I went for a walk this afternoon and it is freezing here in France!
(I call this outfit the Sugar Plum Fairy)
I really enjoy wearing turtlenecks with my JSKs, it keeps me warm and snugly and I love the look, ever since watching Deka Wanko in her adorable outfits!
As a fashion, lolita is relatively slow paced, and very structured. Compared to mainstream where every season sees new styles, we only saw a few major evolutions, especially since it is only about two decades old, like the end of the maxi pad headdresses, the start of OTT sweet... A few trends come and go but they tend to repeat themselves and revolve around the same themes (animals, flowers...). So we each need to find inspiration to create our own individual style, by looking at each other, thrifting, looking at other fashions...
The way I do this is with my inspiration book (since I call it that way, it was perfect for this week's theme). In it, I compile all of the things I like and which inspire me as a lolita.
It's also my place to go when I'm down and lacking pink in my life!
I chose this cute diary I had and I stick into it, in a carefully planned mess, clothes tags, photos of lolita models, magazine cut outs, photos of other lolitas, cupcakes, lolita related art, stickers, purikura, and so much more! I also divided it into sections for sweet, classic and gothic, so I can look at whatever style I want and have the pictures together.
It's really exciting to be participating in the Lolita Blog Carnival for the first time, and this subject is one I particularly appreciate, as you will know if you have read my previous posts!
Here is the chance for me to add to the growing number of lolita tracks that I already suggested. It also encouraged me to forage for songs new to myself!
I chose to share my gothic lolita playlist to keep in sync with the recent celebrations, and because I already touched upon the sweet side of life.
Voltaire -Death Death ... Song and Happy Birthday
I love Voltaire and how he seems to be a very approachable artist, never full of himself. He really works on making the goth community understood by mainsteam and his songs reflect the conflicts that often arise between mainsteam and subcultures in a humorous way. He also makes amazing stop motion animation with Danny Elfman. And he has amazing style. Wait... Could he be the perfect man? I am always rolling on the floor when I listen to the first song, there is nothing like a bit of self-mockery! The second song has officially become my birthday hymn, completely replacing that awful little ditty traditionally sung. The whole local lolita community gathered to make the video and it all looks like so much fun!
Kerli - Walking on Air
I already mentioned that I really loke Kerli's style, and this song and the PV are perfectly, well... creepy.
Maximum the Hormone -Rock'n'roll Chainsaw
I can't begin to describe how much I like this band! The fact that all the musicians sing, the contrast between the cutesy childish tunes and the metal, the outrageaous lyrics... They make great music!The AMV with Dead Karl is just a personal favorite... They were just made for each other.
Obsidian Shell - Fear
Porcelain Black - This is What Rock'n'roll Looks Like
Porcelain Black's voice is incredible; she has such a wide range! And I love how she keeps it rough and doesn't try to make it like most of what you hear in this kind of music at the moment. I also love the split hair, the style, the whole aesthetic! She also has interesting things to say about her music and about being different.
Marilyn Manson - mOBSCENE
Couldn't not mention him, especially with the recent album!
Rasputina - Transylvanian Concubine
In case I hadn't made it clear I love cellos... Rasputina's music is indescribable and somehow just perfect.
Rob Zombie - Living Dead Girl
Hugo - 99 Problems
I like the rythm there!
LM.C - Bell the Cat
I think this is the first song I heard from LM.C; or maybe it was John. In any case, I fell madly in love with this band, and went to see their concert in Paris. Definitely one of my best memories! Their music is so cute and makes me really happy!
Nightwish - The Wishmaster
The sound from Nightwish is incomparable to anything, and I must say that to me Tarja was the one who created that difference, so eber since she left, I just repeat the old albums over and over.
Hayley Westenra - Dark Waltz
Hayley Westenra's voice sounds so pure and the song so soothing, it has to be on my playlist!
McFly - Transylvania
I find this song so much fun! The video has been taken down from Youtube, sadly, but it had some great crossdressing and costumes going on!
My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade
Wow, special love for the costumes there.I love the skeleton effect on the jackets and the makeup!
Aural Vampire - Darkwave Surfer
Exo-chika really rocks her fangs and pulls off the greatest vamp style ever! I love the mix of ero/aristocrat and electronic music.
