Review #44: Lolita Desu Lucky Pack

I received some money for Christmas and of course, I spent it on lolita because what else? I actually ordered this before Christmas though, because Lolita Desu was offering 10% off their lucky packs until Christmas.

Now, a little bit of backstory. I've been aware of the Lolita Desu lucky packs for a while, and reviews are all positive, but I've never really seriously considered getting one. This year I was hoping to buy a lucky pack around Christmas. But I didn't like any of the special sets, and didn't want to get a Metamorphose skirt pack because I really don't want more skirts, so I was left wanting to buy some kind of lolita surprise and not having any options. Then, like a sign from above, in the lucky pack thread on CGL someone shared the contents of an XXL pack they ordered, and I was impressed. So I decided to just go for it.

I ordered a Large/Big pack on 24/12, which after the discount was listed on their site as $301AUD. However, the site is in USD so even though it converted to AUD I still got charged at the PayPal conversion rate when checking out so it was actually $312 - just something for non-US currency users to be aware of! I chose the free shipping which was an option since it cost over $150. I knew they were closed until 30/12, and their website specifies an average of 2-4 weeks to make up a pack, so I was not expecting it until late January at the earliest.

However, February rolled around without my order status changing from Awaiting Fulfilment so on the 2nd I went onto my account to send a message to make sure my order hadn't somehow slipped through the cracks. But then I saw that status was now Awaiting Shipment and then later that day I got an email with a tracking number. So they did put the pack together within their 2-4 week time frame.

The pack arrived on 10 February. Their free airmail shipping is stated to arrive in 5-15 days, and generally shipping to Australia from Japan isn't so bad, so I was expecting it on the early side of the time scale and it was. The only thing was the tracking never updated after it left Japan, so when I got a text from James while I was at work saying it had arrived it was a real surprise! So that was the ordering process ^__^

For those who don't know, Lolita Desu lucky packs come in four sizes, and you can specify what you do and don't want to receive as well as your sizing. They don't guarantee they'll give you the things that you want, but do guarantee items will fit the given measurements and will not be the items or colours you'd specified you didn't want. Which I think is pretty fantastic, to be honest, because you can get the surprise of a blind bag without any major disappointment.

I gave fairly broad specifications of what I wanted because I don't have a single theme going on in my wardrobe. In summary I asked for:

• Warm colours, no typical sweet pastels (but everything is okay as part of a print).
• Preferred brands of Innocent World and Metamorphose (no exclusions).
• Preferred styles of classic and sweet-classic (excluding everything else).
• Preferred themes of florals, regimental stripes, tartan, cats, chocolate or food prints (brown only), strawberry, cherry or candy prints (black only), and solids are okay.
• Desired items were JSKs, OPs, blouses, OTKS and headwear; excluded items were salopettes, UTKS and tights.
• I also listed in the additional comments sections some specific items (like lace-topped OTKS in basic colours, fawn fur items and some specific boleros/blouses) that I've been wanting/needing, though I did also note that I know it's not how these work and that I really didn't have any expectation that they would find me those items but that I thought it was worth mentioning.
• I said I preferred second hand items, wanted a mix of big and small items, and that I didn't mind if things were a set or not.
• I said I was happy with minor flaws and missing pieces such as waist-ties or detachable bows etc.

That's a lot of details, I know. I'd be curious to know how specific or not other customers are. But anyway, enough rambling about the lead-up to the pack, here is the pack itself. As I said, I ordered a Large size pack, which is meant to include 4-9 items. And I lucked out on the quantity side because I got 11!

So my pack included:

• Swimmer fawn fur collar
• Fawn fur gloves (possibly Swimmer as well, no tag but the fur is the same and the style is very similar)
• Unknown brand lace topped black OTKS
• Jane Marple royal/medal themed OTKS
• BTSSB brown wristcuffs
• Innocent World cape
• BTSSB long sleeved black bolero
• Unknown brand choker
• Jane Marple crown badge set
• Beth Kingdom OTKS
• BTSSB wine red side bow
• Free gift of a travel toothbrush with cookie case

I have to say when I opened the box and saw fawn fur I was super excited, and the cape is amazing! Here are a few closer pictures with more thoughts from me...

Firstly...the fawn fur! I have three collars now, which is kind of overkill, but they are all different in decoration colour and style. Also, the fur on this and my Peacockalorum ones are different too so you know... I don't have an obsession...

Anyhoo, the gloves are definitely a secondhand items as they feel a bit worn, but I love them! Such a quirky item and one that I would probably have never bought myself.

Speaking of things I'd never really buy this cape is another example. But it is so adorable and I'm really happy to have it! I am really excited to wear this when Autumn rolls around.

