Splurging Far Too Much in Florida

Hello, sorry it's been a long time since I've posted! I've been away to Florida for two weeks - it's been amazing!
Holiday photos are to come, but first I thought I'd share some of the items I've bought whilst on holiday. Most of this was bought with my birthday and Christmas money for the past two years, as where I live doesn't really have many material things that catch my interest enough to buy them, and therefore I save for long periods of time. My parents also bought some things for me as a gift, such as the fabric, seeing as it "keeps me out of trouble". ;) Idle hands make work for the devil, as a lady in Jo-Ann's Fabrics said, after all!

Cinderella's carriage charm and necklace from Pandora, to wear everyday and with my Lolita coordinates.

Fabrics! I got; some gold taffeta with black embroidered spots and some black ribbon for my 1790s open robe, three yards of teal spotted chiffon for a 1920s one-hour dress, and some brown suiting fabric with a thin teal stripe for a future Victorian child's dress.

Japanese candy from Epcot.

Wizard of Oz photos from the Old Town.

Kira Imai postcards from Epcot.

Jasmine Becket-Griffith postcards that I've collected from all over the Disney parks.

A book on the Haunted Mansion, my favourite ride at Disney, a mixed media magazine and an ornate copy of the Wizard of Oz books 1-5 from Barnes and Nobles, and the art book of Jasmine Becket-Griffith, whose art I've recently discovered and absolutely love!

Vintage Laura Ashley Sailor Dress

Yesterday I went shopping in Liverpool and found this adorable sailor dress in Soho's Vintage store! Surprisingly, it was just my size, fit me like a glove, and was my favourite style and colour! I just love the feel of this dress, as it reminds me of an Edwardian child and the 1920s dropped waist at the same time. It's also vintage Laura Ashley, which I've been in love with for a long time now.
It was £15 too. :)

Photos!

By the way, I'm going to Florida for two weeks on Wednesday, so posting may be scarce from me in those weeks. Expect plenty of photos when I get back though!

Haul Post: Innocent World and Closet Child

This afternoon I finally received my parcel from Japan! I've been so excited ever since ordering, and when I heard the doorbell ring just today I literally squealed and ran downstairs to answer and sign for it! 
I'm happy to say that its contents did not disappoint me, as everything is perfect and everything fits well. The only thing that disappointed me was the customs fee I gained, which totaled at eighty pounds - almost as much as the items themselves - it was completely unexpected, as I was under the misapprehension that the shopping service I used (From Japan) would do its best to lessen the blow at customs by marking it down. Never mind though; we live and learn, and I'm completely in love with my items!

 I ordered Innocent World's "Cherub Angel Candlestick Bow Ribbon" JSK in navy as an early Christmas present to myself, as I cracked under how gorgeous it was and figured that seeing as the past few weeks have been tough, I might as well treat myself in an attempt to cheer myself up. I love it! It looks like a sister dress to my Three Archangels OP, as both feature angels as a part of their prints. This print also has candlesticks and stars on it, and for some reason that I can't fathom, it reminds me of A Christmas Carol (my favourite book), perhaps because of the Victorian styled candlesticks and religious imagery. It would make the perfect Christmas coordinate, though I'll wear it all year of course!
 

As well as that, I saw my dream print since my early days of Lolita on Closet Child - Star Chiffon skirt from Alice and the Pirates - and just had to have it, as I knew it would fit and it was going for a really cheap price (24 pounds!). Needless to say, the shipping and customs made it much more expensive than that, but I don't mind because it's so cute.
I hope the injection of navy blue in my wardrobe will make good on my promise for the New Year's Lolita goals! 

Here's a coordinate that I quickly put together for my meetup this Saturday, using my new dress.

Blouse: Baby the Stars Shine Bright
JSK: Innocent World
Everything else: Offbrand

London 2015: Shopping

It's no secret that I'm very materialistic and love shopping *embarrassed*, so hopefully I won't sound too annoying here.

At Whittard's Tea shop I purchased an Alice in Wonderland tea cup for the 150th Anniversary; the handle is in the shape of a key, and the cup itself has a classical illustration of Alice in a pink frock. It looks very charming in my china collection!
Beforehand I bought a print of an elegant Georgian lady and some floral Victorian scraps at Pollock's museum.

That day, our main shopping focus was to visit the haberdashery at Liberty's. We browsed all the fabrics and trims, deciding that the prints were lovely, but the price tags ridiculous! So instead of a couple of meters of fabric, we decided on some Liberty bias binding, buttons, and angel wing applique in red floral, as it would still give a Liberty vibe on a finished garment. Whilst purchasing, I already had an idea in my mind of what I'd make - a 1920s inspired sailor dress! Also at Liberty I got a turquoise stag beetle embroidery kit (why not - I've got a beetle blog too!).

The next day we got the train to Battersea, after visiting Hampton Court for the morning. Apparently the shop we went in, Fabrics Galore, was where the Great British Sewing Bee TV programme got their fabrics for the show! I'm not surprised because inside it was immense - they had so much stock that I was overwhelmed and could hardly think to make a decision. Beautiful fabric everywhere, of all sorts and descriptions!
I must have walked around the shop three times trying to weigh up which fabrics I would use soon, and which ones I just liked the look of but wouldn't go with my designs. But in the end I came away with a creamy Alice in Wonderland fabric (14 pounds a metre, but so worth it) and a strawberry/raspberry print (on reduction at 3 pounds a metre).

Our last day in London was spent at Old Spitalfields Market, near White Chapel, I think. There were lots of beautiful handmade things and genuine vintage items, some even from the 1930s, including a gorgeous coral pink Pierrot blouse with beads on the collar.
Mainly we went there for Collectif, but I didn't really feel the urge to spend any more money as prices were high and nothing 'suitable' really leaped out at me; 'suitable' as in college-wear, not ballgowns! The store downstairs was also gorgeous, a lingerie store called What Katie Did. Again, it was expensive, but I loved it, especially the turquoise bullet bra with white mesh! I would so have bought something there if I had the money!
Food at Spitalfields is great too. I had a freshly squeezed watermelon juice and a gluten-free red velvet cupcake. I'd highly recommend!

Beautiful bags I found, too.