365 LLC Days 363 - 365: Of Something To Give Away, Predictions For Lolita, & How My Wardrobe Had Changed

December 29, 2018

What better time to do a small giveaway! 

I will be kicking off the new year with a small giveaway for my shop, I've already picked out a piece that has been particularly popular. The rules will be simple: be sure to like The Bloody Tea Party page, like and share the post that will be made tomorrow, and lastly, comment the color you prefer. You would also get a second entry if you go to The Bloody Tea Party Instagram page and comment on the post pertaining to the giveaway. 

I've been debating doing this for a while now and I've simply figured this is a good kick in the rufflebutt that I've needed. I hope you all are excited for this and participate in the giveaway.

December 30, 2019

The new year is upon on and I'm conjuring up images of the Elmo with fire gif that is so very funny. There has already been a prompt for 5 year predictions for an earlier post for the 365LLC and it of course had me wondering, as we do often, for next year. It's not as easy to predict it through seeing the different fashion shows the brands do, it does help to see what sort of things will be released, but to pay attention to what reactions people have. I'm never good at this to be truthful.

Taken from Lolita Updates

<3 The sack dress style ops are going to be even more popular than before as a few brands are going to release a ton of them in a zillion colors and prints. 

Taken from Lolita Updates

<3 Lots of brands will release longer dresses.

<3 Sweet will have more of those out there prints that will be extremely cutesy but the cuts will be more larme and otome styles.

From Rufflechat 

<3 Odd colorways will be released by a bunch of different brands.

That precious profile pic from the handbook page on LJ

<3 There will be another attempt made to update the Lolita Handbook from two different groups; a group of long~time wearers and then a group of slightly inexperienced ones.

<3 The market will remain oversaturated and prices will have another drop.

<3 We will see more alternative fashion in the media but it will be pinned as Lolita by producers, as it has been occurring, for a few months into 2019. It is not going to be any better than usual.

Also from Lolita Updates

<3 Stranger prints will be released, either we will see more interesting food prints or we will get something even stranger.

So I think that may be it for this prompt, nothing will honestly surprise me unless we have something super crazy occur like another con experience being introduced (would not mind that popping up) but right this moment I'm not sure what else. Whatever the case, I am very curious to see what this year brings and am the thing I am most curious about is this coming years Halloween releases.

December 31, 2018

This past year was a rather exciting one for my wardrobe, in my opinion. There were so many excellent additions of things that I really have been on the look out for, including something that had previously evaded me. There were also a few things that were removed and it has helped cement the idea that, though I may love all of my pieces, some are just not meant for me, no matter how I coord them. This next year will be for some more minor changes.

That being said, I think that the most that my wardrobe changed in a different way than I had anticipated. I really did try to get rid of a few pieces but it didn't go well and I ended up with more dresses than I had gotten rid of. I have been trying to remove the pieces that don't work, something I have been talking about all year.

At first I started trading them with blouses that I thought were cute and nice staple pieces...later in the middle of the year I had this tactic sort of back fire. Though I did want to find more dream dresses and high priority Wishlist pieces they kind of all showed up at once, a few excellent deals here and there, and then Btssb also released that sakura celestial tea time print that I had to have...I didn't do well in my plans.

Though I've typed enough already, here are the accolades:

I need to make a matching navy hat and floral headdress.

<3 2 Dream Dresses/pieces (Night Fairy Fantasia jsk I in navy, Mother Goose, Triple Fortune Middle Earth Spring Dream skirt and corset set)

<3 4 Highly Sought After Pieces Found Second Hand (Anitque Cutlery just waist jsk in brown, Who Killed Cock Robin jsk II in black, Grimoir of the Moonlight Forest jsk I, Music Series jsk in black)

<3 2 Pieces I would have probably regretted not purchasing (Star Rose Ribbon jsk in brown, Celestial Sakura Tea Time jsk in mint)

<3 10 Blouses and 1 cardigan...I know by some standards this may not actually be much but to me it is.