I over-brightened this photo a little to show the texture of the bolero - it makes me think of like 2010 era sweet, which is nice. Unfortunately it's a bit too tight on my arms at the moment, and I did provide my arm measurement because I know it's a problem sometimes. I'm not going to contact Lolita Desu about it through, even though from all I've heard they're great with replacing/refunding items that don't fit from their packs because I can't be bothered and I am trying to lose weight anyway. It does also seem to be missing the ribbon tie at the front, but I did say I was okay with missing pieces and that's an easy replacement to make.

I have to say, first off...I love this headbow! It is so damn cute! And it looks good on me, which is impressive since I'm pretty picky with bows. The wristcuffs are also adorable and are in a colour that will be useful. The choker is cute too, but I won't wear it outside of photoshoots so I'm donating it to the model wardrobe.

Now, to be honest, I was a bit baffled at getting these...honestly if I got anything themed I was expecting florals! But I suppose this does fit the theme of regimental stripes, even though I was thinking more of main pieces when I added that to my preferred themes. And I guess crowns/military is a very popular classic theme at the moment so these things would theoretically be a crowd pleaser...just not with me! But I have to say, other than these pieces Lolita Desu pretty much nailed it and besides, I'm planning to go to my comm's swap meet this month so I should be able to part with them there.

All in all I'm quite happy with this pack! If I'm to be completely honest yes, I'm a bit bummed about the crown items and also would have liked to have gotten a JSK or OP, but Lolita Desu certainly did ensure that I got a good range of items that fitted my requests. Most of all I'm impressed that they got me four items from my "hey, here are specific things I'm looking for list" - plain OTKS in black, long sleeved bolero in black, and not one but two fawn fur pieces. To me that's really going above and beyond what they guarantee they will do for these packs, and I'm pleased with that level of customer service.

I have to say, I won't do it regularly but I will probably order another pack from Lolita Desu in the future. I will be keeping six of the eleven items, including both large items, and now I know to be a little more specific in the preferences if I do order again. Overall though, I would definitely recommend a Lolita Desu lucky pack, especially if you have a large or varied wardrobe and want a fun surprise.

Review #42: Metamorphose lucky packs

Hello world, I'm back! And with new clothes, no less!

Two years ago, I tried my luck with two Meta skirt lucky packs and was by and large disappointed. But this year, I kinda had a good feeling, so I got another two and was not disappointed!

Above we have the contents of both packs and immediately you'll see something I was very happy about... no duplicates!

I was incredibly excited when I opened up the box and saw this pack - when I'd daydreamed about what I might get, a pink blouse was high on my list of "I'd really love to get in this" and lo and behold, not just a pink blouse, but a long sleeved one! And the Rose Birdcage skirt fits my wardrobe so well! It's exactly my kind of thing. The socks don't match anything I own, but the colour and motif are something I can see maybe being useful in future, so I'm going to hang onto them. Even the ridiculous pink barrette is awesome because now I have something stupidly OTT for sweet!

I was less excited about this pack, but still not disappointed. White blouses are a good staple, and my only short-sleeved white blouse is a very old, worn Baby one that doesn't actually fit me properly, so this is a distinct improvement. And the Mermaid Princess Frill Skirt is really pretty, though it's not something I'd buy myself and I'm not sure exactly if I'll keep it yet, since it's quite different to anything else in my wardrobe. Unfortunately though I got two pairs of OTKs in this pack I can't see myself using either pair, but that's really the only actual bummer out of both packs, so I really am quite pleased.

A few more photos of the various things, because what is a good review without lots of pictures?

My lovely new blouses. both with generous back shirring.

Rose Birdcage... so lovely!

Mermaid Princess has a lovely textured fabric.

Accessories! Just look at that ridiculous bow!

So there we are! Two rather lucky lucky packs ^__^

Review #41: Angelic Pretty Twinkle Doll Special Set

I received my lavender Twinkle Doll set on 12 January (yes, I know this is a little late but I had other things I wanted to post first!) and to be entirely honest I am both impressed and disappointed by it. Impressed because it's a really wonderful set, quite high quality for the price, and I love it and disappointed because wow... that dress is so darn short!

Before I launch into the rest of the review I'll share my sizing information, I'd say the JSK and blouse both fit a maximum bust/waist of 95/78CM and the JSK length (excluding straps, which are adjustable) is 77cm. 77cm! I'm 168cm tall and it is almost a miniskirt on me, which really bummed me out because I was looking forward to having something sweet but simple. As it stands, for that reason alone, I'm think of selling off the whole set. Having this experience, on top of the time when I bought Loyal Rosette, is really reinforcing that Angelic Pretty and I probably aren't going to get along, except in the occasional special circumstance. Which is a bummer, but ah well.

