2/26 - Pure Yap - Life update + Less buying (fr this time) + Robe de Fleurs / Kyaba Dresses / DW... still love MA*RS Agejo

I thought it might just been good to put all my thoughts in a blog because after Katsucon, a lot has happened in my personal life good and bad and other things i'm coming to terms with, BUT I'm starting a new chapter on March 1st, and life is going to be good.

First off... I am moving! If you told me Sunday night when I was out with my friend in Boston that I'd have keys to a new apartment the next weekend I'd be shocked. My friend EJ and I were planning on moving to Providence around this time and had an apartment lined up, but it fell through so this past month we've been revving up our search for apartments. We've been doing tours and had scheduled more for this upcoming weekend, but on Monday a listing we reached out to asked if we could send an application as they only wanted to allow qualified applicants to tour, and usually we were like ehhh but this time I said "fuck it, lets do it." we applied, the landlord liked our applications, and we toured it later Monday, and it was exactly what we were looking for, plus an added bonus it's on the side of the city I was really interested in moving to.

Now you're probably like "girl... this weekend already? have you packed?" nope. Not one bit. I am still trying to figure out the best gameplan on moving my stuff over the month of March. I'm really lucky my parents are so amazing and have 1) let me move back in after my last apartment turned into construction grifting hell and 2) are allowing me to move out over the month of March vs all in one day. It's saving me stress of trying to do this all last minute.

With the focus being on moving and setting up utilities, I'm going to basically be commuting back and forth for a while from my parents to my apartment, so there might not be a lot of times I go out this month. But once we're moved in, we have a whole new side of the city to explore that I never touched when I last lived in Providence!!

Which also gets into... I have to tone back on purchases in general. I just made my last and final "this is my gift for getting an apartment and my birthday" haul. But with moving, I now am back to having to pay rent, electric/gas, and internet. I think moving back in with my parents gave me extra income to splurge on myself, but now It's like... no more of that! I make great money at my job and I think this next chapter I need to work on saving money, paying off debt, and working on being more... adult? That won't stop me from having fun of course, but I just have to not buy very expensive things. This also just means trinkets... most of my purchases have been going towards trinkets... and cons. I had to cancel my trip to Zenkaikon this month because of the move, and I think it'll be good for me to do that. I do have Dashcon 2 in July up in Toronto, but that I already have my cosplay for, so nothing else to buy.

And THAT is funny to say just because I am now kind of obsessed with Kyaba dresses. Ofc they're a thing you see in Koakuma Ageha but Kyaba =/= Agejo. I mean according to research, Agejo is just the people that are fans/readers of Koakuma Ageha LMAO (The models were/are called Agemo!!) Specifically, I got a Robe De Fleurs dress I had been starting at for months at this point and my god. It is amazing. I wore it out this past weekend and got lots of compliments... But my god Robe De Fleurs is expensive... I was like "am I buying scalped kyaba for 100 usd?" Actually no. That's like... half of the retail price for that brand... damn... I have a few older more simple dresses I got at 20-30 each, and I want to wear them out more too. But DONT WORRY... I still plan to wear out all the MA*RS i've collected, I definitely think after moving I want to work on doing more Agejo fits out and about. There's just something very... like empowering about being in a Kyaba dress. Most of the feelings I have kind of link to things I only talk about in therapy though so I will not delve more. 

It is wednesday... but I am so physically exhausted from the whirlwind I am staying home today. My mom told me I didn't look excited to move yesterday and I was like "mom I am extremely excited but this past week has been such a whirlwind I am too tired for any more extreme emotion". lol. 

For any readers who check in, you guys are pretty cool, thank you :)

2/20 - The bonus post that's much shorter and I talk about dressing up for work and more mindset

Wow... two posts in one day... who am I!?!

Well, the Katsucon was in draft form for a bit, I had to get an adapter to upload my DSLR photos to my comp lol. But today's bonus post is me talking about: what does one wear for work, like a job in an office setting.

The simple answer I've learned is: onee gyaru brands kind of eat! Of course not all of them if the skirts are too short, but like... if it fits the workplace attire rules, why not it be cute!! I rarely go into the office but today was important to support my friend at his presentation!!

