tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59630314248262962482012-02-12T05:10:28.215ZSLIGHTLY Addicted to Everything KimonoLyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.comBlogger821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-68513323132369935662012-02-10T11:57:00.001Z2012-02-10T18:57:05.654Z

I've added more obi for sale, and I still have MORE to photograph! :( :( You can see all the detail photos in my Facebook or Flikr albums. I try to update things ASAP, but still check both albums to make sure that obi haven't been sold yet.  Off to take more photos! 

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-29537266739220611382012-02-10T00:43:00.000Z2012-02-10T00:43:20.654Z

Ok, so maybe it's not massive yet, but it's getting there! The thing is, we will be leaving UK early next year, and I would like to downsize as much as I can, which means going through my kimono collection and pulling out items that I haven't worn... in forever, or even ever. I've decided to start early, so I wouldn't have to worry about it right before we leave. I've created a spacial album in

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-90667733574198687952012-02-08T12:57:00.000Z2012-02-08T12:57:40.797Z

Hello Everyone, I'm going to *attempt* to start a new series called Coordinating With What You've Got. I say attempt because I'm not very good with keeping up with any series I start, so we'll see how long this one lasts. The idea is to wear this outfit tomorrow or Friday, provided it's not raining. I actually build this outfit around the boots, because I haven't worn them in a while and I

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-32175229690705265132012-02-05T17:53:00.000Z2012-02-06T14:30:37.962Z

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Hello Everyone, I didn't believe it at first when I saw the weather forecast that promised heavy snow in our area. I pretty much said that I will believe it when I see it, because for the past 3 years that I've spent in UK, our area doesn't really get much of ANYTHING in terms of weather. I call this curious phenomenon a "Lakenheath Bubble". Well, yesterday I was

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-37213847919654588382012-02-03T13:15:00.000Z2012-02-03T13:15:58.026Z

Hello Everyone,  Finally I am at the end of this kimono challenge. Today's topic is one that I've added myself to the original challenge, because I believe that everyone has a special kimono memory. My special kimono memory is meeting Yumi Yamamoto at the Japanese Art Festival in 2010, and since I've never wrote about it on my blog, it's time to fix that.  I don't have a good relationship

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-87379356069415830532012-02-03T00:22:00.000Z2012-02-03T00:22:57.012Z

Hello Everyone, It's February already and the past few days the weather had been simply gorgeous! This "winter" it hasn't felt like winter much, except for few days here and there, and today was one of those days. The only thing missing is some snow on the ground, but I know I'm asking too much of England. Today I went to Bury St. Edmunds again because I simply needed to get out of the house.

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-32127079654018261622012-01-28T21:03:00.002Z2012-01-28T21:03:24.696Z

Hello Everyone, This week I got another package from Japan. I'm starting to think that I need to do a striped kimono exhibition. I love how this kimono has stripes in several shades. It will make the coordination so much easier because of many possibilities. Another girl's kimono set. I couldn't pass it up because of its bright color. And because of the bright green juban, how much

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-55472574262711830542012-01-27T08:15:00.000Z2012-01-27T08:15:37.290Z

Hello Everyone, Last week was pretty FUGLY here in UK, with lots of rain, so I didn't end up wearing kimono at all. Actually, on Sunday it was pretty, but I had zero motivation to do anything, so this week I'll have to wear kimono twice to make up for last week. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a photo with one of my cats, Mittens. She is such a nice kimono accessory, and she

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-88417457953294764892012-01-21T07:37:00.000Z2012-01-21T07:52:01.323Z

Hello Everyone, For the past couple of weeks I've been on a serious reversible tsuke obi kick. It all started with this obi right here, which April gave me last year because she would never wear it. It is a reversible tsuke obi, the other side is identical in design, except the fabric is a brighter/darker red. The moment I saw it, I had the wheels turning in my head about making one of these

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-47972845348594743962012-01-16T08:41:00.000Z2012-01-21T07:52:14.826Z

Hello Everyone, Yesterday I went to Cambridge with my husband and friends. We didn't do much, other than walking around and enjoying the nice crisp weather. One good thing about UK is the weather, which most of the time is perfect for kimono wearing! I'm dreading the time when we get back to US and get something like.... NEW MEXICO or VEGAS! (Ok, maybe not, and I'm thinking the worst case

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-89834456060306827832012-01-13T06:30:00.000Z2012-01-13T06:30:02.215Z

Hello everyone, While my internet was down, I've received more stuff that I ordered a while back. I actually have two more packages to receive, and then I'll go on hiatus. More stripes. Of course :)  This shade of mustard yellow is simply gorgeous in real life.  I bought this obi because I wanted to have a very vintage looking piece, but it turned out much prettier in person. 

