Caring for your doll collection

Several things can damage dolls and their clothes and care should be taken to guard against these.  Dirt will destroy fabrics and eat into some materials, making it impossible to remove.  Dampness or moisture will loosen glue and joints, dissolve paper machie and composition, rust metal parts, and cause mold and rot.  Heat will melt wax and create expansion cracks in compaosition and paint.  Sunlight fades color in silk, wool, cotton, and other fabrics and also creates rotting in silk.  Moths attack wool and create holes and sometimes can destroy and entire outfit! Care has also to be taken to ward off mice, woodworm, and household pests.
Where you keep your dolls is important!!!  Make sure that as much dirt as possible is elimintated, the dolls are kept behind glass, or at least in a dust-free environmet.  Dont smoke around your dolls!!!  Keep your dolls away from sunlight and in an even temperature that is damp free.

What's my style???

I have been asked a dozen times if not more, "What's your style?" Well, the answer simply put is, that I take tidbits from many styles and fuse them together to create one. Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita, Decora (my favorite), Cyber Goth, Gothic, and which ever trends catch my eye at the moment.  I don't follow trends to a T however!!!  Most young women my age wear boring tee shirts, jeans or sweat pants, flip flops, white sunglasses, and black finger nails. BORING!!!  Another trend that many young women seem to be following is tanning. GROSS!!!  I don't tan.

I don't like conventional styles as much as following my own style! Sure I look through all the major fashion magazines, but I also look to "GOTHIC BEAUTY" magazine and the internet's many many many sites about unconventional fashion and alternative fashion and lifestyles.  So the lesson I have learned is be true to you.  If you like something, let that be part of your style! 

Until my next post,

                               LOVE AND LOLLIPOPS!!
Amy

An Assertive Philosophy!

I recognize that everyone has well-practiced communication habits, and long-standing attitudes that support and defend these habits.
I accept the communication habits of others as fact.
I will offer assertive communication and a "win-win" attitude even when others are offering nonassertive or aggressive styles.
I understand that people change only when they choose to change.
I know others are different from me and that all kinds of people are okay.
I accept responsibility for my feelings, thoughts, opionions, and behaviors. I realize I cannot be responsible for the feelings, thoughts, opionions, and behaviors of others.
I accept that in every relationship, each person has 50% of the responsibility for the success or failure of the relationship.
I know that being nonassertive or aggresive is part of bing human.
I know that every assertive choice precludes a nonassertive or aggresive choice and improves the chances for success in life, at home, or work.

All tomorrows parties

I want to become more social.  I have mental illness and am very shy, two things that keep me a homebody!  Lately, I've been reading self help books that teach assertivness, how to stand up for myself, and how to just let go and be myself.  I believe these books are helping!  So here is to all tomorrow's parties! I will have a good time and I will have more fun! Life is too short to sit at home watching TV. Have some fun!

Til my next post,

LOVE AND LOLLIPOPS
Amy

In the land of Second-Hand Clothes!

I go thrift shopping or vintage clothes shopping weekly it seems.  Why? I love vintage and one of kind clothes!!  Through my trips to these stores, I have come across some AMAZING deals, and have come up with a set of rules to follow when thrifting or vintage shopping.  I highly recommend following these rules if you are new to the land of second hand clothes!

1.) Set a budget and follow that budget.  I recommend $35.00 per store, per trip.  There is a huge chance you will stay under budget, but having enough money just in case is important.
2.) Eat and go to the bathroom before you go to the shop!  This is important since you don't want to be looking through the racks of awesome clothes and have your stomach growling or have to pee (some shops don't have public restrooms). Eating before you go helps you focus as well.
3.) Get a shopping cart if the shop has them.  You don't want to be going through racks of clothes and acessories while juggaling your bag or other items.
4.) Take your time.  If you rush through a store, you may miss a rockin' tee shirt or a cute skirt.
5.) Know your size.
6.) Try everything on!!!  I can't stress this enough!!! Most resale and vintage shops don't have a return policy or exchange policy!  IF IT DOESN"T FIT, DON"T BUY IT!
7.) Look at the label.  It tells you everything you need to know from size and care instructions, to what the garment is made of.  (NOTE* Sometimes there will be no tag or label.  In that case, it pays to know your fabrics and how to care for them)
8.) Look at the coindition of the item. Are there stains? Are there holes? Does it smell funky?
9.) Consider the care and upkeep of the item as well as the price.  If it's something you love, you might need to consider if it wrinkles easily or needs to be dry cleaned.
10.) Look at the price tag and ask about sales.  Many stores have a certain % off certain color price tags or the store might have sweaters on sale that day.
11.) Ask about loyalty programs or purchase club cards.  These are usally little cards that get punched if you buy a certain amount and when the card is full, you get a cetain amount off!
12.) When leaving the shop, wash your hands or use an instant hand sanitizer.  These shops can be filthy!!
13.) Wash or dry clean your garment as soon as possible. They too can be filthy!
The basics are all here. Now all you have to do is enjoy the land of second hand clothes and have fun.  You never know what you might find and amazingly, there are brand new clothes in some of these shops. So don't put down thrift shopping, it can build up your wardrobe and save you some serious money!!
Til next time,
                  LOVE AND LOLLIPOPS
Amy

CrAzy

Hi! My name is Amy and I'm a bit different than the rest.  This is the blog I created to document my crAzy life and adventures. My main purpose is to have as much fun as possible and to be as happy as I can be.  I love Japanese fashion, Blythe dolls, vintage clothes, Hello Kitty, and cute pointless things. Thanks for reading and stay tuned, there will be a whole lot more to come!!

Love and Lollipops,

Amy