We have Arabesque contributors exhibiting on both coasts in the coming weeks!

Contributor Hilary Florido will be at APE in San Francisco this weekend October 1-2, 2011 at Table #564.  She has some new minis, Project A-ko inspired giclee prints, and copies of Arabesque as well.

Jane Mai and her friend Evelyn will be at New York Comic Con (NYCC) October 13-16th, 2011.  She has a table at NYAFC8 and will be carrying copies of Arabesque and her own designed goods (T-shirts, buttons, etc.) and comics.  If you are on Tumblr, Jane Mai is doing a free giveaway you can enter by reblogging her post!

Thank you for your support!

Just a quick note that Arabesque contributor Hilary Florido will be tabling in the Artist's Alley and will have copies of the newest issue of Arabesque. Her table can be found at L12 & 13.  She'll have a Regular Show fan book and a mini called Say It With Flowers among other things...  If you are at Otakon this weekend, please stop by- also I am incredibly envious of you! ;___; (Wish I could be going...).

I know it's still summer, but now that the autumn collections have started to roll in while the summer heat is reaching its high point, I am pining for cooler days and the crisp, clear air that marks autumn and winter.

I must confess that I love, love, love knitwear.  One of the charming points of knitwear is that compared to other textiles, patterns and colours can really come alive if done right. I was recently introduced to the work of Annie Larson at ALL KNITWEAR whose original knits very inspiring. I love the unique colour and geometric shape combinations. It is like all of my sweater dreams come true.

Each item is made to order using high quality cotton yarn so these will last longer and feel a lot better than your average $20 itchy and poorly made sweater from a high street store like Forever 21 or something. I know that I'll be saving up for a piece this winter!

Here is a snapshot from her studio found on her blog:

How dreamy is that?! I want to make an issue of Arabesque that is as colourful as her sweaters!

On the same note, last week I ordered some craft sets from Japanese maker Felissimo that ships overseas.  They offer items on a subscription service. You choose the item series and receive something from the series each month (or whenever it is you order).  The catch is you don't know exactly what design you will receive and you can only make an order once a month!

Well, it doesn't matter to me since I love all of the designs from this Mitten series featuring jacquard-like knit patterns and hope to collect all the designs in the series. I should receive my order sometime at the beginning of August and will be sure to write a review here. :-)

Even though we are only in the beginning stages of summer, the Japanese brands have already started to roll out their autumn goods for preorder this past month.  One of the stand out pieces from MILK is a letter themed bag. The white version with a red heart at the flap certainly looks like a love letter, doesn't it?

It seems that nowadays as it becomes easier and quicker to communicate through email and other technologies on the Internet, the art of letter writing is slowly waning. Nonetheless, the act of writing a letter is really a special one that any maiden should try every once in a while.  It is a calming activity and good for the heart as it gives you a momentary sanctuary from the fast rhythm of modern life and provides a method to open your thoughts.  Choosing the right kind of stationery, finding a quiet and peacful place to write, slowly comtemplating each sentence, sending it and waiting for the response on the other end... these are all treasured moments that make up the ritual of writing a letter. 

Letter and writing themed fashion items are indeed nothing new. And I think it is because of the romantic notions surrounding letters that we continue to see these motifs revisted.

Several years ago, as part of their fall theme "Across the Universe," Jane Marple released a series of letter writing themed accessories and a bag.  Some of the things I remember from that series include an earring set with a quill pen and bottle of ink, a necklace with an envelope and letter, a set of pins shaped like stamps, and two ring set with one ring that looked like a pen nib wrapped around the finger.

The letter shaped bag was a bit more grown-up than the MILK version.  Available in red and brown leather, it relied on subtle leather work and details... Photos on Poupeegirl: (1) (2)

What I really enjoyed about this collection was that it not only featured the envelope and the potential for exciting contents held inside, but it also highlighted the process of writing a letter and the enjoyment that can be found in the writing utensils, stationery, and stamps.

MILK is no stranger to using the envelope as a theme as found in this old winter collection from 2007.  The letter shaped pass case / wallet with a heart at the opening is a familiar item from the brand that is renewed every few years.  A redesign as a long wallet is also available for the Fall 2011 collection as well.

And finally, showcasing a brand that will perhaps be new to many... this post about envelope shaped items was actually sparked when I saw photos of the travel and post themed bag collection from Veira, a Singapore-based brand specializing in bags.  There are a variety of shapes including a hat bag-like carry case and a postal bag knapsack, but what caught my eye was the envelope clutch in suede which seems understated and functional while still keeping a taste of whimsy in the design.

You can see photos and purchase the whole collection at Boticca.  There is also a similar envelope design in black adapted for the Ipad!

Looking at all of these envelope-like bags makes me think about how I haven't written a letter myself in a long, long time. I think this week when I have the free time I shall spend it writing...

