Pokemon Fossil Museum Meet

    The traveling Pokemon Fossil Museum exhibit has made its way from Japan to the Field Museum in Chicago. I'd been looking forward to visiting since it opened in early summer, and now I can finally say I've been, with my comm! We all wore coordinates themed after different Pokemon. It was fun to see which ones everyone chose, and how they interpreted the design with their own sense of style. I based my look off of my favorite Pokemon, Altaria.

 

   

 The narrow shape of the Babydoll JSK was chosen to evoke Altaria's slender and graceful neck, and the huge flowy sleeves of this Qi lolita blouse were a perfect way to represent the cloud wings! The sleeves even have little blue ribbons with super long tails like Altaria's head feathers, and the trim on the neckline has clouds woven into it. I also wore a fluffy cloud hairclip and put my conveniently blue hair in low pigtails.

JSK: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Blouse: Ying Luofu

Headbow: Handmade gift from a lolita I tabled with at the TGL swap meet in 2025

Hairclip: Chocomint 

Socks: Enchanted Dream Couture

Boots: Secondhand, probably Liz Lisa knockoffs

 

Walking into the exhibit we were immediately met with this big Pikachu and Aerodactyl statue and a sign showing Pokemon-ified versions of some of the Field Museum's real paleontologists. There were also large standees of them around the place. I really hope when the exhibit leaves, the paleontologists get to take them home.

In addition to the statues of Pokemon fossils and skeletons, there were also displays showing off each fossil Pokemon's real-world counterpart. How cool are these artistic renderings?

 

Archaeopteryx was unexpectedly small, about the size of a raven. I just know this guy would be an absolute MENACE at a backyard birdfeeder. 

My favorite fossil pokemon, Aurorus!

 

After the exhibit, we had lunch at the museum cafe. This cream soda was so good I almost went back for another bottle but the $8 price tag kept me to just one.

 

  

We also went to the temporary Halloween re-theme of Underground Adventure, which educated about parasitic fungus. It was presented as a scary story being told to us by an ant whose colony was infected.

 

Nimbus the Altaria says... 

🪻See you next time!🪻 

Misako Made Me Buy It

    Every few months, I experience a week or so where I am gripped by the firm hands of nostalgia and feel the need to rewatch the old lolita Youtube videos that first enchanted me in the early 2010s. Deerstalker. Princess Peachie. Random human interest spots from Japanese news shows. I devour them each as if I was once again a tender youth finding them for the first time, licking syrup from my fingers as I ravenously sought out more and more. 

    Among my favorites, though, are the promotional videos Misako Aoki did for Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. Something about them just really did it for me! The Baby pressroom and stores were like tiny paradises, treasure troves packed with all the wonderful things I couldn’t get my hands on as a middle schooler. The dresses she showed off have lived in my mind ever since, and I actually ended up buying some of them as an adult. Let’s take a look at what Misako made me buy!

Today we’ll be looking at a video Misako did in 2014 with Kawaii Pateen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0izDSIrrus 

   Shirring Princess

 

 

 

     I bought my Shirring Princess JSK in ivory back in 2019. It was the 2007 release, which does feature the two bows at the base of the straps, but they’re made from sawtooth grosgrain ribbon which is unique to that release. I love whenever I find sawtooth grosgrain on lolita pieces. Its more common use is in hat making, since the way it’s woven allows it to lay flat against curved edges. Kind of like bias tape but sturdier. I love this dress! It really is super comfy, especially for someone like me who is just a little too busty to fit most BTSSB without a binder.

 

  

I still do not own Alice Dollhouse, but I would really love to one day. Thank you videographers for showing all the gorgeous detail in this print!!

Welcome to the Sweets Hexenhaus

 

    I have the same cut Misako is wearing, but in the ivory colorway. The fabric is unique to the touch–it almost has a crinkled texture and it’s quite heavy. Another exquisitely detailed Baby print.

 

Joker’s Cards Party

 

    One of my first AAtP main pieces, I think bought in 2022. I have the black and red JSK. Based on this video, I thought that the subtle red came from some type of shot fabric or jacquard, but actually the skirt has a red satin lining. Parts of the pattern on the outer skirt are slightly sheer, letting the red peek through. I’ve never seen another dress that has the same trick. Very cool!

 

    It feels really special to own clothes that were featured in one of the videos that got me into EGL in the first place. I think young me would be dazzled by the lolita I've become. At the same time though, the process of growth isn't over, and now just because I've yet to collect EVERY dress in that video. (Not that I'd want to...) There's no real end point to fashion, and I think that's beautiful.

 

🪻See you next time!🪻 

Strawberry Meet Postscript

     I originally wrote this as part of my post about the strawberry picking meetup, but decided it would be better on its own.

    The same day of this meet was the day No Kings protests took place across America, including here in Chicago which ended up being home to one of the biggest No Kings crowds in the country. I do hold regret for choosing a fun day of fashion instead of heading downtown and joining in, and have resolved to keep an eye on protester bail funds and support the cause with my wallet since I wasn't there in the flesh. On the way to the farm I passed a smaller, secondary group of protesters congregating by the road, their voices strong and their signs held high. They stayed on my mind for the rest of the day.

