New Rocks

So about a week ago while randomly looking through some op shops just around my area, I found something amazing. For as little as $20 I found a slightly broken yet still awesome pair of New Rock ankle boots!These shoes would have been at least two or three hundred dollars new, if not even more than that.

The broken part is the upper strap made of rubber instead of leater, meaning the boots still lace up fine. At the moment they're still unwearable only because the straps flap around when I walk! They just need to be cut off, but I think replacing it with a nice thick black satin ribbon is what I'll do. That way they'll have more of a Lilly touch. The boots (well, New Rocks in general) are more industrial, with more hardwear and maybe more of a tomboy aesthetic that what I tend to prefer, but how could I not get them? Apart from the broken strap, they are in good condition and well looked after, but clearly well loved.

Here you can see the broken strap. I think the rubber decays at a faster rather than the leather, as the strap is broken on both shoes.

I also have a habit of taking photos of my drinks. Here I enjoyed a classic gin and tonic.

xxx Lilly

Film Noir

Earlier in the month I mentioned my preparation of the annual Melbourne Conservatorium ball with a Film Noir theme.
Here is a photo of me and my lovely partner ( ;P) posing on the dancefloor. He may kill me for posting this though...

Photo by Ariel Haviland Photography

I was sporting a pale, almost black and white look with classic makeup. And yes, I am actually that pale. Remember that this was flash photography. I was wearing a lacey dress, a corset by Dark Muse and a simple thin frilly shirt for extra warmth and plain chunky heels. Not particularly period-accurate, but I still believed I had that look of glamour desired.

xxx Lilly

Old Photo Feature

I realised I never shared my blonde hair with my followers. Here is a photo taken late last year while I had very yellow blonde hair. XD This blonde was the result of faded pink hair, but I couldn't really do the weekly dye to keep the pink lasting. Despire my love of hair dye, I am rather lazy. =P

My hair is now dyed all black again, the way I like it. Sadly all of that bleach caused lots of damage. That happens with all bleached hair, so I can hardly complain. I knew what I was getting myself into. However I still have problems with the damage, frequently needing some deep conditioner for my (now very split) lengths and ends. I haven't cut my hair in years, so it's very long but so split. =(

xxx Lilly

Makeup free

I've worn makeup almost everyday since year 6, when I was twelve. Call me a young bloomer if you want, but that's just how it was. And, no, it wasn't full face makeup, but I did try mascara a school. (Any makeup was a big no- no then)
Last year and this year I've had before school classes that start at 8:15am. I'm NOT a morning person so I really struggle to be proactive in the morning.  I know that my life would be easier if I didn't wear makeup to school but I really cannot bring myself to venture outside the house with nothing on my face. Sometimes it's just a quick smear of eyeliner, but never is there nothing. The only times that I'm without makeup completely is when I'm sleeping or sick.
Searching through my old Facebook albums, I did find a few pictures of me without makeup.

I think the reason why I don't go without makeup is largely to do with confidence. I don't have a hell of a lot of it, and makeup suits me. (Ahaha I'm such a maths nerd. I suddenly wanted to find the three little dots to mean therefore. Ahem.)
Therefore I feel confident wearing makeup.
I also believe that it is largely to do with habit. I've been doing it every morning for so long, it feels like I've missed something when I don't. Some people (including me) feel this way about perfume. I also feel this way about makeup.

(How could I have forgotten about this post until nearly a WHOLE YEAR later???)

Here is a very old photo of me when I was about ten years old!

 xxx Lilly

More Personal Pictures

More spammed pictures for you all to enjoy. I am still experimenting with font sizes, but I think I have sorted things out. Enjoy!

Here is a portion of my perfume and nail varnish collection

A fabulous pair of shoes I found second hand

Sorry for the half assed posts. Hopefully now I'll be able to share more of my personal life with you all, as well as combing my old posts and editing them over the next few weeks. It shall be a difficult task.

 xxx Lilly

This is a Test

Hello my dearies, sorry for the absence of posts. I've been really wanting to write, but I have been too clogged up with assignments at the moment to take the time out to blog without feeling guilty. But now, for the moment all of that has been wrapped up, thankfully.

First of all, I thought I'd simply share a picture of me. At the moment I am trialling a method of watermarking using simply MS paint. I still need to get the sizing right, so please let me know how it looks for you all. XD And, I actually think it is pretty. =P

Please excuse the unpainted wall; it was newly inserted into the wall. This photo was taken in around June before going to the opera with my boyfriend to see the premier of The Barber of Seville. XD

xxx Lilly

Liebster Award

I was tagged by the lovely Laura from Roses and Vellum. Thank you sweetie!

