Liz Lisa early Spring 2014 & Jumper skirt, Pom pom boots order

Blog pictures from Liz Lisa's official blog, lizlisa.jp and Liz Lisa's Sendai blog
Pictures from the earliest Spring 2014 releases 

 

It's obvious that lavender will be a highlight in Liz Lisa's spring color palate. I'm not personally a huge fan of wearing lavender (I like it as a color but less on myself) but I love seeing it as a color option. There is also a lot of navy which wasn't uncommon in the past, but an interesting choice for spring.
There are even lavender and navy shoe options which I feel like I rarely see.

Even though I won't be purchasing this (long sleeves), this is one of my favorite coordinates from what's been released so far!

I feel like it could be appropriate in a variety of situations from work to dinner to church or a party. It's a little matchy-matchy with all of the navy and white, but I like that it's an obvious set.

I especially like the purses/bags for this season with the color choices and the design. 

I don't need any more purses (∩︵∩) since I recently got a Samantha Thavasa bag and still have many others, and shipping bags is actually more expensive than it seems. But if it weren't for all that, I'd have pre-ordered 1 or 2.

This is the skirt I was dying over when I saw the first release of the spring images -

 

When I saw that it was finally released on VENT (so happy that it was immediately available and didn't have to preorder), I purchased it in white on 1/17 and it arrived at my post office on 1/27 (I wasn't home to sign for it so I had to pick it up the day after).
(In my experience,) The clothes always come in plastic wrappings, but usually the item is folded within the plastic so less plastic needs to be used with the exception of certain dresses or coats.

I was very surprised to see this skirt in a full plastic bag. This item (at 6,720yen - yikes did I really pay full price :|) is 500yen+tax more than the average skirt/bottom from Liz Lisa so I was hoping for some slight enhancement that made it worth the increase. I was happy to see that this skirt has a side zipper and the material seems to be good quality. It does seem to be a little bit longer on me than other Liz Lisa items but not so much that it looks irregular.
All the shop staff coordinates have a long sleeve shirt with this skirt, and as much as I like the look, I don't think I'll wear it that way. However, there are many interesting long sleeve tops (many of which are cropped) in the webstore right now and I think most of them would be able to work with this skirt.

 I'd consider buying one with the rose cut out collar details at sale price to alternately use as a pull over sweater/layering piece rather than just a top.
Again, sorry for the bad lighting. Due to a change in my work schedule, I leave my house before the sun rises and get home right around the time it's setting (when it's basically dark) so these are all photos taken with my bad room lighting with no aid of natural light. Also taken on my phone because my DSLR takes extremely yellow photos with only my room light.

 

In the package was the Spring 2014 newspaper and an ad for Tralala's Spring collection. The newspaper is actually quite large! Practically the size of a regular newspaper except a little skinner. I was very surprised to see it at that size lol.

 

The newspaper contents have already been released on lizlisa.com so if you're interested, you should go there for high quality photographs, but here's a quick look at it -

 

I'm excited about the spring novelty items. I would like them a lot more if they would be available through VENT, but I'm half considering asking someone to in-store shop for me just so I can get them...

Here's the skirt on the mannequin -

 

I thought this skirt would be really similar to the suspender skirt I already have from Summer 2013, but there are some definite differences besides the obvious small style details. First, the quality of the spring skirt is better (not exponentially so, but noticeable). There isn't anything wrong with the pink summer one, but it was priced cheaper and that's reflected in the difference. Second, the skirt length is longer for the spring skirt. Third, the waistband is thicker and sturdier on the spring skirt and because of this, there is a side zipper that the summer one does not have. I think the waist on the spring skirt is also meant to sit a bit higher on the body as well. 

Hopefully coordinate pictures this weekend if the lighting is good. A bit doubtful since it's been really cloudy lately, and I do have errands to run. It might have to wait until I get my next order in so I can kill two birds with one stone ...

My thoughts on Liz Lisa Spring 2014 thus far
It really seems like Liz Lisa/clothing brands in general just can't win. They get criticized that everything is too similar/mundane (too much pink, same skirt in different colors, not enough variety), and then when they try to explore other silhouettes and a slightly different color palate, customers still complain. I personally like that the spring collection is something different. I don't want to buy every single thing in what has so far been released from the spring collection, but that's how I feel about items every season. I never like 100% of the items. I think if I could try some of the items on before purchasing them, I'd buy a lot more because it wouldn't be such a guessing game since fit is really important on many of these items like the denim pencil skirt with suspender straps.

I'm not willing to take the chance with most of the items at full price, but there are some I'd definitely snatch during the sales later this year if they're still in stock.
I titled this blog post "early Spring 2014" because I think I've seen some blog photos of spring stuff that has yet to be listed online, and I'm definitely excited about that and for short sleeved stuff and shorts that I'm sure is soon to come in the next month or so. I think if you have an open mind and aren't afraid to experiment with fashion, this slightly different direction that Liz Lisa is going with is fantastic! Pin up isn't exactly a new idea, but in combination with the Liz Lisa aesthetic/Japanese fashion, I think there are some really interesting pieces in this collection. When I see how shop staff coordinate the different pieces in ways that I would personally never think of, I become more convinced that I like the concept and can't wait to see more.

