On Being Lolita: BUNNY BEAR SURPRISE

April 25, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 1 Comment

This is possibly the cutest postcard ever. I didn’t know BtSSB had illustrated their iconic bunny-bear.

I have a very firm belief that my family is utterly amazing. Anyone who has talked to me would confirm that I insist consistently that my family is the best. Even my complaints are prefaced with an aside or accompanied by a disclaimer. Even better–this is regularly proven to be true. Whether it’s pulling through in an emergency, going above and beyond the call of duty, or acting spontaneously with kindness, my family members display through their actions what wonderful people they are. ♥ (And if my mother ever starts reading my blog, I know she’ll be reaching for the tissues! n_~)

Last night my mother and stepfather surprised me with an invitation to dinner near MY house. They picked a restaurant and drove into the city to see me. It was very unexpected and really brightened my evening. My husband had left for the weekend, and I didn’t have any other plans. I didn’t arrive at the restaurant quite as fast as they did, not really realizing how far of a walk it was, but when I sat down at the table I noticed a massive pink bag filling the chair beside my mother.

With some grins and hinting comments, the bag was hefted over the table to me. When I peered inside, I saw the pink-eyed face of a white usakumya.

It’s a bunny bear all of my own!

I squealed!! ♥

I’m sure that with my previous post about usakumya (and, if you’re unfortunate enough to be subject to it, my constant pining for an usakumya and/or temporary kidnapping of the bunny-bears of others) it is at least somewhat established that I very-very-very-very-very much wanted one. However, since they’re out of stock on the website I thought I would have to wait until a new release–which was a bit disappointing because I really wanted my usakumya to match my little sister’s.

My luck in finding this fuzzy backpack on Yahoo!Japan auctions was…less than lucky. I’ve been keeping an eye out, but it’s not very easy with a specific release as the target. (Also, I didn’t want to pay an exorbitant amount, and with the current status of the exchange rate slight price increases would be magnified.) The bunny bear is very popular (for obvious reasons, I think), so there aren’t the easiest thing to find.

I love the adorable bear ears hiding under the bunny-eared hood~ They’re not very small–it’s a good thing that hood has enough room!

I learned that my mother decided she wanted to get one for me for my birthday, so she sent my stepfather to the BABY, the Stars Shine Bright store in Paris with specific instructions. He told me that was sure that he saw it in the window but brought a printed image to have the shopgirl to verify that it was the right one. There’s something so amusing about the fact that both my mother and stepfather have the Paris location memorized~ ♥

The best part of the story, in my opinion, was when he said the employee was ringing him up and he pulled out his punch card. She was very surprised! I’m sure it must have been such a hilarious moment–my stepfather looking somewhat out of place in the very small, very pink BtSSB shop…and holding the pink point card from his wallet!

I believe this is the largest size of usakumya–it’s definitely enormous! My stepfather said that it took up half of his suitcase~ ♥ I can’t even begin to express how much I appreciate the sacrifices made so that I could receive such a wonderful present!! I’m still almost in disbelief. It’s going to be so hard to resist the urge to take him to work with me~

I could not resist the urge to take pictures of Mallow being cuddled by the new plush. He’s so small compared to the big usakumya!

I absolutely adore everything about my wonderful usakumya! My birthday isn’t for months, so I’m very surprised that I received it so early, but my mother was afraid I would buy one myself. (She also has a very bad habit of hiding things so well that she doesn’t know where they are. I think that was a real threat, even to such a massive thing as this.)

I’m having a difficult time coming up with a good name for my usakumya. I want to pick something perfect! Mallow (who obviously had to meet the newcomer) was very easy to name, and his name is just perfect. I still haven’t made up my mind if this bunny bear is a boy or a girl, even! Most of my stuffed animals–and, honestly, most anything I assign a gender to–is a boy, so it’s likely that this will be a boy, but I’m just not sure. There’s also the issue of the name. This is one of the best kinds of indecision to be afflicted with! n_n

I’ve come up with some ideas, but I’m leaning towards Lait~ After all, usakumya is from Paris, so perhaps a French name is suitable. I want to pick something white, since it is white, and something food-ish, since Mallow is food-related. I’ve also thought of Cream, Milk, Chiffon, Cake, etc. Hmm… I know what will be on my mind for a while.

I absolutely had to get a picture of the bag holding the postcard with the picture of the bag. So much cuteness!

When I got home and sorted through the bag, I saw that a postcard of usakumya was included. (I’m considering collecting these Paris shop postcards!) It’s such a lovely touch! It was a bit bent at the bottom of the bag–I’m glad I noticed it. It would have been such a shame if it were just tossed out.

