Lolita Charm: December 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Year's Resolutions!

I've decided that this year I'm going to write some resolutions. Some of my resolutions are goals for my personal style, some of them are goals for Lolita Charm, and some of them are just goals on how to be happier! Here is my list:

1. Lolita Charm's super-special project! I have been very secretly stewing and hatching a project in recent months (which is so awful for me, I can't keep secrets at all - like I always tell my boyfriend what I've got him for birthdays and Christmas, I just can't shut up!) which I hope will be my magnum opus. It's already taken a lot of work and I can only hope it is everything I want it to be! So my goal is to work hard!

2. Go to more conventions! I never did cons as a kid (when I was interested in the typical animes I was only fourteen, and my parents wouldn't even let me out of the house on a school night!) - so I missed the big 'otaku' con years. I've only ever gone to cons as a lolita, and mostly found them to be loud and crazy... But the last few I went to I had fun! I learned to take a lot of the craziness in stride and see it for the exuberance and passion of hobbyists - and that really opened me up to have a good time :) This year I want to go to Otakon - it's so much bigger than ones I have been to! Plus I love getting dressed up for cons, I can wear all kinds of OTT and unique themed outfits!

3. Learn more hair & makeup tricks. Specifically, I want to learn how to make beautifully huge eyes like the himegyaru girls wear, with big sweeps of gel eyeliner. And I'd like to have make a new set of real hair extensions, dyed in rainbow pastels! I'm also learning how to set my hair in hot rollers for a vintage look, since I inherited an antique set. And I've never worn fake nails or had a manicure done, so I'm excited to try this year!

4.Visit Angelic Pretty San Francisco! Since my last visit to San Francisco, I've developed new ties in the area (family members) and I hope to visit them over spring break to catch up on all the local flavor! I'd be an absolute dream to visit Angelic Pretty USA!

5. Do more deco projects. It's expensive sometimes and takes a lot of planning, but when I finally sit down to do it I feel so relaxed and focused! I found an old jewelry box and I am thinking of deco-ing the lid, perhaps with more sweets from the Fake Sweets Bible.

6. Journal more. I keep a personal art journal, and sometimes write or draw in it on gray afternoons. It never has lines, so I can write all over the page (I tend to start somewhere near the middle, write more than I thought, and then have to squeeze stuff elsewhere...) and the pages are heavy so I can use watercolors. I need to make time for that ♥

7. Fix all the kinks on the website! I'm always trying to perfect the layout... I'm never sure what the perfect style is! And as you all know I still haven't gotten the comment count to work correctly... So I have goals ;)

In the new year Lolita Charm is also taking questions! I'm going to put up a button so you can email me with any questions or article requests. Want an article on a topic? Ask! The recent tea guide was in response to a reader request :)

I'm also accepting any suggestions or requests on this post! What do you want to see on Lolita Charm in 2011?! Is there a favorite feature you miss, or something you'd like to see more of?

It's so exciting to think that soon we'll have a whole new year, including Lolita Charm's 3rd birthday (!!). Do you have resolutions or goals? Who do you want to be next year? It's always a chance for a whole new life! Where will you be on next New Year's Eve?!

Labels: holiday

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A Lolita's Ultimate Guide to Tea

I was asked to do a primer, everything-you-need-to-know article on tea - so this is the result! Tea has long been considered a staple of the lolita community, whether by motif (on dresses and clothing) or by socializing (meetups at teahouses) or simply as part of the 'lolita diet' (more talk on this in an upcoming article!) While some lolitas have been stating lately that they've gone completely off tea and want to start having coffeehouse or chocolate meetups (a fine idea - mm, cappuccino!), teahouse meetups and the subsequent beverage still seem to be top of the list.

Why is tea such a big deal, anyway? Why isn't coffee or hot chocolate our patron libation? Well, it primarily goes back to England.... (imagine wavy flashback effects here if you like)...