Shiny Toy Guns - Ghost Town & Nightmare Before Christmas
Head banging, burning zombies? I approve! Nightmare Before Chrismas reprise? More of this, please!
Diablo Swing Orchestra - Balrog Boogie
So maybe some of my playlist relies more on the videos that really good music, but this is different. What other band would mix cellos, didgeridoos, epic guitar rifs, and opera singing? I rest my case.
I almost forgot this one, though:
Yes, it is on my playlist. And our choir is putting on for a concert in November!
I hope you will have found at least one track to add to your own playlist and I can't wait to read and listen to what all the lovely frilly bloggers will have posted!
Yay, the day has finally come! Halloween is officially my favorite
time of the year, even though for once I didn't have time to prepare
properly due to various setbacks. We did have an awesome photoshoot with
a few friends dating back to that sneak peek.
First though, I would like to share what I think makes the best Halloween celebration!
1. Pumpkins
2. Pie! (and cupcakes)
3. Cats
4. Bats
Do I admit to buying this cupcake just for the ring adorning it? Yes! Doesn't it just remind you of Angelic Pretty's plastic jewellery from a little while back?
Time to reveal them
photos!
Outfit rundown:
Leanne:
Skirt: Tammy
Blouse: H&M
Bra: Avon
Shoes: TVA
Socks and tights: Primarck
Arm warmers: Claire's
Miss Milly:
Skirt and bow: Handmade
Turtleneck: Camaieu
Shoes: Gothic Lolita & Punk
Socks: The Sock Shop
I'm having dinner at a friend's tonight, and wearing my flying hamster kirigumi with creepy cute beneath!
(This is just the way I did my nails.) I don't know if I'll have any outfit shots though...
And the best thing happened when I got home from campus: I received my Baby order! I'm so excited to open it! I'll post the pictures of my order next time!
And all that's left is to wish you the merriest, spookiest, Halloween!
Here's just a teeny purposefully (yes, yes!) low-quality sneak peek at today's amazing phtoshoot! The team was such fun to work with and incredibly good, and so many things to say, but that will wait! ;)
I'm always on the lookout for new ideas on how to make practical yet cute additions to my room and bathroom, so I'm sharing with you a few ways I devised to keep myself organised.
Hair Clip Displayer
Tired of sifting through your basket of headbows and clips? Add a loop of ribbon to a strip of fabric, hem the edges, and you have the perfect clip displayer! I eventually glued rectangles of clear, rigid plastic at the back because the weight of the clips deformed the fabric and it wouldn't hang straight. (No pictures because the glue made a very ugly mess indeed.) I also folded to fabric at one end to form a loop. I stuff my hair ribbons in there, and whatever can't be clipped to avoid having it all tangle up in a basket.
Bedside Table
This is my bedside table, improvised with a bit of wood, a bracket, a cute bias ribbon and ponpons for decoration! It ended up hostingmy collection of miniature plushies and can barely fit a book and my water bottle in the end though... Oh, and the fabulous artwork on the ceiling (no not the blue paint, please ignore my failed attempt at a fresco...), I mean the poster, is by amazing friend and artist Pany Vanh. Check his work out on DeviantArt! What he does is gorgeous ~
I'm planning to add more of these simple practical ideas to my room, so stay tuned!
I was delighted to find in my mail today (well, by now that was Monday), a package from Japan! It is my order of deco parts from Fullmoon. I was attracted by the competitive prices and most of all by the low shipping rates the owner, Yukie Campbell, applies. This is due to the fact that she sends the items through regular mail (though I think you can opt for a tracked delivery). So it is a bet as to whether you will receive everything in good shape but I read good reviews and decided to give it a try. My camera recently died on me and it was hard to leave the package unopened until I could take pictures, but I wanted to do this properly. On to the parcel!
