To buy or not to buy? Expensive Hobbies I have in addition to Loℓιтα.

Lolita fashion is something I am extremely passionate about. Ever since I discovered the fashion I knew I had to be an active part in it. I am constantly learning about new products, evolving and trying new styles and devouring shop updates and coordinate photos. As much as Lolita fashion is a huge piece of my life and identity there are additional hobbies that I also enjoy. The fact that my other hobbies are also rather expensive makes the choice of where my funds are sent that more difficult.

I adore ball-jointed dolls. I have always liked dolls, but these beautiful sculpted scaled beauties are completely irresistible! The decision to buy my first doll Hitomi is one of the greatest purchase decisions I have ever made. The problem is that these dolls are not inexpensive. Hitomi, while modest considering her resin counterparts, was still over $300 to complete. Of course, she needs everything I doll does, which include shoes, furniture, and plenty of outfits. Since she is a Lolita herself there are extra purchases of accessories and wigs as well. More dolls will mean more items etc. It truly is a fun, but astonishing, a black hole for funds.

​I love anime. After I watched my first episode of Sailor Moon, I was completely hooked. To this day I am still extremely fond of anime and manga. I have a particular fondness for magical girl series. Some of my favorite series are Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Madoka Magica and Revolutionary Girl Utena. I express my love for these series though Blu-Ray box sets, figures and most importantly, magical girl weaponry. With each anime box set starting at around $60 and each magical girl accessory or weapon starting at $65 it is easy to see how, the little funds I do possess, evaporate.

​I am addicted to crafts. I love the hand on projects and participate in everything from traditional illustrations to sewing. My possibilities are completely endless! My love of art quickly expanded into new art and craft mediums. While I am able to pursue a hands-on touch to many of my various hobbies, such as accessories for Lolita and clothes for my dolls, this only fuels the expenses I incur. Charms, fixings, Sculpey and fabric slowly add up. Project prices range from $5 up to $50 depending on the required materials and invested time. Coupled with the need to purchase storage this hobby is a treasured, but expensive, pastime.

While I was a late bloomer to the video game craze I have since made up for my lack of years. Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2 was my first game series and still remains my favorite game series of all time. Of course, I have branched out into additional genres and series. I often can be found immersed in a good simulation or RPG. For the Kingdom Hearts series alone I have purchased four gaming systems in order to play the series. With each game starting at $50 and a game platform typically over $100 the Kingdom Hearts series has been quite an expensive adventure. Each new release of my favorites means a very skimpy wallet.

My parents are Trekkies. I have grown up with my mom sewing costumes and my parents dressed as members of the starship Enterprise for Halloween. Thankfully I was under their guidance when I went to my first anime convention. That year I was dressed as Shuichi Shindo from Gravitation. Each year I have attended a convention I have done so in cosplay. My cosplay experience has been a positive one. I have gone from casual cosplay to the creation of my own costumes. All of the props, wigs, shoes, fabric and clothes add up. My most modest cosplay costume required approximately $70.00, while my most complex costume cost approximately $200.00. It is truly a wonderful but expensive pastime.

I spend a great amount time on my website and content. I want to make sure a click to my website is a positive experience for the people who visit.  I love the ability to update my website about my interests. To simply host my domain and website editor cost $126.00 annually. Additionally, I have purchased software and tools, such as a new digital camera, to provide higher quality photos and information. Is it worth it? Of course! I am proud to have an interactive database of my interests, updates, and oddities.  It is incredible how much I have personally grown over such a vast amount of time. My website allows me to connect with others with similar interests, which truly is an awesome perk!

What expensive hobbies do you have in addition to Lolita fashion? Post your comments below!

Stay Frilly,