After my last week's news I really needed something to cheer myself up. That "something" came in the form of two packages from Japan, because let's face it, kimono always makes the world better!
This kimono is a prime example that even I like floral patterns. I was drawn to the color first (it's a gorgeous teal), and the striking white and yellow peonies second. It's a pretty thin kimono, so I'll have to wait to wear it.
I've been on a hunt for grape patterned kimono for I-don't-know-how-long. I've managed to get a grape obi a while back, but kimono would elude me every time! Imagine my surprise when I saw it listed and NOT sold. I don't think I've bought anything that fast before. In person it's even more striking.
I could pass up this michiyuki either. This is the only one I own that has vintage length sleeves, so it will fit majority of my vintage kimono.
Finally, I got some more obiage. I'm a sucker for pretty obiage and can never get enough of them!
I'm sorry that I've disappeared off the face of the earth for the past few weeks. I've had several exciting and not so exciting things happen, so I figured I might as well tell you all about them.
- It SNOWED, and snowed a decent amount so I've been out like crazy taking kimono photos in the snow for my secret projects and just because! Some of those photos look absolutely amazing (and I'm pretty damn proud of them), and I wish I can show you... but they have to be kept secret for now :(
- My laptop died on me... taking all the snow photos I've taken to that point with it. Thankfully I've backed up about a week ago, so I only lost about 3 outfits worth of photos, including ones I was GOING to show you. I know that I WILL get all the "lost" photos back, because my laptop is not really dead, just wouldn't turn on, but at this point I'm too pissed to even think about doing anything to it. I'll get them back eventually and will show you all :) .
- We got our assignment and found out where we're going next.
A little disclaimer: NOTHING YOU WILL SAY TO ME WILL MAKE ME FEEL BETTER, SO PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER, TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT, ETC.... I've tried, and I can't, so I don't want to hear about it again and again. Offer a hug, that is the best thing and enough for now.
The place we're going to is Cannon, in New Mexico. It is a real shithole and is called "armpit of America" for a reason. I think every single person in military is dreading going to that place, and we were not an exception. In fact, I was willing to go ANYWHERE but that f***** place. What makes it even worse, is that we can be potentially stuck there, as there is no rule that you will leave in 3-4 years when it comes to US bases. The nearest Starbucks and Barnes and Noble are 100mi away. The drive to visit friends or family is around 17hrs in any direction. The plane tickets are around $700-1000 to fly to friends or family. There is NOTHING there, and nearest decent sized cities are 2-3hrs away - not exactly great for stopping by after work. And don't even get me started about job prospects...
If you want to get a better idea why I'm so UPSET, watch this video (Apologies to my friends who actually understand German). When I watched it for the first time I was laughing and crying at the same time.
- Because I was upset, I got a freaking cold sore on my lip. I only get them after some rapid stress, so this definitely qualifies. This means I can't take any kimono photos until the damn thing heals, which is extra annoying as kimono is my "happy outlet".
- I got a new laptop! YAY! Still don't have any photos to show you because of the above reason, but at least I got a new laptop!
- THANK YOU everyone who bought something from my sale! I finally ordered myself this dress form! I can't wait to receive it :D
Well this is it for now. I'm still in a state of constant numb, so I don't even really feel like doing anything. Hopefully, once my cold sore heals, I'll be much more inclined to take photos and posting again.
Some of you might have seen this already on Facebook and Tublr, but I've decided to sell off more of my collection to fund my secret kimono projects. On my immediate To Buy list is a fancy dress form that has both arms AND head. My blog will benefit too, since I'll be able to do coordination posts from now on... because I'm not doing flat (on the floor) coordinations anymore. They are a great pain in the behind to photograph at home and I can't show off my hats that well.
Anyways, here are some of the items I've added. You can click on the caption and it will take you to the item. There are more items in the SALE album, so please check out the rest too!
My final Shinei order had arrived! That is not to say that I might or might not have something else on order...
After I discovered the greatness of vintage haori, I set out to look for more haori. The first one is all-shibori purple asanoha vintage haori (I feel like I'm checking off all the drool-worthy qualities here). Those that know me also know that I'm not a big fan of asanoha OR shibori, but for some reason this haori was talking to me. I see a lot of potential here.
When I saw this haori, I simply fell in love. It is not vintage, but it has roses, and they have this watercolor paint quality to them. In person, it is even more beautiful. Let's just say it was love from the first sight.
Did you get any kimono goodies for any of the holidays?
Every year the same things happens, because every year I forget my blogging anniversary! I started blogging on December 31, 2008, with my very first post about my birthday kitsuke. I can hardly believe that I've been writing here for the past 4 years. Time sure does fly!
This year I also would like to do something special for all of my readers by running a giveaway.
The prize:
- Postcard size (4X6 in) hand drawn kimono portrait or just a portrait, if you don't wear kimono. Example below:
The rules:
- Open to ANYONE who reads my blog.
- Open worldwide.
- Giveaway will close on January 17, 2013.
- To enter, please fill out the form below.
- The winner will be randomly selected by RandomOrg.com.
- The winner will be contacted by email, and if no response is received within 24 hours, a new winner will be selected.
- The winner must be able to provide at least 3 good sized photos to use as a reference.
Good luck and thank you for reading my blog again!
This last year showed me that kimono can become a much bigger part of my life. In fact, I can safely say that 2012 was the year of kimono for me. I've done things that I never thought I would do, I accomplished things, I wore kimono a lot and took photos!
Here are some highlight from 2012:
- I went to several conventions, including the biggest one in England, as a kimono dealer.
None of these would have been accomplished without the help of my friends, and especially without the help of Hong. Thank you, Hong, for being my constant kimono partner in crime! I honestly don't know what I will do without her once I move in the summer.
I'm not usually one to make public New Year resolutions, but this 2013 year there are a few things I would like to accomplish.
My 2013 New Year resolutions:
- Wear kimono once a week.
- Organize my kimono room... (yeah... this one going to be hard!)
- Draw more.
- Get all the materials done for a secret 2013 project.
- Finally graduate!
- Visit Stonehenge, with the inner circle access.
- Go back to York once again for the Viking festival (I wonder if I can manage 4 hour bus ride in a kimono...?)
- Visit Ukraine once more before I leave UK.
- Read at least 100 book and review them... at least most of them.
- Experience the craziness of Chinese New Year in London, even if I have to go alone.
- Blog more.
- Start making metal jewelry again.
- See as much of my UK friends as I can, before I move away.
I am not sure how many of these I can actually accomplish, but I will do my best! Wish me luck!
