Philosophical Adventures

Good evening all. I hope things have been treating you well enough. I've slowly been getting on top of my assignments and uni work, but there's so much, I've barely had the time to relax and draw, let alone continue to publish on my blog!
And, rather than do my usual 'cannot-think-of-anything-to-write-so-post-a-whole-lot-of-other-peoples'-photos'  mentality that I tend to possess on my usual Sunday night writings, I decided to simply write an introduction. Later in the week, when this horrible headache fades and I'm feeling more creative, I'll finish this post, but in the mean time, I'll let things breathe. Please just think that, while you're reading these words, that there was between one and seven days inbetween the phrases, and think about everything that both you and I have achieved or learnt in that amount of time. I'm sure you will suprise yourself, as I will myself.

Goodnight, and 'too be continued...'

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 Now Tuesday evening at 10:00pm, not a lot has really happened. It seems strange to be posting now, when I have a headache ever so slightly and feel a little vague; I just had to stop my flute practice half way through as my brother had gone to sleep, but I felt like I was 'in the zone' and now feel slightly flat. Anyway, tonight after my lecture and choir rehearsal I had a lovely glass of mulled wine and some popplers, sorry, I mean fried squid in a gorgeous bar (with red velvet couches!) before heading home.
Last night, however, I saw The Dark Knight Rises for the second time in a theatre with my boyfriend and his friend, and had my first glass of French champagne. I am more partial to red wines, but oh my goodness this drink was nectar from the gods. So delicious and complex. On Friday I shall be attending a burlesque evening, so that shall be very exciting and charming.

Goodnight again, my dear friends. Please share your charming adventures as well in the comments.

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xxx Lilly

Corset Purchase

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I am currently writing thins while completeing an assignment for uni at the moment, so you'll have to excuse me. =D
Life in general has been very hectic and crazy lately, with assignments pileing up and me getting quite sick during this winter. During the rare moments when I have been ill or swamped with work that needs completeing and could possibly take the time out to blog, I've been completely out of ideas, and in general I do enjoy writing semi-decent content for all of you lovelies to read.

As well as my study at the Conservatorium and everything that involves, I've certainly been more interested in exploring the side of my personality that enjoys going out clubbing, socialising and buying lots of pretty clothes and things. I tend to go in 'waves' if you like, where I'll be a hermit that stays at home, not dressing up at all and instead spending my spare time playing games, or where I'll be going out regularly and generally putting more time, money and efford in my appearence.

For example, about a week and a half ago, I purchased my first corset; a beautiful satin and brocade steel boned one by Dark Muse Corsettery. I am very much in love with it. XD
I've also been exploring more of a 'Trad' aesthetic in to my everyday and clubbing attire. I've always loved Trad Goth, Romantic Goth and Deathrock as visual aesthetics, but lately I've been exploring even more creative ways to express myself through these styles of clothing, and have been having lots of fun in the mean time.

I've been thinking that I would like to make this blog more personal, including photos and such, but I'm very tempted to remove all of my personal photos, as recently some of my photos were stolen and edited without my permission. The solution would be to edit some watermarks, but I don't have a piece of suitable photo editing software yet that would make that possible. If anyone has any suggestions, do let me know. I'd be ever so grateful. 0=D

In the mean time, I'll continue to post pretty pictues I've found on Tumblr. As always, I don't own these photos. If you are the owner and want them removed, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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xxx Lilly

Inspiration Post

Ocassionally I go through 'phases' in my internet use where I'll be on Tumbr and just be inspired by so many photos. I still pick and choose, so to speak; I only noticed/ like/ reblog/ decent/ interesting and beautiful photos with aesthetics that are similar to my style. I've been so inspired to really begin developing and refining my personal style even more. In the past few months my Tumblr has been getting a lot more attention than this blog, and I'm sorry for that. In compensation, I thought I'd share some of my delicious finds. I don't own any of these photos, so if you are the owner and want them removed please contact me.

I love the carnival nature of this look.

Have I mentioned how much I love vampires? This is very similar to my ideal look, only with natural eye brows.

So beautiful! That make up is extreme, but enchanting.

I personally don't like the cyber fasion, but I think this is so creepy and cool.

Masses of tutu and lace!

Very sexy and cute!

I believe I saw this designer in an edition of Gothic Beauty.

Collar envy. And, hair inspiration.

I love the simple, striking makeup. Good for wearing to uni during the day.

