Amy, 24, Melbourne, web designer, piano student, Slytherin, nostalgia (and chocolate) addict, and languisher in all things baroque, rococo, and Tolkien.
I couldn’t have had a better end to the year, all things considered! For Christmas Eve we spent time with Adam’s family – I ran around the garden playing with the border collies before a lovely dinner. It was a warm, stuffy night so we just sat in recliners chatting. I wish I could organise a Lolita Meet at the tearoom and gardens, but we’d need a minibus to get everyone there! What do you think of blonde Amy?!
The next day all my siblings, Adam, and I met at mum’s and enjoyed another great dinner. We exchanged “Secret Santa” gifts and then stayed up late again, telling stories and stuffing ourselves with cakes.
This is my new tea set from Adam! I had my eye on it months ago but it wasn’t until just before Christmas that it was reduced by 50%. They have a delightful late 18th-century pastoral scene playing out. It’s my favourite gift!
Adam also gave me the new “Art of the Hobbit”, the release of which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the publication of that most splendid book [upcoming Hobbit post, eek]! I got the new Tolkien calendar from Dad (a tradition now) with the same interesting artist as last year. My “Secret Santa” gave me two Opera Australia DVDs with Yvonne Kenny (I swooned over them in this post and now finally have them), and a brilliant book on Castrati. It was at this point, wasting time in the wee hours downloading apps, that I discovered Instagram. A collective groan may go up as the “hipster” quotient of my posts skyrockets.
Farinelli, viva il coltello! And my awesome Fragonard pocketwatch birthday present from Julija.
On Boxing Day I finally wore this skirt after a year of having no suitable blouse! There were no good pictures to be captured that day, but we had a nice time “crashing” my friend’s annual party and I ate all the brandy snaps I could.
After a few days’ recovery I went to a traditional Japanese bathhouse to relax with some friends. It left us very sleepy! The next night an impromptu Lolita meet was held which I went to with Adam and my sister:
Whiling away the minutes on the train with pretty faces.
Our cute group! Kimmy, Adam, Teagan, Clara, Liza, Alice, me, Marie, and Krystal. It looks like we managed to get sweet, classic, shiro, sailor, gothic lolita, and aristocrat!
Our overlord Magdalen in a very striking ensemble, and me experimenting with new accessories on an older dress!
Sir Cavendish and LOLIS WITH PHONES
After eating at a fresh and tasty Japanese restaurant and expending a bit of energy in an arcade we got sweets from Passionflower. I got a caramel and chocolate icecream dessert to match my outfit. This has been a lovely end to a year full of ups and downs. GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE, 2011!
A truckload of Melbourne lolitas enjoyed celebrating One Day in Paradise’s 3rd birthday. I “twinned” with another gorgeous lolita and wore my new Innocent World dress (and the colour brown) for the first time and was quite pleased with the result. As such, I found myself buying two more brown and cream classic dresses this month, which I put my birthday money towards. They happened to be in my top 5 “dream dresses” list, so while I’m very excited about them (you know what it’s like anxiously waiting every day to see if the courier pulls up in your driveway…) I’m going to save them for a special event. Samantha put up a nice post on the event here!
Please hover over for photo credits.
Me with Alice (Violet lurking behind), and Adam with our dear friend Aeryn (suave Jorge lurking behind).
Adam and Jorge get in touch with their feminine side – the latter having just won a headbow!
The routine silly photo…
I met a really cute lolita with a fairy-floss coloured wig, caught up with friends and acquaintances, bought a few accessories, and later on 6 of us went out for dinner nearby.
And now on to my purchases!
I got the violin beret and headband in burgundy by Infanta, R-Series headpiece and shoes (unfortunately they are too big), a Bodyline music headbow and pink flower clip, cream flower hairpins from Diva, gloves from ODIP, and a cameo brooch by Victoria’s Kingdom.
A few months ago I bought this Alice and the Pirates bonnet but until now didn’t have anything it matched. I also got some Bodyline shoes (very happy with them!) and ankle socks (can’t wait to get some more for summer), and Metamorphose over-the-knee socks.
