You reap what you sew!
Posted by: bubblegumspunk on: May 11, 2011
Hey guys! Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I just wanted to give you all an update of what I’ve been up to, specifically sewing!
I’ve decided to put my skills to the challenge, by sewing a dress from scratch.
I purchased a simplicity pattern a few weeks ago, and I chose to make the dress that is enlarged on the model.
Here a sample of the beautiful fabric I am using!
Isn’t gorgeous? It’s a wonderful shade of honeysuckle yellow with modestly printed roses and geometric seals in gold, pink, and brown.
So far I’ve only finished the bodice and part of the straps, which cumulatively has taken me about 4-6 hours. Long time huh? Sewing takes a lot of patience (which unfortunately I do not have) but it has been a great challenge so far. The bodice is lined and the seams are finished with a zig zag stitch.
I’ll keep posting as I finish this dress! I am so excited I can’t wait!
As for any sewers out there; What do you have the most trouble with while you sew?
See you all soon! 
Bubblegumspunk
One man’s trash; another’s treasure.
Posted by: bubblegumspunk on: February 17, 2011
Hello lovelies! I have decided to take on another project; reconstructing an old garment into something fashionable yet wearable!
I have an old prom dress which I wore a few years ago, but since then it has been hanging in my closet, gathering dust and permanent wrinkles. I admit, it was hard to actually think about possibly ruining the dress by cutting into it, but I stood my ground, and it lays now on my desk, seams ripped, bodice cut off, and lace tulle detached. I had to keep telling myself, “you never wear it anyways, it’s okay because now it’s going to be better!“
(Sorry, I don’t have a photo of it now, but I will soon!)
I bought it at a thrift store in Burlington, struck by the color and the style. Unfortunately, I got bored of it quickly. I think I wore the dress about two or three times before just throwing it back into the closet. Now, with my dress in tow, I have decided to transform it into a pleated mini-skirt, yay! Hopefully the outcome of my work will resemble something like this;
I will post more photos of the work along the way, talk to you lovelies soon!
Bubblegum Spunk
Protected: F-O-U-R
Posted by: bubblegumspunk on: February 17, 2011
- In: Fashion Design
- Enter your password to view comments.
A taste of satin…
Posted by: bubblegumspunk on: January 28, 2011
Hello lovelies! How have you all been? I’m back after completing my journey to become over level 9,000!
I kid, but I have some important news for you all!
I’ve decided to incorporate my work from a fashion design class into the blog! Yay! By work I mean, designs, sketches, a pile of photos and possibly other things. I will continue to blog about Lolita fashion, cooking (I just recently received a Korean Cookbook as a gift from Christmas 
) exploring fairy-kei, and describing the over-so-busy life of a Vermonter.
To begin the integration, here is the my first sketch~
As students, we were asked to go around the school and find something which would inspire us. I found a water bottle in a vending machine. It’s design and striking colors struck me like a blade of lightning, and I frantically took my pencil and scribbled.
The inspiration:
Voila! I must leave for now, but I will talk to you all soon!
Ta ta for now.
Bubblegum Spunk
Merely an intermission…
Posted by: bubblegumspunk on: November 1, 2010
Hello my lovely readers! I’m sorry I haven’t posted since forever (literally). School has started for me and I have spent every waking moment drowning under the amount of work my teachers and my employment have given me… (diesonkeyboard)
Please forgive me for momentarily disappearing off the blogosphere; I have been plagued with writer’s block also. I just wanted to let you all know that I am alive, though barely breathing haha.
Here is a sneak peek for some things coming up:
- An introduction to Bodyline: Lolita is cheap?!!!!
- Cooking: Hot Sour Soup! Yum!
- Sewing: My failed projects OTL
- Photo shots?
Thank you all again for following me and reading my blog!
Stay tuned!
Bubblegum Spunk
Mommy, look! A princess!
Posted by: bubblegumspunk on: August 31, 2010
Misako Aoki; One of Japan’s three Kawaii Ambassadors and my favorite Lolita model!
While walking around in Lolita, I have often heard the whispers of smaller children declaring out loud, “Look -insertguardianhere- ! A princess!” Is is true? Does wearing certain Lolita styles make you look like you stepped right out of a Disney princess fairytale? Maybe =)
Although Lolita does not have its roots directly connected to these royal ladies, many sub-styles of Lolita are the designer’s vision of a modern princess come true. Lolita (Or more commonly known as: Elegant Gothic Lolita) has drawn inspiration from the decadence and aesthetic lifestyles of the Victorian Era (late 1800s) and the Rococo Era (1700s). From these periods of time, we find ourselves gazing upon romantic portraits of ladies; clad in voluminous skirts, tight-knit corsets, milky white skin, and rosy cheeks.
