*Angelic Pretty* Royal Creamy Chocolate [HD photos]

[ Lolibrary Link ]

Angelic Pretty is the supreme creator of chocolate themed prints; they never seem to run out of ideas and while certain motifs get reused they can still feel fresh! Despite Royal Creamy Chocolate having a lot of Angelic Pretty's signature designs (chocolate blocks, carousel ponies, etc) it still is a uniquely cute dress! The low neck design and simplicity of trims and laces help offset the large dress consuming print.
Despite being monochromatic the print is extremely detailed with many fine details that are lovely up close. The dress is eye catching yet simple and can be dressed up sweet or with a classic twist.

JSK stats:

Bust: 34.6~39in (88~100cm)
Waist: 26.7~30.7in  (68~78cm)
Length: 33in + 1in of lace  (84cm + 3cm of lace)

WARNING: EXTREMELY IMAGE HEAVY POST
Full review to come later~

[Bodyline Review] Cut-out Lolita Boots (S506)

Cut-out Lolita Boots [link]
S506
("dbrw" aka dark brown)

Heel height: 2.3in (6cm)
Total height from heel: 11in (28cm)
Front platform: 0.6in (1.5cm)


When Bodyline first released photos into their "new" section on their Rakuten site these were instantly popular. The style was cute, unique, and very detailed for a pair of Bodyline shoes. I knew that I wanted to try them out as soon as I could buy them. They were super cute! I had been wanting to purchase a pair of lolita boots that were no the usually knee-high-with-a-couple-of-bows style many "lolita" boots tend to be, I was even pondering ordering some of the wedge-heeled ones (though I wasn't totally in love with them) so these dropped at the perfect time for me!

I ordered these on the 9th of February via AIR mail through Bodyline and received them on the 26th. The tracking actually said the package was still in customs on the 27th lol. So I'm starting to wonder just how accurate tracking can be. So long as my stuff even makes it into US customs I'm pretty happy ^^;;

Now onto the actual boots!
(*Note* I had to leave the tissue and foam supports in these boots to take photos of them due to how soft the material is.)

[Taobao Review] MichikoCat Magic Book Purse (red/blue/natural)

(Upon checking MichikoCat no longer carries these purses so I have removed the direct link this specific item. However I have been able to find them on My-Lolita-Dress.)

I have been wanting a cute "book" bag for a while! I always really liked the look of them but actually could not find one I liked enough to buy. A lot had to do with Alice in Wonderland motifs or something fairy-tale like that wasn't subtle enough for my personal tastes as I was hoping to find something I could not only wear with lolita fashion but also in normal clothes. Although I did want one in a more neutral color I instantly LOVED these magic books bags I spotted when I came across the shop MichikoCat on Taobao!
The bags were on preorder so I had to wait some time in order for everything to be processed. I was kind of over zealous with my purchases and, being unable to choose which one to buy, I bought all three colors they were available in with the idea I could easily be rid of whichever one I didn't want in the end. I love the blue one most of all due to the color scheme of blue and silver- a combination I have always been attracted to. I mostly bought the red one to use as a functional prop when I cosplay Jibril from "No Game No Life" as her character art has her holding a red-toned book ( I also really love functional costume pieces like this ^.^;) but I knew it could easily function as a statement piece of sorts since the gold and red combo is really eye-catching!

[Bodyline review:] Sax Blue 'Tea Party' lolita shoes (Shoes251/S522)

Double Strap Tea Party Lolita Shoes [link]
shoes251
("sax" aka Saxon blue)
[Review of Gold]
[Review of Silver]

Heel Height: 0.5in (1.2cm)

These shoes are so cute. I really think they're adorable! I generally don't wear flat "ballet-esque" shoes since for some reason they end up hurting my feet more than small heels. These seem like they have a heel but it's pretty much negligibly short in reality. But I really wanted to give these a shot since finding a variety of lolita shoes would be wonderful! But I just didn't have much luck with them in the end...

[Bodyline Review] Gold Double-bow platform lolita shoes (Shoes255)

Double-bow platform Lolita Shoes [link]
shoes255
("gld" aka Gold)
[Review of Navy blue]


Heel Height: in (9cm)
Front Platform: in (3cm)

I decided to give these shoes a try as I am used to seeing a lot of platform shoes in classic style lolita. Bodyline had them for a really great price and had just decided to make them available in gold and navy color! I had seen a ton of girls wear these previously so I figured "eh, what the heck?" and bought some for myself :3

New Compie!!

