My Very First Yukata ^^

 I am a Yonsei(read more here) or 4th Generation Japanese, which could be why i know or own so little of my culture :/  One of the main items is a Kimono(formal wear)...or Yukata(light summer wear) & I actually went through most of my childhood never owning my own Japanese clothing until all us girls got to choose a kimono & obi from my Uncle's mother's collection ^_^  And so I did...but...it's real silk(or vintage) & white/cream, so I really don't want to wear it out...which means it just sits there in my closet & collects dust :/

Then, a bunch of years later, I got into Anime/Cosplaying & i had to sew my own Kimono outfit for my char, Lukia from Godchild:

 

 But it had to have a victorian/european look...& I still feel like I wouldn't be able to wear it out much, especially to bon dances... :/

THEN FINALLY, earlier this month...I found myself @ Shirokiya, a store that carries japanese goods...&...there was a SALE on YUKATA ^_^  So, naturally, with what little money I had, I scoured the racks & picked out a print that didn't have too much pink, but still matched my style ;)

*side note: we went to Shirokiya after seeing Septime Webre's Alice in Wonderland ballet, so I was dressed in Lolita at the time...which is not the best thing to wear when picking out yukata ;P *

I got the cheapest cotton Yukata, which was about $70 & the sale was for 30% off, so adding in the tie I needed, I paid about $55 for everything XD  It was such a good deal & luckily, I found a print that matches the Obi I already own, so now I'm all ready for the many Bon Festivals around the island ^_^ It's just too bad that the season is ending soon, but I'll definitely be able to wear it to at least one @ the end of the month ^^  

All I need to decide on now is how to style it ;)  I'm definitely wearing a camisole & skirt underneath (per my friend's suggestion) but I don't know if I should go traditional style or try something a little different...here's some ideas I had:

This was in the Gothic Lolita Bible vol 44 & I've been so in love with Juliette et Justine prints lately!  I really love the classic feel to it & even though I don't have the same amazing print, I like the idea of wearing lace gloves & putting a giant corsage on my obi...Then again, I'm also a huge fan of Dolly-Kei, so I thought of hanging a tassel  from the Obi instead & keeping the accessories vintage looking ;D

here's an example with a tassel, but it's a somewhat "Sweet Wa-Loli" look, which I actually like as well XD

So many choices...but either way i'm happy I finally got a Yukata & I can't WAIT to wear it out ^_^

Also...It looks like there's a site for Shirokiya...I had no idea ;)

http://www.shirokiya.com/

My First Innocent World order ^_^

I've ordered from BTSSB online before...& did Meta and Closetchild, but I've always wanted to order from Innocent World @ least ONCE...just to see how it went...& unfortunately, because of the timing, I have to say i'm half/half on my ordering experience :/

Here's how the transaction went...& keep in mind I did mine during their Summer Sale...which could be why things went wrong...sigh...

July 10: Start of sale, items posted on site

July 11: Placed order.

and then...they were "on holiday" so no confirmation would be sent until after...but almost a week later, STILL nothing :/

July 19: I sent an email inquiring about my order.

They IMMEDIATELY replied saying that they were swamped (understandable) & that one of my items was sold out...sigh...shucks... Then, after they sent me an invoice for the in-stock items, they asked if I wanted to replace the one i couldn't get with the same print, but different color, so I said YES & replied right away to the email.

July 23: Sent new email asking if they got my reply email/added on item...

July 24: Decided to pay first invoice without extra item (couldn't wait any longer since i like to keep track of my purchases)

July 31: I get an email saying that their servers crashed around the 26th & they lost some invoices...asked if i STILL wanted to add on my item & they'll send a new invoice with the difference for shipping...which i decided yes...since i did STILL really want the item even if it wasn't the color i originally wanted ;)....but...i spent all my spending money on my bus pass, other stuff...so i waited until the deadline to pay...

Aug 7: (after payday), FINALLY paid the rest of the IW order ^_^

Aug 9: Order shipped out

Aug 14: (Today): Received package & now i'm sooooo glad i bought through them...even though at first it was such a pain...sigh...

 Yay!Another IW bag ^_^ I think i'll give this to my GO buddy since I already have one XD

 SOOOO glad I ordered...this stuff is BEAUTIFUL ^_^

 The colors on the socks are way different, but still workable ;)

 And this FABRIC is not plain cotton...it's super thin & delicate...maybe polyester? & there's a brocade design within in the print ;D

 THIS was the item that was sold out in the color i originally wanted, Sax...but the Beige is super pretty too...now i'm glad i re-added it...totally worth it XD

And the socks are super stretchy (even over my big calves) & they fit me like how they do the Lolita models...over the knee & almost thigh high...but they won't roll down...perfect XD

 

BUT! the main reason for buying the JSK was to have something to match my new Blue VM~like shoes that i HAD to have ;P  Which it does perfectly ^_^  &...most importantly, the JSK FITS XD  I debated forever about getting the long version & now i'm glad i did...it has such a grown-up feel to it...even though there are Teddy Bears on the print XD