My mother also called to let me know that there were ribbons in the bag. Usually the staff at the shop tie the handles of the bag closed as part of the elaborate wrapping of your purchase, but my stepfather asked that they place the ribbons in the bag instead. The thought was that I might like them for my hair–and I certainly do~ I plan to put them on hair clips! I’m very thankful that I didn’t miss those. I should be more thorough about things like this~

I’m so happy and thrilled and amazed and complete overwhelmed! SQUEE!

On Being Lolita: Following the Rules

April 22, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Recently, Caro of F Yeah Lolita made a post about breaking lolita “rules.” The post closed with a call to action for other lolita to come clean about the rules they disregard on a regular basis. Generally, I’m a law-abiding wearer of lolita fashion; rarely do my coordinations do something extreme or non-traditional. This isn’t the result of a conscious decision–I’m just not that creative! I don’t think that there should be strictly-followed rules for the style, and I really admire the unique and beautiful coordinations that some lolita wear.

“Rules” seem to be a concept that a lot of girls new to lolita fashion get hung up on. Some embrace the idea of rules and follow them strictly, from exactly knee-length skirts to a certain type of behavior. Others rebel from the start, constantly trying to add new twists or reinterpreting the style, regardless of the criticisms of those who insist on conformity. There are even more people in the middle, unsure of how to put into words their opinion on lolita fashion rules. For a long time, that was where I sat.

I think that lolita often state or insist on rules because it is difficult to develop an eye for lolita. More important than following or not following rules, in my opinion, is cultivating the lolita aesthetic. When I look at a coordination, almost instantaneously I decide if it is or isn’t “lolita.” The decision isn’t the result of carefully weighing one element or another, but rather an overall subjective impression. Even then, I’m not a lolita diety who drifts down with a frilly parasol and ordains an outfit “good” or “bad;” it’s entirely my opinion. Rules are invented and insisted on as shortcuts or broad concepts to rely on before the development of the skill to recognize and replicate the style.

Common rules include “lolita MUST wear a petticoat.” Most lolita outfits involve a petticoat. Most skirts have a bell-shape, which requires a petticoat. However, it is very possible to create an outfit without a petticoat–either because the wearer prefers less “poof” or because the skirt is not bell-shaped. Several companies have released skirts that are longer, shorter, a-line, fishtail, close-fitting, and so forth–all items that can be part of a legitimate lolita fashion coordination, but not with a petticoat! For the beginner, however, the quick reference of “MUST were a petticoat” typically prevents an incomplete-looking outfit.

A more puzzling “rule” is the one that insists on a specific type of behavior for lolita. I tend to think that these are mostly derived from some of the writings of Takemoto Novala. He has written profusely on lolita fashion, and all of his writings espouse his particular definitive view of what a lolita ought to be. A snapshot of this is encompassed in Kamikaze Girls (original title Shimotsuma Monogatari), but Momoko isn’t a “perfect” lolita–she has numerous character flaws, which make it a really enjoyable story. However, Novala’s works, specifically those featured in articles for the Gothic & Lolita Bible, tend to feature sentiments such as “lolita should never wear glasses” or “lolita must speak a certain way.” It’s too bad that it is difficult to find translations of these works–if they were easier to access, it would be simpler to show these are the ideas of one creative man, not a doctrine that must be accepted by all lolita.

Part of the reason that I rarely “break lolita rules” is because I really love lolita fashion for its silly, frilly, layered, elaborate style. I wear knee socks because I think they’re awesome, not because it’s a rule. I wear blouses beneath my jumperskirts in almost all weather because otherwise they look baggy on me! (Not like cute sundresses, the way they can seem on others.) I don’t blend lolita fashion with another fashion because I’m not interested in another fashion. My outfits’ boring-ness is entirely related to my personal boring-ness. :3

I believe that lolita fashion is, ultimately, about enjoying oneself. If it’s a chore to dress up, with rules on every side, then why bother? I wear frills because it brightens my day and puts a spring in my step! If you’ve dressed yourself in a coordination that is 100% you and maybe 13% lolita, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re enjoying yourself. Should you call your style lolita fashion? Probably not, but even if you do it’s not the end of the world! I admire all those rule-breakers who show off their originality and creativity. ♥

Outfit Snap: White Blossoms

April 18, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

There is a definite level of redundancy with my outfits. My wardrobe is limited, without frequent turnover. When I buy something I get very attached to it, so I want to keep wearing it instead of selling it to buy something new. My white Angelic Pretty one-piece is probably one of the items I will never part with. It is basically my favourite dress and makes me want to own more white OPs.