Laura's Questions

1. What book, movie or real life person most influences or inspires you? How?
I shall answer all three independently. The book The Steampunk Bible, which was a gift from my father is an inspiration to me. Steampunk is an aesthetic that I enjoy but rarely incorporate into outfits or my attire. I have been meaning to explore it more and more of late.
The film Chicago influences and inspires me as a performer, dancer and musician. I adore this film and it's setting, music and culture.
The real life person who is my idol and biggest inspiration and influence ever is Voltaire. (surprise surprise!) He is the single most influential being on the planet for me and everything I aspire to achieve my life.
 
2. What is your favourite wild animal? (Not dog, cat, etc.) and why.
My favourite wild animal at the moment would probably be the jellyfish. I don't understand much of their anatomy, but I find their movement so incredibly soothing and intoxicating to watch. They are so beautiful and deadly.

3. If you had to choose between not sleeping ever again or not using the internet ever again (not even for research, email or assignments) which would you choose?
I could not complete my degree without the internet, so the obvious choice would be to go without sleeping. Provided that tiredness was not an issue, I quite like the idea of not sleeping... XD

4. What is your favourite outfit? Put a picture here or describe it.
My favourite outfit currently would be my Neo-Victorian boots, tights with suspenders underneath a black dress cinched with my new corset. What I wore last night in fact, and received many compliments. (The most surprising and charming comment that wasn't from my boyfriend was a blunt 'But seriously, you're hot' from a rather drunk girl I met, before immediately turning around to continue dancing away from me. Thanks, dear, my ego didn't really need that little boost. XD)

5. What is the best book you ever read and why?
I've read so many books I struggle to choose just one. For now I'll just say the Collected Works of William Shakespeare, for obvious reasons.

6. If you could live in any era  (past and present only) what would it be and why?
Ancient Egypt, preferable sometime late in the Middle Kingdom.

7. Do you have a hobby? What is it? 
Apart from music, which I have chosen to dedicate my whole life to, my hobbies are drawing and writing.
 
8. Do you prefer skirts or pants?
I like to think that I am allergic to pants. ;)

9. You are given a ticket to go to one city in the world. Which one would it be and why?
Prague, for it's Classical music, dance and beauty.

10. You fall down a hole in the pavement and end up in Wonderland. What do you do?
Think to myself 'Welcome home.'

11. Who is your favourite blogger and why? (I don't expect you to say me :P I am interested in discovering interesting blogs!)

My favourite blogger is Amy from Stripy Tights and Dark Delights as she was the first blog I ever followed, back in this blog's previous incarnation over on Piczo, when I was but a wee baby bat. Amy continues to post interesting, charming posts, and she is the only blogger in existence where I have read every single blog post. =) 

My questions
1. What is your favourite colour? You can only choose one.

2. What is your favourite non-alcoholic drink?
3. What is your favourite alcoholic drink?
4. Who is your fashion inspiration currently?
5. What is your favourite pet? You don't necessarily have owned this animal, but it needs to be possible.
6.  Describe your ideal date.
7. What is your favourite song at the moment? 
8. What is your natural hair colour?
9. What is your most hated pet peeve?
10. Do you collect anything? If so, what is it and for how long have you been collecting? Why did you start to collect this item?
11. What is your most treasured piece of jewellry?

I am not going to tag anyone, becuase I'm lazy. Please tag yourselves and post a comment with a link to your answers.
Enjoy my dears!

xxx Lilly 

A Spring Fairy

Spring has arrived here in sunny Australia, and it feels as if it were never cold at all, let alone less than a week ago. I have spent today dressed in a black lacy mini skirt and black singlet, only putting on a casual black and silver striped hoodie when the sun went down. When we set out for coffee and burgers for a late lunch I slipped on a T shirt and pinstriped shirt for modesty.

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 The sun is out, flowers are beginning to bloom again and everything has a 'touch of spring'.
Now, I am a Goth who loves her cliches; I don't like the sun and prefer to maintain a ghostly pallor, I love winter and don't handle the heat of summer. I love the concept of snow (something that is rare unless you live in the mountains here).
However, I do like spring weather, because it means that I am not required to wear thick tights and a jumper every time I leave the house. I like the touch of warmth while still being able to wear tights or long sleeves if I choose, as I am not veyr confidant show mass amounts of skin. I feel as if I have more freedom when choosing clothes, as the weather is not quite into the extremes of summer and winter yet.

