Paradiso Decadence Adventure Report Part 2

Welcome to the second installment of my Paradiso 2019 summary!

This report will be divided into two parts as well. The first half, I will be talking about Day 2's morning at the Miniature Museum, while the second half will contain my thoughts on the Tea Party in the afternoon. Let's get to it!

Day 2 - Morning

We woke up at 6AM and were barely ready on time for our trip to the Kansas City Museum of Toys and Miniatures at 10AM. I never get up that early, so it was a bit of a challenge to get ready while being so tired. We managed to get there on time but, because we only had 10 out of 30 people, we ended up starting the tour quite late. There was so much to see, even if they only took us to see the museum highlights.  I would honestly recommend saving this destination for a separate occasion --specially since I could have used the extra sleep! On account of the people's lateness, the tour felt rushed and I felt like I was missing some things. However, the museum itself was very interesting and had some beautiful displays.

My favorite part was the moving sculpture at the heart of the museum. It had hundreds of toys people in the area had donated over time.

Coordinate for day 2 in front of the moving sculpture

Day 2 - Afternoon

The tea party was the main event. We arrived at the Little Theater just in time to queue up. There were so many beautiful coordinates, and it was obvious that people had put their best foot forward. I was very tired, so unfortunately that colored my memory of the experience. Because I'm hard of hearing and there was a lot of echo in the venue, I had a really hard time understanding the MC and the guests answering questions in the beginning. This extended to the ouji and judge responses at the start of the pageant as well, unfortunately.

Beautiful venue for beautiful people

The food seemed to be okay. I'm very picky with what I eat, so I didn't really enjoy it much, but I knew it was coming and that it was nobody's fault. It didn't really feel decadent, though, as the dishes were rather simple. They included fruit, some vegetables with dip, strawberries, and chia pudding, if I remember correctly. The pudding was probably the least popular, as nobody in my table really finished theirs.

Picture from Bodyline Website

The venue was stunningly beautiful, but the caterers seemed overwhelmed with the amount of people they were serving. While most of the audience was enjoying the ouji pageant, I missed a good portion of it due to being unable to follow the conversations that reverberated off the walls. Still, all the princess wooing performances were adorable and, in some cases, hilarious. My favorite act came from Prince Lapin, the eventual crown winner. They met their bunny princess and danced to the Waltz of the Flowers together until the bell rang and the princess had to go in a hurry. It was doubly cute because both prince and princess were wearing the bodyline print 'Bunny Cinderella'.

The other performers were creative and comedic as well, and all the oujis' coords were impeccable. They sang, rapped, dropped packages, and seduced with puns from what I could tell. It was enjoyable to watch and a good distraction from the socializing that was going beforehand.

Look at all the wonderful princes and princesses!

Overall, the event was fun to attend, and it was inspiring seeing so many amazing coordinates. If you are an introvert, I would recommend going if you already know some people there. To me, it felt like people go in groups, and it was intimidating to break those small cliques to get to know people. Otherwise, it is a great event to attend and save your social and physical energy for.

Chocolate Lover's Tea: A Valentine's meetup (Picture Heavy)

Hey friends,

It's Keiko here with a meetup review! Sorry for the late post, but I was at a meetup last weekend! My comm went to the Saint Paul Hotel in downtown Saint Paul for their Chocolate Lover's Tea special event. This is a 5-course meal tea party in honor of Valentine's Day. The venue was beautifully decadent and the elegant atmosphere was accentuated by a live piano performance throughout the event. 

I enjoyed their Black Tea blend, but was unable to catch the name of it

Beautiful decor and attention to detail

The five courses all incorporated chocolate in some way to celebrate the spirit of the holiday. I tried to test it all but, since I'm an extremely picky eater, I can't give a fair review of what the food was like--- but I can show you some pictures of what we had for each meal!

Duck and Dark Cocoa Terrine
Choco-dipped strawberry with Candied Walnuts
Chili dusted shooter with mole soup (Spicy!)

