STYLE GUIDE: How to wear your plain dress in different way

Heyya guys! Its me in weekly photos;) And my friend asked me yesterday about how to mix and matching one plain dress into two different look. Edgy and boyish. Yup! I'm using my unsleeves skull shirt. Black and white is a perf and neutral color to play with.

First look is edgy look. As you can see, in the left side of my photo, I wore my unsleeves skull shirt just like that, and I left it unbuttoned. And Voilà! The edgy feels is on your dress right now! You can wear your heels or wedges for a party, or with a boots to hangout with your friends nor a date with your boyfriend.;)

The second, is boyish look. We girls dont have to be too girly. And this look will tell you how to look pretty and girly with a touch of boyish look. And yeah, for the boyish look, I buttoned the shirt and tied it half way. If you want to add the vintage feel, you can do the button until you reach the collar button. And your boyish look is ready to shows off to the camera! V

Which one do you like the best? Leave it on the comment section!

Love, Mindy.♡

Fashion Guide: Harajuku Style.

Hi everyone!

Today i'll smashin that Harajuku things out! And its been a while since I post some blog btw. *lol* What's the first word that popped in to your head when you heard about Harajuku Style? In my mind, Harajuku Style is the craziest way for you to mix and matching your fashion stuff until you get that kawaii and eye-catching feeling. Harajuku style originated among teens on the streets near Harajuku Station in Shibuya, Japan. It may have been brought to many people's attention by American singer Gwen Stefani, but the evolution of the style certainly didn't begin with her and it certainly won't end with her. Like maaaaany "street fashions" it is difficult to characterize because it is constantly changing and because it has many manifestations. There is no cookie-cutter approach to the style, but if you want to dress in Harajuku style, here are some guidelines to get you started!  

The Origins of Harajuku Style

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   Mix and (mis)match different fashions. What is now known as Harajuku (like Halloween in Japan every Sunday) style started as teens in the district began to integrate traditional Japanese attire, especiallykimonos and geta sandals, into their wardrobe. Before, they wore primarily clothes that were influenced by the West, but by mixing the traditional with the modern, they created a new style. Other examples of mixing and matching including the punk look with the schoolgirl uniform or a goth look with designer clothes. In Harajuku, mixing different styles and mismatching colors and patterns is encouraged - you can do anything you want, as long as your outfit is a thoughtful expression of your individuality.
   
   

   

What is Everyone Wearing in Harajuku?

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   Become familiar with variations of fashion in the Harajuku district. It's impossible to pinpoint one "Harajuku style." Many styles have originated or developed on the streets of Harajuku, and many Harajuku girls (and boys) integrate one or more of these somewhat more defined styles into their outfits.
   
   

   

   • Gothic Lolita involves wearing gothic, feminine and elegant clothes, to the extent that you look like a living Victorian doll.
     
     
     
   • Sweet Lolita is heavily influenced by the Rococo era more so than any of the other subcultures of Lolita. It focuses much more too on the child like aspects and uses light colours and child like fantasy themes. Alice in Wonderland, fruits, sweets and classic fairytales such as Little Red Riding Hood are recurrant themes in Sweet Lolita.
     
     
     
   • Japanese punks, inspired by the punk movement that began in London in the 70s, magnify rebelliousness with over-the-top clothes, accessories, makeup, and piercings.
     
     
     
   • Cosplay entails dressing up like your favorite cartoon/anime or computer game character.
     
     
     
   • Decora style favors bright colors, flamboyance and accessories from head to toe. You decorate yourself with plastic toys and jewelry, and it's not uncommon to have so many that you can hear them click together when the person moves.
     
     
     
   • Kawaii (literally translating from Japanese to "cute") places an emphasis on childlike playfulness--anime characters, ruffles, pastel colors, toys, and so on.
     
     
     
   • Wamono refers to mixing traditional Japanese attire with Western fashion.
     
     
     

Specific Harajuku Tips

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   Dress in layers. One of the hallmarks of Harajuku is layering. Sweaters, vests, or jackets over blouses over t-shirts, dresses worn with leggings, and so on. Layering clothes (or giving the appearance of layering by wearing ruffled dresses, for example) allows you to mix and match a wider variety of different styles, and adds more dimension to your outfit.
   
   

   
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   Customize your clothes. Secondhand clothing and do-it-yourself styles are popular ingredients in a Harajuku outfit. Like that flowered skirt but think it would look cuter with a ribbon pinned on it or with a more uneven, angular hemline? Get out the scissors and glue and make your store-bought clothes uniquely yours. Or, go even further and make your own skirt. Cutting the fabric to create bold angles and lines can make even a plain black dress appear remarkable and fun.
   
   

   
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   Accessorize. Add any wild accessories you have, such as belts, earrings, hair clips, jewelry, and handbags. Remember, accessories can be colorful and loud, and they don't have to match your clothes. Speaking of loud, in decora, a particular Harajuku style, accessories embellish an outfit from head to toe, and objects such as bells are sometimes used to add an aural dimension to the wardrobe.
   
