°˖✧✝ Birthday Celebration in the City ✝✧˖°

No, I wasn't celebrating mine, but a friend's. Both of our birthdays are in the month of May, but because my birthday was always during my finals in college, I've conditioned myself not to really celebrate it. I know I have to get myself out of such a habit, but for now, it has stuck. So, I celebrated with my friend on hers a week or so later. 

Birthday girl, Nina

To celebrate, she wanted to spend her hard earned money on brand, and we obliged. So off we went to the BABY store in New York City. There were four of us that day, but all of us were coming from different locations. Two of our other friends were supposed to meet up with Nina in the city to go to the store together and I was supposed to meet them at the store. I really thought I was going to be the last one to show up, but it turned out that I arrived right on time. On the other hand, I was the only one there!    

Dramatic Dramatization

"They know my Goth-ness doesn't allow me to be in direct sunlight.
Where are they?"

Blouse: Juliette et Justine
Bustier: Alice and the Pirates
Skirt: BABY, the Stars Shine Bright
Accessories: Handmade or Offbrand 

Honestly, I didn't mind waiting, but the thought of me doing so in the heat (and with no protection from my coffin) made my friends giggle. I'll admit it was hot, but I knew I could always go to Vivi to cool down with some bubble tea. And I did exactly that. For aesthetic reasons (I'm such a loser Goth), I chose their Black Moo Milk. I mean, com on, it's black, I had to.

Thank goodness I went to Vivi, because if I didn't, I wouldn't have known I left my bank card at home! That's right, I was a Lolita in New York City about to go to the BABY store, without money. Can you believe it?! I was at the counter expecting to use my card, when I looked in my wallet and saw nothing in it. I tried really hard to put on a smile while rummaging through my purse looking for loose singles as the worker waited and I held up the line. As a testament to my silly luck and laziness, I found $40 tucked into a small pocket in my purse.  

I was saved from utter embarrassment in Vivi, but knew I wouldn't be able to escape looking like a loser with no money in the BABY store. When my friends finally showed up, I wanted to just hide my face when we walked in the store. I was there once again picking over their merchandise without buying anything substantial. In an effort to make up for it, I decided to spend at least half of what I had in the store. *laugh* But that's only socks- if I was lucky!

Source: Tokyo Rebel stock photo

Unfortunately, I didn't see any socks that I really liked. Or maybe, I should say "fortunately," since I didn't have much money to spend anyway! Instead, I bought an illustration book by Yoh. So it wasn't a complete lost after all.

Sorona and her mint ice tea.

When we were done in the store, we went to go eat at the Japanese restaurant we dined at the last time we visited the BABY store. I think it has become our "spot" now. But I can't even think of the restaurant's name! We just usually call it "that restaurant by BABY." We're terrible, I know.

We basically ordered the same lunch special from last time, because it's the best $11 you'll ever spend in New York City. But, to show our adventurous side, we tried the restaurant's specially drinks. Sorona choose their mint ice tea, while the rest of us tried their lychee one.
   
Both teas turned out to be really good! And the fresh mint leaves and lychee pieces turned out to be a nice touch. The best part was eating the lychee at the end.

I ended up paying $20 for lunch (taxes and tip included).
Can you guess how much money I have left?

While the lychee was sweet and served as a great topper to our meal, we wanted something else. We decided to find some "real dessert" in the area. We ended up finding a business that sold homemade ice cream with original flavors, and it was honestly the best ice cream I've ever had. Admittedly, I was on the fence when we finally found the highly recommended ice cream spot, Luca & Bosco. I was expecting a storefront of some sort, but, after walking into the doors of a marketplace, I saw that the business was just a cart at the entrance.

We were allowed to choose two free samples from their selection, and I wish I could have tasteed all of them! Each one sounded extremely tasty. I made the tough decision of getting a scoop of their Honey Lavender and another one with the word "molasses" in it (sorry, I forgot the name). I thought the flavors wouldn't taste right together, but the two were delicious and complemented each other nicely! And their Honey Lavender flavor is so heavenly! My friend described it as eating a bouquet of flowers.      

When I picked my flavors, I thought they looked a little like me (if ice cream can look like people), so I tried to take a picture with it. But you can't even see the color of the ice cream because of the light reflecting off of it! Oh well, at least my friends saw how much my ice cream and I looked like twins.

