Lolita blog carnival: What would I like in future prints?

To be completely honest I am super tired of prints and wish there were more interesting cuts, lace, ruffles, embroidery, appliques and epicly nice fabrics but let's still play along.

Less

Less by mimielizabetha featuring dresses

Less crazy Angelic pretty prints with crazy buying wars. I mean How many chocolate prints is going to be enough? Or cutesy carousel pony prints? These things have been around for years and years and years... Could we move on? Or at least get some new ideas? I did like Milky cross after all. 

Less random clip art prints. Juliette & Justine I am looking at you. I love Juliette & Justine but am so done with randomly placed images over randomly placed images. Even Atelier Pierrot is doing it now. Could we have some sense of design again? Please?

Less of the same old themes unless there is an interesting twist included. No more carousel ponies or endless hordes of teddy bears or crowns upon crowns or piles and piles of chocolate dresses. It seems like some themes just come up again and again and again. 

More

More by mimielizabetha featuring punk rock shirts

More interesting printing techniques like velvet flocking or metal embossing. As Juliette & Justine so aptly proves these techniques are just as interesting and intricate as colourful drawn prints. 

More prints combined to an interesting cut. I'd love to see more dresses that have something more tha print making them special. Maybe the dress has edwardianesque cut combined to a print of Mucha's art.  

More interesting goth prints. I do love crosses, tomb stones and cathedrals as much as the next girl but could we have something else as well. I'd love a realistic bat print, or print with realistically drawn skulls of different animals, or macabre or somber art prints. There are so many options that have yet to been tried out.

More prints in other items that dresses and skirts. As in the example set the blouse with the printed shoulders is interesting and new. More of this please. 

More abstract prints covering the entire dress. Stripes? Yes please. Geometric patters? Why not? 

To summarize I'd like to see new things tried and less of the same old same old things that  have dominated the lolita print dress for a long long time. New themes, techniques and even garments to make this lovely fashion more interesting than ever.

Lolita blog carnival group: Here

Participants

Kawaii no Hawaii

Daily Fuckery

Pepins de Pom & co

New vogue Children

Alice in lolitaland

The Bloody teaparty

Beyond kawaii

What would you, my dear reader see in the future of lolita prints? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Madame Parapluie

PS. I just realized that an absinthe themed print would be totally epic as well. The antique glasses and fountains and spoons would make a perfect gothic print and would add a new theme to lolita. 

Lolita blog carnival: Defining lifestyle lolita

I have always thought myself as somewhat of a lifestyle lolita and yet kept my mouth pretty shut about what I think that means. How do you even begin to define a lifestyle?

Stereotypical lolita lifestyle has been seen as something confining an limiting. You have to have tea, be polite, have only loliable hobbies like sewing or painting or so on. Anything and everything you do must be lolita related. And naturally you have to do it alone as Novala says.

"A maiden does not need things like friends. Maidens are sublime and aloof by nature. In stories, the male heros will form cliques and carry out their activities together. Like in Tom Sawyer, Tom, Huckleberry Fin, and Getalobe, joined together and the three of them made the “15 boy’s drifter chronicles”, and then the 15 had to be together; they weren’t adult at all. But young ladies are different. Alice went through the perils of Wonderland by herself, and Anju helped her brother escape from the bandit’s mountain and was abandoned herself." 

(From here)

But here is where I'd like to argue with Novala. Alice may have gone to the wonderland alone but that doesn't mean her friends didn't hear all about it as soon as she climbed out of that rabbit hole. And though Novala probably meant this to be encouraging for girls who for one reason or another have not friends, it has become the cliched version of the lolita lifestyle. And while I can see some merit in his ideas I believe that everyone has the right to define their own lifestyle.

The other big cliche about lifestyle lolitas is that they (or we) wear lolita everyday. And though I have been very privileged and lucky to been able to wear lolita to most of my workplaces I am aware that it might not be possible in the future. I don't believe that this defines a lifestyle lolita.

To be honest I think of lolita lifestyle in the same way many think of goth. It's just the way I decorate my home, the clothes I wear, how I enjoy culture around me. To me it's always seemed a bit silly to say lifestyle lolita. No one is saying that there are lifestyle goths or lifestyle punks. They are just goths or punks. And I feel the same should be true with lolita.  And like in the mentioned examples I feel there are many ways to be a lolita. Or a lifestyle lolita if we stick to the topic.

