Saturday, December 31, 2011

A Few Little New Year's Eve Thoughts.




This last year has been both beautiful and trying for me. There have been times when I just wasn't sure what I was going to do, and how I was going to get through it. There were also times where I was so happy I didn't think I could take it, times when you sort of stop and think "I will never be as happy as I am right now".

I'm having a solitary New Year's so far. Stay in and and spend it quietly? Or go out and tear up the city? I haven't decided where I'm going to end up tonight, but I've learned some things this year and I'm going to share my resolutions/promises to myself for the next year:

Personal and Life-wise I'm going to:

• Say "no". I work myself to death and I realized that it's not making me happy anymore.
• Be happy. I can't control how people treat me, but I don't have to let their personal spite change who I am.
• Be kinder to myself.
• The days of allowing anyone to mistreat me are officially over.
• Eat more sweets. I think there is too much focus on denying ourselves. I'm going to indulge this year.
• Move a little closer to vegan.
• Be more active in the local Lolita community.
• Finish reading "The Unbearable Lightness of Being".
• Not feel guilty for getting what I want or what I deserve.
• Cook for myself. I rely a lot on pre-made items (not processed, just made by someone else etc). It's expensive and I know that I can make a lot of it myself.


Fashion-wise I'm going to:

• Wear more Classic Lolita. I've always loved Classic but have never been able to bring myself too far from Gothic. And the classic pieces will go so well with my Dolly Kei wardrobe.


• Wear more colour. My wardrobe is mostly black. With Dolly, I'm going to add some darker jewel tones, and since I'm branching into Classic Lolita, I'm going to try some dusty greens and pinks.


• Circle lenses. I've always liked how they look, so this year I'm going to take the plunge and get a pair.
• A wig. Why not?


Blog-wise I'm going to:

• Post more outfit photos. I put so much effort into my daily outfits, I'm going to document them.
• Post more informational posts.
• Change my blog's appearance and theme.
• Fancy up my Tumblr!
• Do give-a-ways! I really want to do this and I never seem to have the time to organize it.
• Links to places I like to shop/ possibly make my wishlists public so anyone can see what I've been looking at lately.
• Finish my Fwamu Guide.


I know I won't be able to do all of this. But I'd like to think I can at least make a little headway here :)

I hope for the best for everyone in the New Year, and look forward to continuing on with Strange Girl. Thank-you everyone who's chosen to follow and/or read my little blog :)

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

New Shop Girl at Grimoire!




Her name is Miwako! Photo from the Grimoire blog, CLICK for the Grimoire entry.


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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Happy Holidays Everyone!




It snowed here so much!








I hope everyone is doing fantastically and having a lovely holiday!

Love, Kirsten

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Grimoire "White Christmas" Party Snaps from Tokyo Fashion

I have been waiting for this!


Finally! TokyoFashion.com has their photos from the party up! And over 250 at that! It pretty much covers the full Dolly Kei spectrum, and also includes many accessory and shoe shots (my favorite). CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DOLLY KEI EUPHORIA!

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Grimoire "White Christmas" Party

Photos from Grimoire's "White Christmas" party are up!


The party was Saturday night, and featured infamous Tokyo Dj Leon CandyCane. The first 100 guests also received the newly designed Grimoire eco totes.





As per usual, the Grimoire staffers were dressed to the nines with elaborate dresses and even more elaborate hairstyles.

Click here for the Grimoire/Grimoire Almadel Staff Outfit Snaps

Click here and here for the Grimoire blog entries and snaps.





And click here and here for entries and snaps from the Grimoire Almadel blog.

Hopefully in the next few days we'll see shots from Tokyo Fashion and Drop Tokyo!

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Little Update

Not feeling great, I think the Christmas over-exertion/workaholicism is finally catching up to me.


But hey! Look at this necklace! My new obsession is accessories from Schwarz Schmetterling. This photo is from the Flasco blog. I do so love a crucifix...



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Monday, December 12, 2011

Favorite Snaps of the Week




This is gorgeous and completely unexpected! Heri, in head to toe white, from the Grimoire blog.


Heri again, from the Grimoire blog. I love the use of the pleather skirt!


Kaori, from the Grimoire Almadel blog. I love her suspenders!

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Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Artwork of Erica Il Cane

Erica il Cane is an illustration, painter, installation and mural artist from Bologna, Italy. Her style is very fairytale-esque but with slightly sinister undertones. Her subjects are almost entirely animals, but in human situations that express the darker parts of the imagination.

From her exhibit "We Were Living in the Woods":








To see more of her work, including murals and short films, CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL SITE





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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Inspiration Wednesday (on Thursday)

I fell asleep last night before I had a chance to post my inspiration collage for this week :(

I'm still obsessing over crosses, fur, and OTT accessorizing.


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Monday, December 5, 2011

Favorite Snaps of the Week




This is from a lovely photo set from the Grimoire blog. I love the lightness and softness of the outfits. And the curly hair, so gorgeous. Not to mention the Verum tights!

