Week 22: Designing Your Dream Closet

Lolita Blog Carnival

As I've FINALLY decided on my Lolita style: Classic w/ a hint of sweet ;D  I have been trying to build up my wardrobe recently & have obtained LOTS of main pieces & lots of dream items i'm extremely happy with ^_^

But, OF COURSE, for many Lolitas, there's always something new to add to the wishlists, but FIRST, I shall go over the NEEDS & then the WANTS ^^

Need #1: Hair Accessories

Along with a more Classic Wardrobe, I really need more Headdress/ Headpieces to match ;)

 I love the classic rectangle headdress w/ lace & some kind of flower embellishment

 But I'd love more Round headdresses...

Or pieces with Veils :)

 And then, I'd really like to own more matching headpieces, like this hat for Mirage in Paradox

or my ultimate: Masquerade Theater bonnet XD

Need #2: Lolita Jewelry

Now, I'm always happy when I find an offbrand jewelry item that matches my Lolita prints, but i've been thinking I'd like to have more actual Brand jewelry, especially pieces that go w/ my various prints ;D

 I DESPERATELY want all the jewelry for Mirage in Paradox ;D

 I also just love a lot of Baby/Alice jewelry, like this one for the new collab ^^

And since I love all things Teddy Bears, I have been collecting Shy Bear jewelry for my Sweet Side ^^

And then, my latest WANTS ;)

It seems almost kismet that IW, one of my favorite bands, came out with a new dress called the Aileen Onepiece (which is my name ;D), so that quickly bumped up to the top of my wishlist & my wardrobe won't feel complete without it ^^

 The newest Baby collab w/ Midori, my fave Lolita model ;D

I can't afford the dress, but I put in my reserve for the Scarf//Sash ^^ 

I'd love to add more colors to my wardrobe, like gray, burgundy & even an all white piece ^_^

Now, i'm not a huge fan of AP, but I fell in love with this AP Marionette Clock JSK, which i'm currently paying for ^^

 And Lastly, I think I need @ least one OTT piece to "complete" my collection, so why not a wonderfully classic looking AP print: Day Dream Carnival ^_^

(not released yet)

I also wouldn't mind more Lolita shoes, bags, etc...but these are my absolute dream items right now ^^

And here are other LBC members who've participated in this week's theme:

Redtonic

The Bloody Tea Party

Hello Batty

sunsinourhands

hello-cinderella

abc-lolita

lolitacorderosa

lolidreamland

lace-a-la-mode

toothlesstigers

WARDROBE POST: Part 1: Main Pieces ;)

A quick intro:

When I first got into Lolita, I was still a student &/or working part time, so I mainly had Bodyline items or offbrand pieces...And then, last year, I started a full time job & went a little crazy buying whatever brand items I saw on the comm sales & closet child...

But, I couldn't settle on what my style was...so, about halfway through the year, I came across the GLB vol 42 or 43 & they had a section showing the various Lolita styles...& then, I realized I was more into the Classic style ;D

And so, I've started selling my outfits that didn't "suit me" & buying more items that are Classic...BUT, I love a lot of prints, so maybe there's a sweet aspect too ;)

And so, it's almost March already, but I FINALLY took pictures of my GROWING Lolita Wardrobe ;D
Unfortunately, I haven't had time to take pictures of my accessories, shoes, etc...so there shall be a part 2...eventually XD

Alright, here we go:

Here's a general picture of what my Lolita wardrobe looks like...I keep mostly everything in garment bags or dry cleaning bags ^^

Along w/ my own closet in my room...I also share (with my brother) a closet in another room ;) 

So, I fill my half w/ my cosplays & Lolita clothing ^_^

  and now the pieces:

By Brand! First up: Baby The Stars Shine Bright & Alice and the Pirates:

 Baby Original Alice Playing Cards Print JSK

Alice's Mirage in Paradox:White Queen version JSK in Navy (worn w/ offbrand blouse)

Baby Lace Frill JSK in Black (worn with a Black baby blouse w/ detachable sleeves)

