December 19, 2011

Winter Playlist

Want something to listen to while preparing for the holidays? Wish granted, here are a few nice songs to enjoy the festive atmosphere, with a lolita twist!



Enya - One Toy Soldier
Enya is definitely one of my favorite artists!  Try out more of her songs like Spirit of Christmas Past or White is in the Winter Night which are just right for the season.



 Kokia - Hallelujah
Kokia devoted a whole album, Cristmas Gift, to the winter season and her reprise of  Hallelujah is quite nice.
 


Tchaikovski - The Nutcracker
What would winter be without the Nutcracker? What's even better is if you can see it live! I wish I could!



Nightwish - Walking in the Air
The beautiful reprise by Nightwish of the classic song, with Tarja's amazing vocals!




Cocoon - Christmas Song
 Doesn't quite fit in with the rest, but this is also a cute song to listen to.


Carols
You don't necessarily have to be religious to enjoy the traditional Christmas carols! They always feel nice on a cold winter night. I even attended a carol service where my uni's choir sang and it was great!


I hope these will brighten your evenings and put you in the mood for the much awaited holidays! I tried finding what made me think of winter lolita, so enjoy!



December 8, 2011

Pretty in Pink influenced

   I've wanted to watch Pretty in Pink for a while now, and I finally did. I really enjoyed it, and the soundtrack as well. And of course, take a look at the outfits!. Nope, they aren't lolita, but they have got the sort of mori/antique doll feel to them. Loose skirts and dresses, ginger hair, the occasional hat, all of that in pink and draped in pearls! The neckline of her prom dress is gorgeous too!


 
The person with the most original style in the movie is Iona, Andie's friend: she changes utterly every day: gothic punk to 50's prom queen to aristoctratic looking... she's incredible!
 
 Tips for a Pretty in Pink style:
  • add sosme vintage elements to your wardrobe: a jacket, a scarf, a hat...
  • antique jewelry
  • lace up boots! Andie wears her ankle-high beige ones paired with floral print socks in the movie
  • lace collars
  • embroidered cardigans
  • don't be afraid to mix styles: you can pair a very sweet or classic jsk with a more punkish blazer or vest!

In any case, right after watching it I felt like adding a touch of vintage style to my sweet lolita wardrobe so I made these earrings:

And here's a treat for your own ears: Pretty in Pink cover by the Dresden Dolls!

December 4, 2011

Happy International Lolita Day!


  I only remembered Thursday when I wrote down '1st of December' in my notebook: December...isn't there something special soon? Remembering ILD made my day! What's better than putting on a full blown loli outfit just for the sake of it, not to go out anywhere?

  As part of my last ILD's resolutions, I created an EGL account today (my handle is twinklecarousel), and plan to post entries during my Christmas holiday. The other part of my June ILD resolutions was to start this blog - yes, I procrastinate... It took me quite a while to plan and find the courage to start Le Boudoir, but I'm really glad that I did. I feel like I have my own little spot dedicated to lolita even on the internet (I cutify everything within breathing distance-there's just no limit.) So here I am, half a year later with two of my goals achieved!

  Like last ILD, I am spending this day devoting myself to lolita related crafts, and writing articles for Le Boudoir, all of that, of course, dressed to the nines in sweet lolita. I am actually starting to make my Christmas dress today! I have swathes of heavy crimson velvet which I have been dying to use for so long!  I'm hoping to have this finished by Christmas day, but I always have a back-up dress - not that I should be any less focused on finishing it! I also have a store of new articles I'm working on, so wait for it!

  I hope you're enjoying this special day, and having a great time so far, whatever it is you chose to do! Wether it's taking care of yourself, attending a meetup, crafting, sewing, spreading lolita culture, or watching your favorite lolita movie snuggled beneath cute covers, may your day be full of frills!

November 15, 2011

Themed Playlist: Sweet

Lolita inspiration comes through magazines, brands, but also other media such as music. I find lolita and music inseperable when it comes to lifestyle. I hope to make a regular feature of this, presenting songs and bands that deserve to be on your lolita playlist! This week's playlist will be sweet, so be ready for a good dose of sugar coming straight to your ears! Some are just over-the-top sweet, others are merely cute or good listens on a lolita day.



Florrie for Nina Ricci
Originally created to advertise one of Nina Ricci's perfumes (I really like it too, and the bottle is so snow white-y), this song is so joyful it makes you want to pop on one of that gorgeous pair of pink heels and go hopping around in your lolita best. The atmosphere is also perfect for lolita, full of pink grass and lace and curly hair, and sweet singing. The artist herself is interesting enough, being unsigned and independent, working for herself and her fans. See more about her here.



