Hello, my adorable adventurers! I am currently re-branding my blog from Teeny Travels to Ruffle Road. Please bear with me as I make the changes, and move all of the content. Thank you so much for your patience!
Author: Denise
LBC: Where Do You Like To Go Dressed in Lolita Fashion
Clothing is one of our basic human needs. The clothing we wear changes depending on the situations, and most people take a practical approach in choosing what they wear. For alternative fashion enthusiasts, however, it can get problematic when preferred garbs aren’t suitable to certain occasions.
Personally, I love wearing lolita fashion in most events. Given the chance, I would love to wear it everywhere, but that’s not always possible. Thankfully, my other interests are mostly fashion-friendly. Here are some places I enjoy frequenting in lolita.
Restaurants and cafes. I love food. My husband and I share this hobby, and we often seek out various food establishments to try new cuisines and dishes. When we do, I usually wear a coord suited to the ambiance and type of food. It’s important to consider what kind of food is being served because some dishes can be messy and some fabrics are quite hard to clean. Crumbs, sauces, or stews are common culprits for messy eating.
Parks and gardens. Apart from being perfect photoshoot locations, there’s something enchanting about walking around or lounging on grass in a big, beautiful dress surrounded by lush greenery. For this, I would wear comfortable shoes and easy-to-clean legwear. Coming across a muddy patch is inevitable in these types of places.
Museums. While not all museums have the best lighting for taking photos with the art, I still find it quite romantic to walk around the halls with wearable artwork on my body. I don’t have the best understanding of art, but it’s always enjoyable to find pieces that encite strong emotions.
Interactive Art Installments. These types of pop-up establishments have been gaining more and more popularity recently, thanks largely to our photo-centric pop-culture. The ones I usually visit have sweet themes or fandom inspirations. Whenever I go, I make a point to look at reviews ahead of time to plan color palettes and research photography rules.
Theatres. Dressing up according to a theme is always an enjoyable challenge. Watching plays, musicals, or operas make for a good opportunity to create a coord based on a character or a story. I would recommend wearing toned-down headpieces to avoid blocking the view of people sitting behind you.
Theme Parks. I enjoy wearing lolita to theme parks for the same reason as above. Building a themed coord is almost too enjoyable an activity. However, I would only recommend wearing lolita for when you aren’t planning to go on thrill rides. It’s too much of a hassle to fit inside the tight confines of the safety belts and restraints – not to mention having to remove loose articles like our accessories and wigs.
Conventions. These are probably the easiest place to wear lolita fashion. Surrounded by Japanese pop-culture enthusiasts, most people use these conventions as their first step into trying out J-fashion. I also wore my first real lolita coord during a con, and it’s still a fond memory.
Overall, I would say that I enjoy going to places in lolita fashion more than I do in normie clothing. I’ve always prefered dresses and skirts over pants because I enjoy the freedom of movement, so it was easy to transition from wearing simple dresses to lolita main pieces. It even added to my self-confidence.
Most importantly, I believe that letting more people see alternative fashion frequently is one of the best ways to remove the stigma of wearing “weird” clothing. If people see it enough, they will eventually come to see that it’s normal for people to wear different kinds of clothing, even ones they might not be familiar to at that time. So wear what you love and turn a blind eye to people who find you strange. Everyone is strange in their own way, especially them for merely staring instead of wearing.
I’m so sorry for being inactive for the past couple of weeks. I’ve been in a writing slump, and I couldn’t find the will to write. I’m back now with this new post prompted by the Lolita Blog Carnival!
To read more about this topic, please check out the blogs below!
LBC: Winter to Spring Transition Coordinates
As the snow starts to melt and reveal the hidden layers of the ground, so too do humans slowly begin to shed their numerous outerwear. For the fashion-inclined, this serves a great opportunity to wear winter-friendly clothes in a less bulky manner. Lolitas, in particular, rejoice in the perfectly cool weather.
However, transitioning from winter to spring also brings a set of challenges. For example, we have to find ways to work around the melting snow, and rainfall. Coming from a tropical country, this was not something I was prepared for after my first winter. I quickly had to learn how to deal with the seasons changing. So in today’s article, I’ll be sharing a few coord inspirations using the methods I learned.