Paris no Mado print JSK I in Lavender (worn with Raphael blouse in Lavender)

Alice in Fun Fair OP in Black (worn with Transparent Rose Bolero in Red)

Hymn Print OP in Ivory

Victorian Card Print JSK II in Green

Grimoire of the Moonlight Forest high waist skirt in Black

Rose Jail skirt in Ivory

Masquerade Theater skirt in Red

 AATP Music Bolero

Marie Antoinette t-shirt in offwhite

Handmade(not by me) Black capelet

Bunny Eared Cape in Ivory

Meta:

Velveteen Embroidery skirt in Red

Chiffon blouse in Burgundy

Royal Frame Print Switching JSK in Lavender

Innocent World:

Museum Bear long JSK in Beige (worn w/ bodyline blouse)

Sweets Teddy Bear JSK (worn w/ offbrand blouse)

Frill Ribbon Standing Collar blouse in Navy

Blue tank top (not sure what the name is)

JSK w/ a Vest: Trump flocky print in Black

Petticoats:

 Mostly Bodyline except for one black offbrand skirt & the mint skirt

h.Naoto:

Honey JSKs ^_^

I'm OBSESSED with the Honey line, so I own 3 very different pieces from it ^^

Frill cutsew, black skirt w/ apron & JSK(worn w/ bodyline blouse)

Blood white pleated skirt

Bodyline:

Bunny eared hooded w/ cape White OP (It's an older print I bought from a local lolita)

Piano OP

Playing Cards OP in Black

Strapless JSK with checkered/embroidered print

Antique Clock skirt in Pink

Handmade:

Bear print, Sailor skirt & Rose print made by me ;)

Handmade Striped flower skirt commissioned as part of a trade

Yellow jsk made by me (worn with offbrand blouse)

Offbrand/Taobao/Replica:

Infanta Alice JSK (worn w/ bodyline blouse)

Chess Story Mad Hatter Jacket

Oojia Replica Chess Chocolate JSK in Faded Ivory (worn w/ offbrand blouse)

Sweet Prints:

Angelic Pretty Ala Carte Tea Time Salopette in Black

Emily Temple Cute logo skirt in Blue

Cutsews:

Bodyline cutsew

IW Bear cutsew/t-shirt

Black Peace Now blouse

And then...the expensive brands or what I like to call: Super Brands ;D

Atelier Pierrot flared sleeve blouse and

Color block OP w/ detachable collar

  MMM Stained Glass Corset JSK in White

JetJ L'anonciation OP in Bordeux

AND, I'm still doing a payment plan for:

AP Marionette Clock JSK in Ivory

As well as a pre-pre-Reservation for AP Day Dream Carnival print...I REALLY hope I can get it ^^

I'll try to work on Part 2 soon, but work's been busy & our anime convention is coming up, so it might not be up until after March ;P

Lady Sloth Shop review ^^

I've debated about ordering from Lady Sloth Shop sooo many times since it appeared on the egl comm sales...but I was always missed the reservations for the prints i wanted & I was picky about the ready made items...

But then, they posted bags & I thought, I could DEFINITELY make use of that...especially...
Violin shaped bags ^_^

The post I ordered from was on the comm sales, but I also saw the bags listed on the fb sales and after debating for...maybe an hour or so...I decided to get one ;D

Since my style is classic, it's almost a must to have a violin shaped bag (in my head anyways) & then, I decided to get the black one w/ white details...I figured it would match the most...maybe? Although, I do like the white violin too...

Anyways, here's how the transaction went:
1/3/13: inquired about shipping of bag
1/4/13: placed order, invoiced, paid

It was supposed to be registered/tracked priority mail, but...I never got a tracking number...& after a month...it finally came today, 2/4/13 ;)

The seller's located in Poland & I did a trade w/ someone from there once & it ALSO took about a month to get to me...so, as always, things just take EXTRA LONG to get to Hawaii...sigh...