Kanon Wakeshima - Ennui Kibun
Emblematic Kanon Wakeshima, one of the leading lolita artists, can not be absent from any lolita's playlist. Infused with music box-like and bubbly cute melodies, her songs really catch the essence of lolita, being both sweet and classic. And aren't the cover pictures so beautiful? Also check out Kuroi Torikago and Lolitawork Libretto, a duo with singer Solita. I will devote a whole article to Kanon Wakeshima, so I won't go any further, but she is definitely worth checking out if you don't know her already!




Kaya - Chocolat
The none too serious cross-dressing Kaya has an EGL wardrobe to die for! And he's such fun to watch and listen to! Nothing more to say really, I love just his songs. Some might be more gothic-oriented, but Chocolat has sweeter tones and a his trademark choreographies.



Orange Caramel - A~ing
In the world of K-pop, Orange Caramel are on the cuter side - or at least, used to be. Their first two singles, A~ing and Magic Girl are filled with the cute imagery of fairy tales and ruffles and pastel dresses, the songs being catchy and lively - though some would frown at the shortness of those skirts! Their looks are obviously edging towards the sexier side of cute, but they're nice to listen to during an especially happy lolita day.



Kerli - Tea Party
Kerli seems to be inspired by lolita, and definitely by Alice in Wonderland (she featured on the soundtrack of the Tim Burton movie). The music might not be along the same lines of the cuter songs from above but the video is definitely inspirational! I love the dolls too! I like the over-the-top feel about it, luxurious and decadent. Her concept of Bubble Goths is also very tempting to emulate! Watch Army of Love to check it out. Walking on Air, on the other hand, is more on the creepy, gothic side, full of dolls once more.



Natsuko Aso - More more lovers
For a sugar rush of kawaii-ness!



Mindy Gledhill - Circus Girl
Circus is so often a theme in lolita coordinates and prints that this sweet song about it had to crop up. You can just picture a world full of glitter and dancing bears, and spinning ballerina. I'm also in love with her voice and the folksy sounding music.



Pogo - Alice
A friend made me discover this absolutely original artist, whose songs are entirely made from sounds extracted from movies. The concept is rivalled in originality only by its result, an entrancing repetition which actually creates good music. Pogo has applied the same concept to other movies such as Mary Poppins and Up, but Alice was most appropriate for this playlist.




Kokusyoku Sumire - Beautiful Violet Forvever
Second on the list of lolita-specific singers, this duo is incredibly creative. They sound like no one else, Sachi's violin and Yuki's voice dominating the scene. Their style is also original, drawing from theatre and circus mainly, but also sometimes looking more historical. They step across the lolita borders for a stunning result. Sometimes their atsmosphere is darker and more classical, but always has that characteristic touch of shrillness that is their trademark. I'll also write more in depth about them later, so no worries!

 I have loads more to share with you, but I'll leave at that for now and save some for later.

And here's for a Halloween treat: Jack, (kawaii) king of the pumpkin patch! He disappeared a few days after I carved him and I only have a few pictures left, thanks to a friend taking them.

November 12, 2011

Brand Spotlight: Mary Magdalene

True, for a brand spotlight, Mary Magdelene isn't the usual up-and-coming brand you'd expect, but I'll explain my choice. Mary Magdalene, though an already acknowledged and well-settled lolita brand, seems to me always under-represented, be it on the internet, in blogs, or in magazines. One of the reasons might be that Victorian Maiden or Innocent World, having much of the same concept, are more covered by media.

Influenced mainly by the victorian era, the brand's name translates its concept: that of  maiden devout and modest, a victorian ideal. It might seem obvious, as all of lolita is influenced by rococo and the victorian era, but I find that in this brand, the inspiration appears more clearly.

                               



The choice in design reflects their concept. The lines are elongating, most cuts using princess seams (all vertical seams) and emphasis being laid on the natural waist . They prefer solids rather than prints, or opt for sparser floral prints than their rival counterpart, Victorian Maiden. The colours are often demure yet elegant pastels/ dusted colors (does that make sense?) , or jewel tones for the autumn-winter collections, in blues, greens or deep reds, edging towards brown.


Mary Magdalene prefers embellishments like pintucks, often seen on their bib-collars, to swathes of lace. Lace is used sparingly but tastefully, in the highest quality. Mary Magdalene also has a slightly retro look on some of its dresses, coming from the use of sailor collars or double rows of big buttons. The necklines are either very high for a modest look, or contrarywise, rather low considering the lolita dos and don'ts, but this gives their dresses a more aristocratic, princessy ball-gown feel I love.
Hair corsages are usually elegant roses pinned to updoes or old-school rectangular headdresses.

