"The haul"
I spent a lot of time shopping in Japan. I'm still jetlagging and words are hard when I can't brain, so here's a photo post documenting my shopping problems awesome stuff.
Between going nuts on claw games and all the sifting through 2nd hand merchandise stores, I got quite the stash of toys and figures. Even still, I would have bought a lot more if I had more luggage space.
Half is claw game winnings, the other is from re-sale stores. I'm proud to say that the giant Sentimental Circus bunny cushion was a claw game win, although it was so precariously balanced that I really can't chalk it up to skill. It was more just lucky that we found the machine before it got completely emptied out, which took about 8 minutes between us discovering it and everyone emptying it. Only took me 1 try (100yen) to get it...
Please notice my new pokemon, Chillarmy and his equally handsome evolution Chillaccino, along the right side who I picked up in Yokohama. So cute! X3 (If you noticed my use of the Japanese names for them, that's cause I think they make SO much more sense than the North American names.)
I decided to get my share of candies too. This should last quite some time. XD
Matcha kit-kats
Sports Sweat Candy (sports drink candies who's name is a badly executed amalgamation with "Pocari Sweat")
Pokemon candy from the Pokemon Center
Petit Heart Candy
Green Tea Milk candy (as the package says "This candy is the delicious candy")
Matcha milky candy
Happy Nikukyu gummies ("Nikukyu" = paw pads)
Pineapple and mango yogurt candies (although I taste no yogurt in it, but still tasty)
Strawberry kit-kat balls
Various soda flavoured Hi-Chews
Mitsuya Cider candy (cause I'm super in love with Mitsuya Cider now)
Some throat and blueberry candy Chris picked up
Shaved ice candy
Rilakkuma pancake kit-kats
I also recently rekindled my childhood love of stickers and let myself loose.
The Taiko Drum thing is a clearfile we got for playing the game at a promo event near Shimbashi Stn and the General Purpose Rabbit stickers along the bottom were a freebie at a Taito gaming station. I love free stuff! =D
Aside from a random smattering of knick-knacks and souvenirs, all my remaining purchases were lolita (so if you care for it as much as Chris does, you can navigate away now).
I did a LOT of lolita shopping. Between luckee_cookie and I, we filled out the Closet Child point card almost 3 times. It was awesome, though I owe eatsu a lot for putting up with it all. X3
Let's start with the small stuff. Accessories and knick-knacks.
Swimmer nautical bear wallet
AatP pouch (an impulse buy, but turned out very useful with protecting the jewelry)
Moitie choker (which I thought was wrist cuffs when I bought them, but at least it was inexpensive. Probably going to sell it since I have no use for a choker with my pile of high collar blouses.)
BtSSB strawberry lace wrist cuffs
Q-Pot macaroon print shopping tote and macaroon padded pouch
Putumayo gunmetal cat in window necklace
Meta gold chandelier necklace
AP gold Dessert Collection necklace (to match my beloved black Dessert Collection OP)
IW silver bear brooch
Parasols! I would have bought a lot more parasols if they would fit in my suitcase, but it wasn't worth risking being rejected as a carry-on, nor worth paying for as additional checked luggage.
Off-brand folding pagoda parasol (has a black on black bow print and folds up tiny)
BtSSB pink lace monster parasol
AatP bat wing pagoda parasol (just barely fit my suitcase on the diagonal, but I'm glad it fit)
Gypsy really likes the pink one. She's really true to her girly preferences like her obsession with bags and shoes.
I also let myself indulge in an upgrade from my biggest shopping regret from my last trip when I decided to pass on getting a shopping wheelie from Swimmer (it was like a really long tote bag with wheels). Instead of a shopping bag on wheels, I went for a suitcase. XD
It's the perfect size for a carry-on bag! BtSSB bunny cushion from Closet Child is resting comfortably on top.
I did like the black print more, but I'm still really happy that we even found this since the Swimmer store in Laforet had nothing like this, so I was very surprised to find it in Ikebukuro Stn of all places. Swimmer has a bakery/store there called Chocoholic...where the baked goods are just as strangely cute as their merchandise.
