Japan Festival

April 13th and 14th was the Japan Festival in our city. I ended up attending on Saturday since the Houston Lolita Community was asked to put on a Kawaii Fashion Show and I wanted to support them.

There were so many people everywhere. This event has really grown so much from when it was first started in 1993 ^^


Lots of trees so you could easy find shade from the sun

They had lots of events going on but since I came late I didn't get a chance to see everything,

but I did catch part of the Cosplay contest

Epic Cosplay, and it was so hot out so he gets double props for wearing it for so long. He was also one of the winners

Some of the other winners (Tamaki was in character through the whole event which was awesome (swoon))

Cosplayers up on stage

Woodlands HS Japanese Club doing the Soran Dance

The dance moves depict ocean waves, fishermen dragging nets, pulling ropes and lifting luggage over their shoulders. During regular intervals of the dance, the words: "DOKKOISHO!" "DOKKOISHO!" "SORAN!" "SORAN!" Are called. Those words were used in the past to encourage the fisherman during their work.

 Afterwards HLC put on the Kawaii Fashion Show. You can see my pictures here

Okinawan Drum Dance about to start

Everyone did an excellent performance and you can tell they took it serious but still enjoyed themselves.

We left not too longer after since it was hot and we got hungry again.

And this was my outfit for the day. My first attempt at Punk Lolita. I really liked it ^^

I hope to attend again next year, but maybe earlier so I can see more of it <3

 

Anime Matsuri Saturday

Although I had a 3 day pass for AM, we knew Saturday would be our last day because we're old people and needed time to recuperate from all the awesome madness, so we made the most of this day.

I got to the con a little before 2 when the tea party was scheduled to start. As usual it started a tad late but not too bad compared to other events that were very late or even cancelled due to timing. The line was massive but surprisingly I didn't end up at the very end ^^

Lolita Tea Party waiting line. I made Adrian take this picture for me. Hehe

I've never been to a tea party like this and was supposed to attend with my friend from the previous day but babysitter trouble kept her from coming with ;-;

 

Not even going to lie when they finally opened the doors to let everyone in I ended up close to the side staring around aimlessly not sure where or who I should sit with, when one of the girls (later found out she was the youngest member of our comm, Katie) called out to me. "Hey you! Yeah you! Come sit with us."

;^; Made me so happy!

 

I took a seat at the table and tried my best to take it all in. There was just so many beautiful frillies <3

Wish I had taken more table pictures

Then before I had time to fully take everything in; the doors opened and in walked in our guests of honor O.O

 

Masumi Kano, Tomomi Nakamura, Midori Fukasawa & Misako Aoki <3

 

They took their seats at the front of the room and a short time after we were told to start eating. While we did Midori had her phone passed around so she could have a picture of all the tables for her blog.

 

Once we were all done eating it was announced that we would all get a chance to sit in front of the guests and talk with them! Wahhhhh! Was so not expecting that!

 

While we waited for our table's turn I got some pictures



Noelle (VisualHeroine) and Stephany (Skyscraperopera) White x Gold

Double Wedding <3

And Lavender x White

The Lovely Lauren and her Boyfriend (She made his outfit!)

  Since AM was at the end of March  and I really had only been in the community since February and met some of the girls a couple of time, I was pretty shy at this event and sadly didn't get enough pictures of all the beautiful people :(

 

But it's ok since something even more magical happened that day... I met my Lolita Idol Misako Aoki!!! 

Baby Designer Masumi Kano, ME! and Misako Aoki

When I first sat across from them I sat there for almost 30 seconds giggling and teary eyed. I'm such a dork. Luckily Whitney (one of the girls from our table) had a translator on her phone and she was able to kind of communicate with them. She also let me use it although I didn't do very good since I was shaking too. I seriously need to get on learning Japanese for the next time I get a great opportunity like this.

Oh well. Next time!

