Impromptu birthday party

Today my family surprised me with an impromptu birthday party. I knew my grandmother, aunt, uncle and cousin were coming, but not that it would be to belatedly celebrate my birthday! The real date was quite a while ago, the 6th of May, for those who know, but I hadn't had a chance to be with my family for it, studying in the UK at the time. Luckily I had time to put the finishing touches to my latest OP after coming home from a morning run. It was really enjoyable, especially since I have been caught up in sewing since the start of the break and haven't paid many people any visit.

 

My new dress! It was a quick fix, so the construction details up close make me cringe,

 but I wanted to make this fast and wear it.This fabric was just so perfect for lolita, 

and I wanted more simple dress for summer. OP's don't require blouses so I really like them!

I received a parcel full of yummy sweets and Guerlain's La Petite Robe Noire for the occasion, so I wasn't expecting anything. However thanks to my parents I will enjoy a nice massage and they are in addition providing help towards my future, not-yet-planned trip to Japan. Well, now I may be going there sooner than expected, almost on a whim, as I am tired of always putting it back! And my brothers found an adorable portable USB fan and a jewellery stand  -cute and useful gifts for me; as well as a gorgeous vintage bag from my aunt and uncle.

 

The fan plugs into my computer and  cools both of us - my poor computer 

suffers even more than I in this heat!

Oh, and I did a bit more shopping and found a cute pair of shorts for the gym! More about that in a later post, though ;)

14 July and New Home!

Last weekend was our national holiday, the 14th July. I spent the time with family friends over in Normandie, a beautiful place. I prepared outfits but ended up not wearing them much because of going to the sea, running, and general heat!

The brooches  imade, inspired by AP's Biscuit series.

Following that, I visited my family's new house in the South of France, in Agen. Yes! I am moving, which is both extremely fun, and tiring. It is giving me a chance to sort through my wardrobe and closets, ridding them of unecessary items and updating what is in need of it.

 

The traveling lolita

I took the chance to take a few pictures in this very cute town! There is a lovely cupcake parlor which I feel will become my favorite hangout, vintage and antique shops just waiting to be explored, and a delicious Japanese restaurant I ate lucnh and dinner at on the same day!
My new room is also really cute, with an en suite bathroom just for me (well, that's not new, seeing as I...claimed the bathroom on my floor here already).

 

My new room - empty and perfect for pictures!

At the moment I also wear a style that is more casual than lolita, when it is too hot or I am very lazy. I mix in elements of fairy-kei, gyaru, and generally cute items.

Oops  ~ sleepy time!

Japan Expo, Lolita Convention, and Shopping

This year again I went to the Japan Expo in Paris. I love this convention as I get the chance to meet up with friends I otherwise rarely see, and this year I was determined to make new ones as well.

 It was my luck then that upon setting foot out of the train on Thursday, I ran into three lolitas, with whom I thereafter spent the day! Naomi, Becha, and Emmy are absolutely lovely girls, and one of them actually lives really close by! It's a shame I'll be moving soon, but I'll make sure to see her before that!
The day was spent roving the booths of indie designers, Japanese imports, and groups of photo-happy lolitas! We also listened to Sebastian Masuda's conference about Harajuku fashion, which was fascinating, and had the opportunity to take photos with him after that!
 It was my first encounter with the french lolita community as before I had never had the chance to patricipate in any organised event and it proved lovely!

The other two days, Friday and Sunday, I wore my Princess Cadence cosplay and debuted another one, which isn't entirely finished so I won't say much about this. Cadence though was great fun once again! I came across several other ponies and may have a photoshoot planned soon.

 In front of the MameshibaxKyary mascott with my best friend

 Posing with Sebastian Masuda. Argh, bad face...

The annual Lolita Convention followed right after and it was fantastic! I went there for the first time, since I had always been too tired after the Expo, not to mention shy. But meeting the community motivated me, and here as well I met wonderful people. The fashion show was the climax of the event, and I particularly liked Clara Maeda. A few notable people were there, including Minori whom I missed, sadly, as I had to leave early. But I met François Amoretti, author and illustrator, the wonderful team from Roccoco Daze, and of course saw my new friends. We had a very unexpected but insanely fun time shooting in a lauderette!
I got myself a pair of AP socks and a pair of tights at the second hand booth, but a lot of it was really tempting!


 This was such a fantastic four days which I had been looking forward to so much, and I'm happy to say that rather than feel lazy now that it is over, and I am all the more determined to work harder. So I made a lolita skirt and am started on a dress; I am also continuing my cosplay.
Today was fun as well, I went shopping and enjoyed it for the first time. My mom and I had a fun afternnon and I picked up two very cute dresses for a more gyaru/ kimokawa casual style, which is nice once in a while when lolita is too much of a bother!

François Amoretti's gorgeous and poetic book about lolita; 

my new handmade skirt and a dress in progress; and a roll of lace!

H&M starry dress; Cache-cache flowy mint gyaru-style dress (the color didn't turn out well)