Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Cupcake of the Week: Cako


This is a special "Cupcake of the Week" as I'm in San Francisco for the week. Cako is a local cupcake bakery in the Bay Area. They have your regular flavors like red velvet and vanilla to the more eccentric like maple bacon and pink lemonade. Also something called a "Rich and Famous" - essentially chocolate ganache frosting with chocolate cake.


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

2012 Holiday Window Displays in NYC

Window Browsing is Better than Shopping.
Holidays are often the best times for tourists with chance to see New York City during their vacation.  For New Yorkers its also a time to brood and avoid all the any plans that involve remotely going near main points of traffic.

However there is one that thing that both tend to enjoy is the holiday window displays.  People line up and wait just to see what will light up and what new themes stores have come up with.

Like the ice rinks that open, the special markets that open during this time of year, stores get into the season by decorating their windows with images that inspire anyone to take their camera out. I personally recommend starting midtown and walking up. Depending on the time of day you can visit them all in one day - be prepared to brave crowds and have your walking shoes on.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Cupcake of the Week: LovelyLeeSoaps

This cupcake is actually soap!  This was in my gift bag from International Lolita Day at Lady Mendl's.  From the creative mind of LoveLeeSoaps, this is a gift that's too good to use.  Her shop has all types of food shape soaps from cupcakes to PopTarts to even pie!

But as a future tip for those who keep getting fragrant smelling things, you can always put them in your clothes/craft/fabric drawers!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

What's in a Name?

Will the real Lolita please stand up?
When I first started wearing Lolita, I would always avoid the term with a passion. Mainly because of its Western connotation to Vladimir Nabakov's novel of the same name. However after four years I can confirm that the only aspect the novel and the Japanese fashion have in common is a reverence for youthful appearance.

To this day I tend to respond "We've decided to dress up." when others asking what or why are you wearing such clothes.  People respond better to this and there's no need to include "Lolita" in your response.  However if people are persistence, then if you must use the term "Lolita fashion."  Only when you have no other options.

People within this fashion community have attempted to relabel Lolita but to no avail. As such instead of relabeling the fashion, relabel yourself.

If you are taking the plunge or having second thoughts whether you should try Lolita fashion - remember it is just a name. Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.  While it's true that words do hurt you, it hurts only a little bit at first.  And if you have the right petticoat and the right amount of friends, they will just bounce off.

You are not a Lolita, you are you.  It just so happens you like to wear clothes with a petticoat and blouses with puffed sleeves. The label Lolita is attached to style of dress, not you.  Giving a name power by calling it taboo is absurd, because at the end of the day you are wearing a blouse/skirt/one-piece/jumperskirt from Angelic Pretty/ Baby the Stars Shine Bright/ Innocent World/ Metamorphose/etc.  These happen to be designer brands associated with Lolita fashion.

While it does feel like a magical girl transformation from regular you to Lolita you -- you are still the same underneath.  Nothing changes.  "Lolita" is just a name.

So pronounce it with me (it's on the tip of your tongue).

Lo. Lee. Ta.