   

   
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   Go wild with your hair and makeup. The Harajuku style doesn't have to stop with your clothes. Pigtails and other "cute" hairstyles are particularly popular, as is dying your hair. Creative, even theatrical makeup can be a fun addition.
   
   

   
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   Wear whatever looks good to you. It's been said that the Harajuku style is not really a protest against mainstream fashion and commercialism (as punk was), but rather a way of dressing in whatever looks good to you. If you think mismatched rainbow and polka-dot leggings look good with a plaid dress, go for it!
   
   

   

Say Cheese!

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   Smile and say chiizu! If you dress Harajuku style outside of Harajuku, you'll likely draw attention from people unfamiliar with your international fashion sense. If the attention isn't positive, just smile graciously and keep going about your business. But if people ask questions or want to take pictures, strike a pose! The people in Harajuku are proud of their style, so you should be, too.
   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

    Here's a few Tips!

   • Many people mistakenly think that dressing Harajuku style is about just "throwing anything together." While the assembly of different styles and patterns might seem haphazard, it's important to put a lot of thought into your style. If you study how people dress in the Harajuku shopping district, you'll see that the intricate outfits are carefully chosen to convey a certain image that a random and thoughtless combination never could.
     
     
     Contrary to popular belief, Harajuku style is not just for the girls. While some variations of the style lend themselves more to females than to males (e.g. Gothic Lolita), many of the hallmarks of the style are gender-neutral. After all, it's about dressing in what looks good to you--why should girls have all the fun? ;P
     
     
     "Harajuku style" is also known as "FRUiTS fashion" to those who follow the magazine, but neither of these terms are commonly used by the Japanese who epitomize style when describing themselves.
     
     
     And guys, Harajuku style changes very quickly. Keep up with the evolution of the style by reading publications likeFRUiTS and Style-Arena.jp (see Sources and Citations below). These publications and others like them offer a wealth of pictures of Harajuku outfits and are updated weekly or monthly. If you want to dress in Harajuku style, looking at pictures is a good way to get inspired.
     
     
     
     

     Uh-huh. Warnings for you!

     • Don't get carried away with brand loyalty. While it's okay to favor certain designer labels (especially since brand loyalty is big in Japan), Harajuku is about creating your own look, so if you appear just like the mannequins in the mall or the pictures in the catalog, you may be stylish, but you're not unique. Don't be afraid to mix that Calvin Klein dress with a used, torn and tattered pair of jeans and some combat boots.
       
       
       Don't be worried what other people think of you. People might think your weird, Asian people might call you gaijin, but if you're happy, don't change for other people.
       
       
       And alsooo, In many places Harujuku style is very uncommon, you can't just dress the part, you have to be the part.:( When walking down the street people will look at you.(KEEP UP YOUR CONFIDENCE! They dont know Harajuku Style guys.) Hold your head high, be proud of what you are wearing or else you look like a poser.;)
       
       
       
       

       How do you mix and match your own Harajuku Style? Share your own style in the comments!

       <3 Mindy

       photo credits: WIKIHOW

Beauty School: How To Protect Your Hair From The Elements

Hi everyone,

A bad bad hair day shouldn’t just be blamed on the type of hair you have, but what the weather is or even where you live. Different climates can have different effects on hair depending on heat, moisture, and other natural factors. With the seasons rapidly changing, here are my tips for beautiful, healthy hair, no matter the weather!

How to protect your hair from…

Cold, Dry Air: Cold, crisp air can cause hair to dry out and become brittle. It can also lead to static strands, so make sure to keep them moisturized. Another tip is to stay inside after washing your hair until it fully dries during the colder months, as wet hair is more prone to breakage.

Wind: While winds-wept hair can have a perfectly tousled effect, wind-blown hair is a totally different story. Too much exposure to those breezy fall days can increase tangles and knots, leading to unruly hair. Quick fix: tuck your hair in your sweater until you get in doors, or use a silk scarf as a head wrap.

Humidity: The more water vapor there is in the air, the more humid it will be. Excessive humidity is uncomfortable and takes a toll on hair. Humid weather causes strands to absorb more moisture and can actually CHANGE THE LENGTH and look of your hair.

One way to tame the effects of humidity, and the frizz that often comes with it, is to rinse your hair with cold water instead of warm in order to seal the cuticle. It will then lay flat instead of flying upward and out of control. Bonus: hitting your locks with a blast of cold water will also make it look shinier and sleeker!

Rain: Rain often has similar frizz-ifying effects, and it can also cause hair to flatten out and become limp. To keep hair looking smooth post-rain, PREVENTION suggests hydrating your hair prior to exposure, so the moisture from the rain doesn’t move up your strands. If you’re afraid of limp, lifeless hair, try a sleek up-do such as a bun or a low-maintenance braided look, and carry a comb in your purse just in case.

Sun Damage: If your hair feels out of control or lackluster after a summer of sun exposure and dry weather, I suggest undoing some of the damage by returning moisture and nutrients to your tresses. 

How do you deal with the elements? What does the climate you live in do to your hair? Share your stories in the comments!

<3 Mindy