Last Minute Gift Wrapping Ideas

I love gift wrapping and I wanted to share a few (last minute, I supposed) wrapping ideas and inspiration photos. My Christmas wrapping tends to be a bit more Mori than Lolita, to suit everyone. Hopefully it'll make it look like you spend a lot of time on wrapping your gifts ^o^

Firstly, here are a few things I did this year. I always wrap my stuff in kraft paper (unless it's impossible to wrap, then that's what gift bags are for). A more muted paper base makes it easily for decorations like berry sprigs or rich satin bows to stand out. Plus it gives gifts that nostalgic "brown paper packages" feel. 

For name tags, I cut out rounded rectangles from paper shopping bags (so they wouldn't curl) and stamped a pine cone spring in white ink, then wrote names on top with a thin ink pen. The string was twisted red and white thread that I got this a box of vintage ribbon and lace. If you're lucky, you may be able to find Christmas themed doilies (the ones I used have poinsettias printed on them)

Decoration ideas:

• Satin ribbons
• Lace
• Ric-rac
• Silk poinsettia flowers 
• Velvet ribbon
• Yarn
• Vintage hard candies (wrapped)
• Pom-poms
• Tiny bells
• Sheet music 
• Red gingham paper or fabric
• Draw designs with paint pen or ink pen (like bows and tree sprigs)
• Fake berry, pine cone or evergreen (or even real evergreen) sprigs
• Red & white "candy cane" twine
• Paper doilies
• Deco/washi tape 
• Tiny paper triangle garlands
• Small glittery ornaments

 I hope this was helpful. Happy wrapping!

Angelic Pretty SF Review

For the past few months, I had been drooling over this lovely Petit Beurre Angelic Pretty pass case. I thought that it was an inexpensive and useful alternative to many of the other items from the series (basically I couldn't afford or justify buying any of the other items) :c 

I saw that the colorway I wanted was sold out on the San Francisco website and effectively gave up because I didn't want to pay exorbitant shipping costs from using the Japanese site. With a bit of hope, I contacted Japanese English shop asking if the San Fran shop possibly had anymore light brown versions in store (as directed to by an EGL member). They replied that I should contact the San Fran shop directly (which I forgot to do....oops). Anyways, to my surprise, about a week later, the San Fran shop called me and informed me that the Japanese shop told them that I was interested in the light brown colorway and that they had received one in their most recent shipment! Firstly, I cannot express how grateful I was that they remembered me ;A; how thoughtful! While I was on the phone, the San Fran staff member informed me that she was adding the colorway to the San Fran shop website as we spoke. Still moderately surprises and very gracious, I thanked her and purchased it the next day!

Long story short, I have it not and it's amazing. Thank you Japanese and San Fran shop staff for being so thoughtful and helpful. This was my first direct Angelic Pretty purchase and it will certainly not be my last!

Shipping was $13, a little steep in my opinion for such a tiny item but I believe they only use flat rate shipping (along with a tracking number and non-optional $1 insurance). 

The store shipped the day after I payed and it arrived in about 3 days (not including Sunday).

 

The shop included a small flyer from the store (the paper card was in the pass case) 

The pass case is a good size and has a study & long chain with an easy to use lobster claps. There are two card slots and a small zipper pouch, but it should get the job done. I think this is much cuter that the Vera Bradley pass case/pouches that are popular in America right now.

Overall: 

Customer services: 6/5

Shipping: 4.5/5

Product: 5/5

Thank you again AP!

First Lolita Meet-up

I recently attended my first Lolita meet-up! It was a little strange to meet so many girls who liked Lolita fashion and I could talk to without worrying that they would not understand xD

We had a wonderful little Christmas party including lots of yummy food, silly games and fun gift exchanges ♥

I wasn't able to get an outfit shot of myself, but I wore my Innocent World puppy jsk with a beret/bow, black cardigan and brown boots. (I'm in the back row on the far right).

There were two gift exchanges; one was a Secret Santa and the other was a small "White Elephant" exchange where participants are allowed to steal others' gits. 

My Secret Santa liked roses, dark colors and anything vintage ♥ I got her a make-up pouch, tiny rose note cards/envelopes, orange ginger soap and a rose & pearl choker.

I recieved a cute lace headband and mori-style owl hair pin from my Secret Santa c:

Hoot!

For the stealing gift swap, I (stole) a pair of handmade pearl earrings and cute Korean stickers. I originally got a lovely handmade crocheted flower headdress, but that was stolen twice around the group! My gift was a large antiqued skeleton key key-chain, which was stolen by a Gothic Lolita.

So cute ♪

I had a lot of fun and I can't wait till our fashion show and Lolita panel during an upcoming anime convention! I think I will be walking in some form of couture Mori-girl : >

Christmas Card Exchange

This December, EGL hosted a handmade Christmas/Holiday card exchange. While I was silly and forgot to take a photo of mine before I sent it, here is the lovey card I received.