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-31062145705147533252012-01-12T07:29:00.000Z2012-01-12T07:29:06.872Z

Hello Everyone, If it feels like I fell off the face of the earth, well I did... kinda. On the New Year's Eve our internet router box completely died, so up until yesterday I had no internet and I was slowly dying inside. And to think that I had all these blog posts planned for New Year, which I don't particularly feel like writing anymore because my inspiration is gone. So today I show you

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-75314473460459413382011-12-20T06:45:00.000Z2011-12-20T06:45:57.793Z

Hello Everyone,  Today I will show you the second part of my kitsuke evolution. After I moved to UK, I had a hard time adjusting to a completely different lifestyle of no job, friends, online school, etc... Online kimono community helped me a LOT, because I already "knew" some people from the forums, and got to meet them in real life, sort of getting a head start on making friends.  At first, I

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-12020046988878768322011-12-19T07:00:00.000Z2011-12-19T07:00:00.867Z

Hello Everyone,  I can pretty much divide my kitsuke into Pre-England and Post-England. Pre-England is when I was just getting into it, learning how to wear kimono properly, still couldn't tie an obi by myself, getting my collection going, and generally looking pretty "sad" most of the time :P. I also just started figuring out my kimono style. Post-England is when I moved to UK, and had no one

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-88810779962360369452011-12-18T09:25:00.000Z2011-12-18T09:48:24.333Z

Hello Everyone,  Oh I remember the times when I still only had THREE kimono. I was so proud of myself for buying my very FIRST kimono on my own, only to figure out couple of years later that it was too small for me. And that I don't even like it that much. But the blissful days of a small kimono collection did not last that long, and pretty soon my collection just exploded (the link will take

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-67781823181063907392011-12-12T09:27:00.001Z2011-12-12T10:32:45.835Z

On Saturday Kimon de Jack UK went to our second annual trip to the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. I wore the same outfit that I wore few weeks ago to HPMSocial in London, and which I loved so much that I wanted to wear it again soon!. The obi is the star obi from my Obi Lot of Doom that I got last month. I actually didn't realize that it was a fukuro obi! My mom sent me this

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-18682626112282661092011-12-11T17:05:00.001Z2011-12-12T09:23:24.337Z

Hello Everyone, Right before I went to Birmingham for Kimono de Jack December meetup, I checked my mail and guess what? I big box arrived from Yamatoku! I sent it by sea mail, so at this point I even forgot what was in there LOL. Fancy obijime set. I was especially happy for the purple/gold one, but all of them will match something in my collection. :) Obiage set. I won

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-58198709151540068922011-11-16T23:23:00.001Z2012-01-21T07:49:02.748Z

Hello Everyone, I've been waiting on a few big boxes full of kimono greatness for some time now, so of course when I went to the post office today, and park far away from the door, two of those boxes choose to arrive. Thankfully I had a friend with me who helped to carry one of those boxes. :) Yup, the Obi Bundle of DOOOOOOOOOOOM had finally arrived! It sure took it sweet time, but I wasn't

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-74233998063703299392011-11-15T07:45:00.000Z2012-01-21T07:49:45.693Z

Hello Everyone,  Today's post is a fun one! It's pretty easy for me to narrow down where I draw the inspiration for my kimono style, however I still end up doing "my own" thing at the end. Some people even said that I have my own kimono style, and while it might be true, I still didn't get there on my own. I looked at these people for inspiration.  Mamechiyo Modern:  When I first saw their

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-4848714715804437782011-11-14T07:44:00.000Z2011-11-14T07:44:44.743Z

Hello Everyone,  My biggest kimono fear is to get a stain on, because I wouldn't know how to clean it off :( I've had a kimono that accidentally got stained at a festival, and I almost got in a fight with a friend over it. Stupid really, because it wasn't really her fault as much as it was BOTH our faults. Since then, I haven't touched that kimono. Yup, discrimination! But I don't want to be

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-37063807825011405462011-11-04T09:56:00.001Z2011-12-11T18:25:22.955Z

Hello Everyone, Kimono de Jack is taking the world by storm. Well, at least the kimono world. Either way, when it started back in 2010, only 11 people showed up. Now, there seem to be more than one KDJ in every prefecture in Japan, with people showing up in HUNDREDS! Oh how I wish I lived in Japan to attend of their Kimono de Jack. I've never seen that many people in kimono in one place at one

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-70241388024265239032011-10-22T18:56:00.000+01:002012-01-21T07:51:48.263Z

My dream kitsuke items... Oh there are so many of them. Mostly I want the shoes and various accessories, but I don't really have any saved photos of them. I tend to not save photos of stuff I can't get, since I don't see a point in looking at those photos and only wish, wish, wish. I do save photos of styles or coordinations that I like, and I guess those could be my dream items too. 

