LBC: 3 Prints I'd Like to See.

It's Friday again darlings, which means it's time for the weekly Lolita Blog Carnival prompt!

This week was especially interesting, because rather than give a straight opinion on lolita fashion, the blog ring leaders got to work the creative side of their brain. The prompt this week, was "three prints you would like to see brands make."

For those not familiar with the loli lingo, a "print" is the printed design on a dress. It can be a border print (along the bottom hem of a skirt), an all-over repeated pattern, or it can even refer to striped and floral "wallpaper" designs.

My goal was to draw out all of my ideas, but with school and preparing for the Miss Vamp Hawaii pageant tonight, I totally ran out of time.

#1. Madeline (et Genevieve).

Prints often feature delicate princesses or famous fairy tales, so why not the beloved character Madeline? Few princesses have more spunk than this redhead, who can not even be scared by tigers at the zoo.

For the pattern, I think repetition of her iconic yellow sailor hat, little white gloves, or mary jane shoes would be adorable, and her loyal dog Genevieve would be a nice addition. Or if you wanted to get really detailed with the background, you could do scenes in Madeline's home of Paris... where some of the most beautiful architecture in the world can be found.

Which brings me to my next suggestion...

#2. Le Ballon Rouge.

Though not the most attractive book cover, it spurs a lot of ideas. I picture the urban landscape of Paris in silhouettes or girly illustrations, a lone red balloon bobbing along the skyline with a long, curly tail, maybe furling in the shape of a heart. Then, somewhere in the print, should be a lolita silhouette soaring in the sky, holding on to a huge cluster of multicoloured balloons. 

Speaking of soaring away, my last must-see print involves a Little Prince, who set off on a journey of his own across space...

#3. Le Petit Prince.

I must admit a certain bias, because this is one of my favourite books. Not only is it charming, but it is a book that grows with you. 

Though the Prince has many adventures suitable for a print, I think a straight forward, deep blue dress with yellow stars, and the Prince on his little planet with his rose would be perfect. I think his planet could be shown a few times in the print, depicting different scenes... him tending to the planet's volcanoes, maybe playing with a sheep, watching the sun set, and finally, taking a sweet, innocent nap next to his rose in the bell jar. 

Those are three prints I'd love to see. 

I've also done a post like this in the past, from last July I think? You can check it out here for some of my other ideas!

Here are the other participants of the Carnival this week!

Le Pop Princess
La Petite Princesse
A Life in Disguise
Commercially Alternative
A Lace Jail
Lucy the White
Rainbow Star Candy
Lolita Poupee
F*Yeah Lolita
Parfait Doll
Leather Lace and Arsenic
Puppenschloss
Candy Coated Life
Sweet Lolita Doll
Good Morning Lovely

xoxoxo, Cherie. And wish me luck at Miss Vamp tonight please! \(^o^)/

Lolita Blog Carnival: 3 Lolita trends I could never get into.

Hello darlings! About a week ago I did my first post for LBC, or Lolita Blog Carnival. The project is meant to create a network of Lolitas, boosting productivity and readership. Plus with every prompt, you get many insights into one style, which I think is great! 

As you can see, my prompt for last week shot to the top of my most viewed entries, with over a thousand hits! That considered, I think the project will only have great things to come. On that note, welcome again new followers, and on with the Carnival!

This week's theme is: Three Lolita Trends I Could Never Get Into.

One thing to keep in mind is this isn't meant to criticise or rag on trends- I'm focusing on it as something I wouldn't want to wear personally. 

Though not exactly "pastel goth", this is a good example of Pop Kei x Lolita.

#1. Pastel Goth x Lolita; Pop Kei x Lolita.

Recently a lot of Western lolitas have been combining Pastel Goth style with lolita: where pastel sweet lolita prints are paired with mostly black accessories, with a few bat wings, space things and eyeball rings thrown in. The main colours are neon purple or lavender, mint green, and monochrome. The style also tends to use pastel split or peekaboo wigs. 

Again, the main difference between Pastel Goth + Lolita and Bittersweet Lolita, is Pastel Goth throws in things that aren't typically lolita, such as eyeball purses, punk accessories or bats. 

On the surface, this style should be the poster child for my blog title, "Darkly Darling", but the neon elements are too eighties for my taste, remniscent of Deco and Fairy Kei of which I'm not a fan, and lacks the mystery I enjoy in darker styles of lolita. Some people pull it off, but to me, it looks like a kid's cartoon network exploded, princess shows, super hero shows and all.

The other thing that struck me as odd was I didn't see this catching on in Japan... I saw just creepy-cute styles, or just Pop kei certainly, but never cross-bred with lolita. Yet, it's very popular in the west. 

