppers, this is the ultimate chick flick. To those that admire how films are made and what is actually conveyed in Marie Antoinette, Sofia made yet another beautiful film.

<3 Marie Antoinette

The point of this entry is to say that, no, Marie Antoinette is not intended to be a romantic film, nor does it have a story that's as connected as others released these days. Marie Antoinette is basically the telling of the life cycle of Marie "growing up" herself (quite the opposite, actually) in a biographical sense and a harsh reality of the decisions she made as a queen of her country, ones that had repercussions that were highly catastrophic. I loved how Sofia focused almost the entire story on the frivolous life of Marie Antoinette and then barely touched the politics that were going on. In doing so, Sofia did just that: she focused on those politics by avoiding the subject. I think, as viewers, we were supposed to see the story from an omniscient point of view, yet somehow, Sofia managed to point that personal trait of Marie as a first person narrative, if that makes sense.

I'm counting down the days until Marie Antoinette's release. Like I've mentioned in previous entries, I'm very picky about what movies I watch. I don't like modern day chick flicks, a lot of comedies, and most of the ridiculous horror movies released these days. The Notebook, John Tucker Must Die, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, included. *shudder* Most of these are made for the opposite intention of what I look for in a good movie: beauty and substance. There has to be that hook that grabs me and shakes me up in a way that no other movie has. I've been spoiled with good film and writing professors and teachers in the past, and they've prepped me for being picky with what I watch. Right now, I'm having a trist with foreign films. *swoon*

Happy berfday, Plum: a Blythe coming of age story.

Sweet Appeal

There are two groups of people: those who are unaware of dollies in their lives, and those who revolve their lives around dollies. I fall into the latter group (obviously). This entry is a special dedication of love to a very important doll in my life. Dolls are not just toys. They are not meant to be memories for just children. Dolls, especially Blythe dolls, are landmarks in a person's life. They give meaning to many of us, and they bring more memories and happiness to me than I ever thought was possible. Every Blythe has a story, and this happens to be Plum's story.

For those of you who are unaware of what a doll collector's life is like, here is a story that will explain a lot-- a lot of answers may finally be revealed about the mysterious life of a Blythe collector!

The beginning.

I first started collecting and truly falling in love with Blythe dolls in 2004. My main goal, like a lot of people who reside over at the TIB forum, was to own a Kenner Blythe one day. I thought that their rareness was attractive and couldn't help but drool over photos that other people took of their 1970 vintage dolls. I then started to notice another Blythe doll mold, the BL mold. BL Blythes were the second types of Blythes ever to be released. After the 1970 girls failed, there was little hope for Blythe dolls. Well, Gina Garan, the famous Blythe photographer, shed new light on the dolly and fashion scene in Japan, and before anyone else could take in what was happening, BL Blythes were released, and Kozy Kape (Plum's Blythe type) was released. Kozy was the first BL that I fell for. I liked her simplicity, and the fact that her baby face was so sweet really melted my heart. I knew I would have to have her one day. BL Blythes have become extremely rare, sometimes even more rare than Kenners, and this is one reason that I find them so much more loveable than Kenner dolls. Because Kozys were quite pricey at the time (or so I thought), I had to put off my want for one for a few years. I took in many other girls to my Blythe family, and I loved them all very much. I still, however, yearned for something more, a Blythe that I could fall in love with, one that I would want to take with me everywhere. Kozy, you were meant to be.

Birthday A-Go-Go

The search.

Finally, in 2005, I realized that Kozy was the Blythe for me. Even though I knew I had my first ball-jointed doll (Swiss) on her way to me, Kozy was still in the back of my mind. I started looking for a Kozy on Ebay and in the TIB Buy and Sell section in about September that year. Kozys were then starting to get extremely rare and even more expensive than a few months previous to the start of my search. I began to panic. In December, I posted a "Want to Buy" (WTB) thread in the Buy and Sell section, and after posting, I realized that there were three other people looking for a Kozy at the exact same time. My heart sank, because I knew how desperate we all were, especially with the holidays approaching so quickly.

One night (in January, 2006), I received an email from a fellow TIB member regarding a Kozy she was putting up for sale. She said that she had remembered my thread and asked if I would like to put an offer in for her Kozy. This girl's Kozy was so beautiful, and I instantly knew I had to have her. Well, I immediately replied to her email with a rather high offer. Soon afterwards, I received a response with some very sad news. Just five minutes before I responded, another person put a high offer in, and the girl promised the other person the Kozy. I think I started to cry that night. It's hard when I have my heart set on something with so much excitement and passion. I felt like an evil trick had been played on me.

A Sneak Peek

A new hope.

