Low Energy Lolita - Tips for Bad Mental Health Days

Hi all...

Long time no see. It's been a few months again and a bit up and down at that. Without going too deep into things, I have been dealing with some mental health issues for a while but particularly in the last four or five months. This has affected my ability to do everyday things including, of course, wearing lolita fashion. 

I reduced the amount of meets so that I had time enough for self care. As a result, the days when I went to meet ups were very important to me. There were some times when I would be having a bad mental health day but a lolita meet so I would need to wear low maintenance looks for those occasions. I wanted to share with you the items I like to use on those days.

Just a disclaimer, I understand that it is not always possible to wear lolita and go to meets when you are experiencing depression. Depression affects each person differently so you will need to make your own judgement on whether you have enough energy to wear lolita or go to meets. 

With that said, here are the items that I gravitate towards when I'm having a tough day. Most of these items are about getting a decent enough look whilst minimising effort and discomfort. 

Elasticated Onepiece

A one-piece is exactly that: a full outfit with one piece. Less pieces, less time, less effort; all things I consider when I don't have a lot of energy and don't feel good. It's gotta be stretchy too. Whether it's shirred or with an elasticated waist, I love an OP that gives you room to breathe. I find the more restrictive my outfit is, the more anxious I feel so I stay away from corsets or any tight fitting clothing. 

In my wardrobe (from the left)

Abandoned Night Chiffon OP by Baroque

Mystic Chiffon OP by Alice and the Pirates

Girly Note OP by Metamorphose Temps de Fille

 

Other Ideas (from the left)

Angel Wing Cutsew OP by Alice and the Pirates

Charming Dot by Angelic Pretty

Beloved Bloom Lace Puff Sleeve dress by Metamorphose Temps de Fille

The sack dress, fully-shirred bust OP or fully-shirred back OP would all be options for comfort and cuteness. 

Overknee Printed Tights/Socks

Printed tights add interest to your outfit. When I'm in a low mood, I tend to want to show even less skin than usual. Cotton overknee socks are often too hot in the Australian weather and I feel like they make my legs look wide so I prefer tights or socks in a stretchy fabric which cover skin, are cooler and often look better on my legs. 

My Wardrobe (from the left)

Kingdom Tights by Beth

Funeral Procession of Rose socks by Alice and the Pirates

Other Options (from left)

Elizabeth tights by Innocent World

Cream Cookie Parade by Angelic Pretty

Milky Pony Carnival by Angelic Pretty

Look for tights with a pattern down the middle for a leg slimming effect. 

Cardigans/Capes

Just like an elasticated one-piece, wearing a comfy cardigan or cape is a way to hide arms or décolletage without the discomfort of a blouse. While a blouse can feel constricting and starchy, a cardigan or cape is stretchy and soft. There's also nothing better than a knit or fluffy cape to help make me feel cosy and comforted on a bad day. 

My wardrobe (from left)

Bunny Ear Fur Cape by Baby the Stars Shine Bright

Cardigan with Fur by Baby the Stars Shine Bright

Other Options (from left) 

Rose and Little Bird Hood Cape by Innocent World

Heart Cardigan by Innocent World

Arab Knitted Short Cape by Alice and the Pirates

Soft, fuzzy and comfy is the aim with capes and cardigans. 

Make Up 

Generally, putting on makeup to match my lolita look is one of my favourite parts of lolita but when I don't have a lot of energy, I don't want to spend time on doing intricate makeup so I find the following items really useful. 

A medium brown eyeshadow and a glittery white eyeshadow 

Brown is a fairly neutral colour with many shades to suit all skin tones and dress colours. It's a colour that you can brush over your lid for a light shade or build up to create depth. Adding the white shadow near the tear duct in the inner corner of your eye creates depth and opens your eyes. This means you don't need to spend time choosing colours and creating looks. 

Pen tip Eyeliner and mascara 

Pen-tip eyeliner with mascara adds drama without the mess of false eyelashes. For me, false eyelashes are annoying to apply on the best of days, so on a day where I lack motivation and energy, having an eyeliner that draws smoothly is essential. This gives the illusion of dramatic eyes and with mascara it's often enough for my coordinate. Your face may not look "beat to the gods" but it's dramatic enough to carry the lolita look. 

