First Taobao Order!

After being too scared of using it for ages, I finally made my first Taobao order!


I used TaobaoSpree and the person who dealt with my orders was called Ray. The ordering is a bit confusing, and I'd stand no chance of finding things on Taobao to buy really since everything is in Chinese, but I would definitely use TBS again in future as it was all very smooth. I do wish they'd have an account system like FromJapan though as it would make keeping track of purchases a lot easier. The whole process was quicker than I'd expected.


They even sent this free jewellery in my package!

The only thing I'd say to watch out for is package markdowns, as I think they do it automatically and you might not want that if you're ordering a bunch of valuable stuff.

Onto the stuff!


I knew I needed the doge dress when I saw it on Lolita Updates, even though it looks dumb.


The brand is called The Dream Of Alice. I hadn't heard of them before.


I couldn't decide between OP and JSK so I ordered both, since they were only around £30 anyway.


Both are shirred without zips, and take a bit of wriggling into. They also look a bit yellower than the stock photos, but not too bad.


The OP has detachable neckties...


...and waist ties. The cut is pretty unflattering though.


The JSK is more fitted, but it suffers the same problem as brands like Emily Temple Cute and Innocent World. The waist is too roomy, and the bust is too tight! This is despite the shirring.


The straps are adjustable though, which is good.

As for general quality, they aren't as bad as they could have been. They feel reasonably soft but the fabric is quite sheer and there were lots of loose threads, but I think that's probably unavoidable with this kind of fabric when made cheaply.

I also finally bought some a-line petticoats! I figured I'd give Classical Puppets a go since I've heard good things. They were around £16 each which is the same price as the victoriangirldress Ebay ones.


I instantly regretted buying 2 a-lines since I could do with a new cupcake.


The organza fabric is really nice though and not at all scratchy. They can be squished into a tiny bag, and yet have mega petti power after a quick shake.


However, they are too short. I bought the 'longer length' version purely for my Juliette et Justine dresses, but they have a jellyfish effect from being too short. So I essentially have no use for these petticoats as I don't wear a-line things. Poop.

I'm happy with my purchases though, and proud that I didn't go overboard buying things!

Celga Haul & Dream Dress GET!

Since the beginning of the year, I have made a few Japanese purchases with Celga. I've used them a lot in the past and used them instead of FromJapan in this instance as FromJapan has limits with regards to number of Angelic Pretty purchases allowed (I think that was what it was anyway, and I know that's happened before so I'm assuming that was the reason).

I must admit, I was a little disappointed with them on this occasion. They usually provide a stellar service with quick responses and personalised emails, but I think they must have some new staff. One member confused which items were for bidding and which were for buying, for example. Also I asked for my parcel to be marked down to ¥10,000 and they fully marked it down to $39! Although that meant I totally skipped customs, so I guess I can't really complain. They weren't totally awful or anything, just not up to the standard I recalled from previous experiences.


Everything was packaged up nicely! The box cost around 8,000¥ (£50) to ship, if I remember correctly. Which stings a lot less since I didn't have to pay any customs or VAT. It was shipped on March 8th and arrived on the 11th.

So, onto the haul(s)! I won't be including fees in the listed prices as it'll just be far too complicated, but the total item value before shipping was $1,045(£630...holy balls!).

Angelic Pretty Sale Order

Back in January Angelic Pretty held a big sale! There was nothing that took my fancy really on the International site, but I'd been eyeing these items for a while and I just wanted to get something to be honest!


First up, Coat of Arms Tartan short JSK! According to my invoice it cost ¥12,495 (£73), so I guess it was reduced further after I bought it. I was tempted by the regular JSK as it was a similar price, but it was this version I'd been tempted by first.


I like the pink version a little more I think, but plumped for red since I already own a similar piece in pink. Sadly the headbow sold out before my stuff was ordered.


I love AP's cute little details such as the buttons.


Detachable pouch on the back. Mixed feelings about this dress really. The fabric has a lovely shimmery blue thread running through it that wasn't evident from the photos online, and the fabrics are all very soft and light. However, it is short. And if it's short on me, then I really mean SHORT. I assumed it would be like my Happy Girl JSK, but it must be shorter than that! I'm hoping it will still be okay, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone taller than me! I was going to remove the pouch, but it kind of acts a modesty one!