Finally bought a new computer!! My poor Sony Vaio laptop is certainly on it's last legs at this point ~_~
The computer isn't exactly NEW persay as it's a used computer from someone else whom is upgrading. But everything in it is pretty stellar and better than what I need to start streaming and do all the video and image editing I want to do. As it stands now my laptop will freeze and crash if an image is too large :/ so it greatly impedes my ability to do too much. But it certainly drives home the idea of "save often" as I've lost tons of work before ;_;

So in preparation I've been writing out a schedule of things to do video-wise. Sounds crazy but my goal is to get it set up so each day I have an upload going on to Youtube. A theme for every day but a constant stream of creations. I know it'll be tough as I already have a hard time keeping up with my physical blog here but I'm really going to push myself out of my comfort zone and work work WORK at things.

I've also been doing a lot more digital art lately so I'm super happy I've been doing that! A ton of it has been uploaded onto Society6... I'm really super rusty but I'm proud of what I've mad thus far. It's pretty much all Yuri Kuma Arashi stuff though because I LOVE the patterns in that anime >_>;; I just need to start doing more general fandom stuff in in a hopes of getting more business. But I think I've gotten a pretty good start at it?

I'm certainly running myself ragged lately but I HAVE to put this effort in. No one is going to change my life situation but me. And with this computer I really think it's going to open a lot of possibilities!

:D

[Convention Report] SakuraCon - The "I wish I did more" con

Sakuracon was a lot of fun for me! Honestly and truly! I really did enjoy myself despite all the -crap- that happened. But I still wish I had done more in the end. I only showed up to the con for maybe a grand total of 5 or 6 hours, shot some pictures in Sailor Mercury with my group, and then left. That was it. I didn't buy a badge (wtf $75?) and I didn't go to anything at all. I had that Friday night off for work so I showed up mega late Saturday night. I pretty much went to bed so I could wake up early and I had some... not so great stuff happen. I'll just say someone I didn't know tried to get handsey with me while I was sleeping and it was really creepy and uncomfortable and just... eww. It kind of really ruined my weekend :/ I just felt gross.

SakuraCon Countdown- ONE WEEK

I'M NOT READY.
SEND HELP.
MY COSPLAYS AREN'T DONE AND WORK IS MAKING ME COME IN 12 DAYS IN A ROW.

So yeah Sailor Mercury is far from being done. I had to remake my collar at least 3 times because of the sh*tty 3mm ribbon the girls chose to use; my machine kept mauling it no matter what I'd do. Though thinking back on it now putting a thicker interfacing under it might have helped >_>;; I really miss my old beast of a sewing machine.
Kelsey is cool with me not getting Black Lady done so I'm going to take my time on her. I want to make it really nice with the super low back cut and sheer fabrics galore. Though I've been getting an itch to just make something... pretty. Not really a character per-say but just something fancy and artsy and creative. I suppose I could do a Sakizou cosplay and it would be up this alley. I want to make something with the fabrics I already have though ^^;; And just... go. See what I can do. Ya know? Been getting that urge.

Elsewise from cosplay I've been working a bit more here and thereto get my life "back in order". Sounds strange I suppose but I easily get consumed and stressed by every-day things if I let them pile up too much. So I'm making commitments to myself to completely clean my room again, organize figures, go through my clothes, trim down my lolita wardrobe more, and just generally organize things and try my damnedest to de-clutter! I've got a few spare random box figures I was able to sell off and I'll be bringing to SakuraCon for people. Kind of hoping I could thin things out even more but I appreciate whatever I can get [rid of] XD

HONESTLY though. HONEST honest. I think I'll be just fine for Mercury. I'm far enough along that if I keep myself going over the next few days I'll get everything together with a bit of time to spare :)

[Bodyline Review] Navy Double-bow platform lolita shoes (Shoes255)

Double-bow platform Lolita Shoes [link]
shoes255
("nav" aka Navy blue)
[Review of Gold]


Heel Height: in (9cm)
Front Platform: in (3cm)


I've been wanting some navy lolita shoes for a long while now! Navy/blue is a lolita colorway I'm very attracted to and liked the idea of having lolita shoes to match some of my dresses. When select styles of Bodyline's shoes started getting navy colors I was excited though skeptical; how accurate were the stock photos? Would they end up some weird green color like shoes274 are (though those shoes are super cute and I'd still love to buy them!) I took a chance buying shoes255 in their navy color so at the very least I could write up a review here ^^;;

*Angelic Pretty* Lavender Holy Lantern skirt ~ [HD photos]

[ Lolibrary Link ]

Angelic Pretty's Holy Lantern series was huge in popularity upon first news of its release. The series appealed to many wearers of lolita and it's sub-styles. Although the release seemed to learn much heavier towards a "gothic" aesthetic it still had a huge following among sweet wearers. The series' dress and skirt cuts were all very unique and interesting and the fabric is just lovely.