History of Tea

Tea as we know it is originally from several countries, namely China, India and Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), and some histories also suggest from Japan. It was introduced to England by mid-sixteenth century, during the time of Cromwell's Protectorate (1653 - 1658). Naturally since it was being imported all the way from China it was very expensive, originally reserved for aristocrats and monarchs - the nobility. For the lower classes, they begin advertising it as a medicinal drink. However, it would take the restoration of the monarchy (Charles II) to popularize tea again; his wife, the Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza brought a large chest of tea as part of her dowry. Tea at this time was still not the tea setting we know today - these nobles drank it in the Chinese way, taken green in Chinese cups and teapots. Paraphernalia (sounds drug-like doesn't it?) was highly expensive, and the mistress of the house would unlock the box of tea and blend it for her guests in a crystal bowl in a graceful ritual.

It's very fascinating how tea had the trickle-down effect through the classes. As said, tea was of such expense that it was kept under lock and key. However, their servants would brew tea with the nobles' used leaves, and then resell the twice-used leaves out the back door. As tea became more widespread, it actually improved the nation's health, as it required water to be boiled. By the eighteenth century it was a national passion, even though prices remained steep. Sometimes the poor would buy tea blends actually blended with sheep's dung! (Don't worry, the 1872 Food, Drink and Drug Adulteration Act put a stop to that.)

Invention of Afternoon Tea

Anna the 7th Duchess of Bedford is said to be the one who started the tradition of afternoon tea. She was afflicted around 4 o'clock every day with a 'sinking feeling' between meals, and one day asked for a pot of tea, bread and butter, and cake to be sent to her room. Once she started the habit, she found she couldn't stop, and so made it popular among her friends as well. By the 1880s afternoon tea had become such an elaborate affair that ladies were changing into tea dresses - light, chiffon creations festooned with furbelows and loose-waisted for consumption of cakes. For those who didn't have gentry to rub elbows with and host elegant tea times, one could go to a teahouse for refreshment.

What exactly is 'high tea'?

High tea is a Victorian meal mostly for the middle and lower class. For those who did not have time for afternoon tea, five or six o'clock was the time for high tea, so named as it was held at the high table, or dining room table. Unlike afternoon tea, you'll find no little cakes or floppy, thin sandwiches. High tea is meant to be a substantial meal, replacing dinner. Some things you're likely to find at high tea: egg-and-bacon pie, a side of ham, a savory dish like potted shrimp, robust sandwiches, heavy cakes made with dried fruit and oatmeal, hot tea cakes, and toast. It's most popular in places like northern England and Scotland, and tends to take on a local flavor.

Why Lolitas Like Tea (Probably)

So, having read the brief history of tea use in England, can you glean why tea is so popular among lolitas? I saw the word nobility float through several times. Tea, in its most elegant forms, was for the rich, and then made into a pretty little ceremony and socialization by the afternoon tea, or what we consider the 'tea party'. And of course the ladies got all dressed up and had tinkling laughs over expensive, adorable cups of tea, with light conversation and light food. Since lolita fashion mostly takes its cue from the well-bred Victorian young lady, tea is an obvious motif and the tea party an unsurprising meetup choice. Who wouldn't like to sit round a table of blue Wedgwood dishes piled with meringues and chat with other prettily dressed young ladies? And thus the lolita love of tea is explained.

Knowing Your Way Around a Tea Menu

If you end up attending a lolita meetup at a tea house or would simply like to know more about what you're drinking, this is your guide. Here are basics kinds of tea you may see mentioned...

Although tea is only one species of plant, it comes in three varieties: the China, the Indian or Assam, and hybrids of the two. The Chinese leaf is more tightly coiled when dried, slightly smaller, and lives at higher altitudes. The Assam is a larger, more loosely-coiled leaf from lower altitude. Of these varieties, there are four types: white, green, oolong, and black.

White tea is the only tea not to be fermented at all, or sometimes very lightly. The part of the tea plant used for white is the bud or younger leaves (have you seen the Snapple commercial? 'White tea is a baby tea leaf.') White teas are light in color, with a very soft bouquet and in my opinion, a very cleansing feeling. Often they are scented with flowers. Some popular white teas are Silver Needle, White Peony or Jasmine. White tea is my personal favorite, I love the perfume!

