Dollar store skirt making

Handmade Cheap base outfit for Harajuku Day meet up! 

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         Finding the right item for a coordinate isn't always the easiest, in fact when you have a vision in your head of the exact garment, it's sometimes downright impossible to find what you want when you're on a budget and searching through your local thrift stores.

        I definitely had that problem for this outfit, but for both my shirt and skirt, I spent less than $10! ($ 8.89 to be precise)!

        Thinking outside of the box, at least my own Joanns/Michaels box, was the answer for my picky outfit problem. For this outfit, I really wanted a pink pleated skirt, and I went to a lot of thrift stores before I realized that that was probably not something I was going to wander across anytime soon. Of course next is Google for online shopping--but I wasn't prepared to pay over $20 for this coordinate--I was going off of my tip money for this. 

        So instead of going the usual fabric route from a big fabric store, I instead bought 2 packs of felt squares from the Daiso--so each $1.50 for a total of $3+tax! Felt is really great, and I feel like its really under-appreciated outside of kid's crafts. I love felt! I use it for everything! A thick felt can be one of the best things to have on you for crafting and fashion appliqués.

          Of course there's a trade off; paying $3 for material means you have to spend the time actually making the garment, but I had limited time and using felt is surprisingly easy, so it only took about 2 hours to make (and I only used half of the second package, so I was able to make my collar and a lot of new badges and accessories with the extra)!

         For my shirt, I definitely wanted to show my love for Harajuku Day with a shirt, but I don't have any plain white shirts since I've modified all of them already--so I went to goodwill and got a plain white shirt for $5! 

I didn't have any paint to paint on the design, and with all of the colors of the icon, it wasn't cost effective for me to buy all the colors along with a black line color.

            So instead, I cut and sewed the base of the design in white cotton, used the Daiso felt for the eyes and 'Harajuku' kanji, and then used my mask fabrics for the colors--I just cut and glued these on instead of sewing, and thinly covered the edges in fabric glue so they wouldn't fray. Then I just glued the entire appliqué to my new shirt!

          I really liked making this outfit because it's pink AND colorful, saving money was super great, and I have reaffirmed my love for felt.  

          The skirt after a few wears will definitely have to be shaved down with one of those little fabric shaver things, but I'm definitely okay with that! Also, since the material was very pliable yet stiff, when it was moved out of place of the pleats, it would stay like that, so it definitely doesn't have a flowing effect like most pleated skirts, and definitely had to flatten it when I got up from sitting, but I really love the poofy and stiff effect so I was very happy with the result. 

I hope to see everyone at the next Los Angeles Harajuku Day meet! ♥

From concept to presentation

Planning Decora Coordinates

For me, planning coordinates isn't the easiest thing. Even though I have a decent amount of experience in the design world, planning decora outfits when you're broke can often times be a struggle; 
...trying to remember everything you have, seeing if you have enough money to buy a new piece of clothing, and making sure your colors aren't in too much chaos is a lot to juggle in you rhead!

This process of planning a coord takes me 2 1\2 weeks up to a whole month! Every month I attend the Harajuku Day fashion meet ups in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, so it gives me a whole month to think about what I want to look like. My process varies, but includes a lot of steps that include self analyzing, writing, and drawing! Let's delve in!

Harajuku Day Events on Facebook

First, I review my last meet up outfit.   
This can be in my head or reviewing pictures that have been taken, and I see how my outfit is reflected on the camera, what colors pop and go together and which do not, and what aspects of my look need to pop more. Usually for this step, I'll write some notes, like the ones below!

