the sinner's soiree

a little over a week ago, i attended our comm's biggest event to date!!

the annual halloween ball is always something to look forward to, and this year the mod team absolutely outdid themselves with THE coolest meet i have ever been into. this year the theme was sinner's soiree, based around the seven deadly sins (and seven heavenly virtues, for those who didn't want to be too evil!)

i attended the halloween ball last year as well -- it was actually my first meet, one that the comm kindly allowed me to buy a ticket to despite not officially being in the group yet. i remember it very fondly, but i was so excited to come to this one as a full-fledged member AND with a year's worth of improvement in coording. this year, i splurged on a VIP ticket and got some extra perks hehehe worth it u_u 

my coordinate is based on the sin of gluttony!! although the more accessories i added, the more it became a greed coordinate too. gluttonous for pancakes, and greedy for brand...

coord rundown
jsk - honey cake, angelic pretty
cardigan - little dipper
headbow - angelic pretty
head accessories - angelic pretty, beholder by sheena
scarf - angelic pretty
socks - angelic pretty
shoes - LIEF
bag - baby, the stars shine bright
parasol - dilettante crush
accessories - angelic pretty, dolly house kawaii
kumya's accessories - chocomint, offbrand

the soiree took place in an event space that used to be an old church! so, in the main room, there were pews, a stage, and beautiful stained-glass windows, making the venue just perfect given the theme.

we only had so much daylight left, but it was absolutely gorgeous when i entered

 

prior to the event, the comm did a lolita collective group order. they sponsored the ball, so we would have the ordered items brought to us at the event with no charge for shipping, which was crazy!! i used the opportunity to get some fluffy bloomers as well as a parasol - which i also made a part of my coord haha.

 

i arrived a little bit early at the mod team's request because i had a VIP ticket. one of the coolest perks of that ticket was that i got to have some really great pictures taken of me by comm moderators kurorini and ruffleroad! here are some of my favorites:

 

i know it's bad luck to open an umbrella indoors but consider: i felt like it

kurorini says this is my 'ojousama pose.' o ho ho!!!

"don't eat me!!!!!"

sigh. they're taking too long on my third stack of pancakes.

it was a lot of fun!! i tend not to photograph well so i was really delighted at how excellent these pictures came out. both photographers are so awesome and COOL so if youre reading this: thank you so much!!! 



after the VIP members' photoshoots, tons of other people arrived. there were lots of familiar faces, but there were also lots of lolitas i hadn't met, or who i'd only met once or twice. in total i believe there were about 50 people, making this the comm's biggest event ever!!  once people arrived, the event officially started with some opening remarks, as well as cute "char-boo-terie" boxes to tide us over until dinner.

 

after the little opening remarks came dinner! i got to go seat myself early (and stake out a good spot for my close friends hahaha) and took some time to admire the lovely decoration. the table setting had a little print as a free gift for everyone! this super cute illustration is hanging on my bedroom wall now, and it's drawn by the wonderfully skilled teal, who also drew the mascots for lolita collective! we have such a seriously talented comm it's crazy, so many amazing artists, photographers, event planners, and more. 

and then dinner was served for real!

 all the food was suuuuper delicious. i'm still thinking about the carrots and potatoes in particular omg they were just perfect. some sparkling cider got passed around but it ran out before i could get any LOL  but it's okay, my dear friend wyrm poured me some of his because he's a kind soul.

what tea party is complete without dessert? there was a crazy amount of delicious things to try and i truly embodied my sin by trying all of it. my favorites were the macarons because my favorites are always the macarons, but i also really liked the cream puffs, and the crunchy jelly candies. i don't remember specifically what they were called, but they were super fun, i'd never tried them until now. they were crunchy on the inside but kind of thick gelatin-like on the inside, it made me think of turkish delight but with a thicker texture, if that description makes sense. the cranberry cheesecake was amazing but i got JAM ON MY DRESS RAAAHH RAHHHHH thank god for tide pens omg. thank you amazing lovely showstopping out-of-state ouji guest for lending me one you literally saved my life  (lois voice) whoever you are... thank you

i had earl gray tea, one of my favorites, but it's not made in this photo lolol.

following dinner was the coord contest! 10 people entered and 3 people won. i didn't place but i did make people laugh with my overacting on stage, and THAT is a winning prize to me   

the winners were totally amazing and i was so especially excited when my friend, wyrm, got second place!! everyone who entered looked wonderful and had such fun ideas. even if you don't win, it's so fun to be a part of good natured friendly competition like this.

after the competition they did a drawing for ...... something that is not a raffle. im not legally allowed to call it that so we'll say it was a ...... voluntary random chance greed themed treasure adventure? i entered for an overskirt but, alas, did not win it. there was a kind of funny debacle that ensued when tickets got drawn for some black wig clips, because there were no tickets!!!! all losing tickets then got put into the wig clip box, and i think it was the most exciting prize drawing of all.... 

 for the rest of the night we mostly hung out and mingled! i hung out and chatted with some friends i knew, and some new people i did not yet. everyone was so sweet and wonderful whether we'd known each other for a few years or for a few seconds -- this is such a truly sweet and lovely comm 

unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and after a great evening of chatting, food, photos, and contests, it was time to go home for the night. on my way out, i was given a gift basket -- part of my VIP ticket and courtesy of one of the amazing comm mods who personally picked out the gifts inside.

i was really genuinely blown away by how thoughtful and sweet the basket was!!!! 

inside were two beautiful vintage teacup and saucer sets, one with delicate flowers, and the other with fruits and cute moths. there was a fridge magnet, a thank you note from lolita collective, and tonnnns of chocolate coins for my culinary enjoyment >:-) the tea cups also came with a little vial of loose-leaf lapsang souchong tea!

 

there was also an adorable chalmiere/axes femme ring, and an angelic pretty pearl choker, which is SUCH an unbelievably kind gift. it appears to be from 2003-2004, possibly this one, making it quite an obscure and unique treasure if true. i was already delighted because 1 - pearls and gold go with EVERYTHING and 2 - omg i luv angelic pretty. but i love that there's an additional layer of mystery to it - makes my collector heart happy.

 

so, if you are reading this, thank you so much for this sweet gift!!! i'm not the best at expressing myself but please know that i'm so grateful and flattered for all the time and thought you put into it.   

to wind down and relax after the big evening, i treated myself to a lazy bedroom tea party for two - me and my cat.

 and what an amazing evening it was!! i looked forward to this ball for months, and it did not disappoint. i'm already getting excited for next year's. i have to wonder what the theme will be, since the comm leadership always chooses something fun and creative.

 

putting my guesses out now so i can have them on the record and get bragging points if i'm right -- something witches or witchy themed seems likely. or maybe i'll be surprised. i suppose we'll see in a year's time ~