Green tea is similar to white tea in that the leaves are not fermented. Then, all of the water is left to evaporate - after which, it's pan-fired. Green tea also has a 'clean' taste, but in some case also has a rather vegetable flavor in my opinion. I'm not a fan of green tea, but many enjoy its fresh, earthy taste.

Oolong tea receives a similar processing as green tea, but is allowed to 'wither' for further oxidization. This tea has a very smooth, full flavor and is recommended for those new to tea drinking. They are however bolder than green or white tea.

Black tea is a fully fermented tea with the strongest and boldest flavor. This is the tea typically taken with English or afternoon tea, and the only tea taken with milk and sugar. Basic grocery brand tea (Lipton, Red Rose, etc) is a blend of black tea. It's also primarily the tea used in making iced tea. Some popular black teas you may know are Earl Grey (with bergamot flowers making its signature scent), Irish or English Breakfast.

Other 'teas' are not usually teas at all but are brewed from distinct herbs. Rooibos, or 'red tea', is made from a South African herb with a fruity, forgiving flavor. Herbal teas, such as chamomile or peppermint, are brewed from that plant, and as such as typically decaffeinated. Chai tea, another tea you may encounter, is a black tea brewed with a variety of spices. Tea may also be flavored with a wide range of flowers, herbs, spices or fruit, which may influence your decision at a teahouse.

How To Make a Perfect Pot of Tea

1. Empty your kettle! Use new, fresh cold water. Don't ever use old water - the oxygen has all been boiled out. My mother refuses to drink tea made with old water. She's right. It's gross. Don't do it.

2. Set your kettle to boil. If you're making a pot, set out the pot and fill it with warm tap water. It warms up the porcelain so that the sudden temperature change won't crack your teapot.

3. Adding the tea. If you are using loose tea, a tea ball or infuser is best. If you are using tea bags, add them to water and loop the strings round the handle so they don't get lost. If you want to use loose tea directly, add it to the pot before adding the hot water, and remember to use a strainer as you pour from spout to cup. Remember to remove your tea bags/infuser after tea is strong enough. For black tea, this is roughly three minutes.

4. How do you take your tea? You can take your tea is a variety of ways. Milk added to black tea is common, as it reduces the tannin in tea - the chemical that makes tea slightly sour on the tongue. You may also add sugar or honey. Lemon wedges can be added to tea, but no milk - it will curdle. Do not use cream or half-and-half in your tea - what is good for coffee will overwhelm your tea. 2% milk (2% is the fat content) is best, but fat-free may leave your tea a little watery. If you're in a jam you can mix half-and-half with fat-free, but it's not really recommended.

3 Super-Easy Teatime Treats

These are some very easy go-alongs you can have at home, whether shared with a friend or simply on a cold winter's night.

Cinnamon Sugar Toast: Make toast (usually with white bread, but I only eat whole grain, so each to their own). Spread with butter and dust with a mixture of white sugar and cinnamon. I know that sounds deceptively simple and a little odd, but it's a delicious traditional tea snack. My grandmother, who comes from her own English grandmother's love of tea, always made these for my father as a child and then for me.

Toast... anything: Toasted banana bread or Irish soda bread are great toasted, as they're warm and then of course absorb hot butter. I practically gag at the smell of butter but even I love a sweet bread toasted with a little butter. English muffins, as we call them in America, are sort of scone-like biscuits, and when you cut them open they are full of 'nooks and crannies' as the commercial says, which get all stored up with butter or jam. These are also excellent toasted. I'm not sure what they call them in other countries, though from what I have read they sound suspiciously like crumpets (which the American public makes fun of on principal as being a sissy thing, and would never eat, so obviously a name change was a marketing move there). French bread or Italian bread cut in rounds and toasted with butter is also a great side to tea.

Cream cheese and jam sandwiches: Cream cheese on one side, jam on the other - strawberry or raspberry usually. Another great jam for tea time is marmalade, especially with the rinds left in. Not only does it feel very Paddington-Bear-cute, it's a unique citrus-sweet flavor.

Other suggestions for a quick tea-time: scones, Danish shortbread cookies (pictured above), gingersnaps, Turkish delight, wafer cookies, muffins, etc. You don't have to make time-consuming petit fours or macarons to enjoy tea. A simple, decent box of cookies or biscuits found at your local grocery might be just the thing to accompany your afternoon tea.

