Comfort update - so how are those shoes holding up? Bodyline 251 and An*Tai*Na 9988b

^^ This is a 4/6 months update on the comfort and durability of the shoes I bought in the autumn 2013 ^^
An*Tai*Na 9988B
Bodyline 251

An*Tai*Na 9988B

Original Review post <<Click link :)

Received: November 2013

Review date: March 2014

Frequency of wear: (Approx.) I've used these shoes every other weekend (alternating) so, perhaps 8 times per shoe-pair during the past 4 months.

Storage: Original carton shoe box in my wardrobe. I handle them gently, and they are stored in separate plastic bags, as not to touch each other.

Total wear after approx 4 months:

Coords

Cherry coord :)

Classic Velveteen

There is an optical illusion on the picture to the right! XD

The inside of the shoes is white, and paired up with the white lace stockings - this makes my feet look weird XD

May be good to think about, if you take photos with these shoes- white socks may create this illusion.

So what is my final verdict? :D

An*Tai*Na 9988B shoes

4 months update: Still 5/5 Hazelbelle nuts! :D

These shoes are amazing! It is so easy to make beautiful coords with them and they really make my outfits :)

I can't believe how comfortable they are, even with the heel. I wear them for hours all day long and I have NEVER had sore feet! :D And that says a lot, usually I get sore feet immediately when wearing high heel shoes. The shoes do get a little bit warm, as they are not made in leather. But I actually do not mind because the design is so aaammmaaazing :3

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Bodyline 251

Original Review post <<Click link :)

Received: August 2013

Review date: March 2014

Frequency of wear: (Approx.) I've used these shoes twice a month, perhaps 12 times during the past 6 months.

Storage: IKEA polyester shoe box (SKUBB) in my wardrobe.

Total wear after approx. 6 months:

A few coords...

Wine, grey and brown :)

Brown x White

So what is my final verdict? :D

Bodyline 251 shoes

6 months update: Raising the grade to 5/5 (from 4/5) Hazelbelle nuts! :D
I must say, these shoes are very comfortable. I have actually walked at least 100 km in them in total (often 8 km in a day!) (In Sweden we rely on walking and on public transportation to get around ;)

The PU is of very high quality and is also durable. They are also very water resistant and can tolerate the harsh weather of the Swedish winter

I do, however, find them more difficult to coord than the 9988B. Design-wise, they are not really super low sweet tea parties, and the lack of heel can make the longer classical skirts look a bit off. But, as I mentioned, they are amazingly comfortable and it's really simple to walk 10 km in them without sore feet.

I rated these shoes 4/5 in august, but I simply must raise the grade to 5/5 :)

The only set-back is the design. When I bought these shoes, I was very new to Lolita and knew little about how much slight details can alter the complex "feeling" of an entire coord. These BL shoes have a more chunky and "upward" round toe, compared to Sweet Tea Parties, which might make your legs look a bit off under a classic skirt with less poof. So I'm rather careful what kind of skirts that I can coord with these shoes. I do believe the design is a bit more "clumsy" and "chunky". I might actually put these up for sales and buy more An*Tai*Na 9988B models in various colours instead!

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Coming up! My next coord :D

My next coord with the An*Tai*Na 9988B gold shoes will be with +Krad Lanrete+ Lost in Sea Aqua OP themed up with my gold vintage leather handbag. ^^

<3 Hope this post is helpful for you! <3

BIG HUGS! /Mary

I was lucky! :D Bodyline Lucky Pack 2014

Today I finally received my BL LP!

It took a month for me to receive it ^^

I ordered it immediately at it's release, on New Years Eve 

- and I must say that I was very lucky!!! :D

I received a total of whopping 6 items!

I was hoping for 3-4 items, at the most! So my LP must well be worth 3 times 5000 yen.

Which is lucky since I paid 179 SEK (2800 Yen) for customs-fee and tax on top of the LP price.

So total cost of the LP for me was 7800 Yen (ca 502 SEK).

6 Bags in total (One bag is hiding under the black one)

When I saw these, I got really excited!!! 