 

Each of us were given a bracelet by AM that said Love a Lolita

and our guests gave each of us a Baby journal. I was given mine by Misako <3

Sorry I had to put a "mask" since the angle was almost up my nose ><

Before we all parted we huddled together and got a group picture together <3

 

After leaving the tea party I waited around to meet back up with my husband when I noticed Misako and Midori at one of the tables set up for autographs. Not sure if I was allowed to but I took advantage of the no line and asked if they could sign my journal

 

Look at how beautiful they are *^* and so sweet <3

I really wish I had taken pictures of Midori and Tomomi because they were so freakin adorable and I didn't know it at the time but they rarely dress in boystyle <3

 

I really thought that my day couldn't get any better after all of that but it did ^^

 

Saw Ciel Phantomhive AND Sebastian Michaelis TOGETHER!

Was so excited when I saw him! Kakashi Sensei (ANBU Style) <3

Also saw the Desert Punk, Kanta Mizuno

When the day was winding down and the evening coming to and end we decided to go to the hotel party we were invited to by some of the members of our Lolita community

OMG I had such a great time! And it was nice meeting other older Lolitas (since it was 21 and up). We talked, played games and lots of shenanigans ensued. All the girls were so nice. It really made me feel closer to my comm. I won't post any pictures from then because most of us had drinks in our hand ;P

Heading out we walked one of the girls to the show and she gave The Lady Spade a card she made that she had everyone sign. She's so cute ^^

Alice, Noelle, Lotta and SLF!! (Shit Lives Forever)

 I really had a great experience at my first Con and will definitely be attending AM next year though I may try to got to both tea parties next time.

 

I'll post my Lolita coords from Friday and Saturday in my next post so I don't spam too much ^^


Anime Matsuri (Friday)

This past Easter weekend I finally got to attend our local convention Anime Matsuri. It's been around for a few years and has really grown so much but I really just suck at getting my tickets in advance before the prices skyrocket so I never got the opportunity to go. This year I made sure we got our tickets before hand and even asked for Thursday (we get Good Friday off already) and Monday off just so I could go all out without worrying about work XD

Have to break up my AM posts into 3 parts because there was just so much <3

Friday, Adrian and I got there a little before noon (because I took forever to get ready). We also met Adrian's good friend Adrian and his Wife (+daughter) there. Since the guys wanted to go be guys we split up and went our own way to explore. So much to see and do O^O

On this post I'll just put the pictures I took on Friday before the fashion show
 

HLC Members: Stephany, Kate & Tati

Mephisto Pheles (love him) - Blue Exorcist

Vampets - So Cute, Creepy and Adorable all in one <3

OMG YES! I saw Sebastian Michaelis - Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler)

One of my other favorite characters! Naruto - I love that he's in sage mode <3
(I kept seeing this guy everywhere and I couldn't help but smile. I really love Naruto!)

Tier Harribel - Bleach (Arrancar No.3)
Her Beaded face mask is so awesome

Harley Quinn and Joker
(Asked Harley if I could take a pic of her and at that exact time Joker was passing by. LUCKY!)

These pics are from the opening ceramony

Yaya Han (Cosplayer)

Took a pic while they were waiting O.O

Masumi Kano (BABY Designer) Tomomi Nakamura (AATP Designer) Misako Aoki, Midori Fukasawa

The Lady Spade: Lotta, Alicetogizzelle, Tiffany

They also had the Kpop dance group Waveya

Japanese Rock Band: Mary's Blood

After the opening ceremony we did more wandering and shopping

Madoka Kaname & Homura Akemi

Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Madeline (friend's daughter) and Rainbow Dash

Final Fantasy Cosplayers (at least I think so, not too familiar with them, but they looked so cool)



Belle and Madeline (She was so happy to see her. Fairy tales are true)

Getting a Chibi drawing made of me XD

Alice from The Lady Spade
(I first saw them in the vendor hall (all 4 of them) but was too nervous to ask for a photo.
I was mad I chickened out, so when I saw her in the RR I knew it was now or never. lol
So I waited outside like a stalker and got this lovely photo (w/her permission of course))

Sailor Moon <3

One of my favorites: Tsukimi Kurashita & Kuranosuke Koibuchi from Princess Jellyfish / Kuragehime

I'll try to post the rest of the day which will be the fashion show and stuff next time!