For the one above, I had realized that in my head I thought putting on mascara would be enough, but on camera my makeup was lack luster and I wanted my face to pop more! So I listed ways that could get that done!
Next, I take a break! 
I'll usually take a break from thinking about it too seriously for 3-7 days! Give yourself time to detox from your last outfit and break ties with it--I've found that if you don't distance yourself from your last outfit, even if it was super awesome, you can't objectively look at it piece by piece, and you might have a hard time going with another style or color scheme that will leave you repeating the same look next time! For me I don't necessarily like to do that, I love to move forward and explore different aspects of myself through fashion so changing some looks to fit my mood or interest really works for me! Also, this detox will help you to not stress so much about the finances behind the decora fashion, deep breaths in and deep breaths out, and save that tip money!
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It's time to do some self reflection and sketching! 
I think about what look or looks I want to bring to the table, what color schemes I'm itching to try out, and what different styles I can incorporate into decora! For my next look on May 14th, I looked at my doodles and realized I've been drawing menhera girls for the past 3-4 months, and now I want my interest in that to be reflected in my next look, but along with my decora look since it's my favorite! I start with preliminary sketches-- and they usually change a lot after a little over a week of sketching and thinking! For decora, I think one of the most important things are accessories and colors, so I would recommend going through your necklaces and other accessories and seeing what you want to wear! I know it seems silly to ordinate an outfit around accessories, but this can really give you a feel for the direction and colors that you'd like to go with!

(Pictured: Outfit process drawing for May 14th on a napkin from work)

About two weeks or a week before the meet up, I usually have my final sketch for my outfit. 

Next, it's time to write some more!
I write a list and divide it into two sides; "Things I have for this look" and "Things I need for the look". Under the things I need for this look, I'll also write which store I can purchase this at and for around what price, then give myself a subtotal that allows for sales tax and etc. That way I know exactly where I need to go, what I need to look for/buy, and how much money I'm going to need to save for it! 

Once all is accounted for and the process of purchasing or getting things together (and usually making more things) is complete, I try on my look a day or two before the meet up! This makes me feel sure that if there are any problems with my outfit, I'll be able to fix them! When I say try on my look also, I mean full accessories, wig, layers, shoes, and bag!

This method really helps me improve on my decora game and helps me express myself in the way that I really want to! When it comes to everyday looks I definitely don't plan weeks in advance, usually I just think about what I would want to wear the night before while I'm laying in bed! Planning these kinds of things makes me feel more secure and let's me rest easier!
❤Hope this helps! Keep on keeping on broke decora peeps!❤

Fun and Easy DIY

Using Glitter Foam for hairpins, necklaces, and badges

Glitter Foam comes in sparkly foam sticker sheets that you can cut up and use for practically everything. Personally, I have used them for hair clips (that I also use for badges) and necklaces, as well as decorating a birthday card or two.

 

(Pictured: glitter foam used for a pin, hair clip, and necklace)

Thankfully, since it's seen as a children's craft material, it's relatively affordable and can be found at craft stores and Walmart.

((http://www.walmart.com/ip/Glitter-Sticky-Back-Foam-Sheets-6-x-9-12pk-Assorted-Colors/39535845))

Even buying a 12 pack of this stuff can offer a huge amount of material to work with for badges and hairpins, especially if what you want to make isn't that large.

Today, I'll be covering how to make a hairpin, a badge, and a necklace!

For each they all begin with the same step:

1. Design Creating a design with the foam can be really fun, and since it has a few centimeters of thickness, layering effects work really nicely! I would stay close to two or three layers though, having too many may distract from the original concept of the design. ♡♡On the back of the foam is a layer of sticker paper since the foam has an adhesive backing-- You can use this to draw on your design for cutting! The glitter foam can be cut using a pair of scissors so that part is relatively simple.