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-61290974230223452812011-09-21T06:29:00.003+01:002011-09-21T06:29:00.229+01:00

Hello Everyone,  Did you know that I rarely pick out my outfits in advance? I'm pretty spontaneous when it comes to coordination, and most of the time it works. The rest of the time I say it works :) I find that I work better when I don't plan and come up with the best results as I go along.  Other than that, I really don't have any other confessions to make.  ~ Lyuba 1. How did you

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-49169517404833438862011-09-20T18:20:00.001+01:002011-09-20T18:21:02.767+01:00

Hello Everyone,  There are not many things about kimono that I don't like, but the #1 of them is FOLDING! I simply hate folding kimono after I'm done wearing it! I literally have to force myself to fold it up, or it will stay on the couch (bed/floor/dresser) for weeks at a time.  Another thing I don't really care for is that majority of kimono that I like are too small for me because they are

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-44122922429989282312011-09-12T09:53:00.022+01:002012-01-21T07:55:17.166Z

Hello Everyone! I generally don't have any trouble coordinating ensembles with kimono, so it's probably easier to ask me which coordinations I'm NOT happy with. But since the question asked for my favorite ones... well here goes nothing :) I wore this kimono to Japanese New Year and all of the Japanese ladies there were nodding in approval, saying how my ensemble was very festive. You

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-56906715884840876592011-09-11T09:52:00.001+01:002012-01-21T07:57:53.620Z

Hello Everyone, Today I will tell you about my least used kimono items. Unfortunately I have way too many of those. I fell in love with this obi the second I saw it, but it's missing the ties. No big deal, it will take a grand total of 5 minutes to sew new ones on.... and that was last year. I really need to attach new straps on this obi, so I could wear it.  Same this with this obi, it

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-25514979046663754022011-09-08T10:24:00.003+01:002012-01-21T07:59:06.075Z

Hello Everyone,  Not surprisingly my favorite kimono items are also my most used ones.  I love this kimono because I've decided that it's non-seasonal one, and even if paper cranes and big sister dolls (Ane-sama nyngyo) do have a season I don't care! The same goes for obi. Although it is a fukuro, it so informal looking that I have no problem wearing it with komon. I would say that

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-74502813486079988152011-09-07T12:02:00.001+01:002012-01-21T08:00:54.162Z

Hello Everyone, I had a hard time with this question, because it was so hard to narrow down my absolute favorite items. 2. Your dearest kimono item(s). I think this is my absolute favorite kimono because I actually have to stop myself from reaching for it every time I get dressed in kimono.  I don't wear this kimono nearly enough, but it is very special because of the crest. The crest

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-83387787336968335062011-09-05T14:22:00.001+01:002011-12-17T16:30:51.721Z

Hello Everyone,  I saw this clallenge over at Kira Kira Kimono, a new blog that I had no idea existed until today. I've seen the lovely owner at Immortal Geisha before, and every time I see her I always think that she looks like a doll and I just want to dress her up in my kimono! Creepy much? :P  Here is the list of all challenge questions:  1. How did you discover and got into kimono?

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-1034137547929627082011-08-08T15:38:00.000+01:002011-08-08T15:38:07.699+01:00

Hello my Lovely Readers, The raffle for kimono sets is now over. Sadly it wasn't popular as much as both Liz and I were hoping, but regardless we are very thankful to everyone who entered! Thank you and every little bit helps! If you want to read about the real conditions, please check out Kimono Magic's post. She recently went to volunteer again, and as you can see from her post and photos,

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-38638052664206281772011-07-02T12:22:00.000+01:002011-07-12T02:11:17.464+01:00