I think the socks end up looking a bit muddy in these pics and I don’t know about the hair accessory, but I think I like the overall effect. People ask why I don’t wear my hair out in lolita, but having it out for one day comes at the price of major discomfort in the form of relentless tangles. The impracticality of having hair blowing about, getting stuck in things, and caught on people as they walk by means I just prefer it plaited, because it’s the only way I don’t get as many tangles and the weight of it is balanced.
At last, some more wigs! Before this I only had two black wigs that were almost identical. The first is a random eBay find (I took a chance on quality and made a low bid) and the others are from Bodyline. For the price of each I am impressed with the quality. The Bodyline wigs are thick and soft and I’d definitely get more. I’m looking forward to getting the blonde-ish one to work with my big black eyebrows, hahah!
Today I found two parcels on the doorstep (hooray!), the current Gothic & Lolita Bible, and presents from Julija!!! On her recent trip to France she got me a Fragonard timepiece necklace, macaron soaps, and a Ladurée paper bag. >:D I LOVE THEM! Imagine the necklace with one of Juliette et Justine’s fine art dresses!
Speaking of dresses, over the last few months I have collected the following:
This coat is by Excentrique (reviewed and bought from this seller). It’s a touch on the big side for me and not a winter coat, but good for adding that final bit of decadence on an overcast day.
On the right is Innocent World’s Classical Square One-Piece (details here). I dream of owning the standing collar version in a few different colours, but in the meantime this version sufficed for the current warmer weather.
Left is the Rococo underbust jumperskirt from R-series. I ordered a size too big but a few darts brought it in enough. This dress would probably look better on someone with a smaller bust, but I still love it. It’s darker in real life than the stock pictures and the fabric has a sort of sparkle to it. It could be paired with long or short-sleeved blouses and cutsews.
The second lovely summery dress was from Yolanda, and though I knew it wouldn’t fit I ordered one anyway because it was the only size still available. We are going to use the waist ties to put some panels in which should mean I can get it over my shoulders! The fabric has a nice floral print but is a little rough/cheap. The underskirt part is nice with a subtle vertical stripe. I didn’t realise until later that it’s basically a Mary Magdalene Antoinette replica, because in the stock photos the dress appeared to hang a bit differently on a slim model. Regardless, I’d be very reluctant to part with it. There is no give or stretch but it would be worth using the design to make more replicas (they could all be quite unique).
Above is the Innocent World Rose Petal blouse, which is amazingly soft and flattering, like the ultimate classic lolita blouse! I want to try wearing it with the Rococo underbust.
These are both from Surface Spell. The dress is one I traded with a friend for a Yolanda set that I wasn’t that keen on, and the blouses, though a bit too big, is really beautiful. I had put off purchasing it for too long so by this time only this peachy pink was still available. This is suitable for a larger bust because it’s not fitted or tight, and a ribbon brings the waist in as desired. The ribbon wasn’t very nice and the little loop on the side came off after one wear, but all the little details made this irresistible. It’s probably best worn with a skirt though! I wore them together at a lolita baking meetup. Samantha covers the day here with some lovely photos.
A few weeks before that we also went to a pirate and sailor-themed lolita meet!
I paired my little chemise a la reine with green this time. I quite like this look, though it’s on the simple side and my shoes are a bit shabby.
I made a mini tricorne out of leftover fabric I still had from the sash. It’s decorated with a rosette, a silver button, some little ostrich plumes, and a sweet dove. I affixed a comb to the underside.
Jessica gets me into a headlock and I’m about to be pummelled while Ashleigh, rocking boystyle, keeps a lookout.
Our matriarch 
Selina, and pirate treasure Kavya in Chess Chocolate!
I also made Adam a large brown tricorne (bit rough, but a first try ) which matched his Ezio cloak suede perfectly (he was dying to wear it)! We all took snacks and picnicked by the Maritime Museum. It happened to be Cup Day so we didn’t get so many funny looks for once. We enjoyed a few drinks afterwards and then lounged about chatting for a while in an indoor herb garden.
Well, that sums up my show-and-tell for now! I’m enjoying putting outfits together and having little adventures with new friends! I’ll be getting back to some food and gaming and design posts after this lolita spam.