Overall, the beginning was rough, but i'm SUPER HAPPY with my purchases & maybe i'll order from them again....just not during a sale ;P 

Also, I just found a lovely note thanking me for my order...i always love the small notes...& extra stuff...like the free hanger i got for my jsk ^^ 

 

Taobao Brands ^^

So, i've been REALLY into Taobao brands lately...& first I bought a Chess Story jsk from someone on the comm sales, which i LOVE ^_^ And so, my "latest" purchase was from Haenuli, which is a Korean Brand that carries original prints as well as some Taobao brands XD

I ended up getting a very cute JSK & headbow from Dolly Berry ^_^

 the tiniest box is came in ;P

 I did a payment plan for this, so they held it for me XD

 Soooo amazingly cute print & the fabric is just gorgeous XD

It also comes with a ribbon waist tie ^^

 Closeup of print & a pic of the lining.

 It also came with a matching headbow ^^

 Worn pic ;)  It was hot, so I just put the dress over my black capris & socks...then added the heart bag that came w/ my Baby catalog (maybe that'll be in another post)

The fabric isn't super see-thru, which I like & it's super light & flowy...overall, i'm very happy with it ^_^

GLB vol 44 Review ^_^

There is soo much epicness in this vol, i'm going to post a gazillion pics XD So...here we go:

 This is the summer vol, so the cover is with a super cute kimono ^_^

 A few standout prints, like Meta's newest Swan Lace ^^

 Innocent World's newest prints

 There was an Hangry&Angry page :)

 But the newest trend....the models are wearing the Verum tights from Grimoire XD

 I'm also a Dolly-Kei fan, so I know these tights well...but...they're made for skinny legs, so i shall sadly never own a pair...but i can admire them XD

 And Look! It's Kaori from Grimoire ^^

 Then, there's the usual Hair tutorial: Lolita

 Prince w/ Akira...of course XD

 Gothic

 As always, Mana's latest creations

 &...something I don't see too often...a Japan Steampunk group...i guess it's finally spreading ;)

 The patterns were for Juliette et Justine items...& that's how my latest obsession for this brand started...i love their prints XD

The kimonos are sooo pretty as well ;)

And now, some cool things:

 my mook came w/ a big poster

 & Grimoire Stickers ^^

I also really liked this accessories section ;D

As well as this section on doing makeup like BJDs ^_^

Matching Set ^^

I've been buying A LOT of Lolita items lately...& this was just another random spur of the moment purchase...BUT, I'm sooo glad i got it XD

I have quite a few Brand items now...but I never really obsess about finding all the matching accessories for everything...but when someone was selling their BTSSB Paris no Mado headbow (w/ skirt) in the same color as my JSK, Lavender...I HAD to get it ^_^  The only thing was the seller was from the Netherlands, so shipping was an arm & leg, but we did some haggling & she gave me a bit of a discount in the end :D

 First: Check out the super secure packaging O_O

 And after busting out the scissors...i finally opened it & saw my new BTSSB Paris no Mado headbow, so small & simple, but sooo pretty XD

 Then, i tried to figure out how to get a good pic of it w/ my matching JSK...

Until I finally decided to put it on my teddy bear/"model" Noir ^^

And...I didn't know i'd be THIS EXCITED & HAPPY to get a matching piece for a Loli print, but I absolutely was & now i'm kind of wondering if I can find other matching accessories... ;D

MORE LOLI BAGS...MWAHAHAHA = PART 2

And now my 2nd "shaped" purse ^^  This time I went through Ebay...through a seller I've ordered from before XD

Ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com/mysterewonderland

They are very similar to Refuse to be Usual, but some items are different...like the purse I got ^^

I get their emails of new products, but I came across the bag on the facebook page & instantly had to buy it XD

Quick Review:

April 26 - placed order

April 27 - order shipped

May 4 (today) - Received bag ^^

The store's in Taiwan, so shipping tends to be on the higher side...this time it was only $10, so not too bad...& shipping's within the week ;)  Also, their customer service is very good & they answer any inquiries very promptly.  They also are willing to work w/ you if your order is not what you expected...I ordered a jsk from them, but it was too small, so I had to exchange it for a bigger size :/  

But, the seller worked w/ me, I sent it back & they sent me the larger size very quickly...& now it's one of my faves ^^

Alright, enough of that...onto pics ^^

 Packed nicely in a big box

 They always give a little print out of care instructions & frequently asked questions ;)

 It was in a nice cloth bag inside the plastic one...extra secure

 And Voila! My very own A/P replica coffin purse

 It's not the pochette version though...& can be converted into a backpack as well ^_^

I also have a blackxblue one I got from the comm sales as well, so now I have 2 XD

And since this is a post about Bags...here's a pic of the UBER CUTE teddy bear backpack my friend gave me for my bday XD