#long hairstyles
Kissa menu series: ミルクセーキ (milkshake)
In Japan, there are two types of milkshake: the American one we all know about, made with ice-cream and various flavours, and the retro showa one served in kissa and other older places, weirdly called “French style” even though it’s not French. The latter is made with milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla extract, and is nowhere as thick as standard milkshake.
My friends and I make the distinction between the two by calling them “milkshake” (pronounced in English) and “mirukuseki” (pronounced in Japan). If you go to a junkissa and see ミルクセーキ on the menu, it is definitely the milk+egg version. It also exists in cans (that look really retro) you can buy in drink machines and shops.
I feared the colour scheme for mirukuseki and lemon squash would be too similar, so I opted for a creamier yellow and a retro train/flight attendant look to make them completely different.
Dress: Pink Muchacha
Cardigan: Axes Femme (with an added fabric belt)
Shoes: John Fluevog
Headbow: second-hand Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
Bag: thrifted
Gloves: vintage
Retro milk bottle earring: Chitose Ame
Ueno badge: official JR merch
Phone cat + swan brooches: various artists
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Kissa menu series: 珈琲フロート (coffee float) and ウィンナコーヒー(Wiener coffee)
Coffee floats are normally iced black coffee topped with ice-cream, but depending on the kissa, the coffee already has milk and sugar in it. I definitely prefer the black version, since the ice-cream already adds cream and sugar. I often go for coffee float in summer because I know ice cream should be a real milk product, unlike the creamers they normally give you.
Wiener coffee in kissatens is rarely made the way it is made in Europe. Instead of espresso, it is often dripped coffee served with whipped cream. I used to order it more when I started my kissa hunt a few years ago, but I rarely order it now, so here are only two pictures of it (the whipped cream melts fast, sorry!).
Btw, sorry for the bad lighting on the outfit pictures; it was too sunny that day, and I had to draw the curtains. I was really dark against the very light background, so I had to fix that in Photoshop, but it’s far from perfect haha
Outfit rundown
Skirt: second-hand Mary Magdalene
Blouse: thrifted
Hat: vintage
Bag: Axes Femme
Gloves: second-hand Victorian Maiden
Boots: Sperry topsider
Nut earrings: made by a friend
Brooches: thrifted and Design Festa
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Kissa menu series: レモンスカッシュ (lemon squash)
A surprisingly popular drink in kissaten is the lemon squash. I don’t order it often because I feel it is overpriced for lemon juice and sparkling water (and sometimes a cherry), but I sometimes go for it in summer. I normally order lemon tea (hot or cold), but I thought it might not be such a special thing to feature here, so I went with Mia’s most ordered cold drink (and special request for this series).
I don’t have much to say about it because my research didn’t give me much info except for the recipe and the fact that “squash” is traditionally British and normally refers to concentrated fruit juice (not the mixed version that exists in Japan).
Because of the freshness of the drink, I went for a fresh youthful look, but with an 80s twist.
Outfit rundown
Sailor top (with added ribbon): thrifted earth, music and ecology
Skirt: Magestic Legon
Bag: second-hand Emily Temple Cute
Socks: Innocent World
Shoes: sample John Fluevog
Cherry earrings and lemon charm: Wego
¥10 pin: LikesLovesLikes
昭和生まれ pin: Design Festa
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Kissa menu series: クリームソーダ (cream soda)
After coffee and tea, my most ordered kissa menu item is the cream soda, short for ice-cream soda, a popular showa drink that’s having a comeback right now, even outside of the kissa world. It is normally made of melon soda and vanilla ice-cream (sometimes topped by a cherry), but there are some variations (like blue Hawaii float, orange soda float, coke float, etc.). However, if the menu says クリームソーダ without any specification, it will be a melon soda float. Most kissa make their own soda from sparkling water and syrup.
It is said that Shiseido Parlor in Ginza is the first one who has served cream soda in Japan. Cream soda comes from the U.S., and was patented in 1865. However, that version included egg whites, not ice-cream. The ice-cream float (which is closer to Japan’s cream soda) was also invented in the U.S., but in 1874.
I sadly do not own any bright lime - or melon - green piece, so I made do with a bright mint dress.