This first coord is the warmest I came up with. It’s important to wear boots if there’s still quite a thick amount of snow in your area to avoid having wet feet. I also used a cardigan for extra warmth. You can also take this layer off indoors.
For the next coord, I choose to focus on comfort. Therefore, I went with a cozy pullover. I simply added a necklace to put a little more detail on the neckline. This skirt looks a little short when I wear it with a big poof, so I used stockings to hide my knees.
This coord, I would wear for days when the weather can’t make up its mind (quite common in Minnesota). Here, I wore a fur capelet over my cutsew – an easy layer to remove in case it gets warm. This is also the reason I opted for OTKs, as I can just scrunch them down in a similar situation.
The fourth coord also uses the capelet but without a blouse or cutsew. The reason for this is to protect my neck and arms from windchill without making the coord too stuffy. I also liked that the pompoms on the capelet matched the JSK’s polka-dot lace. Note that I switched out OTKs for ankle socks to better suit warming temperatures.
My final coord is finally for when flowers begin to bloom. This is a casual look perfect for walking around gardens or parks. I recommend using a hat to protect your scalp from sunburn, as I did here. I also used some well-loved tea party shoes that I don’t have to worry about getting more scratches or dirt on.
There you have it! Those are my coordinate suggestions for transitioning from winter to spring in style. These photos were taken next to my patio so I could actually feel if the coordinates were suitable for outdoor temperatures. I’m happy to say that the first three coords were indeed warm enough for 46℉ (7.7℃). I hope you all found these tips useful in deciding how to dress up for the weeks ahead.
This post is inspired by a topic prompt from the Lolita Blog Carnival.
Making the Most of Candytopia
A sugar fanatic’s dream has made its way to Minnesota! Bursting with colors and flavors, Candytopia is a 17,000-square-foot pop-up art installment currently located in Mall of America. Last weekend, my husband and I visited the MoA location. Even after reading as many reviews as I could have, I was still floored by the absolute adorability of the exhibits. Being the frill-loving lolita that I am, I of course had to dress up for the event. And so for my fellow lolitas and J-fashion enthusiasts, I’ll be sharing some tips and tricks to make the most of your own trip.
Candytopia’s color-scheme is more geared towards louder, vibrant colors as opposed to pastel shades. It’s a visual overload, so I recommend choosing solid dresses or minimal prints to stand out from the background. As such, I decided to go with one of my favorite dresses, Angelic Pretty’s Carnival Applique JSK in red. I paired this with the matching headbow, striped OTKs also by AP, a Baby the Stars Shine Bright cutsew, Bodyline tea party shoes, and offbrand pearl bracelets. Roaming the fourteen rooms in the exhibit, I learned a lot of stuff that reading most reviews did not prepare me for.
First, minimize your layers. I say this for a couple of reasons. One is that there’s a rainbow room filled with confetti and they got everywhere. So, opt for an OP instead of a JSK and save yourself from having tiny crepe paper pieces invading every imaginable opening they can (our cakeholes included). For this reason, choose tight-fitting clothes to make it harder for the confetti to get under them. You can also use a cage skirt or a daily petticoat to keep your inner layers from birthing confetti long after you leave the exhibit. Go with natural hair for easier clean-up. The rainbow room has an area where you can blow off most of the confetti from your body, but it’s pretty strong and might blow your wigs off. Pro-tip, don’t open your mouth widely in the rainbow room.
Minimizing layers is also beneficial for your general comfort. Because of its popularity, swarms of people are going to be there, and it can get really warm really fast. Dressing cooler takes away some of the stress and lets you enjoy yourself better. This is especially true in the marshmallow pit. It looks amazing, but it is so hot being buried under all that foam. And do treat it like you would a high-speed roller coaster – take off all your loose items or they might be buried in a marshmallow grave. I learned this the hard way.
My next tip is to lag behind your group. There’s no time limit for staying in each room, and most people are excited to move on to other rooms. Therefore, taking your time will allow you to enjoy the details better and get photos without other people getting in the way. Remember that once you leave a room, you can’t go back.