Chocolate citrus glazed veal Osso Bucco
with creamy polenta and vegetable garnish 

Chocolate Citrus scone with Godiva
Chocolate Butter

Raspberry and candied citrus Mendiant
Chocolate Caramel Bar
Chocolate Mint Marshmallow

Dulce Ganache Chocolate Short
Dough Tartlet (My favorite!)

The Saint Paul Hotel's Valentine's teas are extremely popular each year. They hold around 5-7 events with this theme in February and they each fill up months in advance. For this meetup, we asked all attendees to reserve starting early to mid-January to make sure we got enough spots. In the end, all 9 reservations were filled and there were even more people that wanted to come!

It was a good time to make conversation and enjoy the extravagance of the hotel lobby. The servers were dressed as maids or butlers, which was a neat touch, and they seemed to be from different ethnicities, races, and walks of life. This detail was important to me because seeing only Latinx and African American maids initially made me uncomfortable, given the historically racially charged implications of servitude among those groups. As a Latina myself, it made me feel like I was a European aristocrat at the cost of other people. Thankfully that wasn't the case, but I could write an essay on wanting to feel like a royalty in lolita and not wanting to fall back on the historical ramifications that would entail. Either way, I digress.

Below is a picture of my coordinate that, believe it or not, was taken at the hotel lobby bathroom. It had numerous other golden details and ornate mirrors and stalls. As lolitas, my comm could not pass the photo op up!

Headpieces: Pastel Parade, chocomint
Blouse: The floral Notebook
JSK, Sash, Socks, rings: Angelic Pretty
Necklace: Deerstalker Pictures
Bracelets, shoes: Offbrand

Have you been to a meetup recently? How was your experience? Tell me all the details in the comments section below~ <3

How to have a great Valentine's Day: A Short Illustrated Guide

Hello lovebirds! It's ya girl Keiko again.

Today I am going to spread some illustrated wisdom about how to make this Valentine's Day the best one yet. Warning: It is preferable that you are single during this process, but people with partners may also partake if they wish. Without farther ado, here we go!

Pankeiko's Illustrated Guide to Having a great Valentine's Day

In today's day an age, while we are more connected to each other than ever through the online world, there is still a physical aspect that we are missing. This applies to both the people and the things we love. We often yearn for what we don't have as we look at what's out there. This brings us suffering and sadness so, instead of mourning the connections we do not have, I believe it is better to get reacquainted with what we is close to us --and what better day to do it than on the day of love!

So do a little self-care, hang out with friends, or do what any sensible lolita would do: turn to your wardrobe. Your most prized pieces are probably in need of a little extra care anyway, so why not make them and yourself happy in that special occasion?

1. Give your pieces a good wash.

Whether you trust the local dry cleaners, or are brave enough to do your own lolita laundry, this step is essential. Making sure that your clothes are clean is the first step of having a happy wardrobe. They will feel fresh and closer to new, and the individual attention you give them will make you fall in love all over again.

Make sure that you do some research before tossing your precious prints in the washer. I suggest familiarizing yourself with the Japanese laundry symbols and think of the specific materials your pieces are made of and how they wash individually.

2. Lint roll your pieces and check for damages

This step helps you familiarize yourself yourself with your clothing in a more tactile way. You will need to carefully inspect each item with care to make sure there are no snags or loose threads. Any pet hair must be disposed of with a lint roller to return the piece to its best self. I would recommend doing this while watching a movie. It will be soothing for both of you and will enhance your bonding experience.

Bonus points if you sew buttons back on, adjust bows, or run your hands over the lace to appreciate its quality. Pro-Tip: Checking out the print for any running colors will also give you the chance to appreciate its artistry and find little things you hadn't noticed before.

