Thursday, December 31, 2015

What's in my Mailbox?: Mori swaps!

I realized the other day that I haven't shared much on my blog about the swaps I've been a part of. So I thought, before 2015 has comes to a close, that I would share some of the wonderful things fellow Mori Folk have sent me this year!

One of the most recent swaps was a "self care" swap. We sent items that might help us feel better on our bad days. The box I received contained many things in my favorite color, lilac, which instantly made me happy! There were a few different kinds of green teas, a handmade brooch, a handmade flower door-hanger, and a pen with a little floral notepad. It was quite sweet, and I loved everything in it! It was quite a fun swap to participate in, as we got to customize the gifts to fit our partners.


This second swap was a letter swap with the lovely Rosette. She sent me a charming card with a vintage picture of her city, and some vintage stickers to go along with it. I loved how well everything went together, and how beautiful it looked!

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

This swap was summer themed, and came all the way from Switzerland. It contained a large bag of loose leaf tea, a handmade notepad with pictures from a vintage bambi book, a recipe for berry cobbler, and a carved pencil with a mountain goat head on the top. I'm a sucker for loose leaf tea, so I was super excited about this one!


This last one was from our recent Christmas swap. It contained truffles (which were delicious and I ate them immediately...), some tea bags, a little journal in a plaid pouch, a light up crystal star, and a roll of silver star washi tape. It came just a few days before Christmas, which was quite amazing. I really like the washi tape! Normally, I stay away from shiny things, but this is just so pretty and I can't wait to use it.


Those are all of the swaps I've participated in this year. There were quite a lot, and I had a lovely time giving and receiving things with my Mori friends. If you haven't participated in one yourself, I'd recommend giving it a try! It's a ton of fun!

I hope you all had a wonderful 2015, and I wish you all a Happy New Year. Blessings to you all!


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

What Not To Wear: Mori Girl Edition (aka Critiquing My Coords)

Over the (almost) four years or so that I've been wearing Mori Kei, my style has grown and changed dramatically. And I've really learned a lot over the years about what does and does not make a good coord. So recently I thought, why not take some of my old (and really awful) outfits, and talk about what could have been done to improve them? I'm hoping that in trudging through my mess-ups, I might be able to help out at least a few people who are struggling with how to create their own coords. So without further ado, let the personal torture begin! 

This first outfit I'm going to critique has a few different points to talk about, but they all center around the shirts. Ah the shirts. (This is already getting painful for me to look at.)


Critique: The first thing wrong with this outfit is the undershirt. When layering a t-shirt length shirt in mori kei, you have to be careful how it's done. Unless you're going for a casual look, your shirt and it's length can make or break your entire coord. In this case the shirt is too short and doesn't flow with the other layers. The other problem with this outfit is the over-shirt. You can't really tell in this photo, but unfortunately I remember this outfit well so I can tell what's wrong. The shirt itself, first and foremost, had a kind of polo shirt like collar. That can be fine I suppose, although I'm not fond of them in Mori coords, but that's not the only thing wrong with it. The second thing wrong is the sleeves. You can kind of see this one, but the sleeves were very, very wide. They fell at an awkward length around the middle of my shoulder, and the shirt that I chose to layer underneath, the too short one, barely had long enough sleeves to show. And to add insult to injury, it also fell at an awkward length on my shoulder. Third, (yes there is a third thing wrong with this poor shirt) It wasn't long enough. If you're going to layer a shirt on top of another, it at least needs to be a few inches shorter or longer than the shirt you're layering with. When it's the same length as the undershirt, then it creates an awkward bulk around your middle, and stops the flowing feeling of all the layers.

Remedy: The shirts need to be switched out for shirts with contrasting lengths, and suitable sleeves. 

Example:

 

This over-shirt's sleeves cover all of the layers underneath, and makes the look more complete. The shirt also works well on top length wise, and keeps the layers flowing. (Tip: I've found that buttoning the first few buttons of a shirt can often create a really cute look. Try it out for yourself! I think you'll be surprised!)


Onto the next coord!