This is a set from Delyle Noir! It's suuuper cute, just a tube top dress but a really nice jacket that makes it look like a skirt/top combo. Suuper cute. I also put on my really short heels for driving but I changed into my tall clompers for the office. Adding in some basic tights can help give off the vibe of "I am not trying to show leg!!"

 

It was at this point I realized I did not put on any lipstick... I had to exfoliate my lips more and put on chapstick and hope, because I didn't have any in my purse for once... how does that happen. This isn't really a full gyaru code. This is like if I tone it down for the office. I think if I ever got an updated prescription and got circle lenses I'd throw some people off LMAO... But even then toned down me is still... much more different than the average office attire. What are neutrals? I hate them. Color is important.

Anyways, there is kind of a disclaimer for this. Some companies are much more... uptight? When it comes to self expression it can be hard to gauge whether it's ok. I am really lucky to have a work environment where self expression is encouraged even in an office setting. Obviously I am not wearing Agejo to the office, there is like a decency rule, but I can still put on some not as OTT make + some colorful pieces and it's all good!! 

My big big big boss also told me he really likes how I can live my life and not ... "idgaf" (thats what I told him it was) about things. I think working more towards understanding and implementing the gyaru mindset but also just wearing gyaru fashion and doing make has helped a lot too. Now I will say non gyaru make is kind of confusing now. It's either gyaru make or no make. But it once again... takes putting on the clothes and wearing them out to help with the idgaf-ness. We actually talked about this at the gal panel at katsu... it's important to go outside in your codes!!! The internet is a whole different social space than the real world... be out there on both... lol

2/20 - The (late) katsucon blog

I am… exhausted. It has been a super duper long weekend for me but I am finally glad to be home. By the time this blog is out it'll already be a few days since the con happened. I really don't have like... super duper detailed schedules for cons but there's a lot of yapping depending on the day!

I'll try to structure this by day!!

Thursday

Basically, I changed out hotels, and I am so grateful to the desk lady at the Westin who helped me check in early. I got into the hotel at 2, and my friends Dev and Gary came around 3:30 and we were able to take our time to get ready before dinner. Got to bring out the SLAY kyaba inspired co*de I didn't get to wear back in January due to just scheduling issues. I'm not the best w/ lacefronts but it was super cute...

I took these cute photos on my DSLR hehe... not many pics from today

We decided to go to Fogo de Chao since Dev and Gary hadn't gone before. It was SO good... but expensive. We then picked up badges and met up with my friends MJ and Ryan at a bar for some drinks and had a great time! After that, it was going back to the room to sleep and prep for the con weekend.

Friday

Friday was probably the most eventful day with me! I started off having my ma*rs dress break on me LMAOOO. Like the strap just CAME OFF. I had to safety pin in it place. A reminder that MA*RS is not worth so much money lol... But we survived!! I got some cute pics taken too hehe!!

We did some initial shopping, an then we went to 109 Degree's gyaru informational panel and it was SOOOO good!! My mutual Bambi is in the gyarusa and I have been such of a fan of the entire gyarusa since I attended the para para panel last year!!

Right before the panel, I encountered @angelnotthesaint outside and it was like wow... another gal in the flesh... and they are suuuper good at posing for photos and moving like so fast I was like WHAAAA??? HOW DO YOU DO THAT??? I also then forgot to take photos on my phone because FUCK!!!! So tysm oomf for taking these.

The panel was like super good. It was good to just listen to some vet gals talk and lots of good information. Was I wearing a bottom lash? No. Should I be wearing one? Yes. That panel motivated me to try to get them to work more. It was also good to hear from other gals who contributed too!!!! Like i'll go to that panel every year. 

After that, it was changing into Mr. Worldwide Mr. 305 Dale Pitbull himself. I did my baldcap w/ the help of Dev before taking off my gal clothes so there's a great photo of that. I also put on my pink alba coat since my pitbull was pink themed, def not the typical look but I still got recognized a lot.