Candytopia has an app you can download to access their cameras, so you can get fun and creative pictures in select rooms. I highly recommend this, and don’t be shy to ask for a couple of takes. We made the mistake of not doing this in one room and when we got home, we saw a very disappointing picture. The staff were very friendly and more than willing to help out, so do it as long as you’re not holding up a lot of people behind you.
Speaking of pictures, don’t be afraid to use flash photography. Not all of the rooms are well-lit, and some of the bigger art pieces block out the light. To help you get a better shot, use flash and don’t be shy about interacting with the art pieces – just don’t be too rough.
The last tip I need to mention is to eat before going inside. Candytopia doesn’t hold back on giving sweets, but it’s definitely not enough to fill you up. Navigating the surprisingly large exhibit while bumping shoulders with other people can make even Gandhi hangry. Also, having something in your tummy will keep you from crashing. Gotta keep that blood sugar stable.
Overall, going to Candytopia was a very worthwhile experience. I had a lot fun playing around, eating sweets, and taking pictures – as evidenced by my Instagram feed. I highly recommend visiting the exhibit and letting your inner sweet-obsessed monster loose. It was well-worth the ticket cost, although I would recommend skipping the sweets from the gift shop because they were a bit more expensive than the usual retail price.
I should note that this is not a sponsored post, and I am not affiliated with Candytopia, it’s creators, or Mall of America. We paid for our own tickets, and these are my honest thoughts. If any of you lovely people found these tips helpful, please let me know in the comments section below, and we can share our candy-filled experiences together!
P.S. Candytopia is also currently open in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lolita Blog Carnival: What Types Of Topics Would You Like Covered In A Lolita Panel
Anime conventions are a common way for fans of Japanese pop-culture to come together and share their interests. Because of its Japanese roots, lolita fashion enthusiasts also attend these occasions. One of the events held in these cons are panels for topics which attract newcomers and veterans alike. In this article, we’ll focus on some of my theme and topic suggestions for a lolita-focused panel.
Before I began writing, I did research on some of the most commonly recommended subjects. I found that people usually suggest an introductory panel, a history of the fashion, and the dos and don’ts of building a coordinate. These topics are all good bases for panels targeted towards non-wearers or newbies. A good addition would be a demo of building a coord. This way, the thought process behind the wardrobe choices would be better explained.
Another beginner-friendly topic is a meet-up manners panel. Attending my first meet was a big source of anxiety because I didn’t know what to expect and what was expected of me. In addition to this, a lolita mythbusters panel would also be a good way to show what the community is actually like to anyone interested.
For a panel geared towards active lolitas, a quiz game theme would be suitable. This can be done by splitting people into groups or letting them compete individually. Name that print or similar games work well for groups to make it faster and easier for attendees to give answers. Another popular game is lolita bingo which can be played simultaneously by everyone.
Cons can be quite boring on slow days, so panels that are more casual and interactive can really help lift the mood. But slow days usually don’t have a lot of attendees present. If you’re unsure of how big of an audience you’ll get, lolita fashion trivia is a good game. This can be played by everyone in attendance in groups or one-on-one.
Hosting a fashion show is also a fun idea. To make it more informative, add an explanation of the coord’s substyle, theme, and components. The beauty of doing a fashion show is its versatility. You can put on a show composed simply of the more popular substyles or show how adaptable lolita fashion can be in taking inspiration from other fashions.
A panel I would love to attend is one explaining fabric types and quality because I have little knowledge of the topic. I think this would be really good information to have for future purchases. More knowledge will help in choosing clothes appropriate for your situation and avoiding overpriced items. It will also explain to skeptics why lolita fashion costs as much as it does.
In any panel, being prepared is the key to success. The following points are important to remember as well. Make your panel informative but not boring. Prepare cue cards to stay on track. Visual guides always make it easier to retain attention. And it’s always safe to set aside time to set up and take down any props you bring.
This is my first blog post joining the Lolita Blog Carnival (LBC). This is a fun group for lolita bloggers to get weekly writing prompts in collaboration with fellow content creators. I had a lot of fun with this week’s theme, and I’m looking forward to working on future topics!
If you want more lolita panel inspirations, please check out these other blogs!
