Christmas Tree Inspiration!

It’s the beginning of December and that means CHRISTMAS TREES!! If you’re anything like me, you will have spent the past month obsessing over the theme of this Christmas, making mood boards, generally squee-ing whenever anyone mentions Christmas (or you remember Christmas is coming scaring everyone around you), and/or blurting out Christmas items you see in shop windows like you have seasonal festive Tourettes (again, scaring everyone around you). So if you’re stuck or you’re like me, you just like looking at pictures of Christmas trees and losing half your working day, then I’ve got a few different themes to help you get started! #kawaiichristmas

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Kawaii pink tree inspiration

The pink tree has quite a following now, which means you can pick up the pink bases quite cheaply from a lot of different retailers, and is PERFECT for decorating with your favourite kawaii items! Kawaii Le Cuirot of staysuperkawaii.blogspot.co.uk has done an amaaaazing job on her kawaii tree: http://staysuperkawaii.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/hello-kitty-christmas-cute-decorations.html

As you can see, there is a no-holds-barred element to pink trees – got a cute plushie? PUT THAT ON! Printout of a cupcake? GET ON MAH TREE! Earrings you don’t wear anymore? PURPOSE FOUND. Luckily this means that it shouldn’t cost you loads of money to really go OTT with the tree decorating, as half the stuff you’ll already own! It’s just a case of balancing it all out with some well-placed baubles.

Small pink tree base (£7): http://www.diy.com/departments/3ft-pink-christmas-tree/766764_BQ.prd

Small white tree base (£5.99) : http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/christmas-shop/artificial-christmas-trees/3ft-white-geneva-christmas-tree-081241 

Large white tree base (£19.99) : http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/christmas-shop/artificial-christmas-trees/5ft-white-shimmer-christmas-tree-081436

Selection of cute string lights!! : https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SHARPEandLIGHTs

Blue tree inspiration! (I’m not Frozen obsessed at all…)

Blue based Christmas trees are very hard to come by, and if you do find them, they’re pain-inducingly expensive, so your best bet is to go for a snow-effect tree, or a white tree – that way you’ll make sure your blue decorations really stand out. I’ll be uploading my tutorial on getting a snow-effect on your tree for £3 rather than paying through the roof for a pre-made one – so watch this space, my Christmas lovers!

Common motifs for the blue effect (or the LET IT GOOOOO effect as I like to call it… once again, not Frozen obsessed) are snowflakes, pinecones, snow generally, and if the last picture is to be believed, snowmen dressed as babies, which I think is a must-have. Stock up on white ribbon, and some standard blue and silver baubles and your base is ready to go – you can always customise them later (tutorial to come)!

Blue Decoration Collection from Wilko (UK): http://www.wilko.com/odyssey-decoration-collection/icat/odyssey-dec-collection#esp_pg=1 

Snow Effect Christmas Tree (£59.99): http://www.therange.co.uk/2.1m-slim-lapland-flocked-spruce-christmas-tree-7ft/snow-trees/the-range/fcp-product/58986

Nice and red and ‘sort of’ traditional trees

I say ‘sort of’ because I’m not really hugely into traditional style trees myself, but these are probably as close as I’ll ever get to a traditional tree, and it’s best to out up some inspiration for red trees as so many of you love it 🙂 As with the blue trees, red artificial trees are rare, so the best bases to go for are the white base, or the normal green base (with or without the snow effect, up to you). Red is a very strong colour, so balance it out with some well-placed white decorations. Or go completely loony and go Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed like the bottom-left tree!

6ft Green Artifical Tree from Wilko (UK) (£20): http://www.wilko.com/invt/0322331

Red Decoration Collection from Wilko (UK): http://www.wilko.com/pixie-decoration-collection/icat/pixie-dec-collection#esp_pg=1

Red Tree Topper from Homebase: http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/christmas-shop/christmas-tree-decorations/glittered-red-star-tree-topper-275732

Aaand, some random inspiration!

I SUMMON YOU GLOVE-TREE TO DO MY EVIL MERRY BIDDING…. HO HO HO!! FINGER-LICKIN’ CHRISTMAS

Nyan-cat tree, a stroke of absolute genius. I salute you, clever meme-loving Christmas friend.

And obligatory cat-picture, of course. If I was a fuzzy feline, I too would attempt to stage dive the tree. You’re my hero, Cat God of Christmas Rock.

So Christmas-obsessives out there – let me see your trees! ESPECIALLY IF THEY’RE KAWAII!! Spread the Kawaii Christmas luuuurve about and don’t forget to check back for the upcoming tutorials!

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Christmas Lolita Co-ord Outfits!