I wore it this Friday because I knew I couldn’t wear lolita fashion to the bridal shower on Saturday. I spent the day with my best friend, who is not a lolita, so I tried to be a little bit more casual. (Although, honestly, she doesn’t care in the slightest. We’ve been friends too long to be embarrassed by the others’ appearance, no matter how frilly.) So I wore a zip-up sweater over my dress. One of these days I will get an Angelic Pretty parka for this purpose; I’m sure I would wear the thing to death in and out of lolita outfits.

I intended to have small bows in my hair, but the ones I tried to wear kept flipping and moving around. I caught my reflection in a shop window and thought, “Good heavens!” I absolutely had to take them out. I’m thinking about making some small white clips akin to the kind that match my red polka-dot jumperskirt. Those are always easy to wear. Instead, I stuck these bows on the pockets of my hoodie. I wish I could remember what these bows originally belonged to!

Charming Activities: Rosette Doll Spotlight

April 18, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I don’t really have too many hobbies, but one area I’m very interested in are ball-jointed dolls. I waste idle hours on Den of Angels, my go-to for boredom. Clicking from forum to forum I can enjoy beautiful photographs, ponder discussions as I read others’ responses, or follow a well-chronicled transaction gone wrong. Dolls tend to fit very well into a sweet lolita lifestyle stereotype, but I’m not quite at the level of intensity where they line my walls as depicted on the blogs of some Japanese lolita. (And I’m not quite sure that’s what I aspire towards, really.)

My first Pullip, Raphia. Her counterpart was a kurololi named Cornice.

My interest in dolls is directly related to my love of lolita fashion. My first doll was a Pullip, specifically Raphia. She was fluffy and white, swathed in lace, and her arrival was the push I needed to move from dreamy sighs at the BABY, the Stars Shine Bright website to owning and wearing lolita clothing. She’s no longer in my possession, but I fondly think back on her whenever I look at my current ball-jointed doll, although they bear no resemblance to each other.

These past few days I’ve been very focused on ball-jointed dolls, specifically everything Volks, as I am in a tizzy about attending the 2010’s Dolls’ Party in NYC 4. I know I’ll be bringing my Claire, a Volks MSD Nagisa in Preschool, but I’m still up in the air about what I might get there. I also want to wear lolita fashion, and dream about my doll dressed in something that “fits” with that image, but not necessarily a lolita outfit for her. (Although that would be cute!)

I love this picture of all of the Rosette girls in their school uniforms! It’s one of the wallpapers on the website, and was my background for many months.

Before I owned my current doll, my first doll was made by the SOOM subsidiary Rosette Doll. I was drawn to these dolls because they fit beautifully with some of the dreamy idealization of the Victorian era that I’ve had since childhood and was intensified by my love of lolita fashion. Most ball-jointed dolls are sold as an unfinished product–something that arrives without eyes, hair, painting, or clothes. They’re dressed for pictures, but intended to be altered to fit any desires of the customer. Rosette Doll is a little bit different–their dolls are all more or less “finished,” arriving with the eyes, wig, outfit, and face painting specified in the shop’s pictures. They are complete, but they still have potential for customization.

This was the image of Violet that made me fall in love with the doll. I always wanted to get a violin for my Claudia, but that remained a dream.

Rosette Doll has a theme carried throughout the website, the theme of a Victorian-era boarding school. The website is organized like a school, with information on the website detailing the imaginary class structure, school president, and schedule of holidays. The company posts beautiful “diary” stories of the students and encourages customers to register their dolls for class. Each doll arrives with an acceptance letter and a care guide disguised as a student handbook. The attention to detail is staggering.

They wear such beautiful outfits! These were the “Spring Term” limited editions.

Most of the dolls are not wearing clothing that would fit the definition of lolita, although some could be considered inspired or “almost.” Regardless, I think they very much fit with the lolita aesthetic. Beautiful fabrics, laces, and ruffles adorn the clothing in ways that aren’t completely historically accurate, but more of an interpretation of a fond reminiscence of that time in an idealized European boarding school.

The newest limited release, “Extracurricular Activities,” features more elaborate outfits and white-skinned dolls.