Lolita lifestyle for me is first and foremost an appreciation for beauty. And as perspectives on beauty are as varied as people are, it can mean anything from antique furnishings to filling ones house with My little ponies. It's an all encompassing principle to surround one self with things one finds beautiful. Audrey Hepburn once said that to be beautiful is to eat, look and read beauty.

I enjoy the idea of refining my talents in lolita and in other things. I feel that lolita to me is a symbol of becoming a better person, learning more and trying new things.

In my case this means seeking knowledge of things that interest me like tea or antiques or honing my skills in sewing or crafting. I might even try something new once in a while ( I still want to learn to play the piano). Lolita motivates me in ways many other things have not.

To put it shortly a lolita lifestyle is a very personal matter. Novala speaks of independence and in this I feel he is right. Lolitas are very independent by nature and thusly are responsible of making their own rules, even about what lolita lifestyle means.  

Tl;dr: Go define your own lifestyle and stop bugging me about it.

Lolita blog carnival facebook group

Other participants

Heart's sound
Poppy noir
Art du noir
Lace jail

Madame Parapluie

Lolita blog carnival: Lolita plans 2015

Events

The first event I am surely attending this year is Hellocon and the Hellocon teaparty. I am organizing the fashion show with Mari (Do remember to apply for a model position right here) and hosting a seminar on cleaning and caring for your precious garments. 

I am quite excited to go and have been planning my outfits for months. At this time it looks I am mainly going to wear hand made dresses unless of course I get one of my dream dresses. Then I might need to change my plans

Other events I'd like to attend are the tea party club event in London or Frillfest in Gothenburg but I am not sure if it's going to be possible. 

Style

I am hoping to get a couple of my dream dresses during this year. (Oh ye gods of lolita and all frilly folk, hear my plea).  Naturally I am going to continue to sew a lot of my dresses and hope to continue to use better and better materials. 

Currently I am going through a more gothic phase which I think  will continue strong through out this year at least. I am tempted by the dark vampire like dresses and decadent materials like silk, velvet and chiffon. I also think my style is going to be a bit more mature and sensual than before.

 I am also selling some of the pieces that don't suit my style anymore.

Lifestyle

Lifestylewise I am hoping to get a bit more blogging done. I have been a abysmally lazy with my blog last year and I am hoping to turn it around this year. Maybe more post about my sewing and craft projects or if I have bought something nice. I also want to continue my auntie Mims series. Naturally I hope to take more outfit shots too. 

I also wish to attend at least a couple of public meet ups this year and maybe host one or two. Nothing grand of course (I simply haven't got the time for a Princess fair...) but maybe a nice little picnic or  cafe meet up.

Lolita blog carnival

Lolita blog carnival is a facwebook group for lolita bloggers. Each week we choose a new topic and write about it in our blogs. 

Facebook group

This weeks participants

Libretto macabre

A fistful of Yen

Divine cross

Poppy Noir

East coast pocket princess

Madame Parapluie

If I were a goddess

Kaino challenged me to tell you what kind of goddess I would be so here comes!

"If I Were A God..." -challenge!

Rules are as follows:

1. Tag back to the person who tagged you.

2. Answer the questions.

3. Add a question if you come up with a good one.

4. Challenge five other bloggers.

Mari got it pretty right when she said I would be the Epic Vampire Goddess of Night, Moon and Starry Skies. I would also add that if you suffer from insomnia that's probably my doing. Why should I an All powerful goddess be the only one who can't sleep? I am also a bit mischievous so all sorts of pranks will be something my followers have expect. 

As a goddess I would ride a huge black unicorn with bat wings to battle every night to overpower the hateful sun and give my followers the calm coolness and soothing darkness of the night. I would also have a flock of bats as pets and messengers to carry out my holy orders. If I were heavenly pissed of I probably would stop the sun coming up (What? It's a star too and thusly a part of my domain.) 

1. The global warming thingy will kill lots of stuff. You get to save one species and have to kill another. Which ones and why?

I would save dogs because puppies are adorable and kill those nasty little bug thingies that bite you and make nasty itchy bumps everywhere. I think the English term is Black flies. I hate those buggers. 

 2. Ok, since you are playing god, make a prayer your worshipers would have to pray every evening.

"Oh queen of darkness 

Silent and swift

Slay the sun 

and raise the night

so those who oppose thee

will fall to dreams. 