Tomoyo’s Secret Garden | The Bloody Tea Party | Cupcakes and Unicorns
Chocolate Lovers Tea Meetup Review
A sudden warmth enveloped me as I walk past the double doors, a welcome reprieve from the frosty wind. Grandiose marble columns greeted me, towering over plush sofas blanketed by the warm light of crystalline chandeliers. Even before my first glimpse, I had expected myself to be in awe of the interior. In this aspect, the Saint Paul Hotel did not disappoint.
After checking our coats, the floor manager led my companions and I to our table. Our table lay in a cozy little nook on the corner of the lobby, tucked away from prying eyes and the chatter from the main hall. Our local community had met up that day to attend the hotel’s Chocolate Lovers Tea event. Each ticket afforded us a five-course chocolate-centered menu and tea. Afternoon teas at the hotel have been hard to reserve in the past because slots sell out weeks in advance. Knowing this, I called the hotel a month ahead and requested a block booking for our party. I was therefore very excited to see if the wait and effort would be worthwhile.
The first course came soon after we were all settled and served our teas. It was a disappointment. The duck and dark cocoa terrine was an awful match. Neither one complemented the other, and it was overall too rich and confusing. To cleanse my palette, I took a bite of the chocolate dipped strawberry. While this helped cut the richness of the terrine, the candied walnuts made it quite hard to bite into. The highlight of the course was the mole (/ˈmoʊleɪ/) soup shooter. The chili powder rim balanced the rich soup without making it too spicy. I, however, found myself already looking forward to the next course.
The second course was an improvement. The osso bucco was a bit dry, but the polenta provided the much-needed moisture. I found it weird that this dish was served in a measuring cup. This course also went splendidly with the black tea we were served. The staff was very attentive, heightening the experience. By the time the third course came around, I noticed the pacing of the courses was quite slow. I appreciated this as it gave a lot of time to enjoy the food while maintaining conversation.
The third course was a pleasant surprise. I usually prefer having my scones with jam and Devonshire cream, but this one was well-balanced enough to stand on its own with just the butter on the side. However, I did end up having to box half of the scone since I was beginning to feel full with two more courses to go.
As the event planner for our comm, I was also tasked with documenting the event. This meant that I had to stand up every so often to take pictures of everyone. I find this nice because it also lets me mingle with the attendees more, especially because the more comfortable a person is with the photographer, the better their pictures come across. In this aspect, my only gripe would be how small the space was between our table and the wall. Then again, I can’t really fault the hotel for not being prepared for all our massive poofs.
The fourth course was one I was most excited for because it had the most sweets. It took me quite a while to get to my food though, having as much fun as I was walking around the table and talking to my friends. Each piece was good, but the dried raspberries on the mendiant could have been smaller. The big, chewy chunks were hard to bite through and sometimes even stuck to my teeth. At this point, I had switched my tea to chamomile. We felt disappointed to find out that only two choices of tea came with the pre-paid ticket. Other flavors cost extra per pot, a bit stingy on their part. Other establishments let you change and choose your teas as much as you like during the course of the meal.
By the time the last course came around, everyone on the table was stuffed and about ready to leave. The tartlet was the best course served. The flavors were well-balanced, and the presentation was on point. A common mistake I noticed throughout the meal was the lack of uniformity between the dishes of each guest. Mass-preparation is fine when done right, but stark differences between the same dishes in one table screams laziness. Nonetheless, we ended the meal on a good note.
We went on to take our group photos in the hotel lobby. Everyone was abuzz about the amazing lobby bathroom. Naturally, we had to go take pictures inside. The bathroom was split into a powder room and the toilet cubicles. The powder room had a beautiful gold-gilded three-way mirror set in the corner, accentuated by wine red velvet curtains. I’m ashamed to say (not really) we must have spent an hour inside snapping and chatting, but it was a fun time for all.
Overall, this meet was a lovely experience. While I found the meal itself lacking in quality, the interior of the hotel was certainly something to behold. I got to catch up with my lolita friends and plan some of our future events. We also exchanged greeting cards and treats some time during the meal. Being a co-host of the meet, I felt very relieved to have pulled it off successfully. As our attendees began to trickle away, exhaustion crept up on me, and I left the building satisfied but ready for sleep.
More photos of this event can be seen on our comm’s Instagram page, @theladyslippersociety.