Honestly, I’ve never seen a company with a more “lolita” appeal. Even some of the fashion brand crossovers (which perhaps I’ll write about again) aren’t as strong if only because they’re single releases, while Rosette Doll has a steady stream and is continually developing along the same aesthetic. (They did release some modern-styled clothing, but even that had a frilly, ruffly inspiration.) I can’t help thinking that some of the outfits worn by the Rosette girls could be considered “sweet aristocrat!” Maybe that’s how I can dress when I’m too old for lolita fashion.

I can’t end this without sharing at least a few more pictures from the company’s website. They’ve taken so many beautiful photos!

♥

On Being Lolita: “I Do”–Do You?

April 15, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

As all of our pictures are very informal, I’m always caught in some kind of awkward pose.

With my bridal shower just around the corner (Which, for the record, I am really nervous about attending! So many relatives that I haven’t seen in years…), I’ve been thinking about my wedding. I eloped at the end of January, the intention and date kept a secret from everyone except my husband and best friend, and although there was no formal ceremony, I wore lolita fashion. Wearing lolita to my wedding was very important to me. The fashion has played a significant role in my life–most importantly, it has had a very positive effect on my well-being. When I’m in my lolita finery, I feel very happy to be myself–that was the mindset I wanted for a day as significant as my wedding day.

I am not really of the opinion that a wedding day is the “happiest” day of a girl’s life. I’d like to think that every tomorrow has the potential to be a “happiest” day–I aspire to live with increasing values on the happiness meter! However, marriage is a very meaningful step in one’s life. I am thankful every day for the man I can now call my husband, who loves and supports me in any situation. He has never opposed my hobbies or said hurtful things about my interests. With such a wonderful person by my side, I know that every day has unlimited potential!

Completely excited and intensely happy! ♥

If I had had a formal wedding, with guests and a schedule, wearing lolita fashion would not have been an option. My family would have protested every step of the way, regardless of who should be making the choice. Additionally, there was no way I could afford even a small wedding. Instead, we opted to secretly elope. Our families were horrified to hear that my husband wore jeans and a Slayer t-shirt–but that is exactly who he is, and if I can pick my frilly attire he should have equally free choice.

Wearing lolita fashion to one’s wedding is a personal choice that rests heavily on how much you identify with the fashion. Some girls are madly in love with the style, only to move on in a few years to something else. In a case like that, one might not want to look back on wedding photos in your frilly finest–a traditional wedding dress that is suited to your tastes might be a better choice. I knew I wouldn’t have any formal photographs and my interest in lolita fashion is very stable, so I wanted to wear something I would enjoy immensely.

When I look back on this, I almost wish my husband had thrown the horns or removed his jacket, but he didn’t want to chance offending anyone.

When my family saw some of the snapshots that were taken during our ceremony, even those who wished very much that I had a “real” wedding and worn a “real” dress sighed and said, “You know… it really looks like you. It’s absolutely you.” And that, of course, was the point! I didn’t want something poised and formal–I wanted us to be us, comfortable about being ourselves.

Although lolita dresses usually look very formal and frilly regardless of the season, once in a while a dress is released that has an even more elaborate design. These dresses are rarely printed, and usually involve lots of lace. When I made up my mind about what I intended to wear, I kept a close eye on the blogs, waiting for the next wave of wedding-esque dresses to be released. Angelic Pretty was the company to step up. BABY the Stars Shine Bright and Metamorphose had not-too-distantly released dresses they actually intended as wedding dresses, neither of which suited my fancy and both of which were very much out of my price range. When I saw the series my dress was a part of, I knew it was perfect for me!

If I hadn’t planned on getting married, I doubt I’d have had a good reason to own such a fancy dress. I probably would have just pined for it and resolved myself to less elaborate pieces in my wardrobe. I’d love to coordinate this again.

I still hope that someday I’ll have the opportunity to take more formal pictures of the two of us in the outfits we wore on our wedding day. It was very, very cold that day (being at the end of January in such a windy and snowy city) so we weren’t brave enough to try and get any pictures out of the courthouse. The mere thought of taking off my coat was unthinkable, especially in something without sleeves! Now that the weather is nicer and everything is starting to bloom, I dream of getting some nice pictures of us together in our wedding finery. ♥

Does anyone else plan to wear lolita fashion on their wedding day, or have you done it already? Or are you dreaming of a traditional dress–or something completely non-traditional but entirely perfect for you? I’d love to see an entire lolita-themed formal wedding, especially if it was tasteful and elegant, but that’s a dream faaaar too rich for my pocketbook, so I didn’t do more than briefly entertain the thought.

On Being Lolita: Come Back, Headdress!

