"My Personal Dream Contest" Ends This Sunday!!!

Just a fun and sparkly reminder - If you haven't already submitted, The Personal Dream Outfit contest ends this Sunday! The winners will be revealed on Nov.1st, along with a 2nd and 3rd place winners (who will get small prizes as well). If you'd still like to post an outfit, you can on this page and this page. When the clock strikes 12 on Oct.31st (Halloween to be exact), both pages will be locked - so no more comments can be posted.

The prizes are: One LVF's Favorite Movie Selections (DVD), One LVF's Favorite Movie Snacks, 1 Small Brand Accessory, A Mixture of off-brand accessories!

And just to get your interest more, the off brand accessories will be from, my favorite girl MintyMix! The brand accessory will be a secret until Nov. 1st, along with the movie selection!

Hope you are getting excited - as I am too! We have some really great submissions, so it's hard to chose. But I bet if you submit something it'll be even harder, as each selection keeps getting better and better!

Dress Up Time Special Edition: Alice - THE RE:DUX

For all of those in Lolita Fashion, I think it's easy for us all to say that we have related to one specific character from literature when it comes to our fashion as a whole. Maybe it might be because you loved the original source material, the Disney movie, all the cool stuff that Japan makes because of their obsession, or because she is the somewhat iconic poster child for Lolita fashion. But it's pretty easy to assume that we've all felt something when it comes to this little girl from England.

Myself, I definitely have been an Alice fan for years. Maybe it's the mixture of elegance and ridiculousness, or the relations of life and it's "Rabbit Hole" qualities, but Alice is definitely something that I've taken interest in and has grown more as I've dug into my Lolita roots.

But at the same time, I can't help but feel that is almost an overrated tone that Alice is getting. It might because I'm slowly becoming an old timer when it comes to this Fashion (been into it since 2004, just for clarification) But Alice truly is something that never changes, which I find it both the downfall and the fortunate quality to her fame.

This mostly comes from my reaction to peoples in take and understanding of how to represent Alice. Yes, of course, there is always the combination of blue and white and a hint of black. Sure blonde hair and maybe some sort of black bow is nice. But does it always have to be the same? Can't we break from this mold?

I think the best example I have of this is Alice and the Pirates, which takes Alice from just the girl we knew of the novels to that of a girl lost on a magical pirate-ship. But this is what I dream of the understanding and appreciation of Alice . She doesn't have the be one dimensional in her fashion recreations.

So if you're going to be Alice for Halloween this year, might I suggested this as a guide to maybe trying a new way of Alice. For go the slutty costume store version, or borrowing a white apron from your mother's closet. Here's my dream Alice outfit, to help inspire you in your Wonderland journey!

As you can see, all the appropriate elements are represented for the character. The knight cards, the blue x white x black, the white rabbit, even the Queen of Heart is included. But was changed?

First, I chose just a regular Jumperskirt and blouse then the added apron. Apron's I find to be one of the most costume like elements of Lolita and doesn't work, or need to be essential, in the world of Alice. Instead I chose for a new take, a super cute high-necked blouse with a bow attachment.

Also, for-go the Mary Janes and pick a cute pair of low heeled boots or heeled shoes with bows in a black tone. Also pick a fun Alice concept appropriate pair or tights or socks. Make sure they aren't too low - so they'll make your outfit tasteful. Then to add a final touch, go with a cute black bow or blue bow. Either works, and like the one shown, chose one with a hint of sparkle or rhinestones.

So at the end of the day, make Alice your own! Don't feel to fall under her usual pressures and cliches. Alice was always a character who wanted to follow her own unusual path and you can do. That way you won't fall prey to the Jabborwocky and you'll be the pretty heroine of the Lolita world.

Quick News Flash: Meet Twenty Four Lies Per Second

As you may remember a while back, I had gotten the job as a co-writer for another film centered blog called Twenty Four Lies Per Second. Well, it seems the owner is off and heading on a fantastic journey of becoming a hardcore filmmaker, and in return has given me the "keys" (so to speak) for the blog.