I have been thinking of adding some Sweet Lolita to my Classic Wardrobe, so I immediately ripped up the White and Pink packet - I was hoping for an OP, and got a really cute white JSK with pink lace and ribbons:

White x Pink Hime JSK (size M) with matching bow

L438-owh-m

Bodyline L438

Danielle P made such a cute coord with the same dress!

As you know, Bodyline are very inconsistent in sizing - so even though I'm tall and have a broad rib-cage, sometimes I fit size M. 

Even though this JSK has shirring, it was at least 6 cm until I could close the zipper (unfortunately). The skirt was very short for me as well, so I'll be puttng this up for sale to a short and petite Lolita :).

White blouse, size M

L383-owh-m 

Bodyline L383

- looks much better IRL (and with the blouse tucked in) than on the Bodyline model!

This blouse, is really sweet, and it fits me well! :D

The collar is rather big and fluffy, but I actually really like the sweet effect.

THIS IS A KEEPER :)

The necktie is missing, but I received the cameo as a loose item.

Cute skirt, size M

L453-blu-m

This skirt is so adorable! It has full shirring, so it fits my 75 cm waist without any problem - BUT it is so short! It barely covers my butt when I have it on my natural waist. I can pull it down a little on my hips, but it is still nowhere near a modest length... So this will end up on sales as well. 

Bodyline L453

Punk Lolita JSK and a High Waist Belt

L495-red-m

Again a M dress in a completely different size ;) Haha

This was rather large on me!

I was hoping for something gothic in the LP, and this JSK would make a good Punk Lolita outfit with ripped stockings and Dr Martens. Yet somehow, I didn't really like how I looked in it. It's a bit too big, and it didn't flatter my body at all. Maybe it's the maid-wings on the shoulder straps...

Good length on the skirt, however. 

Bodyline L495

The High Waist Belt, however is very small, maybe for a 65 cm waist. So both will be sold!

This dress has been found in other BL LPs this year as well ^^

Fruit Parlor Tote Bag Pink x Black

This bag has been turning up in a lot of the LPs! I have nothing to match it with, so I'll be selling this as well.

The only odd item i received... 

...was this:

This is the "EroX Star Fire"

A reminder that Bodyline isn't really a Lolita Brand...

They are a sex costume shop after all ;)

Oooh... thongs (going to the bin - I like my knickers BIG ;) LOL this is soooo shady 80s ;)

Don't you get that Samantha Fox feeling?

In total, this is the haul! :D

A tote bag

A mini skirt

A Hime/Sweet Lolita JSK

A Punk lolita JSK

"Sexy" undies

White blouse

So, one Bodyline blouse and a cameo for 500 SEK (7800 Yen) isn't really worth it, but I'm booked in on swap meets and Lolita sales in March and April (Stockholm) so hopefully I'll get some of my money back on the sales!

I don't think I'll get a Bodyline LP again, but for this time it was a good laugh!
I rather put my money towards commissioned indie-items or brand :)

I've been kind of spoilt with luxury quality when buying Indie and high-end brands such as Btssb, so I don't think I'll ever buy from Bodyline again (and the customs always charge me extra fees).

Seeing so many BL items together, you realise that they are a good, cheap alternative for Lolitas that can't sew - but still the quality is nothing compared to just adding a little more money to your purchase from Infanta on Taobao, or excellent seamstress Bunny House in Vietnam.

 You get so much more value for your money when buying commissioned Indie-brands or sewing the items yourself.

BIG HUGS! /Mary Hazelbelle

Bodyline Lucky Pack 2014 first update

I still haven't recieved my BL LP ): , 

the tracking says it is stuck in Tokyo since the 11/1 (!)
6 days now... :P

But, I noticed a few girls have put up the contents of their LPs online!

This one is by far the worst I have seen:

Donberry Tonberry Tumblr

She received 17 loose sleeves o_O

As the poor Lolli says: 

"I’m not sure exactly what I can do with 3 left-side and 14 right-side unattached sleeves, but I do appreciate the laugh they gave me. (≧∇≦)"

But, luckily it seems that is not all she got, she's putting up a review with the rest later.