Hello Everyone, My friend Elizabeth, also known as @Hairfreax on twitter, is going to go volunteer in Japan this fall and she needs help with raising money for it. Right now she is trying to raise half the cost, and one of the ways she is going to do it is by holding several kimono sets raffles. Here are the rules: 1. Open worldwide. 2. Each raffle ticket costs $10, and you can enter as many

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-31930801834069210732011-06-26T14:32:00.000+01:002012-01-21T07:41:12.900Z

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life when it came to kimono outings. I couldn't attend June's Kimono de Jack in Stoke-on-Trent because I already made plans with my husband for that weekend, so having an outing yesterday was perfect! Actually Talleke and I were talking about hanging out for a while, and yesterday seemed like a perfect day. Both of us were off, had no plans so we've

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-65919345365207936152011-05-20T13:54:00.000+01:002012-01-21T08:02:49.566Z

I actually wore this kimono for APAH (Asian Pacific Heritage Appreciation) opening ceremony, which consisted of giving out free cake and calendars of events. I was dressed in kimono to attract more attention. :) After all of cake was gone, my husband and I went to dinner and a movie and I got him to take some photos. So this was back on May 2nd, and since this kimono is fully lines I thought I

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-5336936525233320872011-05-18T18:31:00.000+01:002011-05-18T18:31:00.933+01:00

I think after crazy April I'm getting a little burned out on kimono... Lets see, I went to Kitacon and did 3 kimono dressings..... one of them single handedly for a fundraiser. For the past couple of weeks I didn't even want to look at the kimono lol. But I think the last blow came this Saturday, when I went to Kimono de Jack event in Norwich. The reason I decided to have one in Norwich is

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-33835470624201006352011-04-24T10:53:00.000+01:002011-04-24T10:53:04.511+01:00

Some of you might remember that last year I did a last minute mini kimono fashion show at Asian-Pacific Appreciation festival on base. This year I was set on participating and making it bigger and better. But this year we also got our funding cut completely... so get this, whoever (not sure who, but someone who funds all these events) on base promised us $500 at the beginning of the year,

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-68135859444048039832011-04-21T11:37:00.000+01:002011-12-17T17:14:22.337Z

Last weekend I went to my very fist Hanami picnic in London. After living for almost 2 years in UK, I just now realized that there are whole bunch of cherry trees around! Call this a very DUUUUUUH moment, but I'm glad that I figured it out later than never. Now I see them everywhere, and even around the area where I live. If I wanted to hold Hanami locally, I totally could! Maybe this is

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-36981935366741702622011-03-25T14:05:00.000Z2011-12-13T11:28:37.834Z

For a few month now, Hong and I were talking about doing a kimono photo shoot with some of her kimono that I've been dying to wear. You know, if I can't own them then I can at least experience wearing them right? This week we were finally able to get together and do a photo shoot! I picked her up from Eppings and we drove back to my house, where I promptly started applying my makeup. I have to

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-80944003444168052542011-03-05T23:37:00.000Z2011-03-05T23:37:29.148Z

Hello Everyone, I am not able to attend Kimono de Jack in Manchester tomorrow, so I was very excited to find out that there was a Japanese event happening locally in Cambridge the day before, today. Not knowing what to expect, or where it was even located I donned my not-yet-worn spring kimono and off I went. The event, Japan Day, was hosted by Kaetsu Educational & Cultural Centre in Cambridge.

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-46229754522245864992011-03-01T20:34:00.000Z2012-01-21T07:38:32.279Z

Ever since going to Bury St. Edmund's for the first time almost 2 years ago and seeing Harriets Tea Room I always wanted to check it out. But I could never get a chance to go there. Well finally the time had come and today I went there for the first time with one of my friends :) Currently I am on a kimono kick again thanks to the most recent Kimono de Jack in Birmingham and I figured this was a

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-26334181567127697222011-02-23T16:58:00.000Z2012-01-21T08:05:03.664Z

Hello Everyone, It is hard to believe but last weekend I attended the 5th monthly Kimono de Jack event in UK. That's right, the FIFTH event. It might not seems like a lot to many, but to us it means that kimono lovers in UK are becoming a less rare sight on the streets. Yes, we are small in numbers but our enthusiasm for kimono makes up for it. For this Kimono Jack we decided to go to

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-18386767271270826472011-01-01T05:24:00.000Z2011-12-13T11:35:44.144Z

Hello everyone, 2010 was a pretty good year for me, although some stuff still didn't live up to my expectations. On the bright side, I wore kimono a LOT more often than in 2009 :) But on the down side, I decided that online school is really not for me and now don't even know if I will be able to go to school period. I also quit my much-hated Commissary job for a CDC job, something that