I failed at buying more headdresses but to be fair I've been busy making more witch bonnets and buying vintage and antique hats. The only other type of headdress I wear besides those and regular bonnets are floral headdresses, I've never really been a headbow person and haven't really even made any this year. I think that that should be something to focus just a little bit more on next as some days I feel like a simple bow, like a few of the ones I've made in the past, are necessary.

The one thing I have decided to do, and will be starting this project tomorrow, is to really take a good look at my wardrobe pieces, see what I am lacking, and look at the pieces that I am not as in love with as I once believed, and do a bit of tidying. There are filler pieces, certainly, but not all filler pieces are as versatile in your own wardrobe. I think it's time, and with that I bid this challenge adieu!

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....I am not even going to lie, this prompt challenge has made such an impression on me...

I can't believe I actually followed through and finished every single prompt and after thought that I would make at the end of the 3 segments. This does feel like a very strange accomplishment but I, myself, am strange and unusual.

It's been a pleasure to work on this and I hope that anyone thinking of tackling this sort of project takes the jump, it's not easy but worth it. I also wish to thank everyone who has read along with me as I've run this gauntlet.

It is now 4:18pm and the year 2018 is almost over, I have done and seen so much this year that I am curious to see what 2019 will bring me. I hope you stick with me, dear readers, as I attempt whatever comes my way next. Now, I think I will refill my pot of tea and plate some cookies, cozy up with some beadwork, and take a moment to reflect on this year and plan out what's to happen next.

Cheers! XOXO

365 LLC Days 360 - 362: Of Previously Coveted Dresses, Manners, & Real Princesses

December 26, 2018

Thinking long and hard about this particular post as there are many dresses that I have acquired this year that I once coveted. I somehow managed to really knock a few major Wishlist items and I feel pretty excellent about it. I had been wishing and hoping to find this piece pop up after second guessing myself when I had a chance to purchase it when it was released. 

December 27, 2018

I am assuming this is the article within the GLB volume 4 that is referenced, I don't see any other write up on etiquette. I had completely forgotten about Jilian Venters and nearly meeting her at Rufflecon one year, there was a sudden emergency on her end though so she had to cancel. 

The thing I'm seeing in this write up is for etiquette for hosting parties, I'm not certain if this is the correct piece...I do enjoy reading up on these types of topics though.

December 28, 2018

I do enjoy digging up pieces about real royalty, though I keep tending to venture the way of the rebel I just don't think I can stay on the demure and narrow. Khutulun was an extremely impressive woman who was not just any princess but a great great granddaughter of Genghis Khan! I had to back track on that and found her lineage through Kublai Khan, his grandson. 

She was born in 1260 and when she was old enough she assisted her father Kaidu, one of the most powerful rulers of Central Asia, in many military campaigns. She was one of the best wrestlers, even waging her hand in marriage to anyone who could best her (ending up with a herd of 10,000 as a horse was what she won if her challenger lost). She also made such an impression on Marco Polo and Rashid Al~Din Hamadani that they wrote about her. Khutulun was, according to history, supposed to be her father's successor but that was blocked by her brothers.

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Certainly an interesting ride for the last portion of my night (10,000 horses!) and has me digging to learn more. Alas, with everything going on this holiday season, family visits, orders, and fashion show prep I am in need of sleep. I must be off! Cheers! XOXO!

365 LLC Days 357 - 359: Of The Original Lolita Handbook, A Story Of Today, & Doodle Of A Favorite Coordinate

December 23, 2018

This actually helped me on my car ride as I am stuck and not able to do much for a few hours. What better thing to do than read?

I feel as though I’ve gone back and read the Lolita handbook a few times this year but I still enjoy doing so. 