This LP seemed nice, though :)

Mis Dulces Dias

It contained 2 boleros, bloomers, jsk, skirt and a bag. Total 6 items!

Mis Dulces Dias

Lady Lae Lae's LP contained the following 4 items:

Skirt, Punk OP, Beige Blouse, Sweet Lolita OP

Jodies' LP also contained 4 items!
(More than the "only" 3 items that I was guessing in my first BL LP post ^^)

EGL post

Bodyline love

Kochan got a tote bag, 2 OP and a cute skirt :) Perfect for a sweet lolita!

Oh oh oh I hope my LP isn't too bad XD

Hahaha And hope they can send it from Tokyo soon!

Seriously?! What's holding it?

Big Hugz/ Mary

Click!>>> UPDATE: MY BL LP <<<Click!

Bodyline LUCKY PACK New Years 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :D

Well, I have had pretty awful shopping experiences lately
(horror story comin' up, still in a dispute process #shudders#)
- so why on earth would I spend money on a Bodyline Lucky Pack (BL LP)? 

On BLs hompage you can watch a weird video with Mr Yan hoppin' on a Snowboard and offering a "Lucky gift".

Mr Yan also warns on the front page that this Lucky Gift Pack will probably not contain anything you will like ;) LOL ...
"Sometimes maybe you wont like the size or color in these cases."

There are two different LPs ("Good Luck Bags") for 5000 yen each:
one "Gothic Lolita Punk" (Fuku002) and one "Cosplay" (Fuku003).
(Fuku 服 is Japanese for "Clothes")

The contents are as follows:

Gothic Lolita Punk

jumper skirt*1 onepiece*1 socks1*2 socks2*2 tops*1 skirt*1 dress*5

10,358 grams

Cosplay
onepiece*1 katyusha*1 ribbon*1 apron*1 under*1 pants*5 socks*2 dress*5 
10,393 grams

Now, it could easily look like you are getting all of the listed items
(aka op dress, socks, a top, a skirt etc).
BEWARE - this is Bodyline!

(And the stated 10 000 grams = 10 KG is not true either.
On the front page it states that the Lucky Pack will fit one air mail shipment, aka <1,8 kg).

Mr Yan swears free from responsibility by stating the following on the front page:
"for regist products information we have to put information to products's content.
it is not true.it is for regist products only. 
Don't make misunderstand pls."

The items listed are most probably only examples of items that the LP may contain.
I don't think the LP will contain all those listed items, or even many items, since the only photo documented BL LP I've seen so far, was a girl who got only 2 items in her LP;
A petticoat and a sax winter coat.

EGL BL LP New Year 2011
- PAN033 and a coat that hasn't been for sale on the BL website.
I am a bit unsure, but it seems like she paid 125 USD for this LP.

On the front page they state that the value of the items should be 2-3 times more than the LP itself, so the items of the LP should be valued to approx 10'000 - 15'000 yen.
600-900 SEK, 95-140 USD, 69-100 Euros, 57-86 GBP.

If I make an educated guess, I think the LP will contain the following:

* Punk OP dress 50 USD *
* Socks 13 USD *
* Skirt 40 USD *

or

* Blouse 40 USD *
* Cloth bag 13 USD *
* Punk pants 40 USD *

This is if they stay true to the actual value that they have stated! :P
You never know with BL...

We'll see how well my predictions go ;)
My guess is that Bodylines LARGE collection of sizes, sundries and styles will be reflected in these LPs ;)

You can't choose size or colours. Since I'm on the larger/taller size scale, I don't wear pink or black and my style is mostly Classic Lolita... the chances of me receiving something I'm actually going to wear is pretty slim.

LOL, So why I am ordering this LP when it is deemed to be a failure?

I'm just curious, actually! :)
It's a cheap Lucky Pack, compared to brands, only 5000 yen + 750 yen shipping (366 SEK), so I figured I will probably be able to sell the items that I don't want and doesn't fit me.

