TPC Dream Masquerade Carnival event: Day 1

Ahhh I'm finally fighting my laziness and starting to write this entry. Well, I say laziness, but my health has not been the best these last few months and I feel VERY tired. I can sleep up to 12 hours a day (yep, that actually means half of a day) and still go to work the rest of the time. Dream Masquerade Carinval event was AMAZING and I had such a great time, but it was also very tiring and nerve-wracking. I'll try my best to remember everything I did in London but I am sure that I already forgot many things... Anyway, here we go!!!

I actually arrived in London on friday August 25. I was by myself as my friend Marie-Lou, who was supposed to come with me at first, couldn't take any vacations and had to cancel. It made me quite nervous to go alone and I hesitated cancelling everything myself too... I was tired, mentally not at my best, didn't know what to wear and didn't want to feel lonely... but in the other hand, I was dying to meet Kira Imai who is one of my absolute favourite illustrators and of course to see many dear friends again! So in the end, I was brave enough to go! GO ME!
I arrived at Heathrow airport and went to my hotel in Kensington. I rested for a bit and then went on my way to Leicester Square and Chinatown to have lunch in my favourite dumplings restaurant. (You have to know that I have a real love for dumplings since I travelled to Taiwan. Dumplings are life, dumplings are love. I could only feed myself with dumplings.) I really enjoyed it! I also had a delicious milk tea with my lunch and it was heaven :')
I visited Chinatown and found a place called Swiss Court! It was so funny to see all the Swiss cantons' flags! I am from Bernese origins but was actually born in Geneva... can you guess which flags are they?

Mandatory picture of the gate!

Dumplings & milk tea! I enjoyed my lunch so much ♥

Do you know the different Swiss flags?

I then went shopping on Oxford street (found a cute t-shirt in Primark and a long-sleeved shirt in another shop that I had never heard of before). I also tried to change my 5 pounds notes as the ones I had were obsolete but with no luck. Cool I have now money I can't use.
Nothing special for this day. I was tired after shopping, so I went back to my hotel and went to bed quite early. I knew the Dream Masquerade Carnival main event would be very long and tiring so I wanted to be prepared and rested!

I woke up quite early on saturday (thank you jet-lag) and spent some hours in bed checking Facebook and Instagram on my phone. I also called my mom to wish her a happy birthday (I felt a bit bad not being at home for her birthday, but I gave her a card before leaving that she had to wait for her actual birthday to read).
Around 9:30 I decided it was time to get dressed. I opened my suitcase to take all my accessories and clothes when I realized I forgot my donut at home. Yeah you know, a donut, that thing that helps you making the perfect bun with your hair. Basically the only thing I REALLY needed. I started to panic and to curse myself. Why didn't I check my outfit the day before?! I could have bought another one on Oxford Street. Stupid, stupid, stupid me!!! Well, I started to think about doing another hairstyle, but you have to know that my hair is really thin and hard to style and nothing was working. I decided I had to go outside to try to find a donut. I quickly put jeans and a t-shirt on and went to check the shops nearby. I didn't find any donut of course, but I found some headbands and bought them. Better than nothing. I ran back to the hotel. It was already way past 10:00 and I was SUPER late. Fortunately, the headbands rolled together helped me to make a nice bun, so I could quickly do my make up and finish dressing up. I left the hotel around 10:30, almost crying because of all the anxiety (I hate to be late) and went on my way to the event which was starting at 11:00 for silver tickets holders, like me. Fortunately my outfit was quite simple and it didn't take me long to put everything on. After hesitating a lot about what to wear, I ended up choosing my beloved Sugar Pansy OP in a white and yellow outfit with touches of lavender and pink. It was really simple, but totally me and I felt great in it!

♥ Angelic Pretty Sugar Pansy  ♥ 

Barrette: Angelic Pretty

Pansy Hairclip: Offbrand (bought on Etsy)
Bolero: Offbrand
OP: Angelic Pretty
 Brooch: Vintage
Socks: Angelic Pretty
Shoes: BodylineBracelets: Claire's
Wristcuffs: Angelic Pretty & Chocomint
Rings: Maison de Julietta & Zygomatics

My bun wasn't so bad in the end, uh?

After a ride in the London Tube, I finally arrived and quickly spotted my dear friend Rosalynn outside the venue which really relieved me. I felt the anxiety going away and I started to enjoy the day. I was so happy to see old friends again and to meet some new ones. We had to wait outside for a bit and then we could enter the venue.

We all got a tote bag with lots of goodies inside(including an amazing Angelic Pretty mug!) and we could then enter the place. Rosalynn and I had to get organized a bit. We already had a lot of things to carry... I suddenly spotted Maki and Asüka coming and I quickly told Rosalynn to take a picture with them! We were a bit disappointed not to be able to take a picture with them at the Angelic Pretty tea party in Paris, so we HAD to have a picture this time and here was our chance! They were kind enough to pose with us, even if they actually were on their way to do something I think. They are very patient and kind! So first mission of the day was a success: we had our picture with Maki and Asüka.