Not to mention that the weather and abundance of floral in the natural world has certainly but a spring in my step (pun not intended). While I still am my mopey, misanthropic self (something that I hope doesn't come across too obviously on my blog), with moments of sadness and depression like any other human, I've been looking at my life, university work and relationships with more positivety. I tend to be a very negative, cynical person, but I have been making progress to become overall a more positive person.

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Oh, and yesterday I ventured to the Illamasqua counter and Kryolan Cosmetics in the city. I've purchased cosmetics from these brands in the past and have been so very pleased with the quality.
I purchased dark green lip gloss from Illamasqua for general lovely club makeup, and White Aquacolour from Kryolan (to be worn with the white Dusting Powder I got a week ago) for my Conservatorium's annual ball to be held next week, with a Film Noir theme this year. Do expect a post regarding that in the near future. I'm intending to recreate a 'black and white' film look, with a splash of colour. XD

xxx Lilly

Clubbing Advice for Newbies

By Newbies I simply mean people who are new to the dark, scary world of Goth Clubs, nothing more. I consider myself a newbie in this perspective, but I have recently  been going more and more regularly to clubs (for the remainder of this blogpost, when I say 'club' I mean 'Goth Club' specifically, unless stated otherwise, just fyi =D), and have picked up a few little tricks over time. I don't mean that these points must be followed, but they simply are guidelines more or less.

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 1. Dress comfortably and sensibly. It would be a good idea to wear clothes that sit well against your frame, don't itch or irritate your skin and you feel you could wear them for extended periods, ie. a few hours at least. Also, take note of the weather and dress appropriately. I personally deteste cloak rooms, but if it is raining or snowing outside then an overcoat might be a necessity. Wear comfortable shoes; with all of that dancing and standing around, rest for you poor feet is something of a luxury, so if you can bare it, leave the spiked heels or too-tight pumps at home. I tend to favour nice witchy shoe or plain upper-calf Docs, but I do tend to favour more of a minimalist style anyway. Also, considering I don't know of clubs that operate during daylight hours, a parasol would be better left at home, which brings me to...

2. Consider minimal accessories. By this I mean avoiding canes, hats that are not pinned to ones' hair or anything else that requires at least one hand's full attention. This may be counter to one's personal style, which I don't want to cramp or invade, but just think about how you will wrangle things. Things can get lost, stolen or broken, and really, you don't want to be having to keep an eye on things when you want to be dancing and relaxing. Further more...

3. Necessary objects. Things that really are required to be brought to a club, e.g. money, house keys, ID, a mobile for meeting friends or emergencies, maybe a spot of makeup, require secure holding. Gentlemen often have things easier here, as pockets that are frequently added to clothing of a more masculine nature can be utilised with ease, however if your clothing has no pockets a bag is then required. I personally favour a small rectangle bag that sits across my shoulder leaving both arms free. It's pretty secure, small and light, and doesn't require removal for dancing as it won't swing out and hit the Rivet-head next to you (a bad idea... XD). Considering investing in a bag that will work for almost every outfit (mine is in black with a red satin and black spiderweb lace.) so there is no fuss.

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 4. Don't go out if you don't feel up to it. Headaches, overtiredness, period pains or general sickness can really ruin your night, and while a dose of painkillers may make you feel a little bit better, they are not overly healthy and if you body is telling you to take it easy for a weekend then listen to it! Also, be flexible. If you originally intended to stay out a while but then decided you need to go home early, then just do it rather than pushing yourself too hard unnecessarilly. Trust me here.

5.Respect your friends. If you are going with anyone else (something I recommend for safety) then respect them. If they are feeling less than perky then take them home. If you arrived with them then you should leave with them, especailly if sharing accomodation or transport. It's just respect and common courtesy.

6. Be safe. I could ramble on about the dangers of being out and about at night, but I don't want to scare or bore anyone away, so instead I'll just say remember to stay smart, aware and look out for each other. If you are old enough to go to nightclubs, you are an adult and deserve to be treated as one, so I won't patronise you any further by going into more details, unless that would be appreciated. Let me know. I've certainly had enough experience with creeps to last a life time.

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Oh, and by the way, on Friday night I attended a burlesque show at Bohmeia Cabaret Club complete with cabaret, comedy, magic and oh-so-tasteful stripping. Apart from some less-than-charming behaviour from some members of the audience (who were promptly asked to leave the premises) it was truly a fantastic and enjoyable night. I shall certainly be attending future shows there.

xxx Lilly