°˖✧ 'Till next time

°˖✧✝ 1st Meetup of the Year ✝✧˖°

It doesn't sound too glamorous, but some Lolitas and I went to the BABY store in NYC to start up the new year. I was invited in December, but was hesitant because I didn't know the person hosting. However, I took a plunge and agreed to go because the same friend who invited me had agreed on going also. Plus, I was hoping the store would have some left over pieces from their winter sale (I'm a sucker for deals)! Even with my initial skepticism, the day turned out to be extremely fun and enjoyable.      

Disclaimer: I am in no way saying to indulge in risky encounters with unknown people, especially online. If you feel uncomfortable, please, do not force yourself into hazardous or dicey situations. Uncertainty is usually a sign for you not to do something. Have good judgement. And, above all, be safe.

Hat, Blouse, Shoes: Bodyline 
JSK: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright 
Socks: Metamorphose temps de fille 
Accessories: Handmade or thrifted

Here is my outfit for that day. I don't know, but every time I go to the BABY store I have an urge (or should I say feel pressured) to wear either BABY, the Stars Shine Bright or Alice and the Pirates. I should break the habit (I don't like feeling forced into doing something). I've had this JSK in my closet for awhile, waiting for the right time wear it. Though, mostly because I bought it in the middle of summer and was not brave enough to wear it in so much heat! I'm not so much in love with the socks in this outfit. I put them on because just as I was leaving out for the train, which was departing in about 15 minutes, I got a run in my tights! I quickly picked up the socks and left out the door. I wish most of my outfits were actual planed and not me rushing. Even the crucifix on my head was last minute! As I put my hat on at the door, I said to myself, "A cross would look really good on my forehead." 

At the store, I was hoping to find a black chiffon blouse hanging in the back of the rack with a 30% or 50% discount sticker, but, to no avail, there wasn't any thing left on sale. And to add to the loss, there weren't any black accessories left, AGAIN! There was a mere lonely black hair clip on display, but the metal was bronze, not gold like all of my other accessories. So in the display case it shall lay until some other Lolita comes and buy it. 

Some of the other Lolitas bought multiple pairs of stockings, but nothing big. As I said before, they just had a sale, and it was apparent. There were hardly much left on the racks (the signs of a good sale). You can tell they were wanting for new stock. There was even a mailman delivering their packages as we were shopping! I bet he brought in a black rectangle headdress. The world is working against me!    

I wasn't leaving the store without buying something, so I opted to purchase the latest Gothic & Lolita Bible. Being in the shop is always fun, though. And the sales clerks are right there to add to the atmosphere! When I was looking through the mook I just bought, I saw some pictures with a little Old School vibe to them, and I started saying things like, "See, Old School is coming back, baby" jokingly around the store. Everyone began laughing and added in on the fun, even the clerks! One of them changed the store's music playlist to Malice Mizer and repeated, "Old School is coming back!"

Excuse me while I waltz around the room.

Afterwards, we wondered into a Japanese restaurant. We didn't even know it existed even though it's located just around the corner from the BABY store. Thankfully, our inquiry turned out favoring for us and our empty stomachs! Not only does the restaurant have a chic interior, but they also have one of the greatest lunch specials ever.

My lunch special include a salad, miso soup, dumplings, a choice of meat
(I chose beef teriyaki), rice and sushi.
There were even sauteed vegetables underneath the beef! 

Can you believe it? I got all of this for $11. But don't let the cheap price fool you. The food was fantastically cook and prepared. But I'm kinda biased towards darkly lit restaurants~      

But then darkly lit restaurants means the bright, unforgiving flash of cameras! Gurrrr~
My new friend, Jasmine and I.

Not wanting to leave the city without desert, we stopped at the bakery, Sweet Buttons. Their mini cupcakes are the cutest! On the way back to our meeting point, we stopped at Kinokuniya for some intense magazine and mook shopping. (Pictures aren't allowed in the store, and I tried to respect their rules, so this portion of the post has no pictures.) After browsing through everything, I decided to purchase Otome no Sewing Book 6, the latest in the series. Book 3 was calling me too. I  feel like I should have bought it as well. I'm going back into the city this week, so maybe I can pick it up then!

 And of course, my sweet tooth does not end, so we stopped in another sweets shop, Crumbs. I've never been there before, but I just might have to become a regular! Everything I learned about nutrition in health class should tell me not to, but within the first bite, logic was thrown out the window. I'll take a giant $4 caramel filled cupcake any day.    

I got the Toffee Coffee! 

Meeting new people can be hard to some people, even for me. When I first received the invite I thought, this seems like fun, but I don't know these people. People join the Lolita fashion for different reasons, some solely for the clothes and the happiness that it brings. But the one common thing that it brings is a sense of community and togetherness. While Lolita appears to separate us from society and its norms, both physically and mentally, I've made so many friends thanks to this fashion. And because of this meetup, I'm glad to say that I have more.

