February's 10 Online Finds

I decided to start a new series of monthly blog posts dedicated to the things I've found via Taobao and AliExpress. Lot's of the items found will be things I have NOT purchased myself but are still things I find interesting, want to purchase, or even can't stop laughing at. If I've bought anything I will be sure to review it and add a link as there ARE a good number of things I actually want as well! :)

If you purchase or have purchased anything from any of the lists let me know and I'll add a link to your review :)

*Angelic Pretty* Elisabeth Unicorn Special Set JSK [HD photos]

[ Lolibrary Link ]

It's very rare that a "special set" released by a brand catches my attention. But with Elisabeth Unicorn, a dress I love in so many colorways, the special set made me excited! Mint! DUSTY mint! At least 60% of my wardrobe is mint! And with the more toned-down sweet styling and coloration this dress is exactly the direction I want to go in with my lolita wardrobe.

The problem I found was how to get my hands on it. This dress was specifically made for the Osaka store and I had never have used a shopping service other than Japonica for things on Mbok. I pretty much gave up on ever figuring out out to get this dress... other than buying it secondhand. So I saved up and bid my time and waited for a price I was willing and able to pay.

And all the while the photos I would see of girls wearing the dress was such a taunt. But like most dresses after some time the popularity wanes or people decide they're not what they wanted :) so all I had to wait was for that to happen. And boy, I am NOT disappointed in this dress in the least bit!

*Angelic Pretty* Brigitte Regimen Sax Tiered JSK [HD photos]

[ Lolibrary link ]

Ever since I first purchased Angelic Pretty's Chelsea Regimental jumper skirt I have been completely in love with AP's non-print dresses! The beauty of the detail really jumps out at you when you see them in person- Angelic Pretty's stock photos do NOT do their dresses justice, ever! I have come to learn this over time; and honestly was one of the reasons I decided to start taking pictures of dresses to post online :)

The Brigitte Regimen tiered JSK is the same cut as Angelic Pretty's 2011 series "Letter Regimental". The other pieces are, of course, different between the two releases but the tiered JSK is such a lovely dress that I am happy they remade it with another release! However there are some slight differences between the two series- I'll have to make a post soon to show them.

When I first saw the release info for this series I was torn between the pink or blue. I actually ended up getting the pink dress first and later picked up the blue version secondhand. Since I use a pink background for photos I figured the blue dress would be more ideal to take photos of~ I may figure out something to use for the pink soon since it really is a lovely dusty pink color :)

Jumper skirt stats:

Bust: 34 ~ 38.5in (87~98cm)

Waist: 25.5 ~ 30in (65~77cm)

Length: 34.6 + 1.5in of lace (88cm + 4cm of lace)

Product Number:  142PJ9-2903

WARNING: EXTREMELY IMAGE HEAVY POST

~Full review to come later~

Lolita Resolutions 2016

In 2016 my views on lolita as a hobby have changed greatly. While I still love and enjoy it I quickly find myself being drawn more and more to multi-use pieces and more toned-down sweet/classic hybrids. I still love a lot of Angelic Pretty's older super sweet prints but I really do enjoy the new more subtle and toned-down pieces they've been releasing. I've also found a ton of their non-print dresses that I adore but am having one heck of a time finding D: So while on the hunt I'm getting more and more of an urge to start sewing my own- which honestly is a good idea! Since I have so much nice random fabric in my bins and almost nothing to use it for >_>;;

Anyway. Let's take a look back on last years resolutions and see how awesome [or terribly] I've done!~

Cosplay Resolutions 2016

Honestly I'm not going to need to go over my 2015 resolutions because I can say straight up that I did NONE of it.
Nothing.
Zip.
Zero.
Zilch.
Nada.
None.

