Innocent World Socks and Comissioned Wristcuffs

Woo~ I'm back from Bermuda with a nice tan. Upon my arrival my wristcuffs from Crystal, who was really, really helpful and nice about everything. I wanted a pair of wristcuffs because the sleeves on one of my classical OPs were a little too short for my comfort. I looked around at some brands and offbrands, but the trouble was getting nice offwhite wristcuffs that were long enough and not too frilly. She was very understanding and picked out this lovely embroidery lace for me. Needless to say I was thrilled when I got them and saw how pretty they were in person. I would definitely recommend her work to anyone.


Additionally, my friend Hitoshi went to Japan to see his family recently and he usually picks up a small omiyage for me and my sister. This time I asked him to go to the IW store for me and pick up a pair of socks (I reimbursed him for being a casual shopping service for me, haha). These are offwhite OTKs with the softest lace on the top. They are so warm and cute! Next year he might have to bring back something bigger :3

Choux a la Creme

I made my test run of Choux a la Creme today. These delicate puff pastries are well... a bitch. Whereas macarons are consistency devils, these are really about heat management. Luckily I made them small so there wasn't any major collapsing, but they did deflate. I also piped one tray entirely wrong, but at least I can correct my mistakes tomorrow. The cream is simple whipped heavy cream and sugar.

Romantic Rose Reserve (IW)

Brand new reserve up today, a lovely newJSK and skirt launching a new "Romantic Rose" Series.


It features a delicate and incredibly detailed floral print in beige, chocolat, and black. The pink flowers add a jewel like elegance, while the cut is classic with a twist of sweet. It's a halter design which helps it's size versatility and is shirred in the back.

While not really noticeable on the beige, the crosshatch design on the black and chocolat colorways remind me a bit of memorial cake and jewel butterfly. It does make it a little intense on the eyes, which is why I vastly prefer the beige version. The skirt is also very simple, which is great for showing off the intricacy of the chocolat and brown versions.



I think it's interesting how most of the time floral prints are all over, but this is an all over plus border floral print. Also the alternating floral/solid and print/motif designs pattern in releases by most brands. At any rate, this is a lovely summer print for those who like pink, but not necessarily pink colorways.

In a perfect world I would have... the JSK in beige x pink

In other news, incredibly excited about Dream in a midsummer night~ Has anyone put one on reserve?

The dream in a midsummer night skirt (AatP)

The skirt sample is up and I think I'm sold on this print. It is just really too gorgeous to pass up. Especially in ivory. Hopefully I'll be able to snag a reservation.

Midsummer's Night Dream Reserve (AatP)

I can't breathe because this print is so gorgeous.It's a new reserve from Alice and the Pirates, available here From the close up of the print, it is intricately detailed and probably my favorite AatP print to date.

I really don't mind that it is about as inspired by the play as Disney's adaptation of The Little Mermaid (aka very loosely), this print is gorgeous. It has 2 JSK designs and 1 skirt (no sample pictures) and comes in black, navy, and ivory. The windows and the butterflies are absolutely love.

I'm not a huge fan of this JSK design, but that is just my prejudice against bows. The first one luckily only suffers one, and is relatively small. I can see that in ivory being a beautiful classico-gothic affair. Or just gothic, no one ever said it always had to be black. I really wish they had a sample of the skirt up, because I would be severely tempted. If I wasn't going to Otakon and then moving next month... Yeah yeah, cue stereotypical expense woes. But budgeting is a fact of life, and who knows, maybe it will show up on y!j or closet child in a year or so (sob).

The reservation starts on 7/16, I suppose I have till then to contemplate.

In a perfect world I would have the 1 bow JSK in ivory

Shojo Jikakeno Libretto ~Lolitawork Libretto by Kanon Wakeshima

A bit delayed, but I finally got around to listening to Wakeshima's newest album, Lolitawork Libretto. First off, I am a huge fan of Wakeshima for a variety of reasons.
1) She's a cellist - even though I am a violinist now, I started playing cello when I was younger. I deeply regret dropping it now because its a beautiful instrument
2) She has an amazing voice
3) Awesome visual style

I can vouch for all of those, after seeing her live last summer at Otakon 2009. So, on to the new album!

Tracklist:
1.SHAKESPEARE NO WASUREMONO ~Prologue
2.KAJITSUNOKEIKOKU
3.HEROINE SYNDROME
4.TWINKLE STAR!
5.TOUMEI NO KAGI
6.MARMALADE SKY
7.KURONEKO TO PIANIST NO TANGO
8.PRINCESS CHARLESTON
9.TREE OF SORROW
10.CELMISIA
11.OTOMENOMAACHI
12.SHAKESPEARE NO WASUREMONO ~Epilogue
13.LOLITAWORK LIBRETTO STORYTELLING BY SOLITA

Thoughts:
This is a great album, first off. The Prologue and Epilogue, "Forgotten Shakespeare" boast a solid instrumental piece, one of Wakeshima's strengths. "Kajitsu no Keikoku" and "Heroine Syndrome" are good pieces that shows off her impressive vocals and compositional talents. They are songs I may have to attempt a cover for on violin. Possibly the only low point of the album is "Marmalade Sky", personally I just find her voice a little too immature, which clashes with the rest of the tracks.

Creatively, the songs branch out a bit more than Shinsoku Dolce. Particularly in Black cat and Princess Tango and Princess Charleston, there are dance themes, which make the ballroom dance nerd in me go nuts. The Tango has a great rhythm and a piano, just for kicks. And of course, the last track, Lolitawork Libretto is one of the principal tracks, solita lends an ethereal quality to the piece. The PV is incredible too.



Definitely check this album out!

How to train your dragon (cake)

My birthday gift to my lovely friend and fellowblogger, Emma!! Happy 19th birthday to you, dear!