Showing posts with label korean fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label korean fashion. Show all posts

Friday, April 12, 2013

warning-- THIS POST IS SPRINGY!! coming taobao haul & cosmetics fun

Birds are chirping! Rabbits are hopping! Buds are bursting! Worms are worming!
After six months of snow and nose icicles (arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhh) finally the warm springy weather is upon us here in Cow Countryland!



Or at least it was?? The weather was all warm and shiny and it was just like, how super nice to BE. I took a small nap in the sun, and even biked to work a few days this week -- new bike! --

Wahaaha, pimp my ride


 ... that is, until the thunderstorms and 50MPH winds started. The April showers are upon us now. So be it, but bring on the May flowers, dammit! Oh, my aching bones~



I have a miniature TaoBao haul comin' in soon too! It's rather.... chocolatey? EXCITEMENT!










& speaking of chocolatey, I've got a sweet tooth for springy, poppin' Korean cosmetics and it's aching really bad!Too bad I don't have dental insurance............. well, window shopping for now! INTERNETS window shopping, clearly. Derp derp

( L to R )
top row: Skinfood Honey Pot Lip Balm #3, Tonymoly Pocket Bunny Mist, Etude House Secret Beam Highlighter #1 Pink White Mix, Tonymoly Latte Art Cappuccino Cream-In ScrubTonymoly Water Jelly Tint #2

middle row: Tonymoly Cats Wink Clear Pact #1, Skinfood Good Afternoon Peach Green Tea BB Cream #2, Tonymoly Mini Bunny Hand Cream, Etude House Lash Perm 3 step Volumecara

bottom row: Tonymoly Hello Bunny Perfume Bars, Tonymoly Clean Dew Broccoli Sprout Cleansing Cream, Etude House Vanilla Moist Eye's Cream, Etude House Sweet Recipe Chocolate Highlighter





Saturday, January 5, 2013

happy 2013! christmas/new years taobao haul

HAPPY BLUE DEER 

You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl etc., etc.! So here are the results of my latest haul over at our favorite Chinese internet shopping hub. I'm sick, and kind of in a weird mood so my face looks like -_- all the time (this was unfortunately proven by the passport photos I had taken today) but this package brought some light to my life! These items were ordered before Thanksgiving and unfortunately didn't make it to me til today, but they were well worth the wait. Nicer still, I split shipping with a good friend and a 'friend of a friend,' so shipping costs were low this time!
I am so spoiled, but there's another package coming from my husband too at this point...

Anyway, onto the unpacking!!

Geranium, Caped Avenger bun, descends upon the well-packed mass!

 Pink plaid top by  欧尚正品女装
Ahhh such a tasty pink plaid! The flannel material seems to be of high quality, too.
It's relatively fitted and flattering, but there's still enough room for me to
add another later underneath if I have to (I ordered an M.)

 White long sleeve top by Magic★
As expected of knit co. items I've ordered from Magic before, this top fits nicely and has 
absolutely adorable detail, especially in the collar and neck area. It has more of a relaxed fit, and
is made of a comfy jersey-knit (t-shirt) material, which should pair nicely with some of the
 high-waisted bottoms I ordered this round. Knowing me, I've got to be careful when eating while
wearing this... I bought a Tide-To-Go pen in anticipation of any stains I might subconsciously try to 
mark it with -____- I am glad for its flexibility, though! It'll go with most anything.

 Brown Axes Femme short by d[s59059847]
 These are very comfy and cute, though they're a little breezy for winter.
The material is a bit lighter and shinier than I would have liked, but I like how
they appear to be a lacy skirt at first glance, and because of the thin material
they'll wash and dry easily (great for my upcoming China trip!) Since there's
 lots of room in the leg, despite my dinosaur thighs, I feel like these
will be easy to dress up or down as well, depending on the occasion,
and I'm looking forward to layering these with cozy tights and leggings.

Apricot bow front cardigan by Magic★
Hmmm... this was kind of an impulse buy. The cardigan appears pink in
the photos, but it's more of a peachy, apricot colour in person. I'm trying my
darndest to find more purpose for it in my wardrobe, but... I'm a total failure
at tying pretty bows, and since the bow is the focal point of the whole thing,
I'm having a hard time. I think it might be nice for work, at least.

