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Wednesday 28 February 2018

Review: Glitzy Wonderland 1212 Promotion


Way back on 10th December 2017, I  decided to treat myself to something from Glitzy Wonderland's 1212 Promotional Sale since I wasn't tempted by any Lucky Packs at the time. Rather than being random, there were a range of dresses you could choose from (you could also choose the colourway and size) and they would send you some OTKS and if purchased before 12th December you could also get some free ankle socks. 


I decided to buy Starry Sky Lolita Dress in size M since there isn't much black in my Lolita wardrobe. The measurements listed are JUST right but since the dress has shirring in the back, I figured there'd be a fair amount of extra space. 
The original price listed is $99 and the 1212 promo price I bought it at was $39 including free shipping (it's still $39 if you're interested). Converted, that was £30.19 at the time which I thought was STUPIDLY good for a dress, socks and free shipping. 
I had been informed that the handling time was 3 - 5 weeks and the items in the promotion would not be shipped until January and the shipping time would be 2 weeks which was fine by me. 

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After a rather long wait, my parcel finally arrived on 8th February 2018! Let's investigate!

At first glance, it is V pretty and I'm really glad I got it.

I'm a sucker for star, astrology and constellation themes and I LOVE the fabric! The gold is very pretty and striking and there's a bit of relief, it's not just a flat print. The feel of the fabric is also very nice and it's very comfy to wear. 

The lace trim also features little stars which is a very nice, V cute detail.


Unfortunately this is where there were some differences from the stock images. The bodice overall is V pretty and I like that the starry lace is used there as well and the little gold trims are a nice detail. 
However, upon closer inspection, the buttons aren't quite aligned correctly and you can still see the tailors chalk, marking their correct places - I fix!

The strap fastenings are also different. The button is on the outside meaning the strap would hang out and be visible - I fix!

 
The buttons for the waist ties are also different. While the star button it's supposed to have is more aesthetically pleasing, the round button will be easier to work with so I don't mind this difference.

Extra bits! Bow, waist ties and corset lacing - check! But where is the plain black bow with the long tails??? For such a simple bow and low price, I didn't bother complaining about it. 

Surprise time!

Not going to lie, I was the most excited to see what socks I would get (that's pretty sad to be fair ^^') and also not going to lie, I was like 'what are thooooose?' hahahaha! The baby pink lace ribbons on those black socks are so silly! I will probably detach them and add some black lace since miraculously, I no longer have black OTKS. The pink ankle socks are cute but I'm pretty sure this is a funny shade of pink that doesn't go with any of my pink Lolita bits and the faux leathery ribbons are a bit odd?

Final Thoughts

Despite all the little hiccups and the missing bow, I am pretty happy with my purchase and I still LOVE the fabric this dress is made of and am glad I bought it.
Fit: 10/10 - still a little space as predicted.
Price: $39 (free shipping) - a STUPIDLY good price really!
Communication: 9/10 - Long time between updates, emails replied fairly swiftly. 
Verdict: 9/10 - would buy from Glitzy Wonderland again!

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All is forgiven for the sake of how cheap this was, like you really can't complain because you can't have total A grade tailoring for £30.19! I essentially got what I thought I was getting and even got a bit of a giggle from my daft socks!
Would definitely buy something else in one of their promotions. 

- Part Time 小姐



Friday 16 February 2018

Happy New Year! 恭喜發財!

Happy New Year guys ~ 

Every year I try to do a drawing for Chinese New Year so here is my offering for the year of the dog with work in progress pics! 


 
Recycling some line art from an existing drawing because I left it rather late. Also, you can't beat a corgi if you want cute borks!

Some dorrah and mandarins to welcome in luck and prosperity - 祝大家大吉大利!

Some colours for this cute doggo!

Double luck and Chinese paper cutting background

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And here we are! 
Wishing everyone a year where everything goes accordingly, smooth and safe travels, plenty to spare and most importantly, happiness!

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祝大家新年快樂, 心想事成!
萬事如意,  出入平安!
年年有餘, 笑口常開!

- Part Time 小姐


Wednesday 14 February 2018

Review: In the Name of the Moon... It's time to get Lucky!