Of queen of darkness
merciful and kind
My blood I offer thee
so thine essence will inspire me"

I don't know if it would do much help to you mortals though but no one can blame you for trying.I would. Latin might work better though. I am a bit fancy that way.

3. Nice and poetic that one. Now, any sacraments you would want to have?

The giving of the beautiful virgins to nourish thine goddess.

Making sure thou art wearing clothes of good quality and fit. I will not have shabby looking followers.

Wearing of the night sky. (It makes a very sparkly dress) 

Bringing of the night eternal and the end of the world

4. I like this theme. Three annual ceremonies that would be held to celebrate you?

The hateful day of the undying sun

This celebration would take the place of midsummer as it is the only day your goddess can not overpower the sun. It would be celebrated by staying indoors locking every window and putting on thick heavy curtains to keep out the noise of the foolish who celebrate the sun. 

On this day your goddess expects to be given beautiful parasols to fend of the hateful sun. 

Night of horrors and love

Set on october 31st  this is the most romantic celebration in the schelude as this is the day your goddess deigned to marry one of her most loyal followers (from now on known as the Darling one). Gentle mischief would be expected to take place but your goddess will be too busy celebrating her anniversary to notice much off it.  

On this day it would be good to sacrifice black silk dresses and other black shiny items to your goddess. And make sure their quality is impressive or else I might go back to my old habit of dining from Beautiful virgins. 

The undisturbed night of starry skies

The longest night of the year which I personally would decorate with the  most wonderful array of stars, comets and perfect moonlight to shine with the pure white snow.
This is the only night of the year that I would expect the sacrament of giving of the Beautiful virgins all though it is appreciated on other nights as well. If any virgins aren't available I will accept any nice gothy boots, shiny sparkly black purses and black lace dresses given that the items meet my expectations of quality.

5. Just in case you become a god, what sacrifices we mortals should offer for you for a good weather and such benefits?

I will accept Beautiful virgins, black silk, lace or velvet dresses, bejeweled purses, super nice shoes (black), puppies and kittens and books. Books are good but if you dare give me Twilight I will personally rip out your jugular. 

6. Since there are the five of you playing gods, check each others blogs and tell us what kind of gods you think the others would be like according to their blogs.

Caramea: I have nothing to say against her own ideas. I would just add the powers of taking away good lace if you heavenly piss her of and the ability to walk in any heels no matter how high. 

Rinna: She would be the goddess of antique lace, ethical garments and spending money rationally. Her  powers would be giving that little voice of ration when you are thinking of buying something you do not need, being the little voice that says that buying antique lace is truly reasonable and reminding you of the almost exactly the same dress in your wardrobe.

Asio otus: The lady of impeccable make up and super nice wigs ruling over the domain of poofy petticoats guarded by her guard turtles and the cat Baisy. Her power would be to always succeed in putting on makeup and poofing up the petticoats. She rides a giant turtle. 

Elfie: The high queen of the faerie, and the flower growing ballerina. Where ever she dances during spring flowers will grow and where ever she dancing during autumn you will see fairy rings of mushrooms appear. She is the kind goddess of growth and daintyness. 

7. With which god of the other four would you most likely ally yourself with if needed?

With Caramea of course. Our combined powers would wreck such glorious mischief and sometimes it's nice to look when the world burns. 

8. Since there are five to choose from to worship, why would your supporters choose you?

I'm easy to please and you get to stay up late. Also glittery black things and vampire fiction. I would also be willing to give you ride on my black bat winged unicorn if you asked nicely enough. 

9. Tempting! What rules should the followers of your cult follow?

1. Thou shalt stay up at night so thine goddess has someone to talk to.
2. Thou shalt carry a parasol at all times during the hateful day to shield thine self from the even more hateful sun.

3. Thou shalt not make sexual advances when they are not wanted or We thine goddess shalt become very unpleasant. 

4. Thou shalt wear garments and accessories of good quality and proper fit. We shalt not have shabby followers.

5. Thou shalt drink the absinthe the darling one offers thee for it is an honour. 

6. Thou shalt not bully thine fellow worshipers or We shalt become very unpleasant. 

7. Thou shalt engage in mischief against thine enemies.

8. Thou shalt keep our holy days and sacraments

9. Thou shalt not were a more beautiful silk dress than we or more sparkly black accessories. 

10. Thou shalt stargaze every week to appreciate our work.

10. How would you end the World when the time comes? Your take on the apocalypse?

I would wrap the world into the night eternal and look as everyone freezes to death with some amusement. Then I would swiftly judge the people to find out if they belong in heaven or hell.