2. Assembly When assembling your design together, i recommend having some glue to the side, either craft glue or super glue; the adhesive on the foam is either a hit or miss, meaning it either works really well or is almost non-existent.  ❤A. For the hair clip, have either a Barrett clip ready (you can buy packs online for as low as $2 or in the store for $2-$5) or a hair clip! Before you glue it on to the clip, apply a backing to the foam, such as a thin cardboard or card stock--basically something stable that can support the foam and make sure it stays stiff! 
♥Tip!♥ When I glue a nonmetal and a metal together, I use a simple trick--I lay super glue on the clip backing and the hair clip, then in squish a piece of cotton fabric in between them! The fibers of the cotton in between the metal and nonmetal really make for an extremely secure hold has been the secret to the clips holding up for as long as they do! Make sure the clip is in the position for gluing a let dry, then go to step 3!
 ❤B. The badge is about the same as the hair clip, but for cheap and sturdy badges I use a big safety pin for my backing (but use a size that doesn't stick out from behind your badge). For the glue, I use the same technique as with hair clips; super glue on each side and a piece of cotton fabric in between! Make sure to hold the safety pin perpendicular to the badge while drying so it sticks out, or adjust as you like! For extra support, I'd suggest laying a small strip of foam across the side of the pin that's attached to the badge, just as extra security to hold it in place!
 ❤C. For the necklace, I usually put it on a sheet of thinner plastic material to give it a floating look, though you can make the necklace with cardboard and just put a hole where you'd like to attach a jumper ring or a chain! For the plastic, I use plastic from product packaging, and to put it into perspective, I mostly use plastic from products that have a big window to display what's inside, so it's sturdy, thin, and very clear! Make sure that you leave room for the holes that you will use to attach it to a chain! Use the adhesive backing in your foam design or glue to stick it to the plastic (for the glue, don't worry so much about the mess, you can lightly scrape off extra dried glue with your finger nail). Use a sewing needle to carefully poke hole(s) where you need them! For my necklaces I give away or sell, I connect them with jump rings, but when it comes to my personal use, usually just sew it on to what I'm using!

3. Protection As you are most likely aware of by this stage--this glitter falls off the foam pretty easily, just like most glitter products! A thin layer of mod podge will do the trick, and allow a solid 10 minutes for it to dry (I would say longer, but I'm extremely impatient!). Especially if you use a matte mod podge, you might be taken aback by the now milky white texture of your glitter paper, but don't worry! Like a good sealer it dries clear and allows the glitter to sparkle. smile emoticon

And that's it for this tutorial!! Making these were a little complicated for me at first, but I hope all my mess ups allow for you to have an easier time!

Buying Hair Clips

Where to buy affordable hair clips

This is definitely a common question/comment that I see on social media -- "I would get into decora fashion...if I only I had the money for hair clips!!" 

Hair clips and hair accessories are one of the big style points when it comes to decora fashion, and knowing where to buy hair clips was originally confusing for me as well (since I never really wore hair clips or accessories as a child besides scrunchies). However, once I kept my eyes open, I saw a lot of places that I go to to buy toiletries and medicine also have hair accessories and hair clips for children and adults.

The following list is ranked in order of affordability, and the out of 5 rating has to do with quality, variety, and usual amount stocked (relying on the stores around me)

1. 99 cent store (4/5)
The 99 cent store usually has about everything you can think of, from holiday chocolate (it's May???) to Star wars night lights. I would recommend going to the following aisles to check for hair accessories (depends on the store): the hair care aisle, the children's section, or the jewelry section. There you will not only find huge packs of bobby pins (great for DIY hair clips and securing your wig down) but also a small to medium sized collection of hair clips, usually barrettes and clips. They're usually children themed, so you are most likely to luck into brightly colored clips or cartoon themed! Usually they stock brightly colored plain metal clips, which are great and usually pretty good quality. Feel free here to buy 2 or 3 packs--this is definitely a great deal!

2. Dollar Tree (3/5)
The Dollar tree is very similar to the 99 cent store, and if you don't have a Dollar Tree in your neighborhood, I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say that you definitely have a dollar store somewhere there. Take a look in the hair care section and get ready to move stuff around-- at my dollar tree store it's usually a mismanaged mess and all the hair clips have shifted to the bottom of the bins and the back of the racks. They usually carry brown and black toned clips (as to blend in with most hair colors), though you may see some colorful hair clips, hair gems, and butterfly clips in there as well. Definitely a hit or a miss, but when it comes to affordability and quality, they're pretty good as well.

