THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS 3- WIGS (AGAIN)

WASSSSSSUUPPPPPP? 
(I realised today that no ones said that for about 10 years and I'm bringing it back y'all)

OK so today I'm going to blog about wigs. AGAIN. My previous blog on wigs was one of my most popular so far, so I thought you might like to see the rest of my collection & hear about my recent fave discovery (clue- it's Geisha Wigs. They're very good.)

I'm going to start with the two beautiful wigs from Lockshop Wigs I didn't show last time as they were being loaned out for fancy dress purposes. As I previously stated, all the wigs I have bought from here have been wonderful and I absolutely adore them. The postage takes a while to the UK (I believe they are based in Holland) but it's totally worth the wait, trust.

This little silver number is one of lockshops mermaid range. The silver is no longer available but you can order the same style in lots of other lovely colours here. The first two pictures were taken before I had the wig styled, and the bottom 3 were after a trip to the hairdresser. As you can see the wig does not require much styling AT ALL- just a bit of bulk taken out the fringe. We've also decided that I can be Glacial Glow's official tribute act in this wig. I'm going to attend book signings and shop openings for her when she can't make it.

THIS WIG DOES TANGLE. I have to brush it out with a soft brush before and after I wear it & store it really carefully. It's really worth the upkeep though as when I wear it I look like a mystical fairy princess. Or J Mascis from Dinosaur Jr.

This wig is one of the angelic range from lockshop. Again, the auburn is no longer available but there are other really pretty colours to pick from. I wore this wig once when I got it and I thought it looked really dumb on me, but I tried it on again recently and was all like 'WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING I LOOK AMAZING' and I twerked off into the sunset.

This wig didn't require any professional styling. I cut a little of the fringe off myself with a massive pair of kitchen scissors and it still looks fine. If I can cut it & have it still look ok, anyone can style it themselves. It's super easy to care for and doesn't tangle or knot easily. I'm really getting into lolita style (currently saving for my first brand op eeeeek) and this wig makes me feel super lolita and really pretty.

OK SO moving on to my first two ever purchases from Geisha Wigs. They are a UK based wig company I heard mentioned a few times on instagram and OH MY LORD I'M IN LOVE. Firstly, they're based in the UK so the postage is not completely brutal and secondly I WANT PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING IN THEIR SHOP. They have certain designs in stock which are posted within a few days, but anything else can be pre-ordered for delivery within a few weeks. I was so happy with my first two orders that I've already ordered another two from them.

This was the wig that jumped out at me and made me want to place my order. It's called Baby and is just the best colour ever. I got so many compliments when I first wore this! Everyone thought it was my real hair (even the people at work who know I wear wigs??) and I even got asked for a photo by a fashion student on the street. It's such a manageable length and easy to look after. I think it looks super cool when it's a little bit messy and I have ruffled it loads without causing any tangling.

This wig has been styled. It was perfectly wearable when I first bought it, but I loved it so much I just wanted to get it perfect. I had it trimmed slightly at the sides of the fringe as I found it a wee bit poofy, and had a little tiny bit of length taken out of the fringe. KAWAII DESU.

The second wig I purchased was Peachy Keen. It is perfect for wearing with dolly kei because it makes me look about 10 years old. It's such a cute colour and a very wearable, comfortable style. I think I may straighten it a little bit as the curls are a bit much for me on a day to day basis, but I totally love it. Again it was completely wearable when it arrived, but I chose to have the fringe trimed a little by my stylist.

WIG CARE TIPS

I store all my wigs in their original bags. I tuck the ends of the wig in safely and wrap the wig in a cap or netting to keep it in a tidy sphere before popping it back in its bag.

I wash my wigs after roughly every 7-10 wears (depending on how long and where it's been worn) in a sink filled with cold water and special synthetic hair shampoo. I swish it around a little bit, leave it to soak for a few minutes, then rinse out the shampoo by running the wig under the cold tap in the bath. I then hang it to dry. After it has stopped dripping a lay it down flat on a towel. NEVER brush wigs while they are wet- they will break and become damaged.

Most sites will tell you if it's possible to style your wigs with straightners or curlers. You can only do this if your styling implements have different heat settings as you need to style on a very low heat. Again, most sites will tell you the heat settings.

RIGHT that's all from me for tonight. I have some super cute plans for my next days off so hopefully I'll have something really fun to show you next time!

Speak soon guys!

Annabell xxx

OUTFIT

Shirt- sheinside

Pearl cat ears- Claires Accessories

Side bow jeans- eBay

BUILD A BLYTHE

HOWDY HEY AND HIYA!