Back on 7th January I caved and bought the medium Sailor Moon Lucky Pack from aitaikuji.com and I received it last weekend so let's see if I managed to get lucky!



It came in a neat little package with an invoice and an 'about us' leaflet alongside the actual lucky pack. It is extremely red as expected!


The contents. There are 4 things in this lucky pack - good things come in pairs right? Let's take a closer look! 


Two very cute flannels! These are totally too cute to use, I will most likely end up keeping them as merch because they're so pretty!


It is time to live out my magical girl dreams! Though it's not one of Usagi's transformation brooches (let's be realistic, I'm not THAT lucky!) I'm really pleased with these! 

Final Thoughts
Overall a great Lucky Pack experience! Good service, nice neat packaging and lovely content!
Price: $25 + postage 
Verdict: 10/10 would buy again!

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I'm really pleased with my first Lucky Pack experience! How was yours?

- Part Time 小姐

Wednesday 7 February 2018

My 古装 Fantasies

Historical costume and Wuxia have always been my favourite genres in regards to Chinese dramas. Admittedly there are a LOT of recycled plots, especially with harem dramas but the costumes and styling is always beautiful!

A selection from Pinterest

I've spent a lot of time looking at Hanfu and Qipao while wishing I could wear them but I've always thought I'd never really have the opportunity to wear that kind of thing. However,  since watching Empress of China and becoming more confident in my sewing,  I am very keen to maybe simplify or adapt them so I can live out my 古装 fantasies! 


A selection from Pinterest showing 'modernised' ways to wear Hanfu and Qipao. 

To begin with I think I will aim to make something along the lines of these as the garment will be much more wearable and will maybe ease me in to some more elaborate things.

A Grade Inspo
Empress of China | 3 Lives 3 Worlds 10 Miles of Peach Blossom | Love in Han Yuan

I really enjoy all the costumes in these dramas!

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So let's see how many of these I will rewatch and how long it will take me to actually make something! Have you ever made something inspired by historical costumes?

- Part Time 小姐

NOTE: 古装 (pronounced Gu3 Zhang1 in Mandarin and 'Gu Jong' in Cantonese) literally means 'ancient clothing', it is mostly used in Cantonese to refer to a historical costume drama. 

Monday 5 February 2018

Strawberries & Gingham - January Sewalong

I joined the Lolita Sewing Collective on Facebook and decided to take part in the monthly sewalong as I'd like to sew more this year. Hopefully it will help motivate and inspire me and help me cut down on my fabric stash - I have a LOT of fabric ^^'


Today I'd like to share what I made in January's Sewalong!

- An elasticated skirt
- An Alice Bow
- Neck tie
- Drop pendant

There's a lot of freedom in the sewalongs, you can make EVERYTHING or just what you fancy. I joined in a little late, uploading my design and plans on 17th January.



I've made elasticated skirts before so I added a ruffle hem, pockets and detachable bows to my skirt. I had originally planned to add a lining too but it turns out I didn't have the fabric for it so I omitted it since the aim is certainly NOT to buy more fabric!

My design/ attempt to use up some leftover fabric


I cut the pieces on 19th but put the sewing off for a couple of days. I sewed the main body, waistband and pockets on 22nd. Generally this was very quick and easy, especially since I'd already ironed the waistband ahead of time. The trickiest part was the pockets. I'd not sewn pockets in a while so ended up sewing the first one wrong - oops! 

I felt pretty good about getting so much done so I went ahead and made the bows too!



Ta-da!
I had to substitute the white ruffle with some cotton lace since I couldn't find any white cotton (who doesn't own white cotton???) but I think it's still cute and adds to the country feel. Brooch backs were added to the bows and wahey! My January Sewalong skirt was completed before the end of the month!

I'm really pleased with myself! Hopefully I'll be on the ball for the February Sewalong!

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So that's 1 fabric down! I still have a bit of gingham left but I might make a matching headbow. Any other suggestions for leftover fabric are welcome! 
Are you a fabric hoarder? Perhaps one day I'll do a share of whats in my fabric stash!

- Part Time 小姐

Myths of Our Own - Lads on Tour

This is a VERY late post - I have no excuses other than I'm rubbish at blogging. Anyway, welcome to the first of a series of blog pos...