Ladies who lunch

Yesterday Annie came down from Stroud to deliver the Wii I bought off of her for Rob. She was going to get the coach as it was way cheaper than posting the Wii, but in the end she got the train which probably didn't cost much more anyway. Since she'd never been to Bath before she was keen to have a look about (although I am the worst tour guide ever!).

We didn't really do anything in particular, just wandered around town, looked in a few shops, sat outside the Abbey for a while. I think Annie's whole life was made when a pair of Japanese girls noted that we look 'kawaii~'! It certainly seems that when you are with another lolita you get less negative attention and people are more likely to approach you positively. A girl in Topshop recognised the fashion and could even name the brands of our clothes (I was impressed). We had a few people papping us without our permission but I'm not subtle enough to pap them back! One lady asked for our photo. Well, for Annie's photo. Most of the people were obviously complimenting her and not me, save for some creepy old guys who said I looked 'cute' *shiver*.


Ended up in the Real Italian Ice-Cream Co store where we chatted about anything and everything for ages. Never been in there before but I'll go again, my mint chocolate chip ice-cream was SO DELICIOUS I DON'T EVEN.

Here's what I wore and a few unnecessary detail shots that I just like =P Really loving my Jewelry Jelly now!




Can't wait to meet up with lolitas again! It's nice to be able to talk about clothes and brands with other people as I usually have to hold it all in and then Rob has to listen to it all when he couldn't care less!

Angelic Pretty USA Review ~ Dream Sky

Please forgive the blogging spam today...still have yesterday to cover, my Dream Sky arrived this morning and I picked up my Taobao order from the Post Office depot earlier too and it's all too much for one post I feel!


So my Angelic Pretty USA order arrived bright and early this morning! Their website was easy to use, especially since I had already made an account with them. The only issue I had (other than almost everything being sold out already) was that the black skirt (my first choice) still came up on there but was apparently out of stock. When the other colours sold out they were taken down completely, but the black wasn't =S No biggie though.




Quite well packaged, nice sturdy box and then sweet pink tissue paper. In the AP bag is the order summary!


The barrette! (Yes, I took a photo of it upside down haha). It's actually pretty big which I am glad of. Will look cute in front of a high side pony.


The skirt! I fabric is lovely and the print is gorgeous, although it doesn't show up very well on this colourway (black was my first choice, then navy, then lavender, then a tie between pink and sax). I'm glad I love it so much as in addition to this pink one I got the sax one using a Japanese shopping service (they said that they had been unsuccessful. Then they changed their minds *facepalm*). I was surprised that the ribbon wasn't attached though, which means I'll probably end up losing it or being too dumb to figure out how to tie it!


The tags are in Japanese. I'd half expected them to be in English and priced in dollars, so I was a little surprised.


I love the details AP uses!


Small shirred panel in the back and the cute little AP label (tempted to get it as a tattoo but can't decide where or what colour!).


Little bit of built in pouf.


The outer fabric isn't sewn at the zipper which is a shame, but it won't notice when worn and I was expecting it to be like this as Powder Rose was the same.

The most disappointing thing was the lack of socks, which will be impossible to hunt down (I asked my Japanese shopping service to get them for me but they only got them in sax...at least I got the pink barrette as I was unable to get the sax one).

The order ended up being very expensive, which should come as no surprise. The skirt was $216 and the barrette was $35.50; shipping to the UK was $40.65; import taxes and duties £65 *ouch* - total cost in the region of £245. Confirmation by email was quick and it was arrived reasonably swiftly. I ordered on the 29th of May, the item was shipped on the 2nd of June and tracking number followed later that day (it didn't work for another few days but that isn't AP USA's fault). Arrived on the 14th June. Took a little longer than it should have but that was due to customs and Parcelforce chosing to try to deliver it the one time no one was home.

The whole experience was pretty pleasant. I would say I'd order from them again, but due to the cost of getting the package out of customs I'd prefer to use a Japanese shopping service next time as the value could be marked down to avoid them. However I probably will use them again nonetheless, if they have something I really want (their choice is always limited, the Japanese website stocks loads of things that don't even make it to the International website, let alone the US one) and if I have a lot of money to burn.

Sorry for not having a worn photo yet, all of my lolita clothes are either back at home shoved wherever I found room, packed up waiting for the same fate or in a big box heading to Rob's house! So I haven't even tried it on yet. Thinking that because it's more casual I might risk wearing it over the Summer to try to get my parents used to the idea of me wearing pink patterned things.

Stay tuned for Dream of Lolita review!

Lolita 30 ~ Day 4 ~ Food

This doesn't link to lolita at all...but I love food, so on with it! Hope it doesn't mean all sweet food as I'm big on savoury.