And that's it!

I hope you have many lovely tea times to come! If you have any questions, comments or additional knowledge, feel free to leave them in the comments and I will answer :) If this guide isn't enough for you....

But I want to know more about tea!

Here are a few great resources for learning about tea. There is more information here than I could ever cover in an article!

Adagio Teas - A large retailer of many types of tea, as well as an extensive about section.

2 B A Snob - A huge site based on tea.

For the curious, the majority of this article's reference is from my reading and studying of 'The London Ritz Book of Afternoon Tea' by Helen Simpson. It is absolutely full of excellent tea recipes, with a very posh tone of voice, like taking lessons from Mrs. Bucket (BOO-KAY, darling) of Britain's comedy show Keeping Up Appearances. I highly recommend it if you're interested in hosting an afternoon tea.

All photos in this post were found on weheartit, a free photo sharing website. If you know of any direct resource of these photos, please feel free to comment and I will add it to the credits.

Labels: cooking, guide, lifestyle

Sunday, December 26, 2010

All Dolled Up

I got the Christmas present I was really hoping for this year - my first doll! I was so happy to see her lace-patterned box... yes, she's Angelic Pretty's first Byul! I haven't a doll since I was little, but I used to get one every Christmas... so it doesn't feel like Christmas without dolls! It made me really nostalgic...

She's wearing a very tiny model of a pink Toy Parade OP, with matching bag and hairbow. Her socks, shoes, bloomers and pannier are all Angelic Pretty, and the inside of her dress even has an Angelic Pretty tag sewn in! She's fully articulated with ball joints, and blue eyes that look from side to side. I have these delusions of twinning with her - the lilac sausage curls would be easy to find as a wig, but Toy Parade is a fairly rare print - too expensive for me!

As soon as I got her out of the box (no mean feat... I hate packaging so difficult it seems like it's teasing you!) I was already thinking about making her a one-room dollhouse for photographs. My mom rummaged around in the attic and brought down my old Barbie dollhouse.... a perfect match! It's a super pink, collapsible house with a fold-up canopy bed, pink sofa, bath, vanity, and striped wallpaper. She's right at home! I'm so lucky I still had it. I used some scrapbook paper for a pink toile floor. And because the house unfolds (it's meant to be carry-along) I can move the walls to get different angles and the right shots. I may re-purpose it a little, as I don't think I'll ever need the bath tub... but as I've also pre-ordered Angelic Pretty's second Byul model, I might turn the tub into a loft bed so the house sleeps two! For the curious, here's the promo photos of Byul Sucre:

Besides having pink and blue split hair, she's also wearing a lilac colorway of Sugary Carnival, complete with pony bag. Together they'll be identical twins. But don't expect to see her on Lolita Charm until her release date, March 2011!

Delving further into my old Barbie accessories, I found her a plethora of toys to play with! A few mint hairclips (just her size), a little white dog, and a low table for breakfast or crafting.

Here she is working on a sewing project with her mint sewing machine. It winds up and 'sews'! I think it was a vintage wind-up from the 50s or 60s, something my mother played with as a little girl.

She also has a Re-ment tea set!

I had a ton of fun taking the photos - setting up scenes, messing with the lighting and macro functions. She's the perfect model, she never moves! ;) I love that she has her own little lolita world, where all she has to do is sip tea and play with her sewing machine or little dog. The other reason I love her is for posterity. I'll always have the photos of lolita fashion - both the magazines or ads and my own photos in lolita - but it's not the same as the real thing. She's a timeless, ageless model of a perfect lolita (and of Angelic Pretty's lolita vision, with her stylized eyes and colored ringlets). Someday I can show her to my children and grandchildren as an example of the girls we used to emulate, the style we followed. So in that way, she's something I'll always treasure ♥

I only have one problem - I'm not sure what to name her! She comes with the name 'Cocotte', but I don't really like it. Do you have any suggestions?

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas! It's snowing, I'm still working my way through a package of Belgian chocolate cookies (blush)... so we had a wonderful holiday here!