#2. Split Wigs.

I remember the first time I opened up to a Kera Street Snap, way back when in high school land, and saw a girl with two-toned hair. I obsessed over that hair style, and thought wow, how cool, how unique! How I wish my mom would let me bleach one side of my head! (Back in that day, it was the girl's own hair, not a wig.) 

Time passed, two or four years maybe, and split wigs became all the rage... and it wasn't just blonde and black, but every colour imaginable. You could have half of your head match anything your wardrobe threw at you. Everyone and their mama had split hair now. And the value and originality of the idea was lost. Not that it always looks bad, but I've lost the desire to try it now.

#3. Socks and Sandals.

Is this even a trend? I'm not sure, but I see it in Keras once in a while. Of course now that it counts, I can't find a photo, but I'm sure you've seen it too: Lolita wearing sandals with knee-high or ankle socks.

On one hand, I understand. In and out of lolita, people in Japan sometimes wear socks with sandals. The same thing goes for Hawaii. Why is that? Well in Japan and Hawaii, it is customary to take your shoes off before you go into someone's house. 

In Hawaii it's more normal if you walk barefoot inside, but in Japan people tend to be a little more conservative/clean and wear socks. I understood this when I went to an Izakaya in sandals without socks, and they expected us to remove our shoes before we climbed into our booth to drink and eat. I was so self-conscious! Whether it's rational or not, you get that paranoia like "Oh my god, what if my feet smell?" Were they grossed out before they ate? Haha, it all sounds so silly in retrospect but I was so self-conscious at the time!

So my theory is, in Japan people where socks under sandals in case they have to take off said sandals. I won't jump to any more conclusions or make assumptions, but during my year in Japan, I just noticed people wear more socks. Don't ask me why. xD

But whether it's justified or not, a cute pedicure looks way better in sandals to me. And with Lolita, I wouldn't be wearing sandals anyway.

Now, this post is sounding way too whiny to me, so I'd like to end on a positive note: Three trends in Lolita I want to try!

#1. Ribbon Boots, a la Victorian Maiden.

To me, these look comfortable and elegant! It is the best of both worlds- heels and boots. The ribbons are also whimsical and remind me of ballet slippers.

#2. Top Hats, Vests, Boystyle Elements.

I love it when masculine and feminine fashions mix, so why not apply that to Lolita? It's this balance between structured kodona and girly lolita that have made me adore Meta's school suits, AP's Blazer-Vest-Skirt sets, and top hats. I think top hats with veils and adornments look just as good with Lolita coordinates, as they do boy style.

#3. Deco Nails.

Scratch a record break a plate hold the phone WHAT? Cherie and deco nails? 

Yes, it's true. Though I've never liked sweet, deco, fairy kei, spank, whatever sugary incarnate you can bake, fluff or swirl, I've always liked the look of overdone, ridiculous nails. Of course I'd want my own spin on it... a crown, key, rose or butterfly, instead of desserts. Maybe even a simple design of card suits.

I've never been a big nail person, but I think it looks polished- no pun intended. So for that, I wouldn't mind being more darling than usual.

Well, I think that is enough judgment and unwarranted self-importance for one day! Enough about my own Lolita ideals, how about seeking some other ideas? 

Here are the blogs who also participated in the Carnival this week (in no particular order)! Happy reading!

Pop Princess
Lolita Poupee
Lolita Cor-de-Rosa 
Angel Shinigami
Rainbow Star Candy
Laurita
ABC Lolita
Dollhouse Diaries 
Xylia-X
Make Lovely
F*Yeah Lolita
Ramble Rori
Starry Dreams
A Lace Jail

xoxo, Slightly Sarcastic Cherie

Top three cafes I want to visit.

I am a cafe enthusiast. I've always adored the extravagance that goes into theme cafes, whether it's in Japan or in countries I haven't seen yet. 

In the future, I plan to open my own cafe in Hawaii (hopefully with a certain stylish kodona partner, if all goes according to plan). As such, I'm always thinking of ideas, and looking up unique cafes, day dreaming of the day I can open the doors to my own special place. 

Since I've had cafes on the brain constantly the past day or two, I wanted to share the top three cafes I want to visit before I die... and guess what! They're not all in Japan!

｡･:*:･ﾟ★，｡･:*:･ﾟ♪☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★，｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ 

Cafe #1: Hospitalis

Location: Riga, Latvia

I have known of Hospitalis for a long time now, and finally a decent article has been written about it on Amusing Planet. The morbidly designed dishes are served with surgical tools as eating utensils, and beverages in flasks or IV bags. The waitresses, dressed as nurses, will even feed you in a straight jacket if you ask. 

