Cardcaptor Sakura x animate cafe

Yesterday I finally made it to the Cardcaptor Sakura x animate cafe pop-up cafe!

Sakura + 知世

Anime Cosme Cardcaptor Sakura Blush and Balm

Most recognizable costume and magic staff

Magical girls are a staple in anime and manga, and in recent years mahou shoujo has leaked into real life!  In addition to cosplay, there is now real, daily fashion, accessories, and cosmetics.  Sailor Moon is probably the #1 magical girl series, but I personally have always adored Cardcaptor Sakura!  CLAMP is my favorite manga creator group due to their art style and the fact they have some of the best costume designs in my opinion.

This year is also the 20th anniversary of Cardcaptor Sakura!  Since I didn't have paid TV channels growing up and wasn't allowed to watch much TV at all (books to the rescue!) I had only ever seen snippets of the anime.  Recently, I finally sat down and watched all the episodes in the span of about three days.  Because I'm an adult.  I can do what I want.  

I did watch the series in Japanese with a Chinese subtitles, so if I use some wrong terms when describing some things, that may be why :P

Riding on the high of Cardcaptor Sakura marathon, the very same day I finished watching the last episode, a pop-up cafe of the same theme opened!  I do plan to go if I have friends who want to go with.  Actually, I'd probably go alone just because I want the Clow Card beverage and also to buy some of the goods they are selling.  This is getting off topic.

Anyway, back to the topic of real-life magical girls!  Anime Cosme!!  

Lots of Sailor Moon

I already knew Bandai had created a Cardcaptor Sakura set of blush and lip balm, but never found it for sale in person.  However, I was searching online and found that it could be ordered through Watson's site (similar to Walgreens in the USA) despite having never been in any of the displays!

So of course I ordered one.  It arrived the day after payment and I made a small film to show it!  I've realized that filming is immensely difficult, stock image photography is immensely difficult, and lighting is both difficult and confusing!!  So please excuse the shoddy editing and footage ^_~

EDIT 2016.07.26: Remix music version for copyright block

Though some fans purchase these types of goods for the sole purpose of collecting them, I do intend to use them.  In fact, I've already used the lip balm~  Cosmetics do expire and the main attraction point is the packaging anyway.

Little Dipper Chiffon Lace Lolita Foundation Blouse Review

Blouses are a basic staple in any Lolita's wardrobe, but with the hot summer months fast approaching, sometimes it feels stifling to wear so many layers!

Chiffon blouses are definitely a hero to this situation in my opinion.  To be honest, it's been quite a long time since I've worn a cotton blouse, and they hang unloved in my closet.  Chiffon is just much easier to handle, especially as they don't wrinkle nearly as much!

I have a couple chiffon blouses in both short and long sleeve that I wear, but recently joined a group order for a different type of chiffon blouse - it's cropped to prevent too much bulk at the waistline due to blouse + petticoat (and sometimes + underskirt) + bloomers/shorts issue.

The blouses we ordered were Chiffon Lace Lolita Boat Neck Inner Foundation Blouse Short/Long Sleeve from Little Dipper.

Perfume and Pearls

It's been incredibly rainy here in Taipei -_-

I was running late and took a taxi.

No filter

But you have to brave the weather to get to a meetup!

Filter

 The theme for this meetup was "perfume bottles" and I sewed a dress that was perfect for the theme!  If you follow me on instagram you would have seen it already~

We met at a lovely little cafe called 好時光/Plus Belle Arts Bistro because we had a coupon for shared set meals.

How to Cover "Toothy" Headband

Headdresses are usually tied on with a ribbon, but I actually prefer to have them on a headband; it helps them stay on more easily without pins in my opinion.

Brand headbands tend to be completely covered with fabric, but I like the type of headband that has teeth on the underside to help with griping, as my hair is rather slippery.  Recently I made the above canotier style headdress on a toothy headband.  Though it was in a coordinating pink color, I covered the top side with lace and took photos along the way!