I’ve been saving this special post for Easter and now you see why.

The outfit you saw yesterday was for a very special tea party held by One Day in Paradise to celebrate the launch of Australia’s first lolita print from the wonderful Vitae Clothing!  For those of you that don’t know them, Vitae Clothing are an Adelaide based lolita clothing brand.  Each piece is hand made with an eye for detail and quality; yet another reason they make it onto my ‘love list’.

So, back to the tea party.  After I was all frocked up I headed into the One Day in Paradise store where the party was held, to meet with some of Melbourne’s Loli girls and eat the best macaroons I’ve ever had.  As expected, it was a wonderland of pink frills, hearts, bows, lace and tiny hats. Yes, like a tea party in Wonderland, especially given what appeared to be the presence of a small chicken drinking my tea!

There was an awful lot of excitement at this particular party, as given that the Lolita scene in Australia is relatively small, the milestone of having a first, homegrown print is a pretty big deal.  The whole alternative fashion scene is a hotbed of creative talent and the Lolita scene is no exception.  What I find the most admirable about these creatives, is that they follow their passions becasue of just that. Passion.  They have a head full of dreams, ideas and beautiful pictures that they spend all their time finding ways to spread to the world.

Kelly Nicholas is the designer behind Vitae Clothing’s brand spanking new print is called “Usagi’s High Tea”. A bunny, chicken, duckling, strawberry scone covered delight.  It is a border print with little strawberries and love hearts across the body, and has tiny heart button details on the JSK version. Because all the Vitae Clothing is custom made by hand, the print comes in both the JSK style or in a skirt only which allows for more versatility. The only problem I had was deciding which one was the best choice for me!

Vitae Clothing has come together with One Day in Paradise who will be the sole retailer for the “Uasgi’s High Tea” print, and the lovely Marie is coordinating the flow of be-ribboned bunny goodness for all the Lolita loving girls.

Luckily, you don’t have to wait for this one as it is now available for order through the One Day in Paradise online store with all sizing, hair bow and colour way information available there.  The print comes in a Pink, Blue, White or Black colour way.  Guess which one I’ll be wearing? And because it’s Easter, Vitae Clothing and One Day in Paradise have given me ……

ONE WHOLE JSK dress to give away to you!!

This is an extra special competition as the winner will receive:

The exclusive “Usagi’s High Tea“ print JSK in the colour way of their choosing

Made to measure just for you and valued at $170!

How to enter:

Leave a comment on this post that tells me why you love One Day in Paradise, Vitae and Bunnies.

Make sure that your comment comes from a valid email address so we can contact you later!

The Winner:

Will be drawn by random number generator on Monday 12th April AEST

Terms & conditions:

You may only enter once for this giveaway.

By entering, you agree that your email will be supplied to One Day in Paradise and that you agree to be placed on their mailing list.

The prize is not redeemable for cash.

So what are you waiting for? Let me know just how much you love Usagi’s High Tea and a brand new dress could be all yours!

EDIT: ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED. The Results Will Be Drawn Soon!

There was a very special tea party to attend the other week. A tea party you’ll see and hear more about a little later, but first up its all about the outfit.

Lolita styles are not something I’ve really added to my wardrobe.  I love the colours, the frills, the prints; but I also know that for me they just don’t work head to toe.  So as usual, I’ve taken the elements of what I love about the style and worked it up to create something very ‘me’.

The whole outfit was so much fun to put together and so much fun to wear.  And the hair? Well that is the result of setting small pin curls for 24 hours then letting them go wild!

The skirt is by Japanese Gothic Lolita brand Body Line which I actually found here in Melbourne at the One Day in Paradise store.  I loved the pink and black striping as well as the cotton lace detail and tulle underskirt.  Apparently it can be worn with petticoats underneath too, but it had enough volume for me as is this time.  The print is all fruits and icecream with little flecks of glitter here and there too, as well as black satin ribon woven through the hem of the lace.

Where did it all come from? Surprisingly, other than the skirt, I already had all these other pieces in the wardrobe.  It just required a fresh set of eyes looking through the drawers to pull it all together.