°˖✧ 'Till next time

°˖✧✝ NYC’s BABY Store Opening Pt. 2 ✝✧˖°

This is a continuation of my post, °˖✧✝ NYC’s BABY Store Opening Pt. 1 ✝✧˖°. Please take a moment to read part 1 of this post here. 

By morning, I had my outfit finally sorted out. But with the constant second guessing, last minute preparations, and all of the little grooming in between, I made myself late for the train, which set me back about an hour later than I had scheduled. I was upset, but I let it go. I was more concern about the other Lolitas in my community that I would be letting down by arriving late. By the time I boarded the train to NYC, I was only preoccupied with getting to the store as soon as possible. However, my lack of experience with subways and unannounced detours made my hour and 30 minute trip into a daunting 3 hour one. I wasn't ready to give up, even though I was on my third attempt to find the right stop on a train that had as many variations as AP’s chocolate prints. But then, on my third try, out of nowhere, I saw a glint of a pink poof in the same train car as me and desperately maneuvered through the crowd of people to the layered mass. It was another Lolita, a Sweet one to my rescue! And she lived up to her Sweet Lolita persona. She was nice, generous, understanding, and just so sweet! Though, to my dismay, she was also lost (I couldn't catch a break)! But I knew I had more hope of finding the place with her. She didn't even think about it; she insisted on helping me.

My cute, pink savior! 

It took a few more tries on the subway, but we finally found the correct route to take us to the store thanks to the instruction of an insightful station worker at one of the stops. The situation was a bit funny too! We saw him and asked him for him for help with low expectations, but when we walked over to him, he stopped us and said, "You're Lolitas, right? Going to the BABY store? What you do is... and get off at... and then walk..." We were shocked that he even knew what we were and where we were going. When I asked him how he knew about the event, he told us that people who looked like us were coming through the stop all day asking for assistance. He also explained that the normal train we would have gotten on was on a different schedule because of detours in the line. My day ended up being composed of lucky coincidences, but I wasn't complaining.

The station worker's directions were correct and they got us there in no time. I was glad and it felt like the worse was over. I was finally there and a could bask in all of the Lolita glory. With only two blocks left to walk, I felt excited. By the last one, I could see the line. I could tell it was long, but my anticipation overshadowed that fact. When we reached the store's door, I was so amazed. Going down the line further, I was ecstatic. There were so many beautifully dressed Lolitas in such interesting outfits. Passing the midpoint of the line, I still wasn't able to see the line's end, but that didn't stop any of my enchantment. However, by time we arrived at the block's corner, we still weren't at the end, and reality started to sink in. Just what did I get myself into?!

All the way down the block (a NYC block, gosh those things are long) and around the corner, I stood waiting, taking everything in. I REALLY had no idea how many people planned on coming. Without any exaggeration, this was the longest line I ever had to wait in, but, honestly, it was also one of the most enjoyable. When I got the chance to sneak off the line, I had time to search for my friends and talk to some familiar faces, I even got the opportunity to take a few pictures with the other Lolitas there. I had to wait three hours to get into the store, but interacting with the people in the line seemed to be an even greater event than the store's opening.

I was standing next to this lovely Lolita in line. It was fun listening to her stories.
She said she was at the first Tokyo Rebel store opening. How cool is that?!
(Sorry for my sloppy purse. I have to be more mindful of these things.)  

The greatest thing that happen that day was me meeting my favorite Lolita blogger, Sheri.
Please go check out her blog! She's amazing. 

When I finally made it to the next group allowed to go in, it was still so crowed inside the store! There were people all over who were reminiscing over their Lolita memories from yester years, squealing from unexpected reunions, partaking in interviews, and combing through BABY's selection. All I wanted was an accessory in black (I wasn't throwing out the big bills that day). I could only afford two or three headdress. But to my dismay, there wasn't anything left in black. They completely cleaned out. Only the Sweet accessories remained. I was disappointed that I couldn't get what I wanted, but I was glad that it meant they were getting good business. The purchasing line wrapped around half of the store! When I would go back to look at a JSK, it'd be gone!

BONUS: It's hard to believe, but in a bizarre way, this was my luckiest day EVER. Not only was I fortunate to bump into a Lolita on the same train car as me and meet  the most positive and informative subway worker, but I was also the one who won the raffle to purchase BABY's La Marie Pure dress set! NO LIE! Like I said before, I didn't have a substantial amount of money, but when the sales worker came down the line recruiting people for the raffle, I signed it. Though, I only did it to show support. I never win at things like this and knew I would never be the one picked.