Though it might not all be to your frilly liking, I hope you'll check it out and give it some love. I'm a big believer in the ability to learn about movies that might not be the big major releases you know about, but the little guys. This blog is all about that. Showcasing the best in film, whether they be films you know or ones you will soon know. The best is, all the film's that are spoken of are all a bit on the darker side of story telling. A little Del Toro or Tarantino fan? Well you might enjoy this place. Like a little Hitchcock in your film diet? Come on over!

Don't worry, nothing is changing about La Vida Frills, I'm just giving this blog some love too! So come and check out the place (link here), and you should give it some TLC too!

LVF Exclusive: Interview w/ Director of "The Secret of Kells" Tom Moore and Art Director Ross Stewart

So once in a blue moon, La Vida Frills gets really lucky to be granted special things. One of these was an interview with the Director of the Academy Award nominated film "The Secret of Kells". The interview was conducted at this years New York Comic Con and was my first interview ever! I was really pleased on how it turned out and I hope you enjoy reading some of the highlights from the conversation. I'd like to mention that I was also lucky enough to interview the Art Director Ross Stewart at the same time. For my first interview it was extremely relaxing and fun. The guys were the sweetest and most genuine people I've ever had the chance of meeting.

In case you have no knowledge of the film, here's a quick synopsis:

In medieval Ireland, a young boy named Brendan ordinary life is turned into extraordinary when a master Illuminator brings a mysterious book with him. Brendan is given the task of restoring the book to it's full glory, and such must go on a journey through the misty Celtic forests of Ireland. Helping him on his quest is a fay named Aisiling, who has the ability to transform into a wolf. Together they beat the odds and go on a mission of wonder and delight.


Now you know the story... so, on with the fun!

LVF: So first, can you tell me what it feels like to have made an Oscar nominated film?

TM: Well, we didn't expect it to be nominated, you know. So that was pretty exciting! It really was cool!

RS: It was nothing that we ever imagined when we were making the film. It was the most pleasant surprise that you could ever get.

LVF: What do you think are the ingredients to making an Oscar nominated film?

TM: I don't know, if I did I'd set it in a bag that'd say "Here's the ingredients to making an Oscar nominated film."

RS: I reckon the reason why we got nominated I'd say, because it was something a little bit different. Something that [the academy] had never seen before and they thought it had some heart in the film.

LVF: Do you feel the pressure on your next project to have it be nominated for an Oscar or even win? Or do you feel you can just make a new film with a relaxed notion regardless?

TM: Well, it's better not to think about awards or beating anyone out when you're working on a new project. So, I'm hoping to make the best film that I can and hope that people that liked the first one will like the second one even more! Because I think you'll be a better filmmaker if you think that way, I at least say so.

RS: Well the next one I say... has to win the Oscar!

LVF: What are the next projects that you are involved in?


TM: I'm developing a feature film called Song of the Sea. (To check out information on the film, which looks so cute I can't wait, click here)It's based on the legend of Selkies, the legend of women that can turn into Seals. It's kind of the best of Irish and Scottish legends. So it's about the last one and she's a little girl in the city and she has to find her way back to the sea.

LVF: Do you feel that your film has a different sort of atmosphere then an American animated film?

TM: Yeah, we purposely decided that we wanted to make a film that was showing a little bit of Irish culture, a little bit of Irish art and design. And it was a kind of response to the fact that there wasn't any real tradition of Irish animation, and we wanted to start something. We wanted to make films that had a sort of look and a sort of style going on. The Japanese have the same thing, and we wanted to do the same thing for Ireland.

LVF: What was the main inspiration when it came to the art of the film?

RS: We mostly looked at Celtic art as the main inspiration for the film, along with other medieval arts and other Celtic designs. You can definitely see that influence in our film. That's probably why it looks so different from American and Japanese animated films, because we're taking so much from Irish and Celtic culture and art.

LVF: Do you relate to any of the characters in your piece? Especially the character of Brendan, who seems to want to be an independent creative spirit?

TM: I think a lot of the artists who worked on the film, as with myself, saw themselves in Brendan. He's an artist just like we are artists, and he has a father who doesn't really approve and wants him to do something more sensible. So I think a lot of the artists connected with that, had a sort of kinship with Brendan.