One Dress, Five Ways: Angelic Pretty Princess Cat Peplum JSK
Lolita fashion is infamous for having highly expensive clothing. Most brands usually release a set of accessories like legwear and headpieces for their prints. For those of us who want to maximise the wearability of these main pieces, having various ways to coordinate these dresses and skirts helps considerably. I personally have trouble mix and matching my coordinates, but acquiring one of my dream dresses gave me a stroke of inspiration.
I’ve been looking for Angelic Pretty’s Princess Cat Peplum JSK in wine for about a year until I finally got a great deal on it in Lace Market. I’m so excited and ecstatic to finally have it in my wardrobe. Being the frugal frilliac that I am, I want to be able to wear this dress as often as I can without looking boring and repetitive. Part of the reason why I love this dress is that you can choose to keep or remove several parts of it, making it one of the more versatile JSKs out there. After playing around, I came up with five ways to wear this dress with consideration to the seasons.
The first is a very casual look perfect for warm weather. For this coord, I removed the overskirt and bow chain. I also hopped into beige shoes to bring out the polka dots on the print. The low heel also allows for easier mobility.
The one below is another summer-friendly look for fancier events. Here, I included the overlay and bow chain to complete the JSK. I also swapped out the tea party shoes for black pumps to add some more flair. The shoes are thrifted, so I sadly don’t know what brand it is.
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t add a travel-friendly coord. Again, I took off the overlay because, let’s be real, I would not wear it if I was travelling to avoid ripping the delicate fabric. I’m also wearing short socks for this reason. Tights are in danger of running due to heavy activity, and OTKs might keep slipping down. The shoes made way for some pompom creepers I also thrifted.
The next one is a look suited for magical girls. I switched the blouse for a sheer, glittery off-shoulder top and switched the socks for polka-dot tights. The black pumps make a comeback, and a simple witch hat from Michael’s replaced the headbow. This is one coord I would love to wear in a gothic mansion tucked away in a forest during autumn. I just think it looks elegant and magical.
The last coord is something I would wear to an indoor winter meet. I went back to the beige shoes and forewent a blouse for a fur capelet. I chose a curly brown wig to match the gold tones in the dress and the rose crown. I really enjoyed how this coord turned out, especially since I’ve had the capelet since I was a little girl but never really wore it out before (seeing as I grew up in a tropical country).
There you have it, my five ways to coordinate Princess Cat. Doing this, I realized how fun it is to practice coordinating main pieces in different ways. I found details I missed before and fell in love with my dress even more as I realized how multifaceted it is. I hope these coordinated were able to spark some inspiration, or better yet, encouraged you to take out a piece and experiment with it for your dream events or even just a quick grocery run!
Surviving Winter in Lolita
I love cold weather – but only because it means hot drinks, cozy clothes, snuggling thick duvets, and long hot baths. Another thing I love is dressing up. In lolita fashion, a little chill means being able to put on more layers without sweating all over our precious treasures. But of course, that’s often not the case. In places where winters are harsh and last for practically half the year, measures have to be taken in order to adapt to the environment.
I’ve been living in Minnesota for about 2 years now. There are lots of fun things to do outdoors, and I often want to dress up in order to fit the aesthetics of a place we’re visiting. As such, I’ve learned a few tricks on how to survive the harsh temperatures without compromising my coordinates. I’ll share them with you today.
First, wear thermal underwear. These long john sets are the best base you can have for retaining heat. I recommend using skin tone ones so they’re not as obnoxious in case you decide to wear translucent or knitted clothes. Alternatively, you can pick a color that matches your clothes. I also suggest thermal socks to keep your toes warm and attached to your body.
Next is to choose warm fabrics. These include wool, fleece, fur, and corduroy. Fleece tights and leggings are especially easy to find in stores – online and physical. Several brands also carry cute wool and fur coats. Having good fabric choices helps a lot because it also means less layers.
I also recommend buying a size up for comfortable layering. A common problem in layering clothes is the amount of pressure it puts on your body. Having some looser pieces will make it much easier to put on clothes and improve mobility. I usually have 3 layers of legwear on because my coats don’t reach far down enough to cover my legs. I also size up when buying boots because I like to stuff hand warmers inside them when I stay outdoors for long periods of time
For blouses, I suggest using high-collared, long-sleeved blouses. This hides your thermal shirt’s neckline and provides extra warmth. If your blouses don’t have a neckline high enough to hide your underwear, you can cover it up with a scarf. Scarfs also work well to protect your neck from wind chill.