Not a single resolution was met and to be frank I am not at all surprised but am also a bit upset. I love sewing; I really do. But I have fallen out of cosplay in such a weird way that I find almost no time for sewing anymore. It eats me up inside when I think of how little I have gotten done cosplay-wise when compared to how many years I've been into the hobby. I've known people that can churn out 20+ costumes in a year and I don't think I've even COMPLETED that many over the decade+ since I started *sigh*

So, honestly, for this year, for 2016, all I want to do is make at least ONE cosplay I'm proud of. That's it.

In reality that's a very tough thing for me. Generally when I've created, well... ANYTHING, I've always found things I knew I could do better and where I made mistakes, Maybe it's just the issue of being a creative type of person but I really hate that all I see are the flaws in my work. On the other hand I also know that that is what drives me to improve.

So again... my only goal of 2016 is TO MAKE A COSPLAY I AM PROUD OF.

Good luck me >_>;;

~~~~~

Realistically though I also want to add that I want to get better at make-up. Because that is also something I just so totally fail at in almost every aspect. I'm on par with a 13 year old girl playing in the mud outside with my make up capabilities (maybe because this is literally what I did at age 13.)

~~~~~

New Years Resolutions 2016

As the years comes so very close to rolling over into 2016 I decided to go back and visit my 2015 New Years Resolution post to see just how much I was actually able to do. Generally I will write a post, write down my list to hang on the wall, and walk away from the post with my goals in mind. I find it a lot of fun to go back and read what all I wrote and to see if I was able to fulfill what I wanted or if I utterly crashed and burned haha

Needless to say I'm not successful even 50% of the time with my goals. But to me that's still good! I set a lot of goals for myself on New Years, some that are rather "unrealistic" or "lofty", but I like having a lot of things I want to get done and outlining a plan :)

So without further ado, I shall review over my previous years list as well as set some new ones!
(I'll of course go over the cosplay and lolita ones in their own respective posts and link them down below~)

A bit Upsetting...

Been working rather diligently to go through all my old pictures to add watermarking. I'm sorry for how ugly this is going to end up being and I'll do my best to make it as non-obtrusive as possible. But at this point I have found multiple other places re-posting my images without credit and a few people even using them to sell things on LaceMarket :\

I usually don't have much of a problem with others using my photos for things so long as they let me know! ASK ME if you want to use anything for a background or icons or ANYTHING and I can send you the HUGE non-edited and non-resized photos! All I really ask is that you credit me for taking the picture and send  a link back, ya' know?

I work pretty hard to take decent pictures and write up things here. I started it in hopes that it would help people make decisions about things to buy or not to buy and maybe someone might fall in love with a dress or two along the way :)
But it's really disheartening and upsetting to me when my photos get taken.
Yeah yeah I know, it's a fact of the internet. I really should know better considering how long I've been on it and all that ;\ but still.

So watermarking on everything will now be the norm.

I have at least 20 queued up posts at this point that I just need to finish writing up and adding photos to. I bought a LOT of things during the Bodyline birthday sale back in October? (September?) and it's taking me a lot of time to compile everything.

Winter always seems so busy for me... Stay tuned :)

[Bodyline Review] Short Sleeve Ruffle Blouse in Pink & Lavender (L364)

Short Sleeve Ruffle Blouse [link]
L364
("Pik" = Pink)
("Pul" = Lavender)
[Review of White]

Size Medium
Length (52cm)
Bust (94cm)
Waist (80cm)
Shoulder length (36cm)
Sleeve length (22cm)


Shortly after Bodyline released a new series of items blouse L364 caught my eye. It seemed like a simple and cute enough blouse to be worn with a variety of dresses, skirts, and styles. I decided I'd give it a shot and order two of these blouses before many other reviews were out about them. The wide variety of colors was also a plus, as well as making it a bit difficult to choose what colors to order. What would be most versatile? What would look best with the wardrobe I have and want to build?