Ok that's enough of the picture spam. There are so many more photos I want to share with you all, so I think I'll make a 'part 2' and maybe even a 'part 3'. I'm also sorry that this doesn't really redeem myself  from a 'real' post.
In the mean time, please go and visit my Tumblr, located here.

xxx Lilly

Fear Tag

 I was tagged by Kraven from The Queen of the Damned, who I saw at Requiem recently. I had a lovely time there; the music and atmosphere were perfectly balanced, and many sweet people said my 'stockings over face' eyeliner and eyeshadow was really pretty. =D

 P.S I won't be tagging anyone. Please tag yourselves as you please, and let me know. I don't want to double tag anyone, or make anyone feel obliged to complete. And, I'm really lazy. XD

Rules:

Do this tag with the lights on. You may be facing your worst fears in this room...

Answer the questions!

Tag however many others as you want and link them in your post.

Tell the others you've tagged them on their blogs.

If you read their posts and notice you share the same fears, give them a virtual hug. :)

Questions:

1. Three things you're afraid of for a very good reason (in order).

2. Three irrational fears of yours (in order).

3. The medical term for one of your fears.

4. Are you superstitious in any way?

5. Are you easily startled?

6. Do you have any common fears (heights, bugs, etc.)

7. When you watch horror movies, are you better at dealing with suspense or gore?

8. Are you afraid of ghosts?

9. Are you afraid of any animals?

10. What was your scariest nightmare about?

My Answers

1.  I'm afraid of being spoken to by strange, drunk old men who clearly have one thing in mind being a young lady in this society and all...
I'm also afraid of having my personal posessions stolen. I've had my wallet stolen only once, but I know it does happen fairly often. However this transcends into an obsession of mine; I will constanly check or grope my bag for my wallet and phone, and I will avoid cloak rooms or leaving my things unattended.

I'm scared of drowning.

2. This one is easy. I'm struggling to choose only three.

Having any kind of dental surgery. The only dental work I've ever recieved has just been the regular check up and clean, but I am so very paranoid about anything to do with my teeth or jaw. Interestingly enough, I'm not all that scared of going to the dentist.

Diving into water. I don't think I've successfully dived since I was around six or seven. The entire 'head before feet' thing really really bothers me.

Computer viruses. Strange, given my background, but I'm paranoid about getting computer viruses. If you'll remember my posts from last year in my school library where I was writing instead of studying, the level of stress expressed in those posts doesn't even begin to represent my feelings in the moment of my life, possibly hightened by the stresses of year 12. I losts nights and nights worth of sleep, I cried many an irrational tear ( or thousands) and refused to use the internet for months. I think this one really is a phobia of mine.

3. Odontophobia- Fear of teeth or dental surgery. Source.

4. Not in the slightest, but I do find them facinating.

5. It depends. If I'm sleepy then not at all; in person I am often rather vague, but sometimes I can be startled.

6. Not really, except for the standard 'raped, death, unwanted pregnancy' type fears most young women my age experience.

7. Suspenseful movies don't really affect me at all, so that's easilly what I deal with better, but most gorey things don't bother me either, with quite a few exceptions. I watch film to escape, so I find things to be most frightening when they're so very real. E.g Wolf Creek. I can understand if this movie didn't scare some overseas readers, but considering I used to live in a rural situation very similar to that in the film (though much further south), this movie was particularly close to the bone. I was around thirteen or fourteen when I watched it, and had a nice fun time all the same.

8. I don't believe in ghosts, so no.

9. I'd be afraid of animals if there was a serious risk of me being harmed or killed in the particular situation, such as a wasp or lion bite . I've been bitten on the thumb by a European wasp when I was ten, and the scream that escaped my lungs possibly badly hurt the ears of the kids sitting next to me in class due to the sheer pain of that bite, so I guess I'm afraid of wasps now. I think they awesome little creatures, I just don't like them near me.

10. Suicide. Doesn't need to be further explained at all.

Well, lovely readers, that's the second post for this Sunday evening. Both have been far more personal that what I'd usually blog about, but considering I'm attempting to 'jump start' my blog back into it's former glory, I feel it's rather fitting. Please comment with your responses and opinions. 

xxx Lilly

Acceptance within the scene

Reading back on my old posts and reflecting how I felt while writing, I remember feeling quite apprehensive about being a 'Younger Goth' and having just moved to a new city, Melbourne, after spending 12 or so years living out in a rural environment. I felt that I did not fit in to my school and had no like minded Goth friends who I could share my life and interests with. I would be lying if I said that my time spent on the internet didn't help to fill that void.