Head protection is also important since it’s gonna be the part of your body least covered by fabrics. To help with this, you can wear a wig. Luckily for lolita fashion, wigs are commonplace and come in a wide array of options. Thicker wigs will insulate you better. For extra precaution, wear hats. Hats are easy to accessorize with clips and pins if they’re not already designed for lolita, and apart from keeping you warm, also keep your wig in place.
In the spirit of layering, wearing hand muffs over your gloves is also a great way to make sure you have fingers to upload your cute pics to instagram after your frigid but frilly adventure. It’s not easy to find well-insulated gloves suitable for lolita fashion, but hand muffs are available as a cuter and probably warmer alternative. And if your gloves are too tight to fit hand warmers inside, they can go in your muffs instead.
Next is to invest in a good coat that you really love because – let’s be real – it will cover your coordinate 80% of the time anyway. Thankfully, there are options available for every substyle with a good range of fabrics to suit your taste and temperature tolerance. These are also available in various lengths, in case you’re not willing to hide your print which we all want to see anyway.
And most importantly, don’t force yourself to wear lolita if it’s not practical to do so. I personally avoid it when the temperature reaches single-digits in Fahrenheit because fabric layers can only protect you so much.
Winter is undoubtedly a wonderful season with so many beautiful sceneries and activities. With a few extra (frilly) precautions, we can absolutely enjoy the cold months while looking amazing.
Lolita Fashion Packing Tips
For most people in Lolita fashion, traveling means packing two or more large suitcases to fit everything they need for their coordinates (or coords). It’s no secret that lolita apparel is bulky, very bulky. But for the love of frill, we willingly drag around a train of luggage all over the place. Unfortunately, for many people, this is not an option – it’s heavy, annoying, and expensive.
I went on several trips over the past year where I chose to dress in lolita. As a budget traveller, I take advantage of free carry-on bags to avoid extra fees for checked luggage. In total, I usually pack one personal item and one standard carry-on bag. I’ve learned a lot of things along the way, and now I’m able to pack all my coords easily with room to spare. Here’s how to do it.
For starters, I chose to use a cage skirt for portability and versatility. Cage skirts can be adjusted to suit both bell-shaped and a-line clothing, removing the need to pack multiple undergarments. If your destination is going to be windy, a daily petticoat over the cage skirt helps keep the silhouette pretty. Additionally, if your trip includes public transportation, having less poof would be ideal for taking up less space and having less risks for your main pieces.
Another thing that helps in this situation is to plan your coords ahead of time. I usually travel with a very detailed itinerary, so I choose my coords well before the trip date. This way, I can make sure that I’m dressed appropriately for all my activities. This also speeds up the prepping process during the actual trip.
Next, choose accessories that pair with multiple coords. This goes for wigs, bags, and shoes as well. Having a cohesive wardrobe helps, but simply planning your coords ahead of time makes a lot of difference. Packing accessories in a padded pouch helps protect them from any bumps along your journey. Using bubble wrap – or those thick pajamas you can’t sleep without, for efficiency – around more fragile items also keep them from bending or breaking.
Roll up your socks or stockings before stuffing them inside your shoes. This tip not only saves space, it also helps your shoes keep their shape inside your bag.
If you’re traveling during the cool months, bring an outerwear that goes with your coordinates. For obvious reasons, it wouldn’t be a very good coord if a big piece looks out of place. At the same time, outerwear is one of the bulkiest things you can pack – especially during winter. You can wear bulky coats or jackets in the airport to save on luggage space.
It always helps to check the weather of your destination to avoid any surprises. The last thing you want is to get soaked in rain while wearing your favorite brand. The weatherman isn’t omniscient, but it sure beats going in blind. If your destination has unpredictable weather, an extra blouse, bolero, or jacket works.
