Back in the Saddle 1: What Stayed

While I work on things and wait and try to learn patience to re-start my Lolita journey, I thought it would be fun to share something I've discovered about it: my wishlist evolution.

I've taken LovelyLor's video about starting over to heart a bit and began rebuilding my wishlist, swearing to look out only for things that I truly love and wait for dresses that are special to me. But first, I had to clean out the old one. There are a lot of new pieces, a lot of things that were pulled, and a shocking amount of dresses that remain! I don't want to start on a downer, so I thought I'd share what's being kept around on the list!

Top: IW Strawberry Jam, AP Royal Unicorn, MM Fraise Cerise

Middle: AP Horror Garden, Meta Lace-Up Tiered Long JSK, AP Marine Kingdom

Bottom: IW Fairy Tale, AP Chocolate-Chan Going Out, AP Dreamy Perfume

I don't think this is an exhaustive list, but it's basically everything. I'm surprised at how much Angelic Pretty is still there.

A lot of these are nostalgia pieces for me. Many of them were around for my formative Lolita years and I've never lost my love of them. Everyone who's ever read this blog knows how much I love Strawberry Jam, Fraise Cerise, Chocolat-Chan, and Fairy Tale.

Horror Garden and Royal Unicorn are pieces that I've always wanted but stayed on my mental backburner for a long time. I would love to add them to my collection. Unicorns are my favorite mythological creature and I need more Gothic prints in my life. I always have.

Revisiting the Lolita world made me realize how much I love perfume prints, so Dreamy Perfume stayed. I won't say no to any perfume prints if I'm honest.

The Meta JSK is simple in comparison, but I still love it. In fact, that might be why I still love it. You'll see in future posts how I'm gravitating well away from busy prints.

Finally, there's Marine Kingdom. I have no excuse, I have no reason. Mermaids and mermaid prints are great. I love that neckline and I can't tell you why. Seashell lace. Pearls on the bow. Mermaids.

I hope this was fun! I tried to be more light-hearted because I know the last post was kind of heavy and the next one's going to be heavier. After that, expect a post about the pieces that were cut from the wishlist, then a post about the ones that were added!

Stay safe!

Leopardprint Lolita: Take... 5?

Sorry, guys, I'm skipping the Halloween post this year-

(except let's be real, I haven't posted in months anyway because I've been writing a book, oops)

-and I'm just moving straight on to the thing that I apparently missed in between a mini Moitie revival, the sharp decline of shirred OPs, and my massive disappointment that the only toy print I've ever truly loved is being rereleased in the worst cut.

Angelic Pretty's trying to bring back leopard print?

Like, didn't we... didn't we do this already? Metamorphose pumped out three nearly identical leopard prints, Baby once in a while hands out some printed faux fur accessories, and we were good. Jewel Leopard is the butt of many good-natured jokes because Meta's our crazy and fun spinster auntie and I think a lot more people like it than we like to give away, but "tacky" is still the word tacked onto it. And let's remember how many jokes were on Lolita Updates about how Angelic Pretty clearly kidnapped a Meta designer (Girly Leopard isn't the first offender).

No joke, though, while I'm baffled that this happened at all, I think AP did a pretty good job of the print. Better than Meta.

I know, guys. It's me. #1 Meta fan. But look at Rose Leopard and compare.

Anyway, the print does the Garden Alice thing where the actual leopard print is used as a background to more central elements. In this case, little frames with shoes, hearts, roses and stuff and little swags of jewels in between, so while the fabric visually has a more complex texture, the fact that it's leopard print is easy to forget. I dig it.

I think the colorways all work pretty well, for the most part. Nothing is intensely eye-gouging. I think I like the tulle overlays because they dim down the print and give the garments an extra bit of fanciness, but I'm on-the-fence about the velour bows and trim. They would've looked better in velveteen.

The fur tippet on the OP has some beading that I actually quite like, and I enjoy the neckline underneath it, too - but oh, look, another OP without shirring :'D Ah, well.

I'm so torn on this series. Some of it works well, and then other parts don't. The beret's pretty classic Angelic Pretty, but the animal ears make me cringe in the same way as lace with a netting base - it's just one of those things ingrained into me when I was first starting out. But then the little "ankle covers" (you could probably use them as wrists cuffs) in the same breath look like you could make them a really nice and cozy part of a late autumn or winter look.