April 14, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A pink and white headdress from Angelic Pretty–I’ve always thought the styrofoam head they used to model hair accessories was a bit creepy, but I suppose it could be worse!

When I first started wearing lolita fashion, the headdress was on its way out. Issues of the Gothic & Lolita Bible steadily featured more and more hairbows. That trend continued until now, when I look at Angelic Pretty‘s “headdress, katyusha, bonnet” page…there are no headdresses! (No bonnets, either, but those have always been released less-frequently.) There are two headdresses on the BABY, the Stars Shine Bright website…but they’re both sold out in all colors (except for the Rosaline Ribbon Headdress in red–too bad it wouldn’t match most of my wardrobe). At least Innocent World still has one–the Olivia Headdress.

Another headdress from Angelic Pretty, circa 2006.

This makes me feel nostalgic for the headdress. One of the reasons they became less popular in the English-speaking internet-based lolita community was due to the association with beginners and “bad lace.” In the early 2000s it was much harder to order anything from Japan because most brands didn’t ship overseas and shopping services weren’t common. The headdress was a first sewing project for many lolita-hopefuls~ This was usually made with whatever could be found from Mom or Grandma’s sewing basket and a spool of $1 lace from the craft store. Some girls created masterpieces, while other headdresses looked a far cry from the elegance of those atop models’ heads in the Gothic & Lolita Bible.

Regardless of the results, these headdresses were cherished and often-worn possessions. In fact, some of the earliest coordinations I had seen online relied solely on the headdress to classify the outfit as “gothic lolita.” I tried to make one, myself, but my inability to sew resulted in many disasters and ultimately nothing wearable. At the time it didn’t bother me too much because I preferred the hairbow. As the subsets of lolita style began to change, Angelic Pretty advertisements becoming more and more bright and eclectic while black and white “gothic lolita” faded in popularity, the headdress gave way to the hairbow.

Now I find myself missing the headdress. Although they were often worn with less-than-stellar outfits, nicely-made headdresses are very beautiful. A headdress was one of my first shopping service purchases–with pearls dangling from side bows and delicate lace edging the rounded rectangular shape. I don’t wear it often (it only matches one dress), but when I choose a hair accessory I’m reminded how pretty it is~ ♥

Personally, I still love hairbows, but I am fond of headdresses as well. The headdress is a very substantial accessory, and I find that it reminds me somewhat of a very tiny bonnet or a very wide hairband. When I first started wearing lolita fashion I avoided headdresses because my hairstyle didn’t have bangs, and headdresses tend to look odd if they are right up against your hairline. Now that I’ve changed my hairstyle, I want to wear more headdresses–but they’re not all that easy to find! I like that wearing one almost feels as though I have some kind of hat on, and it also tends to help keep my hairstyle in place.

I wish the headdress could have a revival. There is a design for every subset of lolita–narrow, sparsely decorated headdresses for classic; dark, luxurious fabrics with crucifix charms for gothic; brightly-coloured bejeweled and accessorized for deco-inspired sweet; and so forth! I’d be so happy to see a new ad in the Gothic & Lolita Bible with the models elaborate hairstyles dressed with a headdress~ ♥ I wonder if my daydream will come true; I’m never sure what will come next for the fashion.

Meetup Report: Tea at Chalkboard

April 13, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I will admit right away that this doesn’t actually count as a meetup report. I didn’t actually go to a meetup over the weekend–but I did spend a lot of time running around with my little sister, both of us in frills; enough time that I wanted to write about it. Particularly because we went to tea on Saturday and she prodded me to actually take some pictures there.

There are a lot of nice places to go for tea in the city. Most of the major hotels downtown have afternoon tea services in gorgeous settings–with a price tag that can be $40 or higher. As much as I enjoy indulgence (I do wear lolita fashion, after all.) sometimes it just isn’t realistic to spend so much for one person. I particularly love drinking tea, regardless of its association with the lolita stereotype, and am always hoping to find a nice place to relax and enjoy a few hours with tasty tea-time snacks and good conversation. The release of the new Alice in Wonderland movie has prompted a lot of focus on tea, and I’ve read reviews of teas and tea services in places I’d never spotted them previously.

After seeing the restaurant’s name several times, I decided to try Chalkboard. The price is very affordable in terms of afternoon tea–$19 per person for the service. We discovered upon arriving that it is best not to come too hungry, however, as the service includes two finger sandwiches, one flat scone, and four bite-sized desserts–a slightly smaller assortment than I’m accustomed to, although completely understandable for the price.