Dress: second-hand Milk
Bib: second-hand Victorian Maiden
Hat: thrifted
Bag: second-hand Emily Temple Cute
Shoes: Yosuke
Cream soda socks: Cando
Cream soda earrings: Lisa Retro Meron
Brooches: vintage/thrifted
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Kissa series menu: 珈琲 (coffee)
Now that we are in the drink section of the menu, let’s start with the most important element of any kissaten: the coffee. Some kissa only have one or two variations of coffee, while some have pages of different grains, blends and brewing methods. The latter tend to call themselves 珈琲店 (coffee shop) more, while still fitting in the kissa category. They also offer much better coffee than standard kissa.
Kissaten coffee is almost never espresso based. Before moving to Japan and going on my kissa hunt, I barely drank any coffee that wasn’t espresso-based, and would normally go for latte or cappuccino. Espresso is a relatively new concept in Japan, so if you go to a 純喫茶 (traditional kissa), coffee will normally be brewed by the hand-drip method or the syphon method. It can be served hot or iced, but ice coffee usually has less choice.
In kissa, but also in any coffee grain shop (I make my own coffee at home every morning), they categorise grain by mildness, roasting level and acidity/bitterness balance. Most people like balanced coffee leaning on bitter, while I am a sour coffee fan (for drip coffee). At home, I normally drink coffee first thing in the morning, so I put cream in it for my poor stomach, but if my stomach is not empty, I prefer drinking my coffee black, like you’ll see on my coffee pictures collection (reblog). Also, beware of the “milk” or “cream” they give you in cafés here, as it is almost always liquid creamer (not cream!). That’s why my outfit is all brown with touches of cream, because I usually do not put it in.
Outfit:
Jacket, skirt and blouse: second-hand Innocent World
Gloves: second-hand Victorian Maiden
Bag: second-hand Angelic Pretty
Hat: thrifted
Boots: Sperry topsider
Brooch: vintage
Book earrings: Design Festa
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Kissa menu series: ホットケーキ (hotcakes)
Similar to pancakes, hotcakes are fluffier, sweeter and thicker. The kissaten hotcakes are usually the classic showa kind, served with a square of butter (often margarine, sadly) and never enough syrup (not real maple syrup in most cases). It is said that hotcakes were made for the first time in Ueno, during the Taisho period.
If you dare call the hotcakes from kissa Pinocchio “pancakes” (see reblog, picture on left), the master will correct you!
Outfit rundown
Skirt: thrifted Ingeborg (Pink House)
Cardigan: old Innocent World
Turtleneck: thrifted Cecil McBee
Socks: Innocent World
Shoes: second-hand Queen Bee
Hat: thrifted hat on which I pinned a big bow
Cat hotcakes earrings and brooches: Design Festa
Bag: second-hand Vivienne Westwood
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Kissa menu series: プリン (pudding)
A popular dessert in Japan, プリン or custard pudding is actually a flan or a crème caramel. I tried to know who imported it in Asia first, but it seems most Asian countries have their own version that came from Spain, France or Portugal. Since it’s a dessert that has been around for a long time, it is often associated with kissaten and nostalgia.
The classic kissaten way to serve it is whipped “cream” and a cherry. Another kissa speciality is the プリンアラモード (pudding à la mode), a flan served with whipped “cream” and varied fruits (and sometimes ice cream). It is said Hotel New Grand in Yokohama is its creator (like most kissa menu items).
Outfit rundown
Dress: second-hand Mary Magdalene
Apron: thrifted Pink House
Bag: second-hand Angelic Pretty
Shoes: second-hand Queen Bee
Socks: Innocent World
Bonnet: thrifted (no brand, most likely handmade by its previous owner)
Bolero: thrifted (no brand)
Blouse: Boutique 1861 (old)
Cherry earrings: Wego
Spoon brooch: thrifted
Pudding badge: a gift
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Kissa menu series: ピザトースト (pizza toast)
This is exactly what it sounds like: tomato sauce, veggies (often green peppers and onions, sometimes corn), sometimes meat, and cheese on a toast. It is said that kissa Benisica in Ginza (see reblog) is the first one to have done it, but it’s a pretty simple concept most of us have already done at home, so I would take that with a grain of salt (or a few drops of Tabasco in true yoshoku style).
A kissaten’s specialty is the very thick slice of shokupan – the very soft milk bread used for toast in Japan – more than the toppings, which varies from a kissa to another.