     Sitting at a corn-shaped table, climbing on a tractor, and buying canned goods and homemade pie inside a refurbished barn definitely made me feel connected with one aspect of American culture, but more than that, it blended with what I knew was going on at the same time. I do not know, truly, if I like America as a country. But I love the land itself, I care about the people who live on it, and the Midwestern culture I have spent my life steeped in is something I have a great affection for. Public dissent on behalf of vulnerable people is community care, and so is bringing an extra large casserole so people at the potluck go home with leftovers for tomorrow. The size of the marches yesterday demonstrates that more people care about each other than not. That fact, I believe, is something worth loving. 

Strawberry Meet

    This weekend I had the pleasure of attending a lolita meet one of my comm members organized at a pick-your-own-fruit farm outside of town. Right now strawberries are in season, so we all dressed accordingly. I had never gone strawberry picking before but it was a true pleasure to crouch there on the ground, searching beneath glossy leaves for the perfect berries to fill my admittedly overpriced little plastic bucket. I've never tasted a grocery store strawberry so flavorful.

 

    Looking at these lush plants really activated my inner grandma sensibilities. I couldn't stop thinking of strawberry tablecloths, strawberry wallpaper, embroidered strawberries, percale sheets in the guest bedroom with little strawberries printed all over them...

Siiiiiiiiiigh.

 

The fruits of my labor.

 

Meeting of the corn council.

 

The corn council adjourns.

 

Here's what I wore! I couldn't decide which headpiece to use, so I chose both. 

JSK: Freshly Picked Strawberries by Angelic Pretty 

Bolero: Nile Perch

Hat: offbrand

Headdress: Little May Bells 

Wristcuffs: Wax Poetic

Shoes: Cotton Candy Fantasy 

    I had a fantastic time picking berries, eating lunch, and taking silly photos with my comm. The farm also had a store where I bought some pickled carrots, a pie, and some creamy spinach dip that I can't wait to crack into; if it's half as delicious as those carrots I'll be very happy. Although having depression takes a lot out of me, spending time idyllically with friends in the fashion I love is truly rejuvenating.

🪻See you next time!🪻

  

Recent Looks

     Hi y’all! It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? Though I have no delusions of a mass audience waiting with bated breath for my return, I do feel I owe the readers I have an apology for disappearing for so long. 

    There are a number of things I’ve wanted to write about—The Great Lace, my new indie “brand” Garden Relic, upcoming sewing projects I want to tackle, the experience of owning a dream dress—but this time, I thought I would take things slow and simple and just post some coordinates from the last few months that I’ve been proud of!

OP: Sugary Carnival by Angelic Pretty

Sweater: vintage  

Wristcuffs: Enchanted Dream Couture

Headbow: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Hairclip: unknown indie brand

Shoes: FILA 

Skirt: Handmade by me

 Blouse: Yilia/Xilia (I've seen it both ways?)

Headband: Unknown indie brand 

 Necklace: BB and B 

 Wristcuffs: Wax Poetic 

 Shoes: Doc Marten 

 

I wore this coordinate to Universal Studios during the holiday season and met these dolls who were part of their cast of Christmas toys. They were all wonderful to talk to and loved my clothes; if you can stand the heat, I highly recommend going to Universal Studios in lolita. I was getting compliments all day...

Some from places you might not expect.

 

JSK: Trois Ribbon by Enchantlic Enchantilly

Blouse: Uncle Wall

Cardigan: Modcloth 

Hat: Uf (bought through Atelier Pierrot)

Socks: Enchanted Dream Couture 

Shoes: Doc Marten 

 

 

Skirt, Blouse: Axes Femme

Bolero: Xilia/Yilia

Shoes: Bodyline

 

JSK: Sugar Pansy by Angelic Pretty

Blouse: vintage

Headbow: Elegy

Necklace: BB And B 

Socks: Angelic Pretty

 Shoes: Cotton Candy Fantasy

I bought this dress from a friend's closet cleanout sale and months later found out it was a brand sample! I can't help but wonder if it was used for stock photos? There's something fun about the idea of pointing to the photo in the Lolibrary listing for this piece and going "That's my dress. THAT dress, SPECIFICALLY."

 

 

JSK: Axes Femme x Coca Cola

Blouse: Uncle Wall

KC: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Wristcuffs: Enchanted Dream Couture

Necklace: BB And B

Shoes: Doc Marten 

 

JSK: Magical Horoscope by Angelic Pretty

Blouse: Atelier Pierrot

Headdress: Junyvette

Necklace: handmade by me 

Socks: Angelic Pretty

Bag: Mahoubu

 

Skirt, Blouse: Atelier Pierrot

 Corset belt: Neverland Lolita

 Horn clips: YORU

Choker: Antique Beast

Rosary: Neant Glass

Bag: Moi-Meme-Moitie 

Shoes: Cotton Candy Fantasy 

That Moitie bag was another UNBELIEVABLE thrift store find. If I said the price I bought it for, a lot of people more goth than me would be furious. 

 

 

OP: Avenue Denfer

Socks: Angelic Pretty (Modified from tights)
 Headdress, Wristcuffs: Handmade by me

Shoes: Cotton Candy Fantasy

  

🪻See you next time!🪻