All of these photos were taken by me and are property of Lolita Charm. If you want to post them elsewhere, please include a link back. Thanks!

Labels: photopost

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

First, let me play Santa and announce that Kara is the winner of the Asian iCandy giveaway! Please send an email to lolita.charm@gmail.com with your address and preferred colorway (pink, black or almond). Congratulations Kara!

Thank you so much for sending in your Christmas wishes this year. I often read them while I'm waiting in the car - at the gas station, outside of the movie theatre, or waiting for my boyfriend after work. I'm alone, while the snow begins to fall... connected to the heart of a person explaining to me that what they really want for Christmas is their dream dress... or their boyfriend home from the war, or to see a lost grandparent... or any other million secret whispers. I understand how Santa feels now. It was a really beautiful and refreshing experience... so thank you for everyone who entered the giveaway.

Have a wonderful, magical, safe holiday, where ever you are, and I hope Christmas finds you all well & truly happy.

Labels: giveaway, holiday, winter

Thursday, December 23, 2010

How to Be Yourself Online

It's been a long time since I started Lolita Charm, and longer before that were I was simply online, interacting with the lolita community and the rest of the Internet in general. Often when you tend to interact more online than you do in real life, real-life meetings can be nervous! Friends online might be shy at their first get-together, worried that the person they know is someone else when away from the keyboard. The first time I met my first lolita friends, I was so sure they were secretly 40-year-old men I insisted we meet at a coffee shop! But I am very proud of the fact that the girls I meet say that I really am the person I seem to be online. "Huh," one friend said. "I'm so happy that you're really... well, you." But that's not an easy feat. Some girls do seem to have two sides: one for online, sprinkled with tons of bows and glitter, and something totally different for on the street or at meetups.

It's easy to get lured into 'being someone else' online. First you change your name - from something as ordinary as Libby to, perhaps, sparkleprincessunicorn57 (or whatever your preference). Then you use a different little picture to represent yourself. And then you are thrown into a big world where you realize, without your real name or real face, you can be anyone. It's a huge temptation to throw your real self to the wind and play into being whoever you want.

Who do people want to be? Do they spend all their time and energy making sure their 'online self' is perfect? Or there are others who want to be the complete opposite - maybe queen bee, maybe that-girl-who-has-everything, or anything else you can dream up. And what's so bad about that? Well, read this little fable...

“Shouldn’t you be running away?”

“Why should I run?” replied Rabbit. “I’m a wolf. Other animals run away from me.”

The wolf leader tilted his head and eyed him suspiciously. “You don’t look like a wolf to me.”

“Nope, I’m definitely a wolf.”

(About a rabbit named Rabbit)

Finished? Hopefully you really did read about Rabbit the rabbit. In case you did decide tl;dr, here's the gist: Rabbit the rabbit thought it would be super cool to be a wolf. But being a wolf is hard when you're really a rabbit. It seems like an obvious point, but a lot of people don't realize just how hard it is to pretend to be someone else. And while you're busy making sure no one else ever finds out that you're not Princess Peach or, alternately, Regina George reincarnated... everyone else is just having fun.

So how do you make sure that what goes into your keyboard comes out as you?

