An Easter picnic was organised for our group a few weeks ago, and I’m sure it’s been one of the biggest meets so far. The weather was unpleasant, so we took refuge in an indoor sort of chill-out area. It was a little public for my liking, since we were having to fend off egg-thieves, nosy-parkers and interfering muzzas throughout the afternoon, but it was warm and quite comfortable.

I wore basically the same outfit as from a few posts ago, but with the addition of little ears to get into the theme of things.

Adam wore an AatP vest and his Mortisha’s coat – he also refused to wear a wig cap.

Epic group photo, “class of 2012″ style!

The bunnies of the day!

MANY, MANY EGGS

Jorge and Adam add some gothic class amidst candy and pastel bunnies.

I began to set up a tray for some hot drinks but got so distracted that I didn’t feel like sitting for long.

Two photos above from Kavya

Cheeky Kimmy had an almost matching teacup. It’s fun having someone to share accessories and combine postage with!

My quick invention of chocolate cups with candied eggs and rose/chocolate-flavoured Persian fairy floss…

Charleen and Magdalen

Steph, Karen and Anna

Brianna and Sinny

“The Eastocrat”

Cat and Kim

I was fascinated by the text on Krystal’s IW print…

And it wouldn’t be a group photo if we didn’t try to look our best.

That night, after a bite to eat and a fairly successful “Lolita Last Supper” attempt, we booked a booth at karaoke. I am terrible because I stubbornly don’t usually participate in or enjoy karaoke, but the company was dandy.

There were some good moments, especially getting to hear Rue des Cascades, but I guess you could describe a lot of the rest as … noise. That probably sounds harsh, because I did enjoy it, but I guess my personal music taste diverged from his music journey.

There was a signing afterwards, and the other current band members came out a little later. Lowana grabbed the set list (look at song 3 ).

I also brought my old book along and finally got the set list from the last gig in 2006! I asked if any of the other members had been at that particular concert, but I think only one had. He proceeded to hand the paper to Yann, and they started reminiscing about it, which held the queue up…

Though the gig 6 years ago was sold out, I managed to convince someone to let me in with a sob story (“I’ve come so far and he’s my favourite modern composer!” which was true at the time), and by wearing an attractive corset.

This was my chocolatey-brown co-ordinate, with a few hints of colour. I was going for pink but it looks more apricot in the lighting.

I am going to wear my hair like this more often, because it’s quite easy and looks more natural than a full wig.

The “chocolate high tea” was held at a place that offers makeovers, professional photography (it doubles as a photo studio and there were many areas with different backdrops and all sorts of vintage paraphernalia strewn about), and tasty treats. You can go there for one or the other, in a group, or just for glamour shots and so on.

We were asked (rather aggressively to be honest, and I in all ignorance) not to take any photos outside the dining area, but this gives an idea of the unique setup.

Magdalen, who organised it all for us, is so sweet!

The cocoa-rich fare. Apparently the caramel slice was rather poor, the brownies were average, the fruit platter probably would’ve fed two people but we were a group of 30. I rather enjoyed the croissants though!

My sister Kimmy and Charleen, who is never short of compliments and a gorgeous smile.

I felt quite ill that day, so just settled on the above (half of which I wrapped up for later).

Kim and “Jorgina”

We were chivvied out after two hours (sharp) and walked to a nearby park:

Photo above from xylia-x.blogspot.com.au

Cat, our Lolita Overlord

“I’m flying, Jess!” and a steely look as Jorgina prepares to mesmerise with a card trick.

I think Annie always looks perfect in her simple elegance.

We moved to an indoor “park”  for a while afterwards, then had Japanese for dinner. And then…

Goodnight!

Sidenote: I really appreciate the interest, but please don’t post images from this blog to weheartit! I prefer them to be credited directly to the photographer (with permission where possible), or reblogged from my own tumblr.

What do you think? I am happy with the wardrobe and pieces I have been collecting over the last year, my makeup skills (haha…) have improved a bit, and it’s been refreshing to get back into colour, especially colours I wouldn’t have really considered wearing (or combining) before.

I am also enjoying making things look different up on top — contrary to popular belief, there’s not that much I can do with my hair (without compromising its health, anyway). Most blonde-ish wigs don’t look right with my skin and eyebrows, but I think this pale lavender works okay with my colouring. And I don’t really give a damn if it doesn’t, because I like it.

This is just a short post because, as may be evident, I am trying to post every couple of days to kick this blog back into activity. There are a number of events and topics which I want to cover before too long has passed for them to be relevant still!

Photo by Marzy

Our perfect patch of lawn was soaked before we arrived, a wedding was taking place at the front of the mansion, and the only undercover spot was in the lookout/rotunda behind the lake! To get to this spot guests had to navigate a rather long, windy path through the grounds (and through lots of puddles) and up a precarious set of steps. I couldn’t think where on earth to relocate to at such short notice, and postponing wasn’t an option, so we just made the best of the somewhat-dry shelter we could find and crammed in!

 Photo by Somnolent Images

Though I had planned my outfit quite carefully, I still wasn’t entirely pleased with how it looked. I wore Innocent World’s Victorique in brown, with a brown velvet bonnet from Mary Magdalene. The dress is a little masterpiece, and now that I have it I would love it in the other colours, and a matching bonnet! It also came with a lacy jabot and a plain, soft ribbon. The underskirt is separate.

I love the combination of a button-up high collar (reminds of gowns from the late 1800s) with 18th-century-esque sleeves and skirt.

The photo above is the most accurate to the brown and cream (with flash)

The bonnet is beautiful, but it arrived (second-hand but unused) slightly creased and bent, and I don’t know if it’s fixable. It looked a little odd from certain angles when worn, and combined with the creases reminds me of an Akubra…

I adored the dot dobby lining, but that flower piece is very difficult to change the position of, because it’s curved and has three brooch backs to align!

Getting ready in the morning.

I placed a long wig similar to my own hair colour on top (without putting my real hair up), parted and plaited each half of hair, then coiled and pinned it up around the head. It wasn’t perfect but I think it suits my face shape and is very doll-like! Photo by Juliette.

But back to the event…

The dismal weather didn’t seem to put the lovely guests off, numbers were the same (if not more) than last year, and everybody looked really beautiful! I didn’t take any pictures so I have borrowed a few to give an idea of the setting and the effort the lolitas went to. Each image is credited to their respective photographer if you hover over.

 
Teagan was absolutely divine (I think we experienced a collective jaw-drop at her arrival), and Liza never fails to pull off a perfect outfit.

 
Adam and Hattie sporting HATS!

 
“Queen Kim” in another perfect ensemble, and dear Juliette.

 
Goldie is simply lovely, Elliot effortlessly dandy.

“…and thirdly you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil.”

 
Goldir’s pretty hat, and an obligatory cute Juliette with strawberry photo!

 
Magdalen ended up buying the Yolanda dress from me, which was such a pretty colour and length on her. I look frumpy and my bonnet looks like a fedora.

Throughout the day guests who wished to could take an extensive house tour of Rippon Lea mansion:

Photo by Magdalen

I wish we could relive the day in balmy weather, with all the activities that were going to be set up – croquet, pretty walks around the estate, exploring the greenhouse, perhaps some music and other games… Oh well!