I really loved this skirt but sadly could not fit it into my wardrobe in any way. The lavender color is much closer to a lilac than anything so it is a much colder purple than a true lavender; so be weary about this if you are looking to add this series' lavender piece to your wardrobe.


Skirt measurements:
Waist: 27.5in (~70cm)
Length: 15.7in + 1.1 in of lace (40cm + 3cm)


WARNING: IMAGE HEAVY POST

[Store Review] Catzia's Sailor Senshi Tiaras (Magenta Sailor Moon and Dark Blue Mercury/Uranus)

Finally. After all these years. I will once again be cosplaying from Sailor Moon! And thus, finally, I have found the perfect excuse to order the brass tiaras from Catzia's Collectibles! I've always wanted one and had been eyeing them for so long. But I really felt like Sailor Moon cosplay was much better done in a group. And with the reboot of the series ala "Sailor Moon Crystal" what better chance for fans to start showing their senshi pride? :3 I was asked by a local group of cosplay girls to be in their group for SakuraCon as Sailor Mercury! And I could NOT be happier! Mercury is one of my very top favorite girls and I am so excited to dress as her finally~!

Busy Sunday!~

I have no luck doing anything Saturday. I sleep. That's what I do. It's horrible and I hate it at times. Often I sleep to the point that my work-time schedule gets messed up and I'm sleeping again like a normal person should (I work a weird swing/graveyard shift). I like sleeping at nights but switching sleep schedules on the weekend to then go back to an opposite schedule 2 days later is massively unhealthy :(

Regardless I'm really glad that I didn't waste my Sunday!

Portland had some amazingly beautiful weather. I was able to convince my roommate to get out of her room for a bit and come with me to get fabric and to go eat. I had been meaning to get to the fabric store to finish off buy fabrics for my Wicked Lady cosplay and the store was having a bit of a sale- 30% off select fabrics. Some of which I needed! I couldn't find the discount coupons I had kickin' around but I didn't want to spend too long looking for them since Liz was already waiting for me in the stairwell ^^;;

*SakuraCon* plans

Finally in the planning stage of what I'm going to have for SakuraCon! I've been mulling over what to make/bring insofar as cosplay goes and I ended up essentially falling into some groups with people. I very rarely if ever cosplay in groups anymore >_>;; I tend to get screwed over by others where they wait until the last minute to work on anything and just drop their cosplay lol. Or I buy wigs in a group order and I never get paid for them. Many other things have happened in my attempt to cosplay in groups. But now these people I'll be cosplaying with are people I know and trust to get things done! And with the progress pictures they're already posting I'm just super excited! :D In fact, -I'M- the one falling behind in productivity!! (I'll blame this on work, okie? Okie.)

[Bodyline Review:] Fur-lined slouch ankle boots (shoes298)

Fur-lined slouch ankle boots [link]
shoes298
("blk-brw" aka Black with brown accents)

Heel Height: 2.3in (6cm)

I've seen these boots kickin' around on Bodyline's site for some time though in reality I never payed much mind to them. They seemed cute but I never wanted to risk the listing prices to find out (BL certainly seems to inflate prices when first listing shoes lately!). These boots however seemed to not be so popular as the prices fell, fell, and fell some more. Then the site had a 1000yen off all shoes sale and these boots became super cheap! I figured "why not!" and ended up buying them since I couldn't find any info on other blogs. Well I certainly am not disappointed!

First Bodyline order of the year~

It took all the way until February for me to make a Bodyline order! I'm honestly a bit proud of myself! Haha really though I don't order from them a lot- maybe once every 3 months is that? Regardless I made an order just last night because of some items Bodyline released recently! I also needed to snag up some shoes for some cosplay before they were totally sold out, so I took the opportunity to do so while also getting the new boots they released!