Just Arrived #20

Today I've received two more packages with three kimono and one juban. This kimono is a gorgeous wine color and the one I'm most excited about! See, it's actually long enough to be worn traditionally. I can almost hear everyone saying, but Lyuba, you don't wear kimono traditionally! Well... sometimes I want to go back to my roots and do something different to what I'm doing now. It's awase too, so it will probably we worn sometimes soon.

This komon is another summer hitoe. After my very first one, I can't get enough of them!

 I simply fell in love with the olive green stripes on this komon, and in person they are even brighter.  I can see some great color combo possibilities with my hair color... ;P

Finally, I've wanted another ro juban with longer sleeves for a very long time because the one I have has shorter sleeves than most of my kimono. When I saw this one come up on sale, it knew it had to be mine. And look, it has the oh-so-coveted chidori too! I'm actually pretty indifferent to chidori, but I love every other design on this juban!

Have you gotten anything good in the mail lately? :)

~ Lyuba

International Women's Day Kitsuke

Hello Everyone,

I'm not sure if many of you are aware, but today is the International Women's Day (well, what's left of it). It is a big deal in Russia and Ukraine (and I'm pretty sure all the other countries in that region too), but it is virtually unknown in the USA. I find that UK people know about it, but they still don't celebrate it as much as Russians or Ukrainians. It is not only the women's day, but also the celebration of spring. Kids bring first flowers to their teachers, and of course everyone gives gifts to the women in their life. I decided to celebrate the day by wearing kimono.

Originally I was going to wear this outfit for Hina Matsuri, but it was fugly that day. Then I've decided to wear it for Japan Day on Satruday, but at the end I figured it will be perfect for today. Instead of my usual boots I'm wearing my newest flats. I fell in love with them instantly, because they reminded me of the shoes that flappers used to wear. I paired them up with my lace tabi socks. Funny, I actually hate how lace tabi look with zori (on me), but I love to use them with boots and other western shoes. :) Kanzashi is by KittyKanzashi, she knows me so well in terms of my favorite colors. I really like how it looks in my hair, I think I should give more kanzashi a chance, provided they are small enough and actually stay in my hair! I have a problem with loosing things :(

Did you do anything special today?

~ Lyuba

Just Arrived #1

Hello Everyone,

I got some stuff in the mail last week! Actually, I'm *trying* to not buy as much kimono and obi, since I already have sooooo many, but we all know how THAT goes. Instead, I'm trying to focus on more accessories, because there are never enough of those, and they take up way less space!

This kimono doesn't look like much from far away, but boy is it gorgeous up close! Just look at the close up photos. The flowers on there are very season appropriate right now, so I think I'll wear this kimono on Saturday to Japan Day in Cambridge.

Don't ask me why I had to get this BOY'S seaman hat, but I just had to, ok? I can't stay away from cute hats, and I figured I could use it in a pin-up outfit, or nautical inspired kimono outfit. Plus, it's L size, and fits me pretty well. Who cares that it's boy's hat, right?

Oh yeah, I did say that I am trying to buy more accessories. Of course all these obijime are much more gorgeous in life, and the blue one is actually a royal purple. I'm really happy with them.

And, the prize of the whole bunch is this LL silk/synthetic blend GREEN men's kimono! When I saw Shinei listed it, I was prepared to get it no matter what, because my husband loves green, and always wanted a dark green kimono.

Have you gotten anything in the mail lately? :)

~ Lyuba