About a week later, I was online at about 2 a.m. when I noticed a thread that was selling a Bohemian Beat Blythe. I had always thought about taking one into my doll family, and with the disappointment over the Kozy, I thought I'd see if the seller would have a fair price for the BB. I messaged the seller and received a response a few minutes later. Then a feeling sunk in, a very familiar feeling: regret. In the past, I had rebounded off of a Blythe disappointment and bought a girl I was only semi-in love with, and I really didn't want to experience that regret again. (I ended up selling my rebound girl.) After I read the seller's very nice message, I told her that I really shouldn't buy her beautiful girl, because my heart was really set on getting a Kozy. After exchanging a few messages with her (because she really wanted to sell her BB to me after I kept giving her polite "no's"), she sent me a message that took my breath away.

Do u really want a kozy???
I got 2 kozy blythes...
mind me asking how much is your best offer for 98 percent an excellent condition girl (only that she got 3 pin prick at her fore head, under bangs, and cannot even show in pictures, and come with everything?"

Winter Lovey

I was speechless. After months (years?) of waiting for an opportunity to own my very own Kozy, she tells me this at the brink of exhaustion. I started to panic. What if this was some sort of joke? What if another person would snatch her up like the last time? I messaged her back with lightning-Blythe speed and told her that, yes, I was interested. She then responded with a message that scared the hell out of me. Someone else was interested in her Kozy. I had no idea how this was possible, since she hadn't even advertised that the doll was for sale in the first place. The seller then told me that we could each make one "bid" towards the Kozy, and whoever gave the bigger bid would be the "winner." (I figure that this was a smart ploy to make me bid higher. I still think that to this day.) I didn't care though; I had to win that Kozy. I gave my bid of $440 and eagerly awaited a reply. Sure enough, she responded and told me that I had been the higher bidder. It was that night (January 9th) that I won my favorite Blythe.

(Since I bought Plum, the prices for Kozy have skyrocketed. I thought $440 had been a lot at the time, but now sellers are demanding $600 as the starting prices alone. Eventually, I think BL girl prices will surpass the costs of Kenner Blythes.)

The waiting and receiving.

I waited for Plum for over two weeks. Because I had been so excited to win my Kozy, I forgot to get the good, fast shipping. When ordering dolls from foreign countries, it's always best to opt for the best shipping possible, just to assure safe and fast travel. I waited at the door for the mailman every day. Eventually, I had to go back to campus since classes were starting up again. Then, one day, I came home to find that my mom wasn't there, but a little slip with my name on it was. I was stupid that day and I didn't check to see who it was from because I was so tired from the ride back to my house. After 5 o'clock, I casually looked at the slip, and I realized that, yes, the mailman had tried to deliver my Kozy, but she was now at the post, waiting to be picked up! I tore my hair out, tee hee.

Since the post office wasn't open after that time, I had to wait 'til the next morning to get my sweetie. Beth drove me to the post, and there it was, a package, quite bent and torn, waiting for me to rip open.

My little Plum had arrived. I knew that I wanted to name a Blythe Plum, and I figured that Kozy would be the girl to win the name. Sure enough, I opened my package up and fell in love with the little sweetheart inside. The super round face and her big, boggled eyes just said "Plum" to me. The waiting and the worrying had vanished, and my Plum was finally with me. To this day, I have never fallen so in love with a Blythe, and I've never seen anyone else take in a Blythe with so much... need and want. Plum is the ultimate Blythe to me, and she always will be.

Look Both Ways

Plum's first birthday.

Plum had come all the way from Thailand to be with me. Who knows where she had been before her home in Thailand! She's not only my little traveler, but she's my geek at heart. Out of all my girls, her personality is the most diverse and creative, the weirdest and funniest, the cutest, and the best. I know a lot of people can't play favorites with Blythes, but I'm not afraid to admit that this love of my life is my favorite, my Plum.

Her first birthday was on January 28th, 2007. We celebrated the day in a very relaxed fashion. I gave her the one present that had arrived-- a strawberry coat and bag set made by Berni at the TIB forum. I took photos of her with red ribbons in her hair, and we had a blast. Shawn was over that day, too, and he was able to shower Plum with even more love. (We consider Plum our little girl. Shawn is crazy for her and runs to her defense whenever Beth makes fun of her or tries to kidnap her. He even buys her presents for special occasions.)

A few days later, Shawn dropped off the last two presents that I had bought for Plum: a knit hat by moondancer at TIB, and a beautiful pink vinyl carrying case made by chloellaboo at TIB. All of her presents fit together so perfectly! The case comes in handy for when I transport Plum back and forth from the apartment and my house. It's something I've been looking for a carrying case like this one for a long time. There was even a berry theme-- the strawberries (on her coat and bag) and cherries (on the case). And I swear, the hat was made for the outfit. Plum's birthday has pretty much lasted the entire week. With her backstory in mind and the adorable presents she's received, I would say that Plum has had the perfect first birthday.

Happy berfday, Plum. I love you.