Just Arrived #19

Remember those Shinei orders I've placed after my school kimono talk and MCM Expo? They are starting to arrive and I'm so ridiculously excited for new kimono stuff! These three kimono came in the second package few days ago. I have to confess that I actually ordered them before, back in summer, but ended up cancelling the order because I really didn't need any new stuff at the time. When I went looking for things to treat myself with, they were still there so I thought it mush have meant to be! In case you're wondering, I've noticed that Shinei tends to re-list their stuff as "new", probably to get people looking again, because let's face, who has patience to go though their 568743456 pages? I know I don't! 

This kimono is a gorgeous beige color with dark blue stripes. I also loved the layered design look. Surprisingly, I only have one other beige kimono, but I don't wear it often because it fits me properly. Oh look at me, looking down my nose at traditional stuff :P This one is a hitoe too, so I see myself using it often when we're back in the US.

 One can never have enough brown, especially if the one is named Lyuba. This one is awase, so it means I'll wear it soon! :)

 All I can say about this kimono is TACHIBANA! Recently I've started to really like tachibana pattern, so I want more kimono with it. This kimono is bright magenta pink and very thin hitoe, perfect for those hot month!

Have you got anything kimono-related in the mail recently? 

~ Lyuba

Finally cold enough to wear gloves!

Since this is my last year in the UK, my goal is to go to as many Christmas Markets as I can. The reason is because I've never seen anything like that where I lived in the US, so I want to soak up as much experience as I can. And as much mulled wine as I can too :) Just so happens, today was the first day of Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Fayre, and also a gorgeous day in itself. I have not worn kimono in a while, so I figured it was a perfect excuse to wear one. Actually, I've been waiting to wear this kimono for a very long time, ever since I gotten in in the summer. It's gotten colder lately so I could pull out all my nice winter accessories.

I have to confess that I didn't wear gloves at the Christmas Market. I saw them in my kimono room and thought they will match perfectly, but I underestimated how cold it was. Thankfully, it warmed up rather quickly, so my hands were not all that cold. I am glad that I took the scarf though, because not only was it nice and warm, but it also added something extra to the outfit. When I got home, I got my husband to take photos with the gloves.

I really goofed with my obiage and obi. I tried to make the obi appear wider by showing a little bit of bottom layer (un-patterned part), but since it's white, and my obiage is beige, in the photos it ended up looking like I have a very wide, messy obiage. While I did have it fairly wide, it wasn't nearly as messy as photos suggest lol! Well, lesson learned.

So you have Christmas Markets or similar in your country? I would love to hear about them!

~ Lyuba

Are you in need of kimono accessories?

I know, I know :( I've been slacking in kimono wearing department, and for that I am ashamed. On the bright side, the reason I was slacking off is because my clear out sale suddenly picked up in the past week, and I've been busy photographing, posting and then mailing stuff. So everyone who bought anything from me, a BIG THANK YOU!

Yesterday I've added some footwear and whole bunch of obijime. Below are some examples, but for full listing please check out my sale album.

24cm

26.5cm men's zori

23cm

Just Arrived #18

After my work at the Japan Day I've decide to treat myself to some new kimono goodies. I'm always on a lookout for more chuya obi, so when I saw these two come up for sale, I didn't have to think long.

The first obi is deceptively plain, but I do like plain stuff. I love the grey color too. I could probably pair it up with brighter kimono and some funky accessories, and it will look great.

The next obi is a ro chuya obi, and it's actually ro on both sides! Usually when I see a ro chuya obi, only one side is ro but the other is normal, which in my opinion, pretty much defeats the purpose of ro. With this one not only both sides are ro, but both sides are also patterned!

I'm really excited about these two obi!

Have you gotten anything good in the mail lately?

~ Lyuba

Irregular Choice zori

I usually don't post things on eBay, but this time I've decided to try and sell my Irregular Choice zori there. I like them, but since I mostly wear westerns shoes with kimono, they never get any wear time.  

After MCM Expo Sale

With MCM Expo being over, Hong and I still have quite a lot of stuff left over. We have reduced our prices and updated our For Sale folders, so please check them out.

Here is a selection of some items that Hong has for sale. You can access her SALE folder by clicking the image on the right. Hong will also consider any reasonable offers.

And here are some of my items. I have way more in my SALE folder though, and I will be adding even more in the next couple of weeks. So make sure to come back and check it out. :) I will also consider reasonable offers.