Use your real name and real photo. You don't have to plaster the internet with your social security number, or use your real photo if you're not comfortable. But I think it does add a lot by using or at least displaying your real name - first names only are fine. I'm much happier that I introduce myself and write under my real name, Victoria, than I am using a screen name (though you could consider my longer name, Victoria Suzanne, to be a pen name - it's still my legal name!) Real photos also help. One thing I like about meeting lolitas on Facebook is that they use real photos - taken by friends, at events, with their dogs, whatever. You can get a real sense of a person through an honest photo.
Think about what you're going to say. On second thought, don't. When you decide to leave a comment/write an article/make a video, write from your gut reaction. It's easy to get in the nasty habit of reading a collection of comments for consensus and then adding a 'me too' to the gang. If you must see what the party line is, try to write your comment or article first, and then read it over (so that you don't repeat others if you're commenting, or have the wrong facts.)
Make real friends. Even if you are a lolita trapped in Siberia, you can still have lolita friends. You don't need to have an 'online presence' or online persona to do it either. Join a community, perhaps something small or niche-oriented with lots of individuals looking to share ideas and chat. Then pick out a few people you seem to click with and strike up a friendship. Chat with IM, meet in real life, make Facebook friends, or follow each other on tumblr. It's much easier to be yourself within a small group or just a one-on-one relationship. Not only is it good practice at being yourself through the internet, it also keeps you from developing a Ms. Hyde character on the side. Real friends keep you honest.
Be personal. A lot of people from the past generation believe in 'don't air your dirty laundry in public' and 'sticking to the niceties.' Small talk was invented precisely for this - to avoid talking about anything actually personal. Don't be afraid to divulge into your own life and history online. Sometimes I've been shy in talking about things personal to me, like my kidney transplants. But the response from readers is overwhelmingly positive - they want to know who you really are. It's a part of you - don't hide it.
Don't follow trends - start them. Okay, if you really love a trend, then sure. Remember when cake hats were the coolest thing you could wear? If you're just dying to slap a cake on your head, then go for it. If you're just tying on a slice of Black Forest gateau to be with the in-crowd and look chic, then skip it. When it comes to your style - whether that be what you wear, what you blog about, or simply who you present yourself to be online, just choose what feels natural to you. It may be that your unique style or interpretation introduces the world to something new! If everyone stuck with the pack, we'd never have seen evolution and development in lolita fashion. By choosing what they thought was beautiful, and being true to themselves, whole new styles and subgenres began. They were brave enough to be themselves!

Labels: cultural, discussion, inspirational

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Spotlight: Baby Ribbon

I've always been a die-hard brand cultist (you'd think there is a shrine to Maki and Asuka in my closet) but lately one of my goals has been to diversify my wardrobe. Creating a unique coordinate in a day of made-to-go-togethers isn't always easy, especially when it seems like the coolest stuff is unfairly out of reach, lurking in odd boutiques and no-name vintage stores in Japan. There are so many times I've been frustrated to see listed in teeny-tiny script below a rockin' coord: 'boots/gloves/beret/rainbow petticoat' is model's own'. I'm so sick of this that I'm actually on the prowl, digging up cute accessories that aren't your typical brand item. And for all of you who also want to dress outside the box, here's my latest little-known tip-off: Baby Ribbon!

Baby Ribbon is a vintage indie brand that carries not-quite lolita. Like MILK, their style is feminine and cute, but leans more the idea of otome (which means young maiden) or just plain girly style. I think their things would fit well with lolita, fairy-kei or maybe even gyaru. They like vintage style, popishly oversaturated colors, and simple designs and motifs like bows, pinstripes, or 50s retro characters. Here's a few of my favorite pieces from their webshop:

They have a large collection of hats (full-sized!), and for some reason an even huger collection of signature hatboxes?! If you're looking to decorate your room, their hatboxes might be just what you need to store all of your things. This mint-dot ribbon hat is my favorite - it would be so cute in a spring coordinate! Pistachio makes a very refreshing tone from the usual almost-aqua mint. If you don't want to shell out the 17,000 yen or so, this hat would be very easy to replicate at your local craft store.

This bright violet velvet ribbon has a veil of gorgeous French netting attached and a cute little bunny charm. I wish this color popped up more in lolita as it makes a great accent to the usual softer, pinkier lilacs. This could be another easy-to-replicate project for a winter afternoon.

Their blog, which hints at a much more extensive shop (in person only, I'm sure...

) has even more uniquely adorable offerings. This is their 'Cotton Candy bag', a creamsicle-colored confection which the site claims it made of 'Tibetan lamb fur':

And of course I'm in love the simple whimsy and adorability of this coordinate! A creamy-pink skirt, sprinkled with pale blue bows like snow? Another item I'd be tempted to make, in a soft chiffon or light crepe, with dozens of hand-sew tiny bows. The net-lace beret and soft scarf make this a perfect winter coordinate. It's such a refreshing lolita style - a delicate silhouette, with smooth lines and pastel details. In a way it reminds me of mori girl with its comfort, but with all the rich colors of popkei and the wearbility of otome style.