RS: I had a kinship with Brother Aidan. Mostly because he's sort of a hippie and likes to spend time in the trees.

LVF: It seems that one of the center pieces of your film is a strong female driven character, which also seems to be the same with your next project as well. Do you feel that females don't get represented correctly enough in film or do you feel that you are representing them in a correct way?

TM: Well the problem originally with Kells were the first few drafts, it was like a submarine movie, there were too many men. But what I was interested in was there's definitely a sort of blend between the Pagan system, which is sort of goddess based and modern Christianity.I wanted in my film to show the new kind of Goddess, which is connected into the idea of the Virgin Mary. This to me is a natural response to the culture of the film.

Aisiling represents those kind of older beliefs in Ireland, which were more of a balance between male and female. She's kind of like the Irish idea of "the dreaming of Ireland", and having it appear as a beautiful woman. We definitely wanted a female element and for my next film, which almost was going to be girls dressed in bikini's on a spaceship, but in the end we chose Selkie's which is very female driven idea.

I think American films are more about boys and their fathers, which I think, when talking about Miyazaki's films, there is always a female protagonist. Which is what I really love about his films, they have a more gentler female side to it. This is something we wanted for our film as well.

RS: I think Aisiling is a strong spirited little girl, she is a good female character. She's not weak, she's very strong. She presents the Pagan belief and she has a big weight on her shoulders, especially for a little girl.

LVF: Do you have any big goals for the future of your careers?

TM: Yeah, just making cartoons for as long as I can make them.

RS: I plan on continuing to paint, and if Cartoon Saloon wants me I'll continue to work with them.

LVF: Finally, what is the message you would like people to learn about when they watch "The Secret of Kells"?

TM: There are a lot of messages. I suppose perseverance is important, so the art is important in kind of difficult times. Which I think is still relevant today.

RS: To continue the support of Irish animated films!

And that's the end! I hope you enjoyed reading this little interview and hopefully there will be more in the future of LVF.

"Secret of Kells" is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD from New Video Group. To learn more about the film, check out the website here. To learn more about the studio, Cartoon Saloon, click here.

Thanks to Tom, Ross and New Video Group for letting me take a moment for a quick chat and some laughs.

Dress Up Time #6: Christine from The Phantom of the Opera

Though I have discussed the infamous Phantom of the Opera here on LVF before (click here to read my multi-review), I thought I'd take a minute to focus on Christine for another fun Halloween and Dress Up Time subject!

But why Christine? Well, she's treasured for being one of the most known and played characters in Musical theater and film history. Phantom has been remade constantly since 1925, and many have taken on the role of Christine. But does it make this Diva at all interesting? To be honest, not really.

Christine, in my opinion, has no human struggles on the interior to really concur - which leaves little to be desired in viewing just her and also leaves her to be a bit well, dull. But what makes her so interesting and so thought after? Her co-star and her journey to the end of the story. Every girl has had some fantasy of a romantic thrilling adventure involving two handsome suitors being so entangled with your beauty and strengths that they'll fight for you in a multitude of ways. It's also easy to say that many, including myself, had had many a little fantasy of a tall, dark and mysterious man come and take us to a magical underworld of music.

So in that, we all wish to be Christine. To have the voice and beauty of an angel and to attract such attention along with the Phantom himself, allowing us to enter his world. So, interested in stepping into the feet of this future Opera star? Let's go to the masquerade in this outfit!

To start - rather than doing an outfit that's a literal translation of the usual attire of Christine, I chose to make it more "inspired by". This is due to the man versions of Christine and her many outfits through out the many adaptations. It was hard to pin point on one outfit, so I created a tribute to put best.

First, I couldn't ignore the greatest print by Alice and the Pirates (in my opinion), Masquerade Theater. Do you know what is the theme of the print? Phantom of the Opera, of course! So by default, I made sure this Christine is dressed in the jumperskirt version (in the cream colorway, to represent the innocence of the character.) The best thing to remember when creating this sort of look is to stick with creams and vintage browns, along with golds. Christine is suppose to be always representing a "bride yet to be wed" sort of look.