The sandwiches, one egg salad and one salmon, cucumber, and cream cheese, were certainly good but not astounding. The cranberry scone, which I can’t help thinking of as a “scookie” due to its flat nature, was very tasty–particularly with the strawberry preserves. The sweets consisted of a brownie, lavender cookie, yogurt-filled tart, and cookie dough eggroll. The cookie dough eggroll was my favourite, but so messy! Thank goodness for forks; it wouldn’t have been polite to scoop up fallen dough with my fingers, but I would have done it. The yogurt-filled tart was least impressive, as the blackberry topping it wasn’t sweet enough to stand up to the sourness of the yogurt.

My little sister ordered Upton Tea Co.‘s “Sweet Almond Green,” which was exceptional. It was smooth, without bitter notes, with almond bouquet and a slightly spicy cinnamon finish. I chose the “Honeybush Superior,” also Upton Tea. It had a light, slightly-woodsy taste and went very well with sugar.

The real star of our tea was the house-made pâté. My little sister spotted it on the dinner menu, and since I hadn’t eaten anything else that day the suggestion was irresistible. The pâté was chicken and duck liver…with bacon. It sounded good. It tasted fantastic. It isn’t typically a part of afternoon tea, but I have a weakness for well-made pâté, and the tea was a good accompaniment for it. It was served with toast squares and white beans, an onion relish, avocado, wholegrain mustard, and olives. We enjoyed it so much that I’m toying with the idea for returning someday for pâté and two pots of tea–as long as pâté is still on the menu, which changes frequently.

I think that Chalkboard would be a nice place for a meetup, especially now that I know what to expect. (And now that I know where it is and won’t get lost, as my directions there were not the best and we were saved only by my little sister’s magic phone of fanciness.) I enjoyed the atmosphere and the service–I can only wish it was closer to my house! …Okay, and I can also wish that afternoon tea included pâté. (Although I don’t think most of the other lolita in my area would share my wish!)

Outfit Snap: Red Friday and Twin Saturday

April 12, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

When Friday was finally here, I couldn’t help being excited! My weekend got off to a very wonderful start–I had a friend over for dinner on Thursday, and we made a strawberry salad, vegetable moussaka, and blueberry crumble while talking about ball-jointed dolls and lolita fashion~ Then my father called with an amazing surprise; altogether it seemed very fortuitous for my weekend.

Friday looked bright and sunny, but it wasn’t actually warm outside. (Tsk, tsk! You tricked me, sunshine!) I wore my red jumperskirt at my husband’s request, although we didn’t spend the day together; he was invited to see a friend, and I got a call from my little sister. She and I went to an art fair at her school, then got caramel cream puffs from Beard Papa. Caramel was the weekend special flavor, and it was very delicious~ ♥ We wandered back to her house, enjoyed the time together, and her father gave me a pair of combat boots! So awesome!

This jumperskirt always gives me a little bit of difficulty, because I don’t own much else that is red. I decided to pair it with my cherry socks, because I love those cherry socks, and my casual blouse with cherries on it. (To continue the theme.) I’d love a pair of cherry hair clips; they’d make a nice finishing touch. I wore very plain black mary janes–even though there wasn’t any other black in the outfit, my coat is black. White shoes tend to disappear into my socks with all the red as a focus elsewhere, and I’m not going to purchase red shoes just for this jumperskirt.

On Saturday I saw my little sister again, and this time we twinned. ♥ I really hope we have the opportunity to twin more frequently! I love it~ ♥ We got the most amusing stares as people passed by, realized we were dressed nearly identically, and started to wonder what was going on. We wore our Innocent World crown ribbon jumperskirts with long-sleeved blouses, matching BABY, the Stars Shine Bright cardigans, knee socks, and Angelic Pretty tea party shoes. I brought Mallow, my BtSSB bunny pochette, and she brought hers.

A gentleman on the bus caught our attention to ask if the crowns on our dresses had any significant meaning. When I said no, he proceeded to gives us a mini-lecture on the symbolism of open and closed crowns. It was very interesting, but very unexpected! Now I wonder if that sort of thing might happen again; it was much more entertaining than questions or jeers.

I realized that I own nail polish in the exact shade of the fabric on the crown ribbon jumperskirt, so I coordinated that with my outfit, as well. I even wore just a little bit of makeup, for fun! (Although my allergies made it not-quite-so-fun after a little while; I had to wash it off as soon as I got home.)

Overall, my weekend was really wonderful! I can only hope the rest will continue in this fashion~

Daily Life: What a Surprise!

April 11, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The other day, while having dinner with a friend I had invited over, my father called.