We stopped into Cadillac Ranch and I had to ride the bull. Of COURSE I HAD TO. I also ran into some other friends who we said hi to and chatted with, and then we rode the MF FERRIS WHEEL!!!!!! I actually have never rode this ferris wheel at a katsucon weekend before this year, and I've gone almost every year except for like 2 since I was 17? 18? So... wow. I actually rode it with my friend Jordan in August when we stopped into the harbor for a few hours, it was super nice. So Dev and Gary and I went, and it was valentines day so it was just couples in line being romantic and then... pitbull LOL. It wasn't as scary in the dark and I guess because I've ridden it before it wasn't too bad! 

At the rooftop bar? I danced, there was a diva who asked for Pitbull songs for me, got me a cup of water, like a DIVA for REALLLLL. I am not meant to go that hard at the club but I did. After that we did some bar hopping, and walked back to the hotel.

BUT FIRST... I saw @cocofashionistagal as we were leaving and I had to say hi!! I Was like a little drunk and socially awkward but she is so sweet and took selfies and I FORGOT TO TAKE SOME ON MY PHONE AGAIN!!! 0/2 Brenna... So tysm for sending me these you are sooo sweet!!

And then... I was burdended with eyelash glue for the rest of the evening and lost a chunk of hair on the nape of my neck... and we slept.

Saturday

Saturday was Rin and Len day!! Which was pretty chill. There really isn't like too much to report aside from we did some shopping, went to the masquerade, went to some bars, and then did some karaoke!! I was like... super confused at this point why our weekend had gone so well. Usually by Saturday something chaotic has happened that put us in a bad mood... so like it was really weird to process how... good life is when it's not crazy.

At one point I had Gary hold my coat and someone came up to him and told him to tell whoever owned the coat that it was so cool and I probably paid a lot for it: the answer is yes.

Also we went back to Cadillac Ranch and I rode the bull again. It was my best time this weekend of 29 seconds. Kind of crazy.

 But all is good: so here are some pictures!!!!!

I WILL ALSO SAY!!! I got a little antsy while we watched the masquerade because mid life crisis so I went to do some shopping and stopped by the lovely @liliaandlace_official booth after I saw a like... chain esque print and I was like... is that a fucking gyaru piece in the wild? and it was. and I met the lovely @riria_bear!!! Soooo sweet and I was able to pick up a lip service piece and a *VERY EXCITED GASP* GROWING RICH PIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was sOOOOOO happy because I've been on the hunt for a growing rich piece that I like because I see it all the damn time in my ageha mags. Liliana is a real one. Also suuuper excited for the new agejo/hime release coming in the next few months.... I love the rise of western gals coming up to fill the hole that is the agejo and hime market.

Anyways here's me very excited about these. I was gonna wear the lip service one yesterday but ended up not going full out for karaoke lol...

Sunday

This day was mostly me wanting to get pictures in my wedding Eli cosplay. I have a lot of thoughts on how I can improve (i am... very vain when it comes to my looks.) It's not a great idea to do the big cosplay on a Sunday because your skin isn't the best, you're tired, everything is just going wrong at this point. But, my friends Dev and Gary are real ones for REAL. 

Most of the con in Eli was me sitting in the hotel lobby while Dev and Gary went shopping, I stopped into my other friend's hotel room for a quick late xmas gift exchange, I got some cuuuute stuff, including a kirby fidget, a kirby figure, some cuuute socks with arms, and some hello kitty stuff!! Once that was done, I retreated back to the hotel lobby bar area until Dev and Gary were done. I had Dev go and buy me a Kigu and they came back with two!!! One was a gift ;o; I got piplup and grookey!!

Then, Dev took pictures of me so here's a dump!! We also went with the idea that I would not look at any of them until hours later, because if I kept looking inbetween shots I'd probably be more frustrated. I am good at a selfie, but when I can't see what I'm doing, it's hard to translate what I want to do and make my body/face do it. Lots to practice. I am looking back at these now and like... ugh... my teeth!! I actually got teeth whitening strips because of these LMAOOOO. I am not editing these because... too lazy lol...

