Once again my mom reminded us just how cool she is, not that I ever forgot, I mean she did take us on vacation to New Orleans for my sweet 16. We spent the weekend shopping on Michigan Avenue for my 17th birthday, and now following my last birthday we're spending a week in Washington D.C.!!
There is so much to see and do That I had to break this into multiple posts. Ready, set, GO!!!!
Adding a bit of fun and adventure to the trip we decided to drive. Yes, we drove TWELVE Hours from Illinois to Washington D.C.!! More pics on that in a later post.
National SPY Museum, warning pic heavy-
The first stop was to the National SPY Museum!! Warning there will be a lot of pictures!! My first thought was Super Junior's song "SPY", but unfortunately I don't have it on my iPOD so I couldn't jam like I wanted. But anyway, back to the museum.
I wonder if this is how clown cars work.
A few rides from 007
A copy of the Rosetta Stone. Although its not the original it was really cool seeing the Hieroglyphics up close.
There were a few major service units hanging on the walls. I wonder who made the logo for each country because some of these weren't very creative.
I saw Korea and China but I didn't see anything on Japans secret service unit so I'm not sure if their a major player like some of these guys are.
One area was dedicated to ninja and Sun Tzu "The Art of War". My family owns at least five copies of this book in hard and paper back. Its a very good read and I highly recommend it.
A great moment in spy/ espionage history. If you don't recognize this moment in time I'll give you a hint...Greeks and Orlando Bloom.
I was surprised there wasn't more on Russian or German spies and leaders. I thought that would be one of the largest sections
My baby sister planning world domination!!
Black and white films and cartoons on spying.
I'm no Baker expert so I was pretty shocked to learn she had done some spying back in her day.
Underground living essentials- D DAY.
Of course there was an entire section of the museum dedicated to James Bond. I haven't seen all the movies but I will definitely get on that.
Some of James' leading ladies.
A sneak peek into James' closet.
Cars, guns, money and computers. And I thought my mom had it going on.
I saw a few interesting titles in the book section of the gift shop. I plan on reading these so keep an eye out for upcoming book reviews!!
You guys know SPY VS SPY right? If not you can see them on Cartoon Networks MAD!!
There were some really cute and creative gear that I wish I could've gotten my hands on.
I have so much more to see and do, check in next time for more of my adventures in DC!!
Soooo, let's just jump right into this shall we? Okay here we go.
As many of you know( although many of you don't want to believe it) the gyaru magazine world is dying and I mean dying as in hanging by a thread (a very thin thread at that). The mags that brought us hardcore fashion and makeup are no more. If you haven't heard Koakuma Ageha, Ane Ageha, Happie Nuts, and Egg magazine have all kicked the bucket. That's right, they have ceased publication. However, word is that Happie Nuts is still in search of a new publisher so they may not be over just yet( thank the stars).
For many dolls this news comes as a shock, however, myself and others have been preparing for this day ever since Men's Egg and Soul Sister ceased their publications. When Ranzuki announced it would no longer feature extreme gyaru styles and makeup I knew it was only the beginning. Personally, I've been preparing for this the minute gyaru went mainstream to be honest. And I don't mean mainstream as in the large amount of new gaijin gals, no I mean mainstream as in when YouTube beauty gurus who had never heard of gyaru stared doing their so called, "Kawaii" or "Sweet Gyaru" tutorials. I mean mainstream as in when Maybelline cosmetics and other brands started making 'Big Eyes" mascara or "Kawaii" collections. I mean mainstream as in when new collections by gyaru brands were all too similar to Ulzzang styles. YUP, I SAID IT NOW WHAT??
Onee gyaru models
STYLENANDA models
Popular gyaru brand GYDA and STYLENANDA
They look the same to me.
Today's Gyaru
So what are the gyaru like today??