I hope you've all been well during my uneventful absence. Have you been doing anything exciting? I've mainly been having a VERY prolonged head cold, doing housework, posting eBay sales and eating Oreos after finding out that OREOS ARE VEGAN! Best news ever. I also finally got my ear sorted out on Tuesday and can hear again after 3 WEEKS of being partially deaf. It was not fun let me tell you. BUT NOW I'M BACK!

After getting my ear sorted I went to visit with my wonderful seamstress friend Naomi as we had a sewing date. We'd decided to go through some of Naomi's scrap pieces of fabric & make a dress for one of my Blythe dolls whilst we had a cup of tea and a natter. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! I chose to take one of my favourite Blythes, Pika Pika- a Nicky Lad that Andy bought me from Junie Moon in Tokyo. We decided to make her something ridiculously pink as I usually dress her in a more classic lolita style and we thought it was about time she branched out.

You can see where this is going.

OK so just for the record I CANNOT SEW. I have no idea how to make clothes at all. I can cross stitch and follow simple patterns but when it comes to using a sewing machine or making clothes from scratch I have absolutely no idea. So I left it to Naomi to draw up a design using the fabric we picked and she came up with THIS.

Yup- she can draw, sew AND she's pretty. Not fair.

Naomi got on with making the underskirt and undershirt and I got to busy myself with simple tasks like cutting fabric & ironing on rhinestones (both of which I managed to

mess up ^_^)  so I could feel like I was helping out a little bit.

Cutie underskirts. The lace had little bows on.

Check out how wonky and uneven my rhinestones are!

Luckily Naomi was skilled enough to make

something out of it.

I did redeem myself on her headpiece, though!

I hand stitched the edge and sewed on the flowers

and random Care Bear charm. WITHOUT INCIDENT.

And while I was doing that Naomi SOMEHOW made

this dress appear. ISN'T IT AMAZING!?

I absolutely adore Blythe. I used to have 14 in my collection but sadly I fell on some hard times and had to sell half of my girls. I know they all went to lovely homes though & I made a few good Blythey chums from buying and selling which is lovely. I am now down to 7 but reassure myself that once I have the funds again I'll be able to buy the other girls back. 

 

My family (L-R)

Pika Pika, Suzie T. Tyranosaur, Gaston, Marjorie Mink,

Princess Piranha, Puddleglum & Bo Buttons.

I'm also lucky to own some Junie Moon exclusive books.

The larger one is full of photographs of Blythes customised to look like anime characters, plus customs by famousdesigners. The smaller book is full of pictures & really cute interviews with Blythe collecters about their love of Blythe. AND it's in English.

Lower left- Blythe custom by Baby The Stars Shine Bright

Lower right- Blythe custom by Alice and the Pirates

Cute Blythe owners and their dolls.

I'm always happy to meet new Blythe friends so feel free to drop me a message if you're a collector or just someone who thinks Blythe's are cute!

I had so much fun making clothes with Naomi & really think I'll do it again sometime soon. I am so jealous of her dress making skills. I'm seriously thinking about taking a sewing class so I can make beautiful things- for my dolls and myself. Like, how cool would it be to just whip up the EXACT dress you wanted? Plus I have a load of patterns kicking around in old issues of the Gothic Lolita Bible and some of them are just divine.

Right I'm out for the evening as I have a fourteen hour working day tomorrow. SERIOUSLY. It's savage, isn't it? It's not even overtime or anything- I'm just clawing back the hours I took off sick with my ear problems a few weeks ago.  UGH.

SEE YOU SOON, GUYS!
Annabell xxx



OUTFIT
Cat dress- H&M
Bow- Miss Selfridge
Tights- eBay
Wig- www.lockshopwigs.com

Blythe Dolls can be purchased in the UK from eBay. Make sure you read the feedback and only buy from reliable sellers as there are a lot of fake dolls out there. Do your research on prices too as a lot of people overcharge, but also be aware that new dolls very rarely sell for under £90. If there is a particular doll that seems a bit TOO cheap, chances are she's probably a fake or factory doll.

KAWAII VEGAN BENTO BOX AHOY!

Hello chumlings!

I have been off work with a super manky ear infection so today I decided to make Andy a bento box to take to work with him. Because I had allll the time in the world this morning I took step by step photos as well so now you guys can make a simple, vegan bento box too! ^_^ This one is SO easy to make- it won't take you more than 20 minutes to do, and it will make you the envy of all your friends (IF YOUR FRIENDS ARE COOL LIKE ME).