But as I said, I am very impressed by the quality. The JSK has some tulle in the lining for volume and one of AP's famous pockets. The fabric and the construction in a few places is less high-quality than one would expect from a lolita brand but on the flipside, there are three different and very good laces on it. The hem lace in particular is soft and adorable and features cakes, probably because it's the same as was used on the Whip Factory special sets.

The blouse has that same lace on the collar and is rather nice, if basic. The headbow likewise is of good quality and a nice shape. The socks are super adorable and have a good amount of stretch to them - they fit my hearty calves and still go over-the-knee and though the pattern stretches out to fit it doesn't distort in a bad way.

Despite the shortness, I'm hanging onto this for a little while consider it. In the end I may keep the headbow and socks but sell the JSK and blouse. Or I may invest in a nice underskirt. Or something. I'm not too sure but I hope this review was helpful!

Lucky pack time again...

Just a quick and excited post to say... I managed to get Angelic Pretty's Twinkle Doll set in lavender! They all sold out in five minutes but since I was sitting at my computer constantly refreshing I was able to check-out with the site being slow but not crashing.

Anyone who's been here a while is probably giving me the side-eye and going "Lavender? That's not like you" which is a completely fair statement. But I thought the style of JSK wasn't so sweet that a typically sweet colour made it too much for me and besides I'm gonna be working more purples in my wardrobe next year anyway so one more addition doesn't hurt.

I was really happy to get this and am looking forward to doing a bit of a review when it arrives!

Review #26: Meta Summer Lucky Packs

The day was Monday, June 16th. I was sick and a bit mopey. While bumming on the internet I remembered I wanted to see when the Meta summer LPs were coming out based on previous years, since I'd been planning on getting one, or maybe two if they had blouses instead of last years t-shirts. I opened the LP page from last year and what did my wondering eyes see but the banner announcing this years summer LPs and the Princess Wardrobe special set were coming out that evening. Needless to say, I felt a lot less mopey after that ^__^

Since these packs had blouses, two it was! Ordering the packs was quite simple, just add to cart and pay. I had already made an account on the site so my address etc. was already filled in. I got a confirmation email from Meta, which said the order wasn't confirmed until I received notice from PayPal that my payment had gone through but that email came instantly so no problemo. And on the 19th I got an email saying my order was shipped, complete with tracking number. Yay! Excitement mounting! And I received a box containing both packs Monday 23rd.

Inside the box! 

As I said to James, I rather like Meta's stuff. So between two packs I was fairly sure I'd like at least half. The skirts will definitely fit me, and I should fit any shirred blouse they put out. Before the packs arrived mostly I was just hoping not to get anything too pastel and sweet. I love sweet lolita but feel very uncomfortable in adorable pastels. From the sample pack images it looked like the packs all came with the same blouse in three colour options, and I was hoping for beige and black if the was the case.

Well, despite my optimism I was actually terribly unlucky with my "lucky" packs. Everything was lovely, but not...

I got the same blouse in each pack, the white version.

The blouse is lovely, made of an organza type material. It fit me wonderfully at a bust/waist of 93cm/77cm but the shoulders were a bit too narrow and the collar is not something I like on me. According to Lolibrary it is their 2014 Tuck Blouse, and it has shirring and waist ties. I'm really bummed about the shoulder and the collar, because the bibbed front is glorious, it's the perfect amount of sheer, the sleeves are a great length and it's a fantastic fit. But some thing are apparently no meant to be.

This is the other contents of one pack. The skirt is the pink colourway of their Flower Bottle print and it is gorgeous! But the colour is really unflattering on me, which is sad because I love the print and the style of the skirt. The socks are cute as well, the Scalloped Stripe OTKs in lavender and pink, but I'd never wear them. Accessory wise I got a giant raschel lace hair chip, and a pair of fluffy candy shaped hair ties.

The other pack came with the same socks, though a different colourway, and lace hairclip. However, the skirt is made from the cream colour of the Bubble Bath series minus the border print. It's really cute and the colour is lovely, but it doesn't suit me at all and even if it did it's not my style. I do want to point out that the fabric is lovely, it has a subtle pattern as part of the fabric which adds another layer of detail to the print. The other accessory in this pack is an unusual two-way clip shaped like fluffy angel wings.

I'm keeping one of the giant hairclips and contemplated keeping the black and white socks, but my legs are a bit too thick for them to look nice. So I am only keeping one thing... but my loss is anyone else's gain and I'll be listing all these pieces up for sale soon.

Was it worth it? Kind of. I really enjoyed daydreaming about what I might get but since what I did get was disappointing that was less enjoyable. Also, it was a good way to get my hands on some brand for cheap, even though I'm going to part with it again promptly, and it was nice to check out the fabrics and construction... I can definitely see why people say brand is so much better!

Would I do it again? Yeah ^__^