      

All in all, MM is a brand that focuses on elegance and modesty, and perhaps a touch more of maturity than can be seen in other brands.


These last two are among their sweeter style. I absolutely love the first one, recently featured on their website, but I'm not sure about the cut of the last one's bodice. Mary Magdalene is one of my favorite classic brands, of you hadn't guessed ;)

Link to their website!

November 4, 2011

More Halloween Crafts (if a bit late)

It may be a little late for this entry, but there it is.
October style

Putting myself at risk of giving off the impression that I'm dressed for Halloween, I do indulge in orange in October, as it seems the only time of the year where I can fit it into lolita, with the trees changing to crimson and gold, and the warm feeling the color gives off.
Cute buckled shoes, brown or black, flat or heeled, give off the witchy and old pilgrim feel.
Tights rather than knee- or OTK-socks become necessary with the coming of cold weather.
I also like knits, like my orange hoodie, which gives off a very cosy feel.
And of course, I just have to paint my nails orange now that I have the color, thanks to a swap with my friend.
Longer skirts are also welcome, and look so nice when they rustle in the dead leaves.
Add black lace gloves to complete an outfit elegantly.

It's my first time using Polyvore, so please bear with me, I'm still finding my way around. And that outfit did turn out very Halloween-ish.

October 29, 2011

October Style

It may be a little late for this entry, but there it is.
October style

Putting myself at risk of giving off the impression that I'm dressed for Halloween, I do indulge in orange in October, as it seems the only time of the year where I can fit it into lolita, with the trees changing to crimson and gold, and the warm feeling the color gives off.
Cute buckled shoes, brown or black, flat or heeled, give off the witchy and old pilgrim feel.
Tights rather than knee- or OTK-socks become necessary with the coming of cold weather.
I also like knits, like my orange hoodie, which gives off a very cosy feel.
And of course, I just have to paint my nails orange now that I have the color, thanks to a swap with my friend.
Longer skirts are also welcome, and look so nice when they rustle in the dead leaves.
Add black lace gloves to complete an outfit elegantly.

It's my first time using Polyvore, so please bear with me, I'm still finding my way around. And that outfit did turn out very Halloween-ish.

October 28, 2011

October DIY

 

October is just the month for craft projects, I find, especially with Halloween coming up! It's the perfect time for making spooky-cute accessories and decorations. So here are a few ideas and links to get ready  for this holiday!

Silhouettes


 For these, all you need is some coloured cardboard paper, some glue and a scalpel, or tiny, sharp nail scissors.Use regular paper to trace the shape you want and get it right, cut this out ( or cut out an image from a magazine) and use as a template to cut out on your cardboard paper. You can even make these for other occasions, like Christmas, or just to decorate your bedroom. I framed my Snow White--looking one and added a nice paper around. You're free to do whatever with these, really, add some ribbons and other tidbits... For other framed ideas...

 Polymer Clay Miniatures

 
Some of my favorites! The off-white miniatures are actually glow in the dark! I also made two hairclips, an orange and a glow-in-the-dark stars. (These are around the size of  my thumb nail).

Origami Stars

 

 Most of my origami stars just sit in a jar, but I used a few yellow and orange ones to create a midnight sky. Here's a link to learn how to make the stars.


 

This idea was taken from this website. I added my own little ink drawings inside and wrote a few lyrics of 'This is Halloween' around for effect. 

Websites you might want to check out for more ideas:
If you're lucky enough to have a doll house to spare
An easy enough centerpiece


Hello all!

Hi everyone! Introducing my new blog about lolita fashion!

Le Boudoir

'Boudoir', as you might know, is french for the room where ladies sat and chatted together. So I hope to discuss with you in my blog about lolita fashion, give and receive advice, and and exchange about matters dear to all lolitas. That's what this blog is all about: sharing experiences as lolitas!

 A word about myself

I'm currently a first year student at university. I'm french, have been interested in lolita for about...3 or 4 years now, but only recently started wearing it daily and building my wardrobe. I mostly make myself, or buy
offbrand / non-lolita clothes, but which suit the style. As to which styles I like in lolita, I hover between EGA/ EGL, sweet, and classic, picking things here and there and mixing it all into my eclectic style. When not in lolita, I still mostly stick to kawaï fashion, and recently I have started looking at dolly kei and mori girl styles.
Oh, a word about my name: Milly is the nickname issued me almost immediately upon my arrival in Great Britain, a short for my real name, Camille.


I'm excited about starting this blog! I hope it will prove interesting to those who will read me!