Thanks Madam Neko ♪

December Lifestyle Ideas

From We ♥ It

• Make a cute holly or winter berry brooch and pin it to a warm scarf or lapel 
• Deep reds, chocolates, forest greens and creams are the most wonderful colors for winter 
• Buy a pair of cheap mittens or earmuffs and lolify them with cute little bows, faux fur trim, lace or even tiny bells
• Make a list for the month of December of something you are grateful for every day
• Coordinate an outfit based off a holiday story or character, such as The Nutcracker, The Little Drummer Boy or Rudolph 
• Make festive peppermint tea! Brew peppermint tea and use a candy cane as a stirring stick
• Keep a watch out for Lolita brand novelties on the sales comm, they can make great gifts!
• Need a dish for a holiday gathering or potluck? Why not make a dessert based off a brand print? Try Triple Tart (AP), Memorial Cake (AP), cookies from Wonder Cookie (AP), a tart from Chelsea Rabbit (IW) or cupcakes from Merry Making Party (AP). There are so many possibilities!
• Stuck inside with nothing to do? I recommend watching Pan Am (avaliable on Hulu). Although it's not Lolita, it's got plenty of vintage glamorous goodness~
• It's a busy time or year, but try your best to send cards or letters to friends and family members. Even if they aren't holiday cards, its nice to hear from others during the season (and who doesn't love mail?)

Happy Winter International Lolita Day!

Isn't this a cute Christmas coordinate?

Happy Winter ILD everyone!!

Do you have any special plans? (Sadly, mine are cleaning and homework D:)

I have one question though, what have you learned this year (or since the last ILD) about Lolita? Whether it be a styling tip, history about the fashion, a new skill, meet-up tips or experiences wearing Lolita in public, I would love to know!

I guess I'll answer this too ^_^ 

I've learned to look elsewhere (besides Lolita coordinates) to find inspiration for outfits. It's useful to look at street snaps and blogs outside of Lolita fashion. Even "mainstream" fashion blogs are useful too. They are useful to incorporating new fashion trends into Lolita, such as military-style jackets and berets♥

Introducing Milk Thistle

Designing my own accessory and art line has always been a dream for me. The idea of selling my handmade items and art has always stayed in the back of my mind. Well, I don't think I want to wait any longer!

I am officially introducing my line of art and accessories: Milk Thistle. 

This is not going to be a very large scale endeavor, I plan to just sell online and maybe at anime conventions (along with actual anime/manga inspired art). I'm really looking forward to setting up and decorating a cute little booth table and talking to customers ♫

My art will incorporate various aspects and aesthetics of Lolita, Mori and Dolly-kei styles.

I hope to make and sell the following types of items: 

• Berry key chains
• Deer puff keychains
• Biscuit and French-themed items
• Dolly-kei inspired hair pins and brooches 
• Different types of fruit, flower and food brooches
• Deer puff and bow berets
• Various styles of hair bows and brooches
• Lace bows and pins
  
• Small pouches 
• Button hair ties
• Peter pan, fur and lace scrap collars
• Vintage Odd Fellows collars
• Mini stuffed and clay animal brooches
• Furry headbands and earmuffs
• Tassel necklaces
• Prints, tote bags, buttons, key chains, stickers and stationary of my original art
• And who knows what else!

As of now, I have several extra items avaliable for sale. I may later devote a separate page or blog specifically for sales, but for now I will post them on this blog.  I am by no means a professional, but I try my best to make durable and well-crafted items. I usually keep one version of an item for myself to use and then sell multiples of that item.

Terms of Sales: 

• I use PayPal. The buyer is responsible for the fee. 
• The buyer pays shipping, I am willing to ship internationally, but it's often expensive
• Please ask for a shipping quote.
• If you would like to see my feedback links, I have Ebay and EGL comm sales avaliable 
  
• All items come from a smoke-free home.
• Once I ship an item, it is beyond my responsibility (though you make purchase insurance or tracking).
• Commissioned items my slightly differ in appearance.
• I try my best to construct items well, but being handmade means they are somewhat fragile. 
• Feel free to ask any questions or make requests. 

The items below are avaliable for direct sale (I am able to make more deer puffs and maybe one or two more berry key chains, I need to check my supplies)

Sweet Berry key chains -  $5 each

Bambi puffs (small or large) - $4 each

Natural Fawn puffs (slightly differ in size) - $5 each

Cute Acorn hair clip set (acorns are glued to fabric) - $2 each or $7 for set

Petit Beurre barrette set - $5

The items below are avaliable for commission (actual items may slightly vary)

French Cafe brooch series - $5 each or $12 for set

Felt Chocolate brooch - $4

Cute Biscuit brooch series - $4 each or $10 for set

Rose brooch - $4, Dolly-kei brooch - $3

Sweet Strawberry brooch - $5

Cream bow brooch - $4

Puffy Velvet 2-way bow - $6

 I especially would appreciate funds for Christmas shopping right now ;__; 

Wouldn't these make cute gifts? ;) 

Thank you for looking and please support me!