Blush and Highlighter

Use a blush pallet with high lights and blush in one compact. Usually I combine two or three different colours from a couple of different pallets on my cheek, I will do some contouring around my face, put blush on my cheek and add a tiny bit of highlight. On a rough day I can use one pallet and a few strokes to minimise fuss and get colour and dimension on my face. 

Medium coverage lipgloss 

Rather than a creamy lipstick or a clear lipgloss, I would chose a lip gloss (in pink, of course) with medium coverage (and glitter, lots of glitter) for a quick but finished look. The reason why I don't chose a lipstick is it makes me look more mature and I prefer the glassy, less defined look of a lipgloss. 

Lip Stain

I also use lip stains because it leaves a soft impression and stays on your lips so you don't need to reapply often. 

Here are some looks I put together on some of the days I wasn't feeling well. They required minimal effort and were comfortable enough to wear for the duration of the meet. 

A comfortable outfit for an afternoon Murder Mystery Meet

Cats Window Velveteen OP with Putumayo 

Cotton Frill JSK by Victorian Maiden

Offbrand knit with chiffon sleeves

Offbrand tights and shoes

Detachable Shoe bows by Baby the Stars Shine Bright

Necklace by Innocent World

Christmas in July!

Mystic Chiffon OP Funeral Procession of Rose tights by Alice and the Pirates  

Cardigan with Fur, Logo Beret, head bow by Baby the Stars Shine Bright

Off brand shoes 

Relaxed and cosy for a Sailor Moon marathon. 

Girly Note OP by Metamorphose Temps de Fille 

Bunny Ears Fur Cape and Mini Usuakumya pochette by Baby the Stars Shine Bright

There are my tips for when you're not feeling well or don't have a lot of energy. What are your tips when you're having a tough time? I'd love to know. 

Hoping you are able to take the time you need to take care of yourself. Wishing all of you health and happiness. 

Until next time...

Mini-Muffins and Turtle Teapots

International Lolita Day June 2017

First of all, thanks Kit for organising this great casual high tea meet. I had no idea this adorable cafe even existed and I had a great time. 

Outfit Rundown

Skirt, bonnet, jabot, wristcuffs : Angelic Pretty

Blouse, socks: Baby the Stars Shine Bright

Headbow, necklace: Innocent World

Shoes: Bodyline

Rings: Disney and Q-pot

I wanted to go all out for International Lolita Day and after day dreaming about creating a veil, underskirt or a tea cup head dress, I realised I just hadn't given myself enough time to prepare any of it. I decided to go with my Wonder Party skirt because of the tea cup print but I didn't want to wear it the same way as I had before and felt it was too casual. So I used the bonnet and jabot from the Chess Chocolate series to make the coordinate a little more formal and added wrist cuffs with crowns on them, a crown necklace and a head bow just to give the coordinate more volume. I would have worn my brown Innocent World shoes but it was raining when I left the house (thankfully not for the whole meet) so I chose to wear Bodyline shoes.

I was really happy with this coordinate and even after the meet finished I didn't take it off for at least another hour because I felt so pumped after the meet and just really loved how it looked. It was also my first time print mixing.

The cafe was just outside of the city in a suburb called Leederville, known for its cafes and artistic places. However, rather than the main cafe strip, this place, called Piccolo's Corner, was on a little street away from the centre of the town and a short walk from the West Leederville train station.

 

Photo taken by Kit

The cafe was quite small but absolutely gorgeous. Kit managed to reserve a small room just for the group. It was filled with lots of pictures that created the perfect atmosphere for lolita fashion. 

 

A few more people than expected turned up for the meet so the room was completely full of petticoats and (I'm happy to say) pantaloons! As I pulled up a chair near the entrance of the room I felt the power of the frill positively spilling out the door and I revelled it. 

 

I met a few new people whom I hadn't met before. It's always nice to see new people coming into the community. We only got to talk for a little while but I hope to see you at the next community event!

It was great to look around and see the group enjoying different types of food and drink. Some people ordered savoury dishes such as ham and cheese croissants and others ordered cakes and muffins. There were quite a few people who ordered mini-muffins, which is what I did. Most were dusted with edible glitter with some kind of decoration on top. I chose a chocolate mini-muffin -it went with the coordinate- with white chocolate icing and a rose. I also ordered an English Breakfast tea and it was instantly much tastier when it came in the most charming turtle-shaped teapot that I had ever seen.