*Angelic Pretty* Holy Lantern 2015 re-release Black and White high-waisted JSK [HD photos]

[ Lolibrary Link | Special Set Link ]

Holy Lantern has, over the years, become one of the most sought-after dresses in the lolita community. The all-over design is flocked on a chiffon fabric which has made Holy Lantern a unique dress in it's own right; one that, if rumors had it, was incredibly difficult for Angelic Pretty to produce.

So when it was announced that Angelic Pretty would be re-releasing the series the community was in an uproar of excitement! Shopping services filled up at lightning speed and online communities were abuzz with talk on which dresses might be the most difficult or easiest to get. The 2015 release not only saw two new colorways, navy and black x white, but also the "high waist" cut which had previously been used as the first release's special set. I had personally always loved the style of the special set and decided to try my best to buy that style, but what color? I loved the ivory x black but that color wasn't being produced this time around, so I decided to try for the black x white! I really wished they had made the black x black again and wonder why they hadn't... but I really fell in love with the new black color combo!

It should also be mentioned that the zipper style JSK wasn't being released again! So many people were upset considering that was THEE most popular cut of the series!
But that was all fixed less than a week later when Angelic Pretty announced they would be doing a made-to-order! And with ANOTHER new colorway: pink! Sadly though they decided to leave out navy- though I wish they hadn't because after seeing worn photos it was really pretty! However the ivory is again up for grabs as well as the new black x white colorway being made into the zipper style JSK!

I hem-and-haw'ed a lot if I wanted to buy another dress during the MTO. I sawa chance to get the ivory high-waist JSK but.. I already had the black in that style. Or I could get this new black colorway in the zipper style! But I always had the black in another style. I literally spent until a few hours before the cut-off date to decide if I wanted anything at all. I ended up ordering the zipper JSK in ivory and decided if I didn't like it I might be able to trade with another girl ^^;; here's to hoping!


Jumper skirt stats:

Bust: 33.5 ~ 41in (85～105cm)
Waist: 31.8 ~ 39in (81～100cm)
Length: 35in (89cm includes lace)

Product Number:  152PJ09-020017
Colors:  Black, Lavender, Navy, Wine/Bordeaux (Pink and Ivory added for the made-to-order)

WARNING: EXTREMELY IMAGE HEAVY POST

Full review to come later~

[Bodyline Review] White Cotton Knit Bolero (L237)

Cotton Knit Bolero [link]
L237
("Pik" = Pink)
("Owh" = Off White)

(Size Medium)
Length: 14in (37cm)
Bust: 33in (84cm)
Shoulder Width: 13in (34cm)
Sleeve length: 23in (60cm)


As I was first starting out and growing my lolita wardrobe it was fall in the Pacific Northwest and thus it was cold, rainy, and just all those good things that make it sweater weather! Most of my normal cardigans were much too long to wear with any lolita dresses or skirts so I figured buying some more suitable ones would be a good idea if I wanted to dress up during such a season. I was still very new and to me brands such as "Angelic Pretty" or "Baby the Stars Shine Bright" seemed expensive for a hobby I wasn't 100% sure I was going to stick with. And thus I bought these boleros from Bodyline.

That totally sounds like the beginning of a horror story!
(Note: I decided to only take pictures of the white bolero as the fabric I use as a backdrop is pink)

[Bodyline Review] Sax Blue "Pussy Bow" Blouse (L373)

Short Sleeve Ruffle Blouse [link]
L373
("Sax" = Saxon Blue)


Length: 52cm (20.5in)
Bust: 88cm (34.6in)
Waist: 78cm (30.7in)
Shoulder length: 34cm (13in)
Sleeve length: 18cm (7in)


I honestly wasn't sure what I thought of this blouse when I first saw the stock photo; the neck tie is so encompassing that it was a bit hard to see passed it to the actual blouse. While Bodyline has been "upping their game" with their stock photos every now and again I find them falling short. While this one does do a good job at showing how the blouse looks with the tie it also doesn't let you see all that much detail on, ya know, the actual blouse.