Got myself a book bag. Didn't think it would be so easy to find, but they were everywhere. I don't have anything that really matches in my lolita wardrobe, but cute purses need no specific outfit. XD
I got myself a couple of things from the Meta store in Laforet.
Night of Masquerade Bustier-like Pinafore Dress - One of the few things I went to Japan with the intention of buying. So much bluuuuue...
Thorny Rose Bustle Pinafore Dress - Found it on the sample sale rack. It's missing a couple of buttons (1 decorative and a couple for the waist ties), but at about a third of the regular retail price, I'm one happy camper.
We also went and raided Grand Bazaar. Took us almost 2 hours looking for it before we realized it was RIGHT BESIDE THE STATION. DX
My Grand Bazaar loot.
Juliette et Justine wine tea length OP - Doesn't fit me well enough for my liking, so I'm kind of waffling over selling it
Moitie blouse - I have a huge weak spot for big neckbows, but the sleeves are a bit loose for my usual style. We'll see how well it works it's way into my wardrobe.
AP red cut-sew - Learned that one AP red does not necessarily match another AP red. This sadly does not at all match my red Rose Toilette skirt. Going to sell it since it failed it's main purpose...matching my Rose Toilette skirt. -_-;;
AP Happy Garden cut-sew - OMGOMGOMG, I can't believe I found this, and by "I" found this, I mean luckee_cookie found it for me and I spent the rest of the time clutching it to my chest. So cute! I love AP chubby bunnies.
Doesn't seem like much, but my bag walking out of GB was really heavy.
My love of the AP chubby bunnies also surfaced at the Closet Childs where I wanted to buy every incarnation of Cherry Berry Bunny that I saw. I finally caved to one.
AP Cherry Berry Bunny Heart JSK - Favourite colourway, although I already own the OP of it in the same colour.
So many chubby AP bunnies! X3
Okay, and now for the rest of my Closet Child loot. 4 Closet Childs in all. Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama. Shinjuku was undoubtedly my favourite of the lot (and the worst for my wallet).
Atelier Pierrot mint floral print corset dress and Triple Fortune bonnet - I'm considering wearing the corset dress for the ballet's gala. Not sure if it's a bit too girly froo-froo though. It's borderline mimicking some of the stage costumes and it would be awkward if people though that was what I was going for since I work in ticketing... >_>;;
Juliette et Justine Petit Jardin de la Fleur JSK - Really pretty, but desperately needs some structure. I'm planning to either add some rigilene or plastic boning to the waist area as well as some faux corset lacing in the back. The giant shirring panel alone isn't doing much for the bodice. I've really liked this dress for a long time though, so I will fix it up to be awesome. XD
h Naoto Frill JSK - I think this was from last year's collection (or maybe 2010's), but it's got bunny embroidery all around the bottom and is super comfortable. In combination with how rarely h Naoto JSKs resurface on the 2nd hand market, I'm really pleased with it.
Meta Swan Lake medium length skirt and Atelier Boz blouse - I own Swan Lake in black as a high waist skirt and the fully shirred skirt already, but now I own it in a 3rd version. XD
The blouse was a nice staple that I felt my gothic/EGA wardrobe really needed.
BtSSB Cinderella Jewelry skirt
Algonquins blouse - I really liked the cut of the sleeves and the giant neckbow. It immediately struck me as a nice blouse for my plethora of corset skirts.
Black Peace Now sheer blouse - I've been on a hunt for sheer blouses lately, so this seemed like a perfect marriage of that and my need for a black short sleeve blouse.
Black Peace Now top - Seemed like a nice comfy top for summer time coords.
Ozz On tank top - I have a lot of casual clothing but this was too fun and well priced to turn down. I wish I could have justified raiding so much more Ozz On stuff.
I'm obviously a shopaholic. Thankfully I have a busy month of work and a summer full of convention dealers' room, artist alley and art shows to make up for this.
