Vivcore

Last Call for 2009

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:45:34 GMT

Just a final notice about our holiday Closing....

****Candy Violet and Cute Salad will stop shipping from December 14th-January 7th!!!****

So this is the last weekend to place any orders in time for the holiday season.

Making Room

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:12:00 GMT

I'm trying to make some room for some new non lolita clothes in my wardrobe, and to do that I'm selling off some of my hardly worn and never worn lolita items.

I have a Baby the Stars Shine bright dress, Jumper skirt and skirt for sale, and well as an Innocent World skirt. You can get to the sale page from here... 2nd hand lolita sale. I'm going to be going away for the holidays so I won't be able to ship after December 14th till i get back January 6th.

I hope a few people here can give these clothes a good home!

Also for those who like to support their domestic brands All Vivcore labels will also stop shipping December 14th-January 7th so get your holiday orders in whilst we are still shipping!

dressing up and warming up

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:37:11 GMT

Brrrr! it's finally started dropping cold here, the first frosts have killed off the last of our garden flowers, and I'm starting to reach for my coat before I step outside.

We're all set over at Candy Violet to help you wrap up warm, and get ready for the up coming party season however!

There are still 2 Atelier coats and bonnets left, as well as our luxurious velveteen dress sets perfect for these crisp cooler days (with removable sleeves they are stylish in warmer weather too!)

100% wool coats are one of a kind,so you'll be sure to stand out in the crowed as well as stay warm. they have a breathable lining too so they won't get sweaty when you step into shops the way polyester linings do.

We have 2 one of a kind bonnets to compliment our velvet dress sets, one in wine and one in black for a classically elegant lolita look.

Same set worn 2 different ways!

Also our 2 beautiful Versailles dresses are still on sale with extra tops for casual day looks as well as dazzling party looks! You'll find these in the Gift Set section.
I hope you'll be dressing fancy with us for the Fall/Winter season, and amazon.com now has universal wishlists, so you can wishlist us for the holidays!

***!!!Our Shops will close December 14th until the New Year!!!!!***

Candy Violet, Zombie Cake

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:07:41 GMT

A friend pointed this out to me today, there was a zombie dressed in Candy Violet on Cake Boss! Ok I'll admit I'm an Ace of cakes girl, but it's always funny to see where our clothes pop up! She's around the 1:55min mark

So Lovely, So Close

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:40:22 GMT

After our Paris trip over the Spring, I've suffered strongly from macaron cravings. It seems there are a lot of places around that sell them, but not that many that sell macarons that taste even close to what we had in France. I found a guy here in Northern Virginia that used to bake macarons for Laduree (the guilded castle that made me fall in love with these tiny treats!) and this weekend was finally able to pick up a box and see if they were everything I'd been craving since April...

They are! At last, a little crunch, a bit of soft and a rich filling. Now I have to make an effort to not order a box every week. So Saturday night was macaron night.

Green Sweets, Green Dress

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:47:02 GMT

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!...)

Gifts fot for a Queen!

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:10:36 GMT

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!

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!

Experimenting With Time

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:41:32 GMT

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)

The hair was always the most intimidating part of the look, but I picked up this book recently, and it's a huge help! even for a total hair newb like me!

Another cool thing, I spent some time learning some new tips and tricks in photoshop as well to create a vintage looking image, these were really simple to make. A cooler effect I picked up took a lot of steps, but creates a neat kinda vintage magazine look...

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.

Make a Cute or Candy Wish

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:58:14 GMT

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!

New International Shipping

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:30:52 GMT

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!

A Charming Interview

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:38:04 GMT

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!

New Quaintrelle Communities!

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:33:59 GMT

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!!!

Item of the Month!!!

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:50:40 GMT

Detachable sleeves and you can wear the top tucked in or out for different looks!

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.

Stroll About Town

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:53:49 GMT

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.

2 items from out regular catalog that co-ordinate well with this seasons atelier items...

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!

A Rose By Any Other Name..

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:34:42 GMT

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!

Too Much Sugar in LA

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:39:32 GMT

So last weekend we flew off to LA to see some good friends over there, they have the worlds cutest baby, he's about to turn one and it was great meeting this rad little dude for the first time! Apparently he's a little shy of strangers at the moment, but he climbed right into my lap, I think we are friends now?

We spent a few days sampling the culinary adventures LA has to offer, fresh made red bean buns, street tacos and taco trucks, and drank so many unusual sodas I actually made myself sick. Also was excited to find some rather good macarons here at last! It's become something of a mission after having them in France to find some that come even close to those. (found a promising lead for some here in DC to check out now too) Got some shopping in too which you can see over at my Poupee Girl.

It's always great seeing Raul, Michelle and now Max. I'm looking forward to the next trip over, or their next trip up here!

Perhaps I'll build our glass cabinet we bought months ago today to house our Kid Robot adventures?

The End is Nigh

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:46:58 GMT

Last few weeks for Visions of Versailles! These items will all come down on September 30th!!!!!!!

New event starts up October 1st, a new theme, and new item focus, so this is a last call for all you Rococophiles!!!