In order to please the masses, gyaru magazines started pushing a new " seiso na onna no ko" or "neat and clean gyaru" ( or simply "polished gyaru") trend that many argue isn't even gal. Some people think magazines started to tone down the styles because they want to get rid of gyaru altogether. But let's look at this from a different prospective shall we. On one hand, we have girls who want to be gyaru but don't have that type of freedom. Its not as easy in Japan to just be wild and sexy as it is here in the states. A true gal is gal all day but certain makeup style aren't allowed in high schools( if the school allows makeup at all), and hair color rules are just as strict. Also with Kpop constantly growing and urban street style becoming more popular, more and more Japanese women from their teens to their twenties( and maybe even a little older) are following Korean fashion trends. Giving the readers what they want is a big part of running a magazine and as the demand for natural style grew the mags delivered. Those that couldn't or wouldn't....well you know what happened.
Some believe that many of the newer gals only want fame without putting in any real effort, and so have watered down the style and decreased the flow of creativity and passion that is gyaru.
Without this drive the magazines could not thrive( teehees, see what I did there.)
After Men's EGG and Ranzuki, people started to notice the change in gyaru.
Kawaii International Gyaru Special
Today's Gyaru
So what are the gyaru like today?? Alright here we go.... I LOVE TODAY'S GYARU!!!! Like a lot of Japanese girls( I'm not Japanese but the issue is similar), my mom would kill me if I went out in kuro gyaru style.
Actually, my mom is so over protective( which I love) some onee gyaru looks are off limits for me. So for many girls the change in gyaru is a really awesome thing. I love that the styles are sweet and fresh and they fit my personality and lifestyle more. In some gyaru styles furry leg warmer, animal print, super short shorts were mandatory pieces.
But with new gyaru fashion, I can be as colorful as I want and mix and match more pieces than before. I always did this but soo many gaijin gals with give you a armful of crap for not following the style rules.
The makeup is more practical and I don't have to worry about if my boss, teacher or mom will grab a sponge and scrub it all off. If your uncomfortable wearing false lashes you can still pull off today's gal makeup without them. Same thing with hair color, it doesn't have to be bright neon colors of blonde. The styles are more natural which makes it easier to incorporate my locs to the style. Plus the new makeup trends are way quicker to do.
Popteen and Ranzuki have always been favorites of mine so as long as their still going my gyaru mag world is still in alive and well.
So What happens To Gyaru Now??
Just as quickly as they came, gaijin gals are dropping the gal lifestyle like a used tissue. It breaks my heart that so many gals believe that because the magazines are gone that means the style is ending or already dead. Please re-read the first line of my first paragraph.
"The gyaru magazine world is ending".
What does this mean?? It means that although you may not have a new Ageha coming anytime soon that doesn't mean gyaru is gone forever. gyaru is alive and well in Japan, only some of your favorite mags are gone. Also not ALL gal mags are gone. Although I'm sure they were ever as popular as Happie Nuts and Ageha, Blenda and Jelly are still going as if this never happened. Yes they made a few changes with their concept but the changes I've seen were nothing major at all.
A lot of gaijin gals are still staying strong and true to there style of choice. There are even efforts to show their appreciation to gal mags in Japan. This devotion to ones favorite style is what truly started the magazines and it makes me happy to be a gaijin gal.
A friend of mine( is into more extreme gyaru) asked me where I stood in the matter. I like the new styles since they suit me better. I may do a heavier eye makeup every other day, but I've always been a Ranzuki + Popteen girl since these looks are what I like to call the perfect combination of ulzzang and gyaru. Gyaru may be dying for some of you, but for me nothing has really changed, in fact they've gotten better. I haven't forgotten the past though. Every foundation needs a strong base. I make gyaru my own and welcome the future while still maintain a strong base.
So many gaijin gals wanted gyaru to be more mainstream and now that it is, well I wonder if their happy....
Its alright if you don't agree with me or like my fashion style. Our differences give us more interesting things to talk about.
So let me know your thoughts in the comment section or keep in touch with me on any of my SNS
