Here is the winning photo. It was in the post about the 20th MCM Expo a while back.
Next to talk about is the fact that I went on my first ever Lolita meet on Saturday 10th December 2011. Nazia (2nd in The Kawaii Star Of The Year 2011) and her friend Sam organised it and what an event it was! The venue was Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park which had a circus, ice rink, mini amusement park, market and seasonal foods and drinks. I'd never been before.
I enjoyed getting ready and even used false eyelashes. I accessorised and used the new JSK, socks and bow I got from Bodyline.
My friend Jess and I (both wearing the same print in different colours - what are the chances XD) travelled to Waterloo where we met up with Scarlett and Liz. A group of Lolitas felt a lot safer :) The journey there went quickly and we met with more Lolitas (and Lolitas in spirit) at Hyde Park corner. Nazia had made cupcakes for everyone and also there were goody bags with a thank you note, sweets and a Christmas Cracker for every atendee!
There were so many people >_< I suppose as there are not many festivals in England when an event like this pops up, the public flock to it like bees to honey. We eventually got in and bustled through the market, trying to stay together before stopping at a delightful German Pub with a great view of the ice rink where we met... more Lolis. Coming downstairs was hilarious - tramping down a spiral staircase with everyone in their finery got us a little attention. With warm food a beverages bought, a scavenger hunt started! Well, it was more of a quiz, but my team (TEAM D!) consisted of 5 awesome people and we were raring to go! We raced off (kinda as it was too crowded to do anything more than scamper) into the night (it was still afternoon but it was dark and I am trying to be dramatic!)
Because of the crowd influx we weren't allowed into the market and were told we had to leave the event then come back in. Therefore we headed for the rides. After answering all of the questions but two, our team split - half jumping over the fence to casually go into the market, half look like we were headed out. Unfortunately, security realised that some of us had jumped the barrier (in a Lolita dress that is harder than it looks!) and warned the rest of us. When I pointed out that we hadn't done anything, he grunted and strode off. We reconveened and had a good laugh about it later. I also noticed there was blood on the answer shhet; I had somehow cut my hand XD We were first back and showed how much blood sweat and tears (quite literally) went into our quest. One lady even asked us where we got the quiz form from thinking it was an official activity :D
Not only did we get the prize for being first back, but we also won! (I think only one other group came back, but it's about the principal!) We each got a prize - the others got sweets and a fluffy phone charm but somehow I got a tube of pink smarties, a heart shaped biscuit clip accessory and a dounut phone charm which looked so cute and as if they had been hand made. It was then late and quite cold so after a few photos we went our separate ways.
The journey back was pretty eventful - there was some sort of coffee shrine where people had placed their empty cups, and there were LOADS of them. Jess added hers to the homage and I decided to give it a little worship. At Waterloo someone shouted "It's the Amish!" at us XD (previously some man had asked us if we were elves and said that "We're not in Japan so why where its fashions?" Jess came back with "You'll be an asshole whatever country you're in". Swish swish, touche. Compared to that, the Amish comment was hilarious especially as Jess was holding her camera.) The only other niggling things that happened were my fingers froze as I didn't have gloves but the rest of my was toasty thanks to my high body temperature, and that because it was Winter and cold, the pretty clothes were covered up by layers so you couldn't appreciate them fully.
It's usually always immature men and teenage girls who are snooty about Lolita fashion - women and older women seem to love it and we got compliments from one of the tickect sellers to a random lady with her daughter. I felt pretty cool in my clothes and happy I had the courage to be a little different in public. :D
The Kawaii Crew (L-R) - Me, Scarlett And Nazia. Don't I have white teeth in the first one? XD