3. Wish App (for Android and iPhone; 3/5)
The Wish app is a shopping app which offers a huge variety of cheap items shipped from China ranging from sweaters to phone cases and everything in between. They also have a good variety of children's barrettes and hair clips, usually in small to medium sized orders of 5 - 20. Since they are manufactured in China, they are cheap, most items on the wish app are all under $1, and their shipping in most cases is $1. They are great for finding some cute accessories at a cheap price but BE CAREFUL--read the reviews and make sure that you know just how much your buying from the item description section. Since they ship from China, the delivery can take up to 3 - 4 weeks, and the price may be not worth the inconvenience.

4. Walgreens (3/5)
Walgreens is usually known for prescriptions and photo printing, but has really become a great place for hair care in general, including hair clips! I bought several packs of hair clips from here, ranging from jelly looking bright colored ones, butterfly and flower gem ones, and cute metal patterned ones! And the price is affordable, you can get a pack of 10 for less than $4 or you may even luck out and find a pack of 20 for the same price! Unfortunately why I give it a lower score is because they are not usually the best quality--the hair clips with gems usually have about one wear until the gem falls out, and some of the metal clips aren't the best quality and tend to bend out of shape pretty quickly. However, they usually have a big variety of clips at relatively affordable prices and I really enjoy most of the things I get from them! 

5. Target (2.5/5)
When it comes to variety, they usually have a decent variety when it comes to colors, textures, and sizes. They they are usually limited to a small section in the shampoo and hair care aisle, they also offer a big range of hair ties, both colorful thick ones and clear jelly ones that are great for hair styling. When it comes to pricing...eh? They sell their clips in packs of 5-6 and are usually a little over $4 after tax, so for me, if I see something I really LOVE, I will spend the extra few dollars to get it, though that is rare for me. Most of them are 'likes' but not 'gotta haves' (though the last time I was there I saw cute colorful hair clips that were also glow in the dark!! Want it so bad but I don't really need it).

This ends my list for now on affordable places to buy barrettes! Remember the 3rd of the Big 3--know when to hold back, you don't have to buy all of your hair clips at once or all at one store!❤❤❤❤

Laying the Foundation

Investments under $10 that will change your decora (and crafting) game

Today, I want to lay the foundation for crafting DIY tutorials I'll be doing very soon, and show you what I will use and be referring to in my tutorials!

Creating accessories for decora can be fun, but even if you're spending little money out of your wallet, what you're really spending is your time. If you work all the time just to get by or you have disabilities which make it painful to spend your time up and crafting, you know just how small these windows are.

Using cheaper materials comes with a price-- that they are easily destroyed and you will have to invest more time in making them again and losing parts that may fall off. However, there are a few materials you can get that will ensure that your handmade accessories stick around for life.

1. Mod podge ($7-$9)
Mod podge is a sealer and finisher that, in my opinion, makes everything I've made pretty much indestructible. One thin layer can make it good for life, and especially good when used on glitter paper and acrylic clay. A small bottle will run you about $7-$9 depending on the store, my bottle was price marked at $7.89 from Jo-Ann Craft Store but I bought it for about $4 using coupon codes. Personally, I use a matte finish, as I don't personally feel like all things need to be shiny, but there's a variety of types that will fit for you! (When I use this, I now usually apply with a paint brush, however before I could afford to pay the few dollars for paint brushes, I used my finger! Don't worry about getting it on you, on skin the texture is like glue, it will peel right off!)

(pictured: Mod Podge Matte-Mat bottle)

2. Craft glue ($3-$6)
With just a little glue and applying pressure for a little bit of time, craft glue can really be a heaven sent item not only for plastic and acrylic crafts, but fabrics as well! Can't sew?Just apply pressure for a little longer and wam! You don't even have to be that careful since the stuff dries clear. I call this stuff miracle glue, it'll help especially when the decorations come off on the dollar store hair clips or even if you want to add a pocket or decoration to a piece of clothing! I swear by this certain brand of glue and would definitely recommend it!