The cafe is less creepy than it is tongue-in-cheek, as if poking fun at the grotesque, which is exactly the kind of thing I like. Not to mention I am a sucker for anything medical themed, which makes Hospitalis #1 on my must-visit bucket list. 

I highly recommend checking out Amusing Planet's article here for a more descriptive first-hand report.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★，｡･:*:･ﾟ♪☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★，｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ 

Cafe #2: Pudding

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Website: WePudding

Though this cafe looks "normal" from the street, when you walk in it's as if you've entered a Big Top Circus meets Alice in Wonderland. 

One room has ceilings flounced with red and white tapestries and white lights, while another has a giant book case, library knick-knacks and bric-a-bracs and a mural like Alice's Mad Tea Party. Everything from drawing supplies to iPads are provided to entertain you. 

For me, the imaginative decorating and dream-like atmosphere make this #2 on my list. Besides, my inner child is dying to go.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★，｡･:*:･ﾟ♪☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★，｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ 

Cafe #3: Vampire Cafe

Location: Ginza, Tokyo, Japan

Website: Ginza Vampire Cafe

I can't help but choose at least one cafe from Japan... and even then, it was hard to pick from all the dream locations I want to see in Tokyo alone! Should I write about Kokusyoku Sumire's cafe Sumire no Tenmado, or perhaps Christon Cafe? The infamous Alice in Wonderland Cafe in Shinjuku?

No. For it's decor of full coffins, walls of melting candles, numerous themed rooms and hallways with projections of flowing red blood cells, I had to choose the Vampire Cafe in Ginza.

Vampire Cafe features not one, nor two, but six unique rooms to take in. And every bit of it is so beautiful! 

Every dish seems pain stakingly created, with elements like chocolate coffins, and thorny briars drawn in syrup.

Every detail is thought of, so your experience is unique, cohesive, and intricate. It's one of those places that as soon as you see a photo, you instantly identify the place. I want to create a place as unique and beautiful as that! 

One ulterior motive to this Cafe bucket list, is it requires world traveling to complete it. I can never satisfy my wander lust!

Sweet dreams and dinings, darlings~ 

xoxo, Cherie.

PS- I have some super exciting news...

I've been selected to model for ATELIER PIERROT at HEXXP-con this year!

*dies*

Loli Meet: Cream Pot, Waikiki

Cream Pot is notorious among my group of friends as one of the best places to eat on Oahu. 

It's a Japanese owned and operated cafe that's situated just along the Ali Wai canal, not quite submerged in the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, but over the bridge from the sketchier places surrounding Ala Moana mall. 

The outside looks like a Bed and Breakfast from a Mori Girl story book, the front porch decorated with hanging flower chandeliers, light blue benches and flowers of all varieties on every table. The inside looks like a dining room from a Studio Ghibli film. Lucky me, after living here quite a while, I finally got to go with some of the Hawaii Lolitas for our September meet-up.

We arrived at about noon and passed the time chatting while we waited for everyone to show up. It was a smaller meet up with only five people, but it was comfortable, especially in the charming little cafe. I loved getting to meet two girls who joined the community after I left for Japan.

The food was amazing! I'm not even a foodie but I was really excited about this dish. As a warning, it's a little weird sounding: Maguro Benedict.

It was maguro (high grade tuna sashimi) served on avocado, a soft-boiled egg and rice, with salad, and a citrus miso sauce.

I washed it down with their delicious strawberry and orange juice.

One thing that really surprised us, was when the owner came by and gave us free dessert! He gave us what I think is the house special... belgian waffles with salted caramel, whipped cream and bananas.

Salty and sweet is one of my favourite flavour combinations, and this definitely had it! I only had a bite, because I have to be ready for upcoming shoots, but oh I wish I could have had more. ; w ; 

After, we gathered around for a mandatory group shot!

I wore Honey Cake, Catherine wore Meta's new Dim Light Jsk, Cat wore a Miho Matsuda OP, Angelina wore ETC's Red Riding Hood OP (which I covet! haha), and Aileen wore AP's A La Carte Salopette. 

We all agreed, that if we lived in Waikiki we'd eat at Cream Pot every day. It was one of the best meals I've ever had out!

Oh, and while all was said and done, Aileen and I ended the day with a long overdue Purikura session. The local Purikura parlour moved when I was gone in Japan, from its Kalakaua location to the McCully shopping centre. But now it is bigger, air conditioned and has newer machines! Still not the same as Japan, but pretty darn close.

Xoxo, Feeling slightly more Darling than Darkly, Cherie.