Other things Baby Ribbon sells: ice-cream cone shaped candles (the wick is the cherry stem!), polka-dotted cushions and candy gift baskets. Talk about variety! They're also affiliated with Ribbonholic's adorable plush animals, which you can find at Chocomint.com.

Baby Ribbon shop blog | Baby Ribbon webshop

I was hoping to find more backstory about Baby Ribbon, but so far not very much has come up! Rumors have affiliated them with Ribbonholic, Shirley Temple, and Emily Temple Cute. If anyone has any more knowledge about Baby Ribbon, feel free to comment!

I'm so curious XD

Labels: fashion, shopping

Friday, December 17, 2010

Asian iCandy x Lolita Charm Holiday Giveaway!

Are you ready?! There are only 9 days left until Christmas! But there will be plenty of snowy weather to follow after that! Whether you're looking for a present for that special someone, or perhaps giving yourself a few presents this year... Asian iCandy & Lolita Charm have you covered!

Ready?

This gorgeous winter pochette will be just the thing for your Christmas lolita outfit! Your choice of pink, red, or almond style~

Such a hime style pochette! The soft grey snow leopard fur meets a very princess-y pink bow and gold ribbon-twined chain. This bag would look adorable for a snowy hime-lolita look or anything with a bunny or kitty theme!

Have a very merry vintage holiday with this purse! The white fur and poppin' red & black leopard would look smashing with Metamorphose's leopard hearts line or any of their rockabilly-style dresses, especially in black and white!

This red and almond style reminds me of Chinese New Year - the bright red and almond-bow looks like a crispy delicious almond cookie to me!

How to enter: just drop a comment describing your dream holiday present this year! The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Christmas Eve [December 24th]! Earn 1 extra point each for joining Asian iCandy's twitter or Facebook fanpage! This means your name will be entered additionally for each point you earn. Good luck everyone!

Can't wait? Buy your own Princess Bow Pochette from Asian iCandy now!

Want more Asian iCandy? Check their 'kawaii' column for other cute items to work into your lolita, mori or gyaru styles!

Labels: giveaway, holiday, winter

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Dreaming of Spring (...already!)

December always sneaks up on me. School, holidays and endless 'did-I-finish-my-homework' weekends sweep past and before I know it, I'm making appointments with the date 2011 on the ends of them. I just made an appointment today for June 2011! How is that possible?!

It seems like only a few days ago when I dreamed up my winter lolita style (you can read my winter style daydreams & brainstorm here!), and while I'm still waiting for real snowfall (a dusting is all so far, but enough to encourage the nearby skiing mountains to make more) the fashion world is already plotting spring style. Whether this makes us crazed at keeping up, or hopeful for the eventual blossoms that will pop, spring & its style is on its way!

'Milky Way' Onepiece from Pinkly Ever After

Every springtime needs a rainbow. Stop thinking one color is all a girl could need - and get them all. For days that feel lavender, or yellow, or mint, or even black - have one perfect dress in every color. The checklist: pink, yellow, mint aqua, blue, red - hunt up lilac, deep purple, white, retro black and white. Give up on neutrals and banish white basics in favor of pink, lilac, soda blue or black for pop appeal. Collect shoes to match and ditch the pointy, tippy heels: revive the original lolita platforms for comfort, height, and over-sized dolly feet. Keep a wardrobe of wigs behind curtains of dot-tulle, in every color and length. Salopettes and shifts are in for carefree days, with nonexistant waists and flirty lengths that are dying to be layered with glittery tights or pumpkin pants. Wear them with as many Sanrio products as you can find, especially My Melody, Little Twin Stars, or even San-x's Korilakkuma -

Fabric lineup: soft embroidered cottons, breezy t-shirts with inspiring screenprints, super-soft vintage lace, and silk hairbows. Your new allegiances: Taobao & Electric Alice, with a religious fanaticism to Spank!. Favorite themes: anything made with ice cream colors, stars, kittens and rainbows

Make your wardrobe look like the inside of your pixelated .gif collection. Anything labeled 'marshmallow' or 'mokomoko' (fluffy) is a must. Snow-dot, pinstripe or tiny florals look delicate next to chunky accessories or big polka dots. Simple curls, pigtails and using all your real hair is a big do - but so is adding an array of mint, sky-blue or lavender extensions for daily wear. Wear MILK, especially in bubble skirts. Make your own fairykei pins with unicorn and vintage My Little Pony print-outs on fabric, made into tiny stuffies and edged with ruffles or lace.