Outfit Details

Pink Fascinator and Pink and black bow (minus the little tiara) - Hoplessly Devoted on Etsy

Mini Tiara hair clip (worn in fascinator) – Paragon Department store Bangkok

Black satin shirt – Cue Winter ‘09

Skirt - Body Line

Red Opaques – Columbine

Shoes – “Japan” by Wittner

“Love” necklace – by Equip

Pink cake ring – Sweet & Co.

Lashes- Eylure at Priceline

Lipstick – ‘Strawberry’ Loreal Sheer Delice Gelee.

This week’s nails.

Yes, my nail art has been getting progressively more intense of late which surprises me as I’ve never been a fan of traditional nail art. You know the kind, airbrushed palm trees applied by a suburban nail salon – it just isn’t my thing.  But my trip to Japan in late ‘08 opened my eyes to the wonders of full deco style, Japanese nail art and a whole new level of craziness ensued.

At first I thought I’d be destined to forever look and not touch, or perhaps only get the chance to wear them on a special occasion.  Lately, though, all my experimenting has paid off and I can now wear something this OTT without any dramas and they last up to three weeks!  Of course, all this be-dazzled fun has lead to numerous stares, smiles and of course questions.

Who does your nails?

I do.  I have had some great support and advice though from friends like Violet Le Beaux and her nail adventures ( she makes awesome sets of these for Etsy if you don’t feel up to it yourself), as well as brilliant inspiration from forums like this.

I can’t afford the time or the cost to have them done in a salon every week, so this is the best solution for my lifestyle.

Are they real?

No, they are stick on acrylics.  This means that I can make several sets of different styles all at once, like a craft project to wear later.

How long do they stay on?

Generally, with a bit of care, they will last 2-3 weeks.  Occasionally one will pop off but I carry glue in my makeup bag for emergency touch ups. The glue I use is “Fingrs” with the red top, they say it is professional strength.

Do they damage your natural nails?

To a degree. Just like applied acrylics or gels, they leave the natural nail softer underneath.  It pays to remove them and give them time to breathe between sets to ensure that the nail beds stay healthy.

How do you get them off?

I don’t use any chemicals like acetone to remove them, simply warm water.  I soak my hands in a bowl for 10-15 minutes and the water gets in and separates the glue, then I can just peel them straight off!  This also means that washing dishes and activities like that should always be done with gloves to extend their life.

How do you do anything with nails like that? I couldn’t possibly do anything!

You’d be surprised just how much I can do.  Washing, cleaning, washing dogs, typing, playing with kids, crafting, cooking, threading needles…. just about everything! The only tricky thing is stuff like trying to peel stickers and do up fiddly little buttons.  The trick is all in the length you choose which is why for me, I generally choose the short sqaure length and only have long ovals for particular occasions.  I do get a few more typos wearing these nails, but nothing too serious.

But what about all the bling, does it stay on?

Pretty much. I may loose a diamante or two in three weeks, but overall they are great.  It is all in how well they are applied and how long you let them dry.  I apply the decorations with superglue, give everything a finishing lacquer coat and let them dry for at least 24 hours.

Where do you get your ideas?

From that dangerous place called my brain! Seriously, sometimes I know exactly the result I want, other times I start with a colour or mood in mind and spend a few hours in front of the T.V painting one by one as ideas strike.

Are they expensive?

Not at all. A box of 200 nails is available at Priceline for $14.95.  I tend to buy $3 polishes with the odd fancy $20 bottle thrown in. Diamantes, pearls etc I get from various craft supply stores, eBay, even the Reject shop.  So each set comes out at only a few dollars if that.  Pretty great for a three week manicure!

So, that should just about cover it, but if you have any more questions please feel free to ask away in the comments.

If this has inspired you to give it a go, check out these blogs for loads more information, polish reviews and great colour ideas.

Nixxy’s Nails

You’ve Got Nail

Sterling Nails

Never Too Much Glitter

Over the last few outfit posts you will have seen a few extremely cute new additions to my wardrobe like this stunning purple cardigan and these bow bangles. Each of these pieces are by local Melbourne label Friends of Couture.  I absolutely love Friends of Couture and you will have seen me wearing their pieces for some time now, remember this little lamb cardigan? Occasionally you come across a collection that you think to yourself, ” Oh that is all so me, I just have to have it!”, well that is the way I feel about everything FOC does.  They have a brilliant knack of combining vintage inspirations with super cute detail and modern chic, which  is why when they invited me to review their latest collection, Paris After Dark, I jumped at the opportunity.