December 9 marked my quarter-century birthday, but instead of moping around grumpy about ageing and how the years are flying by (they do regardless of how busy you are, it seems), I had a nice time doing as I pleased. I dressed up, putting a summery spin on my favourite little Metamorphose dress, and we headed out in the topsy-turvy weather. We stopped at several farms to pick up fresh berries and flowers and then arrived at my choice eatery of the day, Cafe de Beaumarchais. Honestly, if I lived in Sassafras I think I’d pop in there every afternoon to get slowly chubby(er) on a late lunch, a sweet treat and a pot of tea. This time I chose the Mediterranean flan and shared a pistachio & orange slice with Adam.
This year I received a bag and bonnet set from my dad (I think the bonnet is lovely but it definitely wasn’t made for my head and sits far too tall), a tea book and some Monet prints from my mum, a notepad and a few dozen homemade macarons and friands from my little sister, a nice bottle of moscato from Alice, and bath bombs in the shape of macarons from Krystal! My brother gave me a voucher I used to put a deposit on the Diablo III collector’s edition!!! I also put money I received towards one of my dream lolita dresses, Mary Magdalene’s Elmeria in chocolate. I’m hoping to do it some justice!
I was sent over fifty lovely messages which completely amazed me, I could barely keep up with them! The following day was unpleasantly warm so my party plans, in which I envisioned a lawn party in perfect weather, instead shifted indoors. We decided to erect the gazebo INSIDE – it only just fit – which meant I could put up some hangings for a fun and cozy atmosphere, a cubby-cum-opium den. Though I didn’t really manage to get any “good” photos I had a great time loung- well, bustling about with food and drinks, hanging out with family, close friends, and some awesome new friends.
My mouth’s watering just looking at this. My sister’s mini berry friands are to die for!
Regaled as per usual with the life of Nelson.
Three sisters dancing!
Jorge shows us how to spray a deck of Bin Wang…
…and Jess follows suit. (sorry)
The next day was just spent groaning, as all my muscles protested to have actually been used, and having a MarioKart 64 marathon. I dropped some family home and then tried out a new local Thai restaurant with Adam. We were very pleased with the food and vowed to keep returning. Minus one hitch where part of our order wasn’t taken (we’re a bit on the quite side, I think), the staff were very sweet and it was a lovely dining experience to top off what ended up as a 3-day birthday celebration!
When my interstate friends, the beautiful Goldie and dandy Elliot (who appear to be the Brisbane equivalent of Adam and I, or is that an extremely conceited thing to say?!) visited a few weeks ago I got to meet them for the first time! A Melbourne Lolita meetup was held for them at that fancy little rooftop terrace and bar Madame Brussels, home to fruity cocktails, wait staff in tennis whites, cupcakes with salty icing, and plenty of Edith Piaf on the playlist. The afternoon passed lazily and everybody looked adorable. I have unscrupulously used their photos here because I never take anything of worth (who wants to look at grainy or “artsy” iPhone pictures all the time!):
Victor, Elliot and Adam, the handsome gents.
A hint of scandal! And we match the couch.
The champagne and berry macarons from La Belle Miette are heavenly…
A few days later I met up with the audacious couple again and we headed to the lovely historic Montsalvat – the only season I have yet to see it in is Autumn! Adam laced me into my Vanyanis garments and I decided on the pink sash for the day. We meandered about in the perfect weather while Goldie and Elliot concocted an impromptu premise to film around the grounds. Here are the gorgeous results of their work:
It reminded me heavily of a film called Chopin: Desire for Love, but that’s not meant to be an insult. My favourite moment is (yes, I’m being self-indulgent) here as I sigh, and how it cuts to the peacock’s train. I also love our faces at the end! Check out Goldie’s other gorgeous works here: http://www.youtube.com/user/thalionrin
They also took some lovely shots. I think they’re wonderfully evocative of the peaceful mood we shared that afternoon.
That settles it, when we settle down eventually our garden WILL have a long arched tunnel covered in wisteria!
My favourite spot at Montsalvat!
My only regret was that Adam couldn’t come that day. I hope they can come to Melbourne again next year (hint, hint) for something else I am planning!
