CLASSICAL LOLITA DRESSES: TOKYO GOTHLOLI SHOPPING WISHLIST. VICTORIAN MAIDEN, MARY MAGDALENE, INNOCENT WORLD, KAWAII SHOES & PURSE.
It’s terribly materialistic of me, but I confess that I’m very much looking forward to shopping in Tokyo and Osaka — soon! No harm in compiling a little Lolita wish-list, right?
La Carmina’s spring and summer picks lie in the Classical Lolita direction. Light-colored bell-skirts with blue/purple floral accents, paired with short black riding jackets and Gothic accessories. Fumiko’s brand Chantilly comes closest to my vision… (I interviewed her in this CNNGo article.)
I’ve always wanted one of Mana’s older Moi-meme-moitie dresses, with a blue and white rose print. I saw it on several lucky Japanese girls at last summer’s Moi dix Mois concert in Shibuya (click for photos and review).
Fortunately, other Japanese Lolita designers have similar dresses available. Victorian Maiden (above) and Innocent World (below)… it will be hard to decide!
Mary Magdalene is one of the finest Classical Lolita brands, in my opinion. These Lolita floral one-pieces with corset lacing are perfect for spring and summer.
I’ll certainly be poking my head into Atelier Pierrot’s Laforet boutique. I love the coordinate and flower decoration on the model on the right.
For casual-wear, Banana Fish remains one of my favorites. Joker-print skirt, kawaii t-shirt and happy-faced ghost backpack!
We mustn’t forget shoes and purses. The Alice and the Pirates crucifix sandals (above) are calling my name (note the rose-covered metal crown in the middle!). Innocent World’s cute coronet and bear bags are also adorable…
What are your spring fashion favorites? Do you have any shopping suggestions for Lolita clothes or brands? Please feel free to leave links in the comments. If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, I hope you might find the maps and photos in my Shopping Guide helpful.
Japanese Word of the Day #3: Enemy = teki.
Song of the Day #344: Miyavi – Senor Senora Senorita
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VISIT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD. NEW SIMPSONS RIDE, HOUSE OF HORRORS, CLASSIC MOVIE MONSTERS.
Welcome to Universal Studios in Burbank.
Since I’m blogging about our adventure, I was fortunate to receive four free passes (which are otherwise $72 a pop). My tips for visiting are the same as for Disneyland: go early on a weekday, bring snacks. There were no lines, so we saw everything we wanted and made a getaway in our Deathmobile before the dreaded LA rush hour.
Our first stop was the Studio Tour, a mandatory ride that takes you through the movie lot, where productions such as Desperate Housewives are currently filming. We trolleyed past Hitchcock’s office and a partially-rebuilt New York facade (it was burned last summer in a fire).
Part of the fun was being thrown into special effects situations, such as a collapsing subway station and a Jaws shark attack. The Japanese vending machines and signs are convincing little pieces from Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Just like in the movie, a gas station caught fire and — ka-boom — the cars exploded into the air.
On the angry face side… we kept getting soaked by water! It turned into a bad joke: every single Universal Studios attraction left us drenched. Including the Shrek 4D ride. (Apparently, the fourth dimension is having water spat at you.)
Thankfully, the new Simpsons Ride was H2O-free and had us smiling from start to finish. We felt like yellow 2D characters as we explored Krustyland and the Kwik-E-Mart. There’s usually a line, but waiting isn’t so bad when you have Simpsons episodes to watch.
The ride itself is “psychological,” meaning that you sit in a 6-person box in front of a 360 degree screen. Although you never leave the room, the images and movements make you feel like you’re roaring down a rollercoaster with the Simpsons!
The classic House of Horrors is a scream: as you tiptoe through scary sets, monsters jump out at you! Outside, we saw plasters from the faces of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and other Universal stars.
Oh Hot Topic…
Thanks to all of you who donated to help Takumi get badly-needed heart surgery.
Song of the Day #337: OMG Moi dix Mois released a new track! Come check it out!
LA CARMINA