Critique: With this outfit, there are two major things wrong. The first again lies with the shirts. The over-shirt and the undershirt together are fine, but where we run into issues is the undershirt in relationship with the over-skirt. There is a large amount of distance from the over skirt to the undershirt, and a short distance between the over shirt and the undershirt. This creates a very uneven feel, and makes the look feel very choppy. The second thing wrong with this outfit is the underskirt. The underskirt I was wearing in this picture was a bit to long to layer with the over skirt, so I had secured it up with a belt. Now nine times out of ten this is a bad idea. When you secure a skirt up with a belt, it often makes the hemline uneven, as you can see. Another problem with this skirt is the fact that it was a lot less flowing than the over skirt. A tight skirt never layers well with a flowing skirt.

Remedy: The undershirt should be replaced with a shirt of a bit longer length, and the underskirt should be replaced with a well fit, and more flowing skirt, in order to match the over skirt.

Example: 

In this outfit all of the layers of skirts are flowing, and the shirt used is an appropriate length in relationship with the skirts.

One more coord!


Critique: Where to start with this one... I suppose I'll start with the skirts, again. The underskirt is quite flowing, but the over-skirt is very tight. Obviously, this doesn't work. A tight skirt on top of a flowing skirt looks extremely unnatural, and bunches the skirt underneath in awkward ways. And on top of that, the underskirt is a bit too far down (especially with the tight skirt). The rest of it isn't too bad, although the almost cream shirt in contrast with the very dark brown seems a little off. Normally, I try to set colors next to colors of a similar, or a close, shade (unless it's white which you can set next to anything). It flows a little better that way.

Remedy: The tight skirt needs to be switched with a different, flowing skirt, and the layers need to be closer to each other a bit.

Example:




This coord is a lot better. The layering here flows much better, and the dark colors have been balanced out with each other by including more dark than light. It's a bit plain, but it still works well I think.

Well, that's all I've got for now. If I could have, I would have recreated these outfits and fixed them up. But sadly (or maybe not) I've since gotten rid of a lot of the clothing in these pictures, and my closet has changed considerably. So, no reworks. I hope this was still a bit helpful for you in some way. 

Maybe you can relate to me, and you have an old coord you can't stand the sight of? I'd love to hear your stories of how your style has grown and improved! Until next time, my deers!


Thursday, October 22, 2015

Outfit Time!



Another outfit dump. I hope you all enjoy! (And as always, pretty much 99% of my clothing is thrifted.)


A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on



A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on


A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on


A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

A photo posted by Kathryn Elaine (@forestsandtea) on

Monday, September 28, 2015

Instagram Spotlight: Gingerlillytea

Long time no post! I'm so sorry for the lack of new content on my blog! I've just started my first year of college, so my schedule has been kind of crazy. But it's slowly settling down, and I will try my best to get back to posting regularly.

I've decided to start a new series of posts highlighting my favorite Instagram feeds! Sometimes they may be people I think deserve more followers, and other times they may be more well know people. But one thing they'll all have in common is that they will be Mori focused (either lifestyle or fashion) or Mori inspired (either directly or indirectly).

The first person I want to highlight is one of my all time favorite people on Instagram: @gingerlillytea. Her name is Keri-Anne, and she is a mother and photographer, who likes to photograph her two children in gorgeous natural locations. Her feed gives off such a dreamy and beautiful feeling.

A photo posted by Gingerlillytea (@gingerlillytea) on

A photo posted by Gingerlillytea (@gingerlillytea) on



A photo posted by Gingerlillytea (@gingerlillytea) on



I hope you enjoy her lovely photography! Stop by and take a look at her lovely feed if you find the time. She also has a blog filled with even more lovely photographs if you're interested.


Friday, July 31, 2015

Mori Music Finds: Sky Sailing

Today's Mori Music Find is Sky Sailing.

Sky Sailing is the early works of Adam Young, better known as Owl City. Contrary to his usual electronic style, Sky Sailing consists of acoustic sounds and has a very natural feeling. Unfortunately there is only one Sky Sailing album, as it is his older works. But I think what 'An Airplane Carried me to Bed' is lacking in quantity it certainly makes up for in quality. Sky Sailing is extremely relaxing, and beautiful, to listen too. 