YOU WILL NEED:

sushi rice

straight to wok udon noodles

soy sauce

sesame oil

garlic

chilli flakes

rice wine vinegar

spring onion

bean sprouts

nori sheets

coconut milk

some fruit

a toothpick

some adorable helpers

SO first lets get our rice cookin'. Unless you are some sort of kitchen whizz I suggest you use a rice cooker to cook it, because sushi rice is well tricky. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT to wash your sushi rice in cold water before you cook it, otherwise its not going to come out right. After you've washed it, place it in the rice cooker with enough water to fully cover the rice.

While the rice is cooking we can prepare the udon. DON'T FORGET TO ALWAYS make too much because you get to eat any left overs while you're making the rest of your lunch. Put the udon into a pan with sesame oil, beansprouts and spring onion and let those bad boys cook.

Now we can make the udon sauce because we are all hyper awesome muti-taskers. Simply mix together sesame oil, soy sauce (ALWAYS use kikkoman soy- it totally makes a difference) garlic and chilli flakes. I never bother with exact measurements- just chuck in what looks right and give it a taste! It's more exciting that way!

Once your udon is ready pour it into the bowl and mix until its coated in your yummy sauce. THEN TASTE IT AGAIN. TASTE IT, I SAY!

OH LOOK OUR RICE IS DONE! WHAT PERECT TIMING!

Take your cooked rice off the warmer ASAP because our rice needs to be cool. You need to cool it for at least 10 minutes. I always give it a fan to speed the process along a bit.

After you've fanned for a few minutes get on and prepare the fruit for the sweet section of the bento. YES LET'S. Just take your chosen fruit and cut it into little shapes. Kawaii it up any way you want! I don't have any really weenie shape cutters (apart from a tree & an egg shape. WEIRD) but you can just get hold of some small cookie cutters from your local supermarket. You don't have to spend money on specialist ones.

NOW WE GET TO MAKE SOME CUTE RICE GUYS! YESSSSSSS!

Before you start to handle the rice you MUST MUST MUST give your hands a rub in the rice wine vinegar. This will stop the really sticky sushi rice from sticking to your hands while you're shaping it. I also give the inside of the rice moulds a rub over with my vinegary fingers to make sure the shape slips out easily. Then scoop  out the rice from the cooker.

Make sure you pack as much rice in as possible. Give it a squish down with your fingers to make sure all the mould crevices are filled. Then pop the back on, slide the mould out of the handle and open it up to reveal your tiny rice guy!

Add a little face by punching the pattern out of a sheet of nori. Then use a toothpick (or a dotting tool in my case) to pick up the individual pieces and stick them on to your rice guy. OH EM GEE SO KAWAII.

Scoop the noodles into your bento, place your rice guy on top and fill a tiny bottle or tub with soy sauce (or fish sauce if you're not veggie) for additional flavouring. DON'T FORGET TO EAT ANY NOODLES THAT WON'T FIT IN. NOM. Place your bottle next to the rice guy on the noodle bed to keep him company and TA DA! Your savoury section is ready!

Now, lay a bed of your chosen fruit in the second bento compartment. Follow the same steps for moulding a second rice guy & place him lovingly on his fruity mattress. Open your coconut milk and skim all the super lush coconut cream off the top, then add it to your bento. Put any leftover cream in a tub in the fridge to use for your next bento.

 I'M JUST KIDDING- EAT THAT SH*T! EAT IT RIGHT AWAY! YUM YUM YUM SOOOOO GOOD.!

Just an aside- it looks a lot better to put the cream at the very bottom and layer the fruit on top of it, but this makes it difficult to mix in with the rice. And you def want to mix the cream in with the rice because it tastes luuuuusssshhh. Now stack your bento up ready to pop into your bag.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT! 

Your bento is good to go. Look forward to feasting upon your tiny kawaii food friends. Make sure you eat it somewhere where EVERYONE can see how cute your lunch is, though. Otherwise what's the point?

I hope you have fun crafting your own super kawaii bento meals! I'm going to go lie down and cradle my poorly ear & feel sorry for myself FOREVER now.

Supplies

I bought most of my bento supplies in Tokyo (CHECK ME OUT) but you can order everything you need to make a bento box from:

casabento.com/shop/en

or

www.amazon.co.uk

(just search bento box accessories)

There are also some really cute bento books full of good ideas. I recommend 'Yum Yum Bento Box' and 'Funky Lunch'. You can get both from Amazon.

Annabell xxx