Outfit: Pink and Blue ~ Variations on a Theme

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Please excuse the mess as I experiment with finding a new outfit photo setup in my new apartment ^^;;

Cardigan: Cherokee

OP: Cherokee

Leggings: Bonton

Boots: Skechers

Necklace: Kumacrafts

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

          

Cardigan: Cherokee

OP: Bodyline

Shoes: Target

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Outfit: Grey Day

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cardigan: Blanc Nouveau

Skirt: Bodyline

Socks: Sockdreams

Shoes: Skechers

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Duck Duck... Duck

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The lake is often full of ducks, anytime other than winter, and the area near the Terrace is no exception. Ducks often share the water with people wading in the shallow areas or just dipping their toes into the lake.

This little flock was particularly bold, as there were several children splashing around in the water nearby. I guess they've gotten used to people and maybe even approach them hoping for free food!

For brief little outings like this, I tend to keep my outfits simple, especially if I'm going to be riding my bicycle to get there.

Shirt ~ Target

Skirt ~ Bodyline

Shoes ~ Converse

And yes, I do bike in skirts and dresses! I'm always wearing shorts or bloomers underneath, so gusts of wind don't particularly worry me. Besides, who goes around watching people bike in skirts anyways... that's just weird :-P

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Outfit: Grey Princess

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sweater: Urban Outfitters

Shirt: Gap

Skirt: Bodyline

Leggings: BonTon

Shoes: Converse

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Outfit: Burgundy Notes

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Top: Gap

Necklace: thepixelsmithy

Skirt: Bodyline

Shoes: Target

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hot Noodle Soup for a Chilly Day

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A sudden chill has crept in lately, accompanied with nighttime rain showers and wind gusts during the daytime. There's plenty of summer still left, I'm sure, but this dip in temperatures has my mind turning towards thoughts of autumn.

I spent the better part of this morning making various adjustments to my bike to better fit me and how I ride. After having accomplished that, I decided to finally set up my mirror and an area where I can easily take casual outfit snaps. While I would love to be able to take my big camera and tripod outside all the time, that's not always practical and some days I'm just not wearing anything special enough to warrant that much effort. Luckily, I found a nicely-sized mirror that is nice in its simple form and that I can spruce up when I find the right inspiration and materials.

I then went out to meet with A+ to look in various bicycle shops near his work. As it turns out, they're all part of the same shop, just with four different buildings serving different purposes. We found a new, hopefully more comfortable, saddle for my bike, as well as a small canister of chain oil, which both our bikes need badly.

To finish off our jaunt, we wandered to a lovely little Asian fusion noodle shop for dinner. I had a deliciously creamy avocado bubble tea and a pho with beef brisket, tripe, and tendons. I don't eat meat often, so I try to pick special things when I do. I was very happily not disappointed at all with my choice, as it was very flavorful and delicious!

To top the evening off, A+ and I took a nice walk back to the other side of the bus route loop. We passed a courtyard area with a lot of currently blooming flowers. I'd very much like to go back there at some point to take some photos of the plants.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Visiting the Farmers' Market

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weather was absolutely beautiful, and just perfect for visiting the Farmers' Market. While we can hardly keep up with all the produce coming from our own little garden, it still seemed like a fun idea to go and take a look at everything being sold. A+ was particularly interested in finding some cheese, and I always enjoy looking at all the baked goods and pickled items.

I wore my sailor dress, because it always strikes me as being more of a summery theme, but I don't like to wear it on days when I might sweat excessively due to heat or activity.

OP ~ Innocent World

Hat ~ Forever21

Shoes ~ Converse

We found parking next to a kindergarten, and happened to be right in front of this cute red VW Beetle with a coordinating Betty Boop sunscreen. I think it's lovely when people coordinate their cars and car accessories. Plus, Beetles are just so spherical!

There were so many baked goods being sold, but what stood out the most to me was a big sign for potato buttermilk donuts. I'd never heard of this particular variety of donut before and had to try one. It had a denser texture than other types of donuts I've had, and tasted like a sweet, somewhat fried bread. A+ thought it "tasted like Passover" if that might be more informative for some.