♥ Christmas Lolita Outfits ♥

Christmas is almost upon us which means we can let down our hair, and get our creative brains on for some exciting Lolita co-ords! Now, I’m a fan of going a bit ‘out there’ with styles and seasons, so here’s some themed lolita outfits that I’ve concocted with some jolly yuletide characters in mind, with some makeup tutorials to help you complete the look! Let me know what you think, and I’d love to see your Christmas themed co-ords too! GET FUNKY AND CREATIVE MY LOLITA WONDER PUFFS!!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Lolita

RUDOLPH PRISM POWER, MAKE UP~~!

Antler headband: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Sister21 Wig: Ebay (off-brand), Heart hair clips: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PoppyBows Blouse: Angelic Pretty, Socks: Angelic Pretty, Dress: http://www.lightinthebox.com Bag: BTSSB, Shoes: Angelic Pretty Hairbow: BTSSB, Earrings: Angelic Pretty

North Pole Elf Lolita

GET TO THE WORKSHOP, SMALL ELVEN CREATURE!

Elf ear clips: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Sister21 Headbow: BTSSB, Dress: http://www.solilor.com/ Belt: Ebay (off-brand) Socks: Angelic Pretty, Shoes: http://www.myesoul.com/ Candycane necklace: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/sugarandvicedesigns Candycane bauble earrings: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Pizzelwaddels Wig: Ebay (off-brand)

Christmas Angel Lolita

SPREAD THOSE CHRISTMAS WISHES!

Wig: Geisha wigs, Blouse: http://www.lightinthebox.com Dress: http://www.lightinthebox.com Shoes: http://www.lightinthebox.com Headdress: BTSSB, Earrings: http://www.lightinthebox.com Bracelet and Ring: http://www.lightinthebox.com Angel wing hair clips: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/kittywooddesigns Wings: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ShirleyTemplesTutus Tights: Angelic Pretty

Ice Princess Lolita

LET IT GOOOO, LET IT GOOOOOOOO!

Shoes: Bodyline, Tights: Angelic Pretty, Wig: Ebay (off-brand), Hairbow: Angelic Pretty, Blouse: http://www.lightinthebox.com Snowflake earrings: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Mindielee Snowflake necklace: Ebay (off-brand), JSK: BTSSB, Moon bag: Ebay (off-brand), Snowflake hair clips: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/nemehairbows

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Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2014!

HYPER JAPAN CHRISTMAS MARKET!

http://hyperjapan.co.uk/

 London was the place to be for the Hyper Japan Christmas Market – just to get our last dose of Japanese culture, food, kawaii and awesomeness before the lunacy of Christmas kicks off! Was so nice to see so many people arrive dressed to the nines – effort is definitely increasing each year you lovely, lovely Japanese fashion lovers out there! Anyone who was there, say hi! And then we can squee over how awesome it was 😀

My make-up for the Friday of Hyper Japan. I went for a kitty-fairy kei style, with big pad pad paws to add, which I used to give passers-by a severe biff attack on the nose and then a RUN AWAAAAAY for added measure. Although the pink corset was a bit restricting and hot after a while. SIGHTS WERE SEEN NONETHELESS. There was a video of the aforementioned biffing, except on an unsuspecting snowflake, so when I work out how to pop it onto Youtube, I’ll share it 🙂 And so! Onto the event!!

Dreamy Bows (http://www.dreamybows.com/) had their gorgeous pretty-in-pink stall, and were selling OFFICIAL SAILOR MOON MERCHANDISE!! Just look at those compacts… In fact, just look at everything. MOON PRISM POWER, MAKE UP~~~~! That reminds me, need to watch Act.10 of Sailor Moon Crystal. And if you’ve seen it, do a dance 😀 The performers at Gypsy Pyksy (http://www.gypsypyksy.com/) enjoying a bit of pink power!

After being in Japan and hanging out at the Japanese Yatai stalls, coming to Hyper Japan and seeing the food stalls here was like being back again, the smells, the layouts, the energy and excitement, all a very authentic experience at Hyper Japan. As a Vegetarian, your food choices at these typical yatai stalls are very limited, but you can pick up Vegetable Yakisoba at most stalls, which are so tasty you’ll go back for a second helping. For you meaty-eaters out there, you can’t go wrong with takoyaki (octopus balls). They’re not literally the balls of an octopus, because octopuses don’t have testicles to start off with, and I know Japanese food gets a bad rap for being weird, but come on, it’s not ‘eat-the-balls-of-animals’ weird.