Jo Matheson, (chief designer) and Candice DeVille aka Super  Kawaii Mama

Nicole looks stunning in the “Little Red Ridinghood” dress is azure blue with the red striped Matelot top underneath.

Paris After Dark is the new Autumn Winter 2010 range by Friends of Coutures head designer Jo Matheson.  Inspired by the romance of vintage lines and a strong traditionally French colour palette, Jo has created something that is both wearable, collectable and very very head turning. The collection takes a journey from the flirty and feminine lines of sweet floral chiffon with a distinctly 1930’s flavour and meanders through to stunning, slightly puffed sleeved cardigan with beaded art deco detailing. I particularly love the Hotel DeVille cardigan in a soft, buttery cream wool with deep blue beading.  There are the iconic pieces that take wardrobe staples and give them just that much more punch by creating a strongly waisted silhouette and drenching you in azure blue; as well as classic boat necked tee’s with stripes that Gigi would have been proud to wear.

Jo Matheson is responsible for the beautiful Paris After Dark collection.

Hotel DeVille Cardigan (left) clearly must have been named after me! Little Drummer Girl cardigan (right).

The feminine detailing doesn’t stop at the figure flattering cuts, but continues through to corsages, bows (that can even be worn in the hair!), tulle skirts and the softest of soft cropped angora cardigans. (I don’t know about you, but the snuggle factor of angora wins me over every time.)  I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to find a local, accessible label that knows how to combine current trends with timeless classics in such a seamless way. For example, they’ve taken the military feel (so popular in that Balmain jacket) and managed to capture the essence of the style in soft, wearable cardigans that make the most of our assets without having to cash in any to buy them!

When I start to think about “Paris After Dark”, my mind drifts to Parisian bordellos (clearly I watch too many films), smoky eyed women in sumptuous fabrics, with kissable lips and strokable hips.  Jo has woven this intensity and edginess into some of the darker pieces in the range using velvet and sequins (bows!), strong shoulder lines and strategically placed zippers. While our Parisian girl by day may be all feminine pinks or jaunty stripes, at night her walk takes on just a little more wiggle in body con electric blue, violet and black.

Oh, and for those of you who have been drooling over my high waisted jeans… let me tell you, this collection has the most amazing pair of wide legged, high waisted black pants, Sartori.  With flat fronts, button detailing, even button on suspenders; when I tried these on, they fit like a glove and I even gave a little Squee in the dressing room.  You are going to LOVE them. ( Watch out for an outfit post with them next week.)

See them on the left? Awesome Sartori pants!

Friends of Couture pieces get my seal of approval for not only being infinitely stylish and cute, but also for their quality. I’ve worn some of their pieces over and over and over again in the last three years, washing the knit wear and popping it back on the next day, and they have kept their shape, their colour and their edge. I can’t say that for a lot of modern pieces in my wardrobe, especially not those others of a comparative price.

Yes, I could go on and on about how fab this range is, but you really must see it for yourself.  If you are in Melbourne you can head straight to the stores at:

225 Chapel street, Prahan

186 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Melbourne CBD 311 Swanston Street, Melbourne

And, because one can’t possibly not share something this good with the rest of the world, you can get your hands on some of these fantastic pieces for a ONE DAY ONLY 20% off Valentines Day Sale in the online store!! Just enter “bemyvalentine” at the coupon section at the checkout for 20% off on ALL stock!

***EDIT: Just to clarify they do sell online and will ship to ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! So get in there while the Aussie dollar is still a bargain!***

So yay for awesome new designs and a great big yay for special sales too!!

Hold onto your hats friends, because today’s hair tutorial is a never before attempted feat of daring!

Two of my blogging buddies (who are also well known for creating fun and interesting tutorials) and I were having a little chat one evening when we came up with this idea. It went something like this, “Hi Violet, Hi Cheesie. You know how much we love doing awesome hair tutorials? Well how about we try this?”

It is a simple and fun hair do you’ve seen me wear an casual days and asked for a tutorial on. It’s also one you can customise to your own style.

Enjoy!

You can visit the awesome Violet Le Beaux and Cheesie to see more of their fun tutorials!