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After that, I changed into my piplup kigu, we had early dinner, had some drinks, rode the ferris wheel, and retired to our hotel to sleep. I rode the bull a third time and I got carpet burn this time LOL... if you start to fall off the bull get your arms UPS and out of the way!! 

The only important photos was part of the night were these, reminiscing on how I flipped a man off angrily here last year. I actually didn't flip him off this year but I encountered him FOUR TIMES. That's 4 times too many. But anyways... hehe kigu. 

Overall thoughts:

It was fun! I definitely am like... not physically capable of doing a con with that much drinking again, and I think if I want to do a big pretty cosplay I should do it at the start of the weekend instead of the end LOL...

Hotel was nice, area was nice, people were nice. We ended up missing out on like an insane amount of the issues of the con (didn't go to artist alley on friday, did not touch the gazebo area except for 15 mins on sunday... lol) but sometimes it's good to avoid any type of drama. 

I think for me since I go to this con every year it gets a bit repetitive? It's been almost a week since the con started up and I was talking with my friend Caty about this. I am doing Otakon for sure (just had to last min decide not to go to zenkai for personal reasons) but maybe in the future I try some more! There's a chance more travel to NC will be in the future and I've been meaning to go anyways, so if not 2025... maybe 2026?

2/12 - Pre Katsucon Blog

Ahhhh hi chat! Today I am blogging from National Harbor MD!! I am in the area for Katsucon later this week, I am super excited!! National Harbor is always my favorite spot to go to for vacation, I've been going to Katsucon almost every year, and last year in August I stopped by for a day trip with my friend Jordan to show him around!!

However... it was not in my initial plans to already be here! My initial plan was to leave today from RI to drive to PA, and then drive to PA to here on Thursday. However, my parents were panicking about me driving in the winter storms... which caused me to panic... so I ended up leaving on Monday evening for Philadelphia, and drove down to National Harbor Yesterday!! 

I learned I enjoy driving to cons because it saves me money as train tickets are expensive if I forget to buy them months in advance and I'm not super restricted to a specific schedule. Last year I drove to PA and back (about 5-7 hours each way depending on the area) like 10 times, so this is NOTHING!! I also have my older sibling who lives in PA which allows me to break up the trip into two legs. 

But, with the race to beat the snow, I left for PA at 5PM! I actually was waiting on a cosplay for the con to get delivered, and it made it earlier than expected! 

Nothing very exciting to report about the PA stay, since my older sib and their husband work, they were already getting ready for bed when I arrived and I went to pass out, and they were working when I woke up. I did get a pic with my cute puppy niece!

Then, it was the race to beat the snow! I didn't take any pictures of my drive LOL. But I did have 3 people at one rest stop ask me about my labubu/lafufu collection. The most obviously lafufu was the favorite of all three... which is very funny to me!

I got to the harbor around 1PM, but my hotel checkin wasn't until 3. To pass the time, I got a manicure at the nail salon by the parking garage. I didn't take any pictures... you'll see them once I blog Katsucon weekend. I just went with some basic short light pink glitter nails. The options at the salon made it seem like they'd be suuuper glittery but they're just... a normal amount. I was just thankful to be in a warm space while I waited on the hotel. It had started to snow at this point and the staff and patrons were so enamored with the snow!! I was like hm... this is nice but we had had snow twice in the past two weeks so it's not as exciting for me anymore!! But I did ask a lot about snow and stuff since I am about 500+ miles away from home. You don't realize how different weather can be for different parts of the United States.

After I checked into my hotel, I rested a bit and then went downstairs to get some dinner. I got a nice steak and martini!! It was very good. I've eaten here before in the past and have never been disappointed.

I also took a picture as it was snowing outside last night... so pretty.

Then... I dyed my hair a straw berry blonde and when to sleep. And we're at today! I am actually working today, and I got most of my big tasks all done. I'm taking a break to blog before I get to my next big task, but I usually get tired after a lunch.

