Toshimaen

Hello dear readers! How are you?

Today, as promised, I'll show you the pictures of the lolita meet up I went to at Toshimaen. Toshimaen is an amusement park in Tokyo, and our chief reason for going was to see the El Dorado carousel.

It was built in Germany in 1907, lived for a long time in New York, and in the 1970s it came to Japan. It's also been imortalised in Baby's El Dorado series, though of course the real one looks quite a bit different to the applique version.

It's a lovely carousel, with the most beautiful Art Nouveau decoration. I've never seen anything like it! 

You could ride in a carriage, on a velvet bench, on a horse, or on a pig. I choose a horse, of course.

It was also unusual in that the horses didn't move up and down, and there weren't any moving figures or mirrors in the centre, and it seemed to be going ever so fast which was a bit worrying given it's age and the fact it's made of wood.

This carousel was so beautiful once you were sitting inside it. I'd like to go round and round for hours!

 

Of course we took outfit shots! I wish I had worn something more fitting for the scenery, but in winter I  can hardly think of anything but being as warm as possible.

Here's my makeup:

And Mr Piggy:

After the carousel, we went skating! I haven't skated for years, and I was pretty bad at it then. I kept having second thoughts but once the skates were on my feet there couldn't really be any going back, and after dragging myself round the edge a couple of times annoying everyone, I got the hang of it again! It was great fun, and the other lolis looked so cute on skates! 

Finally, I want to say thank you very much to the maker of my valentine this week. It means a great deal to me to receive one- thank you, thank you, thank you!

See you next time,

Sapphira

Licca-chan exhibition at Okadaya

Hello readers!

Today's post is the last one about my trip to Japan in January. On this day I went to Okadaya, one of the most fun shops in Tokyo! Okadaya actually consists of two tall buildings, and it is filled with all manner of useful and pretty things for sewing, crafts and costuming. I love spending time there! This visit was even more interesting, because there was an exhibition of Licca-chan dolls.

Have you met Licca-chan before? She is Japan's answer to Barbie. She's very cute, don't you think? I loved Barbie so much when I was growing up, but Licca-chan is also very appealing and stylish, as you shall see!

I'd love to wear this outfit for shopping, or even at work!

This is another of my favourites. The apron is styled like German costume, but the denim gives it a prairie look. She looks so sweet <3 This colour combination is nice and a little bit unusual too!

Another natural kei/prairie outfit.

I know it's a bit frumpy, but I do love a smock. Here Licca-chan looks like Red Riding Hood!

Another coordinate I can easily imagine wearing. I think she might have had a little rucksack on her back.

I'm not sure how these huge clumpy boots would work with this dress on a real person, but on a doll they're very sweet. I like this vibrant blue!

I love her hairstyle here! She looks so casual and fresh, as if she's dressed for the first day of spring.

Pink-haired Licca-chan! I suppose this is an outfit for a stay at home day. 

Finally here's my outfit (not as cute I know....)

~Rundown~

Scarf (worn in hair) and blouse- Vintage

Cuffs- Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Jumperskirt- Emily Temple Cute

Bag- Metamorphose

Others- Offbrand

I had tea at the Keio Plaza hotel and later had even more tea and dinner with my dear friend :)

I hope you've enjoyed this series of posts! It's been fun to look back at my holiday and I've really enjoyed your comments. Thanks so much for reading!

Se you next time,

Sapphira

xxxx

Casual classical lolita winter coordinate

  

~Rundown~

Headbow, socks- Innocent World

Blouse- Vintage

Jumperskirt- Jane Marple

Boots- Offbrand

Ah, I love this jumperskirt! The scalloped waistline is so pretty. I posted it before when I only had my webcam to take pictures, but now you can see it properly. You can click on the pictures to make them bigger! Since the dress has quite a mature appearance, I added a bit of cuteness by coordinating with Innocent World's Night Bear head ribbon and Antique Book socks.

My next Japanese lesson is the last of the winter term. We're going to bring in snacks, so I'm going to bring homemade onigiri! I'm going to make practice ones this weekend. I hope you'll have fun this weekend too!

Sapphira

xxxx

Degas and the Ballet: Picturing Movement

At the weekend I attended a Lolita meet-up to see an exhibition of Degas' ballet paintings. I had such a lovely time! It was wonderful to meet some Lolitas who I hadn't met before, and well as friends I hadn't seen for a while. It's been some time since I went to a meet-up; I particularly miss the chance to see and admire others' outfits!

I made my coordinate a little dancer-like with pale tights and shoes and my hair in a bun.

~Rundown~

Skirt- Fairy wish

Knit- Vintage

Everything else- Offbrand

Ballet is generally rather popular with Lolitas, and I'm no exception! I started to take lessons when I was four, but I stopped when I went to university. I do hope to take it up again. When it comes to exercise, I'm really not enthusiastic, but I love to dance! 

~Accessories~

The exhibiton covered some very interesting aspects of Degas' work that I hadn't considered before. Previously I liked the pretty and charming dancers who look so dainty in their wide sashes, and the way he captured the atmosphere of the perfomance. Looking at a painting of dancers waiting in the wings, you can feel the anticipation and excitement. However, observing the work on display, one can see the artist's development from these pretty sort of scenes to more dynamism and movement (as the title sugests!) It was quite fascinating to see how advances in photographic technology helped Degas to develop his technique. There were even examples of Degas' own photography! A series of three that he took of a dancer were particularly beautiful. 

I really recommend this exhibiton! You can find more information at the Royal Academy website HERE.

Thank you for reading and see you next time!

Sapphira