Have you heard of Sky Sailing? If so, how did you like them? If not, I hope you enjoy!


Thursday, June 25, 2015

How "Mori" are you?: A just for fun Mori Girl quiz!



So I recently came across a Lolita Level Up quiz and I thought it might be fun if I made one for Mori Kei as well. Please keep in mind that this is totally just for fun, and is in no way meant to be an accurate judge of how "mori" you really are. I tried to keep the questions mostly related to the fashion, and the things that are widely accepted as being a part of a mori lifestyle. If you have any ideas for a point you think I might have missed, or one you think should be removed, please let me know! Also, feel free to repost this wherever, just please send me a link, or link back to me, as I'd like to see your results.

Now, on to the quiz!



  1. You know of at least one Mori brand.
  2. You own an item from a Mori brand
  3. You've bought something using a shipping service.
  4. You have ordered from taobao.
  5. You've ordered from Aliexpress.
  6. You've bought straight from a Mori shop by visiting there in person.
  7. You've traveled to Japan just to buy from a Mori shop.
  8. You own at least one complete Mori outfit.
  9. You own over 5 complete Mori outfits.
  10. You wear Mori Kei once a week.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You wear Mori Kei twice a week.
  2. You wear Mori Kei 3 or more times in a week.
  3. You've gone 7 days straight wearing Mori Kei.
  4. You've worn a complete Mori coordinate in public.
  5. You've worn a complete Mori coordinate in public, and it wasn't for a convention or meetup.
  6. You've worn a Mori coordinate to a park or garden.
  7. You've worn a Mori or Mori inspired coordinate on a forest walk/hike.
  8. You've learned to eat very ladylike to avoid stains on your coordinates. 
  9. You've avoided eating something because you were afraid you would stain your coordinate.
  10. You've sewn an article of clothing.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You've sewn an article of clothing, and worn it in a coordinate.
  2. You run a Mori brand/shop.
  3. You've bought something that was too small, or too large, and altered it just because it's normally hard to find Mori clothes near you.
  4. You know the difference between "good" and "bad" lace.
  5. You've thrifted before.
  6. You thrift regularly.
  7. You've been wearing Mori for over a year.
  8. You've been wearing Mori for over 5 years.
  9. You've been wearing Mori since the fashion was created.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You've been wearing Mori before you knew it had a name.
  2. You wear Mori pieces in with your "normal" wardrobe.
  3. You don't have a normal wardrobe.
  4. Your friends freak out a bit when you wear jeans and t-shirts.
  5. You have been asked if you are/told you looked like: an old woman, a character from a book, or a video game character.
  6. You've been told you look like a forest fairy, or someone who lives in a forest.
  7. You've been complemented by someone before because they were "glad to see a young person dressed nicely/modestly".
  8. You know how to hand wash Mori brand pieces so that they don't shrink.
  9. You've bought items before that were not clothing because they "looked Mori".
  10. You are constantly looking at other peoples outfits and picking out the things that are Mori-like about them.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You consider "normal" fashion to be boring.
  2. You've worn an outfit similar to a Harajuku style of Mori.
  3. You've worn Dark Mori.
  4. You've worn Casual Mori.
  5. You've worn deer horns.
  6. You've worn fur (faux or real).
  7. You've gotten into a debate/discussion over fur with someone in the Mori community,
  8. You have a side on the fur debate.
  9. You don't wear much makeup when wearing Mori.
  10. You don't ever wear much makeup, or you don't wear makeup at all.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You are part of a Mori community.
  2. You are active in a Mori community
  3. You've been a part of many different Mori communities.
  4. You are a Mod in a Mori community.
  5. You've attended a meetup with Mori friends.
  6. You have a real life Mori friend.
  7. You have an Internet Mori friend.
  8. You have an Internet Mori friend in another country.
  9. You've met up with other Mori folk on a trip to foreign or far away locations.
  10. You have a Mori penpal.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You have convinced one of your friends to try out the Mori style, or at least got them significantly interested.
  2. You've had to explain to someone what "Mori Girl" is.
  3. You've had to explain to multiple someones what "Mori Girl" is.
  4. You've been to a Mori fashion panel at a convention.
  5. You've been to a Mori fashion show at a convention.
  6. You've hosted, and/or helped put on, a Mori fashion panel at a convention.
  7. You've been a part of a fashion show wearing Mori Kei.
  8. You know who Aoi Yu is.
  9. You know what Honey and Clover is.
  10. You know what Dear Li is.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You know what Wonder Rocket is.
  2. You know who Choco is.
  3. You've compared yourself to Choco's list.
  4. You find yourself mostly compatible with Choco's list.
  5. You have a Mori idol you look to for inspiration.
  6. You've been told that you are someone's Mori idol.
  7. You own one of the original Mori Girl magazines (fudge, spoon, etc).
  8. You've read scans of one of the original Mori magazines.
  9. You've taken an outfit snap.
  10. You've hiked outside to a nice location just to take an outfit snap.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You've decorated your house/bedroom in a Mori way.
  2. You use your Mori wardrobe to decorate your house (ex. hanging dresses on the wall, baskets you carry sitting around for decoration, etc).
  3. You run a Mori blog (traditional, tumblr, etc).
  4. You've been interviewed for a newspaper, magazine, or any other kind of article about wearing Mori Kei. 
  5. You know what a street snap is.
  6. You've been in a street snap.
  7. You have houseplants
  8. You have a garden.
  9. You knit and/or crochet.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You sew and/or embroider/cross stitch
  2. You've crafted your own accessories.
  3. You've wanted to try out a new style, but your coordinate still ended up looking Mori, or Mori inspired.
  4. You mix other styles with Mori.
  5. You frequently take photos.
  6. You own a professional grade camera.
  7. You own an instax mini.
  8. You've changed an aspect of your lifestyle since finding Mori fashion.
  9. You've decided to live a Mori lifestyle since discovering Mori fashion.
  10. You've been living a Mori lifestyle since before you know about Mori fashion.
Current Score: [x]
  1. You love animals.
  2. You love nature.
  3. You enjoy little things that other people deem insignificant.
  4. You listen to Mori music.
  5. You listen to Mori music because you genuinely enjoy it.
  6. You almost only listen to Mori music.
  7. Your dream home is a cottage in the woods, or a cozy old-timey home (like a farmhouse, or a Victorian house.)
  8. You've visited Japan because of Mori.
  9. You've thrown a party/wedding that was Mori inspired.
  10. You've dressed, or plan to dress, your small children in Mori/Mori inspired attire.
Current Score: [x]