Next, I chose a nice white long sleeved cutsew to cover the shoulders. Christine must always appeared to be showing "selective skin." She always shows a respectable amount of shoulders and chest, especially for her time. For the feet, I chose a cream set of tights and a pair of brown short boots from Innocent World. Christine needs shows that can easily allow her to run away from The Phantom, but also to be elegant and girlie.

For some nice final touches, don't forget to add red roses anywhere you can for decoration! The Phantom is always giving Christine red roses, as they are his iconic prop. I recommend at least one rose in the hair with some tiny white flowers for a bit of extra beauty! Also remember to chose a cute gold or white bag to add a little bit of shimmer to the very calm outfit.

The last item I included is a charm bracelet, with tiny pictures from the 2004 musical version of Phantom, which can be found here on etsy. Nice little things like this and "mask" related decor make the outfit absolute perfection!

Hopefully you enjoyed this ensemble, and that you can enjoy partying at your own masquerade come Halloween. Just make sure to not let the Phantom capture you in his layer forever!

LVF Update: Please look out for an exclusive first time LVF interview with an Oscar nominated animation director (Done at NYCC). But who is it? You'll just have to wait till tomorrow.

LVF News and New York Comic Con Pre-Post

La Vida Frills is happy to announce that we have two great things to bring to a post of this quality. One, there will be tons of New York Comic Con coverage coming your way in a short while. But the best of these two announcements? Notice anything? La Vida Frills has hit 100 followers! I'd really like to thank all that have joined this wonderful community of people and wanted to share in the love of frills and films as they continue to be fabulous together in every way! Consider this recent contest the fun big one, but hopefully - when another milestone for the blog comes out in a few short months, we can have another contest. Again thank you all for joining and keep being frilly and film loving all the time!

Dress Up Time #5: Ophelia from Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Halloween is around the bend! So this month with Dress Up Time, we are going to focus on the more creepy girly characters you could dress as. This week we will start with Ophelia from the Oscar nominated Pan's Labyrinth (2006). Being directed by my hero Guillermo Del Toro, this film truly captures the lose of innocence and the experience of growing up at an age where fairy tales and dreams still run wild. The counter actions of the story with the tasks that Ophelia must do, interact in such a way that makes it very interesting to observe. Ophelia herself is a bit of a strange character. A girl lost in her own wonderland that to the viewer and herself can not be decided if it is real or in her head. Regardless, whether it be real or not, this world is truly fantastic and scary. But what should you wear to experience the Labyrinth with El Fauno? Let's take a look!

Ophelia, along with the entire color palette of the film, are all muted earth tones. This is great for those who are classic, gothic or country lolita's. It also works very well for those who love Mori Girl or Dolly Kei styles. First, chose a peter pan colored one-piece in either a green, grey, navy blue or black color.

Then go with a brown, grey or nude sweater. Make sure it's a very big and comfortable sweater, as Ophelia goes on long and tough journey's in her outfits.

Next, chose a nice brown or black leather messenger bag. Ophelia carries many objects with her on her travels, so you'll want something sturdy.

For your feet, go with a pair of white tick knee high socks. Bonus points if you find ones with a leave or tree pattern, but don't go with anything too over the top. Make sure not to forget a pair of black oxford shoes. Make sure they are comfortable, otherwise it'll be hard to get through The Pale Man's chambers.

To give a nice finishing touch, find a gothic styled fairy or dragon fly necklace. This represents the "Fairy" creatures in the story that help Ophelia on her quest. If you want to have a head piece (Though it's not required.), either go with a nice green headbow or a simple black hat. After all of this, you are ready to journey into the labyrinth!

If you've never seen Pan's Labyrinth, I highly recommend it as a Halloween or Fall movie choice! It has a great creepy yet beautiful atmosphere and some of the most shocking imagery yet. It'll haunt and move you at the same time. If you want to check out another similar piece by Del Toro, go with Cronos (His first and my favorite of his works) Which tells the story of a grandfather who, by the bite of a haunted piece of clock work robotics, is turned into a vampire. Either way, you'll be sure to have fun!