Make every outfit - every item - seems like a piece from fairyland. Don't compromise on anything that seems dull or boring. Order your entire life from Chocomint, and keep hoards of it in a carousel-shaped jewelry box. Follow the lead of real dolls and twin with your Byul. Prints are cute, but design-only dresses reign in their elegant cuteness. Never pay full price for anything that doesn't directly touch your skin, and wear your most expensive purchases till they fall apart. Pencil hours into your schedule for just playing with your wardrobe. Your only wardrobe rule is to wear whatever is cute and comfortable. Collect replica prints right alongside your real-things. Lace gloves make their appearance again, paired with simple-and-sweet faux nails in pretty pastel reincarnations of the French manicure. Wear Ticket to Darling with Wonder Rocket. Layer your skirts with vintage petticoats in periwinkle and powder blue. Get a hotfix rhinestone wand and add them anywhere the light might hit. The first reaches of spring sunlight should make you glow.

Do you have fashion visions for what you'll wear in Spring 2011? Current style crushes or ideas you've always wanted to try in warmer weather? What item would you love to welcome in spring with?

Labels: fashion, inspirational, spring

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Three Easy Ways to Style A Lolita Wig + My Melody Deco Watch!

Lolita wigs are becoming more and more available, spotted on nearly everyone these days. The typical lolita wig consists of a curly base and is usually supplied with two clip-on falls, like curly ponytails. Mostly you just pop on the wig, clip on the falls, and go! It's instantly cute and a great way to change up the color and tones of your coordinates. But that's not the only way to go! They're so much more versatile than that. The one I'm using here is from Cosplay Wigs USA, in their wavy light brown model. I love mine, it's such a pretty warm cinnamon with beautifully full curls!

You can see me wearing it here.

So here are three really easy ways you can style your lolita wig that will stand out from the crowd!

This one I've dubbed the 'Sailor Moon' because it reminds me of her signature 'odango' style. It looks best if you add on brooches, clips or matching hairbows on elastics. I've decided to use a Chocomint star clip, because it reminds me of the fantasy space theme and continues the Sailor Moon look, but anything you think is cute would be a great accent! [As always, click for larger~]

The Braided Crown is perfect for more classic, toned-down sweet, or even mori girl styles. The braids are a pretty accent of texture, and this look beautifully sets off faux roses or an elegant bow. Make sure you braid to the very ends, and use clear elastics - I used regular fabric ones so that you can see how the braids are wrapped.

The Hime (for those not in the know, hime is the Japanese word for princess ) Fountain gives the appearance of very full, cascading curls, and looks best accented with a large head-eating bow or tiara comb. This is probably the easiest style here - it's still clip-and-go, you just move the extensions up a little! ;) I saw Maki wearing this look at the San Francisco Angelic Pretty opening and thought it looked so adorable! I'm wearing this look with my pink and blonde wig at the Tangled meetup!

And just a little extra - did you know it's Sanrio's 50th birthday this year?! As a final bang, McDonald's is giving out digital Sanrio watches. I swung by (mm, caramel mocha!) and got one... but was a little let down by how plain it looked! Even though I got My Melody

... she looked a little sad, not good for a Sanrio character!

The six watches you could get with Happy Meal... I'm dying for the white Sugarbunny! I'm not sure why this picture doesn't show brown Sugarbunny, I think in some places they have Badtz-Maru instead.

So I sat down with an extra packet of Swarvoski rhinestones and a leftover glitter bow cabochon! I'm so pleased with result:

I think it's kind of kitschy cute! I can't wait to wear a My Melody coordinate now! She's never been my absolute favorite character (a spot reserved for Sugar Minuet & Little Twin Stars) but I can't say no to anything that comes in pure pink with a tiny little smile!

Just goes to show that you can find cuteness anywhere ♥

Labels: cosmetics, deco, tutorial

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