Lolita Blog Carnival: Plan Your Ideal Holiday Trip to Tokyo for Frills

In this post, I will describe my ideal Lolita holiday to Tokyo. I would like to go to Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Disney Sea. As with the hotel, it would need to have a wardrobe that will store two Lolita outfits because I would like to go to a brand event. Also, there would be a travel companion for peace of mind when out in Harajuku wearing Lolita and also to take photos. Below is a list of things I would like to do in Tokyo.

Ideal spending money: at least enough for 1-2 Lolita pieces (skirt, JSK, OP) and other things

 

Anywhere

 

- Eat at Mister Donut and Mosburger (Mister Donut has unique donuts and the rice burger at Mosburger is delicious)

 

 

Above: What I ate at Mister Donut Ikebukuro. I wish Pon de Ring donuts were available in Australia.

 





Shibuya

 

 

- Get breakfast at Krispy Kreme, ideally get a Japan only and/or a seasonal donut.

 

- Go to 109 and browse the shops (especially the sock/stocking stores, KOKOkim, Ruby Rose and Club KT (Hello Kitty store)

Above: Shibuya 109 at night during Christmas.

 

-Walk around Shibuya and play at random game centres

- Go to the Disney store

- Take a photo with Hachiko

Above: Photo of Hachiko. Note to self: next time in Tokyo, ask someone to take a photo of me with Hachiko or buy a selfie stick.

 

Harajuku

 

-Wear Lolita

 

- Go to Takeshita street, shop at Bodyline (caution: can't try anything on and no refunds. In other words, do not buy anything there if you are unsure if it will fit), go to Daiso (huge one on Takeshita street) and shop at Closet child (hard to find unless you look up)

 

Above: Takeshita street sign. It's amazing that it can combine a TV like screen with balloons.

 

 

-Take Purikura

 

- Eat at Santa Monica crepe on Takeshita street (as long as it's stuffed, any crepe may be good)

 

- Walk around the backstreets of Harajuku

 

- Go to 6% DokiDoki (seems to like foriegners)

 

- Go to Laforet and browse all floors

 

- Visit Meiji shrine and Yoyogi park (I have been to Meiji shrine but not Yoyogi park)

 

 

Ikebukuro

 

 

- Go to Sunshine City alpha and look around

 

- Eat at the Sunshine City "restaurant floor" and choose a restaurant based on what I feel like on the day

 

- Eat at the Milky Way café

 

- Go to Closet child

 

- Walk around Ikebukuro and play at random game centers

 

 

Shinjuku

 

 

- Go to closet child (would go to all three shops as they won't have the same stock)





 

- Shop at Marui Annex and maybe Marui One

 

- As long as I have a map/ smartphone with one or two map apps, get out of Shinjuku station at a random exit and walk around

 

- Take advantage of the free observation desks at the Tokyo Government Metropolitan building



 

Disney Sea



- Spend 1 or 2 days there

 

- Buy Duffy and/or Shelley Mae on the first day

 

 

Brand event

 

- Ideally plan a coord before Tokyo and adding on in Tokyo in order to reduce stress

 

 

 







Link to Lolita Blog Carnival

 

Other blogs participating

 

McDuff's Auditorium

Candied Dreams

Alice in Lolitaland

Courtly Dreams For Burgher

The Bloody Tea Party

The Wonderful World of Minnie

 

 

 



 

 

 



Lolita Blog Carnival: Your Process For Putting A Coord Together

It's been over a year since I have done a Lolita Blog Carnival post. However, I am doing another one about how I put a coord together. I will describe my basic principles and use my first Cream Cookie Collection coord as an example.

Above: Cream Cookie Collection coord from December 2014. (original post link).

Look at the colours on the main item

First, I would look at the colours of the main item, taking into account if the colours are pastel, bright, dark etc. as well as the actual colours (i.e. black, red, pink). For example, with my Cream Cookie Collection JSK, the main colour is Sax with other featured colours being pink, brown and white/cream. As the JSK was pastel, I chose a light pink bolero to wear over it (the bolero is peeking out from the fur coat). This also affected my choice to buy the cream Shy Bear necklace as most of the JSK was pastel/light.

Consider motifs

Next, I would look at the motifs on the main item and choose the other items based on the motifs. If the print had no motifs, I would think about motifs that would work with the main item. For example, the ribbon barrette was chosen to go with the ribbon grid on the JSK and the biscuit earrings (may be hard to see on the photo) were chosen to go with the main motif of the JSK. If it was an item without motifs, I would choose one or two motifs for the other items but not overwhelm the coord with excess motifs.

Consider the venue/season

Finally, I would consider the venue as well as the season for the coord. For example, I also chose the bolero for the coord as the venue for the AP event would probably be heated (as with most places in Japan during winter). If I had more time to prepare/AP released a head accessory other than the Cream Cookie Collection barrette), I would have chosen other items in order to be better presented for the event/venue. However, I aimed to get an AP JSK for the event due to it being run by Angelic Pretty but did have a backup from an indie brand (Infanta's Creamy Cat JSK). Also, if it was spring/summer, I would have worn socks instead of tights.

