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!🪻