3. Admire your pieces

After all the hard work and bonding time, you should take a step back to take in the fruits of your labor. Now your lolita items are clean, lint-rolled, and glowing with love. Our first instinct would be to put them back in the safety of our wardrobe, yet how would it make you feel being shoved into a closet after a strenuous makeover? All that work to look your best, for what? These kind of negative feelings will not stand. Instead, why not admire each item individually --or better yet, why not try putting together a coordinate to see how each individual part comes together to create your own unique combinations? Whether it's a floordinate in an instagram post, a picture for a future wardrobe post, or just displaying them on your mannequin (provided you have one) will allow for more time to appreciate your lolita closet. If you want to increase your love output, I recommend that you follow best way to show your clothes you love them: wear them.

4. Take the next step

So now you have cleaned, pressed, and displayed your clothes. You may even have gone through with wearing them somewhere. What next? It depends on how comfortable you are in them and how far along you are in your relationship. I'd recommend picking a memorable place to go. Maybe a park or a nice cafe. Depending on what you like, it can be crowded or a more secluded area. Then wait for the perfect moment. It can be the way your petticoat puffs up when you sit down, or the sound of the fabrics as you move. It's up to you to determine when you are ready. Just don't forget to get a matching ring to cement your relationship and expand your options for coordinates ;).

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That's all she wrote, folks! I hope you liked this little guide for the pursuit of happiness on an arbitrary commercial holiday that can affect some people negatively. I wanted to make something that would cheer up those who are not having a good time this week, so I put a little extra effort by sketching some images. So please let me know what you think in the comments!

What's on My Mannequin? - February

Hey there~

It's-a me, Keiko! I have returned with another blog post (two in a row? Really?). This time, I have made a coordinate inspired by upcoming Valentine's Day celebrations.

Kuma Kumya's Royal Kingdom Valentine's Coordinate

I picked this JSK because it has tiny hearts going along it

 Rundown

Crown, JSK: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Wonder Queen Red Bag: Angelic Pretty

Shoes: Bodyline

Blouse: The Floral Notebook
Red Ribbons, socks, Zelda heart container necklace: Offbrand

BTSSB Butterfly Crown

I got this necklace with an etsy order a while back

Fun Fact: This is not the original button.

I picked the socks because they had a
pattern similar to the lace on the JSK

I don't feel like this coordinate is fully finished. I am missing something red at the top with the crown for it to be well-balanced. I tried adding the ribbons, but they are not the same shade of red as the rest of the outfit. My second pick is to use the detachable middle bow of the JSK as a hairbow on a wig. A long blond or milk tea wig would go well with this princessy outfit.

I don't really have a lot more to coordinate this JSK with, as I bought it only because I liked the print. It really stands out in my wardrobe as the only piece of its color combination. I think pairing it with brown accessories or more golden ones would be an easy way to go. I really need more red accessories, as it is a common 'pop' color in my wardrobe.

How would you coord this piece? I'd love to hear your ideas!

What's on my Mannequin? - January

What's on my Mannequin?

 I put together a coordinate on my dress form for the first time in four months or more. What does this mean for the blog? It means that, after what feels like a million years, I've finally posted a What's on my Mannequin entry!

To celebrate my return and the month of January, I picked my favorite dress of all time: Honey Cake!

Here is what I put together:

As you can probably see, I could not pick between integrating brown or red. So I did both! I got the parka off egl_comm_sales when I first started wearing lolita and only had the honey cake skirt. It was sold off to me by a lolita in Malaysia and took a long time to find me. It almost got lost in the mail! You can't really, but it has a bear-ear hoodie with an inside polka dot pattern in white and red. The collar shown is actually a red blouse with the same polka dot pattern underneath.

The beret is the Princess Drop beret from Baby, The Stars Shine Bright. I got it on the New York site and it was the last one in that color! I felt super lucky. The cherries clip is from a taobao store, and the necklace is from a seller from etsy.