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-9916106474883640182010-12-31T17:32:00.000Z2010-12-31T17:32:31.022Z

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all have a great New Year celebration full of glitter and sparkles. :) Let the new 2011 year be everything that 2010 was not for you, with all your dreams and goals coming true. I am not usually the one to make New Year resolutions, but in 2011 I would like to work more on my metal jewelry and make my own kimono items. Wish me luck! :) Maybe find a new (GOOD)

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-68330748386335936322010-12-12T23:31:00.000Z2011-12-12T10:32:12.561Z

Hello everyone, I've been kinda slacking on my kimono posts lately. Shame on me! But I am determent to fix the situation as soon as possible :P Show off. Yup, that's me. This past weekend our group went to Birmingham for the third Kimono Jack in UK. Most of us stayed at April's house since she is local to Birmingham where we got to meet her two Shiba Inu doggies. I've never seen a Shiba

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-71323670156480449602010-11-24T23:47:00.000Z2010-11-24T23:48:32.321Z

Just to prepare everyone, this is a rant post. A rant that I just really really really want to RANT ABOUT! It's nothing major, but it kinda got to me today. As some of you might know from my Facebook, I recently (this Monday) started a new job at post office. It's just temporary for holidays, and I'm pretty happy with it. I like people I work with a lot, so I was thinking of bringing in

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-18614123401381009022010-11-03T17:55:00.000Z2011-12-13T11:36:43.961Z

Last weekend I got to experience London in kimono once again. For me it wasn't a new thing, but for my friend Sachiko, who visited from Japan, it was a first time. We met on Facebook through one of the kimono groups and somehow hit it off right away. Kimono must be addictive huh? Earlier this year she told me that she was planning on coming to Europe to do some research for her class and I

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-35942631508922531522010-10-24T16:37:00.000+01:002012-01-21T07:42:32.273Z

Yesterday I went not only to another kimono meet up in London, but also to the very FIRST Kimono de Jack event outside of Japan. Ever since I've read about Kimono Jack in Ichiroya's newsletter, I've wanted for us (Westerners) to have something like that too. After a grand total of about 30 seconds of thinking, I decided that once a month would be a pretty reasonable amount of times to meet,

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-85360512306491520682010-10-07T20:29:00.000+01:002010-10-07T23:10:09.802+01:00

Last weekend I attended the very first Hyper Japan event in London. If I had to describe it, I would say that it was something in between a traditional Japanese festival like Japan Matsuri and anime convention, but a lot closer to the convention yet not quite like it. The emphasis was on Japanese street fashion, especially Lolita. There were some traditional elements too, like kimono dressing and

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-30138894602110275232010-09-23T12:42:00.001+01:002010-09-23T14:28:34.912+01:00

While visiting United States this past month, I got lucky to be there during one of the annual Japanese festivals. It was pretty small, but with a lot of heart lol. And I could safely say that I never had more fun at a Japanese festival in my life :) It was raining that day, heavily, but it didn't stop us from going out and enjoying out day. Who cares that we got soaked in the process? And of

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-6206705728340779922010-09-23T12:42:00.000+01:002010-09-23T12:47:19.800+01:00

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-88130908659528990602010-09-20T12:31:00.000+01:002011-12-13T11:26:27.462Z

I was looking forward to this event since last September, and once again I was not disappointed. This year it was bigger and better, and like I said once before, the 30K people that came last year came again and brought friends. :) This year Japan Matsuri occupied the whole Spitafields Market, which definitely helped with the breathing space. It got very crowded towards the end of the day, but

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-63310516499898908502010-08-23T19:22:00.000+01:002010-08-23T19:37:14.287+01:00

No... sadly it hadn't happened yet, but that is not to say it will not happen soon :) I was very inspired by Ichiroya's recent post about Kimono de Jack events held in Japan, and I want to be able to experience the same thing where I live. Who said we had to live in Japan in order to have Kimono de Jack? :) Kimono de JackKimono de Jack was started by 11 kimono enthusiasts from Kyoto, who were

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-77382388201833190482010-08-21T21:56:00.000+01:002010-08-21T22:34:06.976+01:00

I ended up going to the Japanese Art Festival, even if I had my doubts about it. But couple days ago April told me that Akemi Solloway sent her an email looking for non-Asian kimono models. Me being myself, I jumped in at the idea especially because there was a pretty good chance I would be wearing one of Yumi Yamamoto kimono :) Sadly I was almost 30 mins late :( I left on time, but halfway to