 

When most people went out to the garden to take outfit shots, I hung back to enjoy my tea and muffin. Here are some of the shots courtesy of Kit and Susie.

 

Kit is so gorgeous and naturally cute. Kit was one of the many people wearing carousel prints. 

 

Greta looks so gorgeous in this garden. What a lovely setting!

Carousel prints were the unexpected popular print at the meet and the garden had a perfect statue.

 

Karina has got elegant posing down. 

After the photo shoot in the garden, the whole group headed outside to take a group shot and more outfit shots.

 

Siobhan is a Lolita who is also a part-time prince. 

 

This chick right here has great dynamic poses. This is the "Is my ride here yet?" Susie held the quiz night meet in my last post. 

 

Incidental Twins - Kit and Gretta 

This is so sweet. It's like the lolita version of fusion from Dragon Ball Z. Go forth and fight cuties. 

 

Siobhan the Suave (that's her full title). Me making my grand entrance and even Serena in the background there. Hi!

 

I told you Karina had it down. 

 I think one of my favourite parts of meet-ups is walking around with everyone dressed up. Fluff flying everywhere. I had this feeling of excitement similar to when I would go to my friends' birthday parties as a child. 

 

 

We headed towards what we thought was a church but it ended up being a school. We didn't want to trespass so we made do with the brick wall outside for group shots.

 

All of the carousel prints!

As well as individual outfit shots. 

 

Me, myself and I. I tried out some poses from Milkb0x's posing 101 video. How did I do?

 

Frances - an actual doll. Wearing a coveted classic Puppet Circus by Angelic Pretty. 

 

This baby! I'm a closet foil print lover. 

 

More Foil Please and Thank You. Serena embodies the mysterious fortune teller in this amazing dress by Alice and the Pirates, which I totally didn't get a close-up of. 

 

Siobhan, Mhairi and me! Good friends who are certified veterans of the comm. Mhairi wins a prize for being the best community Mum. Crossing the road and looking at phones doesn't mix, frillies!

After spending a good hour or more on outfit shots, we headed back to the cafe. I put on some tunes (read: Kyary and Perfume all the way). It made me think I need a mini-speaker or a kawaii blue tooth boom box of some kind. When we reached the cafe again, we parted ways. 

Here are some more shots that I took.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was great to meet new people, see lots of faces I knew and go to such a gorgeous cafe that is so calm and quiet. I've really been enjoying going to all the meets and I want to say thank you to all the group members who go out of their way to create these meets for the community.

And thanks so much to you for taking a look at the blog. 

Until next time...

    

First Lolita Meet 2017 - High Tea and Spontaneous Cocktails

It was high time for High Tea...

Well, it's been a while! I've been back in Australia for a while now (since June 2016) and living in Perth. 

Amongst adult-ing for the past nine or ten months, I've not been out in frills or updated the blog. However, I had the most marvellous chance to head out for a high-tea at the Crown Casino this last weekend. Although the weather has been incredibly hot recently, I was enthusiastic about joining the Perth Community for cake and a cup of coffee.

Thoughts on Preparedness...

When the actual day came, the weather was warm but not overly hot. I had decided previously that I would wear Esprit de la Belle Époque de Paris by Baby and wear it with the matching bonnet, which I hadn't had the chance to wear out as yet.  I chose a short-sleeve blouse (the same one I picked up at Baby the Stars Shine Bright Kyoto in April last year) because of the summer heat and my go to off-white wrist cuffs. Honestly, I can't say how useful the Innocent World haul has been for my wardrobe. I knew that the brown bag and the shoes would match the dark brown bows on the dress and just like that my outfit had come together. Thanks to my lovely friend Stephanie who gets the all the preparedness awards for bringing a nifty little camera and taking outfit photos of everyone, including mine. 

Bonnet: Esprit de la Belle Époch à Paris - BTSSB

Blouse: Spring Garden Chiffon Blouse - BTSSB

Jumperskirt: Esprit de la Belle Époch à Paris - BTSSB

Wrist cuffs: BTSSB

Socks: Esprit de la Belle Époch à Paris - BTSSB

Shoes: Innocent World

Despite being fatigued from the past few weeks, I became incredibly excited when I tried on the bonnet with a wig and the colours worked well together. I even had enough time to paint my nails and put on some fake lashes so I felt extra special.