This Rilakkuma bag I got on Lacemarket. It was pretty cheap, so the quality is not so good. I decided to incorporated anyways because I love Rilakkuma and I was partly recreating one of my first coordinates with Honey Cake. I had worn the skirt, the top, and this bag, to my first US convention after I moved here. It has a nostalgic feel to it, but I think I will retire this bag to daily wear soon.

Here is a close up of the pancake necklace. I really want a red and white gingham blouse to match the tiny ribbon. Pancakes are some of my favorite food, if you didn't already know. That's where the name of the blog came from!

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That's all I have for you today, my people. I have been laying in bed sick for the past two days but finally kicked my butt in gear to prepare for the week and do this post. I hope you are all doing well and that your week treats you kindly. See you next weekend!

2017 Wardrobe Post (Picture Heavy)

Hey, everyone!

Keiko here with this year's wardrobe post~

This year, I did less purchasing than the last few ones. I focused a bit more on rounding out my wardrobe rather than purchasing main pieces. It helped a lot that my favorite brand, Angelic Pretty, didn't really release anything that caught my eye --the few main pieces I got were old AP releases or Alice and The Pirates ones. Without further ado, let's get to the meat of it!

Main Pieces

Kuma Kumya's Royal Kingdom

This is one of the few BABY pieces I own. I love bears so I couldn't resist!

Papillonage en Eclats Dance JSK

The layers give this piece a fairy-like feel

Revival Lotta JSK

The lacing details on the bodice of this piece are beautiful

Sweet Cream House High Waist JSK

I love the velvet detailing on this JSK

Honey Cake Joke JSK (I forgot to take details on this one :( )

Museé du Chocolat JSK (I accidentally took a picture with the wrong headbow --oops!)

Melty Cream Doughnuts JSK

The cutlery charms on the bow are the cutest!

Melty Cream Doughnuts JSK

The custom lace has little doughnuts on it!

Petit Patisserie High Waist JSK

The chest ruffles are super cute~

Cream Cookie Collection JSK

The tiny bears in this print convinced me to get it

Chess Chocolate Bustier JSK

This one was of my original dream dresses

Tea Time A la Carte JSK

Little Bear's Cafe High Waist JSK

Mercator's Antique Shop Special Set JSK 

I love the corset lacing at the front of this cut

Horror Garden JSK 

Beautiful bat collar~

Electric Circus in the Moonlit Night JSK I

My favorite part of this JSK is the military-style bodice

Guilty Meltin' Sweets Town JSK II

Merrymaking in the Ghost Town JSK II

The small cross is probably my favorite detail of this JSK

Tea Time Nostalgia JSK II

The chest ruffle on this piece has rose-themed lace

Rosy Night's Masquerade JSK II

AATP strikes again with beautiful detailing~

Headwear

Berets, which I want more of eventually

Black Head Accessories for extra ~spoopy~ coordinates

Headbows (and a crown)

Other hair accessories (and a random pin)

Offbrand head accessories

Accessories

Necklaces and Rings

Spoopy necklaces and rings

Wristwear

More miscellaneous accessories

Purses

I managed to get some neutral purses this year to round out my wardrobe more

Legwear

I only photographed my brand socks. I have about 10-12 other offbrand tights, OTKs, and ankle socks on top of this collection

I have lots of brown and ivory socks. I may have a problem <3

I actually want the ballerina socks in brown as well

Shoes

Obligatory sacrificial semi-circle of shoes

Conclusion

My wardrobe has definitely grown this year. I've bought some neutral, comfortable shoes, some nice matchable purses, and a handful of beautiful main pieces. I'm pretty satisfied with how it has been developing so far. I only have a couple dream pieces left on my wishlist, and some minor gaps I need to fill in my closet (even if matching pinks is suuuper hard!).

Do you like the way your wardrobe is now? Is there anything you'd like to change about it? Let me know in the comments and feel free to link me to your own wardrobe post if you have any <3

Keiko out~