I wanted some more tights too that I could wear with fairy-kei styled coords, so I picked up Dreamy Baby Room tights in black for ¥2,100 (£12). The print isn't that great and the name makes me cringe a little, but the contrast on the tights really looks great and I'm looking forward to wearing them! Maybe to Kyary?

Another Angelic Pretty Order

I spotted by chance that there were Etoile Twins special sets on the Japanese site, and there were a few things I regretted not getting in my previous order, so I placed another one.


My first choice cut was out of stock already, but I couldn't resist the price of ¥10,500 (£60) for a JSK and heabow set! I always liked how dreamy and floaty this series looked.


I'm a little disappointed with the print as I feel it could have been a brighter pastel instead of very muted, but the bodice is a lovely soft silken fabric and it's such a little party dress! The lace has little crowns on it.


The headbow is quite understated too.


Since I already ordered Romantic Rose Letter (see below), I thought I'd pick up the matching necklace for ¥3,990 (£23). I was torn between pink and lavender, but figured pink would match more. This is my first AP necklace! I love all the glitter in it, and it certainly doesn't feel 'cheap' as people always say plastic jewellery is.


I also finally bought some black Holy Lantern jewellery, although only the bracelet was left, at ¥3,150 (£18). It's smaller than I imagined, but very adorable. Holy Lantern is probably one of my favourite series anyway, so I'd love to pick up the earrings and necklace too if the opportunity ever presents itself.


I also thought I'd get a catalogue since I've not had one before, for ¥840 (£5). It's pretty small, but a nice thing to have.

Mbok Auction Buys

I've always had a weak spot for auctions, but this time I have a very good excuse.

I fell helplessly in love the Romantic Rose Letter OP, but couldn't decide on a colourway and missed them going online anyway. I was in two minds about buying it at all as it was so expensive and OTT, but I chanced it at auction. The listing didn't show good proof photos and the price was suspiciously low for such a popular series (in the most popular colourway!) so I thought I may have been scammed. I couldn't have been more wrong!


I got the dress with bonnet for ¥46,000 (£270), when originally the OP cost ¥41,790 and the bonnet ¥8,295. It is STUNNING. The only flaw I could find was that the bag it came in smelled kind of bad, as if it had been in a home that was smoked in, and it transfered to the clothes a little. Both items still had tags though and didn't appear to have been worn.


The dress is so silky, nothing like the chiffon of Powder Rose as I'd imagined it would be. The lace is a little tacky-looking close up, but other than that it is absolutely perfect. The print has so many subtle details that I didn't notice, such as the writing on the letters, doves with branches in their mouths, and the lace and pearls that are printed all over.


I hadn't noticed the little hearts on the sleeved before, and thankfully my arms fit them! And the princess sleeves make me feel like an angel or something. The lace trim on the bottom of the dress has ribbons and roses on. It also has a huge ruffle-butt, but it was too hard to get a nice photo of!


And theme buttons!


Neck tie thing that came with the dress.


I'm not sure if I'll use the bonnet as they really don't suit me, but I really love owning it anyway!

Other Mbok purchases...


Impulse buy of an AP carousel necklace for ¥2,000 (£12). It's not as cute as I'd hoped as the gold is kind of gaudy, but it's a perfect match for Sugary Carnival and various other things I own. I already own a red carousel necklace, so now I have one for every outfit really since red and pink are my main colours!


Sailor Moon gashapon compacts for a rather hefty ¥3,500 (£20). They were no longer available on J-List when I bought them, and then they were put back up for a second round of pre-orders afterwards. Doh! I'm just glad to have them though, as they're adorable! Cutieeeeesss! I might attach brooch fasteners to the back so I can wear them like a real mahou shoujo!


Although those mirrors are totally useless and merely decorational lol.

I'm absolutely thrilled with my purchses, even if they set me back a lot. Definitely have to wait a while before any more online frilly purchases though!

FromJapan - New Frills!

I may have *ahem* 'accidentally' bought a few more things! I used FromJapan again. Charge 2 payment (fees, domestic & international shippings) was ¥10,385 (around £61), and customs/fees were just under £26.