But, overall, the transaction went smoothly, the seller had good communication & the item arrived in perfect condition ^^

 It came in an unpadded, but lined bag, so I was a little worried there would be dents...

 but it was also wrapped in another bag...

and there were absolutely no dents, marks, etc after inspection ^_^

And it looks to be in perfect condition XD

The bag was stuffed with newspaper to keep its shape and along with the short straps, there were long ones inside ^^

And the quick outfit I put together XD

I think i'm currently obsessed with "shaped" bags...including plush ones, which I also like to collect ^^

Trading Lolita XD

When I first started selling items, I kept to only selling and didn't want to trade with anyone...But, after a while...& through desperation, I would do small scale trading, like a top for some accessories ;)

And then, recently, I got offered 2 amazing trades that I HAD to take:
1) One of my AATP skirts for another AATP skirt, a Meta skirt & 2 accessories ^^ & 
2) My IW jsk for a Meta jsk ^_^

I should REALLY be selling my items, but both were such good deals that I decided to accept them...& i'm SOOO glad I did b/c I LOVE ALL the items I got in the trade & at least my items went to good homes as well XD

 The box had the 2 skirts and the bag had the jsk ^^

And here's what I got in the trades ^_^

Alice and the Pirates Rose Jail print skirt and Meta's Velveteen Embroidery skirt(perfect for xmas...or vday i suppose) 

And Meta's Royal Frame Switching jsk in Lavender, which is what i was MOST excited about XD

Also, along with the 2 skirts, I got a cute bracelet & bear pin from the seller ;D

Both sellers were really nice & both transactions went smoothly XD

I still should TRY to sell my items, but I guess now i'll be more open to doing Trades since I just might get something amazing in exchange ^_^

And, b/c I felt like it...I put together some random outfits w/ my new loot ;)

 Red Meta skirt w/ Chess Story jacket & my new Violin Bag from Lady Sloth (I'll be writing a review for this)

 Meta Royal Frame jsk w/ my BABY bunny eared cape ^^

And Rose Jail skirt w/ the cape...I also played around with my new purple wig I got from ebay...heh, it was a day of packages XD

Doing GOs: Group Orders ^_^

I've been part of big group orders before, but I haven't been in charge of very many before...until just this past year ;)

It started off as small GOs Baby SF...and then, I started doing Closet Child group orders ^^

I really like CC ones b/c they have a one month holding deal if you're a frequent buyer...which I am by now...I've ordered from them many times before ;D

I only did a couple of small orders with me & 1 or 2 other people & they went well...but then, in December last year...5 of us ended up joining in a CC GO, which at times got a little crazy for me...from adding in items quickly...to figuring out everyone's totals...But, after an almost scare of my order being cancelled, everything worked out & our order was shipped...& everything arrived in great condition ^_^

Here are some pics:

 Our order contained: 4 jsks, 2 headdresses, a bag, & a bunch of accessories ^^

 Items were individually wrapped including: bag for a jsk, headdress & bag...as well as

A headdress & accessories bundle...

 And 3 jsks shoved into one bag XD

 JSK #1

 JSK #2

 JSK #3

 And THIS was My part of the order...as well as the most expensive, but i LOVE EVERYTHING, so it's totally worth it XD 

I got Baby's Original Alice Playing cards jsk & matching headdress, AATP Fairy Tale book bag in Navy

And some SUPER CUTE Alice In Wonderland type jewelry...bunny themed ;D

Another thing that WAS great about ordering from closet child was that they would lower the retail prices of the items, so the package isn't flagged for customs...BUT...starting this month, I was notified that they can no longer lower any values :/ 

But, I'm glad I did at least one big one & that we made it in time for them to lower our prices ;)

I'll probably only order enough items where I know I won't be charged with customs...OR...if we do a GO again, everyone will have to pitch in for shipping AND customs...

It's really easy to order from the site, so I probably still will & 

sometimes it's really worth it...And they update their items @ least twice a week ;)

Anyways, here's the link for the online store:

closetchild

AND NOW! Since I finally received ALL of my latest purchases...I can now do a WARDROBE POST ^_^

So, look out for that...hopefully it'll be the next post ;)