In anticipation of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, I had originally planned to run through Morrowind and Oblivion for old time’s sake, and perhaps document each journey with musings and screenshots. The release date has crept up quite quickly and I picked up a Skyrim collector’s edition today (while Adam’s cousin got the very limited edition and was promptly offered $600 from a total stranger for it), but until we can officially install the game I’m whiling away the time on both Minecraft (future post will definitely include screenshots of all our ridiculous building projects) and by redesigning a good friend’s website. With only a few minutes to go there is just time to start the Elder Scrolls nostalgia, though so far I’ve only managed to get about halfway through Morrowind!
The mod I am using is the Morrowind Overhaul which includes much higher quality textures, models, skins, lighting, shading, water, and much more. It doesn’t really change the original gameplay so for people like me, who like “vanilla” Morrowind, it’s perfect because it just makes everything so much more vibrant and the NPCs a lot less ugly.
AH! Oh, it's just a dark elf. His name's Jiub and he wakes me to tell me I slept very heavily on the boat journey. I tell him my name and get off the boat.
To get out I need to give my details to an agent named Socucius. I tell him I'm an "Adventurer", though the first thing I do once out of the room is pilfer everything in sight. This handsome man (a new NPC) gives me my release papers.
Sellus Gravius. This beefy man in uniform has officially allowed me to head beyond the docks into Seyda Neen, a town right in the middle of a swamp. He also gives me a package that I'm to deliver to a man called Caius Cosades in the town of Balmora.
Fargoth the stupid Bosmer asks if I've seen his ring. I might as well give it to him, because I'm going to steal it back later anyway.
Arrille's Tradehouse, a good place to get a weapon and learn a few customs from the locals.
Swamp Flora: Coda Flowers, Draggle Tails, and Violet Coprinus
Hmm... there appears to be a body up ahead!
Before I ransacked his corpse, the fellow was dressed quite well and carried a sack of gold. Perhaps I'd better notify the authorities.
"AHHHHHHHHH!"
A man just fell from the sky! Oh dear.
His body is broken, the life smashed out of him upon impact. His nice robes (my new outfit...) and journal have survived the fall.
Tarhiel's journal reads, "We'll see who laughs after I leap to the top of their towers and scream out my success." Hmm.
Seyda Neen and the night sky. A good time to set out to Balmora.
This enormous flea-like arthropod could get me to Balmora quite quickly but I decide to take the slow way and investigate nearby caves!
My first encounter with Khajiit slaves. I may be a thief, but I don't hold with slavery, and quickly free them from their magical bracers.
I head past the Foyada Mamaea, fending off a few hostile rats and Kwama foragers.
Fort Moonmoth
Balmora on a rainy night. Now I just need to get to Caius's house.
This important figure, who prefers to remain shirtless, initiates me into an order called the Blades. The members of this intelligence agency goes around spying and collecting information for the Empire.
On closer inspection, Caius seems to have a bit of a Skooma habit. I become curious and realise the potential of the white grains I stored in my pack from the earlier cave trip. Moon Sugar and Skooma, however, are illegal substances and I need to be careful about being seen with them.
Creeper, a "tame" Scamp who sells alcohol and whose inventory refreshes with 5000 gold every day. I visit him regularly to offload weapons and armour I have no use for.
Nelos, a lovable rogue who wins the heart of a lady after stealing her glove. I help to reunite the two.
The city of Vivec, Foreign Quarter.
Gosh, what sort of place could this be! Suran is an interesting little town.
Oh. I see. I might stop here for a drink.
After a few, I decide to approach one of the dancers...
Poor Rabinna! I escorted this slave safely away to the Argonian Mission.
Ald'Ruhn, a fascinating town but subject to ash storms.
The Manor District in Ald'Ruhn, which is actually the hollowed-out shell of an enormous crab named Skar.
I visit these mansions frequently for quests.
At this point a councilor for House Hlaalu I am sent to see asks me to do something. He will not sponsor me unless I do this.
"Uncle Crassius" gets his wish.
My personal library in the house I am currently squatting in.
Here ends the first part of my reminiscence upon this particular adventure on the isle of Vvardenfell. Later on you’ll see me visit the temple city of Mournhold, traverse the wild and snowy island of Solstheim, and then become a hero and make history!
Sister Blog
Juliette at Classical Doll