Honestly, I'm not super concerned about the series and I won't judge anyone for getting it, I just really needed to stop and make everyone take a look at it because it's one in the morning and my sleepy brain doesn't know what to do with itself.

Lots of love, my little macarons~ Wear your spots with pride.

Lolita Blog Carnival: Pet Peeves; Five Things You Hate About Prints

This week's topic was actually really hard for me to put together! There are so few pet peeves I have with prints, really - sure, there are prints that I actively dislike because maybe it's just not my style, but it's probably not some single element that immediately turns me off from it. So, I ended up branching out a little bit.

That said, the following accounts for a very small majority of Lolita prints in the world, and if you love these things, then that's awesome! You rock it! Just know that I'm probably not ever going to try to outbid you for something that I'm describing.

1. Prints Over Pinstripes

I will say that this personal pet peeve doesn't always apply to everything that goes over pinstripes. I mean, AP's Chocolat-Chan Going Out JSK is still one of my dream dresses. The difference is that the applique or print needs to contrast well enough with the stripes to not either blend in or hurt the eyes. Even with the dress above, AP's Lucienne Dream, the brown colorway actually does this pretty well! But the rest of the colors, particularly the black, sort of flop.

Baby, the Stars Shine Bright did this, too, and quite recently with the My Dear Sweetheart Regimental JSK. The print is metallic, so maybe it looks better under different lighting, but in the stock photo, it just looks... not great.

2. Crosses in Non-Gothic Prints

Angelic Pretty's Romantic Little Garden print.

There's a whole discussion out there about whether or not using crosses in Lolita or "Nun-Lolita" as a substyle is cultural appropriation, and that's not what I'm here to talk about. I'm down with crosses in Gothic Lolita, and if you want to throw on a veil and Ista Mori's Nameless Poem OP, then you go for it, but when I see it pop up in sweet prints, I'm just... eh. I don't even know what it is, something about it just makes me cringe away from an otherwise lovely print.

3. Great Prints, Bad Cuts

Meta's Cherry Berry Song OP

Maybe this one isn't so much a pet peeve I have with prints, themselves, but with something annoying I stumble upon every now and again. The print's gorgeous, or really cute, and I really like it, but then the cut of the dress is just terrible. Luckily, most prints come in more than one cut, and if you can fit into the nicer option, then there you go!

For us busty girls, who often can't... learn to love the sack dress? Or, more likely, to live without that print.

4. The Extra-Overt Brandwhore Print

A ton of Lolita prints in the world feature the brand name in some way, shape, or form, whether it be Angelic Pretty's monogrammed lace, Baby's hidden, scrolling cursive name nestled in the background of its prints, or anything else. And then there is the occasional piece that has the damn thing plastered onto its fabric. As much of a self-described brand-whore as I am, I didn't buy the dress out of brand loyalty, I bought it because I liked it, and I don't feel like being that much of a walking billboard.

5. Meta's Skirt (and Occasional JSK) Thing

Meta, why do you do these things you do?!

This is Meta's Mermaid Princess Ribbon Shirred JSK. It's a perfectly standard print, an interesting take on the whole "mermaid" theme, I think. I can dig it.

This is the skirt.

Meta does this with so many of its prints: they take one of the pieces, and strip it down to its least-cluttered section of fabric. And for some of them, that's fine! I even like them better that way (like Wheel of Time in its fully-shirred JSK version - at first I was a little salty about the lack of clocks, but now I really prefer the toned-down version of gears and keys). But for others, it just feels... lacking. Like Mermaid Princess.