The points I have mentioned above describe how I would put a coord together. I did use a similar process for my last coord, which was for a local meet up (At the moment, I am not considering posting anything from local meet ups).

Link to LBC

 

Other Blogs participating

Vanilla Bear

My Little Gothic Bubble

Lolita Blog Carnival: Create A Coord And A Menu For A Lolita Picnic

If I had to plan a Lolita picnic, what would my outfit be and what menu would I choose?

First, my ideal outfit would consist of Angelic Pretty's Berry Garden shirring OP, which I think would suit the season I would be thinking of hosting a picnic in, which is spring. The combination of daisies and strawberries definitely suit the season. I would coordinate it with a pair of OTKs or ankle socks, depending on the weather and would wear my replica tea parties with them. I would also think about wearing strawberry and/or flower accessories with the OP. Depending on the weather, I would consider wearing a cardigan over the dress or just layer a blouse underneath. Another thing to note about AP's Berry Garden OP is that it is one of the few Angelic Pretty OPs that have full shirring.

As for the menu, I would be doing a two course menu consisting of  Paleo Inside-Out Bread, a green salad and a pasta/rice salad. I first found Inside Out Bread on Sarah Wilson's blog and I would like to make it one day with a few substitutions, even though I am not Paleo (but I am a Pescetarian). This is because it sounds like an instant sandwich. For the picnic, I would do a vegetarian version as well as the original recipe. As a drink, I would serve one or two types of iced tea and water.

Above: A picture of Paleo Inside Out Bread sliced.
Below: The same loaf unsliced. (Both pictures from One Hand in The Cookie Jar).

For dessert, I would make chocolate chip biscuits because they would be easy to carry and make as well as being something that would be well liked even if the Inside Out Bread is barely touched. If I wanted to, I would also consider another biscuit to make.



Above: Chocolate chip biscuits. Just because they are simple and well liked, it does not mean that I can't change the basic concept around to make something more unique for the picnic. Source: Wikipedia.

 

I know the menu sounds simple but for a picnic, you don't want to carry a lot and I feel that this would be sufficient.

 



 Lolita Blog Carnival Facebook page

 

Other blogs participating

 

A Heart's Sound

Bits and Pieces of a Lolita

Classical Doll
Whimsical Adventures of Me
The Electric Carousel
 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Lolita Blog Carnival: Romantic Coordinate Ideas

For Valentine's Day, I decided to base my coordinate ideas around three JSKs containing motifs common to Valentine's Day: flowers, chocolate and candles. Each of the following coordinates are based on three types of romantic outfits: dreamy romantic, elegant romantic and vintage romantic.

First, APs Sugar Pansy is an elegant print that could be paired with lace tights, a flower hair accessory and some pearls to make an elegant coordinate. To cover up bare arms, a shawl or a delicate bolero could be used with a pair of simple Lolita shoes that are in a pastel colour to finish the outfit. The hair would be done in a curly style that is simple and innocent.

 Next, AP's Radiant Candlelight could be used to create a coordinate that could be worn to a nice restaurant even though it would be eye catching. For this, the arms would not be covered and there would be no necklace due to the pearls. Gold/faux gold jewellery would go well with this JSK as well as a pair of flesh coloured/dark tights with a pair of elegant shoes. For the hair, I would choose an elegant updo with a small but classy hairclip if needed.

For the last JSK, Excentrique's Chocolate Box, I would create an outfit based on its vintage feel. First, I would place an off white vintage or vintage inspired blouse under it, then find some vintage accessories including an old fashioned hat that would go well with a bun. For the lower part of the body, I would find some lace tights and choose a pair of Classic Lolita shoes.

Note: All pictures are from Hello Lace and Lolibrary.

 

Lolita Blog Carnival

 

Other Blogs Participating

 

Under the Parasol

New Vogue Children

Pretty Little Habits

Northern Star

Sweet and Simple

Beyond Kawaii

Whimsical Adventures of Me
Breidholt
Lolita Glamour
Daily Fuckery
 Vanillas Traumfabrik
Her Lumpiness
Hello Batty
Lady Atropa




 

 

 

 

 

 

Lolita Blog Carnival: Decorating Your Lolita Inspired Holiday Party

I can't believe it's less than a month until Christmas. The start of the silly season.

If I had to organise a Lolita themed Christmas party, I would first decorate the tree with various decorations such as pink, purple and silver baubles; tree lights and a few Nutcracker/ballet inspired decorations. Also, the tree would be white instead of green. On top of the tree, I would place a star. Below the tree would be fake presents that are wrapped with paper that is printed with various Lolita prints.

Above: A white Christmas tree as an example to the one I would be using.
Below: Pink decorations that may be used on the tree.

With the "presents", the featured prints would be a mix of the main substyles (Sweet, Classic and Gothic). Also, within the presents would be the party bags for each of the guests. However, those bags would actually be boxes and would contain a pair of knee high socks as well as anklets for the coming Australian summer as well as some lollies that are nicely wrapped/from a lolly shop.