So happy to have a picture with Maki & Asüka ♥

We then went upstairs to check the different rooms. Rosalynn wanted to go to the Angelic Pretty room first, so that's where we went. OK, let's get serious: the Tea Party Club did an incredible job with this event!!! They even created the most amazing backdrop I had ever seen! Perfect spot to take pictures! Official photographers were also always around to take pictures. We could have a drink too and take stupid pictures at the photobooth! I loved that room, It was my favourite I think! Rosalynn and I were a bit overwhelmed by everything we could see and didn't know where to start. As Maki was around, we took some pictures with her again. There also was Kira Imai stall, but she wasn't there for now so we decided to come back later. Too many things were going on, too many stalls to check, too many people to meet! I was feeling a bit too much excited!

Rosalynn is so cute on this picture! ;__;

We also met with Nicole again! I was soooooo happy to see her again, after 3 years! We went together to the Angelic Pretty tea party in Tokyo in 2014 and had an amazing time so I was so glad she came all the way to London! I gave her some Swiss chocolates as a gift and we took a picture together too! Yay!

So happy to see Nicole again!

It was almost time for the Q&A with Angelic Pretty so we went to the main hall (which was amazing by the way!) to take a seat. We also took some outfit pictures. Lots of Lolita started to arrive as bronze tickets holders could enter now too. Maki and Asüka went on stage, I quickly took some pictures of them and then Rosalynn and I left. We wanted to check the stalls easily while everybody was at the Q&A. 

 We first went back to Kira Imai's stall and it was the best idea ever! There was only a girl at the stall, so we had plenty of space and time to talk with Kira Imai! I was so nervous because I actually had a gift for her: one of my original painting, a card explaining that I also was an illustrator and some Swiss chocolates. She was really kind and thanked me for the gift. She even asked if it was OK for her to keep my painting as it was something really precious she said. I said that I would be honoured for her to have it of course!!! I bought some more cards and goodies and then asked her to sign a card I brought from home and a book I bought during my last trip in Japan. She was really surprised I had the book and asked me where I got it! I then politely asked if it was OK to take a picture together, with her face hidden of course and she especially asked people to respect her privacy. I was totally OK with that of course and we went to take a picture together, both hiding our faces... and honestly that makes the cutest picture ever! Haha! I love it and will keep it preciously! I think at that moment, Rosalynn lost me for a minute as I was dying of happiness. Kira Imai is a total sweetheart and I even love her more now, she is the best ♥ 

Cutest picture with one of my favourite artists ♥

I then browsed the Angelic Pretty stall. Nothing really caught my eyes, but I still bought a small Fantasic Dolly pouch, as I never have enough pouches and Fantasic Dolly is one of my favourite prints ♥ I will use it a lot, to carry make up or small accessories so it was a good buy!

There were still like 4 rooms we needed to check so we went on our way. I was especially excited to check Triple Fortune's stall. They always have the most amazing bonnets and let's face it: we all love BABI and Kaie who are angels sent from heaven. Rosalynn immediately fell in love with a gorgeous pink hat and bought it. It was made for her, really! I bought tights myself, with a beautiful flower print, that I can't wait to wear!

BABI & Kaie kindly accepted to take a picture with me and I think you can see that I was like screaming internally XD I was just sooooo happy!

I think you can read 'Awwwwww' on my face!

Ayumi Watanabe from Rose Marie Seoir is also a cutie!

In this room we also met my dear Swiss fellow Lolita friend Lea, who was wearing a cute bright red outfit! We chatted for a bit and she asked me to take pictures of her outfit (I always like to take pictures for other Lolitas, especially when they tell me they always love how they look on my pictures!). I also met Ada and her husband again. Oh dear, Ada always has the most perfect outfit with a quirky twist that I love! It is really HER style and it always amazes me! I can't believe I already met her more than 7 years ago :o and she had been one of my biggest inspirations since then!

Lovely Lea ♥ She is wearing the Swiss colours! Haha

Ada & I ♥

Oh god... That entry is already so long... but we're not even at the half of the day. I think it was lunch break at that time, but we weren't actually that hungry so Rosalynn and I stayed inside. We went back to the main hall to reserve some seats for the fashion show. Rosalynn wanted to film it, so she wanted to have a good spot! First was the indie brands fashion show! There were many beautiful looks, too many actually, so I will only post pictures of my favourites!

My dear Pom modelling for Fidel David!

Another gorgeous look by Fidel David!

Peacockolorum!

Heaven's Atrium!

We then had a break for.... cake!!!! Wahhhh! We all sang happy birthday to the Tea Party Club for their 10 years and then could have a delicious piece of cake. Yum! It was a bit hard to eat without a spoon or fork ( I even dropped some cream on the beautiful carpet... oops, sorry...) but I managed.