It is simply for fun and I figured it would be an interesting blog post,
so I actually don't expect to like anything ^.^

I've also heard horror stories from Lucky Packs in the past, when Bodyline still had their shady sex department (Bodyline started of as a sex store with cheap-very-revealing-costumes),
one girl had apparently received fluffy handcuffs in her LP ;)

There's also a lot of wild guesses on EGL that Mr Yan will sprinkle the LPs with those awful "Sexy Santa"-costumes o_O
But hopefully they'll all end up in the Cosplay LP (Since they are sold in the Cosplay section).

I ordered one "Fuku002" LP - Gothic Lolita Punk version.

Hopefully it isn't a large enough sum to get tax upon, but we'll see.

So keep an eye out for updates when I receive the Lucky Pack! :D

<3 Full review comin' up! <3

click>>> UPDATE: MY BL LP <<<click

Bodyline L496 *JSK + Bolero* Classic Lolita REVIEW

L496 Bodyline

This is a review of the L496 Classic JSK + Bolero from Bodyline!
Venus Angelic looks great as the Bodyline model! :)

Me in L496

I was very nervous when I received my packet, since I've bought quite a few Lolita items now second hand and from on-line stores, that turned out to not be what I first thought... (Bad quality, wrong size...)

So, I own a lot of Lolita clothes that I really can't wear. And this dress is hopefully a dress that fits!

The dress costs USD 80 (I ordered during a 10% off campaign for USD 72) + Bodylines' flat-rate shipping price USD 10. I had to pay 200 kr (ca 31 USD) tax and postage fees extra for the package in Sweden.

So my bargain dress ended up costing a lot more than I first thought (Total 112 USD/ 725 SEK).

The dress arrived in a Bodyline bag + soft plastic packaging.

Bolero + JSK in velveteen and "manchester"-like fabric

Pretty buttons (That later unfortunately ALL fell off!)

The ribbon is unfortunately high-shine.

 Lace detail

Detail of print, The print is upside down sometimes.

I bought the 2L size, which is perfect for me (I am 176 cm long, ca 67 kg, EU38)

The zipper is a bit odd - very visible.

Velveteen bolero. I love the poofy arms! :D

Front

Back

Highly visible zipper in back. As you also can see, the print is upside down.

Ahh... the feeling of cutting of a new dress tag ;)

 Poof!

 Lost in the woods *haha*

 I love the chain detail of the bolero!

Oops, buttons falling off :P

Bad thread...

This is, as you can see, not a high quality dress.

The print is awkwardly upside down at some places, the buttons fell off within an hour of wearing the dress and the zipper is not really the same hue as the dress and it is very much visible in the centre of the back.

But it is still a fairly decent Lolita dress for a great price - but don't forget to budget for taxes and your countries postage fees! (In Sweden 25% of TOTAL value - postage + dress + 100 kr Posten fee)

I would have done some extra needle-work myself, to make sure that the buttons don't fall of, if I had bought this dress again. The buttons have really ugly white plastic backs, so I'm not going to bother to sew them back on (and I lost one button forever when walking to the bus).

This dress receives 2/5 Hazelbelle Nuts because the buttons fell off, otherwise the JSK and bolero would have received 3/5.

UPDATE 8/11 2014: I ordered this when I was new to Lolita and didn't know about the Yen-trick.
The yen-trick is awesome - you just change the currency shown to Yen instead of USD. Bodyline charges hefty rates for using USD instead of Yen! And on the last page, after you have paid for your goods on Bodyline, you may choose to devalue your packet with 50% or 75% to avoid customs. Please note that this is illegal, however, and if you are caught by authorities doing this, you will be charged with a fine.

Review:

Did the items match the pictures on Bodyline? 3/5 Fairly well. 

Where the items of good quality? 2/5 Not really, the buttons came off when wearing the dress for less than an hour!

How was the sellers communication? 3/5 Good. Bodyline cancelled my order of stockings (that I ordered at the same time as the dress). I found out when they paid back the amount on Paypal, a bit awkward - it would have been nice to receive an email from Bodyline, too.

Cost versus quality? 3/5 It's still a fairly reasonable price for a two piece Lolita dress.