Just Arrived #5

Hello Everyone,

This week I got my much awaited obiage and obijime. I was afraid that they were lost in the mail, because I had two packages sent at the same time, and the first package arrived a while back. I even got a chance to wear the kimono that I got first. Thankfully, everything finally arrived.

I can't tell you how much I was waiting for this particular obiage! It is just as bright as it looks here!

This is just a plain red one. At first I was going to sell it, but now that I have a high possibility of doing kimono fashion shows, I've decided to keep it because I use red obiage a lot in my kitsuke.

Next I got two lots of obijime.

I'm very happy that all these stuff have finally arrived! This coming Saturday I'm taking part in a kimono fashion show, so I'll need all of them!

~ Lyuba

Half Failed Attempt at Hanami

This was my failed attempt at the Hanami picnic this weekend. Why failed? Well because of the F$%&# weather! It got so fugly and rainy on Thursday, that after much agonizing I cancelled the picnic and made reservations at the Japanese restaurant. OF COURSE the weather got much prettier on Friday, and absolutely gorgeous on Saturday so we totally could have had a picnic.

I decided against re-scheduling again, and instead went to the park to make sure that no one was there. OF COURSE no one was there (I mean what? People actually show up to these things? Aside from those of my regular friends of course, I know THEY will show up. And aside from those people who told me they can't come. I'm talking about people who saw our Hanami advertised on various websites. Sometimes I wonder why do I even bother?). Since I was already at the part, I had to take a photo commemorating the occasion. Well this is that photo, at least I looked good right?

So the first part of my day was kinda of shitty, until I got to the restaurant and saw all my friends waiting there for me (for over an HOUR!!!!! Stupid GPS too!), and got me some plum wine. I was all happy after that. And I was even happier after I got myself a 1920s style straw cloche hat! So the day wasn't all bad, but dang it was trying to be LOL!

~ Lyuba

Just arrived #4

Hello Everyone,

Actually these items arrived in the past few weeks, I just never got around to posting about them.

First is the jewel of my summer kimono collection, the striped sha kimono! When I saw it for sale, I immediately knew I had to have it because lets face it, how many times do striped SUMMER kimono come up for sale? It is just as bold and striking in person as it is in the photos. In fact, it's probably even more bold and striking! :)

I call this kimono my Junichi Nakahara kimono because of how much I think about his illustrations when I see it. While I probably have a dozen of other kimono that would qualify for the same name, this is the one that jumps out at me immediately.

Finally the last item is this vintage furisode juban. The sleeves are 75cm long, so it's not the typical furisode, but I didn't care. The sleeves would fit some of the vintage kimono I have. Also, this is the longest juban I own, because it reaches all the way to my ankles! And it is the warmest too because it's lined. In fact, I've never seen a lined juban up until this one, I just knew that they exist.

Meet new maiko Lyubachiko

Several years ago Hong got a maiko katsura, and today I got to try it on. Surprisingly, it actually looked pretty good on me! Now I'm going to try it with white makeup :)

Let me know what you think! Hong and I got a good laugh out of these photos :)

~ Lyuba

Kitacon, April 13-15

Hello Everyone,

This weekend I will be at Kitacon with several friends, doing a kimono demo/workshop on Friday night, and selling our kimono stuff at the dealer's room on Saturday and Sunday.

So if you're going to Kitacon, come say hi to us at the dealer's room. :) I will be happy to answer any kimono questions you might have, and help you coordinate outfits, and dress you in kimono!

If you want to see some of the stuff I'm bringing, check out my FB album. I have a lot more stuff not photographed, and after Kitacon Hong and I will photograph what we have left. For now, if there is anything specific you would like me to bring, just let me know and I will make sure to take it.

~ Lyuba

Best Kimono Accessory?

Cats ARE really the best kimono accessories, except they do tend to have a mind of their own... and sometimes they refuse to be cute and adorable in front of the camera. Mittens clearly demonstrates here what she thinks about her picture being taken.

Do you have a furry friend that just refuses to pose for photos? Or maybe you have one that loves to join in on your kimono fun? :) 


~ Lyuba