The Swing (1766) by Jean-Honore Fragonard
EGL boosted in popularity in the 1990s due to a rather famous man(often mistaken as a woman) sporting it on stage. His name was Mana, a member of the goth-opera/visual-kei band Malice Mizer. Their Victorian appearance and Gothic sound resonated in their fans, causing Gothic Lolita to step into the spotlight.
Gothic Lolita
More sub-styles where then created to accent this somewhat outrageous and solemn trend. Specifically:
Sweet Lolita
Punk Lolita
Aristocrat
Sailor Lolita
Pirate Lolita,and so on.
Now please, have a cup of tea while I continue with my ravings…
Some of you might have thought to yourself, “Yes, yes Bubblegum Spunk, that was nice to know about, but you still haven’t explained what Sweet Lolita is!!!
Sweet Lolita is the explosion of pastel colors, and endearing motifs (some which are edible ^^) The most common themes are cupcakes, pastries (and such), fairy tales, flower prints, candies, cuddly miniature animals, and hearts! There are many many themes, but I am going to stop there…
The idea of Sweet is portray the wearer as delicate, unbearably cute, and full of youth. You might get sick of hearing the words “CCUUUTTTTEEEE!” pour out from everyone’s mouths. Currently, Sweet is the most visual (imo) and popular sub style of EGL, though that could change soon. (Go Go Gothic Lolitas!!) Three well known Japanese Sweet Lolita brand boutiques are:
Bubblegum Spunk, What does Sweet Lolita mean to you?
Wearing Sweet Lolita is a visual way of displaying how much energy I have to everyone. I feel childish and giddy when I am wearing Lolita, I am never down. It makes me happy, and my self consciousness just goes out the window. I feel confident, I am not afraid of people teasing me, whispering behind my back, and laughing at me. People often call out, “HEY! IT’S NOT HALLOWEEN YET!!!!” Yes, frankly, I know.
Overall, I just feel like a changed person, practically glowing with energy~ On the other hand, if I am not wearing Lolita, I have little self esteem and I am somewhat paranoid of people teasing me. I admit it, I am not a strong person, but Lolita makes me one.
P.S Find out more information here at (Lolitafashion.org)! It is an informational websites for new Lolitas; it has hints, tips, style definitions, tutorials, and almost everything a Lolita needs to get started =)
See you soon~
Bubblegum Spunk
Learning how to blow her bubbles…
Posted by: bubblegumspunk on: August 30, 2010
Welcome to Bubblegum Spunk! This is my journey of wearing an intriguing fashion style called “Lolita”, dabbling in “Fairy-kei”, east Asian cooking, sewing, and ma vie quotidienne in the small and almost always forgotten state of Vermont, home of the green mountains. (Mind you, we are not located in the providence of Quebec, or New York, or even Arizona as some people have mistaken) I will be covering a plethora of topics while also including many photographs from this little niche. Keep your arms, legs, and feet in the ride at all times! <3
Before I can proceed any further, I would like to share some things about me =)
- My name is Julie
- The blog name ” Bubblegum Spunk” came from when I was absolutely bored at work and decided that I needed to come up with a name for the blog I was going to start . In the beginning, I had many names to pick from, but the last two remaining were Bubblegum Spunk and Dreamy or Creemee. One friend told me (later on) to stick with the first as the latter sounded like a…well….no comment! The title is inspired by Fairy-kei along with adding a little bit of spice to wrap it all up.
- I have been interested in Lolita fashion for three years, but I have been wearing it for almost two. (Specifically Sweet Lolita)I am not what some would call “experienced” in Lolita. I’m quite new, but I enjoy shaking up the rules and adding a few twists along the way.
- I love to cook (also on a novice level).
- I have been studying French for around five years and Chinese for one. I ADORE foreign languages!
- When it comes to writing, words flow out of me like water, but not always smoothly.
- Meeting new people and chit-chatting with strangers are one of my favorite pastimes!
- Finally, I like to help people, whether it is a question that needs an answer, a favor, or just a shoulder to lean on.
Please, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, e-mail me at bubblegumspunk@gmail.com
See you next time!
Upcoming blog post: What in the world is Sweet Lolita?
Photo credit: Roukun