Day 4 – 10 different kinds of food you like.

1. Cheese on toast. I have it every day whenever possible.

2. Onion rings!

3. Skittles, I eat them far too often.

4. Spaghetti bolognese. Has to be made by my mum though or it just isn't the same.

5. Raspberries, I could eat them all day (if they weren't so expensive).

6. Strawberries (although they set my sensitive teeth off when they are cold).

7. Thai Sweet Chili Sensations.

8. Tomato and herb pasta bake (with a ton of cheese).

9. Phish Food ice cream.

10. Sweetcorn.

Lolita 30 ~ Day 3 ~ Lolita Hates

Sorry for the delay, I was out all day yesterday with Rob and pretty much all of today too with Annie (I bought a Wii off of her on Rob's behalf so she brought it down and we had a little frilly day...I'll make a little post about tomorrow if you are very lucky).

Day 3 – 10 things you hate in lolita.

1. Reactions. The amount of times people have laughed in my face just because I'm dressed differently to them. Even when people make nice comments it's hella uncomfortable and awkward. I just row, man.

2. Worrying about what other lolitas think! It seems like lots of girls have this problem, especially those wearing offbrand worrying that they'll be looked down upon. At my last meet I felt awkward because I was in head-to-toe brand and always wear blouses and bloomers when all the others were saying how pointless and uncomfortable they are to wear...so I felt like the odd one out there! Also lots of people worry about 'breaking the rules', but as long as you look good I don't think it matters. Unless it's clearly not lolita, in which case don't call it lolita. But still wear it!

3. Preparation time! I don't even do anything that involved with my hair or make-up, but coordinating and layering up takes a while.

4. The price. I know they are detailed pieces by popular brands, but I can't help but buy things anyway even though I cannot afford them really.

5. Unnecessary bitchiness and substyle wars. Although largely overestimated, it is kinda horrible when people slag off people they don't know because they hate one substyle or think someone can't be a lolita due to their race/size/whatever.

6. Lazy brands. Okay I love just about everything Angelic Pretty has put out but a lot of their prints look the same. And that bunny is on everything and it is a creepy specimen!

7. How hard it is to meet other lolitas! Without the internet I and many others of us would be lost. I am so lucky that I found a lolita at my university but I doubt many people bump into other lolitas in daily life.

8. Not feeling good enough. I will never be an overly pretty lady, I'm naturally plain-looking and am rubbish at hair and make-up despite my efforts. And so often I feel like my clothes are too good for me.

9. Petticoats going flat. Mine are always total pouf-monsters indoors (earlier today I knock a shoe off a shelf with it) but when outside it goes flat flat FLAT.

10. Having to use expensive shopping services or having to pay extortionate customs and VAT fees. I suppose I do wish there were lolita stores in the UK as - even though they'd surely be in London and I live nowhere near the place - it would still be cheaper to go visit them to buy items that it would be to pay for things from another country. Or at least give us a webstore as shipping would be so cheap!

Lolita 30 ~ Day 2 ~ Lolita Loves

Day 2 – 10 things you love in lolita.


1. Prints! Although I love nonprinted items, I adore prints so much as they are usually very different from what you find in regular stores.

2. The colours. Some of my favourite colours like pink, pastels and bordeaux are really hard to come by elsewhere. Could do with more teal pieces though...as when they are made they look incredible!

3. The different styles. They brings lots of very different people together under the lolita umbrella (or parasol) and allows for mixing of styles which leads to the creativity and uniqueness exhibited by some lolitas.

4. The history. Although lolita itself isn't that old, it draws on fashion from many different eras. I would never have even heard of Rococo without lolita! Fashion history is fun!

5. The feeling you get when you wear it. On a good day I flounce around feeling superior to all the sheep around me haha. The petticoat is best for this so it can swish-swish as you swagger along xP

6. Meet-ups! I have only been to 2 but I have already met so many wonderful people. It's almost like having real friends *is a sad person with no life*

7. The fact that it seems a good excuse to dress up, drink tea and eat cake.

8. The brands! I like offbrand too, but I love brand clothing and designs and could spend hours on their websites pining after things.

9. Availability. While some would complain that there aren't local stores and that things sell out so quickly, that isn't all bad. I wouldn't want every other girl to wear lolita as I feel that would take something special away. With Internet stores the items are more available now than ever, but the hunt for the perfect dress is part of the thrill and adds to the joy when you finally get your hands on it.

10. The message. While this is different for everyone, to me it means that you shouldn't give up on your dreams. You don't have to be the person people expect you to be or demand of you. You don't have to grow up. Traditionally feminine things are not the enemy.

Lolita 30 ~ Day 1 ~ Lolita Bubble

Well here I go with the lolita 30 day challenge!