I did take a walk to try and get some nandos, but it was closed! A lot of stuff was actually closed due to weather. I stopped into Cadillac Ranch and my inquisitive self asked if national harbor was usually this inactive in the week, but it seems the snow has caused a huge halt. In New England if this was the amount of snow we got, we'd all drive through it, but I learned this and the last snow they had back at the end of 2024 was the first snow they had in YEARS!!! And the interesting thing about the US is different areas have different... things(?) based on their weather conditions. Like further north you have more tools capable of handling snowy terrain, and other places may not worry about snow but may have more hurricane proof stuff. I will say the harbor had a good amount of people plowing the roads, parking lots, and the sidewalks, so it is not hard to walk. It's also supposed to rain, so that will probably melt a lot of the snow away.

For the rest of the day, it's catching up on work, figuring out dinner plans, and then self tan before tomorrow! I have to change hotels as I saved money by staying at one with cheaper tues/wed rates, so we'll see how tomorrow goes!

I probably won't blog inbetween katsucon nights, simply because I will be tired... but if you see me say hello! I may have trouble hearing or come off really loud, but I'm excited to see some mutuals there and meet new people!! And I get to cosplay and hang out with my friends Dev and Gary!!!! This is the first time I see them in person this year yipppieeeee!!!!

Yap - Brenna tries to summarize tariffs as of 2/9/2025 in the scope of the gyaru community (tariffs and the de minimis exemption)

Hi everyone! It's time for me to talk about my special economic interest these past few months, the de minimis exemption, and how the current administration's attempts to repeal it and uncertain future can affect the United States gyaru community. 

Of course, tariffs affect EVERYONE!! But as of right now I want to blog for any gyaru who are just confused as what is going on. Also please note this is in scope for folks in the United States!!! This does not apply to my friends in other countries!!

Also I am googling to doublecheck my facts but like I highly recc you all research this yourself as this develops. I am not a scholarly resource you cannot source me for your papers ok.

2/4 - Documenting codes of last week

Helloooo!! I’m currently taking a half bath right now so I have to distract myself for half an hour! I thought it would be a good idea to catch up and document the codes of last week, especially since I won’t be going out tomorrow like usual. Bear with the formatting. I am not the best at blog formatting LOL

I think for this post I’ll do less of the exact details and just talk about both of the codes in general, I have a more OTT ish one and a more casual one.

So first! The OTT look!! 

I have suddenly taken a HUGE liking to the ma*rs floral patterns, I have this setup in white and I just had to get it in black too when it was only being sold for about 100USD (for a setup!? That’s a deal even when these pieces used to retail for 60-70ish each)

The only issue is the coordination of pinks and accessories! I made hairbows last minute the night prior (held together by my manifestation and hot glue). I had initially was struggling with the legs, I had some pink fishnet tights that as I was frustratingly trying to mane them work, got a jacket zipper caught on them and tore them. I finally caved and opened the second pack of pink bow tights I bought in 2022 and was so happy to see they were actually solid!! So I was like ok… this is a win.

 The datura belt was also a choice, may not go with this option in the future. My favorite piece was actually the necklace! I got it for a dollar at a local thrift store in Attleboro.

And ofc… prisila wig pigtail formation. It is a staple for me at this point. I do definitely need to play around with some new styles + wearing other wigs for the sake of my hairline. Traction Alopecia is going to get me.

I remember we went to celebrate our friend Bobby’s birthday!! I didn’t take any pics but it was good.

Ok now I move onto yapping about the more casual code. You can guess the structure of this outfit probably…

Ah did you guess a sweater, a skirt, thermal tights, and boots?! You're correct, as always. This is kind of the staple "casual" setup I go when I play around with casual things. I did not realize thie MA*RS skirt I got in a lot with 2 dresses would become such a staple. I thrifted this sweater to finally complete the urge of buying another sweater. I see a lot of pictures of the liz lisa sweaters which are suuuuper cute but sought after and I was like... this one is only like... 5 bucks so why not! These dear my love boots have also become a stable, but I will say... they pick up link pretty easily, like I am probably going to need to lint roll these bad boys soon.

I honestly did not feel like curling my own hair so I wore my pigtails out, but I made by buns juuust a tad too tight and had to end my search for buttons early after... probably 3 hours of traveling around only to find out most local fabric joints are quilting stores who do NOT sell buttons. 