December 24, 2018

Little lights danced around the crowns of the heads of those who passed by those in the hall. A step to the left or to the right could keep the fae~like ones from running into the ones who were waiting, in awe. The lights not only encircled crowns but twinkled about the ceiling all throughout the building, with it’s floor to ceiling portraits of with smiling bards and dimple~cheeked women. Such a lovely little place to be lost in after a day of milling about before the Yule festivities of the year. If only the waiting ones could capture the twinkling lights and make crowns upon their heads for their own.

December 25, 2018

This was a bit difficult as I’ve had almost zero time to do much of anything but talk to family, like many. I’ve tried to anyway with more of a rough sketch whenever I’ve had a moment. It’s not much but I believe it gets a little bit of the coord across without being so obvious. 

It was difficult to choose one though as I feel as though there have been many gorgeous coords. I tried to keep my pick to the last few months though and also tried to remember outfit

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That doodle was the worst doodle I ever have quickly drawn in my life! Today has been a doozy and an enjoyable long one. I’m going to call it a night here though and wish everyone a happy holidays!

Cheers! XOXO!

365LLC Days 354 - 356: Of New Poems, New Kinds Of Bows, & Community Events

December 20, 2018

I had to do a bit of digging and it turned into a bit of funny happenstance that I stumbled on a few poems I hadn't read in a while. I bounced back and forth between poems of death, vampires, witches, and ghosts, the usual affaire, in the end I went with something I hadn't really thought to read about in poetry, the grave digger. So with that I very near literally dug up this poem and poet from

<3 The Grave~Digger <3

by Kahlil Gibran

Once, as I was burying one of my dead selves, the grave~digger came by and said to me, "Of all those who come here to bury, you alone I like."

Said I, "You please me exceedingly, but why do you like me?"

"Because," said he, "They come weeping and go weeping--you only come laughing and go laughing."

I truthfully found this intriguing to read, short but and mysterious. This piece was written by a man who considered himself a painter but was a key figure in the transformation of Arabic literature in the romantic movement. He has a few other works that I'm going to read next that I feel could be up my alley if they are anything like this. Another interesting fact that I discovered about the poet is that he lived for a period of time in Boston, only a hop, skip, and a jump away from where I grew up.

December 21, 2018

This was actually a way I've done it before but after looking around the internet for a bit I realized there was a cleaner way to get the double bow look. When looping over, use only a small amount on the top and then the longer half gets folded several times to make loops. The only thing you do next is take the short tail to make the tie knot around the folds, it does take a bit to adjust accordingly but it comes out much nicer and if your sash or ribbon is long enough you can make 2-4 layers of bows. I think it came out nicely.

December 22, 2018

I feel as though I'm cheating mentioning the upcoming event  Nocturnal Royal that will be held during Katsucon, it is one of the upcoming ones. I am excited about this one though, as I will be helping out with this event and it will be a blast. The rest, as of this posting, are primarily monthly meets and things like that. 

I do think it may be a good time to do either an ice skating meet or another antiquing meet, we could end it with a cup of hot cocoa! If my schedule doesn't try to kill me between the Katsucon fashion show plans and Nocturnal Royal I'll see if I can swing one of those or hope someone else throws that idea out there.

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I have so much going on right now and all I want to do right now is take a nap, it is definitely that time of year again.

After the last couple of days I did go back to read more of Gibran's poems and have to say I really like them. There are definitely a few I wouldn't mind transcribing into my little notebook to tote around.

In any case, I hope to see all you wonderful frillies going to Katsucon turn up to the Lolita luncheon event. It's going to have delicious food, wonderful people, and lovely coordinates, I'd love to see you there, be sure to say hi!

Cheers! XOXO

365 LLC Days 351 - 353: Of Essence Of A Favorite Brand, Valentines, & Stories Of Selflessness

December 17, 2018

We will never know who reigns supreme in my heart for favorites of anything. I simply find there is no room for favorites in my life, that’s okay because you can really love multiple things. Since I often share dresses from two of my other most favorites I figured it’d be good to go with another. If you guessed Triple Fortune you would be correct! 