Outfit rundown
Dress: vintage
Bag: thrifted Lancôme makeup bag emptied and used as a handbag
Shoes: Queen Bee
Corn socks: Cando
Bracelet: a present
Toast pin: Design Festa
Earrings, spice rack brooch and headwear: handmade by me
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Kissa menu series: 玉子サンド (egg sandwich)
There are two main types: the tamagoyaki type (my favourite, but it can be a miss if it’s too wet and turns the bread to mush) and the egg salad type. I also prefer when it includes cucumbers for freshness. It’s definitely the food menu item I order the most because it’s simple and fits well with everything. Plus, it’s generally smaller and easier to digest than other meals.
Another classic menu item is the mixed sandwich (this outfit could represent it as well), which normally includes an egg sandwich, a ham sandwich and a veggie sandwich (served in separate sandwiches or mixed together).
Outfit rundown
Dress: a present by Hakanairo
Bag: thrifted Fint
Blouse: Boutique 1861
Neck scarf: actually the waist tie of another skirt
Beret: thrifted
Shoes: thrifted (no brand?)
Socks: Cando
Tamagoyaki earrings: a present from a friend
Swan brooch, bread brooch and kuri cat charm on bag: from local artists whose social media I don’t know
Spice rack: handmade by me
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I went to 本むら庵 (Honmuraan), a sobaya from 1924, with Iona (who handled my camera this time) and Mia. After the meal, we went to どんぐり舎 (Dongurisha), a kissa I’ve been to a few times in Nishiogi, to plan a future outing and play hanafuda, like the old ladies we are (pictures of that on my Instagram post).
Outfit rundown
Michiyuki: thrifted
Skirt: thrifted Ingeborg
Top: some offbrand top I’ve been wearing for 17 years
Bag: thrifted Achachumu Muchacha
Hat: thrifted straw beret on which I added a huge bow
Sandals: Axes Femme
Maitake earrings (you’ll see Iona was wearing kamaboko earrings, so we matched as washoku earring sisters): Takano
Kameido Tenjin brooch: charm transformed as a brooch by me
Pierrot brooch: vintage
Stamp cat brooch: Via Carousel
Basket brooch: Design Festa
Cat ring: Enchantlic Enchantilly
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I had plans to go see wisterias, but I missed them again this year, so I went to see the May roses at Jindai botanical gardens. Since it was “on the way” (on my crazy walking standards), I also visited Coffee House Tom, a kissa that used to be in Yoyogi, but moved to Chofu, as well as all the very traditional Japanese area surrounding Jindaiji. See my Instagram for those pictures.
Outfit rundown
Dress: second-hand Mary Magdalene
Turtleneck: thrifted
Cardigan: old from Boutique 1861
Bag: second-hand Manifestange Métamorphose temps de fille (yes, it has the full name on it)
Shoes: second-hand Queen Bee
Socks: Old Grimoire
Cameo and umbrella+purse brooch: vintage
Lily of the valley corsage: Pauline Rose
Lavender roses corsages: Design Festa
Ring: thrifted Michal Negrin
Violet hair decoration: handmade by my cousin
Blue roses: Daiso assortment I pinned in
Blue+yellow hairpin: Axes Femme
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Another ridiculously long 20 km walk from east Suginami to Mitaka, visiting Namisuke’s new module, 喫茶Lisbon (est. 1958) and 珈琲松井商店 (an old café dedicated to Dazai), all the way back home by Tamagawa Aqueduct, where Dazai died in 1948. Pictures for all of that on my Instragram.
Outfit rundown
Dress, bag: thrifted Fint
Belt: thrifted
Hat, gloves and cameo: vintage
Shoes: second-hand Queen Bee
Spice rack brooch: handmade from miniatures
Earrings: can’t remember the artist
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Two weeks ago, I had a photoshoot in Shinjuku and wore something casual and easy to change out of and travel with. I liked the hairdo the hairdresser did for my second look and kept it (makeup was made by me, as you can see). I then visited Seibu Coffee while in Shinjuku and rode back home by bike (with a helmet). It’s a miracle the hairdo and makeup lasted(ish) all the way back home, so I took some outfit pictures.
Photoshoot behind the scene and kissa pictures on my Instagrampost.