Dusty pink Axes Femme hoodie by BOUBOU
I couldn't be happier with this zip hoodie, even though it ended up being more "dusty" than
It is "rose" :P It's hard to find the perfect mesh of girly and warm/comfy/suitable for all kinds
 of adventures... but this is totally it for me. There's lacy trim around the edge of the 
hood, the hem, the (functional) pockets, and the inside is lamb-soft to the touch. 
Ladylike and ready for anything! I'd be hard pressed to find such a unique piece stateside. 
TaoBao, this is why I pledge my undying love to you, lol ;A; I'm not sure
if this piece is a genuine AF or not, but it seems to have captured the 
detail-oriented design that AF strives for. I'm stroking the ruffles! Somebody stop me!

  Forest party cropped long sleeve by 【PP家】
Jury's still out. First impressions aren't everything, though! I have a short 
torso, but this top is still pretty crop-py on me. This top seems to pair well with
high-waisted bottoms, which I am luckily not in shortage of, and
if I'm wearing a high-waisted skirt or shorts, is long enough to tuck in if needed.
I like how the neck isn't wide enough to reveal bra straps,  and I am a big fan of irreverent
English used for aesthetic purposes, soooo... Cheers, Mr. Squirrel, and many happy coords!

 Brown high-waist skirt by 小魔女毛毛
I'm liking the length of this a LOT, especially as a person with a butt!
I was a bit afraid to put this skirt on at first, though. The back waist is fitted
with elastic, but the front is not, which made me worried I would tear something
on the way over my more pronounced anatomy. But all is well in skirt and butt land!
 The length is just above the knee, and though the skirt itself is light and kind of breezy,
it seems to stay put even when it's windy. The lacy hem is a welcome detail too!
As are the cute buttons, which are purely aesthetic and non-functional, much to
my own relief. Can't wait to wear this more.

 Music note sweater top by 公主昕薇

Sweaters are always needed in the kind of climate I am living in, and
this is no exception. The off-white color goes with almost anything.
I am no Ayamo (see: Zipper magazine) but I can still feel cute in this.

"Comme des Garçons" PLAY tunic by 圆梦招牌
Pretty sure this is not an authentic article, if you get my drift. Not quite
my usual style either, but feels really good on. I was expecting more of
a long sleeve tee kind of length, but it's more of a tunic, and can be worn quite 
comfortably with leggings for someone my height and size (160cm)
The ends of the sleeves even have little thumbholes sewn in?!
 
Gray cuffed shorts by 小米_女装

 Mixed feelings. Super cute, versatile shorts. These were on sale for about
$7.50 USD, which is amazing, so I pounced. They fit OK, look good. They
came with an Über crappie little belt. Like some shorts I've bought before,
the button holes were uncut, so I cut them myself, no problem, but then
the top button came flying off as well. Definitely fixable, but these are 
pretty flimsy, obviously. Sigh. Gonna reinforce the buttons, for sure, before wearing.

 Axes Femme soft faux fur-neck sweater by 韩都柚子
I LOVE THIS. This is what I was waiting for! Soft, soft woven sweater,
with fur n' ribbon collar detail (which buttons off for washing!)  and it
goes with absolutely everything. My only gripe is the ribbon has 2 different color sides, 
and that makes it difficult to tie a nice bow. That's it though, really. I will take this sweater 
to my grave. SO SERIOUS.

 Rabbit pattern tights by 悠悠时尚袜子店
BUN BUNS. BUN BUN TIGHTS. YOU BETTER BELEIVE
I WANTED THESE :D


 Plaid ruffle Axes Femme salopette by d[s59059847]
 I have another pair of shorts like these that I bought from YesStyle, but they are way
 inferior and kinda hot-pants-y. Sorry other shorts. Even though the seller sent the 'wrong' color, I see nothing wrong with the brown color scheme and am loving the Axes Femme inspired
cut. No more being sorry about having a butt. NEVER AGAIN.  

LET'S PLAY DRESS-UP!!