11. Ok, the World is ending, what will you offer as the after life?

Oh it would be so beautiful. Everyone would look stylish and classy and wear clothes of impeccable quality and have proper manners. There would be nice things to consume and peace all around. Naturally the hateful sun would be gone and we would always have calming moonlight or serene starlight and it would never be too cold to enjoy it. Everyone would have moonlit picnics and midnight tea parties. 

Unless of course you ended up in hell where the sun will eternally scorch you wearing the coarsest polyester garments and scratchy underwear. The only drink allowed would be dismally over brewed tea and sleep would be nonexistent. My little demons would beat those fallen to hell with parasols and laugh as they do it. The Hell is of course for those people who managed to piss me of. 

And I shall tag the following people: Shena, Amy, Redtonic, ShaDow and Karakuri. Have fun. I won't add any questions. because I can't think of good one right now. 

10 signs of autumn, the lolita version

1. Closet child will publish its coats page along with the brand collections of coats.

2. One will find it is incredibly important to read Kamikaze girls again. (And thusly becomes inspired to wear old school coordinates)

3. Muted colours become all the rage once more.

4. Parasols magically turn into umbrellas. 

5. Suddenly everyone is wearing ankle booties. And cardigans or knits. With fur collars to look more cuddly and warm. 

6. Alice and the pirates releases the annual Halloween print declaring  the halloween season open. Everyone will buy a massive lace adorned witch hat.  

7. Summer sales are over. And the wait for the next lucky bag season begins. 

8. Florals will slowly disappear from the print circuit and get replaced by plaid, crowns, teddy bears, books or chocolate. 

9. The hunt for the perfect pair of gloves will begin.

10. Someone will try to host the last summer picnic. Sun decides to shine as during summer when ever there has been a picnic it has been raining. 

What signs of autumn have you, my dear readers seen lately? Feel free to add to my list in the comments or make your own!

Madame Parapluie 

Lolita blog carnival: My dream lolita event

I would love to have a event in a private garden (preferably my own but alas I have no such space yet), among the flowers and sunlight. There would be light music in the air and the weather would be soft and summery.

We would have tea at a lovely gazebo. There would be elegant treats from berries and fruits and of course ice tea to cool the attending petticoat wearers. The atmosphere would be elegant, a bit old fashioned and sophisticated.

The garden it self would have winding paths and nooks for private conversations and surprises. Perhaps behind the nearest corner the guests would step into the audience of a fashion show or a bazaar of lovely lacy goods.

And after the summer sun has set there would be a dance party with upbeat music. The garden would be lit up with lanterns and lamps of beautiful shades. The event would end with a dance under the moonlight

Lolita blog carnival facebook group

Other attendants:

A Heart's sound
ImaPrincess

Mcduff's Auditorium
Breidholt
New vogue children
Sleeping sweets
Whimsical adventures of me
The electric carousel

Madame Parapluie

PS: Do take part to Creme de la Garderobe's give away. More information here.

Inspired by: The little mermaid

If you were expecting the movie as inspiration I have to disappoint you. This about the original fairy tale which to me is very interesting and inspiring. I find the mermaid's motivations so powerful and touching that it almost always makes me cry a bit.

Our story begins under the sea in the kingdom of merfolk where these longlived beings play and swim and so on. The king has six daugthers who are taken care by his mother as the king has widowed many years ago.

The youngest of them is strange, thoughtful child yearning to see the wonders beyond the come her fifteenth year. For when a mermaid turns fifteen she is allowed to go up to see the fragrant flowers, birds and even humans.  And after a long wait it's finally her turn.

To adorn her to her trip to the surface her dear grandmother puts a wreath of white lilies on her head (each petal is a half of pearl) and orders eight great oysters to attach themselves to the young princesses tail as a mark of her high rank. 

To show these of on a lolita coordinate I chose a dress that reminds me of the sea. Of course a flower crown was a must to harken the crown in the story. Other than that I added shell themed accessories and pearls to show of her status as a princess of the sea.