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-3365592067649750102010-08-15T17:19:00.000+01:002010-08-15T17:22:19.135+01:00

It's only a week away, but I am still contemplating if I should go there... The last (and only) one I went to in February was a HUGE disappointment! But..... one of the guest for this festival is Yumi Yamamoto, who is a kimono designer, and I would love a chance to meet her. Or at least see her kimono. Oh decisions, decisions.... :(

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-28944819857295145922010-08-10T21:39:00.001+01:002010-08-10T21:56:23.074+01:00

Yup, the one I was trying to long to get. The one that finally got me my weekends off and allowed me to wear pretty clothes and pretty shoes. Yup, that one. I turned in my resignation notice last Tuesday, and my boss suggested that I move to a different 'branch' to see if I like it there better. Well I did, and today I said so, but in about an hour she called me back saying that the managerial

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-35481470767175142412010-07-18T18:20:00.000+01:002010-07-18T19:33:29.339+01:00

Today I went to Ichigo: Norwich Japanese Society discussion meeting about English vs. Japanese teas. The discussion was pretty interesting, however I am not sure how I feel about the Norwich Japanese Society....I spent quite some time searching for a place to park, and then trying to find the meeting place and so I was about 10-15 minutes late. When I walked in, I wasn't greeted or even

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-39138434724430227442010-06-24T18:50:00.001+01:002010-06-24T19:38:36.631+01:00

I'm loving my new schedule at work! Not so much with actual job, but having weekends off makes me able to put up with a lot more stuff, that's why I'm not complaining lol. So this Saturday I will be going to the Okinawan Day in London and of course I will wear a kimono. Not to long ago I was reorganizing my collection, and I came by a ro komon that I completely forgot about! So I will be wearing

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-22146438058589096262010-06-11T09:19:00.000+01:002010-06-11T10:04:30.420+01:00

I never been to kabuki so I didn't really know what to expect... but what I saw was just WOW! After the performance I felt all happy and giggly. Don't ask me why, because I don't know lol :) It was amazing and super cool and I will go again anytime! Since kabuki is a pretty formal occasion, April and I decided to go with our most formal ro kimono that we had. Just so happens, that both of us had

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-64575239515044216742010-05-30T21:55:00.000+01:002010-05-30T22:31:10.249+01:00

Wearing kimono two days in a row? Kudos to me for that :) Yesterday I went to London EXPO for the first time, and after my earlier disappointment in London Film and Comic Con, I decided not to cosplay but instead wear my kimono. Even if I get disappointed yet again, at least I wore a kimono right? Well... I wasn't disappointed. :) I actually liked it a lot! Yes it was crowded, yes it was full of

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-39629839596257997442010-05-29T17:06:00.001+01:002010-05-29T17:38:07.534+01:00

Our little (or maybe it's big) base doesn't get a lot of Japanese, or even Asian, related events but May is Asian Pacific appreciation month, so at least in May we get something. And this year I got an opportunity to participate in their fashion show too :) It was sort of a short notice, I think from the time I found out about it till it actually happened, only 1.5 weeks passed. I volunteered to

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-87359991082556204982010-05-19T07:31:00.000+01:002010-05-19T07:33:47.863+01:00

So I'm a little anxious right now. I just found out about it thanks to one of IG members posting about it, and I really really REALLY want to go! However the tickets almost sold out already, even the most expensive ones! And I'm afraid to reserve 2 tickets only not to find anyone to go with me :( :( :( It's such a perfect opportunity to wear a kimono too! I posted on my FB, IG and even messaged

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-47693201120360498162010-05-07T12:08:00.000+01:002010-05-07T12:13:41.808+01:00

After almost 6 month of looking (pretty much right after I got my first job here), I finally was able to find something close to what I was doing back in FL. Sure it's not insurance, but I started out as a receptionist/administrative assistant there too. Starting Monday I will be working front desk at the local Child Development Center, which means hello weekends and federal holidays! :) I am

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-68680926382535696622010-04-30T09:52:00.000+01:002010-04-30T10:05:12.294+01:00

Surprisingly I've been pretty good about buying kimono :) After all I already have a rather large collection, so now I only buy pieces that I absolutely love. Within the past year I developed a fondness for kokeshi dolls designs, or any designs that look similar to kokeshi dolls. As you already can imagine, the kimono below was one of those MUST HAVES :) :) I absolutely love the designs!I also