Just the one for this week!

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Friday, December 2, 2011

"Verum" Tights Packaging Released!


First pictures of the Verum packaging today on the Grimoire blog! Still no release date, but I believe it says the tights ate now available for reserve in store.

Click Here for more pictures on the Grimoire blog.

Click Here for pictures from the Grimoire Almadel blog.

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Inspiration Wednesday

So, I have a new collage app, and I've been experimenting with it for my weekly inspiration posts. Do you prefer these "inspiration collages", or the old way where I would just post a bunch of photos?






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Monday, November 28, 2011

Favorite Snaps of the Week!

I didn't really see a lot of street snaps that inspired this week, but the Grimoire and Grimoire Almadel blogs did release shots of staff wearing their new "Verum" tights. These two snaps really caught my eye!


Miyoshi, from the Grimoire blog. Everything about this is perfect: girly, dark, dainty, and a bit strange.


Heri, from the Grimoire Almadel blog. Crazy in a way that only she can pull off.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Grimoire Almadel Debuts New Dolly Tights Brand, "Verum"


Today the Grimoire Almadel blog debuted the newest Dolly Kei brand from Grimoire, "Verum". Verum is a selection of tights in antique and vintage inspired prints, and they run in lighter and darker colours. 


These are the "Vitrail", a beautiful stained glass print, and definitely my favorite from the collection.





To see detailed print shots and the whole selection, CLICK HERE

EDIT: translate is now working! According to the Grimoire blog entry, the tights will be available in December and the prices are yet to be announced. 

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Monday, November 21, 2011

Favorite Snaps of the Week

Hello, hello! It's Monday :)


The girl on the left. Understated, warm colours. And I love her tights and the gorgeous colour of her hair. From TokyoFashion.com


This is bordering on Cult Party, but there is something bordering on magic here so I need to post it. From ridsnap.com

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Review: Sephora "Nail Patch" Art

I love cute nail art, and I love anything that makes having cute nails easier. Nail polish strips seem to be getting popular, and are available from a few cosmetics brands now, so I decided to give Sephora's offering a try.



Sephora's version retails for 12.99$ Canadian, and I choose them in "My Favorite Skirt", which is a black base with white polka dots. Really cute!


They come with enough for one application, and a good range of sizes. The instructions are also very clear. I will say though, there is a cheaper version from another company that comes with an orange stick and nail
file to help with the application.





The application was pretty simple, they peeled off easily and the application was fine so long as I took my time. The finish is really shiney, which is great, but I noticed some weird "puckering" around the polka dots once they were on.


Unfortunately, I started to have issues with them within an hour. The nail patch started to lift off of my nail near the cuticle, and I couldn't get it to stick down. The next day, the patches started to actually split and crack, and then chip. After three days, they looked like this:


All chipped off at the tip and cuticle. And on top of that, they're so hard to get off! You would think with how easily they broke off, it would be easy to remove them. Not. At. All. It took a good 30-45 minutes to remove these using professional grade nail polish remover. And I had to soak them in it.

Honestly, for the price I expected better. If you don't mind the price, they might be fine for a day. Realistically there are better options.

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Outfit Post from a Day of Shopping

Nothing exciting, a couple of outfits from the last couple of days.



I wore this shopping on Tuesday.
Coat, scarf, and boots from H&M
Dress from Betsey Johnson
Bag by Moi Meme Moitie
Tights by Anna Sui
Ring is vintage


I wore this outfit for dinner and drinks last. I wanted to keep it simple :)


Dress and faux-fur stole from H&M


Purse from Innocent World


Shoes from Jeffrey Campbell


Necklaces are handmade


Rings are from Forever 21 and Camden Market


I don't know where the tights are from!


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Monday, November 7, 2011

Wonder Land & Parco City: Grimoire Fashion Snaps

The Wonder Land fashion blog in collaboration with Parco City, present a series of coordinate snaps of Hitomi and Kaori. All set against the beautiful backdrop of Grimoire. There are also the usual Wonder Land interview with each of them as well.

The photographs are absolutely stunning!





To see the rest of the photographs, and to read the interviews (which are also provided in English along with Japanese) Click here for the feature on Kaori and Click here for Hitomi


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Friday, November 4, 2011

November Wishlist!

Just some random smatterings of things I'm lusting after for November :)


Cat tapestry boots! From Jeffrey Campbell! I NEED THESE TO BE COMPLETE. But seriously, these are amazing.





Skate Boots, also from Jeffrey Campbell. Wooden scrollwork soles? I have died and gone to heaven.


This amazing bag from ModCloth.com


This to me is the perfect "little black dress". Empire waist, Peter pan collar and the right length. So cute! From Syrup, photo from Wonder Land blog.


Also from Syrup, also from the Wonder Land blog, these tights are gorgeous!


I love everything about this.


Oh Innocent World, I'm officially selling my soul to you to get the darker colour-way.

What items are you fawning over for November?


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