And this will be different for everyone depending on their preferences. For instance, the Matryoshka Doll print skirts come in two flavors: one with the full print, one without. The one without the full print is the longer of the two, and unless you're very short or really into their mini-skirts, maybe you'll feel like you're missing out on something.

~~~

That's all I've got for this one! What are some pet peeves you have with prints? Let me know in the comments below!

✿✿✿

~Other Participants in the Lolita Blog Carnival~

✿ Cupcake Kamisama ✿

Lolita Blog Carnival: What Made Your Dream Dress Your Dream Dress, and Has That Changed?

I really liked this week's topic, because it makes for a light, fun topic to write about while I'm trying to get back into the swing of keeping up the blog! Why don't we just dive right into it with a selection of my top dream dresses?

1. Strawberry Jam Long JSK by Innocent World

 

I think this was my first real "dream dress," and I came across it while I was still in my "research" phase of Lolita. I was perusing through the different substyles, and a long-defunct website had an image of a Lolita wearing this exact dress in the prettiest Classic coordinate (complete with an IW princess-sleeved bolero, and I believe violin OTKs).

Unfortunately, I can no longer find this image to show you, but it was basically the first time I had ever seen a coordinate and was just floored by how lovely it was and how well-put-together. It was one of the dresses that sort of cemented my love for the fashion.

I'm not as in-love with it as I used to be, but I still like the print, and I'd love to own it one day as a sort of sentimental piece.

2. Chocolat-chan Going Out JSK by Angelic Pretty

This was another one of my early dream dresses, and it was sort of the first Angelic Pretty dress that I really fell for. When I started Lolita, AP was winding down its OTT Sweet phase with prints like Whip Showcase, so that's what I came to expect of it.

And then I stumbled upon Chocolat-chan. The velveteen, the classy black cat, the little pearl details, it was a match made in heaven, and I'm still in love with it for those reasons. I once came across it in the second-hand sales, but conversion rates were awful, and I didn't quite have enough for it. Maybe I'll find it again, one day...

3. Fairy Tale Square JSK by Innocent World

Another Innocent World dress - this one had just been released shortly after I started Lolita, and as soon as I saw it in this particular cut and colorway, I fell hard. It's been at the top of my wishlist for years, now, and I've never come across it. The details are what sweep me away for this one: the apple buttons, the delicate lines of printed roses, the craftsmanship on the fairy tale panels, the overall construction... I'm in love!

If you recall, though, I did find the green, high-waisted version for sale, and I bought it because I wanted something with the print that I still loved. But if the opportunity ever arises to trade it for the black, square-necked JSK, I'm taking it.

There's just no beating those apple-shaped buttons.

4. Fraise Cerise OP by Mary Magdalene

I feel like I've mentioned this dress in a lot of posts, and there's a reason for it: I really, really adore it! It made me fall in love with the idea of Country Lolita, and it's another one of those simple, Mary Magdalene pieces that I could see myself wearing absolutely everywhere.

Clearly, I haven't changed my opinion on this dress.

Why did you choose your dream dresses, and have your thoughts on them changed over the years? Let me know in the comments below!

✿✿✿

~ Others Participants in the Lolita Blog Carnival ~

✿ Cupcake Kamisama ✿

AP New Release: Classic Florals are Back!

I was perusing the Facebook feed and someone posted a new Angelic Pretty release that made me stop and make sure that this was a dress from 2017 instead of 2007:

Look at it in all its floral glory!

This release, I actually am a little salty that I don't have the money to drop on a new dress, because this is lovely! Instead of a busy print like the ones to which we've become accustomed, it's a delicate, very Classic sort of floral and striped pattern with detail variety that comes in the form of construction, rather than graphic design.

The second thing that sort of stuck out to everyone commenting on the thread involved the price: ¥31,104 for a cotton jumperskirt? Why?!

 

... Ah. That'll do it.

There is so much lace and other accouterments packed onto this thing that it would easily drive the price up. On the bodice alone, I can count five different types of lace or piping in multiple rows, not to mention the satin bow and the line of faux pearl beading - this isn't even mentioning the rest of it on the dress.

I'll give this one to AP.

Classical Petit Rose (I'll ignore the French, as we must often do) comes in three colors and has a onepiece version as well as a JSK. Personally, though I do really like the JSK, I have to have a preference for the OP, this time. I just love the clean, vertical lines of lace that stretch from the top of the bodice to nearly the hem of the skirt, and the bow isn't as heavily burdened as the one on the JSK with lace or pearls.

There's also a brown colorway, and a headbow!

 