Monday, May 7, 2012

taobao retro girly and otome shop list -- revised!!


Sporadic updates a-go-go!
I've put together this listing for others who might be interested -- & also for my own reference / selfish benefit -- of Taobao shops who carry clothes or accessories that I like and have had favorable experience ordering from (with the help of Taobaonow -- I promise I'll write a review of you guys someday!!) The trend here is pretty self-evident with its retro girly leanings, so let's get on with the list. Any suggestions of shops in a similar vein are so welcome!!



Basic list criteria:
  • Good presentation
  • Active store (currently in business with consistent stock/updates)
  • Clothing, accessories, or other fashionable goods
  • Satisfactory item quality
  • Positive customer reviews
  • Exemplifies some tenet of retro girly stylishness -- 'natural-kei' or 'natural style,' otome-kei or 'maiden style', 'mori-kei' or 'forest girl style,' gamine cuteness, or any other romantic feminine looks
Click on the links or photos in the left column to visit each shop! 

**last revised and simplified 13 October, 2013!

SHOP
COMMENTS
 very… I want to say, ‘avant-garde’? you never quite know what to expect from artka, but there’s always something interesting to see. it’s an online shopping mall in itself filled with category-defying items from the bizarre to the mundane. definitely on the more expensive side. natural-kei, mori, feminine silhouettes, nomad(??) style, hoodies that will make you look like an escaped lawn gnome… it’s all here.
gyaru, hime, sweet. pleats, flowers, plaids, florals, lace. excellent if you enjoy looks featured by yumetenbo or liz lisa.
retro vintage, 1960's, british collegiate (think japan's take on "british style" à la vivi magazine), mod cuts, plaids, peacoats; coherent collections with stylish presentation.
soft and sweet. still carries romantic looking otome and retro girly items, but is heading in a more streetstyle-y gyaru/ kawaii-kei direction as of late. note: double check measurements as everything tends to run small.
mori, otome, natural-kei. muted colors. romantic, fairy tale-esque dresses, outerwear, tops bottoms, and accessories. fantastic photography, and I cannot emphasize enough how great the shop's website design is! it always has me coming back, even if i'm not looking to purchase anything, just to search for inspiration and take everything in.
offers a huge variety of very embellished (and great quality) mori girl clothing, shoes, and occasionally accessories. seems to be one of the most popular purveyors of mori style on TB, and not without reason!
mori, natural-kei, otome, lolita, hand bags, accessories. the clothing selection isn’t really tailored to one specific point of view, but they really shine with their array of "zakka," popular character goods and housewares. stocks japanese replicas from brands like Q-POT, Axes Femme, Liz Lisa, snidel, etc.
otome, ‘natural-kei’, onee-gyaru, sweet, vintage silhouettes. casual OL clothing, shoes, accessories.
mori, natural. all items are from the in-house brand, and are tagged as such. somewhat basic pieces that can be mixed and matched for an effortlessly cute kind of look.
small stock, but carefully selected bright, soft, cute, and casual pieces. mori/natural. nice shoes, too.
lots of blouses and dresses with sweet and modest details, lace collars, breezy skirts, soft colors, flower motifs. natural and mori-able items.
s. korea inspired casual, comfy-cute, natural-kei items, shoes, and accessories, layerable with feminine accents.
romantic, delicate, billowy. lace, ruffles, chiffon, light fabrics. skirts, blouses, cardigans, cutsews, layerable sets.
a small stock of beautiful mori pieces, supposedly made from all-natural cottons and linens.
vintage-y, comfy, shabby-chic. Lots of sweaters and DIY/ repurposed cutsew sweatshirt knit hybrids. stock is updated often and they have a small selection of cheap zakka and accessories. great for mori and natural look, and let me just note that everything i've ordered from here immediately has that special vintage-wash softness...
great selection of natural-kei clothing! tartan, denim and fairisle that makes you want to go camping. yes, you too can look fashionable while doing outdoor activities.
youthful & nostaglic s. korea women's "college" style. nautical/sailor tops, pleated skirts, school-uniform inspired cuteness, piped blazers and plenty of tartan.
super cute mori and natural-kei collection.