During her first visit to the surface she sees a handsome prince having  party aboard a ship. She can not take her eyes of him nor she can leave the ship. And then a shipwreck accures. The prince is thrown to te ocean and the mermaid admiring his beauty saves him carrying him to white sanded shore where he is found by novises of a convent. The mermaid of course swims back to the ocean still unable to forget making her more silent than ever.

Her sisters worried about her condition which is worsening find out where the prince lives and take her to see him. This only makes it worse as she begins to love humans more and more. Finally her curiosity about them wins and she goes to her grandmother asking:

"Can humans live forever?"

"They must die as we do, but their lives a shorter. We live to three hundred years and then turn into the foam on the surface of the sea never missing our loved ones. We have not immortal souls like humans do.When a human dies they go to the glorious air beyond the stars to a place we will never see."

The little mermaid is distraught. Why could she not have an immortal soul? She'd rather give up her hundreds of years and live a day as human just to know what's beyond the stars. But the only way she can have a soul is if a man loves her more than his mother or father and takes her hand in marriage giving her half his soul. But this can never be, says the grand mother as she is a mermaid.

And she goes to the witch. She gets a potion to make her a human but it comes with great pain. Every step she takes is filled with pain which no one will she as she moves with the lightness of a dancer. And if the prince should not love her and take another as his wife, the mermaids heart shall break and she will turn into sea foam. As payment the witch takes her voice, as it is the sweetest in the sea.

And so she becomes a human. Prince finds her and takes her to his palace where she is clad in silk and satin.

The royal favorite by mimielizabetha featuring wall mounted mirrors

I chose dark red velvet as it is a royal colour and added a jeweled headband as reminder of tiara she craves to wear as his bride.

She is the most graceful of the prince's companions soon becoming most dear to him. But he cannot love her as a maiden from the temple lives in his heart. And soon he must marry.

A princess of the neighbouring kingdom is chosen and so he sails taking the mermaid with him. But alas the princess is the maiden from the temple! The prince is overjoyed but the mermaids heart is already breaking. The wedding goes on the mermaid holding the brides veil as they swear their oaths. She dances pain piercing her feet again and again but she cares not for the pain in her heart is greater.

That night her sisters, their hair shaved of come and offer her a knife enchanted by the sea witch. Should she kill the prince, she could return to the sea as a mermaid. If not she will be foam on the surface of the water. But she can not.

She flungs herself to the sea fully expecting to turn into foam. But her kindness is rewarded and a chance to win a soul is given.She is now a daughter of the air and as one has the chance to earn a soul by doing good deeds.

Daughter of air by mimielizabetha featuring anklet jewelry

For a daugther of air I chose a dress with a star print as they hope to find their way to the kingdom beyond stars. She wears a winged necklace as symbol of the soul she is trying to get and a crown to tell about her divine devotion.

For three hundred years she will do good deeds and then the kingdom beyond stars will be open for her.

So this was... different. Do you dear readers like this style or was this way too long? Please share in the comments and do tell if this fairytale inspires you as well.

Mademoiselle Parapluie

PS: If you wish to read the original tale here is an English translation.

Essentials of style

My Style Essentials by mimielizabetha featuring a tapestry wall hanging

Good day lords and ladies. Today I decided to talk about my style essentials. As you know I am balancing on that fine line of gothic and classic lolita and nowadays my coordinates tend to be more on the classic side, although still quite dark. 

I prefere dark colours with some light additions like the Juliette & Justine Princesse du Pays Que Vous Rectifiez one piece clearly shows. I still love all black dresses (there is nothing more versitile than a little black dress) but currently my favourite type of fabric is tartan. It just gives such a cute, elegant air to any outfit. 

When it comes to fabrics I don't go for the cotton. I prefere velvets, laces and satins and silks to give my outfits that luxurious feel. Intricate patterns like the one on my unicorn dress are good too. 

As dresses go I like the ones with a waist seem and a big poOOofy hem. I have a few princess-line ones but those tend  to get a lot less use than the waist seamed ones. The long sleeve one piece is my option when I need to get the outfit done quickly. Just throw the dress on and you can walk out the door looking faboulous. With blouses my favourites are those with a standing collar and a huge bow. They are just adorable and classy at the same time. I do prefere long sleeves over short ones for I find them more elegant.

I tend to accesorize simply. I like hats and wear a lot of them. My favourite type is the humble cloche which gives an outfit a deligthful twenties wibe. If I am not wearing  hat then it's time to utilze the massive velvet bow or something decorated with  a bird skull. 