(pictured: Elmer's Craft Bond Tacky Glue bottle)

3. Craft store coupon lists (completely free)
Most chain craft stores have email lists which not only tell you about new fabrics and sales that they are running, but they also send valuable coupons that you can pull up from your phone and scan at the counter! Frequently such chain stores as Michael's and Jo-Ann send coupons that will give you 50% of regular prices items and overall discount codes including those that can be used on sale items!

4. Plain ring bases (and other bases; $1-$7)
Things like plain ring bases and plain Barrett clips can easily become bases for look changing accessories, and if you order them on eBay you'll find lots of 50 - 100 pieces for extremely low prices! The reason for the wide prices range is the different lots that you'll find and the difference in shipping cost depending on where you live (most of these lots ship off from China). Also a definite purchase are bobby pins from the dollar store, you can buy these in bulk and later I'll be showing a tutorial on how to use these for practically everything.

These four things I'm going to be referencing a lot, along with another item I've left out because I know not everyone has access to it cheaply; I'm speaking about Acrylic Clay, which I buy a big amount of at Daiso Japan for $1.50 per package.

If you don't have access to this, that's okay! I'll be making separate tutorials on how to handle and use it to your advantage!

Also, I wouldn't feel pressured to buy this all at one time just for these tutorials, I definitely encourage you to try out what you have at home and substitute in freely! 

The Big Three

❤Tips for a Broke Decora❤

Being broke sucks, and especially sucks when you have an interest in something that seems too expensive and therefor unobtainable. I've seen too many people say that decora fashion is too expensive and that they are too broke to even try it...

...so I want to give you my tips on how to be a Broke Decora! (i.e. a decora fashion enthusiast on an extreme budget) First, I want to cover three main tips for a successful decora campaign;

Look Alive, Be Prepared, and Act Wisely.

1. Stay Vigilant

   Did you know they could sell hair clips at your corner liquor store? There's a lot of places that sell accessories and cute, cheap clothes that could help your coordinates. You could find the perfect key chain or hat at the 7/11! Don't let preconceived notions of where things are "supposed" to be get in the way of your wandering eyes-- let them wander! Take an extra minute to walk around the store before you leave, you might find something you couldn't believe you almost passed up.

2. Always keep a few dollars on you 

  While this could be said about most situations in life, I think it's important to keep a few extra dollars on you when you know you're going to be out shopping, whether it be for clothes or at the grocery store, or even just going out with friends. You never know when you might see the perfect little set of rings or bracelets for your outfit in the $1 section of Target. 

  I would like to mention that when you truly are broke, there's usually no extra money at the end of the month--trust me, I know. Instead of letting that deter you from your goal, collect change! When you come across some extra change in your bag, or have a customer at work give you a little extra tip, put it away in a small change bag. Even putting away a dollar every couple of week helps. Personally, I put all of my tips that aren't dollars into my change bag, and put the change I get from transactions at the grocery store and etc into it as well. If you don't take money out (I use my change bag for bus money ;A;) you could have as much as $10 or more in there at the end of the month, which, let's be honest, is a lot. That's like 3 meals from Taco Bell!

3. Know when to hold back (Inventory)

  Sometimes when you do have some extra change, it's easy to get blown away in the moment and buy that extra pair of butterfly hair clips from your local store. This is a the ultimate pitfall. Buying too much of something that you don't need doesn't do any good, and will lead to you finding a really great accessory that you actually NEED but you can't afford. In my opinion, when it comes to decora, 'too many hair clips' doesn't really seem like a thing that can happen, but it is. You don't need a bucket load of hair accessories to have good variety, I think it's the way you arrange them on your hair which really makes the look. You could wear the same 20 hair pins for every coord and you could still make it look different and unique. A tip I suggest is inventorying your accessories and keeping track (at least in you head) what you're good on and what you might need more of. For a while, I thought I couldn't have more hair clips and pins, but 6 different outings and 1 new apartment moved into, I realized I had much less than I thought I had, so I took note and replenished with a quick 10 pack from Target ($4)

  Now that we've discussed 3 very important points to managing your money and finding what you need, I hope you feel like your eyes are wider, you are more prepared for the right find, and you can act wisely with your money with enthusiasm!