I do usually stick to bonnets but I decided to go with a skirt and bodice from them that wasn’t Garden Fairies. This is what I turned out that I do think still embodies the brand, even without a bonnet. It does make me want to go out and either build a witch’s bonnet to match or a monstrous floral headdress. With Triple Fortune I feel as though it is the very essence of OTT and flowers and jewels decking out every inch. So I tried my very hardest to capture that essence with what I have to match the Spring of Middle Earth and made a sort of little caplet to go.

December 18, 2018

I’ve submitted something...to here...

These were meant to come out differently but ended up hilariously looking like prom pics and it makes me love this pic of us even more. 

December 19, 2018

There was this one particular girl at an event who I hadn’t really met but she just seemed to pop out of nowhere. All through the event though I kept seeing her and she kept checking on me because I tend to go overboard at events and forget to drink/eat/sleep, so she would make sure to either direct me to a water cooler or grab me a cup of water. I never try to impose on anyone but she apparently could spot my dehydration from a mile away and took it upon herself to make sure I didn’t keel over due to my forgetfulness. 

It’s not like I plan to forget all of these things that are important to functioning and living but at events I tend to hyperfocus. I know this may be small but at a Lolita fashion event with tons of people you don’t know it’s nice to meet someone who just takes a moment to watch out for fellow frilly friends, even if they are only just meeting.

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This actually reminds me to drink a little water right now, I’ve recently read that it’s good to drink a bit of water before bed. It helps with your heart and cleaning out your system, of course. I’ve already tucked away my teapot and cup and am ready to throw myself into bed and tuck off to dreamland. Cheers! XOXO

365 LLC Days 348 - 350: Of Recipes To Share, 7 Unique Meetup Venues, & Amusement Park Walkthroughs

December 14, 2018

It just so happens that I had a mighty need for something sweet today so I've dug up a new recipe in hopes of satiating my sweet tooth, this being the end results. I don't often eat peanut butter but I wanted peanut butter cups and I had just purchased some for a different recipe and remembered my mother mentioning making her own. It also just so happened that I had all of the ingredients to make this.

<3 Ingredients <3

<3 1 cup peanut butter (I only had crunchy but it worked just fine)

<3 1/4 cup butter melted

<3 2 tablespoons brown sugar

 <3 2 teaspoons vanilla
<3 dash of salt
<3 2 cups powdered sugar
<3 10-12 oz. bakers chocolate or chocolate chips.

For this batch I halved everything because I know I would be the only one to have any, though I did give half my batch to a neighbor. I still have plenty!

<3 Stir together the peanut butter with the melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and dash of salt.

<3 Next, gradually mix in the powdered sugar.

<3 On a prepared pan or dish with wax or parchment paper roll out the mix or flatten it to desired thickness.

<3 Put in the freezer for about 15 minutes, longer is fine too.

<3 Grab your favorite cookie cutter and go to town!

<3 Place cut out shapes back into the freezer for about 45-60 minutes.

<3 Melt chocolate and set out another sheet of your preferred paper.

<3 Use a fork to dip your peanut butter shapes into the melted chocolate and set aside to dry. If you have the paper set on a pan you can tap it on your counter to even disperse your chocolate. Refrigerate to set and dry the chocolate and you can store it there till you are ready to enjoy.

I made about 25 of these but I may have made my shapes a little to thin in comparison to how others' would like them. Use your own discretion when making them.

December 15, 2018

When I first started to go over this prompt in my head my mind got stuck on places to go during the winter seasons...I had to go back and readjust what I came up with when I looked back over the prompt. Here are the ones I eventually came up with that I thought would be fun to go to but still be a bit more unique for Lolita meets.

<3 Visit the Arcade <3

There aren’t many left around but it would be fun to go to.