I didn't take many pictures but I tried to recreate one of Himena's make looks from the Ageha Make book I bought, and I now understand the need for lenses with some looks. It's already Feb and I still haven't tried getting a new eye prescription... when will that happen.

ANYWAYS!! That's all. It feels good to blog again. I am excited for next week as it's Katsucon week and I purchased a DSLR camera to try and take lots of pics!! So lets hope I remember to take pics for the blog. I'll be there in cosplay some days and gal the other. If you see me feel free to say hi!! I am hard of hearing at times though so I am so sorry if I make you repeat the same thing 20 times.

2/4 - The perks of local liquidation stores (Kathy's Closet in RI and D&D Liquidators in MA)

Hiii everyone! This is... kind of a gyaru-type of posting but also just I wanted to blog about where I like to shop locally for may it be gyaru things, but also just in general as there's a lot of discussion on where to shop aside from the big box stores, and how to buy things in these economic times, but also it might just help us all out to save some money!

Typically people talk about thrift stores, but I wanted to bring attention to the local liquidation stores!! These types of stores basically sell new goods that big box stores don't count as "in season" anymore and it's all discounted! If you've heard of an Ollie's before, or even an Ocean State Job lot, that's the idea. You don't 100% know what you'll get, but you'll get it at a cheaper price!

Now, with the idea of shopping local, it's definitely a GREAT idea to check out what local stores are near you! This might have to be done by looking on facebook, word of mouth, or maybe the instagram algorithm will bless you with one not too far! The interesting part is that no local liquidation store is the same, as I'm sure they all get their stock from various places. Today I want to talk about two that are close to me, and if you're in the RI / MA area, I HIGHLY recommend checking these both out.

First, we have Kathy's Closet in Woonsocket RI. They just relocated a few months ago closer to Route 99. I found out about Kathy's Closet from my mom! She found them on facebook and shared with me a lot of the deals they have. They have daily deals, new items coming in, and of course, Kathy works there herself and she is SO friendly! She is always posting updates in the Facebook group I linked, so you'll be up to date on all of the deals!

When it comes to stock, they have a LOT of beauty products. A couple of months ago they did a fill a bag of sponges for a set price (I want to say it was like 2 or 5 dollars?) and now I am set on sponges for probably the rest of my life. They also did fill a bag of beauty products for 10 dollars and I was able to stock up on brushes and once again, set for the rest of my life. They also have a good cycle of rotating stock in general, but I am usually there for beauty products, press on nails, and cans of lacroix (it's like... really cheap a can... why not) I remember the first time I went and got a bunch of a snacks that were out of holiday season but still good until 2025!! I remember thinking the discount at CVS after the holiday was good, but this was EVEN better.

If you're in Mass, I would check out D&D Liquidators in Sterling MA!! I actually just went there for the first time this past weekend and I had a wonderful experience!! One of their instagram reels came up on my personal and I just really liked Dave's vibe as he advertised the weekly sales, and I was like "hm. I wish I could go!" little to my surprise that it's only in Sterling MA!! They started up in September of 2024, and currently are only open on the weekends, but it's so worth the trip.

When it comes to Stock, they definitely have a much different selection compared to Kathy's Closet. I saw a lot of International Concepts (INC) for sale, and ahh I was tempted but I did not need to get myself a leopard print shirt!! There were also a lot of very expensive sheet sets selling for 20-40 bucks, I even picked myself up a new set! I also got my puppy a cute little jacket, because I love to buy her clothes!!! If I didn't have so many shoes, I was also really tempted for their boots for 20 dollars, and they also had such a pretty collection of prom dresses (I almost bought one... but I stopped myself.)

Dave and Michelle were so friendly and welcoming too! As I heard customers come in I would hear them greeting and chatting, they've already got such a good customer base already!! And when I went to pay they were both so friendly and wonderful. I am definitely planning on taking my friends up with me again in the future. 

Now would I be shopping at these stores ALL of the time? Probably not, as just like with thrift stores, there just might not be anything you need that week. If your local spot has social media I would definitely consider checking those as they post what they have for sale/discounts. 

Ok! That’s all for this blog post - I leave you with a picture of my dog River in her jacket :)