My order: Rose Rhinestones 3mm 400pieces[RH30] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 White Pearl 3mm 80pieces[PE335] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 Cream White Pearl 4mm 40p[PE334] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 Light Pink Pearl 3mm 80pieces[PE335] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 Light Pink Love Heart 14mm 10pieces [Rh71] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 Light Pink Open Heart Pearl 11mm 20pieces[PE360] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 Silver Ear Wires earrings ear hooks 1 pair[PT034] US$0.50 x 1 US$0.50 Nail Drill for fake nails[OT008] US$5.00 x 1 US$5.00 Light Pink Rhinestones 3mm 400pieces[RH30] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 Chiffon Ribbon Pearl 45x50mm (Color: Pink)[MT106] US$0.50 x 1 US$0.50 Clear Rhinestones 4mm 300pieces[RH40] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 Rose Rhinestones 4mm 300pieces[RH40] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 iPhone Jack plug 5 pieces Clear[PT032] US$1.00 x 1 US$1.00 ♡♡♡Free Gift♡♡♡[1/Sep ~ 30/Sep] US$0.00 x 1 US$0.00 Choco Roll 8x26mm (Color: Brown)[PL946] US$0.50 x 1 US$0.50 Cute Ribbon 21x28mm[PL972] US$0.60 x 1 US$0.60 Giraffe 14x19mm (Color: Light Blue)[PL115] US$0.40 x 1 US$0.40 Cookies 18x25mm (Color: Pink)[PL965] US$0.60 x 1 US$0.60 Merchandise Total US$18.10 Shipping Cost Total US$5.00 Total US$23.10
I spy a blue giraffe, a pink cookie, a nail drill, pearl hearts, a hime bow, and oh so much glitter!
Packaging: 5/5
Yukie Campbell obviously knows her stuff because everything came wrapped in its own sealed plastic pack, within a larger bag, inside bubble wrap! It's a wonder anyone claimed that their parcels came empty from the packets opening in the enveloppe, because I can tell you nothing could slip out of this! I had been worried about those declarations, and about the parcel being lost or damaged, but I am glad to say none of that happened.
It came in this taped enveloppe through the mailbox (I'm glad it fit; getting mail myself is such a bother). You can see how safely it is all wrapped.
Shipping: 5/5
I was anxious at first about shipping through regular mail but I am now relieved. Besides getting my parcel in perfect condition, I didn't have to be in to sign a receipt or anything of the sort. Yukie also takes pictures of what she sends as proof in case of problems, so she's very professional about that. The cost of shipping was $5, which is a breeze compared to other shops that would have me pay $15! (Which, by the way, was more than the amount for the goods.) I ordered on the 16th, Yukie shipped on the following day and it arrived on the 1st, so it took about 15 days to reach me. I don't know how long mail should take to come from Japan, but this seems reasonable. (A postcard to Russia once took two months...)
Quality: 5/5
The stones are gorgeous and oh so shiny, I'm in love! The ribbon bow is strong (I tried pulling at it a little) though not exactly symmetrical, but the ribbon is sealed so that it won't fray. I have yet to try the nail drill but it looks sturdy -plus it's deco-able! That was definitely a good purchase. The cabochons are all good quality. The back of the cabochon bow has a tiny defect which I am noting only for the sake of accuracy but which doesn't affect the condition at all. I didn't even want to mention this at all, considering how satisfied I am with everything else!
I would have loved the lavender giraffe as well but it was out of stock. If it is ever restocked, I'll give my blue one a friend! The half-pearls are perfect; the earing hooks are for making my friend's present (but it's a secret...), and came with small wire loops which I didn't expect and will be very useful. the best part is to come: after scrolling through the whole list of items on the website, I found a present item which you can add for free to your basket! (apparently this a regular monthly feature.) It was a surprise what would be in it and it is a generous gift indeed! It came in the form of 5 little packets with red, yellow and pink half-pearls, 5 heart-shaped half-pearls, and green, jade-like half pearls. These last are beautiful and I will have to use them for a classic/antique look! In conclusion, I got a lot more than I bargained for, and I disregard the teeny defects to put a 5 for quality.
The amazing gift from Yukie! So sweet!
Communication:5/5
Although I didn't have any problems and did not have to contact her, Yukie sent me an email straight after I paid through Paypal to confirm my paiement and tell me she had shipped everything off. Her mails were very clear and pleasant; she writes to you personally and very sweetly. She also sent me coupons for my next purchase.
Conclusion: 5/5 (and I'm not exaggerating)
I will definitely purchase from Fullmoon again! Every aspect of it was satisfying and I felt I was dealing with someone serious and friendly. I don't even think I will try another service; I'm lucky to have found exactly what I was looking for on the first try.
I can't wait to get down to deco'ing now! Expect some photos soon!