<3 Historic Cemetery Visits <3 

Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea cut it is mine. My family and I would go visit historic cemeteries, take photos, do grave rubbings, and just enjoy the walk around and reflecting. Historic cemeteries are often very beautiful places that are under appreciated.

<3 Floral Arrangement Workshop <3

This one may cost a pretty penny but I think it would be worth it and very fun to take a class together, for a meetup. Some people may assume it would be a bit dirty and hectic but it’s actually not very so unless you keep breaking stems or knocking over your flowers. You may have to soak your or grab your own sponge for your arrangement, depending what’s being used for the base but it’s not very messy. (Worked in a greenhouse with my mother who is a florist).

<3 Lazer Tag <3 

Later tag. Enough said.

<3 Horseback Riding <3 

There are actually some nice trail rides that people can sign up to do and the pricing isn’t all that bad. Some people may have minor difficulties at first but there are always guides to help.

<3 Archery Lesson <3 

I just want to try learning how to properly shoot a bow and arrow and it would definitely be unique to do as a group. 

<3 Canoe Trip <3

I just thought this could be relaxing to do as a group and haven’t seen mention of many people doing this sort of meet. I think it would make a lovely day on a relaxed canoe trip.

December 16, 2018

Funny thing with these amusement park walkthroughs is that I find the ones for abandoned ones far 

easier to watch, being more my cup of tea. At first I wasn't certain if I was going to share one of the abandoned ones or one I've never seen before (which could have been almost all of them) but then I decided to look up the oldest operational ones and found Dyrehavsbakken, in Klampenborg, Denmark. Opened in 1583, making it 435 years old and placing it in the Guinness Book of World Records. 

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Ithat last one was more fun to search through than I first anticipated. I dodn’t Watch the video with sound because of things going on in the background but it was still nice. I did find it interesting to learn it was so old and when it was first opened. There is also a section of the park that is seemingly dedicated to Santa and Xmas. I guess it was the perfect time to find this one.

Well I must be off to bed, I have definitely burned my wick at both ends tonight and need to wash my teacup. Cheers! XOXO!

LBC: List 5 Ways To Keep Warm In Winter With Lolita Fashion

One of the things that I have learned since moving so far down south (it's far south to me) is that Winter here is far different from Winter from where I'm from. This means that I have had to adjust my wardrobe and acclimate to the area that only ever seems to be getting warmer. So for this weeks Lolita Blog Carnival we are all taking a crack at that sharing our tips and tricks, mine seeming a bit less warm to some but still common.

Here I have a few things that I find help keep me warm enough in the winter months, it feels like too much and not enough! 

This and my longer wool cape are two of my most used items this year for outerwear, going with my actual coat only a few times this winter. Thinking about your local weather and having a capelet or cape as an option when it just isn't cold enough is great. 

Jackets like this are also great options for when you don't want anything too heavy, fashionable jackets tend to do the trick for me. And who doesn't want some dapper looking jacket that you don't goes so well with your coordinate? It also helps that you can have so many different styles and colors and fabrics used for these jackets, giving totally different touches to an outfit.

I think this has been me for most of the winter, I know they aren't always appropriate for Lolita but certain heavy sweaters are great for staying cozy and warm and can be very cute. I think a lot of the sweater releases from brands are great too, they are usually the right length and cut for the fashion but it's always difficult to find ones outside of brands that go so well. It's just a matter of finding ones that work for you and for your wardrobe, I have seen many a frilly individual do this.

Brushed cotton and fleece bloomers are actually a great thing to have in the colder months. If you are planning to go out to an event, meet, or simply out on your own that requires a lot of time outdoors these make a world of difference. The brushed cotton ones are a little lighter weight but they are good if you get warm too quickly and need just a little extra something. 

This is difficult to see, and harder for me to find a photo of, but I wear my gloves with almost every coord, switching from the antique and vintage net ones to the clothe ones over the season changes. They are easily one of my favorite accessories and are a godsend in the Fall in Winter, they are also just very lovely in general. I think more people should wear them more often in the fashion but that's just a preference though.