I filmed myself opening the big box!


This was the item I bought first, a sailor OP from Angelic Pretty. I believe it's called Tokimeki Girl. It cost ¥5,460 (around £32). Unfortunately it is covered in white fibres and I noticed when I tried it on that it smells of smoke. However this is easily fixed.


The sailor collar is adorable, and the dress undoes using the front buttons.


The pockets are functioning ones, and they're super cute too!


The back is pretty plain, which I think suits a sailor style. I think this will be fine as a casual dress, and I think it was a great impulse buy bargain!


Next, I took the plunge and ordered the Musée du Chocolat bonnet after wanting it the whole time! I prefer it to the headbow as I didn't like the fringe on the bow, whereas this has really nice layers of lace on it. It cost ¥6,300 (around £37), so probably around retail once the fees are included.


Lastly, dream dress alert! It was a little pricy at ¥28,560 (just under £170), and a little more than what it was originally. But I love this piece a lot, and the yen was a lot stronger back then, so I don't mind all that much. I'd wanted this colourway of Holy Night Story since it was released back in 2010. I found the white colourway a few months later (which I think cost more than this one did anyway), and figured I could just sell it if I ever found green. I have no intention of selling it now, but I'm thrilled to have found my favourite colourway finally! I kinda want the wine one too...


The military bodice in velvet is what I love most about this piece. So soft, and fits me like a glove!


The skirt sections looks a tad faded to me, but maybe it always looked that way. The print is so glittery, and the lace looks amazing in this green colour. I was intending to wear Holy Lantern for my birthday, but now I'm torn!

I also picked up something for Sophie's birthday which isn't until April, so I can't post it even though I really want to! I love it, and if she doesn't then I'm keeping it haha.

Radiant Candlelight

Today Radiant Candlelight finally arrived!


I was taken with the series as soon as I saw it. I originally wanted the skirt in wine to fill the Gloria-shaped hole in my life, but in the end I decided that navy was cuter as I have a whole ton of wine already!


I hadn't intended to buy this. I'd um-ed and ah-ed over it until the release, and decided I needed the sleep more than the skirt and didn't try for it. I then had dreams about the release all night, and woke up gutted that I'd missed it! Luckily the navy skirt was still in stock on the Japanese site, so I enlisted the help of Celga to nab it! It also took the decision on piece and colour out of my hands (I had been toying with the idea of getting the JSK as it would be tons easier to coord since I have nothing navy). It looks like more have been put up since though!


It came boxed up really safely, and I managed to avoid customs! The order was processed on the 11th of December, posted on the 24th, and arrived on the 30th. I actually passed the Parcelforce van on my way to work! Total cost was around £150, which I don't think is bad at all for such a high quality piece.


The stuff inside. I really need to start using these stickers.


The skirt! I was really shocked at how dark it is...at first I thought they'd sent black by accident! But it is indeed navy (or con, as they named it). That will make it pretty hard to coordinate, and mean that I would have been better off with wine. But hey ho, it's gorgeous! I love velveteen so much.


It's a lilac label product! Did you know that Angelic Pretty has pink labels for more sweeter designs, and lilac for the less sweet ones? I only learned this last week! This is my third lilac label as far as I know, alongside Day Dream Carnival and Holy Lantern. I hear Dream Sky is lilac label too, but I think my original releases are too old.


The print says 'Silent Night' all over it, so it's definitely a Christmas print! I was originally a bit disappointed in the trim, but I actually have no problem with it after seeing it in real life (although the lace on the JSK is super cute!).


Little teardrop beads on the back of the overskirt.


And without the overskirt.


And the overskirt! I thought it would be tied at the back, but it actually has poppers and the bows are pinned onto the waistband. I really want to use this overskirt on other pieces. It will look great over Holy Night Story if I can get a navy blouse or cardigan to wear with it.


I also got the socks since they were still available. The navy is a bit brighter, and the gold more silvery, compared with the skirt. These will also pair nicely with Holy Night Story.

I just hope I can coord it well eventually and do the piece justice! I definitely need a new chiffon blouse to make this work.

What do you guys think of this series? Did you buy anything?