Rolling up your main pieces is a popular method for more resilient fabrics. For clothing items that crease more noticeably, I lay them flat at the bottom of my suitcase, centering them so that excess fabric protrudes over most if not all the sides of the suitcase. I then stack them up on top of each other and fill my suitcase with other items. Finally, I fold the protruding fabric over everything. This method helps them stay nice and smooth, as well as saves space by squeezing the air out.
My last tip is to make sure your hotel has a flat iron or steamer just in case you need them. Even cheap inns sometimes have them, but it’s always better to be certain.
Hard-shelled luggage bags with four wheels make for easier transportation. Investing in one with a cute or loud decoration also makes it easy to spot in baggage carousels if ever you’re required to check your bag. I wear lolita on the plane for short flights to save space in my luggage and it lets me explore immediately upon arrival. As a bonus, you also get to keep a closer eye on your more fragile pieces if you wear them. While I’ve never had a negative experience with TSA, other people might have awkward encounters when doing this, so take this advice with a grain of salt.
Those are my lolita travel packing tips. Traveling for lolitas doesn’t have to mean spending more on baggage fees or juggling luggage. With a little more effort and planning, it can be a breeze to travel lightly without compromising on coordinate quality.
I would like to thank my friend, PanKeiko, for helping me with this blog entry. You can check out her blog at Pancakes and Petticoats.
Ending the Great Debate on Butterbeer
Arguably one of the most anticipated experiences in Universal Studios for every Potterhead is their first sip of Butterbeer™. Simply described in the Harry Potter book series as “a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch,” many people have tried to create their take on this drink, but the J.K. Rowling approved theme park version might be as close as we fans can get to tasting one of the wizarding world’s favorite beverages.
In the books, two versions of the drink were described – served cold in bottles or hot in tankards. There are, however, a few differences between the books’ description and the theme park version. The alcoholic content is withheld (sadly), and instead of being served in bottles, the cold drinks are served in plastic cups or souvenir mugs. Hot butterbeer is served in a paper cup. Universal Studios also crafted a frozen version of Butterbeer™, which we will get into shortly.
Inside the Wizarding World theme parks, you will find two or three versions of Butterbeer™ in drink form. During warmer seasons, only the regular and frozen butterbeers are served. Colder seasons allow for hot butterbeer to be offered as well. While many fans who have been to the theme parks argue about which is better, I find their comparisons a bit lacking in detail. For the most part, they’ll only mention which one they prefer. To end this great debate, we’ll be describing each version to see how they differ.
First, let’s talk about the regular butterbeer. It has a carbonated drink base and topped with a butterscotch-flavored cream. The soft drink tasted like a more fragrant cream soda but a lot less sweeter. What makes this beverage great is the mixture of the sweet cream froth and light soda. The two contrasting yet oddly complimentary flavors meld in your mouth, creating a smooth elixir with a rich but not cloying mouthfeel. Plus, the cream foam is fun to rock as a mustache!
Next up is their frozen version. Muggles seem to have this obsession with slushy drinks, so of course, Universal Studios concocted a refreshment suited to their taste buds. The frozen butterbeer sports a much sweeter base than the regular one and is topped by the same whipped cream. This combination is more cloying because of the overpowering sweetness. This drink is a fan-favorite, which I found surprising. While it might be a nice drink during hot summers, I’ll pass on this toothache-inducing concoction next time. In fact, this was the only drink we didn’t finish.
Lastly, there is hot butterbeer. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare your taste buds to be apparated into a different dimension because this drink was absolutely magical. It tasted of milky caramel with a faint hint of a spice I can’t put my finger on and was perfectly complemented by the frothy butterscotch cream. The consistency of the drink was just right – not too rich, not to thin. One swig instantly made me feel calmer and happier. It was quite like how Harry felt when he took his first sip of hot butterbeer, I’d imagine. It’s worth going back to the theme park again for another cup of this.
We visited Orlando during winter and were able to try all the different beverages. I highly recommend going to the theme park during the off season as well. You don’t have to worry about the scorching summer heat, and the weather changes so much you can get Butterbeer™ in all its forms to best suit the daily forecast! Universal Studios also offers other butterbeer treats, such as fudge, soft serve, and potted cream. I didn’t try these myself, but they could be well worth eating too!
How was your Butterbeer™ experience? Tell me which is your favorite and why!
Teeny Travels 