Honorable mentions go to tights, some of them are very thick and great for keeping warm. But if you want to read about what other frilly bloggers have written be sure to check their pages out in the links below.

Saxon Blues

In Love With A Dream

365 LLC Days 345 - 347: Of All-Time Favorite Prints, Favorite Poems, & Essance Of Personal Style

December 11, 2018

Guest appearance by Nama.

This...is so difficult...I have a lot of favorite prints and you guys know them from my dream dress post, here, and post about what pieces I'll never let go, here (which is, in truth, most of my garments). But I love all of the prints I have for different reasons, these are simply the top 3 that I really enjoy.

<3 Garden Fairy <3 

This print is one that I have been familiar with since I was a child, I think many of us have been, and is one of my favorites still because I just enjoy the imagery. I think I also had stamps of these spritely little fae as a child and they may still be floating around at my parents house. What I love about it is it has not only my favorite subjects milling about on the dress but a barrage of foliage floating around, adding to it's whimsicalness. The colors are also just right, not too harsh and not too realistic, like a bit of watercolors.

<3 Fragrant Rose Memories <3

When I look at this dress it reminds me of Victorian photo collages but with jewels, roses, cameos, and portraits, all some of my favorite things. This was the first print that I knew I would regret if I passed it up in reservations, which I have found is the case every time I see it pop up in sales around the internet. This one is still a stunner to me.

<3 Tea Time Nostalgia <3

The instance I saw this print I knew it was perfect for me, I didn't have any money and felt like it was certainly a missed opportunity. This pieces print layout is something I found I really enjoyed as the banners evenly hung out in the print while the teacups and plates cascaded over them, giving it a slightly more solid background to it. And the false brocade look was just enough even further back in the print in lighter colors. 

December 12, 2018

As we have all gotten to realize, I am going to be fickle about favorites and drown myself in too many good options. This one had me reading Der Vampire, by Eckenfelder, Leonainie, by Riley, and even re~reading I Died For Beauty, by Dickenson, that I posted about before, here; there are too many great poems to love. I figured I should at least find one to share here, I'm really not sorry it took me as long as it did to find one, I was even going through pages of the Lord of the Rings for some of those poems. ^_^

The lovely Lady Christobel,
whom her father loves so well,
what makes her in the woods so late,
a furlong from the castle gate?
She had dreams of yesternight,
of her own betrothed knight,;
and she in the midnight wood will pray
for the weal of her lover that's far away.

It's just an excerpt but Christobel by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a very good to read poem, among the others I listed.

December 13, 2018

Truthfully, I have been pondering this coord for the last few days since setting up this prompt. I usually add all the logos and dates first so I can see and prep myself for what's in store, this time was no different and had me racing through my head and coord photos I have. It was actually frustrating because I wear several different styles and tend to be drastically all over the place, it wasn't easy going with one.

The first that did come to mind was a princess sleeve, I almost will always go with one given the option, but then it drew into question bonnets or hats and which balanced more. I definitely needed a cameo or two and a few rosettes to add on as I went. In the end I found myself staring face to face with this and thought that it more or less did. I may change this tomorrow (at least get it on a dress form finally) but for tonight I think it's going to have to fit the bill.

<3 Coord Rundown <3

<3 Jsk: Baby the Stars Shine Bright

<3 Blouse/Rosette pin/Rosette Chain: The Bloody Tea Party

<3 Bonnet/Tights: Triple Fortune

<3 Shoes: Off brand

<3 Bracelets/Cameo: Antique

<3 Bow: Enchantilly 

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Today was stressful, I had a few different things go completely the ways of best laid plans and got nothing done in an orderly fashion. I think that I'll need to do straight up chamomile and try to reorient myself after all of that, definitely take a moment to redo that coord prompt photo.

Well, I have to be off and was out my teapot and cup for the day, cheers! XOXO!