On Being Lolita: Angelic Pretty at Anime Central

On Being Lolita: Angelic Pretty at Anime Central

I am supremely excited that this year one of the special guests at my local anime convention, Anime Central (ACEN) will be Angelic Pretty~ ♥

Angelic Pretty has been my favourite Japanese lolita brand house since I started wearing lolita fashion six years ago~ ♥ I don’t particularly dislike any of the other brands, not by far, and I don’t own Angelic Pretty’s clothing and accessories exclusively, but there’s just something about their designs that really draws me in. When I was first wearing the style I would print out pictures of their dresses and imagine that some day I would learn to sew and these would be inspiration. Ultimately that did not happen–firstly I am a horror with a sewing machine and secondly I like purchasing the clothing directly. I like supporting companies that make things I enjoy buying, after all, and the best way to show that support is with purchases. I would be very excited if BABY, the Stars Shine Bright, Innocent World, Mary Magdalene, or any other Japanese lolita company was represented anywhere in my area, but for me there is an extra bit of thrill in knowing that it will be my very favourite!

In general I don’t attend the local anime convention, even though my friends really look forward to it. I’ve attended a few years in the past, but I don’t really follow anime so there isn’t a whole lot there that appeals to me. It is another place to see my friends, but usually I’d rather wait for another day and another meetup. I also get really nervous in such large crowds of people. Sometimes I get very lost trying to navigate the maze that is the convention center and its attached hotels. Overall, it isn’t the sort of thing I plan on attending–but I have said to others, when the subject of the convention has come up in conversation, that the one thing that could make me attend would be the presence of Angelic Pretty.

At the time, it was something I stated mostly in jest. Although Chicago is a large city in the US, it doesn’t attract the same kind of attention that the East and West costs do. As Japanese lolita companies have expanded their scope to attending events in San Francisco (and opening stores) and New York, that was very exciting–but it didn’t necessarily seem to foretell any involvement in the Midwest. I honestly didn’t believe that Angelic Pretty would ever attend anything in my general area, anime convention or not. I couldn’t imagine a situation in which it would be a good business move for any of the lolita fashion companies, despite how much I would personally adore that kind of chance. Now that it’s actually happening, I am thrilled! ★

As soon as the announcement was semi-official, I started getting notes from different friends, reminding me of the words I’d casually tossed off in previous years when questioned about ACEN.

When details for the tea party were made available, I was so worked up about hoping I could get one of the tickets that my fears wormed their way into my nightmares. When I received the confirmation email about the ticket after sitting at my pink computer holding my breath and hope-hope-hoping that I wouldn’t be unlucky, I finally relaxed a bit–although I’m still nervous! I hope I don’t spill anything on myself or others, or do something similarly embarrassing. I am not very well-coordinated or graceful, unfortunately…

I also applied to model in the fashion show, and somehow I was selected~ I am also nervous about that, of course. There’s a nagging voice in my mind that keeps thinking they’ll see me and change their minds, or that they confused me with someone else and didn’t mean to choose me. I know, rationally, that both of those things are incredibly unlikely–but that doesn’t stop me from worrying. As long as I don’t worry so much that I can’t enjoy myself, I’ll survive regardless of any internalized silliness on my part!

I want to remember to take lots of pictures, enjoy all of the time that I can spend with my friends, and participate in everything to the fullest extent that I possibly can! I never could have imagined that I would be so excited for an anime convention, haha~ My life would certainly be a lot less exciting if I hadn’t become interested in lolita fashion; I never regret it. ♥ This seems like it will be a wonderful weekend. I’m determined to have a great time no matter what happens~!

Update: Crème Puff on the Mend

Update: Crème Puff on the Mend

For the past few months I’ve been at the vet every-other Friday. Crème Puff, the one of my guinea pig pair who has unfortunately poor health, was in particularly bad shape. We learned that he has heart trouble, and that untreated heart trouble lead to edema–in his case, fluid in his cavities and in his lungs. His heart was enlarged from the stress. He had an upper respiratory infection. I spent time and money on x-rays, medications, exams, and tests.

After all those weeks, things have settled down. He’s not 100% better, but he’s well enough that his next check up is in three months rather than two weeks. (After six bi-weekly appointments, I’m ready for a break if he is.) He’s on a series of medications that appear to be working, although slowly. He needs to have his heart ultrasounded, so that’s next up on my list. He’ll be on the medication for life, so that’s a bit of an adjustment. I’ve started waking up just before my husband leaves at 4:30am and giving the guinea pig his morning dose of medicine before collapsing back in bed until my own alarm goes off. (Trying to fit that in before I leave for work makes me feel rushed and frustrated.)


The guinea pigs took a short vacation (with my husband and I as chaperones) to visit my parents and enjoy being spoiled by my stepfather.

Taking my pets to and from the vet makes me feel very stressed, which I think is rather expected and obvious. I’ve been focused entirely on my pet’s health, so I haven’t been dressing up, going anywhere, or spending much time with friends. I felt like I didn’t have enough time or money to do fun things, but I also didn’t feel motivated. I’m looking forward to enjoying my hobbies and activities now that I am no longer fraught with worry about my dear piggle.

I’m very thankful that he’s recovering. ♥ I love my pets very, very much–I always want to keep them happy and healthy. He’s happy, and maybe he’ll get to “healthy” eventually.