It was a great trip. I already can't wait until the next time I get to go to Japan. XD
Massive trip photo-post will follow shortly.
Between going nuts on claw games and all the sifting through 2nd hand merchandise stores, I got quite the stash of toys and figures. Even still, I would have bought a lot more if I had more luggage space.
Half is claw game winnings, the other is from re-sale stores. I'm proud to say that the giant Sentimental Circus bunny cushion was a claw game win, although it was so precariously balanced that I really can't chalk it up to skill. It was more just lucky that we found the machine before it got completely emptied out, which took about 8 minutes between us discovering it and everyone emptying it. Only took me 1 try (100yen) to get it...
Please notice my new pokemon, Chillarmy and his equally handsome evolution Chillaccino, along the right side who I picked up in Yokohama. So cute! X3 (If you noticed my use of the Japanese names for them, that's cause I think they make SO much more sense than the North American names.)
I decided to get my share of candies too. This should last quite some time. XD
Matcha kit-kats
Sports Sweat Candy (sports drink candies who's name is a badly executed amalgamation with "Pocari Sweat")
Pokemon candy from the Pokemon Center
Petit Heart Candy
Green Tea Milk candy (as the package says "This candy is the delicious candy")
Matcha milky candy
Happy Nikukyu gummies ("Nikukyu" = paw pads)
Pineapple and mango yogurt candies (although I taste no yogurt in it, but still tasty)
Strawberry kit-kat balls
Various soda flavoured Hi-Chews
Mitsuya Cider candy (cause I'm super in love with Mitsuya Cider now)
Some throat and blueberry candy Chris picked up
Shaved ice candy
Rilakkuma pancake kit-kats
I also recently rekindled my childhood love of stickers and let myself loose.
The Taiko Drum thing is a clearfile we got for playing the game at a promo event near Shimbashi Stn and the General Purpose Rabbit stickers along the bottom were a freebie at a Taito gaming station. I love free stuff! =D
Aside from a random smattering of knick-knacks and souvenirs, all my remaining purchases were lolita (so if you care for it as much as Chris does, you can navigate away now).
I did a LOT of lolita shopping. Between luckee_cookie and I, we filled out the Closet Child point card almost 3 times. It was awesome, though I owe eatsu a lot for putting up with it all. X3
Let's start with the small stuff. Accessories and knick-knacks.
Swimmer nautical bear wallet
AatP pouch (an impulse buy, but turned out very useful with protecting the jewelry)
Moitie choker (which I thought was wrist cuffs when I bought them, but at least it was inexpensive. Probably going to sell it since I have no use for a choker with my pile of high collar blouses.)
BtSSB strawberry lace wrist cuffs
Q-Pot macaroon print shopping tote and macaroon padded pouch
Putumayo gunmetal cat in window necklace
Meta gold chandelier necklace
AP gold Dessert Collection necklace (to match my beloved black Dessert Collection OP)
IW silver bear brooch
Parasols! I would have bought a lot more parasols if they would fit in my suitcase, but it wasn't worth risking being rejected as a carry-on, nor worth paying for as additional checked luggage.
Off-brand folding pagoda parasol (has a black on black bow print and folds up tiny)
BtSSB pink lace monster parasol
AatP bat wing pagoda parasol (just barely fit my suitcase on the diagonal, but I'm glad it fit)
Gypsy really likes the pink one. She's really true to her girly preferences like her obsession with bags and shoes.
I also let myself indulge in an upgrade from my biggest shopping regret from my last trip when I decided to pass on getting a shopping wheelie from Swimmer (it was like a really long tote bag with wheels). Instead of a shopping bag on wheels, I went for a suitcase. XD
It's the perfect size for a carry-on bag! BtSSB bunny cushion from Closet Child is resting comfortably on top.
I did like the black print more, but I'm still really happy that we even found this since the Swimmer store in Laforet had nothing like this, so I was very surprised to find it in Ikebukuro Stn of all places. Swimmer has a bakery/store there called Chocoholic...where the baked goods are just as strangely cute as their merchandise.