If there's something I've learnt about getting ready for meets over the years, it's "prepare in advance". Knowing what you will wear, how much time it will take to get to the meeting place and giving yourself enough time to shower, get make up on, get dressed, change bags and do a last minute check makes things much easier on the day. I will decide what time I need to start getting ready and what time I need to leave the house to get to the meeting place in good time a day or two before the event. Conversely, I've found concentrating on getting ready too much really tires me out so I try not to spend too much more time than usual on doing makeup. I'm sure everyone has their own personal balance. How do you feel about getting ready? Is it tiring or invigorating?

High Tea at the Atrium...

I arrived earlier than expected and waited to meet up with everyone. It was lovely! The lobby had a gorgeous decoration in the centre to celebrate Chinese New Year. It became a feature of our outfit photos when everyone arrived. 

I hadn't seen many people for a long time. It was wonderful to meet up with some people I hadn't seen in a while and meet some new people in the comm. First, we took obligatory outfit shots and then headed in for high tea. I snapped a little shot of all our frilly butts before we went in to The Atrium.

The high tea was a buffet and needless to say there were a number of cute desserts available. Many of the lolitas were drawn to the many colourful macaroons on offer and I couldn't help getting a plate full of colour coordinated sweets. Afterwards, I chose a plate of savoury food to balance out the sweet. Well, you wouldn't think that such small cakes would take up so much room but I was close to full so after a final plate of some fruit and marshmallows dipped in chocolate I was done! I regretted eating a full breakfast as I felt it undermined my ability to fully enjoy the dessert buffet.

A Conveniently Placed Bar...

After we left the buffet, we chatted for a while - catching up on recent happenings or simply reminding each other of what jobs we do. A member had prepared a prize lottery for us and I got a gorgeous blue hair clip. It was very unexpected and it seemed that everyone thoroughly enjoyed getting hair clips, bangles and even Sailor Moon socks! Finally, we got tired standing around in our tea parties and t-straps (and Mary Janes) so it was onto a couch with a conveniently placed bar right beside it. And that is how the unofficial cocktail meet began. I ordered a cocktail called Purple Rose (pictured below). Again, I was ruled by my desire for colour and thematic coherence. 

 

I was not alone though, and was very pleased when the lolita wearing Angelic Pretty's Melty Ribbon Chocolate ordered a chocolate cocktail. 

Chocolate goes best with chocolate 

Looking sophisticated in Melty Ribbon Chocolate

Check out @Rafiraga on Instagram

The chatting lasted for another couple of hours and even when we dispersed, we ended up re-grouping in the car park to discuss how UN-lolita most of our cars were. There must be a collective noun for lolitas somewhere - a giggle, a gaggle, a fluff? Perhaps it's a different noun depending on the style - a murder of gothic lolitas, for instance (I'm sure there was a chat about that on LiveJournal at some point). In any case, lolita was just a fashion when I began and it has become a social activity and a friends circle. I'm so thankful to have a group of people who live close by and are into the fashion. It was a while between drinks (literally and figuratively) but I really enjoyed getting back in the frills and having a chat with my frilly friends from the Perth Community. 

 

Three Quarters of a Lolita Fashion Wardrobe

This is the entirety of my lolita fashion wardrobe. It fits snugly into one small wardrobe.

At the end of my time in Japan in 2015 I realised that I would have to leave a large portion of my Lolita wardrobe in Japan. In fact, apart from the cardigans and blouses, I left everything that I'd taken to and bought in Japan behind in the care of my second family. So although I was tempted to place my wardrobe pictures up on EGL on LiveJournal this year, I decided to wait another year before putting my wardrobe on the board. 

I did take a few shots of the different colours in my wardrobe, my accessories and miscellaneous items and did some experimenting with coordinates, which I will share with you here.

As I have mentioned before, I am working towards a wardrobe that can be worn in many different ways and I mostly work with a colour pallet of blue, brown and ivory. 

White

My well-loved Anna House short sleeve blouse, Prince Conrad blouse from Alice and the Pirates, an off-brand pull-over and the blouse I got from the Baby the Stars Shine Bright 2012 Lucky Pack.