The table would have an elegant but festive tablecloth with fancy serving plates. One of those plates would contain any Lolita/Loliable jewellery that I own (At the moment, I only have Loliable ones though). Next to that would be a bowl with lollies in it. As the centrepiece, there would be some flowers in a vase with Christmas crackers standing up around it.

Above: Not exactly Lolita, but is an elegant Christmas design that could be incorporated into a Lolita Christmas party.

 

For the lighting, I would use fairy lights as well as candles instead of normal lighting in order to bring out a Victorian yet modern atmosphere (something that could describe Lolita in a way).
But at some point, the normal lighting would go on if any of the Lolitas wanted to take pictures under ordinary lighting.

Finally, I would do something loosely based on an article that was advertised on the front cover of an issue of GLB. The cover said  "Doitsu no kurimasu" (in katakana, obviously. I also do not vouch for complete accuracy here). This means "(A) German Christmas" in English. Instead of German traditions, I would use a few Finnish traditions instead. For example, I would serve Gingerbread biscuits following a recipe based on how my late great-grandmother used to make them. They would be shaped on various Lolita motifs (think bows, cute animals, flowers etc.). Another delicacy I would serve would be pulla (for an idea of it/recipe, click here).

Link to LBC facebook page

Other blogs participating

The Cute Lifestyle

 Hello Batty

 

 

 



Lolita Blog Carnival: My Favourite Print Theme in Lolita

 In Lolita, I have two favourite print themes: cute animals and sweets. If I think about it, all of my dream dresses have one or both of those themes. Even my latest dream dress, Promenade de Paris has these in the form of a poodle and a patisserie in the background as well as a lolly shop.



Above: Angelic Pretty's Promenade de Paris print. There are plenty of lolly shops and patisseries present but the adorable poodle does play a minor role here.



Above: AP's Dreaming of Macarons OP. I wish I could show the picture that made be fall in love with the print though but close enough (the original picture had the mint colourway).

What do I like about these two themes? I'm just a sucker for anything cute and really enjoy sweets. Actually, my first dream dress, Dreaming of Macarons fits under this theme even though I had never tasted nor knew what a macaron is at that point (I've had plenty of them now). However, what got my attention was the cakes that were present at the bottom of the OP. That was around five years ago before macarons became popular in Australia.

Recently, I saw Infanta's creamy cat print while looking for what to buy on my first Taobao shop. Because it combines both of my favourite print themes together, I wanted it as soon as I saw it. I just hope it hasn't sold out yet.

Above: Infanta's Creamy Cat. This is the first (and only) print from an indie brand that is on my dream dress list. Cats and dessert=super nice.

Speaking of sweets, AP's not yet released print, Donut Holiday, looks really good too. I have never seen donuts in a Lolita print before but only time will tell how it goes.

Above: AP's Donut Holiday. I wonder when AP is going to announce the release date of this print.

 

Above: Not Lolita related, but I could not help but think of Homer Simpson when I saw Donut Holiday. Sweet prints...mmm. (My words: Cute animals...awwww.)


https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-e.ak/hphotos-ak-frc1/581410_3690648225658_1684158216_n.jpg

Other blogs participating

Under the parasol
Smithsonian
Lace a la Mode
Daily Fuckery
The Cute Lifestyle
Pretty Little Habits
Lolita Glamour
Le Boudoir
Hello Batty
Starry-eyed Lolita



 

Lolita Blog Carnival: Favourite brand

My favourite Lolita brand is Angelic Pretty because it uses both bright and pastel colours and is very girly as well as being OTT, sweet and classic-sweet.

Most of my favourite prints come from AP. For example, Dreaming of Macarons, Milky planet, Whimsical Vanilla Chan and Promenade de Paris to name a few. Speaking of prints, AP uses a lot of my two favourite motif categories: animals and sweets.

 

 Above: Marshmallow bunny and Whip Magic.

Also, I like the fact that the plastic jewellery that AP produces seem like cheap plastic toy jewellery at first glance, but when you look closer, you can see the craftsmanship and the quality of the plastic. Also, the designs are cute. The headwear AP produces also has similar attention to detail and is very unique.

Above: two examples of plastic accessories that include a few of my favourite things: ice cream, lollies, colour and glitter.

Finally, the signature AP shoe, Tea Parties, are my dream Lolita shoe. I love the ribbon on the end of the shoe as well as the scalloped edge. Also, the strap pattern is quite unique and the Japanese names for the colours remind me of sweets such as marshmallow, chocolate and strawberry milk (go check the Japanese AP online shop if you don't believe me). The only problem with buying Tea Parties is that they are expensive.

Above: Tea Parties in blue (Soda) and pink (Strawberry milk).


At the moment, I do not have anything by AP but when I do my first major Lolita shop, maybe I will find something secondhand. If there was an AP shop/stockist in Australia, I would definitely buy something, even an accessory.

Lolita blog carnival link

 Other blogs participating

Lolita Glamour
Geisha Baby
Snow Rose
F Yeah Lolita
Le Boudoir
Hello Batty
Tangled Lace
Pretty Little Habits