“Have you checked your email?” was the first thing I heard.
“No; I have a friend over.”
“You need to check your email.”
“Um, okay…”
“Check your email and call me back.”

I apologized to my guest, wishing that I had let the call go to voice mail, and turned on my pink netbook with the intent to check my email as quickly as possible. I couldn’t imagine why my father was calling me to have such a suspicious conversation, or what could be in my inbox to require immediate attention. When my account loaded and clicked on my newest message, I let out a squeal.

I’m going to Volks‘ Dolls Party in New York City!

I own a ball-jointed doll. I’m not very active or passionate about ball-jointed dolls as a hobby, but I enjoy my doll and keep an eye on doll-related things. My doll is from Volks, so I often browse the Volks USA website. Several months ago I had heard whisperings and speculation about a US Dolls’ Party. A “Dolls’ Party” is rather like a mini-convention hosted by this company particularly for their customers/fans and limited to their products. This event was canceled in 2009 due to concerns about swine flu, but it seemed as though it was likely to happen in 2010. When this was confirmed and the date was announced, I wanted to go.

My father often has business in New York, so I had emailed him last week to see if he would be in town on June 19 and 20–hoping, of course, to stay at his hotel room and avoid paying for one of my own. Getting a plane ticket would be another issue, but I could save quite a bit by avoiding hotel costs. His response–hence the cryptic phone call–was that I had been booked a hotel room and plane ticket!

Little Alice is one of the limited items for the event! (The limited items are Alice in Wonderland themed, with Alice, Lorina, and the White Rabbit.) She has such a sweet face.

Now I’m so excited I barely know what to do with myself! I want to get the most out of the event, but I my doll doesn’t need a visit to the Dolly Doctor (Beauty Salon) and it’s very unlikely that I’ll buy another doll. I’m determined to take the workshop, but I’m not sure if or which school head I should buy. There are so many choices~ I can’t wait to see more information released on the website.

I’m planning my attire as well, because obviously I want to wear lolita fashion the entire time! ♥ I can’t think of a better choice, really. If only they made Alice or Lorina’s dress in MSD size, so my Claire could be dressed in a similar fashion~ I can’t wait to see what it’s like! I need to make up my mind and get my registration in order.

I wonder if any other lolita are attending this event~ ♥

On Being Lolita: Rainy Day Gear

April 11, 2010May 19, 2015 by alice ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

April, for me, indicates the rainy season. Actually, it rains a lot where I live, but I always think on the adage of “April showers bring May flowers~” and expect a little bit extra rain for this month. Rain can be a bit dangerous in terms of wearing lolita fashion, particularly because not all garments are easily laundered, some fabrics can get water stained, and (most terrible) not all prints are color fast. I can’t even imagine the horror of being caught in a sudden downpour and seeing the print on your beloved outfit start to bleed! ;;

Even with that in mind, I don’t let rain keep me from dressing up in April; I plan my outfits and accessories with potential showers in mind. (This is a bit of an expansion on post from last year: Downpour Dollies. It should be obvious that I love rainy weather!)

Cute Rain Boots
Cute rain boots are my favourite wet-weather item! Mine are a sugary-pink with raspberry-pink bunnies printed across them. I bought them on a very, very wet day from the sales display of a department store sleepwear section. (Yes, sleepwear section. I don’t usually wear rain boots as pyjamas, but apparently others do?) In my opinion, there is nothing more rewarding than dry and warm feet on a wet day.

Spring is usually a good time to find rain boots, although sometimes before the rainy season there is more variety. Keep an eye out in local stores–I know that Target has carried a variety of patterns and styles, depending on the store, but sometimes they’ll pop up where you didn’t quite expect them–like the sleepwear section of a department store. n~ Dav Rain makes some really amazing-looking boots, which can be found online or in stores. I like their Victorian style with the lace-up detailing on the back~ (And in pink leopard print, too!)

Unfortunately, my boots are a little bit too big for my tiny feet. My feet slide around inside the boots, giving me blisters. Usually this could be fixed with an insole, but the boot is a little bit too big even for that. However, lately it has been easy to find boot liners! Boot liners look like very large polar-fleece knee socks. They slide into rain boots to provide extra warmth and comfort. They’re very good for extra cushioning! They come in many different colours, but I’m sure that they wouldn’t be terribly hard to make, either. It would certainly be nice to have a lot of them in different patterns~ ♥

It’s important to make sure that rain boots are tall enough to provide adequate protection. Even though I would get a better fit by finding children’s rain boots, my legs are much longer than those of little kids. (But if they weren’t I’d LOVE these mary jane rain boots! So adorable!) If your boots aren’t tall enough, you have to beware deceptively deep puddles–and splashes of murky water might stain your socks. If you have a pair of pristine, much-adored socks, it’s perhaps best not to wear them in really rainy weather. The water that splashes from cars passing in the street is filthy and sometimes can leave stains from tar residue and oils. Those spots can be very, very difficult to remove! Taller rain boots provide better sock protection.