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-81149854346271883642010-04-22T11:59:00.000+01:002010-04-22T12:57:40.063+01:00

I am still "recovering" after my first-since-I-left-Ukraine-back-in-2001 trip to Ukraine. I am definitely avoiding the mountains of photos I took since I don't have an easy way of cropping and shrinking them :( Maybe within the next few weeks I will get to them. At first I was calling myself not-so-nice names for picking a 9am flight from Ukraine, that forced me to wake up at 4am just to get to

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-28698893573938838122010-04-05T02:07:00.000+01:002010-04-05T02:13:49.503+01:00

It's been a while since I've bought anything kimono related for myself and when I finally give in to temptation, it's not even for me! The moment I saw this juban, I knew I had to get it for my husband lol :P If you look closely, you'll see that the ladies on there are quite naked haha. That is one naughty juban! Of course in Japan exposed breasts are not a big deal, but for a normal Westerner

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-41573662896102941132010-02-23T23:45:00.000Z2010-02-24T00:00:35.116Z

A long time ago, I used to do metal jewelry. Then I stopped, for various reasons :( But now I think it's time to get back to it, because it was always something I truly enjoyed. So today, I spent a little over $1000 on various supplies for my home studio. I still cannot believe that I did it! I kept staring at the screen before hitting the "submit order" button for maybe 3 hours, and that not

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-74946167348008856992010-02-13T23:29:00.000Z2010-02-13T23:48:39.990Z

After almost 3 month of kimono hiatus I was finally able to wear kimono again! Originally I was supposed to do a Red Sonja photo shoot today, but that fell through so I was quick to suggest to my photographer a kimono photo shoot instead. She agreed and after initial brainstorming, we came up with the idea of kimono pin-ups. Actually it was more along the lines of me coming up with the idea and

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-62876894456913457522010-01-01T14:31:00.001Z2011-12-17T17:40:20.271Z

2009 was both a good and a bad year for me. Good - because I got married to the love of my life :) I also found some great and true friends, and finally was able to get a cat! Actually TWO cats - Mittens and Echo :) They keep me company when my husband is away :) :) :) And finally, I got MUCH better in wearing kimono! haha :) Bad - because I had to move away from family and friends to the

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-9855846252347765912009-12-02T09:26:00.001Z2012-01-27T08:25:32.735Z

Sadly I haven't been able to wear kimono at all for almost 2 month now! I blame my 2 new kittens and my schoolwork for it. I literally come home from work every day and then spend the whole evening doing stuff for school. Of course I have only myself to blame for taking 4 online classes, but I can't drop them now because I got a military spouse scholarship type of thing to pay for them. If I drop

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-18727756553913830642009-10-20T22:03:00.000+01:002009-10-20T22:17:00.727+01:00

This Saturday I got to wear kimono again. :) My husband and I went to the Apple Festival in Ely, UK but the festival turned out to be huge disappointment. Luckily for us, it was on Ely Cathedral grounds so instead we went to look at the cathedral. Of course I couldn't pass up the opportunity to wear kimono again. I promised to one of Immortal Geisha forum members that I will wear an all brown

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-65261496542346158722009-09-24T22:03:00.000+01:002009-09-24T22:06:39.549+01:00

I posted in previous post that I was interviewed for Japanese TV Channel. Today one of IG members showed me this :) Check out 37sec LOL I sound so goofy!

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-19845427845000104492009-09-21T12:35:00.000+01:002009-09-21T12:58:10.978+01:00

Was a lot of fun! But at the same time it was so crowded! I never been anywhere that crowded and I went to San Diego Comic Con! I got to meet up with all the IG ladies from UK which always makes me happy :) :) The festival itself was the first Japanese related event in UK that I got chance to attend so I was excited over that too. My husband was able to make it, and along with his friend Dan and

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-653905139850377742009-09-17T13:30:00.000+01:002009-09-17T13:32:41.381+01:00

This is my first year in UK so I really don't know what to expect... Haha, not true! I know to expect cold but I just don't know when LOL. But it's getting much cooler already and I'm excited about wearing all the scarves, gloves, hats, shawls, boots, ponchos and stuff with kimono! I have a huge stash of those that I never ever needed in Florida and I can't wait to use them here! Some nice warm

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-4198352812941057882009-09-03T14:21:00.000+01:002009-09-03T14:39:39.840+01:00