Romantic Challenge

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:57:43 GMT

Been working hard on things not for me, but with Dusty away on a work trip I took some time to finish up a project I'd been working on, and made a hat!

For a while there has been one era of fashion history I kinda hated, to big, too fussy, too much! The Romantic era (1825-1835), it crept up on me like that song you hate first listen, but then love for years to come. I figured making something romantic would be a fun challenge and here's what I came up with!

With bonnet and tucker

Just the dress
.

The sleeves are huge and the bonnet even bigger, but I kinda like it, in fact I'm a romantic era convert! It's kinda fun and bright for Autumn and Winter, and something just a little bit different.

Makes my Whole head Sparkle

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:06:05 GMT

I've slowly been making progress on my parure...

.
So far I finished the necklace, and have some matching earrings, but the set needs at least 3 pieces to be a full parure.I was originally thinking of making a aigrette which was a piece of jewelry worn in the hair popular in the 18th century since the design is based on that period, but since it would require a pretty impressive up do to pull off, maybe a tiara would be a better choice?

It's such an exciting project to be working on! I need to get back to the drawing board to figure out where to go next with it though.

DC More Than Just Suits!

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:25:13 GMT

It's been a while since a big group of local lolita got together in our area, but Saturday thanks to kawaiinekochick it was frills in DC once again!

Starting off with pastries and macarons, we moved out for shopping and a stroll in the lovely late Summer weather (much cooler walking down hill for the shops!) The biggest surprise of the day was finding a fantastic fabric shop had relocated to George Town! getting every one out of there was apparently difficult, myself and a few others were pulled in by the unusual laces and milinery flowers, and could probably have camped out there till Tuesday!

Every time I get to go out with the local frilly folk I feel so happy to have such a wonderfully friendly and fun bunch of girls and guys close by. I can't wait to see every one again at the next big get together!

Reward Points Now Active!

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:53:39 GMT

We've been trying to find a way to reward all our customers, and now have a new feature up on the site! When you shop on any of our sites and sign in as a registered customer you'll earn reward points you can use against future purchases!

Every time you log in and spend $1 on either Candy Violet or Cute Salad you earn 1 point, 20 points is equal to $1 you can use towards future purchases from either label.(point system maybe subject to change)

Fading Visions of Versailles

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:40:41 GMT

The Summer is almost over, and that means so is our first Atelier event!! Next month these Items will be taken down making way for the next atelier theme.

All of the Visions of Versailles dresses were based on dresses worn by the women who lived there

Princess de Lamballe

Princess Adelaide

Madame Royal (Marie Antoinette's eldest daughter)

After the launch of the first items many people asked for Small and Large sizes, Going through some more of my favorite portraits I was able to design 2 new dresses (Royale and Lamballe) in these sizes. Since the Smaller and larger sizes haven't sold as well as the mediums our current plan for the next event is to create just mediums once again, so any remaining stock doesn't go to waste. Any one interested in these other sizes, we still have these 2 dresses up for a while longer, and if they end up selling as well as the mediums I'd love to add some more of these sizes to the next event!

I hope every one will enjoy the rest of this event taking a romp through 18th Century France! I wonder what time and place we'll visit next event?

I've Always Wanted to do This!

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:30:45 GMT

So my latest area of off time study brings together 3 loves! When I was a girl I wanted to make jewelry for a living, but lack of access to materials and equipment lead to that being a small part of my life. I also spent my college age years tracking down exciting vintage costume jewelry in Antique shops for thrills. My love of 18th century fashion also lead me to a big want of some "diamonds" fit for a Georgian lady!

So for a few months now I've been researching 18th century jewelry design, and teaching myself some jewelry making techniques to create a set of 18th century jewels fit for a Duchess!

So many tiny pieces!

I only have the necklace center piece for right now, but how cool is that pear shaped stone?

EDIT: Managed to get a few more joins in today, you can see the start of the swagged "diamond" collar.

I picked up some lovely Swarovski crystal and these neat vintage stones that change color in different lights! Rococo ladies loved their pastels and novelties so I thought that might be fun?

It's a long, long slow slow process apparently (a painful one too). My equipment runs out of steam after a relatively short time which has been a good thing, as it keeps me in the real world taking care of the things I need to take care of. I hope to make a full set, necklace, earrings, bracelet and maybe brooch and aigrette for the hair? It'll be a long road but hopefully one well worth it!

In the end I hope to have the jewelry I always dreamed of and a skill I can roll back into my labels.

Act Your Shoe Size!

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:07:03 GMT

So I was wondering what shoe sizes people have, here's a quick poll, so if you can please let me know!

View Poll: Shoe Size

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:55:19 GMT

looks great decorated with our new patches!!!!
Our Cute Salad skirt is our featured item this month! I thought it was the perfect item to get ready to go back to school with. It fits great with school girl style, sailor style, or just rainbow style!

Since this is the first monthly product feature we also have a feature discount! Use coupon code: happypromo to get 10% off your order with purchase of a Happy Heart skirt till September 14th

I'll try feature an item every month, with co-ordination ideas etc, though discounts won;t be a regular feature.