I found this question a little confusing, and I fear I'll end up repeating myself in later questions, but here goes!

Day 1 – 10 things about your lolita bubble.

1. When out and people stare at me I often wonder what the hell their problem is. And then I remember what I am wearing...baha.

2. I probably come across as Angelic Pretty obsessed, but I actually love the more elegant classic and gothic styles. I just don't feel they are for me at this point.

3. Lolita has reignited my interest in sewing. I've always been wanting to learn more but now I have the aims and motivation (somewhat).

4. I want more pink in my life! When I move into my new room in August I'm thinking of painting it pink (providing my landlord considers it 'an appropriate colour' haha).

5. I love the thought of contrasting with my environment and to an extent with my own personality. I felt oddly awesome when stood on a train platform in lolita while reading up on Physics. I may be a dreamer at times but I am also down-to-earth.

6. I would love to be a lifestyle lolita but I'd hate to define and limit myself in such a way, plus I don't fully understand what it would entail yet. I admire those who are lifestylers.

7. I own far too much lolita clothing! I need a seperate room for my lolita stuff. However I'm planning to throw out a lot of my regular clothing to make room. That is quite a scary thought though as I am a total hoarder and it means that a larger proportion of my things would be lolita!

8. I dread my 'coming out' as a lolita to my parents. They must know I wear it as mum has found items in my closet when being a nosy bitch and commented on how 'ugly' they were and there are photos on Facebook. However I think the fact that she doesn't understand puts her off bringing it up, and I'm not going to bring it up as I don't like having the thing I love most made fun of.

9. Some girls drink tea when in lolita. I drink it a lot more out of it =P I alway spill tea on my dresses, and at meets I tend to go for hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows instead.

10. I hope very much to improve my lolita style. I have never been a person with a good sense of fashion which makes me scared to try new things as I tend to fail epically! But as I go on hopefully I will find myself and my style and become a bit more fearless.

Hm...rather random things that don't really link to lolita too much. But then I wouldn't have anything at all to say on the other kinds of clothes I wear, so I suppose that in itself speaks volumes.

Also my poor laptop is pooped again. Borrowing my mum's laptop in the meantime but I have no idea what will happen afterwards...they're trying to force me to have a new laptop but I'd still need to charge my current one to get my data off of it, so I don't see the reasoning behind that...Oh and I was wanting to use the Sugary Carnival marshmallow divider but my Google-fu failed me and I only have it saved on my laptop...so if anyone can link me I'd be very much obliged.

International Lolita Day, 2011

So today was International Lolita Day! It was my first time celebrating it. The weather was good luckily, pretty hot but not too much so, and not too sunny. Rained a little but not much.

Was a pretty stressful day though...was running late in the morning and ended up not having time to sort my hair out (I’d tied it up to get curls but it failed. Add in the wind and a sprinkling of rain and you have me looking like a hot mess). Got to the bus stop just after the bus was due so decided to walk, but turns out the bus was just late. Beat it to the station anyway, but feet were already hurting at this point after a 20min walk (shoes a tad big despite being a size S...I don't even). Then I discovered that loads of the trains had been cancelled and had to wait around for at least half an hour with nowhere to sit...just stood there reading ‘Why does e=mc²?’. Had to stand on the train when it arrived with nothing to hold on to and my petticoat being crushed from all sides...and then a 20min walk to the green. So my feet are not my friends right now! Luckily the ticket I'd bought for Cheltenham was fine for my journey, so I only lost out on £7 in the end.

The picnic was great though! Really nice to meet some more lolitas and everyone looked fabulous. Lots of fun with lolita paparazzi-catching, cupcake eating and chatting about stuff. Most had to skedaddle after a few hours, leaving Hayley, Leah and myself to peruse a few shops and have pots of tea (or hot chocolate in my case). Was sad to have to leave, but I am so tired now!

And now for picture spam! (Mostly stolen from Facebook)

My outfit for the day! Think I overdid the polkadots...but was worth trying =P All Angelic Pretty except the jewellery (Metamorphose and Accessorize), headbow (Baby, The Stars Shine Bright), wristcuffs (handmade, not by me) and tights (Asiajam).

Detail shot! Tried to match my nails with the print on my dress =]

Group shot! Antonia, me, Leah, Katherine, Hayley and Amy.

Obligatory shoe shot!

Obligatory dress shot too, woop.

The food!...Looks like I talk with my hands like my mum does O_o

OMNOMNOM!

Sorry for the delay in posting, my laptop charger broke and my laptop ran out in the middle of writing this, tried to finish it on my mum's laptop but my write-up got deleted...so I tried my charger in desperation and now it is working again. What is this. Lucky!