Outfit rundown
Dress: Anna Sui (a present from many years ago)
Collar: second-hand Victorian Maiden
Hat: vintage
Tote bag: Valerie Bastille
Shoes: Yosuke
Brooch and ring: local artist markets
Cardigan: second-hand Milk
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Something completely different from last post
Comfy knit and wools from cooler days
Outfit rundown:
Skirt: thrifted Lois Crayon
Cardigan: thrifted Liz Lisa
Blouse: thrifted
Shoes: Queen Bee
Pink flower comb: Innocent World
Bag, belt and blue flower ribbon pin: Axes Femme (old/bought at different moments)
Cameo: thrifted Wedgwood
Earrings: Phantom Jewelry
Blue flower corsage: vintage
Felt cat brooch: Design Festa
Ring: Enchantlic Enchantilly
Mucha metal bookmark transformed as a brooch by me
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Poison
Outfit rundown
Jacket: vintage
Skirt: second-hand Victorian Maiden
Underskirt: second-hand
Blouse: The Floral Notebook
Hat: vintage
Shoes: Yosuke
Wooden cat-mushroom brooch: present
Other brooches: thrifted/vintage
Candle earrings: Phantom Jewelry
Sunglasses: thrifted
Rings: thrifted
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Still peach (and green-ish), but moto-friendly
Outfit rundown:
Jacket: vintage
Pants and heattech turtleneck : Uniqlo
Bag: thrifted Fint
Boots: Sperry Topsider
Hat: vintage
Scarf: offbrand (present)
Retro phone brooch: Mayokichiya
Globe brooch: Design Festa
Rocket/astronaut earring: offbrand
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Last week, Mia and I managed to do a hanami before the non-stop rain destroyed the sakuras.
Outfit rundown:
Dress: second-hand Mary Magdalene
Cardigan: second-hand Liz Lisa
Hat: second-hand Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
Shoes: second-hand Queen Bee
Blouse: second-hand Fint
Bow brooch: second-hand Innocent World
Earrings: modified (by me) vintage
Spice rack brooch: made by me
Baguette and sakura mochi brooch: Design Festa
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Back in March, I met with Mia and Iona to have a picnic with the plum blossoms. As I am still avoiding trains and other crowded/closed spaces, I had to walk 3+ hours to get to the park and back, so that’s why I am wearing a style that would fit sneakers.
We stopped by Fru-Full Umegaoka to get fruit treats and pancakes for our picnic. Sadly, it was really windy that day, so we spent most of the picnic trying to protect the food from the dust. You can see how Iona had to help me detangle my hair from the branches because of the wind.
Outfit rundown:
Skirt: thrifted Pink House (ribbon in my hair is originally the waist sash)
Denim jacket: thrifted
Music crop knit: thrifted and modified Jane Marple
Belt: offbrand
Pink top under: Heattech by Uniqlo
Retro phone pin: Mayokichiya
Wood harp brooch: Zackzack Seiffen
Earrings: modified vintage
Other brooches by various artists who don’t have SM
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All 12 kissa menu items in one collage
For outfit details and information about each item, here are the individual posts, from top to botton, left to right:
1. ロイヤルミルクティー (royal milk tea)
2. ミルクセーキ(milkshake)
3.レモンスカッシュ (lemon squash)
4.クリームソーダ (cream soda)
5.珈琲フロート (coffee float) and ウィンナコーヒー(Wiener coffee)
6.珈琲(coffee)
7.ホットケーキ(hotcakes)
8.プリン(pudding)
9.ピザトースト (pizza toast)
10.玉子サンド (egg sandwich)
11.オムライス(omurice)
12.ナポリタン(Napolitan)
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Ignore my goosebumps! They won’t go away until it’s the hottest summer day.
He turns the seasons around and so she changes her gown.
Just uploaded my first video braid tutorial, in 2018!
Viking Inspired Braids: Torvi’s Braided Upstyle
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Photo edits from my recent youtube DIY: Thor Ragnarok: Valkyrie Inspired Braided Ponytail
Ragnarok is literally my new favorite Marvel film…
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Girl with GORGEOUS braids in Paris France
http://forizzle.viralgalleries.me/gorgeous-but-easy-braid-tutorials
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Gorgeous girl with braided hairstyle, perfect for a wedding or prom
http://forizzle.viralgalleries.me/gorgeous-but-easy-braid-tutorials
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Girl with long hair
See how to get great hair like this
http://forizzle.viralgalleries.me/10-ways-to-get-great-hair
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