Combination Umbrella & Parasol
Parasols are perfect for shade, but they’re also an adorable and iconic lolita accessory. Many brands sell double-duty parasols that are waterproof, allowing them to be used in the rain. It’s also not terribly hard to find cute umbrellas that can provide parasol shade on sunnier days. Having the combined features in one item makes spring days outdoors a lot easier to bear–I know that sometimes it’s bright and sunny, then the clouds roll in with hardly a moment’s notice. A waterproof parasol or cute umbrella will transition from shading to shielding instantly!

I have a few waterproof parasols and a few cute umbrellas. I like to try and match them to what I’m wearing, but I also like to match them to the weather! If I think it will be rainier than sunny, I bring the cute umbrella. If I think it will be sunnier than rainy, I bring the waterproof parasol.

The most important things to keep in mind about waterproof parasols are:

Any print or decoration may not be colorfast–do not close a wet parasol! Let it dry fully-opened, dabbing raindrops off the print first. Metamorphose metallic-printed parasols are particularly susceptible to print smears!
Rusting can also be prevented by letting a parasol dry fully-opened. Oftentimes the metal used may have a tendency to rust; giving it an opportunity to dry is a good preventative measure.
Beware the wind! The frames of parasols are not very strong, because they aren’t designed with windy conditions in mind. A strong gust of wind can snap a thin umbrella frame, so if you know it will be windy or experience that it is very windy, you may wish to save your parasol and opt for a sturdier umbrella.

Waterproof Purse
Totebags can be very handy, but not on a wet day! The fabric soaks up raindrops, dampening anything you were carrying inside. The open top also provides easy access for water to get inside and all over your items. If the things in your bag are waterproof, that’s generally not a problem, but if you have papers or electronics they need more protection.

A handbag made of vinyl or leather, with a top that zips or a flap that covers, is best for keeping the contents dry. It’s also generally a good idea to keep a plastic shopping bag with you when you know the weather will be inclement, so you have some extra water protection for anything you might not have expected to carry. Sometimes I put my most delicate items in a plastic bag inside of another bag that is water-resistant–just in case some rain sneaks in.

Choose Your Outfit Wisely
If the skies are gray, you might want to take it into consideration before dolling up in your photoshoot finest. Certain fabrics, such as silk and velvet, are stained by water. Some prints are not colourfast. You could try to test in an unnoticed area or ask around to see if your favourite printed skirt will survive a sprinkling of rain, or air on the side of caution and save it for a not-threatened-by-rain or staying-inside or sparkly-ideal-lolita-wearing-weather day. ★

Rainy and windy days are also generally bad days for elaborate hair styles or non-waterproof makeup. Certain metals used for costume jewelry might leave residue or staining if they come in contact with damp fabric, so use caution. It’s really not much different to wear lolita clothing on a rainy day, but a brief moment of consideration with a healthy dose of common sense goes a long way!

Emergency Rain Poncho
They have yet to make a raincoat that will accommodate a petticoat. I wish they would. I was very excited to see Angelic Pretty’s trenchcoat, but I don’t think it’s actually waterproof. I dream of a raincoat made of clear vinyl and suited to the contours of a lolita silhouette, where one’s outfit could still be seen but protected from the elements. I keep thinking that maybe Metamorphose will make that dream come true, but so far I’ve had no luck.

However, if you’re wearing Sugary Carnival and stuck in a torrential downpour, an inexpensive poncho could come in handy. If a meetup is planned on a day with a decent chance of rain, it might be worthwhile to spend a few dollars at the drugstore and stash a vinyl poncho in the bottom of your purse. It isn’t very fashionable, but it will provide coverage for water-sensitive designs.

I still hope that one day Metamorphose will make me proud and release a raincoat that will fit nicely over bell-shaped petticoat-fluffed skirts. As unlikely as it may be, it’s far more probable than me ever learning to sew and making it myself.

Although it would take an entire downpour to let some rain keep me from dressing up! ☂

Pink ♥ Milk ♥ Tea

May I interest you in one lump or two?