Results:

1-18: You're a Forest Admirer!
You've probably just discovered Mori and are giving it a look to see if it's something you're interested in, or maybe you've just started wearing Mori. Either way, welcome to the forest deer! 

19-36: You're Tiptoeing Through the Tulips!
You're probably a newbie to Mori, but you know at least the basics of the fashion. You've also probably made your first coordinate, or are working on one.

37-54: You're a Forest Sapling!
You've probably been wearing Mori for a little while. You most likely know your way around the fashion pretty well, and are at least semi-serious about it.

55-72: You're a Delightful Deer!
You've probably been wearing Mori for at least a year, or you really liked the fashion and jumped in head first! You know your way around the fashion well now, and you've probably helped out others in the fashion. You're probably also living a somewhat Mori lifestyle as well.

73-90: You're a Full-time Forest Friend!
You're most likely an experienced, full-time Mori Girl. You've probably also been into the fashion for a good while. It's also my guess that there is a good chance you were dressing and/or living like a Mori girl before you even knew it had a name!

91+ You're a Real Life Forest Nymph!
Are you Choco? You must really really love Mori to score this high! You're most likely the real-life embodiment of the ideal Mori Girl. Congratulations my deer!



I hope you enjoyed this quiz! I'm a Full-time Forest Friend myself! How did you score? I hope you'll let me know!