Socks in my opinion should remain simple, lacy at most. Printed socks I can't stand.  It's either the basic black tights or something lacy and deligthful (usually in black as well). 

With shoes heels are my way to go. I am quite short so few extra centimeters does not hurt. During winter I tend to use ankle boots or boots depending on the snow situation. During summer it's pumps all around. I love my Fluevogs dearly but Minna Parikka is almost as nice.

Quality over quantity is my way to go in both shoes and bags. I tend to use only two bags in all my coordinates. Either it's the basic black wonder of space (seriously I love it) or the Innocent world crown bag.

Other accessories I love to utilize are parasols (that can douple as umbrellas, this is Finland after all!), gloves (lace on summer, leather during winter!) and fans.

So darling readers that was my style essentials! I would be glad to hear yours so please share in the comments! 

Madame Parapluie

Auntie Mims on washing lolita garments

This series was born when my good friend Caramea suggested that I would make a post about cleaning and stain removal tips for lolitas. However I decided to make it proper series about garment care, starting from this and moving on to ironing and storage and even little fixes.  I hope you will find this useful. Any questions on the topic and suggestions for post will be welcomed.

 First things first

The style of cleaning a piece of clothing depends on it's material. Most brand pieces are marked to be washed on a dry cleaning place but in most cases you can just forget the pesky tag and jug the thing to the washing machine. I only use dry cleaning for delicate pieces (More on that later) and prints that I know will run. In general most lolita clothes can be washed at home. It's matter of following certain principlas when it comes to fabrics and washing.

If your dress is cotton and the laces and the fabric are the same colour and there is no print there shouldn't be a problem with washing it at home. This also goes for polyester.

On prints always consult the list of what can and can't be washed on EGL before proceeding. (Link provided at the end of this post.)

Silks and wools should only be washed with products designed for them to keep them nice an perfect. I generally take my winter coats to dry cleaners and wash silks at home.

Always separate darks, ligths and colours. This way everything comes out from the washing machine the rigth colour. 

When in doubt (or scared that the washing machine mith ruin your clothes anyways) wash by hand. This way you see what is happening to your clothes. 

Ultimate guide to materials

Different materials call for different techniques. Some simply can't be washed at home while others will survive just about anything. And if that wasn't enough different materials need to be dried differently. So next up a handy dandy guide to fabrics.

Acetate: Dry clean or machine was on a cold tempature. Don't wring or put it through a spin cycle. Hang or dry flat. No tumble drying. Iron this while damp on a cool tempature.

Acrylic: Machine wash. Hang  or dry flat. Iron with a cool tempature.

Corduroy: Wash as the material dictates (usually cotton), turning the inside out. Tumble dry is okay but will dry hanging too. Leave inside out for ironing.

Cotton: Separate darks and lights and machine wash. Whites may be washed on hot tempatures, colours just warm. Hang dry and iron on a hot tempature while damp as the wrinkles will set quickly.

Denim: Wash as cotton but first time do this alone as the colour will bleed. Turn inside out to discourage fading. Hang to dry to avoid shrinkage.

Leather: Sent to a specialist dry cleaner. Spray with protective product once back.

Nylon: Wash by hand or in machine with a cool tempature with close colours. Nylon will revert back to it's natural greyish hue if mislaundered.

Rayon: If washing instructions are missing dry clean only.

Silk: Dry clean or wash by hand in a cool tempature with a gentle product. Do not rub as this may break the silk fibres resulting in chalku blooms. Hang or dry flat. Take care with spot removal as this may leave rings.
Steam or iron with a cool tempature on the reverse side.

Suede: Again trust the experts and spray with an appropriate protector once back.

Wool and cashemere: Dry clean or hand wash. Machine wash if your machine has a special wool program. Coats should always be dry cleaned but sweaters and knits can be washed home. Use a gentle soap for example baby shampoo and only

 

The reasons to take the garment to the dry cleaners:

- You don't know what fabric it is.

- The garment has two or more fabrics

- The Garment is beaded or has metallic thread

- The fabric is velvet or taffeta or othervise very dressy

- What the blaces is that stain?!

- If the garment is cotton or linen and you think it migth shrink. I must however tell that these fibers migth hold on to particles of the dry cleaning solution which isn't really healthy for your skin.