I had another kimono outing yesterday... by myself. And it was fun, except that I was by myself. I don't even want to talk about how great my kimono is, and how pretty the color and all the stripes and squares greatness. I already talked about it on Immortal Geisha forums. I'm just so angry right now. At everything. At the fact that I have crappy job instead of the good one I left in US, and that

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-8087540073723741942009-08-30T00:53:00.000+01:002009-08-30T01:09:53.984+01:00

I got a chance to wear kimono yet again today! We went to this nifty little restaurant called Zen Noodles and of course that requited a special kimono. Also, it been pretty cold today. I'm from Florida for crying out loud, I get cold EASILY! ;P I got this kimono before I arrived in UK in May, but never got chance to wear it in Florida like I intended. Originally I intended to pair it up with my

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-50208725690355847002009-08-25T16:10:00.000+01:002009-08-25T16:22:15.358+01:00

I think it's a sort of 'retail' therapy for me. I guess I'm having a much harder time here than I anticipated, I avoid talking about it much but the fact is still here. :( And so I shop for kimono stuff cuz that's about the only thing that makes me happy right now. Here are 2 new kimono I got. The green and blue one was an instant I WANT item even if I'm gonna have a hard time coordinating it. I

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-23639777539660822772009-08-22T20:46:00.000+01:002009-08-22T20:58:19.864+01:00

Today was a very good day for me :) The weather was nice, we were able to get out of the house and I got to wear kimono! I haven't had a chance to wear my Ro kimono yet so I figured today was the day to do it. Since I never wore Ro before, I didn't know what to expect. I thought it might be harder to handle because it is so light, but I had no problem with it. I even managed to dress myself

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-91087533955348041522009-08-13T22:02:00.000+01:002009-08-13T22:07:07.390+01:00

Today my husband and I finally managed to get to the furniture store and get ourselves (me, I mean) a full length mirror! The only mirror I owned stayed at my parents house and since we were moving overseas right after we got married, we decided to not buy it until we got to UK. My kimono outings suffered tho :( :( But no more! With my handy dandy mirror I can practice as much as I want on those

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-82962901107520741072009-08-12T16:14:00.000+01:002009-08-12T16:24:43.830+01:00

Oh my kimono spendings! No wonder I always go broke! Yesterday I got myself a purple RO kimono. Now I have 2 ro :) I had to tell my friend Aira to not even think about getting it (because of her love for purple, I give her hard time about it all the time) cuz it's MINE!! It's a little bit on a short side for me, only 154cm in length, but sleeve to sleeve measurement is 137cm! That was the

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-75276223225828133692009-08-11T21:58:00.000+01:002009-08-11T22:15:28.861+01:00

Few days ago I got into a real bidding war on Ebay over 2 Taisho jubans. Usually I'm a LOT more reserved, but this time I just really like them. Unfortunately I was only able to get one of them, but even so I'm very happy. I needed a juban with longer sleeves because the number of my kimono have sleeves about 56 cm, and mosts of my jubans are at 49cm sleeves or less. This juban sleeves are 55cm

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-51129940621664892202009-08-01T18:28:00.000+01:002009-08-01T19:05:12.249+01:00

I spent the whole morning looking at Crescent Shop so I could get myself a red, cute and non-seasonal obi to wear with my many Komon kimono but I just couldn't bring myself up to pay all those extra fees on TOP of paying for the item itself. So instead I went to Ichiroya's website and after 15 mins or so of browsing I found EXACTLY what I was looking for! :) It's a tsukuri obi (so I can wear it

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-51704045349714617712009-07-31T14:04:00.000+01:002009-07-31T14:27:35.700+01:00

I've been here (in UK) since early May and I only wore my kimono once. ONCE! It's sad, but I just can't bring myself to wear it as often as I did in US. There are few reasons for it, but the main one is where we live. Those who know me well already heard it many times, but I live literally in the middle of nowhere! There is nothing except open fields within 30 min drive. The most exciting thing

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5963031424826296248.post-11604075663963277722008-12-31T16:46:00.000Z2008-12-31T18:06:53.425Z

Last Saturday was my birthday and since it will be my last BDay in US for quite a while, I decided to do something special :) And the best special event for me is to dress up in kimono!!! The more people, the better!!!Since I was planning on wearing my furisode for the first and last time before I get married THIS Saturday *excited*, I even went as far as getting my hair and make up

Lyuba-chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071466695470184163noreply@blogger.com2