After scouring the internet a bit for some other photos from girls either wearing it or trying to sell it I decided to give it a shot and bought it in the saxon blue. I'm a bit weird when it comes to lolita as I'm honestly not a fan of huge Peter Pan style collars as I get the notion they end up eating your neck- so the fact that this is was a high collar blouse really interested me! It could be cute without too much going on like L364.

Mid-August Update

Have you ever felt like you've been immensely busy while simultaneously getting nothing done?
That's so me right now.
It's a really crappy feeling and place to be in. I've been constantly cleaning, typing, taking pictures, etc and yet don't really have much to show for it? I had taken a bunch of photos of lolita items and, like a stupid, forgot to check my settings on my camera and thus the photos came out really grainy. I'm not sure if I want to try and salvage them or just retake them altogether.

Newcon Mini - Last Minute Event

His eyes were red from swimming :P I swear!

I honestly had no intention of attending Newcon's mini event in Portland at all. That is until I had told my friend Ryan about it and he decided it would be his last "hoorah" before moving back to Texas for a bit (he does promise to come back anyway.)

I basically went to work, came home super early (around 4am) and just crashed ASAP in an attempt to get as much rest as I could. The event started at 10am but I knew in my heart of hearts I would not be able to be up, ready, and out the door in time. Especially since I had no idea what I even wanted to wear yet! The weather seemed super iffy and was drizzling a bit all morning so cosplay was a bit, well, out of the question really. I had nothing suited for the cold yet mild atmosphere- only things that would leave me sweating or painfully cold.
So lolita it was.
But what dress? I have no idea!!

KumoriCon "Lite" (long post)

We're cool kids.

Mini convention events seem to be really popular this year with a lot of local cons holding such events. As it turns out KumoriCon is no different! The convention decided to hold a one day event on Saturday June 27th at the Double Tree in Portland.

I had agreed to attend a wedding later in the day so I had to make sure that whatever I chose to wore could either A) be easy to change out of or B) work for both events. I honestly DID want to cosplay but with the weather in Portland hovering around the 100s for far too long I knew it would be in my best interest to dress a bit more comfortably.

Mayhaps in hindsight lolita wasn't the best option but it was certainly far more comfortable than any cosplay I was interested in wearing. I know I keep telling myself I need to have more of a presence in the local cosplay scene ~_~ but at the same time I feel weird leaving my apartment in full cosplay to go somewhere, you know? Lolita, oddly enough, feels a lot less strange for me to walk around the general public in.

First week back after vacation - Let's rant about change!

My cat understands how I feel.

That first week of work after a vacation really does feel like murder; I can't think of any other way to describe it! Just murder ~_~;; I slept too much and didn't eat very well this whole week. And from what I understand the first day I was on vacation one of the machines went down! And was acting up terribly this whole last week I was back. So needless to say I lost a lot of work hours (6 total all week?) So now my check is going to be short and I'm just going to fret terribly about it like I always do. I'm thinking more and more that at my review this month I'm going to ask- no, DEMAND. I get a raise at work. I know this sounds pushy but I have not gotten one for nearly 2 years now and prices and rent keep going up.

Though realistically I just need a new job. I told myself I wouldn't post negative stuff here or anything about my job ^^;; but it's also important for me I ramble a bit about this (but at the same time I talk a lot about it but never DO anything...) I've got a possible opportunity at a really great place to work! So I just need to make sure my resume looks pretty and send it in. Honestly though? I'm scared of the change. I've been where I'm at so long that quitting really is a huge thing! If I had a kid for as long as I've been at my job it'd already be in 4th grade at this point! (I started in March of 2006.)

But change isn't bad. I often times remind myself this as I do not face change well- or the enacting of change for myself. Even if for the better. I freeze up in fear really bad and choose inaction as a safer route than action (and thus the unknown of what that change would bring). I'm really terrible at this.
But it's time.
And it's long overdue.