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Also, as slightly alluded to above, submitted another VENT order -__-
I wasn't planning on buying for awhile/until spring items went on sale, but email coupon. How can I turn down 30% off already reduced prices? Unfortunately the coupon couldn't be used on any spring releases or preorder items, but that's just as well because it meant I spent less.
These boots were originally 14490yen and were on sale for 5250yen at 64% off. I had been thinking about buying these boots at the 5250yen price but wasn't sure about how often I'd be able to wear them since the pom poms kind of scream autumn/winter to me. Don't get me wrong, I love pom poms, but boots are already kind of weird in Hawaii so any kind of pom pom/fur boots are even more highly criticized and look extremely out of place.

 

I really wanted them in pink but they only had beige and the brown in my size. I decided on beige because I already have a dark brown boot. With the coupon code, the boots came down to around $37, but I had to pay for domestic shipping so my total with VENT was 4200yen. Not bad for boots that were originally 14490yen! Don't tell me that brand is impossibly expensive because you can truly get some really great deals. I'm thinking that Tenso shipping will be around $45-55 but I'm willing to pay that much for boots. Can't wait :3

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  How to order from Liz Lisa and Tokyo Kawaii Life video and photo tutorial here!

2 Liz Lisa orders arrived - Check romper, Scallop knit & Happy Winter Tote

It's been a month, but I'm finally posting about my two latest Liz Lisa orders! 

I received the first order on 12/31 after ordering it on 12/25. I was super surprised how quickly my order was processed and shipped, not only by VENT but also by Tenso and my local post office. I think I just managed to miss the rush.

Check Romper in beige (122-6041-0)

チェックロンパース

Sorry, I was having some major problems with the lighting in my room and also my make-up/face wtf. Even my hair wasn't really cooperating. Anyway, the romper is pretty much as pictured in the stock photos. I like it a fair amount. I don't know how often I'll wear it, but for the price, I think it was worth getting. The material is good quality - actually not too thick or thin - and not scratchy. It's the kind of romper that isn't really fussy with lots of buttons that make it hard to take on or off. There's a deep side zipper that functions well. I wish it was a little more fitted at the waist, but that might make it less comfortable to move and sit, etc so I guess it's minor.

 Scallop U-neck Knit in white (120-3009-0)
スカラップUネックカーディガン

No big surprises with this cardigan. It's a basic sweater with nice detailing around the neckline. The buttons are roses and not extremely easy to use (ask S's 3 year-old niece who loves buttoning things and had the hardest time) but I don't usually button my sweaters anyway. A good, classic item that isn't wholly mundane because of the little details but basic enough to wear during any season.

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My second order came in the same day as my LLxMM collab carry fukubukuro and which is the reason for the delay in this post lol. I ordered it on 12/31/2013, and I received it on 1/11. It is also a lucky pack in a sense, and I wasn't sure what to expect although I did have high hopes. I do like the bag a lot. It's not extremely well made but it's adequate, and I like to have cheaper/not as expensive bags that are still cute for going to the beach or being outdoors so I don't have to fuss over them.
Happy Winter Tote (130-0502-0) contents:
Crochet pull-over -

 It's not horrible and definitely not something I would have bought for myself so it's interesting to see. Seems good for layering/being a basic item. I think it's from 2013 spring/summer? I'm currently listing this top in my storenvy in case you're interested. I don't think there's anything wrong with this piece specifically - it's just not something I see myself using often and don't want it to waste by just sitting on my clothes rack! I don't like to uselessly hoard clothes, and I'd much rather see it go to a home where it can actually be worn. Price negotiable (especially if you read my blogspot posts :3)!

High-waisted shorts -

This is an interesting addition to my wardrobe. I'm always wary about buying shorts (from anywhere) because I like a certain kind of fit, but free size shorts actually work reasonably well for me. I'm pretty sure these are the shorts from the 2013 white ribbon tote. I will likely not wear them with a shirt tucked in in these pictures but rather with a longer top like the pink ruffle top I had from the LLxMM LP (now sold). Mostly only wearing it this way to show the entirety of the shorts. I'm keeping these shorts for now but aren't really planning on wearing them any time soon, so if you're interested, make me an offer. When I wear shorts/casual wear, I tend to stick to the same Hollister shorts over and over again so I will unlikely even think of these as a regular option.

High neck long sleeve OP -

SIGH. Another long sleeve item, but seriously what was I expecting?...honestly though there were a few short sleeve autumn/winter items released and the top from the tote isn't even from autumn/winter so idk. Okay, anyway, this is definitely not something I would have bought for myself based purely on the fact that it's long sleeved. When I first saw it in the plastic wrapping I thought it was a different dress and was pleased until I actually unwrapped the entire thing. I don't mind the way it looks on me (and actually quite like this picture lol) but I just do not see any reason to keep long sleeve items in my wardrobe. It's listed in my storenvy. Again, price negotiable. Nothing wrong with it, just doesn't vibe with the weather where I live, so no sense hold onto it. (Now sold, thank you!)

Overall, not really pleased with the Happy Winter Tote, but I suppose it could have been a lot worse. I have to remind myself to stop buying these things. I really get caught up in the novelty of it all and the element of surprise. The first happy pack I ever bought was actually quite a good one though...Idk if my standards/tastes have changed or I'm just less lucky lol.

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  How to order from Liz Lisa and Tokyo Kawaii Life video and photo tutorial here!