All in all, I really like this release, and I think it's something that people will feel more comfortable wearing out and about - you know, the way we used to when this was still truly a street fashion, when it was more common to wear Lolita to class or the grocery store or just to hang out somewhere with friends.

What do you think of the new Angelic Pretty print? Are there any other prints that have been coming out lately that have been catching your eye? Let me know in the comments below!

10 Items From My Wishlist

So you'll notice that there's been a change to the blog: the name is different! I finally decided to go with "Floating on Macarons" instead of Grisaille Dreams in Color. I like it better, I think. Anyway, on to the blogging challenge!

This is a topic from the 30 Day Lolita Challenge (you can find the original list here) that caught my eye. I have an extensive wishlist, so I'll just have to boil it down to 10 dream dresses!

1. Melty Ribbon Chocolate JSK by Angelic Pretty

2. Fancy Rose JSK by Angelic Pretty

3. Chocolat-Chan Going Out JSK by Angelic Pretty

4. Dozing Cat Bustle Pinafore JSK by Metamorphose Temps de Fille

5. Horror Garden JSK by Angelic Pretty

6. Wonder Story JSK by Angelic Pretty

7. Fairy Tale Square JSK by Innocent World

8. Bambi de la Forêt Secrete ~Petite Princesse de la Forêt JSK I by Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

9. Strawberry Jam Long JSK by Innocent World

10. Kuma-Chan's Christmas Holly Night Ribbon JSK by Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

It's funny because I started slapping down dresses and I noticed a couple things about my list: first, while I love OPs and wish I had more, almost my entire wishlist is made of JSKs. Second, I claim that Baby is my favorite brand, but half of my wishlist is Angelic Pretty. I think I'm a closet AP fangirl.

Anyway, what's on your wishlist? Let me know or post links in the comments below!

Something That's Not My Style - But I Love It, Anyway!

Here's another topic from the Lolita 52 challenge from FYeahLolita -- I feel like everyone who follows this fashion sees a certain style and adores it, but wouldn't wear it. The one that I, personally, think of is something that I think a lot of people like but don't want to wear:

OTT Sweet Lolita

You know the kind I'm talking
about.

Giant petticoats, bigger hair, a dozen bows and clips of various sizes, rings on every finger, brooches, crazy prints, themed purses-- in other words, exactly what was going on when I first jumped into Lolita fashion (which was about a year after the rerelease of Sugary Carnival) . Coordinates that want to blend pastel-colored Hime-inspired wigs with Decora style and pour it onto a Lolita outfit take a lot of work, and a lot of accessories.

I really do love the style; it's so much fun. Being elegant or princessy is great, of course, but it's the difference between going to your favorite coffee shop and hanging out at a festival.

We still have OTT Sweet Lolita today, but it's definitely changed in the last few years. Far less about pastel vomit and candy-colored wigs, and more about maximum opulence. Every coordinate is a work of art that is painstakingly prepared like this Crystal Dream Carnival outfit that I just can't get enough of.

Seriously, click those links. This coord is
a masterpiece.

As you can see, today's OTT Sweet focuses less on having the biggest hair and the most accessories, and is instead about craftsmanship. This is being reflected by the brands most obviously by the fabric they're using. There's less straight-up cotton going around, and more organdy, shantung, jacquard, and lots of chiffon.

I keep thinking about trying to eventually pull together one or two OTT Sweet coords just to have in my closet for when I don't want to wear black or be so serious, but that's a long way off, at the moment. If I did, I might go with Angelic Pretty's Dream Sky or Marshmallow Bunny.

 

What is a style that you love, but probably wouldn't wear? Let me know in the comments below!

The Witch's Apprentice (Coordinate)

The April 15th 365 Lifestyle Lolita Challenge was to build a coordinate around your newest dress. For me, that's my Sorcerer's Horoscope JSK in black and white by Baby, the Stars Shine Bright.

Quick Outfit Rundown:

Jsk: Sorcerer's Horoscope (BtSSB)
OTKs: Astronomical Clock (IW)
Headbow: Logo Ribbon Charm Headbow (AP)
Blouse/Shoes: Offbrand

I decided to opt for something more simple, even though the dress itself is super fancy... mostly because I'm lacking in the "fancy" department! Most of my wardrobe was built around the idea of wearing Lolita several times a week, so a lot of what I have is toned down or casual. Still, I can't resist pairing that JSK with this lovely Angelic Pretty headbow!

Another quick 365 Topic from this past week was "What dress are you currently coveting?" While my wishlist is quite extensive, recently I've been daydreaming the most about Angelic Pretty's Holy Lantern and Horror Garden JSKs.

 

It doesn't help that everyone's been getting their Holy Lantern orders recently! So jealous! And Horror Garden at my last check was still selling for well over its retail price. Maybe in a year or so it'll go down, and I'll be able to get my hands on it.

What dress are you currently coveting? Let me know in the comments below! And share pictures of coordinates you've made with your recent purchases!