Although there are dry cleaners solution to use at home I would recommend taking it to the cleaners as they know what they are doing and have the appropriate equiptment.

Tackling stains

Stains are annoying. The dress is othervise perfectly fine but you managed to drip some whipped cream on it? Worry not. Stains can be removed.

For items that absolutely require dry cleaning, try to remove the stain with a white paper towel (no rubbing!)  and take it to the cleaners.

The basic techniques of stain removal are as follows:

1. Using a storebougth prewash product and then laundering.

2. Bigger stains: Just launder it.

3. Soaking. If the material is fragile (silk or wool) only do this for a few minutes.

Always test your stain remover on a none visible part of the garment to make sure that the fabric dye wont bleed. We all know how easily some brand prints do this.

Basics:

Non greasy stains

Rinse as soon as possible under cool water. Put some soap to the stain and press suds through. Rubbing migth make the situation worse. Rinse again under cool water. Let it dry. If you are out of the house utilize the hand drier in the ladies room keeping the fabric away from the heat. Launderin as soon as possible is recommended if the stain is rather bad.

Greasy stains

Use talcum powder to soak up the stain and let it sit for twenty minutes. Gently brush of. Apply stain removing product (which you have ofcourse tested before hand).  Even after this grease stains should be laundered as soon as possible in the hottest tempature the fabric can take.

For combinations (chocolates, dairy products...)

Treat as a greasy stain but if it persists use an all purpose product.. Launder again as soon as possible in the hottest tempature the fabric take.

These above are good general ideas but next I will tell you some more spesific techniques that may come the way of your lovely frills.

Tea and coffee: Rinse in warm wather and then wash in warm soapy water. On wools and silks apply glyserine and let it stand and rinse with warm water.

Alcohol: Even colourless alcohol will turn into a nasty brown splotch if left untreated. Sponge several time with white vinegar diluted  1:1 with warm water.  Launder.

Blood: Soak as soon as possible in cool heavily salted water, then dap with liquid laundry soap. Launder as usual. 

Ink: Immediately flush the garment with cold water then treat the stain with hand soap which is most effective against ink stains. Rinse and reapeat if necessary.

Candle wax: Put the garment into a garment back and toss it into the freezer for an hour. The peel of the hardnened wax. Launder as usual.

Grass: Treat with liquid soap rubbed in to the stain and if the stain is persistent sponge with denatured alcohol (again test before hand).If all else fails, dry cleaners.

Mud: Let the mud dry completely first. Remove dry mud wit a brush or a cloth. Presoak and launder.

The nasty stuff that forms around the collar of your blouse: Rub with a damp cloth soaked in laundry soap gently. If the stain persist launder.

Useful Links

Fixing dye bleeding

Egl clothing care archieve

What can and can't be washed list

Japanese clothing care symbols

Nex time: Ironing.

Mademoiselle Parapluie

P.s. I really need to draw an Auntie Mims icon. Or maybe commission one. We'll see.

Lolita blog carnival: Reactions to wearing lolita.

 The good

Generally the reaction to lolita I've had has been good. Little old ladies telling lovely things about my garments reminissing their youth, general compliments of prettiness and so on.  I have gotten into discussions of fifties fashion and etiquette which is quite fun although lolita isn't exactly that. I suppose the ladies remember their old poofy skirts.

One of the more positive experiences was when me and my beau and couple of our friends went to an event in Joensuu and my friends decided to see how children reacted in me by keeping an eye on them. They told me that some of them were a it scared but most of them had sparkling eyes of a person who thought "I will look like that when I grow up!" I hope they do.

  

The annoying

We've all had these. "Is this a bachelorette party?" "Are you in a a play?" "BLEEBING KAWAII!!" And we sigh and in the less annoying cases answer their questions and go about our lives. Yet everytime this happens we just hope that people would just leave us alone.

Yes I know it's a risk we take when we were these clothes. We attract attention. We are colourfull (well most of us), we are fancy, nice to gawk at. And some people love to whip out the camera too.And yes some of them do ask for a picture, others dont.

 In one meet up our group shot was actually photobombed by tourists. It was interesting to say the least. I think that if they had asked for permission we would have gladly posed with them as we had done so just moments earlier. It was just odd.

The bad

And then there is the bad. Yes there is sexual harassment and bullying and in some unfortunate cases violence. I have been saved from violence but unfortunately have experienced bullying and sexual harassment.

