Autumnal Lolitas

Not Dead Yet
(But This Flu Sure Is Trying)

I had such plans for the past weekend,
going to see the giant Buddha in Kamakura,
making deliciously New England-y deserts,
Lovely blog entries about personal style,
and all in the company of Husbot,
who had the weekend off.

Alas, the germs had other plans.
I haven't been this defeated by illness
since catching mono back in '07.

Husbot was grand though,
making me breakfast in bed and rushing out
for medicines and cough drops
and get-well-soon cards with robots on them.

I am infinitely better now,
though still a wee bit cough-y and unpleasant.
It's raining here in Japanland, the air is just
barely starting to smell like autumn and I find
myself missing the familiar crispness
of a cozy autumn in Vermont,
complete with cider, woodstove, and mum's beef stew.

Alas, I make my home here!
Today I'm trying my hand at my mother's
apple pie recipe for the first time, meh!
Also the chill does come here as well,
albeit much more slowly,
and I am beginning to dress accordingly!
I am much more suited to autumn,
putting together a summer wardrobe was confusing
and unfamiliar, I admit.
Now is the time of skirts and tights and sweaters
and dressing like a
Lo In The Library.
But more on that later!

People To Read!

~Mermaid In A Manhole~
Kim's posts are delightful, thoughtful,
and wonderfully inspired.

~Phoenix Rising~
Lorelle relaunched her blog some bit ago,
and I am finding it to be quite enjoyable!

~all this happiness~
I know, always promoting my friends ;)
but Kater is lovely, and so is her blawg :D
I do so envy your distinct personal style deary.

~Gala Darling~
As if you didn't read her already.
But truly, her blog brightens and colors my world!

~Fashiontoast~
I adore Rumi's style, even if I can't pull it off ;)
She's also my shoe-muse. I want ALL of her shoes.



And now for some actual
BOOKS
I think you should read ;)

Brought to my attention by Kim, this book is an absolute delight, one that I find myself reading in bits and pieces. While the title may sound elementary to most of you (indeed, Husbot saw the tome and proclaimed, perplexed, "But, you already are!"), this book is full of invaluable tips and tricks and style advice, all to guide you on your way to becoming a more eloquent, classy dame. If you aspire to have fun and enjoy your youth, while being a kind, courteous person who still says please, thank you, gets the good job and doesn't want her niece someday seeing her in a Girls Gone Wild ad, this is the lifestyle guide for you :D

While ill, I've beed rereading all of my Madeliene L'Engle books and oh my goodness, what a joyful thing that is. Her books transcend age, they really do, presenting the reader with complex concepts and theories, filtered through the minds and eyes of children and young adults. A Wind In The Door remains my all time favorite, and I prefer following the Murry/O'Keefe family, but they're all wonderful books. Grab A Wrinkle In Time during the next cold, rainy day, and find your heart transported.

Wardrobe Project!

As I said above, I'm a big fan of skirts, tights,
and thick socks in the chillier months.
And so I give you One Dress,
and a cornucopia of skirts!

Please forgive my disheveled tresses and half-dead
stare in most of these shots,
I was heavily medicated ;)

We start with
The Dress I Never Wear.
Bought for Christmas Eve two years ago,
it hangs in the closet, waiting, always slipping
my mind, alas!
I'm not sure why really.

It could be the length is just an iiiinch too long,
or because the overall cut is conservative,
yet the neckline plunges a bit too much
for more conservative settings,
and a cami just looks wrong under it.
Whatever the reason, having tried it on,
I've vowed to wear it more often, if only just shopping.

Print.

Color!
Socks & Skirt from Japanese mall,
Top: ...I forget.
Lace Cami: TJ Max
Flats: Payless
Necklace: Altered by moi.

This flannel kilt is ridiculously comfy.
I think it shall be my winter go-to, in fact.

Top: Old Navy
Skirt & Tights: Forever21

I'm still figuring out high waists!
Not sure this look works,
but it felt all kinds of prim and awesome!

Shirt: Japanese Mall
Skirt & Tights: Forever21
Shoes: Vintage, etsy.

How did I live without this pencil skirt?
I do not know.
I'm digging it, though.

Shirt: Maurice's, ages ago
Skirt & Tights: Forever21
Shoes: Gift from Kater :D

Tres' Mad Men, Non? :D


And finally, some sage advice:

That said, here I am in my halloween costume!

Alice Approves!

Images and their original links can be found
on my We Heart It account,
now that it's up and running again :)

Now I have an apartment to cleanse of tissues,
and a delicious pie to make.


'Til Next We Meet,
♥,
~ Amy