Just a quick notice that the Arabesque website just had a small update!  We added a preview of the zine contents as well as added a convenient Paypal button to ease the ordering process.  Please check it out!

Also, contributor Kim Hoang will be exhibiting at the Comic Market at Anime North this weekend in Toronto.  You can find her at table E13-E14.  She will be selling copies of Arabesque!  There are a very limited number of the first issue for sale as well.  Only 5 copies left!  When they are gone, they are gone!

Photo of Arabesque at TCAF just earlier this month...

 

I was in Toronto for TCAF and some other adventures!  Then I came back and somehow 2 weeks disappeared while I wasn't looking... D:

The first day I was in Toronto I went on a sort of eating tour with some friends from California and Toronto... led by a Toronto native who knows the city well.  Somehow we ended up walking throughout the entire city core - from Koreatown to Little Italy to Kensington Market... Chinatown and then finally Yorkville where my friends were staying.

It was an entirely awesome day, but I don't have any photos from it! I was so excited that I forgot to take any photos... Places I remember we went to... (it ended up being like a short gourmet tour) XD;;

Sam James Coffee Bar which apparently has very good coffee, but I wasn't in a coffee mode and bought one of their special tea blends. It was very good.  I really like the simple and unassuming interior.  The menu items are written on a chalkboard in handwritten block lettering.

California Sandwiches for what is apparently the best veal sandwich ever!  We went to the location on Claremont St.  Remember to order the sandwich with extra toppings with cheese, onions, and mushrooms.  The sandwich is quite large, and if you do not eat very much, you could perhaps share with another person with similar light appetite.

Then a restaurant that sold only Pork sandwiches with sides like Rapini?? I don't remember where or what the name was!  It was near Kensington Market where we stopped afterwards for some Vegan tacos and doughnuts at Hot Beans.

The day ended with a stop at Chinatown where my Californian friends bought some exotic Asian fruits, something they can't get as many fruits are frozen before imported into the States.  We also bought some Chinese sweets at a Chinese bakery before heading back to Yorkville.  I bought a small slice of White Sugar Sponge Cake to eat tomorrow morning.

On the way back, we walked through the University of Toronto campus, which was very beautiful.  It was a nice day - the weather was not too hot and the temperature was perfect for walking in the evening with a light wind...

I realize that a lot of my trips are centered on food, but I find that good food is a wonderful way to bring people together and bring out the best in conversation.  And indeed, walking through a city is one of the best ways to get to know it - even better when you have a local to guide the way...  After that day I felt I got a chance to know Toronto a bit more intimately.

Outfits from that little excursion...

This Metamorphose dress is a precious item for me.  It's my first Lolita dress ever, and my mother helped me with the purchase... so it means a lot... I don't think I can ever sell this even when I grow old.  Recently I ordered these awesome Diamond socks from indies brand Chantilly.  They are very well made and the price is reasonable!  When I have a little more money I might get more colours. <3  Chantilly ships overseas and takes Paypal as payment. :-)

The Jane Marple Number JSK is from 1995 and is one of my prized items... A long time ago, I told Jane Mai to pick up the Jane Marple Logo dress, also released in 1995:

I want to wear my Number dress together with her wearing the above dress so that we could do a little matching... but we're never in the same city when it is actually cool enough to wear many layers. >_< Hopefully someday we can manage it!!!  BTW, Jane Mai runs a really cool blog (where she originally posted the photo) and draws amazing things.  I am so happy to know her. <3  If you didn't already know, Jane contributed to both issues of Arabesque! 

Then I came home, and the following day I went downtown to run errands...

Another old Jane Marple dress that has buttons that run down the back and a low cut in front.  I paired it with an apron with cut out rose fabric sewn on see-through black fabric for a folklore touch.

Recently I've been wearing short length dresses (around 80 to 89cm) and older, vintage pieces for the spring.  When the weather becomes much warmer, I forsee turning to below the knee or ankle length skirts for low maintenence...

TCAF is happening this weekend in Toronto!  The event is free and held at the Toronto Reference Library.  Various contributors will be exhibiting at the event so please stop by to show your support!  We will have copies of the newest Arabesque on sale at each table.  Kim Hoang and Saicoink will be there at table #245 on the second floor and will carry a limited number of the first issue of Arabesque as well.  Jordyn Bochon will be at #250 also on the second floor.  Colleen MacIsaac's table is #117 on the first floor.

Saicoink will debut a new zine, The End Days of Our Youth, featuring collages made in a Showa Retro aesthetic along with an article about the Japanese band Guruguru Eigakan.

There will be a lot of amazing artists appearing this week.  If you have any interest in art or comics take a couple hours off your weekend to check it out.  Special guests include Usamaru Furuya and Natsume Ono! 