There was an incredible stall near the centre on the bottom level which sold beautiful kimonos, haoris, yukata, geta and tabi socks – if anyone can remember the name of the stall, let me know and I’ll link them on the blog. The green furisode kimono I had my eye on was 998 EUROS!! Bargain by first-hand kimono standards, and lime green isn’t right for this time of year anyway, but still… OH GOD THOSE KIMONOS O.O

Just all of the cute… I just cannot. CANNOT. Rikkakuma heads in the back with the Totoro, I just want to smoosh my face into it and melt into a river of cute. Yes, a fitting end.

What an amazing and just down-right fabulous Card Captor Sakura cosplayer. Just all of the kawaii, and so on point. Pose is perfect! And the hair, just all of it. Yes, all of it. OMOCHIKAERI~~~~~

Just some of the kawaii ladies at the event, lots of Fairy Kei and Lolita. I especially love the Rococo Hime look in the centre, so refined, and just look at that bag… I wish I had asked where it was from! If anyone knows please let me know! Also, if you’re one of these fine lovelies, get in touch and I’ll link your sites/blogs on here! Also… GIANT HELLO KITTY UWAAAAAA~~~~~ Yes, just had a bit of a kawaii vom. Mmmmm sparkly regurgitation. (Also, big versions of the above images are available on my Twitter – https://twitter.com/spookyruthy or just drop me an email and I’ll send them to you)

And finally, my Shironuri makeup for the Fashion Show on Sunday. Wig and Headpiece by Ghoulia’s Peculiars (https://www.facebook.com/ghouliaspeculiars) SHE A TALENTED LADY, YOU GO THERE AND HAVE A LADY FAP OVER THE WIGS AND ALL THE PRETTIES. Not literally. Ew. FOR SHAME.

So all in all, Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2014, a big big success. It gets bigger every year and I can’t wait for the next one in July (date to be confirmed)! I WANT MY YATAI FOOD DAMMIT!! And if I don’t get my kawaii dose, I’ll have to do something drastic, like up my caffeine intake.

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Cute Bento Boxes… THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

Cute Bento boxes

Cute bento… how many times have I wanted to have someone wake me up in the morning to hand me a gorgeously hand-crafted bento lunchbox, so I can run out of the house kawaii-style shouting ‘ITTE KIMASU!’ at the top of my lungs REGARDLESS if I’m understood or not? Yep, not even once. THAT WILL NEVER STOP MY DREAMS. TT_TT

But every so often I love to daydream and stare at photos and live the aforementioned scene over and over in my head with various elements added. Toast hanging from my mouth, killer bees chasing me, being followed by my Magical Mascot Character who talks but I haven’t discovered that just yet but will do once I get to school and some kind of demon attacks my entire class, at which point I power up and spin around naked while new clothes appear and doom glitter is rained down upon said demon, and yet I must retain my anonymity, and so magical mascot makes everyone forget with a swish of the MAGIC TAIL and then I eat my amazing cute bento with Hello Kitty chopsticks and a Tee-hee thrown in for good measure.

Ah, dreams.

So here are some of my favourite cute bentos and a brilliant tutorial on making your own kawaii bento box!

Those pandas… HELP ME O.O THOSE PANDAS! And kitty-onigiri… I feel the kawaii squish monster descending upon me. CAN I EAT THEM ALL YET??

MY FAVOURITE BENTO SUPPLIERS:

http://en.bentoandco.com/

Sleek and easy-to-use-website, great prices!

http://www.from-japan-with-love.com/ourshop/cat_886484-Bento-Boxes-And-Accessories-35-Off.html

Having a sale on at the moment – do you need any more excuse to pick up something cute to eat out of?

http://www.tofucute.com/bento-kitchen~c1_604.html

And Tofu Cute ALWAYS delivers the cute, look no further for bento boxes that make you all squishy inside!

If you make a kawaii bento, link me and I will dribble over it for the next year! Huuuuungry…..

Eeeeek….. A blog!

EEEK! …A BLOG!!

I’ve had this blog a long time, uhm-ing and ah-ing over which direction to take it, what I was doing at the time, and then I’d inevitably get distracted by either cookies or glitter and then -WHAM BAM- still no start of blog in sight….

Well no more, procrastination brain! Today we start a new kawaii-filled journey! With chocolate sprinkles and stuff on it too, with a side of strawberry ice-cream TO FINISH IT OFF.

Wait, this isn’t about a finish – this is about a start! So to bless this first post (and hopefully to punch my procrastination brain into a semblence of a routine) I shall bless it with the power of TAMAGO NIGIRI CAT.

GO MY FELINE SUSHI CHARM! FLEE WILDLY INTO THE BLOG WORLD AND BRING ME PROSPERITY IN THE FORM OF CHOCOLATE MICE AND PASTEL COLOURS!