Anyway, fast forward back to now, after living in Melbourne for the second time (I was born here), for almost three years, I've certainly felt more comfortable being a Goth In Melbourne. I've been clubbing (five times only!), been to a picnic or two and spent much time in the local shops, immersing myself in the culture as much as I can and meeting new people. I've also became quite good friends with a fair few lovely ladies from the internet, and became 'internet friends' with many more, as well as had relationships developed with other Goths in person.

No longer do I avoid eye contact with older Goths or make stuttered conversation with anyone who strikes up a conversation. I used to feel that my personal style was secondary to the others who had access to the shops to develop their wardrobes for years while living in a city where there was lots of variety, while I barely could (and still cannot) afford clothes from op shops.
Now I have the confidence to dress up, dance and have a nice old time while out and not feel like I'm being judged for being myself. Men have asked for my phone numbers, and I've been photographed and complimented on my clothes and my makeup which has definately helped my confidence and sense of self identity. I feel like an adult now, despite being only 20 in 9 months, and I can be a mature adult while not sacrificing any part of me that helped to shape and develop my identity as a child and a younger teenager. I also feel that, mainly having spent time looking at pretty pictures on the internet and on others at clubs and events, my tastes in clothes have developed, matured and become more sophisticated. Now I put a lot of effort into my appearence while being out in public, and over time I feel that has paid off, despite my frequent masses of torn clothing, smudged makeup and matted hair.

I still feel very young, but feel so at home in my scene now. It's embarassing, but when I walk into a club I think to myself, subconsciously, 'Yay, I feel comfortable here.' and it's such a good feeling.

xxx Lilly

Absurdity in the Mundane

Something that has continued to facinate me for many years through my art and writing is the concept that something extrodinary can be found in the ordinary, or the everyday.
Whether this is visible, such as the living candelabra Lumiere from the Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Actually, the whole movie really is an example of this fantastic concept, where all of the objects are animated, lively and display human characteristics.
It can also be expressed on a more subtle level, where the extrodinary elements are not visible on the surface, such as the locket in Harry Potter. (No spoliers here! XD) Such objects appears to be commonplace, yet contain magical and enticing secrets. Another great Disney example is Aladdin, where I quote 'the diamond in the rough', is used quite liberally. It also happens to be my favourite. =D

I feel that this mentatlity really manifests in my clothing style and just general interest. I think that, even though a simple pendant necklace for example really is just a hunk of metal shaped into an object, and probably bought for $10 off a lovely Asian lady at a market, we can pretend that it was stolen off the neck of a wizard in the heat of battle three hundred years ago, or passed down from teacher to student through the study of pyromancy. I'm really just coming up with ideas here but the point is that anything really has the potential to have some sort of mystery or deeper meaning, wheter it actually does or not is beside the point!
Further more, like work of art or a song, each individual can bring their own interpretation to an article, wheter it be expressed or not, creating a whole web of stories for you to indulge in.
If anyone has taken a look over on my Tumblr where I post pictures, you'll see this idea a lot, as well as lots of other pretty pretty pictures here.


In my drawing I tend to draw objects such as lampshades, chairs and tea cups and render them using highlighters, markers and lots of contrasting black over fluroescent colour. Often they are paired with extra limbs, severed heads and other deliciously macarbe imagery such as weapons. I do have quite a black sense of delight through my drawings.
Other good examples that I can think of are Alice in Wonderland (Almost all renditions of this classic story are good), work by Tim Burton, The Addams Family, Mary Poppins, any LARP type game I believe, the Borrowers, and plenty more. I appologise for the significant amount of spooky examples; I can only provide examples that I have seen before. XD

 Please share your thoughts and any other examples. I would love to hear some feedback.

xxxx Lilly

Back to Blogging

Wow, I really have taken my sweet time lately. Since my last post, many months ago, I've bought a new laptop (way back in March) and completed my first semester of my degree and the University of Melbourne. Also, I've about three months ago, I once again became romantically involved and things are looking very lovely in that regard. My university work has been very draining and I've returned home each day almost completely exhausted. However, for the most part I've found it to be very engaging and interesting, and I think it really is something I can see myself doing as a career.
Now, I'm on holidays, and should be spending some time out of state and just generally 'not doing uni work'. By the way, writing while watching the Simpsons really is fantastic. XD

A few months ago, I also found one of my photos stolen and edited without my permission, so I'm going to be rather disinclined to post more personal photos. However, in leiu of posting proper blog posts, I've recently edited my Tumblr and have been posting pictures daily there. While there is no text, it is certainly a very personal blog of mine and I'd love people to look at it and give me some feedback. http://lillypeppermint.tumblr.com/


xxx Lilly