The vegetables being sold were all beautiful and pristine. In fact it looked like some of them had peeled the outer layer off their onions and then polished them, they were so clean and shiny. There was also a funny fellow selling giant dried gourds, and so many stands selling beautiful cut flowers and bouquets. In the end, A+ found his cheese, and I discovered a new applesauce to try.

It was a lovely time wandering among all the vendors at the market, and I'll definitely want to go back and see what gets sold as the seasons start changing. Perhaps next week we will try biking to the market instead of driving!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Outfit Post ~ Back to Basics

JSK: Metamorphose Temps de Fille
Necklace: Kumacrafts
Boots: Skechers

I finally got a nice area figured out in my new apartment for taking outfit snaps, so hopefully I can return to more regular outfit posts. I dress up less frequently these days though, since a lot of the time I'm just throwing clothes over ballet tights and leotard to head to the studio. That said, it made me really happy to actually be floofy and pink for a day, which I haven't had a chance to do in a long time ^_^

Outfit Post ~ Waltzing in the Park

The Midwest Lolita Megameet was a couple of weekends of ago, and it was an absolutely fun time! We were in a new location this year, and I think it overall worked out pretty nicely. The weather was lovely, and it seemed like everyone had a good time.

JSK: Innocent World
Bolero: Baby the Stars Shine Bright
Necklace: Chocomint
Shoes: DreamV

And here's some bonus photos of our frilly security detail putting up some gummy bear duct tape boundaries for our picnic area!

Outfit Post ~ Christmas at Any Time

Skirt: Baby the Stars Shine Bright
Bolero: Bodyline
Boots: Jelly Bean
Necklace: KumaCrafts

Outfit Post ~ Sweater Weather

Sometimes, you just want to be cozy, and this sweater is veeeerry cozy. This is by no means a normal way of wearing Lolita fashion, but as I tend to adapt it to be more wearable on a daily casual basis, I thought this worked pretty decently. This sweater happens to be rather short, which works a lot better with skirts that poof out right from the waist.

Sweater: Gap
Skirt/Bow: Bodyline
Socks: Sockdreams
Boots: Skechers

Outfit Post ~ Hint of Lavender

This is one of my favorite Lolita skirts, because the fabric is thick and full, the lace is lovely, and it even has a built-in crinoline layer. It's also just super comfortable to wear. But most of all, I love how many little details there are in the print if you take the time to look. One of my favorite things to try with this skirt is to bring out the lavender details, rather than sticking with the most obvious black and cream/white. Sometimes I'm more successful than others, but I think the color of this shirt actually matched quite well.

Bolero/Skirt: Bodyline
Socks: Sockdreams
Boots: Skechers

Outfit Post ~ Jammin' Squirrels

In the literal sense of jam jars... I love the idea of cute woodland creatures having fun with some unsuspecting person's picnic, and this print totally captures all of that. That, and the cut of this skirt, makes this one of my most satisfying Lolita pieces. I like the peekaboo effect of the bottom ruffle, and I've always had a bit of an obsession with high-waisted bottoms. The front of the waist, with the bows, gives it that lovely corset-ish feel without blatantly screaming CORSET!!!

Skirt/Hairbow: Innocent World
Bolero: Urban Angel
Shirt: Express
Socks: Sockdreams
Boots: Jellybean

Outfit Post ~ Never Never Land

I love this skirt not only because of its Peter Pan (in my mind) themed fairytale print, but also because of the cut. I think many would consider it to not be strictly Lolita, because it flares starting from the low waist, and is a bit shorter than most standard Lolita skirts. However, I enjoy it being actually above the knee for me (rather than below, or calf-length), and the low-waist makes it easier to wear with my normal cardigans, since the flare doesn't interfere with the fit of the cardigans.

Skirt: Alice and the Pirates
Bolero: Bodyline
Shirt: Old Navy
Tights: BonTon
Boots: Skechers
Hairbow: Jolie Chose