Apologies for the radio silence this month. This time of year is always crazy, it seems like it sneaks up faster every year, and will be all over just as quick, so as a result I've been toiling more than posting!

That said yesterday we went out and enjoyed some good food and green sweets which matched my new dress!

I posted some photos over at my_quaintrelle .
(Clicky here to see the photos!...)

We put together 8 nifty gift sets over at Candy Violet today! perfect for the holidays, or for any lolita or quaintrelle looking to get a head start on her wardrobe!

( Set photos under here... )
We have some 2nd chance dress sets, including Visions of Versialles! We also have a sweet set with teacup and t-shirt since quaintrelle is both style and lifestyle. I'm sure there's a collection up there for you!

I don't think there is any age limit on Lolita, the day you feel too old is the day you are, if your turn 80 and still don't feel too old for lolita, then you probably never will be, that's how I feel at least. Lately however I've wanted to dress a bit more my age (I turn 30 next year!) and went back to a style I was always too scared of when I was in college, but always loved. Retro starlet!

After 5 years of wearing lolita a lot of the time, I'm used to big petticoats, in fact i feel naked without them! I've been making my way through my fabric stash making some cute new retro dresses, and decided to style my hair and put on my latest favorite frock! (I've had this fabric about 3 years now)
( Photos under here!... )

It's fun trying new styles out, and I think this is one I'm going to play out with a lot more. It's kinda strange working with a style from a century I was actually born in.

I know my family have started asking me about wish lists already this year, and I'm sure I'm not alone!? The great news is Amazon have started doing universal wish lists at last! That means you can add items from your favorite indie labels like Cute Salad and Candy Violet this year! With the current economic climate, supporting your favorite small businesses and artists has never been more important.

To help every one get ready we've started a sale on some of our favorite items! Cute Salad kimono hoodies, Candy Violet Victorian promenade dress sets, skirts, Paris Patisserie Skirts and Paris chic skirts are all marked down, to give a little back to our customers.

We also still have our item of the month coupon running for a few more weeks as well. Spread the word!

A quick note to our international customers. We've added international 1st class shipping back to the cart. 1st class is non trackable and  therefore less secure than Priority and EMS, so it is not recommended for items such as dress sets etc.

I hope this is helpful!

I did an interview recently for the lovely blog Lolita Charm

Mostly about the new atelier items and the new quaintrelle movement. Pop over to read all about it, and see what elese is happening in this charming lolita's frilly world!

I've been the long time moderator of Lifestyle_lolis and today the community opened up to every one who enjoys a quaintrelle lifestyle and has a new name  vie_quaintrelle !


As well as broadening the lifestyle_lolis community I have started up a new style community much like daily_lolita but for all quiantrelle styles called my_quaintrelle I hope many of you will join up and post your Quaintrelle outfits and photo shoots there  (X-posts from other style communities etc are no problem). It would be nice to see the community grow and for people to find inspiration from new places there.

If you can please help get the word out. Let people know about the new my_quaintrelle style community, and the new focus over at vie_quaintrelle . It would be nice to really see Quaintrelle flourish!

I hope to see you all over there!!!

( More Photos!... )

It's item of the month time!!! Get double reward points on Victorian Promenade dress sets and skirts till November 7th! Also since our designs are made for walking we're offering 10% off all labels with the coupon code: promenadepromo till November 7th as well!

Remember you must sign in as a customer to receive points.

Photo features Victorian Promenade dress set in wine, plus from our atelier section Victorian half Bonnet in wine and Train Satchel.

The time has come! The new atelier updates are now up!!!

The new theme is "Stroll About Town". The Victorians loved their wool, their day wear, and promenading around the town arm in arm with a best friend or beau. That's what this atelier event is all about! Coats, bonnets and purses, everything you need to stroll around town this Fall and Winter.
( Photos!... )
I always think a nice coat is the most important thing in a girls wardrobe as the weather gets colder, it's the one thing we wear almost every day!! I hope you like the new items, they also go well with our Victorian promenade items from our regular catalog. Let's get dressed up this season!

Depending on how well these items sell will determine the future of these atelier events, if they are not quite your size or favorite theme, you can still help spread the word and help make this event a success!

I've had a problem with Lolita as a label for a while, like pretty much all lolita, the name has been a point of trouble as it has a negative and well known definition here in the west outside of Japan. As a designer I have found the box has become more and more limiting, and the schism between "it's only fashion" and "It's also a lifestyle" become sometimes almost too bitter. I love all the things that go with lolita, the frills and the lifestyle and wanted to take it further, with a forgotten word from our own language. Quaintrelle.



I see Quaintrelle as an expansion of the Lifestyle Lolita, a space in which girls who enjoy the lifestyle aspects of the culture can grow and  mix with more like minded people. Like most successful subcultures, it is culture first. I also hope to expand on the philosophies of the small box of lolita style into a wider world of historically influenced fashion and finery. Just like the cyber goth, trad goth and industrial goth inhabit the same space of 'goth" I hope that a whole world of frilly girls can come together under the space Quaintrelle. The Lolita, The hime, the natural kei and beyond. It maintains the high level of detail and historical aesthetics and luxury, so still not a jeans and t-shirt kind of world, just  wider frilly world

I have a small manifesto of sorts, and I hope to grow a new look and lifestyle. One my long time lolita customers can enjoy, as well as girls from the wider world. As a designer I am excited by new possibilities, as a girl with a teacup collection I'm excited for new friends, I hope you are as excited as I am!