It was now time for the brands fashion show! I fell in love with one of Angelic Pretty's new print: Lovely Shopping! It featured cosmetics and Valentine's Day-like items on the print and I loved it! I loved it even more when I discovered that there would be a grey colourway and actually bought it last week when it was released :)

Triple Fortune!

Atelier Pierrot! That dress is GORGEOUS!

Fell in love with Lovely Shopping print ♥

After the fashion show, we went to take some pictures with our friends Poppy, Petra and Pom. One of the official photographers was also kind enough to take a picture of all of us together!
Poppy was wearing a very sweet outfit with her yellow Milky Planet JSK and I was dying to have a picture with her as we were matching in yellow! I love Poppy's style, she is always so inspiring especially with her hairstyles!

Picture by Jatzu - Freefall Creation
Me, Rosalynn, Petra, Poppy and Pom ♥

The yellow girls ♥

I think we then went back to check all the stalls we hadn't browsed yet. We also stumbled upon Cadney! Did I tell you how excited I was to meet Cadney? No? It was very special to me as, as you know, she's from Canada and I'm from Switzerland. What were the chances we could actually meet one day? I had brought Swiss chocolates for her too and I think she liked them :) I hope so at least! I was a bit disappointed, as I was planning to wear my Sugar Hearts OP for the event first but decided for Sugar Pansy at the last moment... and now I saw Cadney wearing her beautiful Sugar Hearts JSK! I could have twinned with her ;___; That would have totally been a Lolita achievement! Haha

Is that picture even real? What a dream come true ♥

I was getting tired, so I don't exactly remember what we did next? I think it was time for the Fashion Fix in which Rosalynn was participating! She was really excited about it and let me tell you: she totally rocked it!!!! She was fierce and funny and pretty! She asked me to film that moment for her and I did my best, so I hope she has a nice memory of this moment! I have a big smile on my face right now writing about it, she was really on fire!..... but honestly... I didn't get a thing of what that game actually was? Hahaha. ANYWAY, in the end Rosalynn got to have a Kabedon with Triple Fortune! How lucky!!! And of course I was the official filmmaker and photographer to immortalize the moment.

BABI & Kaie also played during the Fashion Fix!

Ok, are you still reading? Here's a cookie for you if you kept reading until now, but I'm not finished yet! Next was the 10 years of Angelic Pretty fashion show. I had high hopes for this show but in the end it was a bit disappointing. I thought Maki and Asüka would talk about the prints or something, but nope. Also, that was basically the only moment we could see Risa Nakamura. I was super happy to see my friend Lea modelling though! She wore 'La Princesse Sucre' dress, which is a collaboration with Kira Imai, and she was absolutely gorgeous in it! ♥ You go, Lea!!!

All the models of the 10 years of Lolita fashion show!

At that time, I started feeling really bad. Physically and emotionnally. I received some concerning messages from work and I felt like shit and helpless... It even went worse later... but first it was time for the raffle. I wasn't really focused and there was some trouble with the tickets (there were 2 kinds of tickets, one with a green border and one without and they both had the same numbers which made everything complicated). The staff was a bit confused at first, but they handled the situation like pros and gave new tickets to all the people who had a border ticket. I didn't win anything, but some of the prizes were really great!
The day was slowly coming to an end and maybe it was a bit too much for me. I was so anxious and tired that I actually started crying :( I couldn't help it but felt like shit. Fortunately, Rosalynn was really kind and helped me going through it. We still had the group picture to take anyway, so no time to cry!!!

Group picture by Emily Valentine Photography - www.emilyvalentine.online
Can you spot me? :)

It was now time to leave. I probably didn't say hi or goodbye to many people and I am sorry if you spotted me and I didn't talk to you. I think that was the biggest event I ever went to and it was a bit triggering for my anxiety. I helped Rosalynn to change in casual clothes to have dinner with a friend and then we went outside. We said goodbye (only until tomorrow) and I went on my way back to the hotel. I was surprised by how polite people in London are! Noboby was rude or stared at me. I have been alone in Lolita in Paris and I can tell you: I always walk fast in Paris XD Not that I'm scared, but still... In London people are more decontracted I would say? I got lots of compliments, and a guy even told me I looked like a queen!
When I arrived at the hotel, I said a big FUCK to my petticoat and quickly went to take a shower. I ended the day by calling my mom again, having dinner which consisted of a sandwich and checking news on my phone. With the jet-lag helping, I went to bed early again.
It was a crazy day. Full of emotions, stress, joy, tears and strain but it was worth it! Definitely one of the best events I ever went to! ♥ Thank you a million time to the Tea Party Club for all the hard work to make this event real and million thanks to all my friends and especially to Rosalynn who was my partner in crime ♥

By the way, Rosalynn made a great video of this day! Go and watch it!