Got myself a book bag. Didn't think it would be so easy to find, but they were everywhere. I don't have anything that really matches in my lolita wardrobe, but cute purses need no specific outfit. XD
I got myself a couple of things from the Meta store in Laforet.
Night of Masquerade Bustier-like Pinafore Dress - One of the few things I went to Japan with the intention of buying. So much bluuuuue...
Thorny Rose Bustle Pinafore Dress - Found it on the sample sale rack. It's missing a couple of buttons (1 decorative and a couple for the waist ties), but at about a third of the regular retail price, I'm one happy camper.
We also went and raided Grand Bazaar. Took us almost 2 hours looking for it before we realized it was RIGHT BESIDE THE STATION. DX
My Grand Bazaar loot.
Juliette et Justine wine tea length OP - Doesn't fit me well enough for my liking, so I'm kind of waffling over selling it
Moitie blouse - I have a huge weak spot for big neckbows, but the sleeves are a bit loose for my usual style. We'll see how well it works it's way into my wardrobe.
AP red cut-sew - Learned that one AP red does not necessarily match another AP red. This sadly does not at all match my red Rose Toilette skirt. Going to sell it since it failed it's main purpose...matching my Rose Toilette skirt. -_-;;
AP Happy Garden cut-sew - OMGOMGOMG, I can't believe I found this, and by "I" found this, I mean luckee_cookie found it for me and I spent the rest of the time clutching it to my chest. So cute! I love AP chubby bunnies.
Doesn't seem like much, but my bag walking out of GB was really heavy.
My love of the AP chubby bunnies also surfaced at the Closet Childs where I wanted to buy every incarnation of Cherry Berry Bunny that I saw. I finally caved to one.
AP Cherry Berry Bunny Heart JSK - Favourite colourway, although I already own the OP of it in the same colour.
So many chubby AP bunnies! X3
Okay, and now for the rest of my Closet Child loot. 4 Closet Childs in all. Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama. Shinjuku was undoubtedly my favourite of the lot (and the worst for my wallet).
Atelier Pierrot mint floral print corset dress and Triple Fortune bonnet - I'm considering wearing the corset dress for the ballet's gala. Not sure if it's a bit too girly froo-froo though. It's borderline mimicking some of the stage costumes and it would be awkward if people though that was what I was going for since I work in ticketing... >_>;;
Juliette et Justine Petit Jardin de la Fleur JSK - Really pretty, but desperately needs some structure. I'm planning to either add some rigilene or plastic boning to the waist area as well as some faux corset lacing in the back. The giant shirring panel alone isn't doing much for the bodice. I've really liked this dress for a long time though, so I will fix it up to be awesome. XD
h Naoto Frill JSK - I think this was from last year's collection (or maybe 2010's), but it's got bunny embroidery all around the bottom and is super comfortable. In combination with how rarely h Naoto JSKs resurface on the 2nd hand market, I'm really pleased with it.
Meta Swan Lake medium length skirt and Atelier Boz blouse - I own Swan Lake in black as a high waist skirt and the fully shirred skirt already, but now I own it in a 3rd version. XD
The blouse was a nice staple that I felt my gothic/EGA wardrobe really needed.
BtSSB Cinderella Jewelry skirt
Algonquins blouse - I really liked the cut of the sleeves and the giant neckbow. It immediately struck me as a nice blouse for my plethora of corset skirts.
Black Peace Now sheer blouse - I've been on a hunt for sheer blouses lately, so this seemed like a perfect marriage of that and my need for a black short sleeve blouse.
Black Peace Now top - Seemed like a nice comfy top for summer time coords.
Ozz On tank top - I have a lot of casual clothing but this was too fun and well priced to turn down. I wish I could have justified raiding so much more Ozz On stuff.
I'm obviously a shopaholic. Thankfully I have a busy month of work and a summer full of convention dealers' room, artist alley and art shows to make up for this.
It was a great trip. I already can't wait until the next time I get to go to Japan. XD
Massive trip photo-post will follow shortly.