The dress on the left is the La Marie Pure dress set.
I could have been a perfect Lolita bride!
Source: BABY's NYC Blog 

You should have seen my face when she tracked me down in the store and told me I won! I was shocked, for sure, but I was more embarrassed than anything. There was no way I had enough funds to spend on the $1000 set. But the sales clerk insisted on helping me work out some sort of payment plan. I felt so bad having to turn her and the opportunity down so many times.

The funny thing, though, is when I called my mother to tell her what happen on the train ride back home, she yelled at me! She screamed, "You won a chance to buy a $1000 dress?! And you didn't take it?!!!" I mean, how was I supposed to know that she would help me pay for it? Oh, well. I just laughed and responded, "Yeah, maybe if it was in black."

°˖✧ 'Til Next Time

°˖✧✝NYC’s BABY Store Opening Pt. 1✝✧˖°

In July, I was one of the lucky people able to go to BABY’s NYC grand opening, and the experience proved to be just as exciting and magical as their blog updates led its readers to believe. But my experience wasn't necessarily the fairy princess or elegant maiden fantasy that BABY conceptually designs for. 

Weeks before the opening, my Lolita community was scurrying to plan their outfits and scheduling the big day down to the last minute. There was even an arrangement for a casual lunch meet afterward for a small group of us. All was fine, and most importantly, for the most part, organized; I felt comfortable. But I couldn't help but feel a slight uneasiness when on of my Lolita friends said that she didn't want to go to the opening. That stopped me. Why wouldn't she want to go? Even if you don't necessarily favor BABY or wear the brand that often, which I don't, I felt that we should still go and show our support.   

From what I gathered, her main reason for not wanting to go was simply because of the crowds she predicted to be there. This shocked me even more. Crowds, what crowds? When the information was put forth, I thought that this was going to be something that would strike the interest of the Lolitas that were predominately from the area, like NYC, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and the farthest being Connecticut. And even then, I never pictured every single Lolita going. Little did I know, I was off, BIG TIME. 

My friend told me that she read that people as far as Canada were rumored to come experience this opening. My jaw dropped; I couldn't even fathom that someone would do such a thing. The response to the store opening was so grand. What was even more amusing was how my friend reacted to how timid my expectations were! It was as if she was saying, "Of course there are going to be crowds! Where have you been?" But for some reason, I still underestimated the opening's effect. I was still carrying on saying, "I can get there like an hour before opening and be fine, right?" And that plan backfired right in my face.  

On the big day, I was up early and mapped out everything perfectly, or so I thought. The night before was a nightmare. After a failed attempt to reconstruct a blouse I arranged to wear to the opening, I had to scrap it  and change my entire outfit at 1 in the morning. My new coordinate was created in the spur of the moment and fueled by lack of sleep. I hated it. It felt sloppy, rusted, and unimaginative. But I couldn't go down the street in the monster shirt I was desperately trying to save, so I had to live with it, (I'm exaggerating. The shirt wasn't that bad. It's just the in the oh-so-critical sunlight you could see that that the fabric I used to extend the short sleeve into a long one was not the same color black as the shirt. It was a shade off, something that I couldn't see under the florescent lighting in the fabric store.)  

Instead of the Old School coordinate I was planing, I had to settle for my newly purchased BABY op that I picked up on Yahoo! Japan's auctions a week or so before. I wasn't even expecting to wear the op, seeing as it was a last resort option, but them had to quickly switch it to become my plan B. 

I don’t know the name of this OP. I can’t even find a stock picture of a dress that looks anything close to it. All I know is that I saw an auction listing for a black OP that had an organza apron with a velvet print and a BABY tag! 

In the end though, I'm glad that circumstances forced me to wear my unknown BABY op. When I got it, I envisioned an Old School Kuro coordinate equipped with a black rectangle headdress and cute teddy bear. But not having anything to wear to the opening gave me a chance to play around with my accessories and build on what I already have. Thankfully, the result was a positive one that left me with a new coordinate.

My face… and hair accessories (the most interesting aspect of my coordinate). As of late, I've realized that my outfits have revolved entirely around my accessories. I guess it’s time to get a statement piece that’s a dress and not something I can just stick on to me.           

Well, that's the end of part 1 of my adventure. I wrote a lot, and I'm only at the middle! I need to start posting these things on time. 

°˖✧'Till next time