I definitely need more white blouses. This is goal number one of 2016.

Ivory/Beige

Metamorphose - Short-sleeve Ribbon cardigan (off-white), Alice and the Pirates - Mary Ribbon blouse (Ivory), Alice and the Pirates - Etoile blouse (Ivory), Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Sonnet for Juliet Striped Chiffon blouse (Ivory), Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Carolyne Blouse (Beige) 

I just discovered that ivory really isn't my colour (more on that some other post) so I sense a clean-out in the near future, which, on the positive side, will leave me with more money for Japan.

Pink

Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Snow Crystal Bolero, Metamorphose Temps de Fille - Rose Letter with Collar Pinafore JSK, Angelic Pretty - Happy Garden,  Metamorphose Temps de Fille - Girly Note OP 

Pink, THE colour for sweet lolitas. It may all have to go unfortunately.

A few pink coordinates. I finally found a way to display the clothes a little better.

Blue

Angelic Pretty - Stand Collar Chiffon blouse, Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Cardigan with Fur, Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Collection Chocolatier Douce Praline JSK (Sax), Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Hello Dear Bunny's Little Enchanted Room Pattern JSK (Sax) (Happy Pack 2016), Krad Lanrete - Phantom of the Opera JSK, Alice and the Pirates - Mystic Chiffon OP. 

All of my blue babies can stay. This will become my main wardrobe colour from now on.

A few blue coordinates. I really like the first coordinate with the Mystic Chiffon OP. 

Brown

Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Kuma Kumya's Sweet Chocolate High Waist JSK (Bitter Chocolate x Mint), Angelic Pretty - Wonder Party Skirt

I love the Kumya Kumya JSK. It's definitely one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe. 

I can't tell you how happy I am with the kuma kumya socks!

Black

Unknown vest from Alice and the Pirates, Magical Cosmetics (L372) from Body Line, unknown pants from Alice and the Pirates

I'm not wearing any of these pieces. Although I was confident about a fabulous foray into ouji-kei last year it has become apparent that ouji-kei does not want us to be friends. Fine, I can take a hint.

Mint

Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Stripe Patissier Blouse

This is a blouse I was really keen on owning but maybe it's time may be over soon than expected. 

Hair Accessories

Innocent World - Striped Ribbon Headbow x 2 (navy and brown), Innocent world Organdy Bow Clip, Angelic Pretty Happy Garden headbow, Baby the stars Shine Bright - Fairy Headdress of Trifolium, Hello Dear Bunny's Little Enchanted Room Pattern Headbow from Baby the Stars Shine Bright (Sax) (Happy pack 2016)

It was the best idea to get the hair accessories from Innocent World. Having an accessory that matches every piece in a wardrobe changed my lolita game. 

Bonnet

Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Esprit de la Belle Epoque Bonnet (Brown)

This brown and pink colour is lovely and I love the print. I can wait to wear it together!

Accessories

(Left) Innocent World - Original Crown and Playing Cards Necklace (Gold), 

(Right) Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Alice's Teapot Necklace (Gold)

(Centre) Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Scarlet Wrist Cuffs (Ivory) 

(Centre Back L to R) Offbrand - gummy bear ring, Disney - Mickey Mouse Macaron Ring, Angelic Pretty - Balloon Heart Ring (Angelic), Angelic Pretty - Balloon Heart Ring (Pretty), Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Alice's Teacup Ring (Gold), Offbrand - Pearl Bracelet

You can see my journey from sweet lolita fashion to classic right here. 

Bags

Innocent World - Ladder Lace Ribbon Bag (Chocolate), Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Heart Bag (White) (Happy Pack 2012), Baby the Stars Shine Bright - Double Ribbons Bag (Pink x White)

Having a matching bag and shoe combination is the best. I recommend it so much to those of you who, like me, have a difficult time coordinating items. 

Miscellaneous

Baby the Stars Shine Bright Decoration Tape, Doll Classica Book by Midori Fukasawa, Lolita Fashion Book by Misako Aoki, Gothic Lolita Bible Vol. 56

The books by Misako and Midori have great make-up tips and hair tutorials in them! Some day I'll sit down and translate some of the longer passages about Lolita history. Perhaps that's a future blog post. 

I hope you enjoyed taking a look into my wardrobe. I am looking forward to making over my wardrobe this year and I hope you can join me for the journey.