The weather is getting warmer here in Canada.  Some days it feels like summer is already here but other days it rains a lot or is rather windy so the weather is in reality up and down.  Right now it has been raining for several days straight. I hope that we can get a nice spring-like day with sunny weather soon...

In preparation for the upcoming spring and summer season, I cleaned my closet! My closet space is very small.  It is about as wide as I am!  So every season I store my not-in-season clothes in boxes to hide in the basement until it is the right weather for them.  This past week I put away my dark coloured clothes and heavy fabrics, luxurious velveteens and warm wool tartans in exchange for brighter and lighter fabrics!  I felt so renewed after the change.  I guess I really was ready for a lighter colour palette.

It is still cold so I have kept some autumn garments hanging up... but the gingham and floral patterns makes it really feel like spring is finally here!

Because the weather has gotten warmer but not yet too warm I can still have fun layering and am actually not so apphrehensive to go outside...

This weekend I went out to run errands on both days.  Busy busy, but it feels great to be outside and walking around the city.  Saturday I had lunch downtown as a new sandwich shop.  It was a bit expensive for a sandwich and afternoon lunch, but the taste is rather good and all the ingrediants are organic.  I had an artichoke sandwich since I could never have the time to make this dish at home.  What I liked was the atmosphere of the shop.  It felt very modern and leisurely.  There were a lot of design and art magazines to peruse.  It is a good place to do some writing, work or reading while eating.  I was still hungry afterwards though. Maybe next time I will order a soup instead of a salad as a side.  O_O

Then I went to go shopping for a birthday gift.  I dislike shopping! It can be so stressful.  I went around to all different kinds of stores to find something good.  I finally found something decent, but it took me so many hours. I really tired by the end of the day.

What I wore that day:

The necklace has a crow holding on to an orange fruit in its beak!  This coordinate made me really happy.

On Sunday I went out again and did more errands, buying needed stationery materials and helping friends with their shopping as well.  The day started out warm but became windier towards the evening... I should have worn something warmer underneath the dress - but it was a good excuse to get more use of my shoes from Mary Magdalene!

I hope that everyone is enjoying their spring time!

Zine contributors will be exhibiting their work at various conventions this summer.  They will of course have Arabesque for sale as well!

MoCCA Festival (New York) - April 9-10 (that means THIS weekend!)
Table #D14 with contributors Anthony Cudahy, Jane Mai, Kat Mukai, and Kris Mukai.  Check out their comics anthology Static Fish featuring work from up and coming creators at Pratt Institute!  They will also be selling the original comics and zines.

Toronto Comic Arts Festival (Toronto Reference Library) - May 7-8
This is a free event! If you are in town, please stop by. There will be a lot of really exciting activities and guests if you have any interest in art at all. Mainstream to independent and small press to freelance artists!  Arabesque contributors Kim Hoang and saicoink will be sharing a table as part of the Love Love Hill collective. Jordyn Bochon and Colleen MacIsaac will also be exhibiting.  You can stop by to see any of these contributors to pick up a copy of the zine.

Anime North (Toronto) - May 27-29
Kim Hoang is scheduled to be in the Comic Market and may be presenting a panel on independent comic publishing.

Arabesque may also appear at Expozine in Montreal in the autumn. More information as we know it.

Now that the lastest issue of Arabesque has been completed, I can put some of my creative energies into other matters which also includes the upkeep of this blog.  I haven been spending several weeks thinking about the direction for the blog and have decided that it will be in part supplement to the zine by offering additional tidbits for the articles found in the print version while offering a snapshot of my daily life, from fashion coordinates to snippets from books I am reading.  I hope I can convince the other zine contributors to help keep the blog alive as well.

It has only recently started to get warmer here in Canada, and the snow is finally, finally starting to melt (though we are apparently getting some light snow soon).  I can't wait to take out my fall and winter clothing from my waredrobe to exchange for a lighter and brighter colour palette for the spring season.  Though it is getting warmer, it is still important to don a warm coat and wear layers while going out - but I can be a bit more adventurous with my choice of footwear and stockings now that the snow is nearly gone!

In anticipation for the warmer months, here is a set of scans from a 1994 issue of So-en featuring clothing from the now defunct Wonderful World brand set in Provence!  This issue is from October but the setting is so bright and full of life, it resonates deeply with my expectations for spring.

By the way, if you haven't heard of it yet, my friend Martha runs a wonderful blog that may interest our readers called Moss Garden.  Recently she featured a beautiful photoshoot with Bianca wearing a Pink House outfit Martha coordinated.   The fashion outfits she features on her blog are truly inspiring as she draws on a variety of styles for her inspiration include Lolita and Pink House style.

Also, by chance, while looking up the correct address for Martha's blog, I came across an unaffiliated Etsy jewelry shop of the same name that features necklaces and rings using motifs like chrysanthemums, binoculars, and pine cones.