It's still quite hard to speak publicly about what happened but let it be said that there was a man who chose to try and  "relieve" himself upon my person. I of course ran before he was able to but it was quite traumatic and I still after all these years don't like to think about it.

How to deal with attention

If it's not the bad always try to remain polite. And especially so if it is the good. That's my rule. If it's the worst sort of bad contact the proper authorities (I didn't and still regret it).

Lolita blog carnival is a facebook group for lolitabloggers. Every week we pick a topic and write about it and then share our posts with eachother. 

Participants

Annie Old fashioned

Pretty Little habits
Alice in lolitaland
A sweet lolita's Disney life

Mademoiselle Parapluie

The culture of Salon

 About Salons

Recently I read a book called Salons of five centuries, which talks about the culture salons of European history from reneissance to the romantic era. I found this book extremely interesting not only because I am a history buff but because the whole idea of a salon is charming. The intelligent conversation, the culture, plays, art and music. In those times there were nothing to entertain people so they chose to do it themselves.

The salon was decidly a feminine space and thusly it was clear that this antiquated culture resonated to me as a lolita. There were so many similiarities with the salon and with the meetings I enjoy with my friends. Salons were elegant and though we are not yet on their level we are aiming for elegance and beauty. I don't think that our simple gatherings will ever change history like the gatherings in Paris before the revolution or be as civilized as the lovely salons of reneissance Italy, but I hope they are as joyous and happy as them.

I know some of you may think that I am silly for thinking of things like these, but I would love an arts meet up where one could for example do quick scetches of other lolitas, or maybe musical one. The idea of a place where everyone could pursue their respective talents while talking with other lovely ladies is charming indeed. Maybe someone would recite poetry or read loud, or there migth be music or even small plays. The book about salons has given me endless inspiration and I can't wait to make some of these ideas to come to life.

Mademoiselle Parapluie

Lolita blog carnival: If I had a lolita themed cafe...

My lolita cafe by mimielizabetha featuring victorian button boots

My lolita teahouse would be rather the eccentric place. The decor woul feature old tapestry designs, mismatched antique chairs and tables and dolls, teddy bears and other old oddities. My teasets would be as eclectic as the decor.

The menu would feature differents  sorts of sweet treats, chocolate deligths and salty snacks, and of course tea in many many blends, classic and new. It could be had either brewed to pefection in a pot or in a samovar. My menu would change with the seasons to match the current ambience. During summer strawberries and fresh fruit, spice cakes and ginger breads during winter.

The wait staff would wear simple coordinates of black and white one pieces and victorianesque shoes with their choice of simple headwear and maybe aprons to protect the clothes against spills.

Lolita blog carnival facebook group

Other participants

Carnivale salte ~ A life in disguise ~ Annie old  fashioned ~ Hello batty
 Suns in our hands ~ Beyond Kawaii ~ A lace jail
 Sweet and simple ~ Let them eat cake ~ Geisha baby ~ F yeah lolita
Lace a la Mode ~ Makelovely's blog

Mademoiselle Parapluie

My Teaset: Pearlecent teapot

I don't know much about this teapot as I cannot identify the stamp on it. I got it from my boyfriend as a graduation present. He purchased it from an antiques shop and it was suggested that it is Russian. I will never part with it as it holds many fond memories.

I very much like the shape of this pot. It is very elegant and the lid has very nice ruffley thingy around it. The shape is very balanced in my opinion. The handle and the spout are porpotioned very nicely and give balance to each other.

The pot has a nice dark brown floral patterned which is rather abstract. It has been painted under the pearlacent glazing. The glaze gives the pot an unique and charming look.

The pot's handle curves rather elegantly and it has a brown accent to make the curve stand out. I do love the twist on the top part of the handle, it gives the elegant pot some much needed detail.

  The little swirl is echoed  in the spout, giving the pot some nice symmetry. The spout is short and has some girth. The spout is also lined with dark brown to make the tip of it stand out.

The lid of the pot is nicely waisted. It once fell to the floor so we had glue it back together but the lines fit in quite nicely.  The tip of the lid is again dark brown giving the pot a cohesive look.

Here is the stamp of the pot but as I said I have no idea where it is from. If some of my readers migth know more about this stamp I would be glad to hear of it. The mystery of this pot has plagued me for years and I hope I can someday solve it.

Mademoiselle Parapluie